Frosty Morning and Hunting

 Day after Thanksgiving is usually our sister's Black Friday shopping, however this year it lands on the Anniversary of John's fathers death.  It's been a year already since he's been gone, it's crazy how that time flies by.  It did not feel right to leave John home alone, I've had that 1st anniversary and it's certainly a day you could use others around you, even if nothing is mentioned about it, it's just having someone to share your space and know that you know what today is.  

So our morning starts out with John waking up as the sun was rising and he looks out the window.  He lays back down and about a minute later he says "don't look out there".   

Me - "why"

John - "just don't"

Me - "you know I'm going to look now so tell me"

John - "just don't look and it will make me happy"

Me - "why will me not looking make you happy"

John - "cuz if you look you'll have to get up"

Me - "why?"

John - "just don't look, please"

Me - of course I look "OMGeeeeee"

Me - running around the bedroom "get up, get up, geeeeetttttt UP"

John - pulling the covers over his head  "why did I have to say anything"

So I run around getting dressed, finding my boots, yelling for him to hurry.  He looks at the temp and it's 1 degree out.  He tries to talk me out of going outside with that.  I'm not buying it, what's a little cold.  I went outside while he frogged around stalling for time and hoping that I'd forget that I wanted to go out in the woods or I'd be frozen already.  

Didn't happen I am ready to capture this beautiful frost with more trees and birds.

We head out to the woods and the frost is getting lighter and lighter.  We must live in a hole.  It was still pretty when we got to the cabin.  Here it is all frosty and cold as the morning sun comes up.

The frost really wasn't as pretty here but as long as we're here we might as well take a walk.  And since it's still hunting season John uses me to take a few nature walks to push any hiding deer to him. 

I get to the backside of the old Hemmer farm, it was all pretty in the frosty morning.

As John and I were walking I of course was walking to fast.  I didn't think it was a "be quiet" walk but I was mistaken when I coughed and he looks at me and says "really".  I guess that means be quiet.  Do you know how hard it is not to clear your throat or cough when you are suppose to be quiet?  I had another coughing urge so I pulled my head into my coat and quietly coughed.... yep got the look again.  

This next trail is called Holy Land, it's where John has hunted behind the farm since he was old enough to hunt.  John was headed out to another trail and I had to wait until he "let out a hoot".   Now what does that mean really, is he going to hoot like and owl, is it going to be a one time hoot or a hoot, hoot, hoot.  I take a few pictures and wait.

I wait some more and listen for a hoot, of course I'm wiggling cuz I don't stand still and my jacket is loud against my ears and I don't really know what kind of a hoot he's going to make.  Ok so still no hoot but I'm thinking he's got to almost be back to the cabin by now so I head down my trail I'm supposed to be on.  I came out with perfect timing, thank goodness and I didn't cough at all.

As cold as it was it sure felt good to get out there and walk and spending quality time with John today made it so worth it.  John sent me on another nature walk but this time I didn't know the trail, it's a new one they just made.  I gave him the look that if he was trying to get me lost it was a great plan.  He whispers "follow my footsteps I walked it yesterday".  Oh ok, I can do that.

Didn't flush anything out of that trail but had a moment to realize going Black Friday shopping with lots of crazy people, long lines, bright lights, rushing around or I could be doing this.... taking a walk in the quiet of nature, watching the birds, looking at the small miracles of God.  I might have to change my day after Thanksgiving tradition.  

We got back to the cabin and I spent some time with the birdies.  

As I stood against a tree wearing my blaze orange Adam drives in and gets excited that his dad is shooting a deer..... nope just your mom shooting the birds.

Got back home and took a few more of the hoar frost that we had.  

After that adventure we headed to the cemetery to put out Dad's Christmas cross.  Ed was there when we got there so John and him took care of putting it on the pole.  

And a beautiful plant was delivered to John's mom today.  She asked me if I could have sent a bigger one and I said "nope I bought the biggest one in the shop".  

Rest in peace dad

Another Newborn Baby Boy

 I've had a stretch of baby boys here this summer and fall and here is another one to add, of course little boys have a special place in a momma's heart and mine too.  

Layden is Baby A's cousin, I think they might get into a little trouble together when their old enough to wonder out on their own.  Both their dad's would live in the woods if they could and I'm sure these two boys will be dressed in camouflage and orange before they can walk. 

Layden was a bit of a stinker, he would not get comfortable at all.  No matter what we did he was determined to stay away and wiggle.  We tried everything, we fed him an ounce and he threw up right down mom's shirt.  We snuggled him in his fuzzy blanket, he was almost settled so we very carefully took off his diaper so we could get the naked shots and he pee'd on mom right down her shirt.  Well we all know there is only one thing left to do and yep he did it, poop'd on mom too.  So he should be all ready for a bit of a nap you would think.  Nope not this little guy.  After 2 hours we dressed him back into his onesie and diaper and decided to get the most important shot (if we could).  All dressed back up and in a snuggly hat and blanket laying on dad's moose horn he's pretty happy.

It didn't last long though.  While mom tried her last attempt at getting him to sleep I played around with her blocks and blue booties that we've used for photos of his reveal and maternity.  

We did finally get a somewhat sleepy baby if we didn't talk, move, breath the wrong way.

Layden's bedroom is a hunting theme so using these sheds were a must.  

Mom and Dad didn't intend on their photos to be taken but while we waited for Layden to get sleepy I took a few.  I cropped them a little differently, I like how they form a heart on the bottom right.

Then I merged them together for something a little different.  

So even though little Layden is the boss and this was not his idea we got some pretty awesome pictures for mom and dad to remember how truly special their gift from God is.  

Thank you Megan and Jason, I can't wait to watch your little guy grow and I really can't wait to capture photos of Baby A and Baby L together. 

Up North Painting and Deer

Our last weekend up north was a cold one so I decided to tackle a painting project.  I started in the kitchen with primer and couldn't find a way to stop in the kitchen so I went through the dining room and then down the hall and then into the laundry room and...... oh it goes on and on........ I wanted all the rooms painted eventually anyway.  I couldn't see letting the ugly wood cabinets either so off the doors go and primer is covering them in the kitchen and laundry room.  Our plan was to go out for supper for our Anniversary but both of us agreed to stay in and enjoy our night.... me painting and John flipping channels.  

Sunday morning we're up bright and early, made some breakfast and I grabbed my paint brush since I only had one half of the kitchen to prime yet, I can get that done before we have to head home.  One swipe with the brush and for some reason I hear my phone and it's on silent.  It's John's brother Ken who needed help tracking a deer he shot.  Of course I say "yes we'll leave right now"  Pack up the brush and primer and leave this place a mess.

I wanted to capture a few pictures of the process but in the rush I just used my phone.  This is showing half the kitchen primed and the island sticking out not touched.   

This is the wall in the dining room, I'm kinda liking the distressed look of the primer.  

My arm was still hurting but I tackled this job anyway, it's gotten better but not totally gone so I have just learned to live with the minor pain I have.  Painting might make it worse but that was a risk I was willing to take.  Amazingly enough the painting has actually made it feel better I only have pain now when sleeping and putting my jacket on.  I can totally live with that.............. then tonight we had a wet heavy snowfall.  I wiped off my truck before leaving work and threw a few snowballs at one of the guys.... hopped into the truck and called Lynn to tell her to stay home tonight with the kids.  She's on my truck phone and I put the truck in park as I wait for her to answer and I open my door to wipe off a ridge of snow on the windshield that I thought might be an issue for seeing left.  I step onto my running board and push myself up at the same time to stand on top of it and it's covered in ice, my foot slips I go down I catch myself with my left arm on the door, my feet are slipping everywhere trying to stop me from falling on my head on the blacktop.  My right arm is grabbing at the door trying to hang on and the left is losing it's grip.  In slow motion I fall onto the ground and can't get my bearings because of the ice that I'm slipping on, Lynn yelling on the phone, me laughing my head off and the guy I threw snowballs at yelling at me "What the heck are you doing?"  I hurt, I hurt everywhere but I'm so thankful I put the truck in park instead of holding the brake while I open the door to wipe it off (I've done that many times).  I just might be a bit embarrassed to go to work tomorrow and explain that story cuz I jumped off the ground, wiped off the snow that was stuck to me everywhere and hopped back in the truck without saying a word to him..... I'm such a dork.

If you're still reading this.... here's the deer that we left for.  It took them on an adventure all day long but they did get him right before dark.  I'd say he's worth the half painted cottage.

Garrett is 5

Yes it's hard to believe it's been 5 years since our Halloween baby arrived.  I'm not sure if it's his day after Halloween birthday that makes him love dressing up in costumes 365 days a year but it makes me giggle every time I see him in some sort of superhero get-up.  I hope he doesn't grow out of that stage for a really long time.  

Garrett also dislikes his picture being taken, not sure why but he does.  He's fine with it until it come right to the moment of pointing the camera at him and then crabby Garrett comes out.  We can bride and threaten till we're blue in the face, it won't work.  

Shannon did a really good job of talking to Garrett and telling him that being a good boy and smiling quick he'd be able to put his new costume on, since it would mess up his hair if he wore it to Grandmas house.  

He sits down and one smile.......... and of course I'm not quite ready....... and he's done.

So picture number 1 had to be saved even though I had to crop up close.

Then he sat and gave me the Garrett look that I'd better hurry up and get this over with.

No more smiles and he started to pout, but I love this one.

Again grumpy Garrett and there is no talking him into smiling

Here is when I stood up and told him that one more quick smile and I was done, this is the look of him telling me that he knows I won't be done.  

Okay Grandma wins, I got one more smile and just one more....

I'm not lying when I say I have 2 pictures of him smiling and 12 other photos that capture his grumpy stage.  He's just no fun but ohhhhhh when he can put on a costume that's a different story, he's all into that.

And even though you can't see it I'm more than positive he's smiling under that mask.......   URGHHHHH that boy....... that's why I Love him, he's our G-Man

Foggy Morning

Since I'm still not back to the gym in the mornings I can enjoy my ride to work with a bit of daylight, on Friday morning the fog was thick and that makes for some pretty cool pictures.  

I have a favorite tree near me that stands alone in the field but with the woods behind it you can never get it to look alone unless there is fog.  I  spent a few minutes taking his picture once again and as always he blew me away.  I love this tree

Sorry for the big copyright across the center.  I have sold quite a few of my photos of this tree so I needed to protect my copyright on these.  

Our Superheros

My favorite time of year is Halloween, I love to see the kids dressed up and having so much fun in the costumes.  Since all the kids don't live right here for Halloween night we had a Halloween party for them this weekend.  They all had to come in their costumes for a picture.  They are getting so good at being good listeners and knowing if they do it right and everyone looks they can be done and play.  They nailed it with their costumes in like 3 minutes.  DONE

Then I bought them all Superman shirts so I could have a current picture of all of them (that wasn't Halloween).  Once again they nailed it in another 3 minutes.  Even Baby A knows how this works.  

Lynn and Shannon made them masks for fun so we put them on, however Baby A pushed his up and started to fly away, he must think he has super powers.  

We did get the mask back down and he left it there. The rest of them did fantastic and we were back to playing.  

It was a really fun night and John's mom loved being here with all of them.  They might just be her Superheros too.  They are pretty easy to Love :)

The Machon Family

It's been a few years since The Machon Family had their photos done and these kids grew like crazy.  I will never get enough of those freckles.  

It was a bit chilly and really windy but we got a few at their home.

Then we headed to grandma and grandpa's house.  Sometimes the location is just important as the family.  There is history there, dad grew up there, grandchildren play there and for me there are lots of cool locations and "junky" backgrounds.  

At this location I told the kids I had red, yellow and blue all in the photo.  

They said "you're missing green"

I have to admit dad and mom had a bit of a hill advantage on the kids :)

The kids wanted to go to the junkyard in the worst way, they wanted pictures by this old truck.  I think these kids have really good taste.

And more junk.... I might have to stay here.  Rust is my best friend.

Uncle Jack was there and thought his gas barrel was a pretty funny location for pictures but I thought...... it's green and I really like it.

It might just be my favorite for the day.