Progress!

This past week we (more Jon) have been working really hard on our basement project.  The people came to structurally (fix) support our basement walls - now they shouldn't push in any more!!  Now that that was done, Jon could start his project -  to re-tile around the house.  We've had some issues and wanted to make sure everything was good to go before we finished the inside of the basement.  It started off Monday with taking the deck off.  That was a project all in itself.  The boys and I helped (as did Jon's dad).  Tuesday we finished that.  Then the rest of the week they dug out around the foundation of the house all the way down to the footings!  Jon's dad, along with my dad came over to help.  This was quite the job as well.  Once they got all that done, then Jon power-washed the cement - he did such a good job - if the cracks hadn't been there - it would have looked like a new basement!  After that we started patching in all the cracks in the foundation.  I tell you what - Jon has been so working hard on all of  this all week in the hot temperatures.  I have helped off and on, but between county fair and other various things I had on my calendar - I didn't get to help as much as I would have liked to.  I'm so thankful he was able and willing to do all the work.  Also, grateful our dad's were around to help as well.  We are hoping to finish up with filling in the cracks tomorrow - we only have the south side left.  Then by late tomorrow or Tuesday we are hoping the guy will come in to tar it.  Our contractor is also going to come to cut out for the egress windows.  He is hoping to come the following week to start work inside!!  It's a lot of work, but I know we will enjoy it when it's all over!!  Enjoy some of the pictures of all the progress we've made so far. 

 

I like this picture.  Jon is working hard while Charlie and Will are working out - doing their exercises!!

 

Anthony and I trying hard to take out the screws.  This deck was built when TJ was a baby, so some were harder than others to get out!

 

 

Anthony and Will carrying boards to the trailer.  The boys were pretty good help this day.

 

 

Don (Jon's Dad) and I working at getting more boards off - Jon really was working - he carried the heavy boards to the trailer too!

 

 

 

Here is all the lumber from the deck.  We are hoping to reuse some of it.

 

 

 

 Jon and his dad beginning the digging!

 

 



 

Jon had to do some digging the old, hard way - by hand - especially around the air conditioner.

 

 

This is the north side of the house all dug out and power-washed (I was gone on power-washing day).

 

 

This is the south side of the house!  This may be a redneck way of mounting the air conditioner - but it works!

 

 

And the east side of the house - there were some bad parts on this side.

 

 

Here we are filling in the cracks.  It was much easier to do by hand than with a trowel.

 

 

And this is the surprise you get on your camera when you ask Anthony to take pictures - it reminds me of something his big brother would have done!  Absolutely LOVE it!!