Beautiful lake with fountain in the Arboretum in their neighborhood.


The family enjoys the view.


The lake is just too tempting for the children!


Queen Anne's lace.


Back in the back yard, everyone enjoys the swings,

Andy's a good big bother to push his sisters on the swings.


Look what we can do, Grandma!


Andy looks down from the ladder at the red tape showing how big the treehouse will be.


How long before it's finished?


Look how beautiful this tree is - perfect for a canopy over the treehouse!

Hi Grandma! Amelia grins at me with The Planners in the background studying the tree . . .


Lisa studies the treehouse book.


Callie's just happy to have everyone outside playing with her!


Here comes the first load of lumber.


Natalie has found a purple petunia in the garden - it smells so sweet!

And Amelia likes it too.


Andy's all ready to work!


The crew is ready . . .


Photographer Grandma & her assistants Natalie & Amelia.


Grampa's ready to break ground. Wait! Wait for Andy!

Is this how you do it, Grampa?


Yep, we're making progress now.


Hmm, there seems to be a lot of rock in there . . .


Uh - HOW deep does this have to go???


This is not as easy as we thought it would be.

Meanwhile, the girls are having fun decorating the workbenches while the post hole is being dug.


Andy takes a turn with the chipping tool.


And even Mom - Go Lisa!


Stan & Larry have now gone out for yet another tool to help break rocks. Maybe this will speed it up?!?!?


Hey Mom -- Look how high the treehouse is going to be!

Don't worry - no one fell, just collapsed from the exhaustion of breaking rock in the post hole! This normally short process took nearly all day because it turned out to be almost solid rock.


How cool do I look?


But it's finally ready for the 4x4 support post!


And in it goes!


Where's the level???

Click on "Older Posts" below right to continue . . .

The post is supported to the tree so it will remain square & true.


And the post hole has been filled with concrete and will set overnight.


Amelia helps Grampa get some much needed rest in the hammock.


Their large back yard is like a park. I love the "See Rock City" birdhouse.

There's a nest inside.


Larry's read all about how to bolt into a tree. Eventually, the tree will heal from this wound, and grow all around the bolt, making it even stronger.


Purple shamrock in the yard.


Floor joists are going up!


Meanwhile, Lisa's organized Larry's workshop in the garage. Nice job! (During the Great Nashville Flood earlier this year, this was the only area of their house that was flooded, but it's all cleaned up now.)

So, how much longer???


Larry & Stan work well together.


Stan says he learned these skills from my dad, so it's cool that he's sharing them with another generation (or two!).


Impressive structural engineering . . .


Larry enjoying his power saw.

And the girls just keep swinging away . . .


Andy models his "Japanese pjs" for me.


Callie is very patient while a doll naps on her.


Lisa up on the ladder checking out progress.


How much longer?