It's been pretty busy around here. I would like to show you what we've been up to. I'm warning you this is one of my longest posts, so get comfy.
We decided we better set up a base camp. This way we don't have to drive back and forth from Nampa if we don't have to. (we usually do though, after a day of what you're about to see, all we wanted is a shower and our own beds.)
Our dumpster has arrived! Let the demolition party begin...
All three layers of shingles had to be removed first. This is still, by far the job we've hated the most!
We invited family to help with this job.
Jonah and Calvin made a fire so we could cook a few hot dogs.
This is Lad jumping over a pole while on the ridge of the roof. We triple dog dared him. He can do it forwards and backwards.
Skye, using the same pole to climb this tree. (I know I've mentioned before it doesn't take much to entertain us)
Even Jake and Elwood need to take a break to play. They were so cute climbing up this board and sliding down it. They must have played on it for 20 minutes.
Olive is getting a piggy back from Arron, she wanted to be up on the roof with him. Once up there she was totally content.
After getting all the shingles and tar paper off, we had to remove the wood sheeting and insulation. Removing the insulation was a terrible job, it made us all itchy for the entire three days it took to remove it all.
One thing about working on the roof is we had some beautiful views. One day we watched the speed boats make waves on the snake river.
This is a sort of side job that couldn't be avoided. We had to move the propane tank so Arron could install a new electric meter box on the side of the house.
Lad worked the Ditch witch until midnight, ever hear of hard-pan? This trench had to be dug from the new meter box to the electric pole. The electric engineer was due to arrive in the morning to inspect Arron's work so he could give Idaho Power the okay to move the big cable.
Sheetrock, quickly filled our dumpster for the second time.
You can see all the electric wires overhead in this picture, they were disconnected and cut down.
Finally, we can start to take down the old trusses. I can't wait to see how the roof line looks with the same pitch on both levels. Vaulted ceilings, here we come!
Laiken is cleaning out the old pantry closet so we can tear out the shelves and the back wall. I'm going to have a huge pantry when it's all over!
Arron and Lad, cleaning up the 2x4s so they will be ready for the new trusses.
Skye is down below helping Grandpa Shore remove the front entrance. We will be adding on a new entrance, this time it will have a coat closet.
Teenagers! You say you need a wall removed and they come running!
This is the bathroom wall. The entire bathroom is being relocated. It is currently in the middle of the master bedroom.
Maggie just wants to go back home. Being at the Villa, while all this construction is going on stresses her out.
I wanted you to see the old plaster and lathe walls. They were a real pain to clean up after removal.
Lad and Arron thinking through a problem. Lad has been right there by Arron's side this entire project. I know there is no-one Arron would rather work with then his sons.
Who needs a crane to take down rafters? This is how it's done.
We have been dealing with bad weather during this entire project. Rain, rain, go away! This is how we found our tarps one morning after a rain storm. It looked like the Villa was going to fly away. Well, here is the Villa with no roof. Notice the power line going over the top of it?
Arron got checked off on his amazing electricity know-how. Idaho Power finally showed up and moved this unsightly line. We do the work, they get the check!
This is the old meter box.
This is the new one, on the side of the house that Arron installed.
We are all as tired as Olive looks. But we can't rest yet we have a roof to put on!
