Bright and early, July 13 ^th, Eddie brought the backhoe over to dig the trench around the parameter. The needed to be exactly 41 inches to get below the frostline. We don't plan on hauling away any of the dirt as the east side of our home needs to be built up. We replaced the clay sewer pipe a few years ago and the ground keeps cracking and sinking where we dug the trench.

What was really amazing was the sleeping power of the teens on the second floor of our house. They actually slept through all the racket made by the backhoe.

Russ, his job is to take care of pouring the footings and laying the cement block for our addition. All the folks we contracted with are from town.

This fella is holding the tape measure while Russ takes an electronic picture of the depth of the trench. It has to be 41 inches deep, or below the frostline.

The building inspector is checking the specs against the depth of the trench.

Charlie is busy watching .

Russ's helper was in the trench shoveling wet cement like crazy.....not my idea of having a good time on a hot afternoon.

July 25th....The next 3 photos were taken by Gary while we were at camp. Russ came back and layed the cement block around the lower level.

The plumber came back on July 30th to lay the pipes for the lower level bathroom and laundry area. He needed to know exactly where the pipes needed to be; so I frantically got out the graph paper to make a last minute drawing (my version of blue prints hahaha).

There we were.....stepping off where I THOUGHT the steps would go...now did we need 2 steps or 3? I also had to leave room for a hallway....sheesh! How much room did we need? No one told me this would be a 'hope and a prayer' project. As it turned out, the carpenter checked in with us today and I did indeed leave enough room.

However, we decided that the laundryroom was one foot too wide, so they'll be back to move some of the piping. The cement floor will be poured next Monday or Tuesday.