Basement Progress

Work on the basement slowed over the last couple weeks, but we do have some updates to share! These pictures should show some of the changes. It looks like progress to us!

We have a wide row of duct work – makes for a super wide soffit.

Getting the soffit framed in was great progress this weekend.
We had some help – my father-in-law and brother-in-law were here.
After just a few hours they had it all framed up!

There has also been some plumbing work going on over the last two weeks.
Handy hubby has not done much plumbing work before, so this is a new skill he has picked up from reading books from the library and searching online.
His Dad and Step-Mom gave him this torch for Christmas. Little did we know, he would attempt to burn down our house with it!

The studs were actually on fire. As in flames, on the walls of our home. Luckily he was able to put the fire out quickly! Just like in the pic above, he had bent some steel to be behind the copper while he was soldering, but it clearly wasn’t enough.

He installed the valves (with the yellow handles that go up) and then started running the copper pipes over to the bathroom. In the left corner you can see the remnants of the little fire. Some quick action to smother the fire with his gloves took care of it. Whew!

Here we have the beginning of fire #2, but there were no flames on this one.

Progress is happening. We can see things starting to take shape! Unfortunately, things will stay like this for awhile now while the electrical work, more plumbing, etc. happen. Regardless, I am hopeful we’ll have the basement ready for Christmas!

Pinewood Derby

Last weekend I joined my son at his scouting event because my hubby was off playing basketball. Cub Scouts has really been their thing, but I have to admit, the Pinewood Derby was fun! The cars were pretty amazing and the excitement of these boys was incredible. I will definitely be there next year too!!

The car at the top with the yellow stripe is Anthony’s. The yellow stripe was our not so beautiful attempt to add some much needed weight to his car…

Here is Anthony’s “pre-sketch” so that his handy Daddy could cut it out for him.

Great cars, right?!?

This shark car belongs to another kindergartener.
It was pretty slow, but still a super cool car!

The kindergarteners are getting ready to race again –can you tell how much fun Anthony is having?!?

Anthony’s car consistently came in 2nd place out of the 3 cars!

Crossing the finish line in 2nd place!

The cars are racing down the track and the boys are pumped up!!

The boys all had a blast – the Pinewood Derby was definitely a success!!!

Valentine Cookies

The other day I made a fruit pizza using some cookie dough. I didn’t need the entire batch of cookie dough for the pizza crust, so I rolled out a few cookies. I whipped up a quick batch of frosting (powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and food coloring) and my little assistant took care of the sprinkles. So much fun and delicious too!!





I love how the center of each cookie is loaded with sprinkles!

Basement Progress

It’s only been one week, but with some framing, duct work and plumbing all going on, it feels like things are moving along nice and quick. So quick that I have to keep reminding myself that there is a ton of work involved with the rest of the plumbing, electrical, etc. Our goal is that the basement will be ready for Christmas 2012 and after just one week, it sure feels like we are on the right track.

Duct work – see the funky shape in the ceiling (like a rectangle with a
rounded corner)? My hubby had to re-do the duct work to fill in that
space and re-route to access the new bathroom.

Hard at work!

The head lamp looks dorky, but it sure is handy! Notice he’s installing the
funky shaped duct work here.

Part of the drywall has been taken down to open up the stairs. It’s amazing what a big difference something so small made. We had to leave the temporary wall (put in to meet code when we built the house) and railing there for safety, but someday it will be taken down and replaced with a nice new railing.

The walls are going up! The back room will be a bedroom and the little room on the right is the bathroom.

He has set up a temporary shop in our basement.
Oh the dust we will live with over the next year!

Plumbing… So far his least favorite.

This was an “oops” piece. Don’t quit your day job! HaHa….

It probably doesn’t look like much to you, but wow, we can sure see the difference. Now, who wants to come over and help speed this project along?!?