Reinforcements are here!

Nancy and Marty arrive on Thursday, May 24th.  Linda is thrilled to pass the Silver Assistant's Hammer on to Marty and become third string once again! 

Greg and Linda get to work.

We arrived on May 3rd this year, after taking ten days to make the five-day trip.  We spent four days at Four Ponds Farm in Tennessee with Nancy and Marty, and a day and a half with Karen and Mark Clemons in Rochester Hills, Michigan. 

We start by working on the blocking, the horizontal pieces needed between the studs, in order to install the tongue and grove vertically.  Linda, manning the cut-off saw, and Greg, using the nail gun.

Blocking on a low wall - not too challenging.

Blocking on a higher wall, much more challenging.  Not for the cutter, but definitely for the nailer!

We blocked and insulated the pantry wall, that is also the front wall of the house.

Karen and Mark Clemons arrive for a visit on May 22nd, and Mark helps Greg install can light fixtures in the kitchen and master bath, and also bathroom fans in the lower level powder room and master bath, and upper-level guest bath.

Welcome to 2012 at Silverleaf!

The staining of the logs on the outside of the house was completed after we left last fall, as well as the outside stone work. 

The stone work on the fireplace was also completed!

John, the builder, worked on the high ceilings for us over the winter.  He did a beautiful job!

The Staining Begins . . .

The last photo for 2011, taken just before we drove out the front gate, headed for Phoenix.

The staining crew was just starting on the exterior stain.

Chief Cook and Compound Mitre Saw User!

Nancy Ribar!

Okay, just kidding about the saw, but NOT kidding about

being chief cook.  We ate very well while Nancy was with us!

Thursday, October 8th.  Nancy and Marty surprise us with a

deck christening ceremony!

Marty has a heart-to-heart talk with the jeep about aging gracefully.

The fall color was nearing its peak!

Some Inside Views!

Getting this tub/shower unit upstairs and getting it into place was a

BIG JOB for Marty and Greg.

Plumbing for the washer, utility sink and ice maker.

Laundry room is currently full of insulation!

Upstairs loft, looking towards the smaller of

the two bedrooms.

Walk-in shower in the master bedroom.  We ordered this custom-made

form.  It was another big job for Greg and Marty to get this put in.  The tile

will go right on top of the form.

This is a small storage area Greg and Marty created in the basement to house the water

manifold, the hot water heater and shelving for storage.  Marty is just finishing

up the door he has installed. 

Installation of Ceiling Fan outlet in peak of great room!

Brother-in-law Marty and Greg rent a 40-foot extension ladder to do the job!