Key West Trip

Gretchen and I went on a trip with some very close friends of ours. A group of nine of us went to Key West the week of the 9th to celebrate a 10th anniversary of one of the couples. We spent a lot of time by the pool and eating dinners out together as well as a little time on the strip at night.

I also spent a few hours Tarpon fishing with one of my neighbors down there. We had a great time on the water with only one fish on but after a 60 minute battle Kyle got the Tarpon to the boat. It went around 100lbs. It was my first time Tarpon fishing and I will sure be back to battle one myself someday.

GULF OF MEXICO FISHING TRIP

My wife and I took my kids to Florida for spring break and she was kind enough to let me go fishing for two days out in the Gulf. We fished 100 miles out in the Gulf out of Pensacola around the oil rigs. We caught Amberjack, Black Fin, Grouper, Snapper, and Trigger fish. It was a great break from reality.

Here is a couple pictures of my buck I harvested during archery season. It is an 11 point with a 18 1/4" inside spread, it grossed 129". But more importantly than the size of the deer was that it was a great hunt with great memories shared with a great friend.

Early Season Pictures.

The much awaited return of hopefully more regular posts. These are a couple pictures off from my trail camera at a farm where I hunt with my great friend Jody. We had a very sucessful year with each of us harvesting two bucks each during the archery and gun seasons. Our hope is that these two bucks made it thru the deer season here in Michigan since we never seen these bucks during season. I will try to post pictures of our deer we harvested soon.

Onekama Shootout Champs for 2007

Another championship for the fishing team. Caught 24 salmon and steelhead in 2 days of fishing.

Thankful we live where we do.....

We spent Thanksgiving this year up in northern Michigan. After eating lots of turkey and stuffing we decided to go to the beach because it was so beautiful out. It was a wonderful day spending it with family and enjoying what God has created. I am very Thankful for the men and women who keep this country safe so that I can spend this kind of a day with my family without fear. God Bless them all.

Ben's Day at the Pumpkin Farm...

Benjamin's kindergarten class went to a pumpkin farm on the 18th. We did a hay ride, ate homemade dounuts and cider, did a maze of hay bales, and saw lots of animals. It was a great day for me to spend some time with him. He is doing really well in school and likes it very much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!!!

Yesterday the 26th of October was Elizabeth's eighth birthday. She is growing into a very special lady. She is having a family party in about a week. Mom made her a nice cake for our little get together with some neighborhood friends. We had a great time singing happy birthday to her. One of her friends got her a new bike helmet for a present. It seems like yesterday that she was born. I must be getting old.....

A Great Day Hunting...

This is a picture of a good friend and a buck he shot this past weekend in Barry County. It is a six point with a 16" inside spread. He also shot a seven point that evening. It was a great day to hang out together and get in the woods.

It's that time of year!!!

One of my favorite passions in life is hunting. This is a bull I shot in New Mexico last year with my muzzleloader. It was a public land hunt. Our hunting party consists of Randy, Dave, Ken, and myself (Some of the most awesome guys to go on a hunt with I might add). We have been going there for about 4 or 5 years now. We have killed 4 bulls in that time with one scoring about 310. It sure is a long trip from Michigan to go there but it sure is worth it. I can't wait for next year to hopefully draw a tag again. Bowhunting in Michigan starts October 1st, so hopefully there will be a more up to date picture I can add to this page. Nothing like being up in a tree when the sun comes up on a frosty morning.

All in the family!

Here we all are with the mouse. We went and did the Disney think last spring in Florida. Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Sea World, and MGM Studio's all in one week. It was great to spend time in the sun with the family and Mickey Mouse. It was a time we all will remember forever!!!

Another Shootout Championship....

Also in August I fished in a fishing tournament called the "Shootout". It's a two day tournament on Lake Michigan and we won. Fishing team members are Wayne, Jack, Dave, Ken, and myself. Thanks for another fun tournament guys and I can't wait for next August...

It Begins.....

Today it begins, my very first blog. This Picture is of my kids Elizabeth(7) and Benjamin(5). They're my pride and joy! Elizabeth is in 2nd grade and Ben is in kindergarten. They both enjoy school, soccer, and playing with there many friends outside in the neighborhood. This picture was taken at Cedar Point in August, where Elizabeth rode the "Top Thrill Dragster" twice. That ride goes from 0-120mph and shoots you straight up 400ft and back down 400ft. She is a daughter every Dad dreams of. Check back on occasion and I will try to keep this as up to date as I can.