A huge step forward was taken over the weekend. We raised the first floor exterior-exterior walls (Exterior twice since it is a double wall). After spending Thursday trying to figure out how we would raise the 1300 lb north wall, with Hannah’s encouragement, I decided to have a work party. The alternative was to drive 3 hours into Vermont to retrieve a friend of a friend’s wall jacks.
And did we have a party. I am incredibly grateful to:
Adam, Devin, Thom, John S, Guy, Craig, Terry, Brad, Jan, and Josiah for helping construct and raise the walls.
A big thank you to my parents, Aniko and Ray, my wife Hannah, and Alexis for providing food and drink for us.
By the end of Saturday we got the north wall and east walls up and the west wall built. There was some difficulty with truing the north wall and laying out the locations for all four walls on the foundation, but, otherwise, things went smoothly.
Thom working on the frame for the North wall. A delivery of lumber in the background. - picture by Thom and Beth
Preparing to raise the north wall. Guy and his father Craig remove the anchor bolt extensions so the walls can be more easily set onto them. I decided to go with a single bottom plate to allow for more insulation in the wall.
Josiah, Guy, Adam, Jan, and John help apply Zip Tape to the north wall while Spartan supervises.
Throughout the weekend I learned a tremendous amount about framing. There was a healthy discourse between myself and Adam with me questioning how and why things should be done a certain way.
Attaching the push-braces to the north wall with strap hinges
The North wall propped up with concrete forms
Plumbing the north wall
John, Adam, and Brad attach the exterior bracing for the north wall
Raising the East wall. It went up without the door opening cut. - picture by Thom and Beth
Raising the East wall - picture by Thom and Beth
I put a lot of time making triple sure our plans were easy to read and accurate. Picture by Thom and Beth
About to raise the south wall
Raising the south wall
Yee-hah!
Design & Construction of Spartan & Hannah's Home 
This is so amazing. I can’t believe I wasn’t there. Congratulations on this milestone. Julie
It is beautiful. Sorry to not to have been able to join the crew.
Jay S.
This is awesome. You guys have been so loyal to this project and it is nice to see the walls go up. Not enough people (I personally know) would be responsible or committed enough to a project such as this one. I wish you, your wife, your family, and everyone involved the best.