24 Jun. Tomorrow is my baby's birthday, and her 50th to boot. Surrounded by family and friends, how good can it get. She doesn't like birthdays, but does like the party part. My mom and sis threw on this party for her and it turned out really well. Good job gals.

Christa trying out some of her homemade ice cream that Rod made for her. Peaches and Cream for a Georgia Peach, uum uum good.

Tammy and Christa at the birthday party for Christa at my sister's house. Check out the little party favor on the table. How could they do that to you baby.

The Main event, Christa's cake, that icon of aging that always seems to be there to remind us of our status in the world. As I am writing this, Christa is dogging me out about putting her on the blog and not myself from my birthday a week and a half ago (I made 51). I had to remind her that nobody took pictures during my party, not to mention we had the party at our house, the construction zone. And temp...wow. Close to 100, man what a party. Seriously, it was good, my boys showed up, my sis and bro and their families. That's my kind of good time. Another common thread at the parties was the fantastic food. I figure if you gotta get old, you might as well get fat, too.

The girls enjoy a laugh (or two), usually at the guys expense. Lorraine (Harper's wife), Mom, Christa and Sis-in-law (Tammy) really like the laughs.

Brother, Ben, Rod and Harper work on the main entrees for the meal - beef and chicken fajitas. Rod cooked, Ben chopped, Gale supervised and I took pictures.

The kids have a great time in my Sis, Becky, and Bro-in-law's, Rod, backyard. On a hot summer day in Texas, something with water is always a welcome treat.

18-23 Jun. A couple masons from Caprock Masonry in Seguin, pose for a picture. The style is random rough stone look with a low grout line. The effect is to present a look as if the stones were just stacked. They are quite amazing to watch.

Masons from Caprock Masonry apply mortar and stone to the left side of the house.

Rockwork began on 23 Jun. This is a wall constructed to support the rock installation. The flaired wall is an accent point for the entrance, this is the right side to the entrance way.

18-23 Jun. The septic tank, rock wall installations, electrical hookups and more framing were the order for this week. Pictured here is the drain feild for the septic system. I can't wait to see the bill for this thing.

13-20 Jun. Ruben and Conrad working drywall and skim joints for the guest module.

Ralph is installing the a conduit that will house a power line for the future gray water pump. This will allow us to reuse the water for drip irrigation in the front yard. Also of note are the main lines to the septic tanks. A 1250 gallon main septic receives the brunt of the action, while a 750 gallon gray tank washing machine and bath lavatory waste water.

A picture of the twin leech fields for the septic system. Because we live in an area with significant clay intrusion into the soil, we get the luxury of really large drain fields (paid for of course).

Larry continues working on the STO for the front of the main entrance.

No, this is not the power panel. This is, in fact, the media distribution center. Computer, phone, tv, and the like are distributed from here.

Cindy and Candice working sheetrock in the kitchen. "Hey, can somebody give me a hand with this thing!" Sorry Candice, but I'm holding up this camera.

A wide view of the master bedroom.

A preview of the master bedroom. Ralph and conrad are incorporating some unique effects into the architecture. This design is repeated throughout the house.

This is a shot on down the roof line spigots and sprinkler valves are arrayed along the edge.

13-20 Jun. While things are moving along below in the house, my brother-in-law (Rod) helps me install a sprinkler system on the roof of the house. With nine stations (5 on top) the house should be water efficient with regards to the greenery.

The guys pulling these large pieces of equipment onto the roof are (from right) Ralph, Dale, Conrad and Dale's brother.

14 Jun. Ok, yesterday you saw a couple ladies ride horses up on to the roof, but today, we are looking for a little more. So we put all the big equipment up onto the roof. From the left we have a JD 4850 pulling a 10 yard pan, then a cat pulling an 8 yard paddle scraper, followed by a 1959 CAT D7, and finally a Kabota landscape tractor. That's a pretty good display of structural strength for a home roof.

Today we were visited by some neighbors, Barbie and her sister Joni. Out for a morning ride they had to stop by the new "grocery" store everyone was talking about at the local eatery. I invited them to ride up on the roof for a look from on high. Puts a whole new definition to the term "Giddyup!" Barbie and her husband, Ray, live about 4 miles up the road.

Barbie and Joni wave back from the top of the house. The horse's ears are on the alert, probably from the 12 ft drop just in front of them.

Week 4-9 Jun. A lot going on again this week. The barell vault gets some attention, windows go up, insulation for the front of the house is applied, plumbing and framing continue, and hopefully the pond is finished as well as burying the house. Here Ruben is sealing and skimming in the windows as they are installed.

Conrad and Cindy putting up STO material to the front of the house. Windows have already started going up, kind of a mixed blessing for the builders. Inside, things are relatively cool, but outside they are deprived of the cool air generated inside the house. And believe me, it's hot right now.

A good shot of the STO material showing the thickness.

Conrad and Cindy getting busy putting up the STO insulation. STO will add an insulating barrier to the concrete and a surface for the stucco to adhere.

Cattleman's Gates are on the job to erect the barrell vault over the entrance way. A copper roof will top this strcture adding a nice little architectural piece to the structure.

The barrell vault goes up. Going to look good.

Framing of the utility room and guest bath.

Looking into the great room, this is taken from the guest module hallway. Note the arched ceiling.

Taken from inside the master bedroom, the windows are up. The big widow is a 4X9 picture window that looks out on the future pond (currently referred to as the meteor strike zone).

Here is a shot of the barrell vault structure in the works. The welders are at lunch so I came on up to take a couple of shots for you guys. Sweet. Can't wait to see this part finished.

Another shot of the vault structure from the roof. At this level we are approximately 12 ft above the ground.

This is the frame to the barrell vault. Coming together nicely. Well done to the guys at Cattleman's Gates of Seguin. Hopefully next week will see the copper roof applied.

Windows and STO are up on the first end to be done. Starting t come together now. The difference in temperature between the outside and inside are very noticeable. The welders working on the barrell vault asked if we had the A/C going. In truth the temperature at this point is about 20 degrees cooler inside. Outside the temp has been right at 100 degrees, but inside the temp is very comfortable.

Week 4-9 Jun. Ralph gets to work on the plumbing. A short time later the pipes were charged and only 2 minor leaks. Good job.