We're In!

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 we got the go ahead to start moving in to our new home!

Because of work travel, this week was a bit confusing for us both.   When Hans got home on Wednesday he spoke with Steve Copp and Dennis Johnston at Above Treeline Construction, and they gave us the thumbs up!

Thanks to Michelle and Kurt Frilow, who loaned us their 24 foot snowmobile trailer, we were able to pack boxes, miscellaneous furniture items, and household goods at our leisure.  So, when we got the go ahead, we were ready with a trailer full of stuff to start moving in!  With the help of Michelle and Kurt Frilow and Rick Joslin and the use of the Frilows snowmobile trailer, Hans was able to move one load in on Thursday, May 19.

On Friday, May 20, with the help of Sally and Steve Campbell, Hans emptied our storage unit into the 24' trailer and another trip was delivered to our home.

When I got home from travel on Friday afternoon all we had left to do was the last minute items in our Teardrop home and the furniture for the movers!  This is what God means "with the help of friends, great things can happen!"  Dear friends got us into our home!

On Saturday, Char and Don LaBounty came to our home early and we loaded up the trailer, our vehicles and made our trip to our mountain home.  The final load, other than furniture, was complete!  A sea of boxes, floor to ceiling, and a bit overwhelming!

Char and Don were willing to stay and help us out...but we really wanted to do this on our own.  Even though it is a bit daunting, it's very gratifying to unpack, clean and wash, and find a new home for our belongings.

We spent our first night in our new home on a strange bed, in a new location, with the four puppies.  Strange sounds kept us awake, as we shared in our dream!

Some pictures to share in the chaos as well as the dream!

Our new living room/great room
...before furniture

Master bedroom before bed

Bathroom boxes...a beginning

Another view of master bedroom fireplace...
a great storage spot for boxes and junk!

The downstairs living room..
piles of stuff everywhere!

Boxes?  Oh, my!

And more boxes...stacked floor to ceiling!

Another view of more boxes!
At least we had a walkway through the maze!

A downstairs bedroom...
in their somewhere!

And the other guest bedroom!  Full
of the Klossner treasures...or trash?!

OUR 50TH BLOG - Almost There

The great thing about seeing new construction come together is that while going up, the possibilities grow in one's mind. We have looked at these scenes thousands of times and each time new thoughts, new ideas and new possibilities just pop up. Living here will surely be an experience bringing new joy and happiness every minute of every day for the next 25 - 30 years. - - - - Can't wait.

From out bedroom porch, we will be able to sit and watch the sun set and reflect on the great day about to come to close.

From our front porch, we can see the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the elk, and the deer, and the turkeys, and our mother tree, and . . . .

Soon we will be adding color and life . . .

Cozy is planned for this room, warmed by fireplace #1.

Sleepy time centerpiece is our fireplace #2.

Guests have their own get away downstairs by fireplace #3. Just to be fair.

Moving Forward

Well, we have carpet now and ceiling fans. That's about the extent of the changes this week.

Final touch up and clean up and inspections are about all that are left. Here are a few pictures to keep you up to date.

Two pictures showing the carpet on the stairs from the top and the bottom.

The fan in our bedroom. Remote control and everything.

Counters Are In...

We are thrilled to share the pictures of our countertops...especially since Sophie was so nervous about what they would look like with the wood...and we only saw a tiny piece of the formica...but when they were built and laid out they proved to be a great choice as they bring in the wood tones and make the kitchen complete.

The sinks have been placed now that the countertops are in, toilets are placed, lighting fixtures are starting to appear and it feels like it's ready to live in...although it's not!  No running water yet, but plumbing fixtures are starting to appear.

Appliances showed up today, fridge put in, but other appliances are still in boxes.

Carpet arrives next week, appliances will all be set and the clean-up begins!  We already have our new address and mail is starting to arrive in our PO Box in Victor, CO.

Hans met the Direct TV guy today, got the cable tv lines run, dish on the barn roof, and took all the measurements for furniture placement.  TVs are working and phone line will go in next week.

Soon we will be living in mountain paradise.  We will definitely keep you posted!

Here are today's photos:

Knobs on cupboard doors

Countertops are in..."faux granite"...formica
and beautiful

Kitchen sink and countertops.  Black with gold tones
that bring in kitchen wood tones

Location for the new stainless steel fridge

New fridge...coming off the truck!

French door fridge with freezer on the bottom
goes into place!

Different view...it's huge!  We may
have to start buying food!

Washer/Dryer still in the boxes

Dishwasher and stove in living room...all boxed up!

Kitchen sink in place.

Close up of formica with wood frame

Our home's "birth certificate"...written on the log behind
where the stove/oven will go into place.

Lights starting to appear.  Outside porch lights

More lights.  Powder room

Master bathroom lights

Small Things

We are getting close to completion and find ourselves getting excited over the little things that need to be done before we can get a final inspection. Here are some of the little things falling into place. Each one done is one less to do.

Safety railings on the stairs,

Window trim in the basement,

Guest bath towel rack,

Interior door handles,

Outside lighting,

Shower surround in the master suite,

Door handles on outside sliding doors,

and a gate that opens to the deck.

If You Ever Need A Builder...

As you all know we are in the process of building a new log home.  We have been working on this process for 4+ years.  In the process we were so fortunate to find a builder that not only is an expert at building log homes, but believed in our dream.  When you find someone that so totally believes in you as a person, and shares in what your heart's passion is, you have found yourself a master.  Hans and I were very fortunate to find all of these things in two gentlemen named Steve Copp and Dennis Johnston, and the company, Advantage Log Home/Above Treeline Construction.

Steve Copp was recommended to us by a dear friend, Dan Nichols, who knew of his work through a co-worker, John Brighton.  We researched his company, visited with him several times, met his beautiful wife, and shared our dreams and goals with Steve.  The thing that really impressed Hans and I was that Steve wanted to show us work he had done, was doing and was proud of.  When you want to show off what you've done...it says loud and clear that you are proud of your work, and know that it stands up for itself.  Steve was just that person.

After a year of trying to get funding and several turn-downs, we went back to Steve and asked for help in what we should do.  Steve and his team of experts gave us some great advice, made changes to our plans, and guided us to different lenders that they had worked with on log home funding and truly giving us the advice that as future log home owners we sorely needed.

Four years and four lenders later, Steve, Dennis and Above Treeline Construction stood with us throughout our ordeal.  Steve never gave up on us, never denied us his wisdom, never gave up on our dreams.

Builders that believe in you, your dreams,
and will stand by you through each step of the way.

Dennis Johnston, Above Treeline Construction Project Manager
will listen, share and help you make through all your decisions

Do you need a builder?  Do you want someone that believes in dreams...just as you do?  If you do, reach out to  Steve Copp and Dennis Johnston, Advantage Log Homes/Above Treeline Construction.  The Klossners are very satisfied customers and have now become advocates and friends of these wonderful men.

Not Done Yet!

As you know we were hoping to close on our cabin on April 15...tax day!  It didn't happened.  We are still a good week away.  We went to the cabin to see the progress and determine where we are in the process.  It was a great treat to see our kitchen and bathroom cabinets in place...and they turned out beautiful!  Again, it was a bit scary hoping that the wood we picked out and style of cabinets would look good in a log home...but our designer did not lead us astray, as they turned out great!

We have door frames and doors hung and the banisters in for the stairs.  The banisters are exactly what we had hoped and look wonderful.  All the trim on the ceilings have been completed and the baseboards are all in.  Most of our windows have been trimmed, which also gives a great finished look in and around the house.

There seems to be many small things to be done: like lights, electric switches, plugs, door knobs, toilets, sinks, and trim work...so we are guessing that at least another week before we can anticipate the final inspection and receipt of the ever elusive "certificate of occupancy"!

We will keep you posted!  Thanks for sharing our journey...we are almost home!

New photos to share with you:

Sophie excitement at seeing kitchen cabinets!

View of kitchen cabinets...fridge and dishwasher spots

View of kitchen from dining room

Kitchen pantry and fridge location

Railings and banisters...beautiful!

Another view of banister and railings from kitchen view

Looking up at banister from stairs

Railings and banister from basement view

Stair landing view of banisters and rails

We have interior doors!

Bathroom cabinets

Viewing ceiling with trim works..spot is where smoke detector goes

Baseboards are in.  Waiting for carpet...which will be the last thing to go in