Day 3 - Removing Forms and Pouring Gravel

Today it was just us at the site.  And by "just us" I mean the 7 of us.  It was fun to be able to spend the day just with the family and to see how they would pitch in to help without being asked.  They are a great bunch of kids and we are so proud of them and so glad they are taking ownership of this new house!

Only 2 things on the schedule for today but 2 very important things.  First off, we needed to remove all the forms from the footings.  That required us to loosen and remove the stakes then loosen and remove the 2x10s and then remove all the nails from the 2x10s.  Though they were used as forms for the footings, they will be used again as headers for the windows and doors.  Therefore, we removed all the nails now to ensure they are ready to be used when the time comes.

You will notice we do not discriminate based on age or gender.  Young and old younger, male and female - are all welcome to help!

Once all the forms and wood were taken care of, Jay brought loads and loads (and loads and loads and loads and loads and . . . . I am sure you get the hint) of gravel.  The whole inside of the cement forms need to be filled level with gravel.  It is the drainage under the house.  2 large trucks brought some loads this morning and after lunch and for the remainder of the day (Jay is still out there working as of right now, 10pm) we moved that gravel around.

And while some of us were busy working, some of us were . . . ummm  . . .  measuring the sky?

Looking super cute?

And others?  Well, we aren't quite sure what he was doing!  :)

Today was a physically tiring day.  All of us but Jay had to leave at 4:30 in order to bake and eat supper and for me to coach RJ's soccer team at their practice.  The weather turned cold and windy.  It is not pleasant out there.  And yet Jay still works hard in hopes that we can be ready to set the walls in place tomorrow (my goodness, do I love that man!  ♥).  Lifting Styrofoam blocks will seem so easy after shovelling gravel, that is for sure!