Addition

This is cheap labor, you just hire two six year olds, give em some wood, hammers and nails and hope for the best.  They would of loved to build, but that is not quite how it happened.  They sure did enjoy playing with it though.

Alyssa came out into the snow covered patio in her pajamas and coat, we just couldn't leave her out of the fun.

 Last summer we poured some footings in our existing back patio so we could add a bedroom there.  We waited until just a few months ago to make the plunge and finish it.  We debated whether or not Jeff should do it himself or we should just hire it out.  We decided to do both, hire some and do some ourselves.  We hired some framers and the kids were entertained by watching them outside the upstairs window (sure beats TV).

 This is the start of the framing.  You can see the size of our back patio is not huge, but it worked well for an additional bedroom.

 This is honestly our cheap labor.  All of US, including my sister Elly who was visiting.

 The kids even got involved, for a short time, here they are sanding away.  Sanding was a long process.

After the framers framed it all in, placed the window, siding, and roof we took over.  My Dad came out to help do the electrical work.  Jeff and my Dad worked hard all day and got it all in, including an electric heater, so we didn't have to add onto our existing HVAC.  It was very nice of him to come out and we appreciated his help, plus it was great to see them and spend time together.  After that we could get the walls up.  We first installed the insulation which went pretty smoothly.  Next was sheet rock.  We knew we needed to start on the ceiling, which we did.  Unfortunately we didn't get too far.  That was tough work and I wasn't a very good apprentice.  We opted to have some install the sheet rock and we would tape and texture.  Those sheet rockers are amazing, they had three guys and did it all in 2 hours - WOW.  We spent the next week taping, puddying, and sanding, sanding, sanding.  Everyone was able to help and got covered in dust, as well as did everything in our downstairs! 

 
Finally the day came to texture, Jeff rented an air compressor and texture gun.  This was his first time using a texture gun.  He did a great job, it looks really good.  He did the orange peel with a knock down, and learned a lot along the way.

 Now the fun part- Paint!  A note for future - paint turns out a lot darker when it is on a full wall vs a tiny card at the store.  We had a great time painting together, I think that was definitely everyones favorite part.

 Dallin painting a pink wall for his sister room.

 Jackie didn't have any crummy pants to wear so we turned one of Dads paint shirts into pants, she was a hard worker and did a good job.

 Brea was thrilled to be able to paint a pink wall.

 Our paint crew - they did great.

 We got a bit messy, but that is what painting is all about.

 It turned out very pink, I was a bit nervous at first, but once the carpet got put in it looked much better.  We had the carpet installed, then Jeff put on doors and shelves and outlet covers and trim and probably other miscellaneous stuff I am forgetting, and then we were finally able to move Jackie in.

 We have a little hallway with this small closet we are using for our pantry.  Our canned goods used to all be in the garage so this is very exciting.

 Here is the small hallway, the peach door goes outside, the little door you see in the picture is that small closet door opened and then to the left is the door into Jackies new room.

 Here is the finished room. Jackie loves having her own space and spends a lot of time in there.  We got her a days bed with a trundle underneath so that when visitors comes it came turn into a king for them to sleep on.

 Jackies closet has tons of shelves.  We bought a bunch of boxes from Ikea to store everything in.  She uses the bottom half and I use the top half, it is a wonderful closet.

 This is the other side of her room with the closet door closed.

 The far side with the window. She has a great view of our backyard.  It is nice to be done.  We didn't even do the hardest parts, but it still was a lot of work.  I am glad I have a hard working husband that can figure things out and is willing to do these kind of projects.