They're changing by the day. Sometimes it takes looking at a picture to realize how fast they are growing. Thank god for pictures.

My first hunting weekend with the boys and all I can say is...it was awesome. I never, ever thought I would enjoy the outdoors as much as I did. We chased turkeys through some really rough terrain which doubled as a great workout for my butt muscles. The land we were on was so cool. So my hubby trekked us through trees, hills and draws before coming up on 15 toms (and I thought they were all just called turkeys!) My son got a shot and ended up with his first turkey. He was so excited he could hardly speak. Way to go!

So then it was my turn to sit in a treestand and see if I could get a deer. On our way to the stand we spotted 13 huge doe wandering around. We watched them until it was safe to get in the tree. This is where I became one with the tree. I tell you what, climbing a cedar tree 14 feet up is a little scary. And I didn't realize there isn't anything really holding you in. I just decided to not look down. My hubby left me reminding me not to fall out of the tree. Easy for him to say, he wasn't sitting on a wooden treestand no bigger than my butt. So after the vertigo went away, I started seeing deer. They were coming my way, then they would turn off. Everytime they came towards my stand, my heart started pounding. Literally. It was truly the most exciting thing I have ever experienced. I sat and just watched. I found myself talking to them..."come this way...don't go that way..." After awhile of just watching them, one doe started coming closer and closer to me. I didn't move and my hubby's instructions roamed through my head. "find the spot, draw back, anchor, shoot.." The deer kept coming closer. After a half hour of waiting, she came in right under my stand. She was a mere 10 yards away. I could see her eyelashes. It was amazing. I held my breath and slowly, slowly drew back. Hubby said no sudden movements. I anchored the arrow, lined up my sight and was ready. But the deer kept walking. She was going to be out of my sight pretty soon. So i made a quick decision...I had to get her to stop. I grunted. Just like the grunts they make on all those hunting shows. It worked. She stopped and looked up. But she was stopped right behind a branch of a tree. I could make the shot...she was so close. But the dumb branch was right in front of where I needed to shoot. I couldn't do it. I couldn't let go and risk wounding her. So we stared at each other for a minute and she kept going on her trail. I relaxed my bow. I was so close to getting it but it just wasn't meant to be. I started breathing again.

My hubby came in after dark to get me which by the way, sitting in a treestand in the dark is an eery feeling. I was glad to see him coming down the hill for me. Even though I didn't get a shot this time, it was truly awesome. The whole experience was so much more than I ever imagined. So i'm going back again in a few weeks to try again and I can't wait. I loved being with my hubby and son and learning how hunting is so much fun. I now understand why all these years, he wished he could quit work and just hunt all the time. It's a sport and my sore legs are proof of it. It's not easy let me tell ya, but seeing how beautiful nature is humbled me. It made me appreciate it in a different way. And it was all because of a wonderful hubby who introduced me to it.

So thanks, honey, for the weekend and for not forgetting to come back and get me from that treestand in the dark. (Yes, I was a litte worried about that!)

Last flag football game of the year for my son. Season went fast and I'll miss going to the practices and games. I'll mostly miss the "flag" part of the game. Next year it's tackle. Normally it wouldn't bother me but sure enough last weekend at church, a 7th grader walks in with a cast on his arm. My sons whispers he broke it in the football game. Sheesh. Just what a mother needs to see right when the "safe" game of flag football comes to an end. He did an awesome job at quarterbacking. Now we have a small break before basketball begins.

So it's been a busy month at the studio. With Nutcracker practices in full swing, my clientele building and sporting events, fall is definitely the busy season. But it's also my favorite time of year.

This weekend, I planned to have "off" and with all the busy-ness we've had, I'm anxious for some down time. So I had a choice...half-marathon in Sioux City or hunting with the hubby. Run...hunt....run...hunt...I decided I've already made the long 13 miler twice this year. Maybe I'll give this hunting gig a try. My hubby is already stratigizing our outing. I'm actually quite excited about the whole thing. My shooting is good, my patience is good, don't know about climbing a tree stand but how hard can it be?! So that's the plan. I'm putting away my Asics for a day and donning camouflage. Hunting with my husband. I hope I don't scare him off. My husband that is, not the deer. I sure hope I at least see something. He tells me my odds are good. So grandma is coming to spend some time with the kiddos and I'm going to spend some time in the trees.

Wish me luck. I don't think the wilderness knows what's it's in for. Or my husband.

Hannah Montana came to visit us! Isn't she cute?!?

Hunting season has begun...beginning with my son's first doe he brought home last night. He was pretty excited and so were we! We gave the deer to a local locker that processes the meat and then gives it to needy families. Our son did good. Real good.

Here's my funny kid story for the week...

Middle daughter comes out of her room with a halter style top on that is a bit too large.

"Maybe you should find a different shirt. That one is kind of low cut."

She says, "Oh yeah, I don't want my niblets to show."

It took me a few seconds to gather my thoughts and realize what she meant by niblets. The first thing that came to my mind was the jolly green giant, the jolly green giant with...well...niblets. I laughed and laughed hard. Where do they come up with these terms?!?!

Crap.

Packers and the Vikings lost today. Makes for a bad afternoon for the boys in the house. My new rule...I tape the games on the dvr (once I figure it out) and then allow them to watch it if it's a good game. There's my solution. Beats the mad/sad/frustrated fans of the house! Wonder if it will work....

This morning I got up and drove to Vermillion to run a 5K for the Susan B. Koman Race For The Cure. I seriously thought about not going. With a week of a cold and laryingitis, I really wasn't all that prepared. But it was such a beautiful morning, my shoes were calling my name. So I went and ran a race for a really, really good cause. What was even better than the finish line on the 40 yard line of the DakotaDome was seeing people there, celebrating for being a survivor or knowing a survivor. And even those in tears, remembering those they had lost. It was a great event. I know so much more about the foundation now.

So i ran my heart out for people I didn't even know. For 23 minutes, the last thing on my mind was a lingering cold. For 23 minutes, I thought about how lucky I was. For 23 minutes, I was helping find a cure for breast cancer. And it felt really good.

How is it that a 6th grader knows so much about technology? We got the new HD box hooked up to the family tv which has so many features on it, I don't have it figured out yet. But as I'm sitting here watching my son watch college football, he's rewinding plays, pausing the game for a mountain dew break, using the dvr to record another game and pausing one game to watch another. What is happening? I don't even know how to turn the darn thing on yet. Somehow I feel a bit like I'm losing control. Yep, I just don't have it anymore.

So I guess I'll just have to break down and ask the boy for directions on how to watch tv. Darn technology...just when you think you've got it all figured out, an 11-year old is always a step ahead.

www.photographybydeann.com

it's my new website for you to check out. what do ya think?

3 little things you didn't know about me...

I figure since you are all pretty close blog friends now, I thought it would be okay to reveal a few things I enjoy and have my whole life. Let it be known, I have not shared these little secrets with just anyone. In fact, I don't think there has been anyone. I just had to finally share them. They are my own private pleasures that make me happy. (please don't misconstrue that comment!)

Anyhoo, here you go...

1) I love monkeys. When I was a kid, I would ask for a monkey every Chrismas. Never got one. Except for a sock monkey. I wanted a real one. I mean, I really love monkeys. Someday, before I die, I would absolutely love to hold a baby monkey. Maybe even just hang out with one. Or two. Yes, I am the one at the zoo that can't leave the monkey displays. I just think they are so darn cute.

2) I still love watching The Young and the Restless. Especially late at night, when everyone is asleep. I'll do my work on the computer and at the same time watch this silly show that I've watched ever since high school. I lost track of it during college and my 20's. Kind of funny how you can miss 10 years, turn it on and it seems like you never missed an episode. It's my own little entertainment and I know it's really, really dumb. But it's kind of nice to escape my own world and sneak into the pretend lives of these people for an hour. It's like an escape. Just for me. I don't tape it or anything, and I don't go into panic attacks when I miss shows. It's just nice to do every once in awhile when the house is quiet and i get the whole tv to myself.

3) I could eat a whole bag of Doritos in one night. I love Doritos. My fave are the nacho cheese kind. They sure put more nacho cheese than in the years past. Mmmmm. There is usually a bag in the cupboard and it's usually open. And I usually sneak a chip here and a chip there. If there isn't a bag when I get the craving, I get kind of bummed. I never say anything out loud, but man, if someone eats all the Doritos and I don't know it, I am bummed. Even a little mad. Is that normal?!?

I was just thinking...the ultimate secret pleasure would be watching Young and the Restless late at night, eating nacho cheese Doritos with a handful of monkeys.

Now that's quite the picture.

"sup."

oops. I mean, "what's up." can't get that middle school language out of my head...

I still have a blasted cold. My voice is gone, my nose is stuffed and I'm wondering how I'm going to cheer my son on in the football game tomorrow night. I've noticed a different language in my middle schooler. When I pick him up, he gets in the jeep and says ," 'sup." I think it's supposed to mean what's up. So while I'm learning his language, I'll be cheering him on in the game. I'm sure I'll find a way, even if it's just a squeek. Because it's all worth it.

Today my middle daughter found out she made the part of Blue Angel in the upcoming production of the Nutcracker in November. Tryouts were backed up 2 1/2 hours and we waited and waited and waited. She finally got her chance. I heard Blue Angels have to wear their hair in ringlets for rehearsals. Um, have you seen my daughter's head of hair...I will be ringlet-ing for hours and hours when all is said and done. That too will all be worth it.

My little one can't wait for her turn at the Nutcracker. It's hard for her to understand this show is every other year and you have to be at least in 2nd grade to tryout. So her turn will come in 2 years. She gives me a pattern of hugs n kisses when I drop her off the school. Two kisses on the cheek, one on the lips and a hug for keeps. Even when we're running late and there's just no time left, I still get the hugs n kisses. And it's all worth it.

Kids make everything worth it, don't they?!

I have a cold and felt like I could have slept in this morning. But I didn't. And I'm so glad. My oldest boy is in confirmation now once a week which requires sermon notes. I think it's neat to watch him listening so intently, I really think he's learning a lot and it kind of gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. But even cooler was during communion. I went up, came back to the pew and watched the pastor come down to an old man at the end of our pew. He was in a wheelchair, hooked up to an oxygen tank and a couple of other tubes. I thought, "wow, all that and he still came to church." Kind of made my whining about my cold seem ridiculous. I watched as the pastor gave him the bread, the wine and told him his sins were forgiven. To my surprise the man started to sob. It was like he was so happy to be taking communion. He was so happy to be blessed. I just couldn't control myself. Even now as I write this, my eyes are welled up. It was just one of the most awesome things I have seen. I find it so remarkable how we experience things like this, almost like we were meant to witness it.

I don't think I will ever forget that old man. Taking communion just took on a whole new meaning.

...finished in 1:50:25. I thought of you guys the whole way. Thanks for being there with me.

My son has been playing a couple of different positions during the last 3 years of his football playing career, running back, wide receiver and defensive back. So what happens last night at his first scrimmage? He's named starting quarterback for the upcoming season. He's pretty excited and we're really proud of him at any position he plays. But we're a little in shock! My hubby hasn't been doing quarterback drills all summer. In fact, it's been HIM playing quarterback, doing plays with my boy. So now, we'll have to reverse it. With my son throwing passes to his dad. Now that should make for some interesting footage. At any rate, the first game is Tuesday night and we're hoping this new position will treat him good. Maybe all the studying of Brett Favre will pay off.

P.S. The BIG game is Monday night...Vikings vs. Packers. It's always a crazy household here when those two teams play each other. So wear your purple (or your green) and be sure and watch. And hope we all don't go to bed mad at each other.

In between football, confirmation, dance, photo appts. and the normal everyday life, I have been really trying to get in my miles for the upcoming race. Another half marathon on Sunday morning and I'm not very confident. My miles have been sparatic, getting them in when I can, not so much on a schedule like before. Once school started, things just seemed to have gotten, well, a little busier. But....I'm glad it's going to be a beautiful day Sunday, I'm glad we get to stay overnight at my dad's, I'm glad I get to see my mom after the race and I'm glad my whole family will be waiting at the finish line. That is enough to keep me going. I think. This will be the 5th time I have done this and I'm nervous. I can't explain it but I am. So, if you get a chance, even a few seconds of prayer time, could you ask God to give me stamina? To give me confidence? And to give me strength?

Thanks from the bottom of my heart...

FOR BOBBI~

Made your chicken tomato alfredo recipe and I have to tell you, my husband thought it was best italian meal he's ever had!!!!! It was such a hit and so incredibly easy. I followed your suggestions to a tee...even down to the baguette bread to slop up the sauce. So THANK YOU! This was delicious and it's going in my make again and again pile. I recommend Bobbi's great recipe to everyone! Yum-o!

It was FABULOUS Saturday at our house! My only brother from Chicago decided to come for a visit with 2 of their 3 kids and we had a blast! Since they live so far away, we don't get together more than once a year but when we do, it's like no time has passed between us. First photo is me and brother, Brian, 2nd photo is the cousins (minus Brian's 14 yr. old who had to stay home with mom for football practices), 3rd photo is Brian and I with our dad and 4th photo is the kids playing. Which is what they did all day. Literally. I just cherished that day, being with them was so awesome. I think the all the kids thought the exact same thing. Already looking forward to the next time!

I know it's not the nicest phrase in the world but after school started for my 1st grader, 3rd grader and 6th grader, all I can say is...holy crap!

It's middle school for the oldest and needless to say, it's quite the experience, dropping him off with a million other kids whom I have no idea who they are, watching him go off to make choices that I no longer have control over. He's in the first photo opening his time capsule they made last January. The rule was to open it the day before middle school. He read the letters from his friends, his teachers, me. There were some photos and some neat things to remember elementary school. Yes, I cried. I figured I may as well let it out then in the privacy of our backyard instead of at the school yard! I can't tell you how much i want to stand out front of the school like I used to, watching him go in, just to make sure he's in safe. umm, can't do that anymore. I have let him go, off to the world of Middle School. Kind of gives me that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach if I think about it too much. They're all doing great though and although a little sleepier at night, things are going well. Scheww.

Schweeew...August has been such a hectic month but it's been so much fun! My dancing girls are preparing for their annual Riverboat Days performance and that means lots of dress rehearsals. But it's all worth it when they put on the big show this weekend. We always look forward to Riverboat Days. It's a huge, huge event. Thousands and thousands of people flock to the river for food booths, crafts booths, bands, non-stop entertainment, a 2 hour parade, the dance recital and my favorite 5K.

So we're gearing up for the final hurrah before school starts. My girls have their routines down pat now and are ready for the audience. Kind of hard to believe it's here but there's no turning back now. We're set!

I love love love finding hidden treasures that look ugly but can make a beautiful picture. Take for instance this big slab of cement just sitting by the river. It's not attractive when you just glance at it...but I see it as something totally different and unique. These girls LOVED it. Very rustic. There's even some splattered paint or something on it. Or the piece of wood just nailed up to an abandoned building downtown. I love taking these "props" and making them pretty. The more unusual, the better. And so far, I've gotten rave reviews about these hidden blocks of cement. Now I just need to find some really cool graffiti...

I've been running almost everyday now. 2 races coming up which I'm looking forward to. I love to run. A lot of little problems get solved when I'm on my routes. It's my time to zone out and just go into my own little world and really enjoy the sights.

Have you ever had one of those days? Last week I had a couple of those days. My youngest had another one of her fainting spells one day which always throw me off. I know she's fine but it's so hard to watch. She lost a tooth, it bled, and down she went. We have decided we may have to pull her loose teeth out in her sleep or something!

It just seemed like a few things snowballed from there. Both my parents and step mom are having some health issues and it made me sad. To know they are getting older and realizing how my dad who normally is the most active person I know, is slowing down. I just hope and pray the doctors will be able to help.

School starts here in 16 days. My girls are excited to see their friends again and so is my son. The difference this year is that my son starts middle school. It's a whole new experience. All four elementary schools combine along with 7th and 8th graders, making for one big school. I worry about it at times, all the "stuff" he'll be exposed to. For so long, we can shelter them from a lot of things. Keep them in bubble in a way. But now, I realized he will have to fend for himself with some things. It's coming and there's nothing I can do but watch, trust him and hope that our parenting up to this point will keep him on the right path.

So here I am blogging about my worries to my blogfriends. I think you all know me better than my friends here at home! Sometimes I think about that. Out of the many friends I have here, there are very few that really, really know me. There are few that really know my beliefs, my worries, my happinesses and still love me anyway. That's why I love this blogging thing...I can reveal a lot in words and know that you'll read, understand and still keep coming back.

I was running Saturday, sweating like crazy in the heat, and remembered, worry is not a good word. Everything in life is really out of my control. I have to put it back into the hands of the one person who has control. God. Right then, the "sun" came back out and I was comforted. Amazing how that happens. No more clouds here, it's all sunshine this week.

I'm having a cloudy day...not partly cloudy, not mostly cloudy, but just down right cloudy. And the sun is shining brightly in the sky. The fears and worries are rearing their ugly heads. Maybe a run will help so I can figure this cloudy thing out. Until then, I hope the clouds give way to rays of sun very soon.

This one's gotta make you giggle. His mom sure did! I guess the family pictures were taking a bit too long...this little guy just couldn't wait any longer.

You just never know when I'll snap a photo. I have a feeling he may hate me when he's a teenager and this one gets pulled out. But for now, it's pretty darn cute.

It was busy at the studio last weekend...here's a sample.

My boy has become quite the golfer. He loves it. His golf league is over now for the summer and he passed to make his way up to the birdie level for next year. Yesteday we went to the driving range so he could hit a bucket a balls and he was nailing them. 150...175...even 200 yards drives. and they were straight. A tip that didn't come from me! Between lessons, tips from his grandpa (an awesome golfer) and a few from me (very much an amatuer), none from his dad (a non-existant golfer) he is learning well. And it's a sport he can play his whole life, a great thing about golf. So I'll probably take him back out today so he can crack out another bucket of balls. If he hits them at all like he did yesterday, we may have another Tiger on our hands!

Well, almost! :)

The national archery tournament has been in town all week. People from all over the U.S. are here competing for the top prize of $12,000. My husband and I took part in a small part and shot a tournament called the Whitetail Classic. It was 3 hours of shooting at 3D targets. In other words, fake animals. The closer you are to hitting the vitals, the more points you get. I only lost 3 arrows. Yes, lost them. Completely shot over the animal/target. I asked if you could get a point for effort but no luck. Anyway, it was a lot of fun to be hanging out with my better half, asking for pointers all along the route. And it was fun to see these guys seriously shooting with their top notch gear and matching shirts. Most of them were very friendly and seemed to be loving our town.

I learned a ton doing this little shoot. Like how not to shoot over the target and shooting the bear in the arm will not save your life. It was fun and I'd do it again. This time bringing some extra arrows with me.

The senior photo sessions have begun! I spent a couple of hours with Cassie yesterday and we had a blast! Here's just a sample...we took lots of pictures but look at how photogenic she is. How could I help myself?! So, my senior season has begun and I'm geared up and ready to roll...

My Wordless Wednesday picture...

once in awhile they all DO get along!

The other night, my hubby and I just happened to come across this show on the travel channel. They were talking about the greatest hot dog joints in the U.S. Chicago was one of the highlights with a little spot called SuperDawg. It's been in business for over 40 years and the hot dogs looked awesome. They piled on toppings that we never would have thought of. MMMMMM...it made us hungry. I mentioned that it would be fun to make those at home. So....after a day at the lake, we stopped at the store, picked up the best dogs we could find with toppings to boot. We grilled out and piled 'em up. Not quite like the SuperDawg joint but pretty darn close. There is nothing like a good chili cheese dog to make you feel like you have to run an extra 5 miles to burn it off! Not very healthy but they were so goooooood. A perfect summertime supper I think, one we can enjoy every once in awhile. I think the next time we go to Chicago, we may have to check this hot dog place out. Afterall, they were our inspiration this weekend to the makings of a dog-gone good meal!

I call this the sweet spot. It's right across the street from my house--my studio--and where I take kids, seniors, families, whoever I have for pictures. If it's a nice day, we always head to the sweet spot. What I love about it is that it's about half a mile of options. Everyday I go there, there is something new that has sprouted. Or some new grass. There's trees and cool wheat-looking grass. It's just helps create these great relaxed pictures. And of course I love the obvious trail. Trails always lead to something and in this case it leads to the lake, a park and a campground. People love it. I can use it all year round too. The fall is beautiful back here and the winter looks even better. And the other reason why I love it? No one else comes here. I am the only photograher back here, the only one so close to this trail. I like to keep it a secret. It's my own little haven. So now you know what and where the sweet spot is. I think I was meant to live in this house. Otherwise I would never know just how sweet this spot is.

Can't believe the 4th is over already! Our party was a hit and everyone had a blast (no pun intended) :) With 20 friends over, we had more food than we could eat and enough fireworks to keep the neighbors up late. They understand though. Since we live outside of city limits, it is legal to shoot fireworks at our house so for the past 7 years, we have held the tradition of having the 4th of July party. Same friends come out and we just have fun. One thing has changed throughout the years though...the kids are getting older and it gets, well, less chaotic every year. They can light their own fireworks, they can get their own food, they don't spill, etc. One year, they will get old enough where they won't even want to stay home on the 4th. Gosh, I guess that's why we don't mind stock piling up on the fireworks because one day, we won't get to watch them have so much 4th of July fun.

www.godtube.com

If you haven't visited this site before, do it now. I just did. The videos gave me goosebumps and reminded me of things I forget about. I'm putting it on my son's computer so he'll get the goosebumps too. With all the icky sites out there, this one rocks! It's one of those sites that does something to you. Then again, maybe it's not the site but God working in the awesome way He does, through this site. Hope you get the goosebumps too.