Pheasant Hunting

Our time away from the business of life in Wausau was wonderful. We spent 4 days in Valley City, North Dakota pheasant hunting. We met up with Jason's dad and younger brother, Christoper, our friend from Kansas, Dan and his son, Zach and our friend longtime friend, Rob, his daughter, Bethany and her boyfriend, Brandon.

It was my first time going along and joining in on the hunting experience. I have to say that it is truly an adrenaline rush! We were up and at 'em at 6 a.m. the first day (each day got a little later!). However, each day we were out walking through cattails (which were at least a foot over my head) and CRP by 8 a.m. It was a little cold, but at least it didn't rain or snow.

Here the troops are headed out.

I did have success in killing two pheasants in the 3 days of hunting. Not bad for the first time :)

On Saturday we had 7 people hunting and we filled out our limit...21 pheasants!

This was also Kory's first time "hunting". They walked along with us a couple of times, but mostly just stayed back at the truck and played while waiting for us to return.

Here's us and the boys with Jason's brother, Christopher (center), Zach (right) and Dan (back right)
Jason's dad just switched places with Dan.

The last day's limit.

It was just me, Jason and Dan on Monday. We saw around 30 rooster pheasants, missed quite a few, but did fill out our limit. I don't think I will ever be able to anticipate or get used to a pheasant exploding out from the grass right under my feet. This happened on Monday while walking a tree line. The rooster flew up, I screamed and Jason shot. I, of course, couldn't shoot since I was recovering from a heart attack. It was a good thing I had already gone to the bathroom, which is an experience in and of itself (multiple layers of clothes and a corn field!). Unfortunately, Jason just winged it and it took off running down the corn row never to been seen again.

I have found that I am extremely out of shape. I used muscles that haven't been used for quite some time. I will know for next year to climb multiple flights of stairs for a month before we go. Anyway, we had a very successful time hunting...51 pheasants total in 4 days.

We stopped in Fargo for breakfast and a visit with Jason's cousins on our way home on Tuesday. It was a great time visiting over a "delicious" McDonald's breakfast burrito and steak sandwich :)

We arrived home on Tuesday evening and jumped right back into our busy schedule. The boys had one day of school and had Thurs/Fri off for a teacher's convention. This weekend's schedule is to do NOTHING. My dad and his wife are coming into town this afternoon to visit. We are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the time spent with them.

I hope that your week was filled with God's blessings, joy and maybe even some excitement. Take care and God bless.

First Snowfall and a Pumpkin Patch!

THE FIRST SNOW!

Winter decided to spit on us early this season. Nothing like snow to get you depressed :) It snowed for two days and the wind howled. It almost felt like a day in December. The cooler weather has decided to stick around, but the snow has left us...thank goodness! This week has been cold and rainy, but I believe the sun is suppose to reappear towards the end of the week.

CRAZY HAIR NIGHT AT G180!

This is as crazy as Jason and I get in our old age. It was also the best I could do with $5 and Wal-Mart. Many of the kids were much more creative. I am very grateful that Jason doesn't sport this look often...pretty scary. He was likened to Carrot Top, Howard Stern and some rock star.

A DAY AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Kory and I spent the morning at the pumpkin patch with his class. It had rained all day yesterday and a little bit this morning so it was quite muddy.

Kory walked through a hay bail tunnel and corn maze.

We enjoyed a hayride through the "forest" (as Kory called it). There were some places where I thought we might get stuck.

There was a pen of baby goats, which the kids loved. And, they were kind enough to let us pet them.

Kory enjoyed driving his own "tractor" through the mud!

Please don't think that Kyle is neglected, he just hasn't been around when the camera has been. There will be plenty of pictures of him next post as we are going pheasant hunting this weekend. Hopefully Kory's cold will be gone by then and nobody else will get it. We are popping Vitamin C like candy around here! Anyway, have a wonderful week and God bless.

I think I left off last time with us waiting for a visit with Jason's Grandma. Well, they made it here safely (surprisingly, since every road in Wausau is under construction) and it was good to see Ron, Bonnie, Grandma and Ella. We enjoyed a delicious meal together and wonderful conversation. I would have pictures, but after downloading some pictures off my camera, I forgot to put the memory card back in it. One can't take pictures very well without that!

I (we) said good-bye to our Grand Am and HELLO to a new mini-van. Our Grand Am served us well and it's now in the hands of a 16-year old (a family from our church bought it). We now have adequate room for traveling, just no time to take a trip! The boys are now more excited in the mornings to ride in the van than they are to go to school.


I was able to spend last weekend away from the boys at a Women's Retreat. It was relaxing and an enjoyable time spent with friends and studying God's word. I feel very relaxed and refreshed! Don't we all need that every now and again.

Jason was at the Packers game on Sunday. As usual the Packers stunk it up, but at least he had a beautiful day to be outside!

As promised, I did get a picture of the hillside behind the boys' school. I only wish the picture captured the beauty more. I guess if you want to see it, you'll have to come for a visit in the fall!


Last night we began the dreaded fall task of raking leaves. The boys took pleasure in throwing them in the air and jumping in the pile. All the leaves from the trees in our yard are gone; however, our neighbor still has quite a few on his trees. We are hoping that all the wind comes from the east for the next few weeks. They are predicting snow on Wednesday. I am so not ready for that!

Jason built a fire while we were raking. Kyle, Kory and our neighbor boy, Cody, kept warm by burning sticks. And when we were all done, Jason made some smores.

We have begun another hectic week...cub scouts, G180 & One Way, a Wild Beast Feast (for Jason), a wedding and a pig roast. Do you think life will ever slow down? I suppose not, but we will take moments to stop and enjoy what God has blessed us with.

I hope you are all doing well. Drop us a line and let us know. Have a wonderful week and God bless.