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Sure, we have alpacas, llamas, horses, and bunches of other animals... but up until now they haven't really been around the
house because there wasn't one.
But we broke ground in March 2007, and from here on I will be updating this page with pictures of our progress.
During the last week of May 2007, we received the OK on both the Rough Plumbing 1 and Slab
Electrical rough in inspections.  The piping and conduit have now been buried, and the concrete
contractor should be back within the next 2 weeks to dig the piers for the building frame and pour
the slab.  I had planned to take pictures of the buried piping, but on June 1st Tropical Storm Barry
decided to come through and drench us with rain.  Oh well, we needed it, and it'll help resettle the
dirt under the slab area.  I'll add a picture or two once Barry passes by...
Well, Barry didn't cause any issues, but I didn't get any pictures before the concrete crew showed up on June 19th to start
the preparations for the piers and slab.  Following are some pictures of the site prep before the pour.
After everything was ready, the inspector OK'd the site for pouring.  Following are pictures from
Wednesday, June 20th when the piers were done.  They took about 30 cubic yards of concrete.
At the same time, all the J bolts for the building and doorways were set in place in the concrete.
The piers were allowed to set for a day, then the slab was poured on Friday, June 22nd.  The boom
pump truck arrived at about 6:20 AM, and the first of 8 cement trucks arrived about 1/2 hour later.
The slab took about 75 cubic yards of concrete.
Starting in September, we decided to have a crew do the actual red iron and siding
assembly.  Following are pictures of the progress as we move forward.
Building is now completely enclosed, and the inside walls are framed in.  Plumbing and electrical are roughed in and things are
moving along.  I realized I have no pictures beyond these...  obviously we've been too busy working to record the progress.