Go big or go home!

We have lived in our Minnesota house just over three years.  That entire time, Jim and I have been trying to decide what kind of deck we wanted to put on the back.  If you know anything about my husband, you know that he has to go from A to Z in his own time.  There is no rushing......no talking him into something.......nope, not until he goes through his "process".  When he finally finishes his process, his motto becomes GO BIG OR GO HOME!! :)

Hallelujah!  Jim's process came to an end last month when we started looking at decks.  After a few weeks of finding just the right one, work finally began. 

Before - The blank slate

Day 1 - All the materials are delivered and the support beam goes up on the house.

  

 

Day 2 - The base structure is built. (This is REALLY happening!!)

 

Day 3 - More framing.  (Oh yeah, baby......it's starting to take shape! )

 

Day 4 - The "flooring" goes in.  (Did I mention how long it took to choose this particular color???)

 

Day 5 - Flooring complete and the framing for the stairs go in. 

(We stepped onto the deck for the 1st time!)

 

Day 6 - Stairs complete (almost).  Waiting on the landscaping to begin for the final few. 

 

Day 7 - Posts and lighting installed.  (It's starting to look like the Griswold's!!)

 

Day 8 - Most of the trimwork is done.  Columns are wrapped and prepped for the stone mason.

 

Day 9 - So much was done today!! The mason started the stonework at the bottom of the columns.  The archways were installed and the finishing touches were put on the bottom portion of the stairs. 

 

 

Day 9 (still!) - Our railings had to be special ordered and were finally delivered yesterday!  Because of the custom order, all the posts on the top of the deck had to be cut down.  Landscaping has begun (more posts on that later).

 

Day 10 - The railings go in (all but the stairs are done).  Stonework is almost complete (just waiting for some final mortar patches).  Trim is almost done.  I can see the finish line! :)

 

 

Check out the view of the stairs lit up at night!!

 

 

Day 10 (still!) - Look who had the guts to venture onto the deck last night?!  Since the railing is not installed on the stairs, I was so worried she would fall.  I had to physically shepherd her back into the house.  I can already tell Big Booty Judy is going to get a ton of use from the deck. 

 

 

Day 11 - I thought this was going to be the last day but they just didn't have time to finish.  The only thing left is the rails for the stairs and one last piece of trim work on the columns.  I just can't believe how good it looks.....like a completely different house.  The part I love the most is that it looks like the deck was always a part of the house.....not an afterthought.  :)

 

 

 Day 12 - The deck is finished!!!  It was pitch dark when I got home last night at 5:15pm (gotta love daylight savings time) so I had to snap these pictures this morning.   I absolutely LOVE it!!!

 

 

Because our house is the corner lot at the entrance of our neighborhood, we have been getting tons of gawkers throughout the building process.  Bailey - the tough guard dog that she is - constantly sits at the back door growling at the passers-by.  There's no doubt that we're safe with this vicious guard dog.......can you hear my sarcasm???  :)