the house is getting a warm blanket...

this is where some of those miles and miles of wire end up.

check out Jesse on the stilts putting up some insulation; the house feels warmer already

once again from across the pond--house framed by the island's evergreens

still lots of insulation to be added to the basement.  This is the egress window in the basement bedroom

great room vaulted ceiling ready to have the insulation blown in

insulation on the interior wall of the laundry room

Today was the first time in 2 days that we have been to the house.  We spent a great deal of Saturday and Sunday visiting some more of the homes on the parade.  There were a lot people working on the house today, the plumber, those doing the insulation, the central vac people, and the sheet metal worker.
Everything is moving along nicely.

no new photos...

The past two days have brought a lot of additions to the house, but none of them seems to be "picture worthy."  We are saying this at the risk of offending the plumbers, the sheet metal workers, or the roofers---we need and appreciate each of them for their talent---those gifts will keep us warm and dry and some will be hidden behind the plastered walls and under sinks.  While we are excited about the progress, somehow, taking a picture of the latest installed cold air return vent or a piece of copper pipe, does not "seem" to impress.


Once again, the place is immaculate.  I only hope that I can keep it as clean as we find it each evening.  Thanks to all.

a busy Wednesday morning....

Meet Erik, one of Brett's workers, who is installing temporary doors so that the house can be locked.  Is he cute or what? (Maybe we'll give him a key!!)

We met David this morning to decide where to put the central vac outlets.  He was very helpful and that task is almost finished. He will be back when the cabinets go in just to finish a few things. 

Jason is one of the electricians.  What a job these guys have!  There must be enough wire in the house to go for miles. We are sure that it all makes sense to them.

Our guy, Jesse, was threading all of those miles of wire through holes and into boxes.  He assures us that it will all work and we trust that it will.  (We gotta have that TV for the Packers next Fall.) Note all of the black markings on the studs.  It looks like a foreign language to us, but they all seem to know what it means.

The plumbing is very important, and Jared is our man.  At least he didn't have to tramp around in mud today.  He, as most of the others working on the house, does things we don't even know about and things that we will never see---we hope .  

Ian, is another electrician from Team Services.  He had to take some of the plastic wire covering out of his teeth so that we could take his photo.  Take care of those teeth; they are gorgeous.

The kitchen is looking good, thanks to Nathan, another electrical guy from Team Services.  As long as the dish washer works, I'm good.

The second Jason relieved Jared in the plumbing department.  When we left him, he was installing the tub in the guest bathroom.  Need I say it again---ya'll come.

We continue to be amazed and awed by everyone that we have met.  Each of them is friendly and willing to answer any question that we have--in addition to being knowledgable about their jobs.  We think this speaks volumes about Brett, who puts all of the pieces together.


We usually try to visit after the men have gone for the day, so that we don't get in their way.  But today was an exception because we had to make a couple of decisions with David from A-1 Vacuum.  This gave us the opportunity to meet more people.  Thanks to each of you!

a sample of the backsplash for the kitchen.  Can't wait to see it installed.

As you can see, most of the shingles are on the roof.    Finish tomorrow??  We don't know.

The area that still needs to be finished is visible on the left.

We visited the house early this evening and there are so many wires and boxes and cans; it is amazing to us how anyone does electrical work.  Guess that is why we do what we do and they do what they do best.  The tub and showers are in the garage and Brett tells us that they will be dry-walling by the end of the week.

It is also amazing to us that every time we go over there, it is as if they have "cleaned the house" at the end of the day.  There is no trash and the floors have been swept and everything is neat.  That says a great deal about our builder and his crew.  Thanks!!

it's "shocking"....

...how many decisions we had to make in a short period of time with Chris, the main
electrician.  Thankfully, Brett was there to translate some of the electrical terms for us (ie four gang or two gang)--- sometimes we need lots of help.  Also I had to fess up that one of us has a c-pap, because we needed more outlets on that side of the bed! Now everyone knows!

It was bone-chilling cold and we had to tramp through knee-deep snow to get into the house.  Chris was thinking ahead; however, and had marked most of the things before we got there.  That did save us some time in the cold and we thank him for that.  We can say that Chris is a very fast talker (is he that way all of the time, or just when it is cold?) for two older listeners, but we think that we have it all worked out.  We will be seeing more of Chris and his guys this week.

Going into nice warm houses when we all got home was great for us, as I am sure it was for Brett and Chris as well.  

introducing Amy

Here is another new face for you blog watchers.  This is Amy Griffin, Brett's  wife.  She wears many hats in addition to being a wife and mother of three young children.  Among other things, Amy is a realtor and an interior designer who offers help and guidance to those of us who are having Brett build our homes.  Today she is one of the hostesses at the Mid-Winter Parade of Homes for the house that is being shown by Griffin Builders.  Amy is also the chairperson for this year's parade, a monumental job, we are sure.  Thanks, Amy.


Forgot to mention that it is snowing AGAIN---those few nice warmer days spoiled us and made us eager for Spring.  But, hey, this is Wisconsin!

new home parade weekend....

Meet Sue Griffin, a new face for all of you watching the blog, but a face that we see often during this home-building process.  Sue is the person who "helps" hold everything together on the office front---she calls us to schedule appointments, keeps us appraised of when we need to "spend" money, greets us when we visit the office, and, we are sure does much more than we know.  Oh, yes, we forgot to mention that Sue is Jack's wife and Brett's mother. Thank you, Sue!

This weekend and next is the Mid-Winter Parade of Homes Show in the Fox Valley.  This parade offers those of us who are building, those who are contemplating building, or those who are just looking at homes, the opportunity to see new, different and creative things that others are doing in their homes.  Some of these houses were custom-built, and others are "spec" homes that are for sale.  All of them are interesting and the tastes and designs are innovative, different  and beautiful.  It gives the prospective home buyer an opportunity to speak to builders and ask questions.  We especially enjoyed the home that Griffin Builders is showing.  It is lovely.

the first view of the pond since the building started...

today we met Todd, a new worker for us.  Does he look as if he enjoys standing in mud that is ankle deep?

the four season room door

the temperatures are warmer..the snow is leaving us--for now.  This is our first view of the pond this year

one of three islands--taken from the 4 season room

The doors that were in the garage were installed today and the basement framing was completed.  The roofers come tomorrow--not!  It is too windy to roof.  Everyday there is something new.  Things are moving quickly, and we are eager to visit each day to see what changes have occurred.

a firmer foundation...

The basement was poured yesterday, and there are some framed walls in the basement.  Some outside doors are leaning against the wall in the garage.  And there is mud all around.  Moving ahead.....

roofin', roofin', roofin'....

.......gonna start
The plumbing "looks" finished.  That is the opinion of the two of us who know nothing about building a house--of course we really know that there is more plumbing to be done.  We are excited...and the weather is supposed to cooperate.  Yea!

rollin', rollin', rollin'....

No photos today, but many things happened at the house.  The plumber was there to "rough in" the basement plumbing, and the cabinet maker came and marked the cabinet placements on the floor.  The master bath shower is framed, as is part of the laundry room.


The weather is in the 30's, so more pleasant for the workers.  But there is a lot of mud.  Can't have it all, can we?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

We received a great Valentine's Day surprise today when the mailman delivered this beautiful card, carefully hand made, by Penelope.  We love you too, Pippi.

we can see out---oh no!--others can see in

looking into the 4 season room

the guest bedroom

the living room

north west side

north east side

back of house

egress window in basement bedroom

south side

The guys worked hard on a Saturday morning and all of the windows are in place.  Thank you for giving up part of your weekend.

things to keep you warm...

The fireplace is in place, and the furnace is "hanging" in the basement --drying out the area so the cement can be poured.  And, the windows are in the garage waiting to be installed.  Things are moving right along.  AND--it is snowing-again!

Super Friday--the biggest day yet

this is Brett Griffin, our builder,--THE MAIN MAN.

Tomorrow is a big day--the furnace comes, the fireplace gets installed, the plumber arrives, and the windows go in.  All of this happens quickly because our MAIN MAN is sooooo organized!  Thank you, Brett.

top it off...

the roof is on....shingles coming soon

Trent..another contributor to the project

the fireplace is framed

the big game is nearly here

"across the pond"

more roof; less snow

less roof; more snow

back to front

welcome!

our neighbors