Monday, October 13

We call this the “Grandpa Tree” because our great-grandfather planted it in 1889 – making it 125 years old. Due to lightening strikes and grubs the old silver maple had deteriorated and needed to come down.

This is our family homestead – the place my great-great grandpa bought for my great grandpa. Consequently it is where my grandpa and his siblings grew up, where my dad and his siblings, and my siblings and I grew up. It is also where my brothers Dale and Steve and their wives (Dot and Brenda) raised their children.

This local Amish man did a fabulous job, so I want to advertise for him – if you live in our area and need someone to take a tree down call him.

We were surprised at the large logs his helpers put in this wood chipping machine.

It was kind of a sad day for my family, but we decided that if our grandpa and dad were here they would sit with us and watch too. And our mom would have made a special meal. 🙂

Jackson, the newest of the youngest generation was there for the event, but he will have to look at pictures to know anything about it.

Our sister-in-law Brenda served warm sweet rolls and coffee.

It tasted good on a cool drizzly morning.

She served grapes for those who wanted to eat healthy.

If you look close, you can see the “daughter tree” in front of the main tree. My brother Steve planted it several years ago using a seedling from the old one.

Sisters-in-law Dot & Brenda

Some time during the morning we began collecting tree souvenirs. This one was collected by Maddie.

Elliot and Laura

Lincoln trying someone’s cold coffee.

By this time there was more lumber on the ground than in the tree.

Caleb

When the men went for a skid loader to pick up the logs, the children began building things.

Benny

Caleb and Molly built a seat for Elliot.

He loved his new seat.

Lucy

Brenda with eight of her grandchildren – Maddie, Lincoln, Bella, Benny, Lucy, Elliot, Molly, and Caleb.

Benny

Cutting a souvenir for me.

Someone else’s piece.

Maddie with her piece of the tree.

Getting ready to cut down the large trunk and tying it to the skid loader to pull it in the right direction.

Dale and Dot with their grandson Jacob. Dot is holding Jackson.

Look what Uncle Dale found on a piece of wood.

Loading the last of the logs. Most of them went to Dave and Laura’s place – for heating the greenhouse.

There it goes!

This is a better picture of the daughter tree – with the shovel propped up against it.

Ten of the children who were watching.

This is the first time we have been able to see the entire house.

I guess we will get used to this view, but it looks naked.