Yes that's easy for such a small lift. Just run a continuous header above the existinc wall.

But there a hundred other structurall issues you will run into in thius process. You need a house designer who is familiar with these things or a good framing contractor.

Thank you for the info about the header. Now regarding price...How much should such a procedure add to the cost of my build-up?

The exterior walls to be added to would measure 37' 5" X 26' 4", and I guess the existing ceiling rafters would have to be ripped out and new ceiling rafters would have to be added. And then new drywall/covering. Most of the existing ceiling is rather unattractive as is, and I was planning to do something to them anyway, but how large a budget would I have to plan in order to see this through?

I will talk to a contractor about this, but I'd like to have some information before so that I can discuss and negotiate with some intelligence on the matter.

Any additional info you could share with me, or somewhere you could direct me to to inform myself more on this matter?

Thanks for your help...

I hate to talk price because jobsite conditions and locality can vary things so much. I would be doing you and your contractor a dis-service.