OUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE & 2009

HAPPY NEW YEARS 2009 TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
ERIC AND I WANT TO TELL THE BOYS WE LOVE THEM VERY VERY VERY MUCH, OUR LIFE AND WORLD REVOLVE AROUND YOU TWO, AND WE LOVE YOU BOTH UNCONDITIONALLY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2009..THE YEAR WE MARRY AND BECOME AN "OFFICIAL" FAMILY.
WE HAD ONE OF GAVIN'S BEST FRIENDS MOM PASS AWAY THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ALOT ABOUT IT AT OUR HOUSE. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE GAVIN'S AGE HAS TO BE WITHOUT A MOM, HOW TO TALK TO HIS FRIEND AND NOT UPSET HIM, AND JUST BASICALLY UNDERSTANDING.
THEIR IS TIMES THAT WE ALL LEAVE THE HOUSE OR ONE ANOTHER AND ARE MAD. OUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION IS TO NEVER GO TO BED MAD AT EACH OTHER, NEVER FORGET TO SAY I LOVE YOU BEFORE WE LEAVE AND ALWAYS LET EACH OTHER KNOW WE NEED AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER NO MATTER HOW MAD OR IRRITATED WE ARE AT EACH OTHER.............. THAT IS A HARD THING TO DO BOTH AT THE BOY'S AGE AND ERIC AND MINES AGE. SO REMEMBER.... TELL EACH OTHER YOU LUV ONE ANOTHER AND NEVER LEAVE MAD. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS SOMEONES TIME TO LEAVE..CHERISH EVERY MOMENT YOU HAVE. TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ....WE LOVE YOU ALL AND APPRECIATE ALL THAT EVERYONE DOES FOR THE FOUR OF US.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas...A Fun 4 days with Family

Eric And Jayden...Hitting the sledding hill.


The Cousins- Jake-Beckham and Gavin

GAVIN IN 3 FT of Snow at Grandma and Grandpas

Gavin and Jayden -Jayden got the chance to enjoy

Uncle Eric and Aunty Rachel's favorite store CABELAS!

Well... the holiday season is passed. We had a really fun time!! We left Yakima on Xmas eve day when Eric got off work and headed over to Idaho to be with my Mom and Dad, Kevin, Ryan and Kyle and their families, and Grandma Alice.
We were so excited to have Grandma with us this Holiday season, it made it alomst a perfect christmas. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Kevin's kids with us, and Kodi. We have never had a Xmas without Kodi, but this year he was with his mom... so you won't see any pictures of Kodi with the family.

I was sooooooo excited to get to see Jayden and baby Ashlee. Jayden is 3 and getting to be such a BIG boy!! He is going to be our ring bearer in the wedding, and Ashlee one of three flower girls. Kyle's boys Beckham and Jake have also grown a ton since we last saw them Christmas day was so much fun having us all together, laughing, and talking. Mom and Dad have over three ft of snow right now... it was incredible how much snow had fallen. Eric, Gavin and I got to take Jayden out for his first time ever sledding!! It was so much fun, and I got some pretty cute pics. We went to Mission park.. a place that brought back alot of memories for me, as that was the first park I ever took Gavin sledding at. Jayden thought it was great... with his Lightening McQueen coat we bought him, and matching hat and gloves. Little Ashlee lovvvvvves her uncle Eric... as you can see from the pics, she stuck to him big time... and Iam pretty sure the feeling was mutual. It was pretty sweet. Like I said we missed Hailey and Hunter VERY VERY VERY much and hope their xmas was good and filled with Joy, and hope they will be back in Washington soon with their Daddy...WHERE THEY BELONG. And as for our Kodi.. hopefully things will be different as we round the corner to the New Year, and a new parenting plan. We are trying soooo hard to make thing easy for Kodi, and per his request hopefully this new parenting plan will be just the thing to bring more consistency into his little life, and help him see where his home TRULY is....but unfortunately Kodi has to be the one to realize this. All we can do is hope and pray things will get better..until then we will continue to do what we are doing, loving him and accepting his choices.

!

GRANDMA ALICE AND ASHLEE..ROCKING AWAY
UNCLE ERIC AND ASHLEE...PRESENTS... YIPPPPEEEE

SUNDAY-SLEDDING-SNOW-AND A SOAKING WET ERIC!!

OK, SO WE FINALLY GOT A BIG SNOW.

A GOOD 6-7 INCHES OF THE WHITE STUFF FELL ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAD.
DECIDING TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE WII, THE BOYS SUITED UP, AND AWAY WE WENT TO THE SLED HILL!!!
THE BOYS WERE FLYING OVER JUMPS...BAILING OFF HEAD FIRST , GOING SUPER FAST AND HEADING BACK UP THE STEEP HILL TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN! (AKA BEING BOYS )
THE BEST PART WAS PROBABLY ERIC DECIDING HE HAD TO "SHOW THOSE BOYS HOW TO DO IT"
SO HERE ARE THE PICS.....

AND ERIC..


BEFORE--------------AND AFTER.... HAHAHA
YEAH HE SHOWED UM HOW TO DO IT....A FACE PLANT THAT IS!!!!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS IN NACHES (5 DAYS EARLY)

WELL... WE CELEBRATED OUR XMAS AS A FAMILY TODAY....SATURDAY.
KODI WILL BE WITH HIS MOM THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SO SANTA CAME TO OUR HOUSE EARLY!
THE BOYS GOT SOOOO MUCH STUFF..AND ARE SPOILED ROTTEN!! BUT THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!!! THEIR BIG PRESENT FOR THE TWO OF THEM WAS THEIR "NINTENDO Wii".
THEY WERE SOOOOO EXCITED AND HAVE BEEN GLUED TO IT! GAVIN ALSO GOT A NEW IPOD CHROMATIC, A NEW STEREO FOR HIS ROOM, A NEW CELL PHONE (THE CHOCOLATE LG) ITUNES GIFT CARDS AND SOME OTHER FUN THINGS. KODI SCORED WITH A COUPLE NEW Wii GAMES, A REMOTE CONTROL CAR, STAR WARS LEGOS, MARTIAN MATTER AND OTHER COOL THINGS. ALL IN ALL THEY WERE BOTH VERY HAPPY, AND GOT MOST OF WHAT WAS ON THEIR LISTS THIS YEAR. I MYSELF GOT A LAMP I WANTED, AND THE BOYS GOT ERIC A NEW GPS CASE, A NEW BLIND BAG, A CASE OF HIS FAVORITE CANDY, NEW WATCH AND A NEW SLING FOR HIS GUN, CUSTOM MADE; LEATHER WITH HIS NAME ON IT. AND I CAN'T FORGET PINKY...SHE GOT A STOCKING WITH DOGGY TREATS IN IT... THAT KEPT HER BUSY FOR A LONNNNG TIME TRYING TO GET THEM OUT!!!
WE WILL BE GOING TO IDAHO WED. TO CELEBRATE WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
MERRY XMAS!!!!

OK....So Iam not that BIG of a Scrooge!!!!

OK OK.. so a couple posts ago I was kinda Ba-humbug on this time of year.
I guess I was more venting then anything... HAHAHAHA.
This isn't my favorite time of year..but I have to say today is the 9Th of December and I have ALL of my shopping done! YES ALL!!!

That makes things a little more tolerable I suppose. Things have still been SUPER crazy around here. Gavin is boxing 4 days a week(which isn't to bad because as you all know the kid is always in some kind of sport) Eric is still working mad hours......Which makes it hard to do things at the house, and Kodi.. welllll hes just Kodi... not much going on with him... just playing, being 9, and scouts every Tuesday.

Eric and I are starting to wrap up our hunting season. We spent the last weekend elk hunting. No site or sound of Elk but the Bucks were running crazy...and Iam embarrassed to say.. YES I MISSED ANOTHER BIG BUCK! I was sad to see the elk season come to a close for us for the year. We still have another weekend or two of deer season though.. and still some Washington tags to fill.
Iam starting to wonder if I will go skunked this year with deer... (it scares me to think about it)

This weekend when we went up elk hunting we also were "Tree hunting".... I mean looking for our Xmas tree. For $5 you can buy a cutting permit from the forest service and that entitles you to cut down a tree of your choice!
So as we hunted.. we also looked for the perfect tree! This year Eric was on his game... he brought THE CHAIN SAW!!!!! I guess he decided he didn't want to spend an hour using a hacksaw to get a tree down. (Been their, done that before) besides then he doesn't get quite as annoyed when I change my mind after he gets it cut down. HAHAHA
And naturally.. since he had the chain saw, I was perfectly content with the first one we cut down.
We brought it home.. trimmed it a bit, and then put it in the tree stand. I can't make things to easy for him... so after we got it in the house, and set in the stand.. i asked him to take it back out and trim it more!! Being the SWEET ,LOVING, COOPERATIVE , husband to be that he is.... he did it...(with a few small grumbles).
So.... soon it was perfect and Gavin and Kodi were decorating away.
I like things perfect.. and when it comes to decorating the tree I kind of have to let go, and let them do it. If I had it my way I would move every ornament they put on so things were evenly distributed and spaced, perfectly.. ( I know anal)
But.. I have learned a little to let go...it makes them happy to do it themselves...... those two are so proud of their tree!!!!!!

WHO'S 9 TODAY???

9 YEARS AGO A VERY SPECIAL BOY WAS BORN........................
DAKOTA RICHARD VOSS.


YEP TODAY IS OUR KODI'S BDAY.
UNFORTUNATELY WE WON'T GET TO SEE HIM, BECAUSE IT IS HIS MOMS YEAR....BUT WE WANT TO WISH HIM A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

LOVE,
DAD, MAMMA RACH, AND GAV

THIS TIME OF YEAR..YUCK

WELLLLL, I SUPPOSE I BETTER POST SOMETHING, IT'S BEEN AWHILE.
THINGS HAVE BEEN CRAZY BUSY AROUND HERE. GAVIN IS IN BOXING RIGHT NOW, ERIC IS WORKING 50-60 HR WEEKS, WE ARE TRYING TO SQUEEEEEZE IN AS MUCH HUNTING AS POSSIBLE BEFORE OUR SEASONS WIND DOWN... KODI IN SCOUTS, AND TRYING TO START THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

I WISH I COULD SAY I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BUT I DON'T. IT JUST SEEMS SO HECTIC ALL THE TIME, THE DAYS ARE SHORT, WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO GET EVERYTHING DONE YOU WANT, AND YOU HAVE TO DO THE DREADED "CHRISTMAS SHOPPING".
I HAVE STARTED MY SHOPPING, AND USUALLY I CAN HAVE IT ALL DONE BY THE SECOND WEEK IN DECEMBER. IT'S ALWAYS A STRESS FOR ME, CUZ I TRY TO KEEP THINGS EVEN BETWEEN THE BOYS. ALTHOUGH IT ALWAYS SEEMS ONE HAS MORE THEN THE OTHER. I ALWAYS GET THEM EACH 6 THING, AND USUALLY 4 GIFTS FOR THEM TO SHARE...BUT ONE GETS MORE THEN THE OTHER WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILY. ERIC AND I HAVE DECIDED IT'S NO USE TRYING TO SOLVE IT AS IT JUST CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. SO, ALL WE CAN DO IS TRY TO PROTECT THE OTHERS FEELINGS THE BEST WE CAN AND MAKE UP FOR IT OURSELVES. IAM HAPPY THAT MOST PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THE BOYS ARE EQUAL, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TWO FAMILIES WORKING TO BE ONE AND EVEN THOUGH THEY WERNT BORN AS BROTHERS, THEY STILL ARE BROTHERS. I GUESS THATS JUST HOW LIFE IS, BUT WHEN YOU ARE A KID YOU NOTICE THESE THINGS.

WE ALSO DECIDED THIS YEAR TO ONLY BUY FOR THE NIECES AND NEPHEWS...OTHER WISE BY THE TIME WE ARE ALL DONE ERIC AND I ARE BUYING FOR 15-20PEOPLE. (NOT COUNTING OUR BOYS) BETWEEN THE TWO OF US WE HAVE 5 BROTHERS....THEN WE HAVE MY GRANDPARENTS ON BOTH SIDES, AND ALL NIECES AND NEPHEWS. THIS WILL BE SOOOOO MUCH EASIER AS WE OUR SAVING FOR OUR MILLION DOLLAR WEDDING!!
WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING TO MOM AND DADS (MY MOM AND DADS) FOR THANKSGIVING. ONE THING WE HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR IS KODI WILL BE SAFE AND SOUND WITH US FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) THROUGH NEXT MONDAY. IT WILL BE NICE TO HAVE HIM. WE FILED OUR PAPERS TODAY FOR OUR CHANGE IN CUSTODY DAYS. THIS IS SOMETHING KODI WANTS BADLY AS HE HATES EVERY TWO DAYS ON, AND OFF. SHE WILL BE SERVED ONE DAY WE ARE GONE, WHILE WE HAVE KODI. HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL GO WELL, AND WE WILL START OUR 1 WEEK ON 1 WEEK OFF SCHEDULE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

THAT'S AN UPDATE IN A NUT SHELL OF OUR BUSINESS. OUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING STRESSES, AND AS FOR HUNTING...WELL HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE SOME MORE DEAD ANIMALS TO SHOW SOON. NEXT WEEKEND WE ARE ELK HUNTING THEN THE 13-14 DEC. WE ARE PLANNING A DEER HUNTING TRIP.... WISH ME LUCK... I HAVE SOME TAGS TO BE FILLED..AND SOME CATCHING UP ON THE ERIC'S TALLY FOR THE YEAR.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

A RANDOM POST....

OK... SO USUALLY I POST SOMETHING EXCITING THAT HAS HAPPEND IN OUR LIVES..USUALLY HAS TO DO WITH HUNTING OR THE BOYS.

HERE IS A TOTALLY RANDOM POST..JUST FOR FUN!!!

SOOOOOOO..WE BROKE DOWN...(ACTUALLY I BROKE DOWN) AND KODI HAS ALWAYS WANTED A MO-HAWK....YES THAT'S RIGHT...OUR LOVING ,SENSITIVE KODI...WANTED A MO-HAWK. SO ONE DAY I TOOK HIM IN AND LET IT HAPPEN...AFTER HE WAS DONE I LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID..."GLAD YOU LIKE IT.... IT IS PROBABLY THE FIRST AND LAST TIME" HAHAHAHAHAHA NEXT TO MO-HAWK BOYS PIC... IS A GOOFY PIC OF GAV POSING..AS HE DOES BEST!!!!!

AND THEN THE PEEPING PUPPIES........................

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE NEVER MET OUR FOUR OTHER CHILDREN... HERE THEY ARE.

SOPHIE...OUR BLACK HARLOT..DUCK RETRIEVING QUEEN........

IN THE MIDDLE..OUR LITTLE BLOND BABY.AT ONLY 12 WEEKS OLD.....AND DUCK / GOOSE MASTER IN TRAINING..WEATHERBY.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE...THE BIG, CLUMSY BROWN BOY...WHOM WE CALL OOMPA-LOOMPA IS OUR BIG BOY THAT GETS THE GEESE WE SHOOT...HIS REAL NAME IS GUNNER.

AND OF COURSE.... FOURTH AND CERTAINLY NOT LEAST IN MY BOOK.. SHE IS THE QUEEN OF THE HOUSE(NEXT TO ME OF COURSE) GAVIN AND KODI CALL HER SISTER....AND SHE HAS MORE CLOTHES THEN ERIC.....OUR 7 LB GIRL..."PINKY"

OK OK.. EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING WHY THEIR ISN'T A PIC OF ME EVER ON THE BLOG????? THATS BECAUSE IAM ALWAYS THE ONE TAKING THE PICS!!!

SO HERE U GO.... ONE PIC OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER.......

Kodi's Veteran's Day March

Today Kodi got to take place in the Veteran's Day Parade in down town Yakima.

It was a fun time for him, as they marched a mile through down town, waving his flag.

After the parade the troup was invited to the Veteran's center for hot dogs and pop.

Here is a couple fun pics for everyone...

Kodi with Dad before the parade

kodi with his troup buddies..."Horrrrray for Hot-dogs!!!"

Kodi with the Marines..(of course mamma Rachel had to ask for their pic with our scout)

And Kodi march,march, marching along!!!!!!

A weekend all for Gavin

Well, we spent this weekend up in our special spot deer hunting. But this time Eric and I didn't hunt.... it was ALL ABOUT GAVIN ( just how he likes it I may add). We had a good time together minus the weather conditions. It was fog, rain, snow...and very little sunlight...I think we had every element. Gavin went in with two deer tags....and low and behold he was able to fill one!!!! Yeeeeeeeeee for G !!!!!

Eric and I were very proud of him...we enjoy seeing him being successful on his hunt, and smiling ear to ear.

I'm posting a couple pics....he also learned this year how to cut up his deer for the wrapping process.

The Season is Over

(PICTURES OF GAVIN....BEFORE THE GAME...AND ON THE LINE)

Will Post Kodi pics when I have some)

Well... the end of the football season is Here. Kodi's team didn't make it to the play offs....but they sure played their little hearts out. We enjoyed getting to watch Kodi this year take part in the sport that was his Dads life as youngster in South Dakota. Kodi stuck with it and played hard all season....it doesn't sound like Kodi will be playing next year, as he decided football just wasn't his thing. He has however found a new love in the world....and that is cub scouts.(more on this and some pics of him in another post)

Gavin had a great football season!!! his team ended their year 6-2. His two loses coming at the end of the season...one of them a play off game that they lost 8-0 causing their season to come to a screaching hault. Gav had a great season...he averaged 3-4 QB sacks a game and numerous tackles. This year he found a new excitement in playing Defensive End and running the ball a bit as wing back. He spent most of the season playing defense as he is quick as lightening and hammered through the offensive line of the opposing team causing problems for the opposing quarterback. He also was a big part of special teams on kick off return..again for his quick speed and his hard hitting tackles. As Eric would say when it comes to our G...." DYNAMITE COME IN LITTLE PACKAGES". Gavin has a week off then next tuesday he jumps into basketball season. Here we go again!!!

WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY BOY........

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW..... WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN OUR HOUSE THIS THURSDAY.....ERIC IS TURNING 35!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD, MY HUNTING PARTNER...AND MY OTHER HALF.
THANKS FOR BEING SO PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! THE BOYS AND I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Comments
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The Yearly Idaho Hunt

<---------------Elk Country

We have been home from our Idaho trip a week now and we are slowly getting back on track here at the house and getting cleaned up in the trailer.
We had a blast at hunting camp..... we go with mom and dad and about 10 others. The animals were moving and we had very successful trip!!! By the end of the trip their was a total of 5 elk hanging (4 cows and a spike) and the two bucks we got.

Their wasn't any BIG bulls to be found... sadly two weeks before the opening of the season the Indians came through and shot around 30 head of elk....YES 30. They say that it's their heritage and they don't have to have any tags... they just come in and start blasting....they call it their heritage and culture..we call it BULL SHIT. If it's their heritage..then they can get on their horses and shoot the damn things with their bow and arrows...NOT a high powered riffle.

Its always an expensive trip when ever you hunt out of the state but its WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!

Gavin enjoyed his time here at the house with us gone.. .. my aunt Carole came to stay with him, and of course spoiled him rotten. Kodi was with his mom....not much to say about that...that's a WHOLLLLLE other Blog...LOL

OMG...I HAVENT POSTED IN FOREVER!!!

OMG...IT HAS BEEN FOREVER SINCE I POSTED!!!
WE HAVE BEEN CRAZY BUSY AROUND HERE. THE BOYS ARE STILL GOING 100MPH WITH FOOTBALL AND BOTH ARE DOING WELL. KODI'S TEAM IS 2-2 AND GAVS TEAM IS STILL UNDEFEATED AT 4-0. YEEEEE HAW GO BOYS!!!!
WE WRAPPED UP OUR EARLY ELK SEASON WITH NO ELK IN THE FREEZER..BUT A COUPLE OF FUN HUNTS.
ON OPENING MORNING ERIC AND I SET UP IN A SMALL CLEARING, WHERE WE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BULLS WERE BUGLING WHICH IS ALWAYS FUN TO HEAR, AND WERE RESPONDING TO ERIC'S "HOT COW CALL". WELL IT WASN'T LONG, AND ERIC HAD A BOYFRIEND!!! ERIC WAS SITTING WITH HIS BACK TO THE CLEARING AND ME FACING IT....WHEN IN CAME THE BULL.. I LOOKED AT ERIC AND HELD UP FIRST 4 FINGERS, THEN 5. HE WHISPERED TO ME " 4 OR 5" AND I NODDED MY HEAD. SOOOO WHAT DOES ERIC DO, TRIES TO TURN AROUND TO SEE.
WELL, HE THOUGHT I MENT THEIR WAS 4 OR 5 COWS.. BUT I MENT A 4 OR 5 POINT BULL!!!!! THE BULL SPOOKED, THE MINUTE HE MOVED. OF COURSE A BULL COMES IN...AND NO BULL TAG... JUST COW OR SPIKE. THATS WHY ERIC TURNED AROUND BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I MENT THEIR WAS 4 OR 5 COWS. THE BULL WAS A NICE ONE CAME INTO 45 YARD RANGE. (WE RANGED IT AFTER HE LEFT) A NEAT EXPERIENCE THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL NEVER HAVE. THAT AFTERNOON WE SAT UP IN ANOTHER SMALL GREEN OPENING. THIS TIME WE SET UP OUR MONTANA'S ELK DECOYS, WITH PLENTY OF SCENT. AFTER SITTING FOR TWO HOURS..ERIC IN TREE STAND AND ME ON THE GROUND....I HAD TWO COME IN MY WAY, AND ERIC A NICE BIG COW. ERIC HAD NO VITAL/ETHICAL SHOT...AND MINE WERE OUR OF MY SHOOTING DISTANCE. TO US.... THIS IS STILL A SUCCESSFUL HUNT.....AGAIN MOST PEOPLE WONT EVEN SEE ONE DURING THE SEASON.
AS WE ARE IN THE RUSH OF HUNTING AND FOOTBALL I HAD TO HAVE MY ISSUES..OF COURSE. MY ARM PORT (WHICH IS A PERMANENT IV ACCESS I HAVE IN MY ARM FOR WHEN I BECOME ILL) DECIDED TO GO BAD AND FLIP OVER IN MY ARM. WITHIN A WEEK OF THIS HAPPENING I WAS SENT TO SPOKANE ADMITTED INTO SACRED HEART AND IN THE OPERATING ROOM. THE OLD ONE WAS EXTRACTED AND THE NEW ONE PLACED. I SPENT A COUPLE DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE MY ASTHMA FLARED FROM THE ANESTHESIA AND MY ARM SWELLED. IT WAS A WEEK MONDAY SINCE THE SURGERY. THEY TOOK OUT ABOUT AN INCH OF SCAR TISSUE AROUND THE HOLD ONE AND HAD TO DIG OUT A "POCKET" FOR MY NEW ONE. I'M RECOVERING QUICKLY AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PULL MY BOW BACK IN A MONTH OR SO...JUST IN TIME FOR LATE SEASON. THE BAD PART ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS NEXT THURSDAY ERIC AND I LEAVE FOR OUR BIG IDAHO HUNTING TRIP...WE GO WITH MOM AND DAD AND THEIR HUNTING CAMP. WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT ALL YEAR...NOT TO MENTION IT IS SOOO EXPENSIVE TO HUNT OUT OF STATE SO WE HAVE TO SAVE FOR IT. NOW....AFTER ALLL OF THAT I CANT HUNT.
BECAUSE OF THE INCISION IN MY ARM. MAKES ME WANT TO CRY...BUT ITS MORE IMPORTANT THAT I HEAL..SO I CAN HUNT IN THE FUTURE.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE I END THIS LONNNNNNNNNNG POST.... WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY. HIS NAME IS "WEATHERBY". HE IS A LITTLE YELLOW BUTTERBALL. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT REMEMBER MY BABY TOBY THAT WE LOST TO A CROOKED TRAINER... WEATHERBY IS RELATED TO HIM, IT IS HIS NEPHEW. HE IS GAVIN'S DOG, AND IS GOING TO BE HIS BIRD DOG FOR WATERFOWL HUNTING. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE ASKING................................NO WE WONT BE SENDING HIM TO A TRAINER. I WILL DO IT MYSELF!
WILL POST AFTER OUR IDAHO TRIP.. PRAY FOR ELK FOR ERIC.

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THINGS COULDN'T GET WORSE

Our deer opener was less then perfect.
The deer seemed to be fewer then we have seen in the past in our "special area". I, myself couldn't hit the vitals if my life depended on it....sending one to many deer off into the woods where they couldn't be retrieved. I had nothing going my way...my bow was having its issues, and the deer seemed to want to come out on top of me....yes tooooo close for me to shoot. They were coming up from behind me....5 different times on opening day up the trail I was sitting on...with my back to them...they were seriously within 5 feet of me. Yes... kind of cool at first...but very irritating after a few times. I couldnt move or I was busted, making it impossible to draw back on them.
However, we didn't come up empty on opening day. About 1/2 hour after dawn Eric stuck a nice doe....but again....with our great luck..she decided to die in a farmers field that was posted "NO HUNTING" so we had to ask some counrty bumkin for permission to retrieve her....they were less then pleased..you could tell they didn't care for hunters, and wanted us no where near their precious pets(the deer)....all and all they said we could get her, as long as she was dead. That night... still no luck...but on our way out of the field we saw the BIGGEST deer ever. A 5x5 with 8 inch eye guards. We watched in amazement as he grazed 150 yards from us.

Just when I thought things couldn't get worse......................................

Soooooo here comes the deer story.....
The next day Eric decided to set up the new ground blind he bought for me (it was the thought that counted) he said "Honey Im gonna set you up at the top of the field where that big buck came out." So that night..I tromped across the field to my blind my huny had set up for me. I got inside..got situated...pulled my bow back for one practice pull and realized...CRAP this thing is too small to draw back in. Trying not to complain, and it was coming up on prime-time I walkie-Talkied Eric and he asked me to just try to make it work for the night...as he was 25 feet up in a tree stand. So i sat...and sat....and sat....and SAT.. my luck..nothing coming out AGAIN. Low and behold....at 745...almost dark here comes the BIG one. Not walking but running straight to me. I had some scent on and around the blind that old Mr. Bucky found irresistable. Nervous..shaking... i drew back...he stopped and grazed...so I let my draw down. Then within a minute he was back on the move coming straight for me. He came clear in to 32 yards(he stood their long enouhg for me to grab the rangefinder and range him) I drew back...him starring at me..took a deep breath, put my 30 yrd pin on him....and launched the arrow....a string form that damn ground blind got caught up in my bow string.. and my arrow flew 10 yards and straight into the dirt. I COULDNT BELIEVE IT. I literally cried. Set my bow down and cried. He was the kin dof deer people pay big money to shoot on ranches. NEEDLESS to say....if anyone needs a new pop-up blind you can find it on ebay listed under Hunting gear. I cried and poor Eric felt horrible for me...then proceeded to tell me "you know he was a record book buck". He really knows how to make someone feel better. WELL... the season is just starting out and I WONT BE SKUNKED...YOU JUST WAIT.....

HUNTING SEASON...FINALLLLLY

WELL, ITS FINALLY HERE!
OUR DEER SEASON OPENS UP ON LABOR DAY (MONDAY)
ERIC AND I ARE LEAVING ON SUNDAY OF THIS WEEKEND TO HEAD TO OUR SPECIAL SPOT..AKA DEER ALLEY.
GAVIN IS GOING CAMPING FOR THE WEEKEND AND BOATING WITH THE OUR BUDDIES, AND KODI WILL BE WITH HIS MOTHER. WISH US LUCK............ THE FREEZER IS GETTING LOW.
MAYBE WITH A LITTLE LUCK I MAY GET MY FIRST BUCK....BUT I WILL SETTLE FOR A DOE.
WILL UPDATE NEXT WEEK AND PROBABLY HAVE SOME PICTURES TO SHARE!

I'll Take one of those please!!!!!

Check out the HUGE buck we caught on our way out of town early......

Do they even have those here?????

He would look much better on our wall then on the side of the road!

The Boys discover the Ocean

MINATURE GOLFING IN OCEAN SHORES


LOVE IS IN THE SAND.........................


GAVIN SKIMMING

The boys got to experience the Ocean for the first time!!! Welllllll.. they actually had both been their when they were very young(to young to remember).

We had a BLAST!!!!!! I think my favorite part was combing the beach for cool shells and sand dollars. The boys found some neat things, and had a great time doing it. The weather wasn't the greatest...a high of 57 with tons of fog. We drove around a bit to different beaches, when we were at the main beach their was a group of teenage boys doing something they called skimming on the surf. OF COURSE Gavin saw them do it and had to try it! We went back into town and bought the boys a skimming board at one of the local shops. NOW, anyone that knows Gavin knows how he thinks he is ALWAYS right and can do anything that anyone can do...ONLY BETTER. So, not wanting any advice from Eric or I he got out into the shallow surf....threw the board down like the teenagers were doing....ran.....jumped on it.......AND fell FACE FIRST into the PACIFIC OCEAN!!!! Eric and I were laughing so hard. HE just thought he knew what he was doing and that was that. After falling into the freezing salt water with it only 50-something outside..he finally wanted a little advice!!!! hahahahahah. Kodi also tried skimming, and he too found him self in the water!! It was so fun to watch them and after awhile they had figured it out...to an extent. We also went through Ocean Shores famous miniature golf course....I SUCKED...and Kodi just liked hitting the ball..and yeah...of course Gavin and Eric had to compete tooth and nail to beat one another!! And I guess I should mention that Eric won....he was so proud he kept the score card. (why???? I dunno so dont ask) All and all we had a great time together, and cant wait to go again next year!

UP IN THE WOODS

THIS WEEKEND WE SPENT SATURDAY PAINTING THE HOUSE..........HOLY MOLY THAT TAKES ALOT OF WORK. AFTER WORKING SO HARD SATURDAY, ERIC THE BOYS AN I DECIDED TO HEAD UP TO THE WOOD FOR A BIT ON SUNDAY. ONCE AGAIN WE WERE UP SCOUTING AN AREA FOR ELK SEASON. NOT MUCH TO REPORT.... KINDA A BLEAK AREA..NOT MUCH GOING ON...BUT I DO HAVE A PIC OF GAVIN AND KODI STANDING ON A STUMP WHILE CHIPMUNK HUNTING.

More Scouting...and a little hunting.....

Well... I guess I can't complain to much about it being August already.. the one GOOOOOOD thing about it is that does mean elk and deer season is just around the corner. Tonight Eric and I headed up again to the Rim-Rock area looking for Yogi.
If you are someone who reads our blog regularly...(or as regular as I post...hehehehe) you will know what I'm talking about. Eric and I stumbled across the most Gi-Normous (is that even a word???) Bear track... ya know the pic of the one with the bullet in it. Anyhow... with August 1st in Washington also comes Bear season. I know some of you think we are crazy... and some of you that read this are as goofy as Eric and I with hunting....anyhow, we went in search of Yogi..... And as our luck would have it.. no Bears. Eric climbed a big hillside where he came within 300-some yards of A nice young bull elk (4x4) . It was up a pretty nasty hill side, that was very thick.. I stayed down low and glassed the hillside for Yogi..or anything else cool why he wandered away. I stayed near the truck, with my talk-about on..waiting for Eric to tell me he saw the Bear...but it had been about 30 minutes..and NO ERIC...and of course he wouldn't answer. ....this just puts me in panic mode... I don't worry that something will get him...cuz this is Eric we are talking about... and I don't worry he would get lost, he could find his way out of anything..but ya never know, we all have accidents, and I worry he could trip and break something... then I would never get his butt out of their. Finally he answers me in a whisper..... that was when he told me he was on the elk.... sheeeeez... we ARE BEAR HUNTING Mr. Voss......lol that boy.... he would have sat and watched that bull till dark if he could have!!! I told him i was worried.. and he just rolled his eyes..now.. I bet him mom is gonna read this at some point... and I know she will have my back on this one!!!! HAHAHAHAHA Take that Eric!! No, no seriously I just worry I couldn't help him if he hurt himself. All in all we had a fun time in the Mountains..once again got to see cool stuff....but still aren't sure where Yogi was at today, and still Hiiiiiimmmmming and Hawing on where we will set up for early elk.

what?????.. AUGUST Alllllllready?????

Oh my gosh..... I can't believe that we are finding ourselves turning the calendar page already!!! It's hard to believe that July has passed us by!!!

So... looks like I have slacked a bit on my posts..let me catch ya all up to speed!! We just got back from a very adventurous 5 day camping trip! I say adventurous for a couple reasons...1) Hunter Shilley. 2) Jayden Shilley...oh yeah then their is Hailey, Ashlee Gavin and Kodi....... we went into Idaho...about 8 hrs from good old glorious Yakima ( yeah right we couldn't wait to get the F*** out of dodge) Eric Myself and the boys.... Mom and Dad, My niece and nephew (Kevin's kids) and Ryan and Kim with their two Jayden and Ashlee.

We spent the week fishing the river, riding four wheelers, playing in the river and enjoying being together....

You can only imagine how crazy it was around camp with one 10 month old, two 3 yr olds one 5 year old, one 8 year old and one 11 year old!!! It really was a blast. We had lots of fun fishing the river... I kept telling Eric that their is some big fish in the river... i mean like 30-40lb Chinooks.... well he finally believed me...he saw two MONSTERS a good 20 lbs... came back to camp, and he and I high tailed it up River to the hole with our Salmon rigs. No such luck... I came close.. had one follow it up to the top.. Bump it.. but then it was gone. Ya know.. you would think that man would believe me at some point when I tell him these things... after all I do manage to kick his butt when it comes to fishing. SoOOOOOOO all of the fun stuff we did ...and didn't take crap-ola for pics! Eric , Kodi and I came home early with my niece, while Gavin stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. I did manage to take a pic of Kodi and cousin Hailey playing xbox one day she was here!

YEhhhhhhhh Football has started

Well, it's that time of year again....FOOTBALL SEASON!!! YIPPPPPEEEEE
Football is by far, one of my favorite sports to watch Gav play...same with Eric.
This year Kodi is going to try playing as well. We have our hesitations... he is 8 yrs old, and our lover, not our fighter. He is not very in shape for his age..and is finding that the running just plain SUCKS!!! All of that aside, he seems to love it. We are happy that he is enjoying it thus far.... he will have a better idea if he likes it or not after a month of heavy conditioning. We are proud of him for giving it his all. And then their is Gavin.... their isn't a sport, or a position that he can't do...and its a blast to watch him. I will try to post some pics as they get into the season a bit.

What are we to do???????

Go to this link to see what a silver fox looks like
www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/.../silver_fox.jpg

Wellllllllllllllllllll we have NO KIDS this weekend.
Kodi is at his mom's (poor kid) and Gavin is with a friend for the weekend.
Its nice to have a weekend to ourselves, but what are we to do???? SCOUT ELK...of course!!!!
Eric and I took a nice 5 hrs yesterday and got the opportunity to scout some new area, and see some cool stuff!! Got on several head of elk....(right were we knew they would be..once again I could tell ya but Id have to kill ya!!) Then at about 9 o'clock we were heading out of the woods....when a black/gray dog ran across the front of the truck, and down the enbakement.... it was a SILVER FOX!! Eric knew right away what it was...took me a minute. That was one of the coolest thing by far we have seen while out in the woods. A silver fox is the same thing as Red Fox (which both of us have ever seen only once or twice) only its different due to its coloring. (we know this after googling it)And of course neither of the boys got to see it...bummer deal. Another first Eric and I had together!!! I have friends that only wish they could have a relatinship like mine and Eric's..we are so lucky that we found each other, its not very often you find someone who has the same interests and loves in life............while one or two of you say "My wife doesn't have to do everything I do" 99% of our friends envy the closeness and the relationship we have.....and this was one of those times that we got to see something special and rare together and will never forget it!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG BOY GAVIN BRADLEY

Scouting

Eric and I headed up on Saturday evening to scout some of our elk areas. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is one of my very FAVORITE things to do prior to elk season. We got up into some High Country, and found some area we hadn't ever been into before.... and all I can say is..IT WAS AWESOME. We stumbled across a bear track that no kidding.... the pad alone was about 4 inches wide(in case ya don't know.... that is one BIG bear) You can see a picture of it here, where Eric placed one of his Bullets in it showing you just how big the track is. Neither Eric or I have ever got the chance to shoot a Bear so we were pretty jacked to see this. We would love to get one. Also crossed over quite a few cow elk with calves.. in our same usual place we see them....( if I posted where it was Id be dumb...LOL) Also two large bucks in full velvet a smaller one and his BIG brother that was a solid 5x5 that was enormous. Anyhow, was a lot of fun, and was a good time just Eric and I. We both have the itch for Hunting season!!!

4Th oF JuLy CaMpInG

Gavin, Austin and Princess D Loungin at camp in the tube

Gavin and Kodi on the inner-tube

Kodi and Austin Building a home for their freshwater clams and crawdads

Gavin and his buddy Shane with their squirt guns after a ride on the inner tube WOW What an awesome weekend us and the boys had!!! We headed out early Friday morning (4th of july) for some fun camping and boating...when we got up it was thunder and lightening outside. YUCK.....but as we got into our day the clouds burned off, and out came the sunshine. We were so lucky to go with our GOOD friends Mike and Christy who we just luuuuuuuv, and they spoiled the boys all day with innertubing and boat rides. Some of Christy's friends also met us at the beach, and they brought their Jet skis- they were so kind and let everyone ride.......the boys had a blast!!! The boys got to do just about everything, and Kodi was sooooo fascinated with the Fresh water clams and the crawdads. After a hard day boating and playing we headed to camp and hung out by the camp fire, eating burgers and hot dogs, and the kids made some smores.
I got wayyy to much sun and didn't feel so hot, so on saturday Eric and I headed home and Mike and Christy, the sweet people they are, kept our boys so they could boat all day Saturday. Eric and I came home and rested for a bit and took a trip to the mountains to scout(more on that in another post) Anyhow, all and all we had a awesome time...and so did Gavin and Kodi. Thanks so much Mike and Christy for hangin with us and being so good to our boys!