Trees, Floods, Gardens, Birthdays, Deerstands and Peoria mean another week in our life!

I haven't posted in a while -- we have been super busy around here.  I can't even remember all that we have done but some highlights include LOTS of timber time, like usual.  Yesterday Paul and I got one of Skyler's big deer stands put up after clearing LOTS of brush in the days prior to that.  Late last night we went back to the timbers to scope out the neighborhood turkeys for Skyler's upcoming youth season which begins Saturday.  We have our eye on four big toms!  Here is a picture of Skyler from this past week.  She found milkweed that still had all its cottony seeds and she was blowing the little seeds from her hand.

Skyler and Fran packing trees.

Last weekend, after a great 4-H meeting on Saturday, Skyler and I met up with our friends Ali and Fran on Sunday and packed trees for the Living Lands and Waters One Million Trees campaign.  Their goal is to give away and assure one million trees are planted within ten years through their organization.  It was a great time for a great cause.  It is awesome to know that we were a part of something that will affect our earth for possibly hundreds of years.  Although hunters are not usually thought of as "environmentalists" and that word actually holds some negative connotations even for me...we love to conserve our environment in many ways including our intense home recycling, not being wasteful with our natural resources, planting of trees (we have planted hundreds in our little lives), never polluting (burning plastic,etc.) or leaving trash where we shouldn't.  And one major way to use our natural resources is using animals by huntin' 'em and eatin' 'em...so I guess you can call us some of the few Hunting Conservationists --- ewww, I still don't like that word.

Skyler loading trees up.

On Friday we kept Skyler out of school and both took a day off of work to head down to Peoria for the Deer Classic.  We always love taking little trips as a family and this one is fun because it is all centered around hunting -- the major focus of our lives.  They have just about every hunting item you can imagine with hundreds of booths.  We never spend a ton of money -- but a little leaves our hands in exchange for hunting shirts and calls that will be used 'til they fall apart -- probably sooner rather than later with our heavy use!

This weekend Skyler also helped me begin planting our garden.  It is always SOO exciting to get the garden going.  This is an extension of our hunting because we love to provide as much for ourselves as possible.  So we can't wait until we can begin harvesting to add to our family meals.

Yesterday Skyler and I volunteered along with her friend Gabbie to fill sandbags in Davenport.  Although the record-making flooding that was expected a few days ago has been downgraded...there is still a 25% chance the flooding will be the worst ever here so we decided to do our part.  We like to encourage Skyler to volunteer and this was just another way to do that with her.  We are in this photo toward the bottom left.

We had two birthday parties this weekend which were both super fun.  At both parties we got to spend time with some of our favorite people that are like second families to us.  So happy birthday Walt -- you and your family are an inspiration!!  And a happy 1st birthday to little beautiful Ella -- what a great time!  I hope you all enjoyed your week!

Little Ella opening her gifts.

Volunteering has its Advantages

Skyler and Alex hauling in a vacuum cleaner

We put in a few hours Thursday night volunteering.  We were taking in and pricing items for a garage sale that was held on Saturday to raise money for 4-H.  Since we love 4-H and would like it to stay around for years to come, we wanted to help out.
The advantage to helping set up a garage sale is that you get first pick on items...I controlled myself for the most part, but couldn't help but walk away with this little beauty for only $2 bucks:

I love the metal number tabs (it reminds me of a Pottery Barn shelving unit they offer for a TON more money) and my little jars of buttons fit in the cubbies just perfect -- almost like it was made just for me  :)  I would like to paint this guy -- but since it is WAY down on my list of priorities -- I am not sure it will ever get done.

More Outdoor Fun

This week I tried to get my camera out more than I usually do -- so I have at least a few pictures of some of the things we did this week.  First up is a picture of Skyler getting her hair cut FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME (at least by an actual beautician --- I have always cut her hair in the past)  She was pretty excited to get to sit in the beauty shop chair...thanks Kayla!!  (Sorry - I was gonna get a "posed" picture but after the one and only shot my batteries died...so this is all I got)  Pretty crazy that a 10-year-old had never been to the salon -- but that is just how we do things around here.

Skyler had fun last weekend at the Milan Spraygrounds!!

Next are some pictures of us with our friends Fran and Ali at the The XStream Cleanup which we volunteered to help out with.  This is organized by The Living Lands and Waters which was founded by our own local Chad Pregracke - whom many of you know.  We like to involve Skyler in events that show her that you can have fun while still helping out in your community/keeping the environment clean

A group shot with the whole pile of trash

Skyler and her pal Fran before gettin' our hands dirty

Gettin trash in our bags...

After our hot day in the timber Saturday gettin ready for deer season and after mowing yards Sunday morning, we had a great time Sunday afternoon fishing again as a family.  Skyler caught a TON of bluegill!!  Paul got several large bass and I didn't catch much of anything at all -- but had a great time doin' it.  I got to put lots of worms on hooks and take lots of fish off -- so it still seemed like I caught some.  The picture with Skyler in the water is when she offered to jump in and unhook dad's lure which had gotten tangled with this stump...since she loves gettin' wet she was more than happy to help dad out.  After that her and I swam around for a bit before getting back to fishing.  I liked this picture of Skyler workin' on her lure.

A fun picture of us danglin' our feet in the water.

Skyler took this picture of Paul with one of his big bass.

I didn't get any pictures of many things I probably should have this week but since it has been so hot -- we were all a sweaty mess during most of our activities - so probably better left unphotographed...I think I will try to keep my camera out again more in the future -- it is fun for capturing memories...