Watching the Tigers

 

 

 

Ready for a Dive:)

 

You could barely see Hunter. He had to stand on his tiptoes for me to get the picture!

Touching and Feeding Sting Rays

 

 

 

 

Face Painting at the Denver Aquarium

 

Denver Aquarium

We had a fantastic time at the Denver Aquarium today. The kids got to see and identify many of the animals we had studied in our Science unit - Daddy was impressed with their knowledge:) They especially loved touching and feeding the sting rays. They both got their face painted (of course, Hunter chose a dinosaur!). It was an especially great day because of the news that I, Kim, received from the ear doctor. He said my ear looks perfect and my hearing has really improved also. We truly thank the Lord for this!

Mike's Stag

I had a 2nd rifle buck tag. I hunted up high at first looking for a big buck. Couldn't find what I was looking for, so I hunted in the middle and down low. I went 2 days without seeing a buck at all. So, the last day I was willing to shoot anything. I saw a buck in velvet this morning, but I wasn't sure if he was on public land. So I figured out that he was on public land this afternoon, and went back after him. I found him bedded down at 50 yards, but only could see antlers. I couldn't even tell which way his body was. Finally, he jumped out of his bed and I shot him running. He has an extra main beam on one side. He turned out to be a stag.

 

 

 

 

1st Rifle Elk Hunt with Dad

Dad and I hunted very hard all season and only saw 2 cows. 2 years ago there was a bad winter kill in that area, so the unit was not nearly as good as it once was. Still had a great time with my dad. So everyone that was wanting to see how we did in Unit 66, I wouldn't recommend hunting it for several more years. My dad said it best, "You can't always measure a successful hunt by blood." It was still fun spending time with my dad.

Field Trip to the Dinosaur Museum

Our family took a field trip to the Dinosaur Museum in Fruita, CO yesterday. Mike had never been before, and Hunter can never get enough of dinosaurs. We especially enjoyed the interactive displays - the earthquake simulator, excavating dinosaur bones (reproductions, of course), and getting squirted by a robotic dinosaur were some of our favorite things.

 

 

 

 

Autumn Photos

 

Mike's Mountain Goat Hunt

I just returned from my Mountain goat hunt. It was the toughest hunt of my life. A couple of times I feared for my life and was praying all the way up (and back down!) that steep mountain. It took 4 hours to climb to the top where the goats were. On the backside of the mountain where I had to climb, there was snow. I had to lean on both my rifle and shooting stick to be able to lift my foot to take another step. I had to pick small rock out-croppings to get a foothold. It got so bad, I could not turn around and go back down, so I had to go up. When I finally reached the top, I spotted 6 goats bedded down, 258 yards away. I shot the only billy in the group. First shot was a double-lung hit. I was afraid he would fall 1,000 feet down the mountain, so I shot again hitting him in the shoulder. He fell and rolled a couple of times before stopping. Then the work continued. After skinning him, I put him in my pack. I wrapped the meat in a trash bag and my coat because I was not making another trip up the mountain. So, with about an extra 125 lbs. I found a wash, and slid down the other side of the mountain because it was impossible to stand up. And I feared for my life again. It was a hunt I will never forget. The pictures do not do these mountains justice. It was incredibly steep. (NOTE FROM WIFE: It's a good thing this was a once-in-a-lifetime hunt because I don't think I could let him do this again. Way to nerve-wracking!)

Here I am with the goat back at camp. I forgot to take the camera with me on the hunt.

The goats were in the saddle between the two peaks.

Here is a photo of where I was when I shot my Mountain Goat. I was at the very peak - 13,000+ feet.

Happy Autumn!

Today is the first day of Fall, and the weather has finally cooled down here in Colorado. Last night it got down into the 30's, and the kids and I are wearing sweaters today! We love to celebrate things - so, of course, we are celebrating the beginning of our favorite season. So far today we have made leaf pictures, caramel apples, and pear bread. (Sorry no pictures - I need to get new batteries for my camera:( After lunch, we're going to Big B's to get some freshly pressed apple cider - YUM! We are leaving this Friday to go camping/hunting for Mike's once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunt. Hopefully we'll be posting some pictures soon!

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Brad and Brenda - Anna is beautiful! And to Matt and Lyndi - I hope you'll bring your little guy to visit us in Colorado!

Mike's Bear

 

 

 

 

I filled my bear tag this morning on the mountain behind our house. I had to make a 500 yard shot. The bear weighed close to 300 pounds. My friend, Jamie, is here from Missouri with some friends to hunt, and he got to be with me for my bear hunt. A big thanks to Jamie and the guys for helping me get it out.

Unit 66 - Camping/Scouting Trip

We went camping last week in Unit 66, where Mike and his dad will elk hunt in October. The kids had a great time rock climbing, and trying to kill squirrels and chipmunks with the throwing sticks Daddy found for them. (I know - we're a bloodthirsty bunch:) We camped at over 10,000 feet, and on Wednesday night watched the Perseid Meteor Shower while cuddled up around the campfire. It was truly awe-inspiring!

Moose at Cottonwood

While Mike and our friend Lance were scouting for mountain goat, they ran across this bull moose - which is a very big one for Colorado. (For a better view, just click on the picture:)

Cottonwood Lake in Colorado

 

This is a beautiful photo of Cottonwood Lake near where we camped earlier this week. We took a 3 day jaunt over here so Mike could scout for mountain goat. It's about a 4 hour drive from our home.

On Top of the World!

Here are a few pictures that Mike took on one of his scouting excursions near Mt. Princeton. He was hiking at about 13,000+ feet in search of the elusive mountain goat that he plans to hunt in September. Mike says that a person feels very close to God up there.

 

 

 

Ghost Town - St. Elmo, CO

 

Feeding the Chipmunks

While on our camping/scouting trip, we took an afternoon and visited St.Elmo - a ghost town which used to be a silver and gold mining town. There are hundreds of chipmunks and many hummingbirds now inhabiting the town. Feeding the chipmunks was the highlight of the kids' trip!

 

 

 

 

Katie and Hunter at South Cottonwood Creek

 

NY Vacation - Boldt Castle

We were able to have a wonderful visit with my family and friends in Upstate NY for 10 days in June. Here are a few pictures of our day trip to the 1,000 Islands to see Boldt Castle. Boldt Castle was built around 1903 but was never quite completed - such a sad story. 77 years later restoration began on the never lived-in castle.

 

On our way to the 1,000 islands, we stopped to look at this neat osprey nest!

 

Here is a view of Boldt Castle from across the St. Lawrence River. We were waiting to board the ferry that would take us to the castle.

 

This building is called the "Playhouse". There is a bowling alley in the basement!

 

The kids (mine and my brother Greg's) posing on a rock with the clock tower in the background.