Week 513-514 - All Decked Out in Paradise - 06-19-2016

All Decked Out in Paradise

We say "All Decked Out" because for us this summer is all about decks.
While in Atascadero we spent a few days repairing the front deck of our rental house.
In 2013 we helped Emily and Chad build this fabulous deck on the back of their house.

Two years ago we helped them build a "portico" entry. However, a portico is a cover over a deck and there is no deck! This year it was time to enhance the front of the house with decks. Chad started by removing the temporary steps that came with the house.

With 100+ degree heat, we quickly moved to the air conditioned house to build a bunk bed for Micah and Zeb. Emily cut up some 2x2's while Zeb and Grandma covered their ears. The 2x2 frame was attached to the walls and the ladder supports were put into place.

While Chad seemed to always be present during the photos, everyone worked on the deck: Chad, Emily, the kids and Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Pete. The deck substructure has been completed and the composite decking secured into place.

Emily, who is with child (number 4) takes a break as Chad works on the front steps. Coralyn, age 1, couldn't decide between playing with the sword and drilling holes in the new deck.

Emily helps to engineer the very complex corner steps. Between her and Chad they designed and built the substructure with multi-angled cuts (very difficult).

It may look like Grandma wasn't an active participant. However she was up each morning at 6:00am to entertain Micah and Zeb; took care of Carolyn while the rest of us worked, and was busy all the time looking for more to do. So, give her break, she needed it!

Ellen and Emily cut the final pieces of deck steps on the angled corner.

Coralyn approves of the final product. It was just power-washed; and when dry, will look as beautiful as the back deck.

The girls, Emily, Coralyn and Micah pose in front of their now-finished-beautiful-house-on-three-acres-with-an-all-year-creek. Note the Mothership parked in its site with full hookups: 50 amps, water and sewer; come visit!

Zeb says "hey, don't forget to include a photo of the new entry steps to the utility room".

The finished bunk bed looks great and makes more room to house grandkid #4.

Having made the house look complete with the new deck, it only seemed right to paint the garage to match the house. Ellen really stepped up here and was up early in the morning painting before others got outdoors.

We had a wonderful visit doing lots of projects, having fellowship and playing games at night. After two weeks, we headed off to Pete's sister's house in Redding to build her a new deck. More on that next week.

"All decked out" and enjoying the summer.

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Photos from Jun 2016