The First "Real" Wall

I vacationed most of the month of July, so I was scarcely home. When I left for the first trip, this is what the house looked like:
When I returned home, Troy and his helpers had completed it to this point:
After returning from our family camping trip last Monday, we knew we needed to get to work, so after a full week of working, this is what our house looks like today:
We are very pleased with the progress. It it finally looking like we have accomplished something. All our other work (which was no easier than the walls we put up this weekend) was underground, so it somehow didn't have the same "Wow" factor.

Before and After: Basement with Walls

Before
And AfterAnd After

Framing the Basement

We've been busy the past week as we started framing Last Saturday. Here's what we have accomplished that time. (I wish I had taken an "Our First Wall" photo, but the memory card was full, and I didn't have time to download all the pics to the computer, so alas, it is never to be had.)
Tom came over and spent all day Saturday helping Troy. They were able to get a lot done.
Troy's parents and Emily his youngest sister came over around 4 pm and stayed until 9:00. They, and Tom were able to lift, mark and install almost half the floor joists.
It makes me nervous to watch Troy walking on the tops of the walls that are 3 1/2 " wide with a 9 foot drop to the basement floor.
As usual, we also had our two "little helpers" along
Here they are climbing on the lumber in their socks. Once they get dirt into their shoes, its hopeless trying to convince them to keep their shoes on.
Melissa and Emily were lots of help. The joists are to be placed on 12" centers in some places, and 18" centers in other places. They marked on the top of each wall where the joists should sit. It's not as easy as it sounds!
Tom making sure the joist is sitting right on the mark.
Em and Mom measuring and marking while both standing on the Little Giant Ladder
Using the speed square to draw the lines
We moved the Little Tikes slide down into the basement so the boys could play while we work and we would be able to keep them semi-contained
The novelty wears off fairly quickly, though.
Troy was especially glad to have them all there when it was time to move the joists that were 42 feet long!!!
Aunt Emily taking a break with the boys
A fun picture looking through the framing at Melissa and Tom
This is what we accomplished at the end of the day. Thank you for all your hard work everyone!

Not enough time to blog

I'd really like to have time to post some new pics of what our house looks like now, but Ihave been spending every free second out building it, that I don't have mugh time to upload the pics. Check back soon.

But, we are now in the "Framing Phase" we have 5 walls up and the joists (what the upstairs floor will sit on) are being delivered this afternoon.

The golden hammer of the week award (I just invented that, or thought I had, until I googled it) goes to a lot of people who have lent a hand. I will only use first names to protect their privacy. The winners are Alan M., Parker B., Paul W., Brett F., Tom H. and my Dad. THANK YOU! Some jobs, no matter how skilled the individual, cannot be done alone.

On another blogging note, I like cooking blogs, but don't have time to maintain one of my own, so a friend in my ward lets me be an author on her blog. Here's a link to the blog. "I Love to Cook" Hope you like it. It fulfils my desire, without the pressure to constantly update.