The ITV Build!

I feel like the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of logistics.  Let's just say that things have been getting added to my "to do" list much faster then I've been crossing them off.  But I'm making headway and the last couple days have been a blessing as I have come up for some air and enjoyed some relaxing time with my kids.

October 10th was our original proposed departure date.  As that day came and went, I was very thankful for a couple more weeks to prepare before getting on the plane.  I have been madly ordering toiletries, homeschooling supplies, Christmas presents, etc attempting to get it here on time for packing.  (I LOVE online shopping!  So much easier than lugging my little helpers with me from store to store.)

We decided to delay a few weeks because the Vytrak team has spent the last few weeks hard at work building an ITV (Intermediate Transportation Vehicle) in Pella, Iowa.  (If you don't know, this is what we will be building and manufacturing in Ghana.  You can find our more about why we are moving to Ghana by checking out the presentation at www.vytrak.com.  A new website will be coming soon!)

The build kicked off with lots of number crunching and calculations... (glad it wasn't me!)

This is very exciting and although things are going slower than they had hoped, its is SO much easier working out the kinks here in the states so we will be better prepared the first time we build ITVs in Ghana. (scheduled for January)

The team in Pella is currently working long hours and wearing multiple hats to get this unit built and we are so thankful for their flexibility and willingness to dive right in learning more all the time.  These people seriously ROCK!

Melissa has been doing a little bit of EVERYTHING (yes, this woman can program a website and weld  up something all in the same hour...) and is awesome at keeping everything organized and in line! 

We also have an awesome team of engineers who are volunteering their time to help improve the design and some amazing shop space that has been donated for our use.  The owner of the landscaping business across the street, Dutch Meadows, even stopped by to offer his land as our testing site so we can test the ITV on different types of terrain.  We are so thankful for the community support we are receiving!

Working on the frame

The kids and I have been holding down the fort in Des Moines attempting "normal life" but we love the days we get to go hang out at the shop and watch the activity.

Pat welding up the handlebars.

 I've decided welding and grinding pictures are some of the COOLEST!

Little Miss Kady can't get enough of the shop.  She wants to be right in on the action watching everything going on.  She can't wait until she's old enough to do some "real work." (Currently I am unashamedly using this as motivation to do her math homework!)  I definitely see some steel-toed boots in her near future!

We start 'em young around here!

When things get a little hairy in the shop, they pull in the BIG GUNS...um...yes...yes I DID!

(No worries...they only let me practice on scrap metal!  I made a tent...)

Don trying out his skills!

Part way through the build, Ryan and Josi joined us from Chicago for a day.  So fun to see them!

 Ryan obviously OWNED the cutter...thingy...machine!

 You go girl!!!

The past several weeks have been filled with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (and maybe a little DRAMA!)  But we are excited to be nearing the end of the build and see this thing driving!!!