Dad, Was I This Loud?

Maybe why we didn't get a deer that day?

Nachos For Dinner

The excitement level varies at supper time depending on what is on the menu.

Misc A&C

Cedar models new (to her) jammies

Autumn learns the letter R in school

I ate all my lunch.

A&C with pics they drew of themselves. These hung on the bedroom wall for weeks.

Autumn loses tooth #2.

Venison Burger

Grinding venison into burger is a snap when you've got such good helpers.

Autumn Gets a Haircut

Here's Autumn after a recent trip to the hair dresser with mom.

Halloween 2014

Mom does it again with great costumes for the fall carnival. this year Autumn was a peacock and Cedar was a thunderstorm. 

Hunting With Dad

It was Autumn's turn to hit the hills with Dad. We didn't get a deer that day, but we still had fun.

Nice camo. The folks are Cabelas cringe. Safety first though.

Bouquet for Mom.

Putting gymnastics skills to work.

Cedar, Huntress

When you are three years old you get to go on your first hunting trip with Daddy. In 2012 Autumn went with me for the first time. Now it was Cedar's turn. We practiced the night before - "Daddy, I'm going to be this quiet." (long silent pause). Like Autumn's first trip, the day dawned windy and rainy. After a hearty pancake breakfast we loaded up and headed for the woods. Although Cedar has wanted to go hunting with me for a while ("Daddy, I want to go hunting with you so I don't have to miss you."), it was hard to leave mom and Autumn. Once in the truck though, with lollipop in hand, she was into it. Cedar turned out to be an excellent partner. She is a good hiker, managing all terrain, save a few larger puddles and logs that I carried her over. She was also very quiet when she was supposed to be and kept a sharp look out for deer. The first couple spots turned up nothing from our calling sessions. We would try a spot, get back in the truck, continue snackfest and then try another spot. At the third spot I blew on the call while watching ahead. From behind me Cedar whispered, "oh a deer." I knew from the way she said it that she had spotted a deer. Yes, Cedar spotted it before me. Awesome. A doe was sneaking in to check out the calls. I told Cedar I was going to shoot it. She covered her ears and I stood up and shot the deer standing on the other side of the brush. The heavy rain made for a little tension as it quickly washed away any blood trail. I loaded Cedar in the kid carrier and we commenced searching the woods for our deer. I was regaled with such wisdom as "Dad, I think that deer found a good place to hide from us." and "Dad, you killed it, but you didn't kill it." Then we found it, very close to where I had last seen it, it had just snuck into some thick bushes to expire. By now the rain was pouring in sheets, but Cedar was a trooper and we got the deer gutted and drug back to the road. Two successful first hunting trips for both daughters. It won't be long before they are doing the shooting themselves.

Headed for the hunting grounds.

Unsuccessful so far, but having fun.

Cedar's first deer

The Tooth Fairy Is On The Move

One excited girl tonight. Just went to bed with her first tooth safely tucked under her pillow.

From Field to Freezer

Autumn Milestone

This video taken one day after training wheels removal.

Scott Completes the Seven Mountain Ranges Quest

Congratulations to my hunting partner Scott Luber on his ram this year. This ram completes Scott's goal to take a ram from all seven mountain ranges in Alaska. All by hiking in from the road. To our knowledge, Scott is just the second person ever to accomplish this. You can read all about the hunt and see some more pics at our Proving Trail Adventures site.

Misc A&C

Cozy

"I'm a kitty!"

Autumn and Cedar go camping with their babies. Those are individual campfires for each doll.

Now You See It, Now You Don't

More Summer Fun

A couple more camping trips, 4th of July and a few other random pics from the summer. Find more at Flickr.

New Olympic Sport - Couch Jumping

I'm thinking Autumn shouldn't sign straight out of high school...

Control Lake Weekend

We joined forces with the folks from Steal Away North for a weekend of family camping at the Control Lake cabin. Fun time. Campfires, smores (gluten free and home-made marshmellows, way to go Amy), fishing, archery, hiking, blueberry picking, the Mad Fishicist and the Girl From the North Country pickin' by the campfire and fireworks were some of the highlights. Fun seeing the girls becoming more independent and able to do "outdoorsy" stuff on their own. I think there's a good chance I'm raising up a couple great hiking/fishing/hunting/camping buddies. And a couple pretty sweet girls to boot.

On the "road" to the cabin. The boat was so much nicer than hauling gear.

My camping buddies

Amy sets out to beautify the cabin with local flora.

Hide and Seek

View from the cabin.

Nice follow-through!

Autumn, just pretend the pop can is an orc. Bulls-eye! Any question Cedar loves her Daddy?

Can you bottle this?

Must. Be. Touching. Daddy.

Place a flower on a lily pad, make a wish and set it afloat. They come up with this stuff on their own.

Daddy, did you make a wish?

Grilled Sockeye and Sports Illustrated. The perfect combo.

We left several new wall decorations for the next campers.

Round the campfire.