The Big Reveal!!!

So today was the day! Andrew finally was moved up to the attic room that has been lovingly and painstakingly remodeled by Brian. This is going to be a long post with lots of pictures but we want you to be able to see as much as possible how much of a change this is! The pictures do a pretty good job of showing those of you who can't see it in person what an amazing transformation it is...but if you have the opportunity to see this room in person you must stop by!! =)


Here are a few before shots.....












And the afters.....there is still some finish work to be done, but it was certainly done enough to move him up which allowed us to get the girls moved in together today as well!









The big reveal!!!!!!! Just in case some of you didn't know...Andrew has not seen this room (by his own choice) since the attic looked like the before pictures! So he was VERY anxious to get up and see what has been going on!


















This is an amazing race track, similar to one Brian had when he was young. We gave this to Andrew for Christmas and because it has to stay set up once it is up we have been unable to set it up until the room was done...again Andrew has shown amazing patience and was mesmerized by this electric track where 4 people can race against eachother!! =)




Kelli tries out the video game nook!


Roommates for the past almost 3 years share a bedtime story together before sleeping in their new rooms!






A note from Brian....

This entire project was designed, constructed and financed by BKEnterprises, Brian Mauch, Sole Proprietor.

Special thanks to Kori Mauch who served as a consultant and was a constant source of ideas and encouragement.

Thanks also to Family who helped us:
Gardy Cronk ~ Painting
Jim and Amber Stehlin ~ Painting, Staining and Carpentry
Derrick Schubert ~ Blowing in insulation
Keith and Nancy Mauch ~ Electric and watching kiddos (guess which one helped with what!?)

Honorable Mention to:
Good friend, Scott Johnson ~ Helped run BVent Flue through the roof
Tip Top Roofing who in one day stripped off all existing shingles, took down the chimney to below the floor of Andrew's room and put down all new shingles for teh entire house

But especially to Andrew, who showed a fantastic amount of patience to not come up and see the progress on his room for 6 months!

A day at the park

I recently saw some pictures that were taken at a local park I had never been to. So today when I was feeling like I needed to get the kids out of the house I said hey let's go on an adventure! I didn't know if there was a playground or not but they were up for it and so we packed a quick lunch and off we went! I made them promise me that we could take a few "for real" pictures and they were happy to oblige since I hadn't made them do that in a long time! We got there and they were so excited...there were little paths everywhere and for the most part I let them choose which way we should go (although I have to admit I did encourage the more shady option! =) The first train we went on led us around a large meadow and then towards a thick wooded area. All of the sudden something started running towards us and I paniced...thought it was dogs and wondered how I was going to protect all the kids and myself...and then I realized we had spooked 2 deer that were just inside the woods! All three kids saw them and we were so excited!! We watched them dash and dart to get away from us and of course most of the rest of our day was spent looking for more deer! It was fun to see them all excited and working together!



There were many logs on the path, obviously some clearing had been done recently, the kids were eager to move them out of the way of the stroller and made sure I saw how strong they were to lift them!


Walking the edge of the meadow, looking in to the woods to see if we could find more deer...




The "real pictures" (Emily had NO desire to cooperate)







Off down another path





lunch break






I brought my cell phone on our adventure since I didn't really know where our paths would lead and thought if I didn't, I would be way out yonder and my water would break and my poor kids would have to deliver the baby! =) Well, instead of me using it to call someone to tell them I was in labor...2 of my sisters had called the house and when I didn't answer had to track me down on my "emergency only" cell phone to see if I was in labor! =)


My fair skinned beauty


Andrew asked if he could take a few pictures...gotta love the mountain of a belly!


Of course then Kelli also wanted to take a picture...I figured I would see if we could perchance get a good one that I could potentially scrapbook and I was quite pleased with their work!

Here is Andrews...



And Kelli's...

The Siding...

I realized that I never posted pictures of the house with the siding finished! It looks SO good!!! I love the color and it just sets off all the color around it! I got some flowers on clearance at Walmart and Menards and got my little flower baskets planted yesterday (they are a little sorry looking right now...thus the clearance, but with a little tlc they will be beautiful!! There is still one wall of the addition that needs siding, just waiting for a door and window to be installed (today hopefully) and then they will finish it! The plumbing and elecrical are scheduled to be done on Monday and then before too much longer it will be time for wrapping things up...drywall, painting, flooring and cabinet installation!! Whoo Hoo!!!!!

Hodge Podge

And...A few pics of the attic that Andrew was okay with you seeing....

Uncle Jim priming the drywall in the stairway up to his room


The door to the attic all stained by Aunt Amber


The electrical box for a ceiling fan