Happy Weekending :)

See ya next week !!!

A Dream Come True !!!

The first week in October, Ivan and his cousin Chad went all the way to Casper, Wyoming on a guided Mule Deer hunt.  Ivan began planning for this trip in the Fall of 2009.....you have to book pretty far in advance to get to go hunting where you want to.  I think when you take time to see the pics you will know it was worth every minute he put into getting ready to go !  Enjoy :)

Lotsa paperwork was involved... 

Flying over some of the states....the irrigation system used here is really neat.

Beautiful scenery from the air !

The day they arrived in Wyoming they mainly spent time meeting up with the guide, making sure their rifles were sighted in and just getting settled in for the week.   Of course a little target practice was necessary.......out on the prairie you can make some nice long shots. 

A prairie road..

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Life out there is very different from what we're used to here at home.....they were able to leave their gun cases at the hotel and carry their guns on their shoulders in and out of the hotel and around town.  Can't think of many places where the people are that relaxed !

The sky seems to be the limit !

Wyoming sunset !

 These boys had planned on camping on the prairie and hunting.   Well, turned out there was a burning ban on and conditions were too risky for a campfire.   This meant they would have to go to a hotel.   NOT what they had planned but if you know Ivan and Chad, you know they don't let a little change of plans stand in their way.....  The first day they hunted they saw lots of nice bucks but not quite what they were looking for......On the second day of the hunt it didn't take long at all !!!

Ivan with a big 5x5 !

Chad with a big 5x3 !

Two happy fellers !!!

The next day Ivan went flying with the guide in his bush plane.

On the morning they were to fly back home, this was the view from their hotel window....

Snow covered mountains...

 I know you boys had a real good time but it sure is good for you to be back home.  Congratulations on your successful hunt !

You know what they say .......

anything worth doing  is worth doing right !  It all began about 10 years ago when we purchased this beauty all the way from Iowa...

"A John Deere 1951 Styled A "

In it's original condition before it was shipped here !

We have been wanting to remodel it for some time now but hadn't gotten around to it.....seems like that's the way it will be when you're raising a family.  This past summer we finally decided it was time to get started...

Lookin' kinda like a plucked chicken :)

Time for a little priming and painting ...... this involved all available hands !  The weather was perfect !

Now for the finished product ! ..... Johnny is very pleased with the results....he worked very hard every spare minute he had when the weather would cooperate !

I have to say it was well worth the 10 years it took to get around to it !!!  Good work men!!!

We are so lucky .....

My dear sister....I do love her.   She called the other day and asked if we would like to have her two little people for a while.   Well.....need I say anymore ?  Lots of baby holding went on and loads of fun was had by all !

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMBERLY~

Our oldest girlie has turned 14!!!  Where have the years gone ?  You are such a blessing to our family in so many ways.  Hope you have a wonderful year !!!  We love you :)

Happy Birthday !!!

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY ~

We took our first trip to Tennessee this year.  We spent a couple of days in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Johnny had a birthday while we were away so a little celebrating was in order once we got back home......hope you enjoy the pics  :)

Part of the birthday crowd !

The rest of these shots were made in Tennessee ....