Last month, my family broke ground on a new house.

Step 1: Dig a really big hole.

Less than a year ago, we were just toying with the idea of building a house, and now we’re actually in the process of building. It’s surreal to think back on the original discussion and consider where we’ve come in this process already.

We moved out of this place after seven years.

I work hard to make sure my summers are as tech-free as possible. All of my email is archived automatically and a nice vacation responder tells people to write me again on a given date. I’m focusing all of my energy this year on contracting and building the house with my brothers-in-law as well as assorded friends and other family.

Click through for the full-size picture because it’s bonkers.

Most of the work so far has been through hired concrete contractors, but this week lumber started going in, which is a huge burden both on and off my shoulders. Waiting for construction to start was hard, but now that we’re moving, it’s really refreshing and empowering to be able to do this project with my own hands.

Framing is extrememly satisfying to do because everything happens so fast.

I’m trying to remember to document the project. When you’re in the middle of it, it feels trite to stop working to take a picture. But, it’s not every day you get to build a new house yourself. As of tonight, the first floor is ready for the subfloor and we’re getting ready to start framing exterior walls. We’re also going to order all of our windows as well as the second floor trusses.

If you want to follow along, I have a photo gallery going for all construction-related pictures I take. (Feel free to browse other non-construction related photos.) And if you’re so inclined, there’s now an RSS feed you can subscribe to because RSS is alive and well.