Big Black Bear!

So.... Whadya think?

Think he might be totally enjoying himself!

Oh Yea!

And what do ya know?

A black bear that is... black!!

BEARS... OH MY!

This is a black bear!

However, it is a blonde black bear.

Confusing. I know.

But... it is what it is.

It is a black blonde bear!!

So why am I posting a picture of a bear and a stranger?

(no, it's not Caleb)

Well, funny you should ask....

that's exactly what I wanted to tell you about.

Caleb has the opportunity to work for an outfitter

 in Idaho in the Wilderness of No Return.

(he better return!)

Bear Hunting Season started the day after he got there last week.

He has 3 more weeks of bear hunters.

I think they have gotten 4 so far.

Caleb called me after the first bear kill.

"Mom, I helped gut a bear and then hauled it on my

4-wheeler. I think I have died and gone to heaven."

He will be there for the summer.

He is having an incredible experience.

Loving all that he gets to do!

We miss him!

BUT... very excited for him.

The Cowboy

Ahhh.... finally!!!

The big brothers finally got a hold of me

and dressed me in more "manly" clothing.

I got me a hat, vest, chaps and a gun!

Just call me...

Cowboy Coop!

Thanks brothers!

And please tell the sisters - 

NO MORE PINK GIRLY STUFF!

Let Me Just Say...

SO CUTE!!

I mean, seriously, who wouldn't let this in?

He sits at the patio door looking in for someone to 

let his cute little self in.

Quite hilarious!

YES! Caleb has another pet porcupine.

So tiny and so very cute!

None of us can say no to the little thing.

So, he makes his way in more than I would like but

such as life on the mountain. :)

Coop was not so sure at first... 

 and then he could not get enough of the fella.

So fun!

He wore out playing with Cooper and fell asleep

 on the buffet behind the couch.

He is "free" to go but chooses to stick around the farm.

He plays with the dogs, snuggles with the cats.
(he also likes to eat their food)

Only Caleb would think to bring home
 a porcupine, of all things, and make it a pet!

Swim Fishy Swim!

Well, my guys (Caleb and Hudson) finished their Cross Country

season back in October.

They are excited and looking forward to track in the spring.

However, they needed something to keep their endurance going

through the winter.

So....

they swim!

(for our town High School)

They are doing great.

Nothing stellar but they continue to get Personal Records

and having a blast!

We had the privilege of having the team in our home

for a Christmas party.

We fed them dinner. 

They played games.

They laughed.

And they had a white elephant gift exchange.

More laughter.

What great kids! We were blessed!

And had a blast!!

Caleb's Future

A Successful Hunt
(for somebody anyway)

Bull moose says to his friend,

"Ahhh... Revenge!

Isn't it sweet?"

:-)

Got Milk?

Cooper DID HAVE milk

(in his belly)

until Caleb came along and started wrestling/playing with him.

And now Caleb has MILK...

in his face!!!

(yuck)

Cooper - laughing!

Caleb - not so much!
(not to worry, we did get Caleb a towel immediately following this pic)

Two Brothers...

Two Big Guns
Two Bucks 

** Translation **

Tons o' meat!!

Caleb got this 2x2 on Tuesday

We hung it and had it curing

And then Hudson got his buck on Wednesday

3x3

So....

On Friday we were processing.

We have pounds and pounds of deer sausage in the freezer.

And we have pounds of jerky marinating.

Oh YUM!

Caleb saw this guy while hunting.

And this guy went along to cheer on "his boy".

Oh Bandit!

We love you!!

A fun and busy week for my boys.

STATE (sigh of relief)

This (mountain) mama is so glad to have that race behind us.

I think I had enough nerves and butterflies for the whole team.

Actually, probably for ALL of the teams.

I remember back-in-the-day all the nerves before a race.

I was flooded with all of them again x 10.

It was so fun to be watching "my guys".

Last words of encouragement before lining up

On the start line

Get your game on!

BANG!

Let the race begin

Caleb was about 8th here.

After this hill, he was in 1st.

Go Caleb!!

Go Hudson!

Caleb finished 4th overall!

YAY!

Teenage Boys...

I LOVE MINE!!

I absolutely love having "young men" in our home.

I really do.

(most of the time)

They are good workers and very helpful around the house and camp.

(most of the time)

It is a joy for me to see them play and take care of their younger siblings.

I am truly enjoying this season of life - teenagers and babies

and everything in between.

Anyways....

my two teenage boys (that I am in love with) have been running cross country this year.

Last week was their region meet in Salt Lake.

The night before they had their Carbs Dinner (spaghetti) with the team.

The coach gave them a "pep talk" and gave them each a purple (NS colors) bead for their shoestring.

Team Spirit!!

My Two Boys

Hudson and Caleb

Warming up

Team stretching

Hudson

I think they should stick to running - definitely would not make it very far in Vegas.

Game planning with Coach

Before the race Huddle

WooHoo!

Caleb in the lead and Hudson right behind.

The next time we saw the runners, Caleb had a pretty good lead.

Hudson was right in there (in the pack) behind Caleb 

Next time we saw Caleb, he had fell behind.

Not normal for him.

As he passed me, I said, "Come on buddy. Catch 'em!" 

He looked at me in pain and said, "My asthma."

I ran to find his bag and rifled through it until I found his inhaler.

I handed it to him when I saw him again.

He inhaled.

And tried to make up lost ground.

Hudson hanging with the front guys.

Caleb passed a few guys but just could not get back to the front.

He placed 6th overall and 3rd for the team.

Hudson placed 4th overall and 1st for the team.

Our boys team took 2nd.

(got beat by 2 points)

Our girls team took 2nd.

Both teams are going to STATE!!

Hudson getting his medal.

The boys team

The boys and girls team.

State is on Wednesday.

We are praying for good health, no asthma attacks and very fast legs.

Go Braves!!