Scott, Ben and Nolan had a very successful bowhunt in Ripley this fall! Nolan's doe was very old, Scott's was big and Ben's died close to the road! This was Ben's second deer from Fort Ripley this year.

Scott took this sunrise picture with the boys icefishing. And although I wasn't with them, it's amazing how often I reflect on this photo. I find that it brings me a calming sense of both wonder and amazement about how grand the world is and how grateful we need to be and how we shouldn't get so upset over the little things in life. We've had an awful couple of days!!!! We have to be thankful for our family and really good friends and realize that my car will get fixed ($2,942.15) and take a deep breath knowing that a guardian angel was watching over Scott and the boys last night when they were almost T-Boned in the truck. Scott and I are looking forward to gathering ALL our friends back 'round the campfire again real soon!!!

They say to have a child is to forever allow your heart to walk outside your body... Nolan and Ben started off on the path to complete independence from us.... They started Drivers ed class this week. I am scared and sick to death about it, but I have to face the fact they are growing up. (I just wish I could cuddle them and protect them every day of their lives)!!
We went to the Benton County Fair tonight. I can remember when I first took Ben and Nolan there in the double stroller when they were 10 months old. Now 15 years later, my baby, Nathan and Ben won posters of half naked girls. Nolan didn't spend his money on anything because he said he can enjoy the posters without having to spend the money. Scott and I decided to buy a corn burner to heat the house this winter. I am excited about it. THAT shows you how OLD I am getting. Yippee, a corn burner. OMG I need some excitement in my life!! I want the excitement of a double stroller again, diaper rash and garden hose vomit. Oh I would even take the every 2 1/2 hour feedings, not the type of excitement that I feel from knowing that they are walking outside my heart, walking away.... driving away...

103 degrees. I didn't need to talk about how hot it is!!! Thank god we were able to stay at mom and dads and sleep in the A/C. Scott, Nolan and Ben got up at 5am to look for balls on both Sat and Sun mornings. This was the first morning that Scott said he was sick of looking for balls. All 3 of them came back just drenched in sweat.
But overall the weather doesn't seem to be keeping the golfers away.
I made the boys their favorite breakfast bagel sandwiches Sunday morning. I don't get to cook breakfast for them very often. So I just love to be able to make their favorites!!
Scott and I met Lori for coffee yesterday morning and bought a cream can for Scott's dad from Jane's antique store. She and her husband Doug are mom and dad's neighbor. So today we are 'trying out' the cream can over an open fire at Jane and Doug's. Yesterday the boys mowed the lawn, and watered the plants and flowers with me. Ben, Nathan and I soaked some chipmunks and squirrels out of some holes with the hose. That was fun!! Melvin was going crazy! We had to soak her down again with the hose to keep her cool. I got some scrapbooking done and the boys swam in the neighbor's pool.

This pudgy little boy in camo below (Nathan) grew up and became a Packer fan! 11 years later, we live eat and breathe fantasy football and last night was just the beginning of our season!! We got Roethlisberger, Tiki Barber and Jake Plummer. We wore jerseys, the black football eye makeup and had a football on the computer desk. Nate wore his new cheddar head hat. My mom will be so proud! We never thought this moment would come. We logged on 1 1/2 hours before the draft started. We've been going through withdrawls since January when we were done with our rookie year of fantasy football and we were overwhelmed with the leagues max of 3 teams.

This is Ben's 45" Muskie that he caught at 4:20am on July 15. It was HOT that weekend!! He had his lucky red pants on!!!

Nolan's nice fish!
This is Nolan's 45" Muskie that he caught when I was in the boat. I asked Nolan and Ben to take me in the boat so I could spend some time with them and catch some sun. It was the day after Ben caught his 45" 'er. It must be a twin thing huh? It was incredible to watch Ben net the fish for Nolan and see the teamwork between the two of them. She really put up a fight, going unde the boat and staying there, not wanted to come up for anything!! They gave each other a high five when Ben got her safe in the net. He made me hold it. I couldn't belive how slimey it was!!They sure are becoming mature men! Scott and I are really proud of them. About a week later Nolan caught another really nice fish when I was in the boat again!! He turned to me and said "Mom, your really good luck!!" He didn't make me hold that one though...