More views with windows

Here are some pics from this morning. Most of the windows are in now.

The top picture is the view from the edge of the kitchen into one of the openings to the dining room and, beyond that, the family room. The view from the back of the house - the three windows with one on top is my favorite feature of the new addition. There is a large cut-out like shape next to the deck - that is the opening for a slider that will eventually open into a 3-season room. We're really happy with the chimney - the brick is called Old Glory and we love it.

Roof and Windows

We have WINDOWS! Now our house doesn't just look like a box. Very cool.

I spoke too soon about the tarp. Seems the middle section of the roof is in very tough shape, so we'll have to live with the tarp for a bit while they work on fixing it between snow and ice storms.

The roof is almost done!!

We FINALLY get to say goodbye to the tarp and get a peek at how our new/old house is shaping up. All of the new sections of the house are roofed now and the middle section will be completed tomorrow. ..This upcoming week we'll get our windows popped in. We hear they are beautiful and cannot wait to see them!!

The kitchen loft

We added a large shed dormer at the top of the back stairs (the loft) in the kitchen. Now, we won't have to duck when we reach the top! The sun exposure here will be perfect for plants...I can't wait.

Discovery...

This is what I LOVE about this old house - it has so many stories to tell. We found the house's original back door. It's located behind one of the built-in bookcases from our bedroom (previously our living room). This was the back door before the kitchen and entire back of the house was added. For this next iteration, it will be behind Matt and my AWESOME bedroom closets (can't wait for those!!)

Update

Had some computer problems, but thanks to our incredible friend Dan Collins we're finally able to update the blog. Next week will be very exciting as the roof goes on, the chimney is finished and we can finally say goodbye to the tarp! Here are a few pictures, but definitely check back midweek for better ones.

Addition interior and front framing

I took some pictures of the interior of the new addition. The vaulted ceiling is in the family room and the other is the view into the dining room.

Matt and I both visited the house today and are so excited with the progress on the front framing. The house looks very tall to us. We got to walk around the upstairs and check it out. I think it's going to be some great space for us.

Front renovation plans

This week should be very exciting as they frame the second floor for the front of the house. Matt and I CANNOT WAIT for this to happen. Stay tuned.... ;')

Playroom and kitchen

The kitchen and dining rooms have been demo'ed. For those of you who remember what it looked like (particularly Cheryl and Adam), the built-ins, floors and walls have been taken out in the front right room (we were using as playroom). We did not plan to do this but we had to. The kitchen floor and some sections of wall were also taken down. We liked both rooms and plan to put them back together the same way.

Rear addition framed

The rear addition is almost framed. Here's a view from the back yard and looking into the family room through to the dining room. The vantage point is from the opening where the chimney will be constructed.

Family visit to the site

We visited our house as a family this weekend and had a picnic. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed watching Camden check out the house and ride his little tractor up and down the driveway.

The addition takes shape

The back addition is framed!!!! It was an exciting weekend watching the deck, gable end and then the side walls be built. The length of the house has almost doubled now (not the square footage).

view from the kitchen

Here's a view when standing in front of the stove in the kitchen looking back at the loft and mudroom. This will be the transition into the new addition off the back. There will be two entry ways into the dining and family rooms. On the second floor, the window will become a doorway into an office/guest room.

A snag

Well, I won't have any updates to report this week. We've hit a bit of a snag in the project. So, I decided to share a few family photo updates from this week. I'll resume house-related posts when we're back up and running (hopefully by next week). So, stay tuned....

All dressed up for Halloween

To me, it kind of looks like our house is dressed up for Halloween - you know like one of those huge blow-up ghosts that sway in the wind. It rained yesterday so Mike (our framer) and Todd (our GC) needed to protect our house from the elements. That is a very big tarp.

Steps to nowhere

For some reason, I just love these shots of the stairs.

Many of you have commented on how treacherous our stairs are. And, you're right. But, if we leave them as-is, they are grandfathered in and don't need to be up to code. Bringing them up to code would take away A LOT of space upstairs. So....they're staying. The good news is, we're increasing the space of the landing so you won't hit your face against the wall when you reach the top. ;')

Tearing down the second floor

This is a big week! Today, the second floor came down and Matt was there to take some action shots. So, we now have a ranch - at least for a few days. The plan is to frame out the new second floor by the end of the week, so stay tuned and pray for good weather.

Our shiny new foundation

Here is the foundation for the addition which will include a family room, dining room, 1/2 bath and an office/guestroom. We love the new grading of our yard. It's going to be great...someday.

More demo...

It can be a little scary to think about all that is going on. But, Matt and I are thrilled to see so much activity. Here's a view from the side door into the mudroom and through to the former pantry.

"Dude, there's a HOLE in your house - a HOLE"

Our friend Pierce called us up one night to inform us that he was looking into our house through a hole in the front. Yup, that is Camden and Matt looking through it into the playroom. Good thing we locked the doors...

I wonder what the neighbors think

Aside from our next door neighbor (also our electrician), none of our neighbors really know what is going on. I wonder what this looks like to them - an abandoned house being torn down or a re-birth?

This house is OLD

Look at the roof - I think it's called the ridge beam. You can see the wooden pegs/nails holding things together. Very cool.

Some discoveries

The barn board - under the clapboard, under the vinyl siding - is pretty cool. It will stay. The sills were definitely in need of some attention after 176 years.

We finally discovered why the old photos we had of the side of the house looked so different. Two windows were revealed when the vinyl came down. You can also see the "seam" of the house where the "new" part (kitchen, loft and mudroom) was added somewhere around 1900.