tree house - done!

We started the tree house construction on April 22nd phase I.

Then worked in the shop on phase II.

This past Saturday, the weather finally cooperated, we recruited some help to lift the wall panels (thanks Keith & Melissa), and the tree house went together just like clockwork. Next up were the rafters, roof, trap door. Finally the permanent ladder was installed. Finished - woohoo! It is no longer just a tree house, it is The Tree House.

Everyone has their own interior wall to decorate (thank goodness there are only 4 grandkids). Aunt Carrie never had a treehouse growing up, so she has been invited to share. Kyle is recording the date of construction on the wall. There are plans for a sleepover Friday night - the last day of school.

VERY big smiles all around. Grandpa Buddy, you're the greatest!



A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house.

A street house, a neat house,
Be sure and wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all,
Let's go live in a tree house.

- The Tree House by Shel Silverstein

tree house - phase II

Update on the treehouse.

Searching for more recycled lumber in piles behind the shop, cutting wall studs and rafters.

Building up 4' wide wall sections complete with windows and outside siding.

Painting wall sections 'Cracker Barrel brown' - really, boss, we just happened to have some paint left over from the last one we built…

Loading everything up and taking it to the site.

Unfortunately, that is when the rain set in. Maybe next weekend.

Long faces all around.

May 17 - tree house - done!.

the tree house

I am not sure when the idea of a treehouse was first mentioned. I believe it was last fall, I remember it was cold weather already. It was before Christmas, because it was mentioned by Buddy in the annual Christmas letter:

I was recently met by Kyle and Sarah at my truck when I got in from work one night, with overly helpful intentions…the kind that set off an alarm in your head…..you know….."Can we carry your coat for you…..here…let us help you up the stairs….." I envisioned all sorts of terrible things awaiting me…. That, and Susan had called me and warned me on the way home NOT to immediately say NO to what they had in mind for me. Well, wasn’t as bad as I thought. After all the niceties and I finally pushed them to spit it out, what did they want….they presented me with a set of plans they had drawn for a tree house/club house. Had dimensions, a plan view and elevation. More than I sometimes get from some of the architects I have dealt with and clearer. We are currently in the negotiation stages of me saying I am looking into it and taking it under advisement, hopefully this will buy me time till spring and warmer weather.

After months of planning and anticipation on Kyle's part, the day finally came to start on the treehouse. The generator was tuned up, lumber was pulled from the stacks salvaged over the years from various jobs. Buddy got out one of his old tool belts and adjusted the size for Kyle. As I watched this almost ceremonious act, I could envision Buddy's dad doing the same thing with him, and his dad before that, as there has been a long line of carpenters in this family. All the supplies were loaded up and taken to the site. Kyle measured and cut the lumber, then came the fun part - hammering!






















Kyle will have to share the treehouse with his 3 sisters, and they all came out to check it out. Madison can't wait to start painting. Sarah wants to decorate and put flowers in window boxes. Racheal wants to bring all her books out there. Melissa (their mom) came out to check it out - it is HOW high? Big smiles all around. Thanks, Grandpa Buddy!

Phase I was completed this past weekend - the floor.

May 8 - tree house - phase II

May 17 - tree house - done!