The Season Begins

Josh and I are both avid hunters, and September marks the beginning of us really getting down to business.  This past Monday, Labor Day, Josh, Molly, and I headed up into the woods.  It was a lazy hunting day, and I of course brought my camera along.  Josh hates when I do this, as he says whenever a camera is brought on a hunting trip, you will be unsuccessful.  But I do it anyway. :)

I snapped a bunch of photos without him really knowing (or at least he acted like he didn't know; he could have just been ignoring me).  Here are a few of my favorites:

And in other news, Molly got her first bird yesterday!  We've been training her to be a duck hunting dog, and so far she had never had any experience with live birds.  Yesterday, Josh and her were in the woods, and Molly sniffed out a grouse.  It flew up, Josh shot it, and Molly retrieved it!  They were both beaming when I got home; I don't think Josh has even been more proud of her!  Here's a picture of the two of them.  Its out of focus slightly because I had to act quickly, and I couldn't get Molly to look at me.  She was too focused on getting that grouse!

Updates on Us

Things sure have been crazy around here lately! Here is a quick rundown of what's new with Josh and me.

• We are still looking for a house.  The few that we have found that we actually liked have been short-sales, and those are tricky to get into.  We are hoping the First Time Homebuyer tax credit will be extended into 2010, but if not, we still plan on buying in the next few months.
• I have been busy taking, editing, and printing photos lately from various adventures.  I have a real-live session coming up with a friend of mine and her toddler son.  I would love to someday make photography a full-time gig, but for now I will settle for it being a much-loved hobby.
• I recently went on a hunting trip with my dad, and while tromping through the woods, I strained my lateral collateral ligament in both legs (it runs along the outside of each knee), which is in turn causing the meniscus of each knee to be pinched (the meniscus is the cushion in the knee joint).  I am using oral anti-inflamatories, and also an anti-inflammatory cream.  That is in addition to doing my own physical therapy both at home and in the clinic I work at.  All of this has put a serious damper on my hunting season.  Its hard to walk through clearcuts when each steps brings you to near-tears!
• I have just begun (today, actually) my Esther bible study by Beth Moore.  It took me a while to track down the book, but I finally found a local store that carries it.  I also downloaded the mp3's off of iTunes, and am all gear up to begin!  I already have three more 90 day devotionals lined up for once this one is completed.

That's it for now!  God bless!

Wenatchee Hunting Trip

This past weekend, my dad and I took a trip over the mountains to Eastern Washington.  We have a family friend who lives there, and we planned to meet up with him and spend opening weekend of modern deer season scouring canyons and valleys for big bucks.

I didn't take many photos, because if I carried my Nikon around in my pack, it would be in a million pieces (I tend to be rather clumsy).  Therefore, I left it in the truck, and snapped pictures while we drove.  I did pack my old Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot camera, but the battery was almost dead, and it just takes crappy pictures.

Here are a few pictures I did take while up in the canyons near Rock Island Dam.

Wow... I just realized I took more pictures than I thought!

We didn't end up with any deer this weekend, but the trip was still definitely worth it.  Getting the chance to spend time with my dad is always a blessing.  He truly is one of my closest and best friends.  We got to spend 4 days straight together, doing something we both love, in some of the most beautiful countryside around.

Memories like that can't be beat.

Yes, I Am A Bad Blogger

I know, I know.  I am two days behind on posting.  But I've been busy!

My dad and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon for a 4 day hunting trip.  I am so excited!!  I have been trying to gather all my necessities, and trying even harder to stuff them into one small bag.

I will try to post pictures from this past weekend tonight or tomorrow morning, as well as try to catch up to the posts I am behind on!