Sticks & Bricks!

We made it!!!!  Moving a family of 5 across the world, starting a new job and school, being pregnant, building a house amidst the worst winter in 17 years is NOT something we would recommend doing all in one year.   JULY 4th we moved into our new house after 8 unbelievable months. Here are some pictures of the final product (there is still some rock to go up on the grey areas of the house) and some of the working moments that went into it.  First of all, Monte and Dona offered some great architectural ideas as well as Ben who drew up the plans and put up with all of our changes.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The ornament of a house is the friend who frequents it."  We wouldn't have made it through without our frequent friends and family.   Mom and Hy were there for the ground breaking and came up every week afterwards to help in anyway possible.  Parker, Tuck and Kevin were on top of the excavating and anything to do with dirt!  Joey, Parker's family, Denver and Seth got our cement in.  Dee came and helped Dave wire.  Scott and Tami helped out with clean up and put our deck in.  Sally gave great paint advice.  From equipment to know-how Jimmy Wise was our man and Mare taught me how to caulk and puddy . . . if I ever go to hell, the devil will hand me a caulking gun and a puddy can, I know it!  Vahe and Leisha did everything . . . tile, landscaping, cleaning, babysitting, and meals.  Lou & Cona helped with the painting.  Den and Parker were back to put in our well.  Bonnie flew out just for my sanity . . . oh and helped paint, babysit, pack, and clean (thanks Monte)!  Abby Dean came and helped me sand molding and baseboards.  She also helped me tremendously after the baby came!!  Kristi came for late night painting, picture hanging and baby sat Elly at the drop of a hat.   Jeri and John Titus were awesome to help out.  Jeri helped with interior decorating while John layed our bamboo flooring.  Corey hooked us up with some gorgeous rock.  Julie was our lifesaver in many ways and so was her hubby Roger who stepped up to help move us when the elder's quorum didn't show.  Mike was great to let Dave has time off work during the slow season and helped out when needed.  Betty, Dave's mom,  almost gained custody of the kids she had them so much.  Tonya, Mike, Lisa and Ben gave up their July 4th party plans to help us move in.  Last but not least, Dave's dad Bryce retired in March and worked on our house sometimes 4 days a week, 10 hours a day.  Pretty nice retirement . . .FOR US!   We'd be moving in around July 2009 if it weren't for these people. We are so grateful for them!