Baiting

This year we have joined in with all the other yoppers in baiting...putting food out for the deer at the hunting spots.  We also have a game camera, which is really fun now, knowing what's out there.  It will probably be frustrating by the end of the season knowing what may have been!  In the last two days, there was nothing on the game camera because of the bad weather, hopefully not all is lost.  Here we are baiting with JR's parents.  Nora took Grandma Cunningham for a walk in the woods between the two stands.  It was fun to just walk with no roads or trails; Nora felt like a true explorer.  In reality it was about a tenth mile.

 Here is a glimpse of the wildlife while we are at home.  Big. Fat. Raccoons!

Weekend of fall activities

This past weekend my parents, along with my niece Stella came to celebrate Clara's birthday.  They arrived in shorts (apparently MN is a bit warmer) and left wearing winter hats and boots.  In the last three days we have all been in shock by the turning of the seasons.  Brrr....  We made applesauce, apple juice and apple butter, and showed our visitors the deer stand and bait.  On Sunday before they left we introduced a .22rifle to the 4 who have never shot before.  (For those who know a little about rifles, a few months ago we got a single shot bolt action .22 youth size.  Hey that was pretty good for me-- to know how to label the gun.)  I know the deer stand pictures may get old on the blog, but it is so darn fun to see the kids do this "thrilling" adventure.  Oh, and I found out the tree stand is 18 feet tall!

Nora made Clara a Birthday crown, which was so sweet.  "You Rock Clara...I love you...you are my sister...love Nora"

 Walking in the woods.

 I had to show this picture of Clara.  Immediately she went right to sighting in the riffle, only she couldn't get her head low enough since the stock was under her arm.  She always surprises us; Nora is the talker and going through the process verbally for all the world to hear, but then comes along Clara who is right in tune with what is to be done or expected.

 Even my mom was brave and shot a gun for the first time!

Happy Birthday Clara!

Four years old today!

Clara got a climbing harness for her birthday on Sunday.  We got to try it out right away because the girls helped JR set up his tree stand a few weeks ago, and they get to put on their harnesses to go up with him.  Clara loves it!

 The first time Clara had a make-shift harness with straps we have.

 Now she has her own harness!

 My three loves up in the tree.

And back down.