Party for the Sheepies!

Jamie is into sheep right now so we got to be creative and threw her a sheep party.  She picked out this special mylar balloon because it had a sheep on it...of course!

We played pin the tail on the sheep...

And of course the kids wanted to see mom do it.  I had lots of help to make sure I went the right direction.  Everyone had lots of help on this game.  We also played 'Hide and Sheep', Musical Chairs to "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and the girls fished over a white picket fence after watching a clip from "Jakers".  Also, Caitin read "Russell the Sheep" to the party girls.

Jamie had her two best friends over.  When she finished unwrapping the presents she said, "That's it?!"  She forgot that she chose to open the family gifts on her real birthday.

Brandon did a most excellent job on the cake!  The frosting was coated with marshmallows and chocolate chips.  I actually think that the marshmallows tasted pretty good.

The birthday girl!

Five candles seemed to be a lot for this big girl to blow out in one breath.

Duck Hunt

I've been into something new lately.  I've joined a buddy from work a couple of times duck hunting.  I love the challenge, and so far I've tolerated the cold.  Each time we left town at about 4:00 a.m. and set up for first light at 7:00.  Both times we had ducks landing in our spread before 7:00.  Both times I had to wait and watch them up and run just before shooting time.  No matter, there were always more coming in. 

 

On day two we saw several mallards, and my first shot of the day brought down a hen.  Later on we had two drake mallards coming straight at us low on the water.  My buddy couldn't see them, so he followed my lead as I brought my gun up and clicked off the safety.  When the birds were only about 20 yards away I fired...and missed!  My buddy stood and sighted and I racked another shell.  Both ducks flared and were now pointed skyward.  We fired in the same moment and with two puffs of feathers the birds dropped and splashed! 

 

J-Me is 5

Jamie is 5 now.  Here's a few pics from her birthday:  

 Birthdays in our house always start with two things:  Balloons...

 

...and Donuts!  Jamie could make a good trucker or homeless child.

 

 As a family first, we went out for donuts this time.  So fun!

 

And yes, that is the greatest donut ever created.

 

A few great presents.

 

This present actually came a few days early.

 

 She looks older already.

 

 Happy Birthday Jamie!