Adding on????....why, yes.

So, after getting the house to the point that we were left with only needing to refinish floors, paint, and do lighting (and furnish)...we decided to add on about 8 feet to the back of the house where the den/kitchen area is. We put a lot of thought into it, and since this is our main area that we'll live in every day, we decided to go for it. It's something we had thought we might do in some years, but with the no sale of our Memphis home, and no 'real' rush to get in immediately, we thought this time is better than any. Later on we would have had to rip out the existing kitchen which would have been a big mess, so I'm glad we're doing it now. In the process of this, it gives the opportunity to add on to the bedroom upstairs, so that's another great part, since that bedroom was a little small.

We're so pleased with the house. I'm really COMPLETELY happy with it. I can't believe the transformation, yet the way it still looks like a 1920's home. There is much more work, and this has felt like the never ending project, but we're hanging in there, and moving along. I have dreams of a Christmas tree in the front room this year, but I don't want to get overly excited until we know how long the addition will take. We've been told 3 months, so we'll see:)

On another note, I'm so excited that Fall is here!!! So many great things are happening, and I feel so thankful. My nephew is a big joy in my life, and one of my best friends just gave birth to her third, precious boy. Work is going well, my family is healthy, our house is coming along, and I really can't think of real reasons to complain (although I know I do it too often:) ). I feel so blessed beyond what is deserved.

Here's to Fall and the upcoming holidays! I'll have to post some house pictures, soon. One day, we will really live in it, and it won't just be a project:)
Below are some pictures of Harrison. He's a mess!

He and Larry were ignoring each other

The blurriness represents how squirmy this little guy is now!

Progress

Somerville

This picture just reminded me of Somerville. PJ's, beer, cooking a hot dog on a homemade grill, camping out. So much fun! I love that about Somerville. Not trying to make it sound all country, but it is to me, and that's why I like it:) So laid back, safe, and comfortable! So comfortable that this scene just makes me feel relaxed and peaceful. I'm really ready to be back out there again! 

The house is still making progress. Now, we're debating adding on to the back, so that'd be another few months. It seems never ending, and like it's taking forever, but I'm not that stressed about how long it's taking. Even if it takes 2 years:), I'll just be so happy to have it the way we're wanting it, so can't complain. It looks so good, and the builders have done an AMAZING job maintaining the 'old' look. It's still 1924 to me. They are almost finished with the moulding, and the stairs are completely in...we just need to pick out the railing and whatever the post things are called. All that's left is refinishing floors, windows, and painting. Of course, filling it. We met with a cabinet guy, and then we have the lighting pretty much picked out, we just have to start searching for good deals on it! I'm actually about to head to Marrs in Arlington, and hope for some good deals on hardware, lighting, or anything:)

I'll have pictures later! 

Walls!

Woohoo! I'm excited to see that the walls are up now. Yes, this seems like it's been a forever process. I guess that's what we get for not having a contractor...BUT, it has saved some money, and since our house hasn't sold, yet, we haven't suffered too badly from how long it is taking. To be exact it has been almost 9 months since we knocked the first wall out. Now, what we have left is refinishing windows, painting, and refinishing floors. Of course, we have to furnish the house, including fixtures, cabinets, and all of the permanent as well as non permanent fixtures. I was just so happy to see walls. They've painted the ceilings, now, but we haven't seen it since then. Here's to progress! :)

Basement. This is a whole new world from before. The water heater won't stay right there.

The glass doors will go back up here in the opening.

Upstairs

This is my favorite ceiling area. They basically raised the ceiling in every area possible, and I LOVED the outcome. They did a great job of making the most of what they could, and I think it adds some character, and I think it's cute:)

This picture is walking out of the back door. That will be the mudroom, and there won't be a door where you see one, now. The picture above that is looking at that mudroom, but the open area is the kitchen and some of the den area.

We have insulation. Never thought it'd make me so happy.

yes! finally some updates. It was becoming really sad when people would walk in who hadn't been since February, and not be able to see changes... I mean don't you see wires, and big huge air ducts, and PVC pipes? Actually, probably not, because this has been the most productive visually non-productive 3 months of house renovation. Rather than putting pictures of each "internal" step, I just decided to wait until we're close to actually having walls. We finally got there. Insulation was completed last weekend, and I've never been so excited to see all of that white fluffy stuff. It was like a winter wonderland of walls. I posted lots of pictures, so sorry:)

I think we'll leave the furnace on the front porch:)

Someone is pumped about insulation

pretty insulation

There was a door here. They did a GREAT job of replicating the wood to look original. Well, after painting it will:)

They tore out the porch ceiling (didn't know this was going to happen, but I'm excited)

The tulle room. Okay, I'm really not sure what this is.

Alarm

Yay, we have electricity

(thanks Joe and Brian)

Plumbing! (thanks Tatums)

Oh, great, I can do laundry. I was hoping we'd forget to add the laundry room.

We found some hard wood under about 3 layers of flooring. We're keeping all of the original hardwood....some will have to be pieced together, but I think it'll still be cool to have the original.

Our hazardous stairs. You can see Matt below in the guest bathroom. Poor Larry refuses to walk up these.

HVAC (thanks, Billy)

Aaaaaaand, there's still so much more left to do.  :)

Time for EBOX dump # 6 (this really adds up)!


Anyway, that's all for now! It's been so long since we've had house updates, so it's really nice to be able to have some sort of progress pictures. I got a text today from Erin saying that there was tons of dry wall outside! David called Matt saying they were getting ready to start the walls. I can't wait. It's been such a blessing to have family 'keep an eye out' on our house stuff during the week. My mom is hilarious and I think now that she's out for summer she goes every day, and knows every single person who has worked on the house. She gives me great updates, and I really appreciate it.

These guys crack me up

Our A/C is out right now, and it's HOT in the house. The kids have not taken well to it.

Wally tries the couch

Now, it looks like they're dead

Nope! Still alive

"Mom, it's hot in here!"

I feel so bad I give Larry the fan.

Wally coped by getting in the window.

Two years

Matt and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary today! Such a blessing, and I'm very happy. To me every year and every day is such a gift.

 I don't say it enough, but I I am so thankful for our marriage. Matt's a great husband, and treats me better than I had ever imagined a husband could treat a wife. 

Below are pictures from our first date. We went to Bosco's and the Blue Monkey. About 2 years later, we were married!