Finally... another house update

We are in the final finishing phase so the changes are not as evident in the pictures. That said, here is where we stand:

• The hardwood floors are completely installed, but not yet finished.
• The interior has the first coat of paint. The second coat will go on in the next week or so.
• Most of the light fixtures have been installed.
• The tile crew started the master bathroom this week.
• The garage has been poured and the door is installed.

View from upstairs. You can see the wood ceiling is nearly complete and most of the living room light fixtures have been installed.



The dining room has it's first coat of paint and the light is up.



This is looking into the living room from the foyer.



Looking into the living room from the breakfast area.



Looking into the breakfast area and kitchen from living room.

Christmas at Mimi and Grandad's

Went spent Sunday celebrating Christmas with Laura's Mom and Dad (aka, "Mimi and Grandad").



Sophia trying out her new personalized lounge chair.



Mimi with her girls.



Anna trying to figure out what an "Ole Million Face" is.... http://tinyurl.com/9p6oyv



"I want that expensive, breakable one up there!"



Sophia and Anna getting ready to tear into their stockings.



Sophia dancing to her spinning top.



Anna and Laura.



Anna being sweet. (She's not always like this)

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning is always great. Here are a few photos...



Anna helped Spophia with her stocking (and every other present she opened).


One of Sophia's gifts from Santa was an indoor slide. (Anna likes it too!)



Chocolate?!... I.. can.. have.. CHOCOLATE??!!



Sophia was first on the scene Christmas morning.



A new Wii game!

Christmas at the Hogan House

Our trip to Ohio was quite eventful, but still great. We got to spend time with almost all of the extended family. Dustin and Rachael drove all the way up from New Orleans!



From top-left to right: Amy, Liam, Jim, Lenin, Rachael, Mom, Sophia, and Anna.


The Family. Check out the Bearcat blanket in the background. Orange Bowl, here we come!



Anna and her Aunt Jodi.

Trip to Entertrainment Junction

During our time in Ohio we visited Entertrainment Junction (http://www.entertrainmentjunction.com) in West Chester, Ohio. This is a unique family destination that I highly recommend. The train exhibit is enormous and incorporates education into the tour. Definitely entertaining for young and old.

House Update - hardwood floors are here

So much for taking time off for Thanksgiving. The crew was hard at work all week, including Thanksgiving Day! Here is what they accomplished over the past two weeks:

• Primer and first coat of paint is on all interior walls.
• The majority of the interior trim and crown molding is installed.
• The hardwood floors have been completed for the second level. The crew should finish up all hardwood floors by the end of this coming week.
  

We are feeling good about the paint choice for the great room. Works well with the fireplace.



Hardwood being installed in Anna's bedroom.



Hardwood and trim complete in Sophia's bedroom. Ready for a final coat of paint and the floor stain.



The bonus room floors are installed and trim is almost complete.



Master bedroom.



Master bath.


The dining room is going to be great. In this picture you can see they have started the wainscoting and chair rail. That part will be painted a light khaki/cream color which will have a sharp contrast to the chocolate brown walls.


More crown and trim in the kitchen.

House Update - We have lost a friend

Last week presented an emotional roller coaster we could not have imagined. We made a lot of progress on the interior... The painters have the first coat of paint on all walls and the trim is about 50% complete. It was very exciting to see the house start to take on a finished look. Typical progress update, right?

Unfortunately on Thursday the news turned bad. We learned that our builder, Herman Williamson, had passed away due to complications with a back surgery he had during the previous week.

Overnight, we lost a leader, a role model, and most of all a friend. There is not a corner of the house that we look at and NOT think of his guidance on our decision making. Or, how he would always play games with the girls even if we were stressing progress updates. We knew we weren't alone when we ran into numerous homeowners at his funeral with a similar experience. One home owner summed it up best... "By the end of most custom construction projects you can't wait to get the builder out of your life. In this case we feel that we have lost a family member".

We never expected to move into this house with such an emotional connection. Yet, we now realize that this wonderful home represents the final chapter in a man's lifelong dedication to the craft of custom home building and how lucky we are to have worked with Herman. He was friends with Laura's grandfather, built Laura's childhood home, and now ours. Thank you Herman, and may you forever rest in peace.

Craig

House update - Sticks and Stones

I am a little late with this update due to a video card problem last week. Hey, who isn't looking for more ways to unexpectedly spend $100?! ARGH! Anyway, with that issue resolved, here is where we stand...

The Stonemasons started last Friday and by EOD on Saturday had completed all exterior and interior stone work. These guys are true artisans. Perhaps I have been in the office environment too long, but I was amazed watching their work. No new technology here - Craftsman and Home Depot have yet to replace the chisle. They start with a pile of stone and chip each one into the exact shape they need. Very cool!



This picture shows the stone work, plus you can see the paint color being tested in the gables.



The fireplace as viewed from the Foyer. There will be built-in book cases on each side.



View of the fireplace from upstaires.



The painters got started last week as well. Here is the play room with it's first coat of the tinted primer. The final color will be very similar.

Autumn in Cades Cove

Fall Soccer

Finally, another house update

Over the past couple of weeks they have started the siding and drywall, and finished installing the windows. Here is the state of the house as of today.



The front door. It is unfinished right now, but will be stained a darker color when it's finished.












Bonus Room



Master Bedroom



Foyer



Kitchen



Great Room. Oh yeah, we now have a fire place! We are running gas to it so we can operate it either as a wood burning or a gas log.



Another view of the Great Room.

Just lunch with Sophie and Dad

Since Sophie didn't get to eat any candy, we indulged by sharing a lunch of chicken tenders and french fries. Not just any tenders mind you... Little Senator tenders!


"Why have I been eating broccoli all this time?!"




"Thanks Dad!"

Halloween!

Huge night of trick-or-treating in Norris! Anna and her friends covered nearly the entire town and filled several buckets with candy. Sophia did great and hung in there with us for the first hour. After trick-or-treat we enjoyed hanging out with friends over drinks and chili. Great time!



Anna and her friend Caroline showing a little attitude.



Each year the kids line up on the steps of the middle school for a "town photo". I grabbed this shot while Sophia was still there. She was was outta there right after this.



That's one happy bee!!