Tree house [part two]

The tree house/swing set is a work in progress.

During the first phase, the first level was attached with slide, and the beam for the swing set was put up.

So over the course of the summer and into the fall the following progress has been made...

..stairs leading up to the first level.

A super helpful 1 year old was manning the drill.

Railing was put up all the way around.

Further additions to prepare for the second level.

A pulley was added on Christian's birthday, from Grandpa and Grandma.

 A handrail was placed (made from an old trampoline frame)

Netting for the stairs.

More progress towards the second level.

Bracing the joint for the swing set differently...and added hooks for swings.

Tree House (part one)

One of the main summer projects we wanted to do this year...is building a tree house.

It's more like a tree house/swing set.

Ben wanted to reuse the old decking from Mom and Dad's old pool. He and Christian have been thinking up a plan for months now. 

Here's the before "tree"

Ben had poured the footings for two of the supports. Then his parents and Sam came one day to help out.

The first level was braced to the tree and put up by noon.

Then next, they "thought" it would somehow work to get the second level hoisted up WELL above the first one. It was obviously not easy to even move on the ground, let alone lift high into the air!

After a couple attempts at this, it was time to move on..we'll figure out another way to get that level up there at a later time (perhaps using machinery instead of people).

Grandma H. played with Christian and Noah and kept them out of the way.

The slide (that I found for FREE..and a garage sale!) was connected to the tree house..its a little steep..but it'll work for now. Christian gave it several test runs. 

They also got up the beam for the swing set portion. 

It's kind of a big fella.

A really big start is underway! 

I'm so glad for the help too :)

All in a day

This is an assortment of pictures throughout one day. 

These two..so typical. 

I don't know why Christian loves strings/ropes/anything he can "hook" things up to or connect things to...but he does. And Noah, well he's just himself...so proud to have climbed on his chair!

 While Ben and Christian were outside working, Noah and I stayed out of the way..and stayed inside.

His "job" was to rearrange any furniture possible (he will move these chairs ALL over the place) 

AND carry his Bible around. Both jobs he does with authority.

Meanwhile Ben and Christian were busy digging the holes for the beginning stage of the treehouse!

They both have quite the ideas they've been discussing about what this treehouse will entail. I am very curious how it will all come together. I LOVE how they can have these conversations..and then work together. It is so funny to watch how Christian takes this seriously. 

He would dig for awhile..then Ben would come over and they would switch holes. It was one of those moments I will have etched in my mind...just so sweet to watch them work together.

They also were working on the well for a bit. It had a leak in the pipe, so Ben dug out around it to fix it. This little baby bird had fallen down in the hole..and the mama bird was nowhere to be seen. They found a worm while they were digging the treehouse holes, so tried to feed it to the bird. It would chirp so loudly...and open its mouth, but everytime Ben tried to drop it in..it would miss. 

Noah, didn't want to watch from inside any longer..he needed to feel included. 

Although Ben is going to start working in June..he has lots of projects going before then..with just one week off from school in between jobs. He's painting a family friends' house in McPherson, he started the treehouse and the deck for our house, and he fixed the well (hallelujah!). He's just a handy hard-working fella..glad I can call him my husband for 6 whole years now!