Our Biggest Craft Project of the Summer

At seven fifteen this morning, we started our biggest craft project of the summer. Calling it a craft project definitely seems less intimidating than "big, scary DIY project." We're removing our entire front porch, roof and all, and replacing it.

There's my hubby up on the front porch roof, taking off shingles. We were blessed to have his friend, Jeff, come help out for a time before heading to a meeting. (Thanks, Jeff!)

That's my hubby's new utility trailer. Funny how giddy we both are about it!

It will be so nice, though, to be able to make runs to the home improvement store without having to "make arrangements" with three or four other people to go.

Rich loves to do satisfying DIY projects like this. You know, ones you choose to do, rather than have to do because there's an emergency, and something has leaked or broken. Although we really did have to do this project, we were still able to do it in our own time.

This photo cracks me up! Do you see the foreperson overseeing the project from the second floor window? Shannon is chomping at the bit to get out there and help, but she was banned from the work site because of the danger involved -- too many falling parts and sharp dirty nails and such. She'll be able to help during the building phase. She was a huge help building the back deck last summer, but for today she had to satisfy herself with shouting orders out the window. :) Now, if you take a closer look at the downstairs window, you'll see that Shannon wasn't the only spectator to today's activities. Ronan was watching too, although he had more interest in when we were breaking for a snack than in the actual deconstruction.

Twelve hours later, there is just enough porch to get in and out of the house and up and down the front steps. Soon that will be gone, and the real fun part will begin. Don't you just love the smell of fresh-cut lumber? I do. :)