Beautiful work to be done...

Sooooo.....,



Guess what we didn't do this weekend..... yep- still got leaves to rake. I spent most of the weekend trying to kill Bambi. No luck.



Today was beautiful, yet chilly. We went to church and stayed in. I did manage to grab a few photos. Enjoy the fall leaves.

Thoughts on Hunting....sort of...

Deer Hunting Season is upon us...sigh....


To make a long story short (my story) I failed to bring home a corpse dilecti (so far) I might go out yet again go tomorrow afternoon. I saw three does walking together yesterday - total. I took a shot at the middle one. I missed, (of course) and judging from the pain in my right bicep I'd say it was because I didn't shoulder my gun solid enough and it moved when I swung to aim at the doe. Otherwise, it was just way to windy yesterday - nothing was moving.


I went out this morning (later than I should have - 7:00am) and saw two does as I walked in. Then I saw a really nice buck who just wouldn't cooperate and went the wrong way. I saw him again a bit later - still uncooperative. I also refrained from shooting a small buck - just way too little - he was begging to be shot - just 10 yards from me - going back and forth - just beggin' - I don't even think he saw me! He must have smelled a doe or something and finally took off.


Then, I saw what turned out to be a couple of poachers on my friends' land. I saw some movement, then I heard a little kid, then I saw this guy who must be a complete bonehead (might have been the kids' dad). He was wearing a blue sweatshirt, smoking a cigarette and walking with his gun in one hand like a loaf of bread. NO ORANGE! I couldn't believe it. I had to get out of my position to make sure they saw me - I didn't want to get shot! Who knows what could have happened if we hadn't seen each other. They turned and walked back the way they came - I don't think they wanted to talk to me - they knew they didn't belong. My friend (who owns the land) was pretty mad about it when I told him. What kind of guy goes out with a gun during hunting season - brings a little kid (2 -4 yrs old) - smokes a cigarette, wanders onto someone elses land and doesn't wear ORANGE!!!! That's what happens when cousins marry I guess. The thing is, that little kid was learning to do the same thing. Great example, pops!


Which brings me to another point - What's with the camouflage trucks?!?!?!?!? Are you gonna drive your truck into your tree-stand partner?














As you can see, my attitude may need a little adjusting. Bye for now.

The Joys of Fatherhood...

Just thought I'd share a few photos with you all to illustrate what a joy it is for me to be a parental unit (sometimes). Actually, I wouldn't trade a minute of it! (Well, maybe a few hours here and there, but you know what I mean folks.) Enjoy the pics, and of course my loving, fatherly commentary.

This is Darian waking up!

As you know, Teenagers are always especially cheerful in the morning! I don't remember Darian's exact words when the flash went off, but I'm sure they brightened everyone's day, as usual.

Austin is a very serious individual, especially when taking a picture.

The fact is, I have had a hard time finding a picture of him to share with you all without some sort of gesture, "face" or otherwise non-serious behavior from him. We don't actually know what his real face looks like - though we do know he has blonde hair and steel blue eyes.

Here is Bryce at the Relient K concert - isn't he handsome?

BTW, the sign he is flashing with his hand is the Rock and Roll "secret" devil sign. Shhh...don't tell anyone.

Here is Cameron cutting his 16th Birthday Cake

I guess that means he's only cut 15 others in his lifetime.....??? I didn't know we had been counting exactly how many cakes he had been been allowed to cut but it must be serious business if we are keeping track. After all, those cake knives can be pretty sharp! By the way, Happy 16th Birthday Cameron!

Rock On!

Soo...,

Had fun last night - hangin' out with my boyz. Went to a concert with Austin & Bryce. We saw a new young band from Washington State - Ruth. They were really cool. Kinda country rockish - harmonica and stuff. Really good - I think we should keep our eye on them.

Next up was Relient K. - My boys absolute favorite. They tore it up! My favorite part was the lead-in to the song "fall in love with the 80's." The lead singer (Matthew) started to introduce the song - then instead they did a note-for-note cover of Tears for Fears' "Head over heals!" It was amazing! They also introduced a song from their new Christmas album (sleigh ride)- with fake snow blowing out from the overhead light tree! (The picture shows that part!) I don't know about the rest of the crowd, but to me it felt like it got just a little cooler in the room when the snow started falling.

We finished the evening with an awesome set from Switchfoot - I was particularly looking forward to these guys. They just looked like they were having a lot of fun - which made it fun for everyone.

The best part however, was that I got to spend time with my boys.

TTFN

Lamentations...

So, a few weeks back I was joyously singing the praises of the "Fall" season. True, this is my favorite weather, and the trees get all pretty-like - colorful and what-not. However, the leaves don't stay on the trees. Makes a mess. Sigh. Sometimes I think if I didn't complain, I'd have nothing much to talk about. Sorry folks. It is kinda pretty though. Here's a couple of pictures of our "little" yellow house - one from a couple of weeks ago, and a couple from earlier today.

Before

After the fall!

Alive...

Just read my buddy Jason H.'s blog. His big entry.....Alive.
That was it. I of course was inspired to let you all know, I'm alive too.