Woot-Woo Permit time

WE GOT OUR PERMIT!!!!!!! We can now officially build our home. We are so excited. After over a year of planning, meeting with architects and waiting for the city to approve our plans we FINALLY have the OK!!!! Chris and I are thrilled because it now really feels like this is actually going to happen.

We wasted no time and the day our permit got approved they started our retaining walls. I really had no idea what it took to put these walls together so yesterday (Monday) chris had the day of (thanks MLK) so we took his parents, my mom and his grandma up to the lot so we could check it out. As we were pulling up a big dump truck was dropping off another load of rocks. So we got to see how they move the rocks to the different spots with the tractor and basket (I have no idea what you call these pieces of equipment :)


After they move the rocks to the general area where they will be placed the operator of the tractor starts to lift up each rock and look for the flat side of it. If there is no flat side he uses the teeth on the basket to knock of pieces of the rock. It is crazy how much work and skill goes into this.


Then once they have a flat rock the operator and the spotter decide where to place the rock and he moves it there. Then the whole process starts over again creating a puzzles of rocks that fit together perfectly.

We talked to the crew and they are hoping (weather permitting-darn rain) to finish all of the retaining walls by the middle of next week. Once they are done the foundation and plumbers will start. And that is when we will really start to see the house take shape.


Other than that we have a busy week. We are working on finishing up ordering all of the windows and doors, all appliances and the home electronics. So keep posted !!!

Maui 2008- Kelly's 30th Birthday!!

Aloha Everyone!!! Chris and I had an amazing time in Maui. It was the perfect week- 80 degree weather, no rain, and lots of sun! We did some great things while we were there. We woke up at 3:00 am the first morning and drove up to the top of Haleakala crater (10,025 elevation) to watch the sunrise. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It was freezing cold but amazing. We also ziplined through the forest. What a thrill that is!!! We enjoyed many days relaxing by the pool and snorkeling in the ocean. For the big 3-0 I decided that we should learn to surf to mark the occasion. So Chris and I took lessons and learned how to surf. It was so much fun that we have decided we will continue to do it, well at least when we are by an ocean!!:) We then had an incredible dinner at David Paul's or now known as Lahaina Grill!! (thanks Mike for the great recommendation). On our last evening we took a sunset whale watching cruise. We were so lucky because as soon as we left the beach a group of 4 whales began jumping and fighting right in front of our boat!!! It turned out to be three males fighting for the attention of 1 female!! We got some amazing shots and cannot wait to blow them up for our new house!!. So, as you can see we had the best time in Maui and I had a perfect birthday!!! I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to send birthday wishes. I enjoyed them all and they meant so much to me.

Here are just a few of our favorite shots from our trip!!!!

On the house front...nothing has changed on our lot:(!!! BUT, we did get our building permit approved!!! We will be picking it up this week! So, once we get our retaining walls done we will be able to start building!!!!

Happy New Year

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. This year we spent time with the family in Tahoe skiing, making homemade hot chocolate and watching movies. It was really nice to spend a few days in the snow relaxing.

Not much new on the home front. We are still waiting for the city to approve our retaining wall permit and our building permit. So our lot still looks the same!! So no new photos this week. Just keep your fingers crossed that the city will start moving a little faster now that the holidays are over! :)

But with that said Chris and I are heading to Maui for a week to celebrate my 30th birthday!!!! Yes, you heard me right the big 3-0!!!! I am so excited that we will be out of Sacramento and the rain (today is the craziest storm in years) and we will be enjoying warm, sunny weather on the beach! I am so excited!!!!

So there will not be any new posts for a little over a week but when we return we will have pics from Maui and hopefully some new things on our lot.