Link Gray

Randy painted some boards for us with our three color choices.  We took them over to a home that used the same stone that we plan to use.  I think any of the three colors would work, but we selected Link Gray.  I think it will look great!

Landscaping

Today I met with Andy Swartzentruber from Iowa City Landscaping at the lot.  We brainstormed about plants and tree placement for the front yard.  We walked through the mud to the backyard.  (Do not attempt without giant boots!)  We  talked about a paver patio and various retaining walls.  We talked about stair placement from the deck and a good spot for a shade garden.  We discussed the numerous trees already present in the backyard.  Some are dead and others need some serious pruning.  Still, we are thrilled to have them. I can't wait to see the plan!

Exterior Paint

We have three new colors from Sherwin Williams: Mountain Road, Connected Gray and Link Gray.  It's tough to see the difference in the photo, but the left one is greener, the middle one is browner and the right one also has some green.  We like them all, but I guess that's a good problem to have.  We'll check them out at different times of day to see what grows on us.  Hopefully we can look at the colors with the stone before picking the color.  

Exterior View

There is just a bit more to do over the garage, but the siding is almost done!  We've ordered the stone, so that should go up below the siding in the next few weeks.  We'll be putting a few more paint samples up because the color we originally selected (painted between the garage stalls) is just a little too blue or green or something.  Hopefully we've chosen some good alternatives. 

Sheet Rock

I haven't been inside the house for two weeks due to a trip last week.  It sure looks different.  In fact, with the sheet rock in, it's really looking like a house.  Both kids' bedrooms are done.
 

There is insulation everywhere and a lot of the ceilings are done.

It's weird not to be able to look from one room into another.

Geothermal

We struggled with the decision of whether to use geothermal energy in our new home.  Although geothermal was on my husband's "must have" list, the price of it nearly took it off the list.  After careful consideration of the local rebates and federal tax credits and more calculations, we decided to go for it.  It will take many years to pay for geothermal, but we plan to be in our home long enough to see the benefits.  In the meantime, we'll have a cost-effective and environmentally friendly heating and cooling system.  

Digging of the well for the geothermal system is finally under way!

Front of the house

The siding is coming up in the front.  We decided on shaker shingles for the upper sections of the house.  The paint color is under consideration.