Siding!

The siding is finished!  We used Hardie Board Siding.  At first we thought we might use log siding, but once we started to do some siding research, we decided this was the option for us.  Is made out of cement and very durable.  Here are a few pics now that it is on the house.  Note-the light gray is just the primer.  Once painted, it will be a darker gray called Storm Cloud.

Slab for the central unit.

Stairs!

They've done some more dirt work, we now can drive down behind the house.

Putting some history into the house...

Years from now, I hope our sons look back fondly at growing up in such a beautiful home.  I hope that they have nothing but happy memories about farm life, and being surrounded by cows.

When Christian and I first started searching for homes a little farther out in the country than the one we had in Loretto, we came across some real messes.  I won't go into details, but let's just say some where stinky and some were caving in.  One house in particular was so bad that my dad (always the vigilant protector to his daughter) encouraged us to bring his friend and fellow carpenter Danny Niedergeses out to look at the place with us.  His advice brought about a change in plans.   As we stood looking at the work we would need to do to the house my dad said, "What would you tell her if she were your daughter?"

"I'd tell her to build.  If you build you get the house you want, not the house someone else wanted."

So we decided to build.  It only seemed natural that we would build on Christian's famiy's farm.  It was a bit on the "way out in the sticks" side than we had originally thought we would like to be-but once we were here it just fit.  The kids have acres and acres to roam.  I didn't hit me that boys, like cattle, need a lot of space.  Both of our sons attitudes changed, my attitude changed, Christian's attitude changed.  It is just peaceful here. 

The gift of the piece of land to place the house on was wonderful.  Our family will forever more be associated with "those Sanders who live way out in the country."

My dad is also giving us a special gift.  He is a very talented woodworker and volunteered to make our cabinets, island, and mantel.  I know they will look better than anything we could have hired someone to do.  It also is something the boys can appreciate more as they get older-that their Opa built a part of their house.  Here is picture of the progress so far. I'll have more to come Thursday. 

Cabinets in progress in Daddy's shop.

Four Month Check In

October 20, 2011

February 21, 2012

Doors

Interior doors and trim starting to pop up everywhere...

Finally a little color...

This week we had a little problem.  Christian went over to the house during Sunday's little rain shower to make sure the windows were closed.  The rain had begun to drip down from the dormers because there was no house wrap on them.  We called the contractors and they said they would make sure to come  fix the damage (which thankfully appears to be little) and start the Hardy Board siding right away. 

They got a lot done yesterday and I thought I'd run over there this morning to take a few pics.  Felix did not want to go.  He was busy at the barn.

Cousin Rook and Felix entertaining the babies.

Note the siding on the dormers.  It will be painted a dark gray.

Interior door delivered.

Living room looking into kitchen.

Master bedroom.  They are waiting to paint this wall because it is the one that may have to have some work due to the water.

Bathroom color.

The study.

Gus's sweet yellow room.

Wow.  Felix's room.  He insisted on this color.  When we went to look at it yesterday he said, "I really wanted white."  Oh well, you aren't getting it.  :)

Boys bathroom.  I figured it needed to be pretty tame since it is next to that raging green room.

The downhill slide...

Last week we had an inspection and the house is 51% complete.  We are on the downhill side of things, even if it is only by 1%. 

This little monster is keeping the house a toasty 895 degrees.

It is baking the mud on the sheetrock.

The power running through the doorknob.

This strip of wood is new.  Perhaps a porch is in our future.

Mud

Mud in the kitchen...and the rest of the house too!

Not sure what this goes to, but its new.

View from the balcony.

Lots to see here folks...