"The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes."

Confucius (c. 551-479 B.C.)

The east wall is finished and the music room is covered with OSB.

Looking out of the music room on a rare sunny day

The view of the music room from the front porch

OSB is now also covering the walk-in pantry.

Wynn takes a stroll down the newly formed hallway... (Pantry is shown on the right)

...while Micah just hangs around.

The incredibly skilled Craig who did an amazing job lifting and transporting the extremely heavy beams into the house and positioning them where they needed to go; he made it look so easy.

The second wooden support beam begins its journey.

Duncan is ready to guide it to where it belongs.

Roger also helps as the beam is put in its place.

Mr. Carl directing Craig as the two wooden beams are positioned perfectly forming an angle.

Next, the challenging heavy steel beam is raised.

While others professionals fly kites, contractors try their hand at flying steel beams.

On the way to its resting spot as seen through the walkway - nobody wanted knocked on the head by this load.

Being dropped in the receiving notch.

Nothing is ever quite as successful as when several spectators are present to enjoy the scene.

The gigantic beam as seen from above, before it was fastened into place

Roger bolts the beam in place and then graciously takes time to humor me for a pose.

Gymnastics anyone?

Micah doesn't mind this kind of balance beam.

While dressed in his appropriate Spiderman shirt, Roger unceremoniously subdues the monster beam without incident.

Watching the progress unfold below

How many builders does it take to cover the remaining visible steel with plywood?

Just four - and one kid to watch

All three newly installed support beams can be seen in the photo above.

Stapling on the OSB inside the pantry

And earlier in the week.....

Since work had stopped for a bit while we waited on the arrival of the windows, Doug seized the opportunity at the last minute to take the four youngest kids with him on his flight to Denver.

Kids in the cockpit - another Pandora's box?

Psalm at the controls

After arriving into Denver at 7 a.m. they all excitedly drove up to Allenspark to the Garrett family cabin where 23 years ago Doug and I spent our honeymoon.

The cabin needed closing up for the quickly approaching winter and so after enlisting the assistance of dear friends, Doug took a nap and the others took a hike. (Doug had to be rested as he was to pilot the Alaska jet back to Anchorage later the same evening.)

What a joy it always is to visit the cabin!

Feeding the hungry critters

Golden mantled ground squirrels

Old Alaskan buddies reunited

At Lily Lake

Micah and Nathan

No matter how few hours, there is always time for rock climbing.

Kenton and Isaac

Diane and Priscilla - mother and daughter relish the panoramic view.

Priscilla and Psalm - all smiles!

Now back to Alaska....

This week at the Alaska State Fair the kids couldn't wait to redeem their library reading prize of cotton candy generously donated by the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi.

The three youngest kids each baked a homemade dessert to enter into the fair but haven't been back yet to see if they won any ribbons.

Wynn made a sauerkraut fudge cake,

Psalm baked a french coconut pie,

and Kenton whipped together a salmonberry pie after work but didn't have enough time to finish cooking it before the deadline arrived...so, Duncan and Roger sadly and sacrificially had to volunteer to help eat it the next day - just one of those additional obligations of their job.

These four photos were just sent to us by Bobbi Jordan, the photographer in Sitka, and putting them on this blog is the quickest way for me to get them to my mom - hopefully the rest of you will bear with us.

Vocalist Leonid leads the audience in the Alaska Flag Song.