Moving the tree

As the outside of the house nears completion it is exciting to turn our attention to the landscaping. For now we will stick to the broad strokes, the fence, shaping of the ground and placement of the larger pieces of the puzzle. 

When we bought our property there was a gorgeous split leaf maple that the previous owner had planted many years ago. From our very first plans we decided it would be saved and relocated to a fitting new home. Just before we dug our foundation excavation we carefully moved it about 20 feet closer to the road. We thought it would live there permanently, but as we built the new house it quickly became apparent that the space we had was too small for the tree. Many discussions ensued about where the tree would go. This week as we started the final shaping of  the front yard and then began to build the fence we knew that it was time to actually make the move, before the fence blocked the place where the tree would go. I called the tree mover.

He first used his giant spade to dig a hole where the tree would go, then moved to place the spade around the tree. It was a tight fit.

The heavy blades were forced into the sandy soild almost effortlessly. and then the stong hydraulics pulled it and the dirt around it out of the ground.

The tree wasn't going far. He backed out of the driveway, onto the street and back across the sidewalk to the other end of the house. We carefully positioned his bucket and then lowered the tree gently into the pre-dug hole where it would permanently live.

As quick as that the work was done. The tree instantly looked like it had been there forever.

Out front of the house there was suddenly LOTS of room. It looks real empty now but as the sidewalks get poured and we put in the landscaping we'll make it look nice and pretty. For the first time we can see the entire entry side of the house. We liked what we saw.

Tomorrow we get three inspections as a final step before the spray foam insulation which is set to begin on Monday morning. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Tuesday progress

Today, our crew were scattered, working around the house. The ladies were busy painting and the second front tree got it's third base coat. Glazes start tomorrow, weather permitting. The rock work painting is coming along nicely and they have rounded the corner to the west side of the house with the base coats.

Matt continued welding the pieces of the fence together and made great progress. The fence changes the property in a big way, both on the inside and from the outside.

Out back Peter nailed the rubber shingles onto the curved roof of Phoebe's tree play house which is on the back patio. (Big) Matt prepped the patio beams, upper eyebrows and other areas for sculpted concrete.

I was busy inside the house, installing the last of the electrical boxes and the backing for the wainscoting. It was a busy day all around!

Tomorrow, we've got some cool things planned that will change things in a big way. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Monday!

Mondays always seem to be a bit hectic. After taking it a little easier on the weekend, Monday is a high energy day for the crew. Jordin and Kylie cntinue to work their way across the front of the house painting the rock work. Sarah was busy painting the second large tree in front. Peter worked on the inside stairway. Big Matt and now little Matt too (new hire) started something brand new.

As the house gets more and more complete it is attracting more attention every day. LOTS more attention! While we enjoy the attention, not everyone who stops to visit stays on the sidewalk. Some like to wander right onto the worksite and property to see things up close for themselves. We knew this would happen, and have been planning a fence for some time. Now, that time has come.

We've been drawing out ideas for a fence almost as long as we've been dreaming and designing the new house. Some of those ideas were fancy, some plain and well... some ideas were way out there. In the end we went with something custom but relatively sedate. We want the focus to be on the house rather than what separates us from the road. Matthew, with his shiney new welding certificate would be put to the test. Big Matt and I dug the holes, set the heavy steel posts and laid things out while little Matt ran the mig welder and made everything nice and plumb. He did a nice job too! 

By the end of the day we had relocated all the construction signs and laid out eight sections of fence. Matt got a good start welding the rungs between the rails of the fence. The blue paint now stretches from end to end of the house, the second big tree has two coats of paint and good progress was made on the stairway theme work. WHEW! No wonder everyone was a little tired at the end of the day!  :)

Tomorrow the fun will continue.

-grampa dan