Shed Project

This weekend we took on another home improvement project.  The Huskers didn't have a game so we made the most of our weekend and got a big project off our list! 

When we bought our house 7 years ago (how can it be that long??) we knew we needed to take down and replace the shed in our backyard.  It was a sore sight and didn't provide much storage.  Look at this poor shed.....

We rented a very pink dumpster and called friends for extra help.  We were so lucky to have some of the guys from our journey group show up to help with the project. 

The shed looked like it would just fall over with one push but like all home improvement projects it proved to be a little more complicated. 

We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends to give up their Saturday morning to give us a hand!  It feels so good to have the shed down and ready for a new one to be built. 

Memorial Day Weekend

Last memorial day weekend we were on vacation in North Carolina visiting our amazing friends Kyle and Natalie.  We were taking in the beautiful North Carolina weather and relaxing the days away with good friends. 

This year we took on a different kind of a weekend!  In the last couple of weeks we finally finished up our indoor fireplace project!  I am so happy with how it turned out.  Here is the before and after!

 
We took a day or two off in between and then began work on our next home improvement project…… painting the exterior of the house.  We both feel like we JUST painted the house.  However, when we looked back it has been six years since we painted!  That means we have been in this house for 7 years!  Where does the time go!!??

Over the weekend we tackled getting the front of the house painted.  It was a huge job but we did get the front done.  Now we only have three more sides to go! 

We started with scraping.  It took us two whole days and was really unpleasant!

Then we moved on to priming.  Each day we worked until the sun went down.  

 

Then we finally got to move on the to the fun painting!! 

 

We are painting the exact same color but over the years our green house turned to a blue house!  You can see how much it has faded in this picture.  We are moving on to this south side this week.

 

Even though we are so tired today we can't see straight, we are so happy with how much better the house looks.  Now moving on to the next three sides and the deck. 

 

On Sunday we gave our arms an afternoon break and went down to Roca.  We had family photos taken.  We had given the photo shoot to Marcia as a birthday present.  We were so happy we got to take the pictures out on Roca Road.  We will treasure them always!  Rachel Rippe (a dear family friend of my family) took the pictures and she is amazing!

 

After pictures the whole family headed over the Dudley's for a BBQ.  It was so good to see friends and enjoy great food together!

 

 

 

Overall it was a great weekend to be outside working on the house and we feel blessed we even got to spend extra time with friends and family. 

Busy Little Spring

Things have been a little crazy around here lately!  Here is what we have been up to the last few weeks.  Be ready for lots of pictures!

We spent Easter down on Roca Road with Drew's family.  It was relaxing and filled with lots of family time.  It was special to be in church together as a family on Easter Sunday.  God is good!



On Saturday we walked in 5k race to support a Norris family.  Marcia walked the whole route! 

Marcia and I were excited about crossing the finish line.  Jazz hands!

Drew even got to shoot his new gun with his Dad. 

My two favorite guys out on Roca Road.

We came home and continued work on our fireplace project.  We primed and painted the wall.  This portion of the project turned out to be a little more involved then we anticipated but we got it done.  Drew also upgraded our ceiling fan. 

The next weekend we got together with our journey group for a day in the country.  One of our couples lives on a farm in Iowa and they invited us all out for a day of fun.  We had lots of food and laughs together.  The boys brought their guns and had a blast shooting.  This group has meant so much to Drew and I over the years.  God has given us some amazing friends!

This weekend we went to a wedding of a family friend from Gothenburg.  My Mom came into town for the event.  My Dad was on his way back from California so he couldn't make it.  It is the last wedding that Rita and Alex will go to before they get married on June 29th!  It was so fun to talk wedding and spend time with some of my family.

Rita and Alex will be going to the chapel soon!  I can't wait!!!

I am working with Drew on opening his "Henning eyes" for a picture. 

The past few weeks have been crazy but it seems that spring is always a little busy!  I hope to be better at keeping my blog up to date! 

Drywall Time

The past week we have been busy with the drywall phase of our fireplace project.  I quickly found out that this phase was going to be a dusty one! 

For drywall we used Kathol Drywall.  We got several bids and we decided to go with this company.  Jon did the whole project on his own.  It took four days of a few hours here and there to remove the old drywall, put up new drywall, mud, tap and sand. 

In order to save all our stuff from the dust I put everything from our kitchen in the office and everything from the living room in our guest bedroom.  It made for a few extra nights of going out to eat.  Drew didn't complain.

Here are some pictures of the whole process.

Before Drywall

New Drywall Up - Day One

 After Mud and Tape - Day Two

More Mud - Day Three

 

 Sanded and Finished - Day Four
This is Jon sanding the wall.  He put up plastic to contain the dust.

 

Finished and ready for the next step.

 Overall this phase of the project wasn't too bad.  Maybe that is because we hired it done!!??  So that's what this feels like.  Hee, Hee!  Now we will move on to the finishing touches.  We have to paint the ceiling (that will be interesting), paint the walls, build a mantel, mount the TV and tile the fireplace. 

There is still lots to do but I have found my own way to cope with the home improvement stress!



Fireplace Progress

Over the last couple weeks we have made lots of progress on our fireplace project!  It is a project that is going to take a long time to finish but it will be worth the wait! 

Last time you saw the project we were in full demolition mode.  Here is another picture of the mess!

 

It was a very messy and stressful couple of days.  However, once the dust settled and all the rock was carried outside I was able to clean up living room.  The living room is now ugly but livable!

Once rock demolition was complete Drew worked on removing the old fireplace.  It was a very noisy process.  I was busy getting ready for my sister's shower serenaded with the sounds of sawing and hammering.  It was a little crazy!

Our gas fireplace was installed Saturday afternoon.  We got our fireplace from Consolidated Kitchens & Fireplaces.  We are really happy with the product and had a wonderful experience.  Our installer Bill was awesome!  He let Drew assist which was exactly what Drew was wanting.  At the end of the day Saturday the fireplace was taking shape.  Bill returned Monday to finish up the install. 

After Bill finished the fireplace Monday we had a lot of fun playing with our new fireplace.  It is so nice to just flip a switch to get fire.  So simple!  I love it!!  Here I am warming up. 

Now begins the messy job of drywall.  We will be hiring this portion of the project.  It will be a complicated process and needs a professional.  Today I am getting bids and we are hoping to get the drywall process going next week.  It will take three days to drywall to the ceiling.  Pictures of that will be to come! 

Here is are a couple pictures of the fireplace right now. 

 

 

To Do List:
- Run wires for mounted TV
- Pick a drywall company
- Lower structure for correct mantel height
- Figure out & build mantel

It will be so fun once it is complete!!

Fireplace Project

Six and half years ago Drew and I bought our first home together.  Since that time we have been doing nonstop improvements.  Over the years we have become pretty experienced at DIY projects.  We are never afraid to get dirty.  It is one my simple joys in life.  As Drew knows I love when we are working on a project together! 

 

About a year ago we replaced all the carpet, trim and doors in our home.  To say the least it was a HUGE undertaking!  It made for some funny stories and some very interesting living conditions. 

 

Livingroom during carpet and trim project.

It has taken us an entire year to tackle another project that disrupts our daily living conditions but the time has come.  Last night we began the demo phase of our fireplace project. 

 

Picture of the fireplace before demo.

 

In the last month our fireplace broke.  It was letting lots of cold air back into the house and we couldn’t use it anymore.  So, we first decided that we needed to replace it with a gas fireplace.  Easy right!?  Not so!  Since we will be replacing the fireplace it didn’t make sense to leave our 80’s rock wall.  Can you see where this is going….??  So after long discussions and lots of back and forth we decided to take down the whole fireplace wall and give it a fresh new look. 

When we began demo last night it quickly became clear that the rock wall was not going down without a fight.  Drew worked on it for hours.  We had heard that it would just “pop” off.  That was a lie!!!  It was heavy and dangerous.  Luckily last night Drew got it all down.  Tonight we will begin the clean up process.

Drew and his flannel just beginning the process.

 

As the process went on the flannel came off.  Drew was going to win!

 

This is what is left of the fireplace.

Yes that is my livingroom!

Tonight we will begin the great clean up!  The fireplace guy is coming tomorrow so we have lots to do tonight.  Be looking for lots more posts about this project!