We've had some late nights at home this week, as we try to squeeze out every last drop of each day. Our new home is coming together so nicely and I'm happy to report everything is going along smoooothly. I can even say that we continue to love everything about it so far. (Thank you, Craig!)
Since we live so close (in country terms) to the building site, we decided to all ride our bikes up the hill the other night, rather than drive. The boys have been doing odd jobs around the site like picking up nails and hauling rocks that show up in the field, to keep it clear for next year's crops.
The basement is now all framed out, and most of the main floor. The framers have just begun work on the upstairs, and we should start seeing that come together later this week.
Main floor, front of house (minus the porch).
Dining room side (minus porch).
Back of the house, main floor.
And because he's a future rockstar, Micah's been rockin' the house.
Remember the last time you saw the basement? It's looking a lot further along now, isn't it? We're excited about the area to the right. The floor is lower there than the other rooms in the basement and will serve as an indoor skateboarding area for the boys. Getting the ceiling and floors just right down there was quite an engineering challenge, but I'm so glad we did it. It's going to be a lot of fun for the family.
Here's another view down into the skate area. And see the red tubes in the mechanical room? Those are the radiant heat tubes from the floors in the basement. Eventually, each floor of the house will have the same treatment applied and then the whole system will be ready to be connected together.
I think the living room is Colin's favorite part of the house because it looks out onto his favorite view in the world: Mount Spokane. I tease him that all he'll have to do in the morning is look out the window at chair 2 and see if he likes the conditions for snowboarding that day. (I'll look out and see if I'm going to want hot cocoa or not. hee hee).
He's a keeper, that one. As we were riding home and I was gasping for air while peddling my little heart out, along comes that Ironman, riding one-handed. On. A. Super. Monster. Of. A. Hill. And of course, he wasn't even breathing hard. Next thing I know, he's pushing me up the hill with his other hand, while still riding his bike. He's my hero.
* * * *
Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.
* * * *
What a man you've got! ;-) How exciting to watch your dream come together! I love what we've seen so far, and making a skateboarding area inside for the boys is brilliant! I bet they cannot wait!
*Ü*
Joni
Posted by: Joni | August 05, 2010 at 06:02 AM
I'm so enjoying following along with the progress of your beautiful home! It sounds like it will be a perfect place for your family.
Posted by: Tricia | August 05, 2010 at 07:34 AM
What a beauty of a house! I can't wait to see it when it's all done! And what a view you've got! I wish I could see more than neighboring houses out any of my windows...maybe someday I'll finally get my wish and move out to the country and we could be neighbors! Country neighbors, of course...not the kind of neighbors I have here in SoCal that are right on top of you! Congrats on the progress of the house and the new store - you sure are one busy lady!!!
Posted by: Melissa Bailey | August 05, 2010 at 08:09 AM
we have radiant floor heating in the addition we added in 2006, you will LOVE it
Posted by: kristine hanson | August 05, 2010 at 09:11 AM
Take in a Deep Breath of this beautiful memory!
Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Vicki | August 05, 2010 at 09:46 AM
Serena, your last comment about your husband is so sweet, it made me cry!
Posted by: Kimberly | August 05, 2010 at 10:10 AM
love the bit about your husband <3
Posted by: Jacqui | August 05, 2010 at 10:42 AM
So exciting to see a house coming along! After 4 years at looking at the same piece of land, we finally bought it last month! Now we just have to choose a floorplan; what an overwhelming task!!
Posted by: Melissa | August 05, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Ahhh... Sigh... Ohhh... I have to get my hiney out to WA and LIVE there NOW! It's my perfect country living landscape that I've been dreaming up in my head for our brood... In a few years maybe... ;)
Posted by: Kate @ Bliss and That | August 05, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Your house is going to be so beautiful! I love those windows in the living room, and your dining room...well just can't wait to see that! So happy for you! Keep smiling! : )
Posted by: Emily | August 05, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Ah, what a darling!!
Posted by: LoriD | August 06, 2010 at 05:53 AM
It's coming along nicely. I'll bet the boys are excited about their own indoor skateboarding area. And that view--well it's just magnificant!
Posted by: Alice | August 06, 2010 at 08:41 AM
So, I've been doing research about radiant flooring and have read conflicting opinions about whether it really is cheaper than gas or electrical heat. I also live in North Dakota, where we REALLY need to have the heat going to keep those -40 degree windchills at bay. Is this going to be your only heat source?
PS: Looks fab so far, thanks for progress updates!
Posted by: Carrie | August 07, 2010 at 06:25 PM