I’m in California today so I decided to drive up to see my mom and sister who’re building an amazing house on the American River. They build homes on spec, and custom homes in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. On my way up I stopped at Raley’s for sandwiches for the crew (which today was just the two of them and their long-time friend and fellow contractor, Dan).

I often forget how amazing these two women are. My mom started building homes something like 28 years ago when she decided to jump-start a room addition to our little house in the Foothills. The general contractor couldn’t start immediately, so she asked what she could do to help, and he jokingly said she could tear down the stucco walls. She didn’t take it as a joke, and we all took a hammer to the walls. Soon enough, the contractor offered her a job fetching items for the job. But it didn’t take long before she had her own apron and hammer.

Like all of use, my sister swung a hammer during summers in high school, and during college. My brother got his general contractor license, but eventually went on to the lending business, and like I, now sits behind a desk and computer. During college, my sister got her license and partnered with my mom to build the Foothills’ finest homes.

I often wonder how many houses they’ve built over the years. I don’t think anyone ever kept track. Some day, I’d love to go photograph them all.

I loved seeing you today, mums and sis.