The Finished Deck

Pictures: the old stairs are gone; Lindsey, Tim and Joni getting started; Dave came out for awhile to watch with Joni at his side; now we're getting somewhere- Mark, Tim and Dan; Loni taking a picture of Mark's tool belt- it was a hit; the helpers- Loni, Kevin, Noah and Liz; Lindsey getting the planks on- YEAH; Mark, Dan and Tim- it's beer o'clock time; Liz, Mark and Lindsey making the last cuts; Kevin, Dave, me, Lindsey and Tim; Dave, Audrey and me on the new deck.

Tim, Lindsey and Joni got to our house between 9 and 9:30 am. Tim had reviewed all the plans and made the first stop of the day to Lowes. He spent a lot of time figuring out what was missing from the plans to the instructions. We sure appreciate him. Kevin and Mark put their heads together with everyone else and they got the support posts and jousts (or whatever their called) in place and level. That took awhile so when Loni came over we painted an old umbrella form for the birds while the men were figuring out the plans. I think Loni did most of the painting. Then Dan and Liz joined us. It was perfect timing and the second trip to Lowes. They needed a 10 inch bit to help get the bolts into the supports. Mark was working on figuring out the connection for the last part of the frame and decided we had the wrong bracket. Third trip to Lowes for Mark and Kevin to get the correct ones for a 45 degree angle. Then the beams went in....oops we were short one. Fourth trip to Lowe's. Loni took me this time. AND the didn't have the 2 x 6 x 8 we needed (or we just couldn't find them) so we got 2 x 6 x 10. We were fast (they were waiting on us), to the car, it doesn't fit. St Joe High school wisdom set in and we utilized a plastic bag to hold the back door closed. FYI- you have to drive slow. Once the last beam was in the planks went on pretty quick. Dave came out to see the progress and thank everyone. We couldn't get to the railing and stairs, so we'll work on that next weekend.

We have the best friends and family!!!! Thanks to all!!!