The HEAT Is On!

Yes, there is some truth to this photo!  

 I left off with my last post and we were waiting for our rough-in approvals from the inspectors.  We passed all inspections and rolled right into insulation.  My friend Rachel Erny's brother PJ works for Gypsum Supply and he did a fabulous job with insulation.  I couldn't believe how much warmer our house was with just insulation.  On Monday, November 5th Nieboer Heating was back to install the furnace.  

Here is a picture of the blown in insulation.  These guys were so fast I didn't even get one picture of them.  

We also chose to do batts in the ceiling of the dining room when we realized our master bathroom is above the dining room.  Things you don't think about when you are drawing your plans.  It could have been a little embarrassing, say for Thanksgiving if... well, you know.

We have decided to install laminate flooring in all the bedrooms.  Tori and Max both have allergies and this fall since we have been living in our rental which has no carpet they have been so much better.  I have done a lot of research about carpet and Pete and I decided that it would be best for the kiddos if we had little to no carpet in the house.  I was inspired by this blog http://www.theyellowcapecod.com/2011/10/31-days-of-building-characterwood.html and the laminate flooring she installed in her home.  So last Monday when the kids were out of school we headed to Sam's Club to pick up 60 boxes of laminate for the bedrooms.

It took two trips and thankfully these guys helped me load it.  I tried to get them to ride with me to the house to unload, with no luck.  

We decided to store it in our attic until we were ready to install.  These boxes were crazy heavy.  Thankfully superman showed up to help me carry them upstairs to the attic.  I will admit it was quite a leg workout and we were both sore the next day.

I few more years and this little guy will be taking two boxes at a time up the stairs.   

Yep, that's drywall!!!  Pete and I didn't have the drywallers scheduled until November 12th.  We were ready and they were available, so they started a week early.  All the drywall is hung and they started mudding on Monday.  They should be finished next Tuesday!  

Now you can tell how cool the tray ceiling is.

We were also excited to have some of our cousins from Harbor Springs visit this weekend.  

This is Pete with his youngest brother, Doug.

First, cousin picture on the front porch!   

On Sunday afternoon they headed north!

The kids started running after their car which made me tear up.

On Sunday evening we had the first Birthday celebration, ringing in 75 years for my Dad, and &%  for my sister.

It was a bitter sweet day because 9 years ago this past Sunday my mom past away.

It was nice to all be together.

I took this picture today.  Jerry's back working on siding, the man in the green jacket is Ben and I ordered all the siding, windows and exterior doors from his company RBK.  It's nice that he stops by and checks on our progress.

 So far I love the siding color, though the green wrap has grown on me!