Archive for November, 2008
Thanksgiving Weekend…
I left Wednesday night to go to our deer camp. After the morning hunt, I went back to the camp and waited for Victoria and the kids to arrive. Victoria had smoked a turkey and all the “fixins” and brought them for us to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. We had a GREAT time. The boys and I went hunting (no nail-biting deer stories this time) and got to share time just doing nothing but being together. Unfortunately, Deanna was sick most of the weekend with fever, sinus drainage, and an ear infection, but she and I still spent Thursday night hanging out on the couch watching movies together (yes, I did watch Dora the Explorer for a couple of hours, the things we do for our children, especially when they are sick!)
We also read Dr. Suess’s, I think that is the correct possessive, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish with the kids and wonder what drugs that man must have been taking while writing that book! Chutes and Ladders is also fun, but I’ve got to teach Bryce to win gracefully; he is a bit of a showboater. I thought Victoria was going to throw a flag for unsportsman like conduct in HIS end zone. 
So spending the weekend without computers, cellphones, and other distractions, what am I thankful for? Of course the cliche sounding answer of family comes to mind, but it is the truth. My wife for putting up with me and the things she does to maintain our home, my children for the true joy they bring into my life, and my new job that allows me to stay home and enjoy them more than I have in the past 8 years. Of course, this is all thanks to our Lord for his providence in making all things possible.
God Bless!
Quips from the deer stand:
- Bryce: Daddy, I’m hungry and ready for my snack.
- Me: We’re only going to be here for a little while so I didn’t bring a snack.
- Bryce: Umph! Mr. Bubba NEVER forgets the snacks!
- Me: Ryan, why do you think we have to wear orange when we go hunting?
- Ryan: It tells people “Don’t shoot me, I’m not a deer!”
Open Day of Hunting Season
After the results of last week, I borrowed a 7mm youth rifle with a scope for Ryan.
I got up early on Saturday morning and went hunting by myself as it was balmy 21 degrees. I didn’t see anything. When I got back to the camp and had some lunch, I took Ryan to the target range. After just a few shots he was hitting within 2″ of the bulls eye at 75 yards, so he was ready.
For the afternoon hunt, we went to the same stand where he missed two does last week. Around 4:30, we heard deer coming. I looked through the woods and saw two large deer heading our way. It only took me a moment longer to realize that they were both bucks! I handed Ryan the 7mm-08 rifle and told him to aim for the chest of the largest one, an 8 point. He took a deep breath, took off the safety and fired. The deer’s back legs came off of the ground and he rolled over, but he immediately got up and took off into the woods. Ryan and I exchanged high fives, then went to look for his deer. I looked for quite a while and didn’t find anything. Some friends came and we scoured the woods for another hour with no sign at all.
We headed back to the camp and helped a friend with his successful kill (an 130lb 8pt), packed up and headed home. Some of our camp members are going to look for the deer today. Hopefully they will find the trophy for Ryan.
We’re one step closer to blogging about Ryan “bringing home the bacon” as it were. Stay tuned, I will update if there is more to share…
Update: Got word from a couple of guys at the camp. They went in with a dog and were able to find evidence he hit the deer in a couple of different places, but still could not find the buck.
Opening Day of Youth Deer Season 2008
After much anticipation, we left for our deer camp on Friday afternoon. The weather was horrible; wind and rain ruled the day. After getting lost on our way there, trying to take a detour for a bridge that was under construction, we did arrive around 7:00pm. Suffice it to say that I know a new way to get there now.
Ryan and I got up Saturday morning at 5:00 and quickly dressed in our warm clothes. It was a damp and windy morning, but thankfully the rain had stopped. We made our way to the shooting house and settled down for the morning hunt. We hunted until 9:30 and while we saw no deer, there were ample squirrel and turkey to keep us entertained.
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Busy day today
Today was a busy day. I had to get Deanna to school, then go to Bryce’s class to help with a center. After that I had to go and buy awards for the Cub Scouts, get Deanna, run to Kroger to get supplies for this weekend, and start packing up for a trip to the deer camp. Long day, but it was great!
Ryan’s American Memorial Project
For Ryan’s American Memorial Project, he decided he wanted to do the Lincoln Memorial. He did the majority of the work himself, and received a grade of 100 on it.
Can you tell which is the monument and which is the project?
Good Job Ryan!!