Deck

As most of you know, this summer was our deck project summer.  We launched it on Memorial Day weekend and Dave worked on it pretty much every weekend the entire summer.  You might be wondering how it could possibly take an entire summer (and then some) to build a deck...the answer is, we built a large deck with many levels and built-ins, plus when Dave does a project, he does it to perfection.  It is the coolest deck we could have imagined.  Well beyond my expectations and definitely my favorite project to date (easy for me to say since Dave did 99.9% of the work). 

Here are some before, during, and now shots. 

Demolition of the tiny existing deck.

 

The area cleaned up and ready for building.

Dug around 15 holes to support the frame.  Luckily Dave had help from his brothers for this phase.

Checking out the depth.

 

Here was the concrete that would later fill the holes.  Just a few 80 lb. bags to lift.

Framing.

Dave always had a helper, eager to help measure or just nail something together.

 

 

The first deck boards!

 



Here you see the metal framed fire pit (and lots more progress on the deck boards!).

And here is what it looked like at the beginning of September.  About 95% done at this point. 

 

 

The triangle areas will be planter boxes next summer.

 



 

The fire pit is covered in this shot, we plan to tile the outside next spring.

The kids and I couldn't be luckier to have such a wonderful builder/Dad/Husband.  The deck is absolutely beautiful, couldn't have asked for anything better.  Thank you also to Josh and Mark, Grandpa Jernstadt, and Grandpa Baldwin for all of their help as well (and Grandma Baldwin for painting the trim on the barn windows)!  We couldn't have done it without all the support from everyone.