Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a really great Thanksgiving... we sure did! The food was good, the company was great! It doesn't get much better than that!

The week just flew by! Clint and I hunted Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to fill a few more of our doe permits. Monday evening luck was on our side and we got two deer outside of Cascade. Unfortunately, we did drop Dane off that morning at daycare so he could play with his friends, and he ended up not feeling good in the afternoon. Luckily, it appears it was just a cold that had settled in his ear and his tubes worked like they are supposed to and drained all the crud out.

We slept in a little on Tuesday, but then headed out with Dane to some ground outside of town. The deer are smart though, and since we hunt a lot of Public land, they have learned where not to be. Sadly, we kind of ran into the same thing on Wednesday despite hiking into some pretty broken up country. Oh well, we really enjoyed the opportunity to get out and hike around.

Thursday morning Clint had to work, and I ran the "burn the bird" 5k. It was a great run and Dane had some fun with Grandma. After the run I headed over to Mom and Perry's as well to help cook and just hang out.

Clint joined us after work and we had a really nice evening with great food!

I didn't do very well taking pictures, so I guess Dane gets to be the highlight of this post! He is kind of a little ham though, so I guess it is fitting!

Here he is checking out the table before dinner...

Enjoying his food!

Yesterday morning Mom, Dane and I joined the Black Friday madness... Shocking, I know! I did find some fabulous deals and actually had some fun! Then when Clint got off work we headed back out to some state land and had a great hike. (yes, we were looking for deer... Dane was exceptionally chatty though, so the ones we spotted probably heard us coming cause they gave us the slip!)
Now Dane and I are hanging out... processing deer, cleaning the house, laundry, all the fun stuff!!!

Here are a couple pictures of him after he had found some chapstick! He was very proud!

Catching up.

Just a quick update with a few pictures...

Yesterday, I had to go to Helena to get a molar removed. It was the tooth that I had a root canal on about a year ago. That was really fun!!! :)

Today Clint's at work so Dane and I are just hanging out catching up on housework, laundry, all that exciting stuff that builds up through the week!

Clint has Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off, so I took it off as well. It's our last chance to fill a few more deer permits and we are hoping for a couple more. That way we will have plenty to make lots of sausage, burger, steaks, and all the other stuff we love.

Thursday I am planning on running the "burn the bird". It's a low key 5k race here in town. Just something to get out and keep me motivated! Then I will go over to Mom and Perry's to hang out and help cook. Clint will join us when he gets off and then we will enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner together!

Last weekend we got out and did a little hunting, but nothing too crazy. While we were out we decided to swing by Freezeout and see how the bird migration is doing. There wasn't that many migratory birds, except for Tundra Swans.

While we were out and about, I gave Dane some cheese filled crackers to snack on... The next time I turned around he was smearing the cheese all over his face...

Here are a couple pictures of the Swans. There is some ice forming on the edges of the lake.

Here's Dane messing around... Those are some awful big shoes to fill!!!

Last weekend...

We went up to the cabin on Saturday morning and spent the weekend. We had SO MUCH FUN! We got to hunt our little hearts out and just enjoy the outdoors and the cabin.

The only downfall was the wind was howling... I know shocking for Montana in the fall!

Saturday, we chased antelope for a while and then finally in the evening we were able to sneak out and Clint made a great shot on an antelope doe. The wind had died down so it was really an enjoyable hike for all of us.

That night in the cabin was a little restless. Dane isn't used to sleeping in the same room as us, and he was pretty excited about being able to see us. So... about 2 am there he is standing in the pack and play looking at us saying "hi!" "mama?" "dada?" This continued for several hours... So, that morning when we were supposed to get up at 445 I asked Clint if we could sleep in and we decided that would be a good idea.

Here are a couple pictures of the weather...

Clint and his doe. We love hunting in Augusta, the views are incredible.

On Sunday we got up and once again decided to chase some antelope. I had one more doe permit and that was the last day of the season. After a couple unsuccessful stalks, we came up with a good idea where we would sneak along a ditch. I had to leave Clint and Dane behind a little berm because it got pretty flat after that I had to bellycrawl a fair amount. Well, when I got back, this is what I found... one tired little boy sleeping away.

I had lucked out and was able to get a shot at an antelope, so we needed to get out to it and get it field dressed. I thought Dane would wake up when I picked him up, but he just opened his eyes a little, looked at me, and went back to sleep. So, I carried him out to the antelope like this... (he is a heavy little man!)

When we got out there we spread out a game bag and he continued to sleep as we field dressed the critter. Once we were done we woke him up and put him in the pack. It was a really neat hike out, there is a huge pond right over the ridge and all the ducks and geese were flying over. I'm not sure that we have ever seen that many ducks flying at one time!

Here I am with my antelope.

On Tuesday, Clint and Brock decided to go out for a quick evening hunt. Clint was bummed cause on the way out he realized he had forgotten our camera... Sometimes we think that is the trick because they got on a nice whitetail buck and Clint was able to harvest him. Clint said it was pretty cold and they were just going to check one more draw and then hike back. Sure enough, this guy was bedded down in that draw and the two of them were able to sneak up and shoot him. He is a nice 5x5 with great mass. Nice work guys!

Here are a couple pictures that Carrie took with her camera when they got to Brock's house.

Two very happy boys!

Well, that's about it... This weekend we are sticking a little closer to home... cleaning up, doing laundry, processing meat, etc. Last night we had some friends over and had an incredible time! It's always good to reconnect!

My beautiful tile shower!

While Dad and Marsha were here, my super talented Dad was generous enough to re-tile our shower. When we moved in, it was tile, but the grout was not good anymore so it was leaking all over. So, Clint smeared caulk all over it to keep it sealed until we could get it re-tiled. It wasn't the prettiest, but it got us through until Dad could come help us with this project.

First, Clint's parents did the demo while Clint and I were at work. (Thanks Bill and Sheri) That night Dad and Marsha got here and the next day my Dad dove right in with Clint as his hoddy. (Not sure if they are called hoddy's with tile work, but it sounds good.)

By the end, my Dad had showed Clint how it was done and Clint was laying tile as well! They did great and it is so beautiful! Thanks again Dad!!!!

So, here they are assessing the job.

I didn't do very good getting pictures throughout the process, but here is the finished product!

Family

We had such a great weekend. It was really busy and we had a lot of projects going on, but it was a very productive time. Dad and Clint did an incredible job on the tile in the bathroom. My next post will include pictures. I am so excited!

We also ground up meat from the critters we have harvested so far and made 50 lbs of sausage and then about 25 pounds of burger. Luckily, it was breakfast sausage, so we didn't stuff it or smoke it, which meant it didn't take quite as long. But, it was still a very long day.

Clint and his Dad hunted several mornings and couldn't quite get on a doe for Bill. Last night, Clint was able to get one, so the plan is to send it home with Bill and Sheri.

Halloween was very fun. We only went to a few houses with Dane, but he seemed to enjoy it when he figured out they were handing out candy!!! Once he got his first taste, he wanted lots of it! That is why we don't keep it in the house, none of us can stay out of it!!! lol

Dane was spiderman and did good wearing the outfit/hat but he couldn't see out of the mask, so that didn't work out so well. We did make sure we went to Grandma and Grandpa's and he got special treat bags from them! (as did Mom and Dad!!!)

Marsha and Sheri were really excited to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters but we only had a couple. We saw more out on the side streets, but we live on a busy street and I think parents prefer the quieter ones.

Well, here are some pictures from our awesome time!

Marsha and Dane (he's eating whoppers...)

Dane and Nana

My little Spiderman!

Here is Dane enjoying some time with Gramps.

Since we had a lot of home projects we didn't do a ton of outdoor stuff. However, we did make sure we make it to the park a couple times for Dane to burn off some energy!

We all had such a great time! The only problem is that everyone leaves today, so now I am going to be sad and the house will be so quiet... But, I can't wait until the next visit!

A great deer hunt with family!

Sunday was opening day of general rifle season. We were fortunate enough to have Bill and Sam here with us so we all headed out to see if we couldn't find some critters. Sheri and Shannon stayed home and held down the fort with the kids so that was super nice of them.

First, we got up early and headed out to our property to see if we could find a white-tail doe. Clint and I both have permits for that area, but it was Clint's turn to shoot first. (yes, we take turns) Well, luck was on our side and we had some deer crossing the property right at first light. Once we realized they were there, we crawled out to the edge and Clint was able to make a great shot on a beautiful doe. So, as you can see it was a beautiful morning and we had great luck right away.

Then we headed out to some state land to see if we could find some mule deer does. Bill had a permit so we really wanted to find him a doe. The sun was shining and although it was a little windy it was a wonderful day to be out and about. Unfortunately, we didn't see one mule deer doe but we spotted about 3 mule deer bucks. Then we were just about to sit down and eat our lunch, and I spotted a small whitetail buck. We crawled up a small rise and realized that there were two other bucks bedded in the brush. One of them was a decent critter, so we waited patiently and when he stood up I was able to get a good shot. It was a nice ending to a great day!

First, Clint took a turn packing the buck out and then Sam packed him the rest of the way out for me. Aren't I lucky to have such great guys around!!!

After we got home from the hunt, Sam, Shannon, Wyatt and Porter headed home. But, we had such an incredible time! Thanks so much for making the trip!
Bill and Sheri are still here though, and tomorrow my Dad and Marsha are going to arrive, so the fun continues!

Sam, Shannon, Porter, and Wyatt

Last Friday, Sam (Clint's brother), Shannon, Porter, and Wyatt all made the long trip from Oregon to see us.

It has been years since we have all been together, so we were so excited to have everyone here, and the kids played well together.

Here are some pictures from their visit.

Dane, Grandpa, Wyatt, Sheri, and Porter

Dane and Porter enjoying a snack on the couch


Sheri and Wyatt

Dane getting some love from Bones...

Concrete!

October is such a great month for so many reasons. One of the main reasons is because we have had so many visitors. As you can see on previous entries, Karl was the first of many. Then Clint's parents, Bill and Sheri came to stay for a while. While they are here we have so many fun plans. First, we decided to extend our concrete pad. (Okay, maybe that's not the most fun project, but it's nice to have the help!!! Thanks guys!)
Here it is with the forms and re-bar ready to go.

Here it comes!!!!

Getting it all evened out

A "meeting of the minds".

I'm really glad that we decided to rent some concrete blankets cause of course the night after the pour it started raining and raining. Then the next day it rained and hailed and was just cold and nasty. But, the pour turned out good and we will be glad to have the extension to park on.

Another good antelope hunt!

Friday, I had the day off so we decided to head out and see if I could fill one of my permits. About noon we found a nice herd of antelope. At first they were bedded down about 400 yards off of a brush line so it was a perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, as I got down and started to crawl a guy stopped on the road and shot at one. Clint and I were fairly cranky cause it's illegal to shoot off the road and he didn't have permission to hunt this piece. Clint stopped him and talked to him, but the guy was clueless and although he apologized he had the classic "It doesn't really matter, it's just antelope" attitude that give all of us hunters a bad name.

Luckily, the critters hadn't moved completely off of the piece of land so Clint drove me down and dropped me off at the other end so that I could crawl out and see if I could get a shot.

Well, to make a long story short, the goats turned and started heading the other direction so it ended up being a REALLY long belly crawl. Belly crawling may not seem like hard work, but when you are doing it with a gun, rangefinder, binoculars, and shooting sticks it is complicated and quite the workout for your shoulders and chest. Anyway, after about an hour and a half, I finally got close enough after to where I figured it was probably about 250-300 yards (I couldn't get a range with the rangefinder cause I was laying flat and the landscape is flat so it makes it really tough, it ended up being about 300-350 yards) By this time they had spotted me and kind of banded together and were milling around trying to decide what to do. Luckily, antelope are curious and when you are laying on the ground they don't necessarily think that you are a hunter. If you sit or stand then they will turn and run. Finally, I was able to pick a doe and determined where to hold with the distance and crosswind and everything came together beautifully.

My awesome hubby was hanging out with Dane this whole time cause it's too hard to do a long crawl with him on your back. Once the doe was down, they hiked out with the meat pack and other gear so we could get her field dressed and packed out.

As soon as Clint and Dane got to the antelope, Dane wanted to go right up and check it out!


After Dane had pet her and poked her, he decided to put wheat stubble on her head. (I don't know if you can see it but he was picking the stubble and then covering her head with it...)

Although Clint offered several times, I insisted on packing her out myself.

It was a great hunt and although I wish Clint had been right beside me to share the moment, we have many more opportunities this fall and I was happy to harvest a beautiful doe.

Now, the trick is to get the two critters cut up and I plan on starting as soon as I get Dane dropped off at daycare!

The mighty hunters!

Antelope season opened last Sunday and although we didn't have any buck permits, Clint and I each got a couple surplus doe tags. We enjoy eating antelope so we are always quick to pick up a couple extra permits!!!! Clint and I went out on Wednesday and we covered a lot of ground, but couldn't quite get it all to come together for us. So, Clint picked up Brock on Thursday (I had to work!) and they headed out to see if they couldn't find a critter.

Sure enough, luck was on their side and they found antelope bedded down on some land that they could hunt. After a good sneak Clint was able to get a doe by herself and made a great shot.

I think that Brock is Clint's good luck charm because they almost always seem to get a critter when they go out together!

Here are the mighty hunters with a beautiful doe!