We got done with all the joists and got the posts up today.
Tomorrow we have to work in the steps by the sidewalk, then we can start with the decking. We'll have to scab in a bunch more 8" infill to carry the deck design, so I'm not sure how far we'll get with the decking. Tomorrow is going to be one of those "work your ass off and go nowhere" days.
These pics will catch you guys right up to where we I stopped this evening. My FIL Bruce went home a bit early, and I wrapped up around 8:30 so I could work in the garden a bit.
Some more pictures...

Image

Image

Image
[Reply]

And a few more...

Image

Image

Image
[Reply]

looking great scott
[Reply]

Thanks, James. I'm really excited about getting to do the fun stuff now. :-)
[Reply]

Making progress!:-) Pretty good size. I'm jealous!
[Reply]

Awesome job brother, looking good!!
[Reply]

:-):-):-)
[Reply]

Looking good, Scott!
[Reply]

wow that is awesome, that will be sick when you get done...
[Reply]

That doesn't look like a deck, it looks like lumber. Now get a cigar and turn it into a deck!
[Reply]

My bad, didn't read everything, it's now starting to look like a very well built solid deck. Now grab a cigar and finish the damn thing!
[Reply]

Damn, Scott--that deck is probably gonna be more sturdy than your house!
[Reply]

That is a huge deck! I'm jealous, I am starting a paver patio this weekend. Not looking forward to putting it in, but can't wait to smoke on it.
[Reply]

Nice job! Should be very enjoyable when your finished.:-)
[Reply]

I have some updated pics.
The red patio umbrella thing (or whatever you call them) was just something to cover the tools in the rain. It allowed us to keep working through a lot of crappy conditions. Now that the sun is back, we just use it to cool off. It was a good idea, but it wasn't my idea. The FIL thought of that.
Today, yet ANOTHER load of lumber showed up. I ordered another 100 decking boards and some 2x12's for the front steps. We needed a couple 4x4's, too.
We keep adding stuff. The underside of the railing will have solid sndwiched lighting and there will be 1/2"x1" aluminum balusters all around the deck. 210 of them. Th thought hurts my head.
We made a number of other aesthetic improvements along the way and she's getting prettier and prettier. Today we're off, so I ran all over and got a ton of stuff we needed and bought the FIL a couple gifts. I got me a few toys, too. :-)
Enough blah, here's some more pics...

Image

Image
[Reply]

Image

Image

Image

Image
[Reply]

looking good brother!!!
[Reply]

I'm gonna grab a power nap and then I'll get out there and get to work finishing all the thousand loose ends. Bruce doesn't like to finish stuff, so it's been quite a battle. I like to finish everything before I move ahead so there's not a week of sucky jobs to do at the end.
Oh, I tested the stain we picked out on a few different boards that were totally different colors. It looks gorgeous, I couldn't be more pleased. :-)
[Reply]

sweetness! Amazing job. Hope you get many, many years of enjoyment out of that deck!
[Reply]

Looking good
[Reply]