North Dakota hunting trip

Jeff was in North Dakota last week on his annual duck hunting trip. This wasn't a record breaking year for them but it was better than the last two years. He came back with some great pictures though (which is clearly the most important thing) so I thought I'd share.

these are a mix of blue geese and snow geese

Jeff, Russ, and Ricky

One Year

It's been one year. One year since I got a late night phone call. One year since my brother and I drove down to a Springfield hospital. One year since we walked into that hospital to learn that our lives would never be the same again.

We've made it through the first everything. The first Thanksgiving without him. The first Christmas, Easter, Father's day. On my 25th birthday I got a hug from my Dad. On my 26th I didn't. They say that the first everything is the hardest. Does this mean that the second everything will sting a little less?

We have navigated this new territory together as a family, settling into different roles and routines, trying to fill in the incredible void that he left. But we know that it can never be filled completely.

There are still days that I am just desperate for a hug from my Dad. Days that I just NEED to have a conversation with him. About anything, the weather, the Cubs, the fact that the refrigerator is leaking...

This next year will bring new members into our family, through birth and marriage. I so wish that he could be here with us to welcome them, but I know he is watching and smiling.

Dad, we love you and miss you so much.

just like Robin Hood

well, minus the green tights and feathered hat. And he'd better not have any girlfriends named Marian.

Btw, I just realized it looks like he's aiming at poor Ace. There is a target, it just didn't make it into the picture. You can tell how impressed Ace was with our presence though...

animal control

Four men using two rakes and an oil dipstick to get a squirrel out of the engine of the van. I don't think any further explanation is necessary.