How exciting! I don't normally watch the show (have a few times), but if you'll let us know when they are on - I'll try and remember to watch.

tina

Very exciting! I actually started watching that show about six months ago and I'm hooked on it now.

What state do they live in? If they're filming this week, I guess it won't be shown until next season? Please let us know if you find out the date it airs.

The show airs on Sept 26th. They live in Wisconsin.

It is very exciting! I know some old friends who are volunteering and helping with the house-building.

I'll post the air date again few days before they show it:)

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100815/GPG0101/8150629/Neenah-family-s-home-gets-Extreme-Makeover-

Oh that's so fun! They're going to do one here in Salem, Oregon shortly. We're thinking of helping out where we can, too. Definitely keep us updated on the progress.

Since you are friends with this family, maybe you can tell us a little more about why they were chosen? The article really doesn't help me figure this out-- music teacher inspires others (as all teachers ought to do) and he's leading a crusade against childhood obesity, but that's it? So many people would fit that profile of teacher/volunteer. Even with a lot of children in a small house, I'm just very curious as to why they are considered "needy." I'm not being offensive, I just want to know. Maybe there are things the newspaper article didn't say. I've seen just one or two of these shows, I think one was the house of a woman who took in family after their parents died in addition to foster children; that I understand. I just don't understand this choice.

Hope they fair better than others.

Here is a link that might be useful: not always happily ever after

My DH works with a company that sponsored a family in a nearby town, that got an Extreme Home Makeover, just about 6 months or so ago. In this particular situation, I think the family really deserved it! They had a son that had a major illness that requires them to go to Houston every month for medical treatment. It wasn't that they were broke, just used all their money for these trips and enormous doctor bills, so they couldn't ever afford a better house, the house they were in had mold. Also, one thing that impressed me about the family is, the Extreme Show wanted to build them a much bigger home, but the family insisted it be smaller so they could afford the upkeep, etc.

I have heard stories about families getting the home for free, then getting a large mortgage against it and can't afford to keep it, and end up losing it.

I hope your friends are ok with the newly made over property tax bill....

Another article I read suggested that some of the work in the past has been shoddy or uncompleted. Things that don't show, like plumbing... One week with so many workers could get crazy!

I hope this turns out great for your friends. I've been touched by the stories. Please let us know when it's going to air!

I live in Wisconsin, too! I will be sure to tune in for this one.

Spoiler, so don't click link if you don't want to see. ;) I googled and got a sneak peak of the house. It's going to be very pretty!

Wow on the house! It's huge!

Hopefully the show has done some changing since people lost their houses. They need to counsel people on how to make sure they spend the money given right. Taxes, etc have to be taken into consideration when they do things like this.

One article says the family meets the qualifications but did not say how/why; so I guess we'll see more when it airs. I normally don't watch the show but will try to. Not hard to remember the air date - it's my sons birthday.

I never understood how they put a house up that quick. It must be a mad-house. lol

I clicked on monnshadow's link-- wow!!! that's gonna be a big and beautiful house!

Pammyfay, I know that the father is well-liked and respected by students and families in schools where he teaches music. And the family is very active in their church. They even drive over an hour to go to their church everyweek. They are nice Christian family, friendly, too. I don't know what criteria they (show) use and chose our friends. I'm thrilled for them! Their house is really tiny for 7 people, and oldest one (girl) is going to be a teen-ager soon, so she needs some privacy.

I was reading the comments on the (online newspaper)articles, and there seem to be a theme- envy/jealousy:( A lot were criticizing why they have so many kids when they know they cannot give them the living space that they need. Some are concern about the property tax, some are just plain upset that they know more deserving families than the winner. Ahhhhh, why didn't they join the contest? Or entered the family they think deserves to win?
Like I said, I don't know the criteria they use.

I read that too! It sounds like this family gives a lot to the community. I'm sure I'll be touched by their story. I've never seen them chose an undeserving family yet.

That said, the house kind of looks out of place in the neighborhood. Hopefully, it'll be like my MILs neighborhood. When the first house super-sized, it really stuck out. Now, many of the homes on her block have done the same and it looks normal now. (She lives in a very desirable neighborhood in Santa Clara.)

I am sure the show has learned a lot in the years it's been doing this. I wish for the best outcome. Being one of 5 girls raised in a small two bedroom, one bath home, I know they will appreciate the needed space.

In my quick googling I read somewhere their little house was a health hazard (mold, maybe? just a guess). Let me see if I can find it...well, for roselvr, here's one that explains how they put up this house, which I never realized either. Can't find the article I read this morning, but this is a short blip that says the 70 yr old house has become a health hazard.

Don't watch the show much but always get choked up when I do. (Plus Ty's cute. Loud & rowdy, but cute. ;D ) I'd like to see this one, hope I don't forget.

I agree it will look out of place in the neighborhood, which are mostly 60-70 years old, smaller, and one-story homes. Now, if they put it on E. Wisconsin Ave , which is like the Beverly Hills of the town, or by the lake, it'll blend in easily.

I also read about the health hazard part, but I don't know what the hazard is.

I'm planning to post a reminder here a day before the show airs on Sept 26th. Hopefully, I won't forget, since I'll be out of town that week:0)

I was watching Sept 26th but it wasn't this family. I've been wanting to ask for an update on when it aired - I see we just missed it. The link is below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Season 8 : Episode 4 : Aired 10/17/10