Our 1st Hunt

It's our 3rd Anniversary, TJ is ALWAYS doing so much for me and our family. I wanted to make it a super special day for him. I changed it up and took over and SUPRISED him! He usually always plans our suprise dates... well this time.. it was my turn and he had NO idea!

I asked him to be home by 1:00pm on Tuesday (our anniversary).

Prior to him coming home....
1. I agranged a babysitter
2. I found hunting gear for myself!!! (THANKS SO MUCH TO KATIE!! she gave me all my clothing and gave me a few pointers before heading out)!
3. I found all of TJ's hunting gear!
4. I double checked on our hunting reservations
5. I found myself a gun (20 gauge = great for me who has never shot a gun before)
6. Secretly packed and loaded all hunting gear into a huge black bag and hid it in the truck)

TJ arrived at home around 1:30pm. LATE.

.. BUT. I kind of thought he would be late.. so I was in the back yard playing fetch with Daisy (This was all part of my secret plan!)

Kenzie came to babysit, TJ was so confused he thought we were going to just relax at home for the afternoon.

I convinced him to come with me to take Daisy for a run (he hoped in the truck with his work clothes on --perfect for hunting)!

We started driving and he suggested we go to Granite Falls! PERFECT- that's where the reservations were!!!

Then I told him I really had a different plan and drove to the Heartland Hunting Perserve where I made the restervations.

We hunted from 2-5pm. It was SOOOO much fun with him and Daisy! He had no idea and we both really enjoyed it! I haven't ever shot a gun before, TJ did a great job teaching me!
Daisy also did GREAT!! That was her 1st time hunting. She ran right ahead of us and ran after a few chuckers when we saw them (they never flew though) when TJ whisled she was right back by our side. It was AWESOME!

 I even shot it 5 times! WOOOHHOOOO! (Didn't shoot anything, but TJ did at the very end- he killed 2 chuckers!) YAY!

We had a super fun date.. High five to myself for pulling off a suprise date-  usually TJ's the one who plans all the suprises and it was one that he loved!

I could maybe... just maybe get into this hunting thing.. but only for those birds that is!

Harvest is here!

We all really enjoyed farming with daddy this year! Or at least pretending to farm :)
They started in the field on September 30, 2011 and had gorgeous weather the entire time! Some days it was a little windy but the temps were between 70-80 degrees the entire time!
They pulled out of their last field on Monday, October 10, 2011. 11 days and they had all their crop out, wagons, tractor and combine washed and everything put back away!
Daddy took Ashtyn on Sunday and let her ride in the tractor for just about 5 hours! She also got to go with him to the elevator and help haul loads and unhook the wagon (thats her favorite). She even took a nap on the way to town daddy said!
Brayden also got some alone time with daddy, he rode for just about 3 hours on Tuesday! WOAH! Mommy got a lot of cleaning and organizing done at home!
The kids even got to ride with Grandpa for a little bit in the combine a couple times!
And Matt took Peyton for his first tractor ride, we got to ride with while they were un-loading on the go :)
If we weren't riding in the tractor mommy brought everyone out on the 4-wheeler a few times to watch the excitment. 
ANd of course... mommy didn't forget the camera!

Brayden's 1st time in the tractor for harvest
10.2.11

The line up of full wagons ready to go to town, Brayden and daddy hauling loads out of the field
10.2.11

Brayden sooo happy to be farmin with daddy!
10.2.11

He said, "daddy I am a big farmer, I can do it by myself!"
10.2.11

Ashtyn and Brayden makin a few rounds with daddy
10.2.11

Ashtyn's turn-- this was her 5 hour ride!
10.2.11

Brayden at home..with the radio, he just got done sayin, "10-4 grandpa"!
10.2.11

A view of the trees  at the farm

We brought Daisy with when we went to pick Ashtyn up
10.2.11

This was the last field of beans, sure was dusty! But so beautiful!
10.2.11

The kids were cheering, they heard daddy was just about to come home!
10.2.11

My view from inside the truck!
10.2.11

So sweet
Ashtyn - 5 1/2  Brayden 3

So beautiful!

TJ riding his motorcryle on the gorgeous day!
10.2.11

Out for a 4-wheelin ride to visit daddy :)
10.4.11

Ashtyn helping to hook up a wagon
10.4.11

Daddy haulin in a load
10.4.11

Brayden and daddy
10.4.11

Brayden after his 3 hour ride with daddy
10.5.11

Grandpa, Brayden and Ashtyn
10.5.11

Grandpa, Ashtyn, Brayden  and Daddy in the tractor about to unload-on the go!
10.5.11

Unloading on the go!
10.5.11

Peyton's 1st tractor ride, with Matt!
10.5.11

Volcano fun at Children's Church

My first time leading Children's Church was a HUGE success :)

There was 11 kids total, and they were all AMAZING! We were finishing up the creation

story so I brought a volcano .

We talked about

 how God created the volcano too, the kids LOVED watching what happens when you pour in the vinegar! What a fun experiment!

The kids raising there hand for "who wants to see what the volcano will do"!!?

Ashtyn and Brayden LOVED it!



The big July 1st Storm

Some of the notes from our July 1, 2011 Storm

that hit Marshall and the surrounding areas

Jason, TJ &  Brian hard at work going through the huge stack of notes
figuring out the game plan for the next day!



Storm Clean Up Crew on 4th of July 2011
Lt-Rt: Shelly, Brian, Jason, baby Peyton, TJ, Tom, Matt & Tony
Shelly, Peyton and I brought the guys some pizza for their 4th of July dinner break!