That is about where we are coming up to Christmas 2012. They have started putting on drywall so it is more difficult to take pictures of the upstairs. So far there is drywall up in two bedrooms and some closets.

We are excited to see what 2013 brings!

Then the ducts for heating and a/c and, of course, more fiberglass insulation ON TOP of the sprayed-in foam insulation and new bath and bedroom walls.

First layer of insulation was the sprayed on kind... Made everything nice and pretty, again.

After the old stuff was gone and the new I-beam was put in then we got the new floors in the dining room and kitchen.  Next the ceiling which was the floor in the upstairs was removed and the floor joists in the second level were either replaced or reinforced.

Our kitchen and dining room floor as well as all the burnt joists were removed and the basement had to be cleaned of all the smoke and soot.  A new I-beam was put into place.

We have been so busy we haven't had a chance to add pictures - so here are some that show our progress over the last 4 months.

We have been so busy we haven't had a chance to add pictures - so here are some that show our  progress over the last 4 months.

Back to the beginning.. Let's start 'way back in July

Saturday, September 8, 2012: Day 12

Aunts, uncles and cousins arrived throughout the day to show their support and continue the physically demanding work of tearing down the walls, ceilings, and some floors of the burned out house.  

Below is a video that walks you through the house showing the demolition in process.

Many Thanks and Endless Gratitude to the Saturday Demo Crew:

Dennis Blievernicht*

Dean Blievernicht & Sue

Mike Blievernicht

Irene & John Blievernicht

Joan & Gene Campbell

Janice Campbell

Chuck Campbell

Julie & Leo Sloan

John Kottke

Norm & Ken Lansing

Pastor Steve Anderson

Galen Litwiller

Dave Scheurich

Jenifer Chase

...and of course, Don & Sally Wolf!

Thanks for the delicious & nutritious lunch, Beckie Green & Elaine Lueth!

Also thanks to the many friends who came immediately after the fire and worked to rip out wet carpeting, pack Granny Swarthout's good china, haul out all kinds of stuff, and begin the demolition, among many other jobs! 

And to all who brought that very first bag of necessities, food for lunches and cookies for snacks, as well as lots of water! 

And for those who prayed and continue to do so!!

Jay Ross

Ed & Pauline Killen

Marty & Janet Vance

Beckie Green

Don Peterson

Larry Eyre

Floyd & Mary Woolridge

Tom McQuinn

Erika & Jerry Weaver

Sue Brown

We know this doesn't include everyone...but we appreciate every single one of you!

*Dennis, we owe you a special thanks!

The following photos illustrate the amount of damage and the extensive clean up required.

These two pictures were taken from the basement looking up to the dining room floor.  

This is a view of the dining room, a.k.a. epicenter.  Note the large hole in the floor covered now by boards.  The dining room and kitchen floors will have to be replaced along with the scorched supporting beams (seen above).

This short clip of Dad slugging the sledgehammer shows how dusty the cleanup work was (and how handy Dad is with a sledgehammer!).  The video doesn't adequately capture the amount of plaster dust that was stirred up by the demolition.  Dust masks, protective eyewear, and gloves were the best protection from the extensive plaster dust and debris.

Clear blue skies set the backdrop for the demolition and cleanup on Saturday.

In this short video, Chuck and Janice make a good team to take the stairway wall down.

The sky on Sunday was dazzling.  Brighter days are ahead.