Ready for paint!!

We have been working around the clock on the house, spending pretty much any time that we're not at work there. I feel like we haven't made much progress until I look at the pictures from a month ago and then I realize how far we've come (but we still do have quite a ways to go). Basically, we've torn down all the crazy things that the previous owner had done and are now down to the bones of the house and are building back up. All of the wallpaper is gone, the ceilings are scraped and ready for recessed lights, the cabinet doors are sanded, and all the crazy solar panel stuff inside is gone. We have also texture-coated the walls and should have them painted by the end of this weekend- we're crossing our fingers.

By far the biggest job has been fixing all the holes in the walls, we knew that there were some issues with the walls, but we never realized quite how many. I tend to get a little impatient (shocking, I know) and at this point I'm very lucky that anyone still comes over to help. We really are so appreciative of all the help, Andy comes over and helps Justin almost every night into the wee hours of the morning, and my parents go work on the house even when Justin and I are both at work.Justin and Andy fixing holes in our master bedroom - notice the broken window (it came that way).

Katie is an excellent sander and looks so cute doing it!

Justin and I measuring out the placement for the can lights in the kitchen. We spent a long time figuring out where we wanted them and then hit studs when we tried to cut them out (apparently studfinders are a waste of money). We drew them out 4 times before we found a layout that looked good and wasn't on a stud.

Dad cut the holes out for us, being left-handed comes in handy!

Tracy in now a master electrician and drywall cutter. She did a great job but wasn't enjoying it at this moment.

Mom drew the short straw and got the dirty job of scraping the last little bit of popcorn off the ceilings. The respirators aren't that comfortable but are better than breathing in all that dust!

We were all working hard and wondered where Kristen was. We found her in the backyard, napping in the sun.

Kristen redeemed herself, she and Mom had to replace a big part of the drywall because it was soaked through. Great work girls!!

We have keys!!

After a long wait and lots of frustration, we finally have keys to the house!!! Unfortunately, Justin had to leave for Vegas for a week for work just 2 days after we got our keys. So, my family pitched in to start the renovations.



One of the reasons we loved this house... the view is great and we have beautiful sunsets.
Our lovely backyard, you can't see the chicken coop or solar panel from this view though :)
This is the future home of Justin's boat-- and one of the major reasons that he liked this house so much.
Maureen came over to help remove wallpaper. We think that the wallpaper was superglued on as it put up quite a fight coming off.
Mom decided to tackle the overgrown bushes out front. I told her she had to be done because the trash can was full, so she hopped in the trash can and voila! more room!
Dad wants to show that he's strong enough to handle this BIG job.