Finished the basement dig!

Alright we finally finished digging the basement and only a few more days until we will have the concrete foundation started, we just need a few days without rain!

oh wait... ICE STORM??

Then the following week- snow!??

More Site Prep

Continuing to work on the basement dig- making progress slowly but surely! We used the help of a laser to help achieve the correct grading

 Above is the laser eye we used.

We also had the power connected for the temporary pole during building.

It will be fun trying to disguise this beauty in our front yard with some creative landscaping. 

The Basement Digging Begins!

Finally, after about 6 months of preparation in grading, house plans, bank loan acquiring we are almost ready to begin official construction with the Reed Brothers as our builder!  We close in about 1 week from today (February 9th) on our construction loan.  Seth has already started digging the basement.  

We met with the builders and a grader they commonly use to determine the best spot for the house to be place and staked out the edges.  Seth began digging to allow for the 10 foot poured basement walls. I (Katie) helped dig with the "mini-x" as well!

Here you can see the gravel that we have use to make the driveway so far. Still have several more loads to go.

Next step after the basement dig- pouring concrete the "footers" for the foundation. 

More Utility Prep

We are continuing to work on getting our water line in place all the way to the house site. It is quite a long distance- around 650 feet all the way to the house!  We are tapering the size of the pipe to smaller sizes as we get closer to the future house site to keep the water pressure high.  We have also installed a few frost proof spigots along the way for future landscaping and water troughs! Seth also rented a riding trencher to dig the deeper (36 inch) trench needed for the underground power line.

Culverts and Water line

Next we are trying to get the driveway ready to have gravel put down. Two culverts need to be put in place to allow for proper drainage.

we also started burying the water line. We used PCV pipe. Hopefully the joints hold!

More grading/ grass planting where the wood was burned

After the blower was taken out and the hole was filled back in, Seth began grading and planting the pasture beside the house site.

The Larger Fire

I (Katie) was not present for the largest burning of the second fire or else I would have told Seth he needed to put it out because it was too big.  But he did manage to get nearly all of the logs burned in one day without burning down the forrest!  (he did have the fire marshall, fire chief and fire department called out on the property during the process however)

 we used a blower system the second time with a pit that was dug to put all of the wood into.

lots of diesel fuel was used through the process as the bulldozer and excavator were needed to constantly resupply the fire with more trees/limbs.

The first burning begins

Seth has managed to pile a pretty large pile of wood together from clearing the pasture near the future house site.  Our first attempt at burning was "cute" compared to the second...

And the bulldozer arrives!

Finally, we have been able to arrange for Seth's grandfathers bulldozer to be delivered to the property to make our grading a lot more efficient!  We are very thankful that his grandfather has allowed us to use his equipment! (and Seth's father for the mini-x)

really making some good progress on the driveway to the house site.

We also got to experience our first night in the camper which we have brought to the property with the goal of staying there some during construction (no water, sewer or power yet however haha)

More Grass planting!

It is a work in progress... the goal is to pick one section at a time to grade/smooth/ seed and straw. This week- the left side of the driveway is seeded!

meanwhile... house plans are coming along!!