Thanksgiving Shoot 2009

The Firing Squad

(Karter, Dawson, Kace & Caden)

Come Thanksgiving, before there is the smell of turkey, there is the smell of gunpowder in the morning. This was our third year joing in the traditional Thanksgiving shoot. We could not have asked for better weather. Clay pidgeons were launched of a small cliff onto floating chunks of ice. We built a fire in the snow, drank hot cocoa, and unloaded a healthy amount of ammunition.

Halloween through the years...

1997...The First Duffy Family Halloween.


Blast from the Past: 1981 Daddy as Chewy

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

A look back at our "Spooky" kids over the years. Missing a few of the early years, but will try to get them (if any of you have early halloween pics please scan and send). As the kids got older they tended to lean more to the scary. During the early years (yeah we're old and have "early" years) we did themes: 2000 was Kenni as Bo-Peep and Kace as the lamb, and 2003 we had Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. tar Wars showed up 3 separate years (missing from the 2002 pic is Kace as the young Annikan Skywalker), 4 times if we go back to 1981!

Trick or Treat!

Grandma Channer...

Celina was a teenager...plus fairy wings!....

Kace was the richest kid in 5th Grade...


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Kendra was a Gothic Bride...

Karter was a Naval Aviator!...

Karter in Uncle Devin's armor...

For Halloween we went to the Trunk or Treat. However, due to high winds (which made colder an already traditionally cold day) the kids Trick or Treated indoors. When it comes to kids and candy the method to the madness is secondary. Uncle Dave and Aunt Jessica were there with Dawson (boxer) and Caden (Snake Eyes); and Uncle Craig and Aunt Becca were there with Ava (Pirate). After the Trunk or Treat we all rallied over the Channers house for some more Candy, and we all visited for awhile.

Uncle Devin and Aunt Nicole, who just moved up here, were there and the boys got to try on his body armor (a funny site since the armor weighs nearly 40lbs.) Unlce Devin will be deploying soon to Afghanistan, as will Uncle Jeremy (my recently engaged little brother).

New addition...

Calli is off the hook, and if the saying "All's well that ends well" is true, then she is more than good. Her Car Crash (see previous blog) has come full circle as I now have a "new to me" car. BIG Thanks to Ellie for the use of her car while we were in vehicular transition. All said and done we went from a '99 to a '00, and 150k to 95k miles, the best part is no additional car payment!

I will miss the Mitsubishi, it was the first car we bought from a dealership and financed on our own, and was the "Family Car" for many years. It still had a faint red tint through the crease of the back seat where a sippie cup full of koolaid had seaped through the upholstery, and the dent by the back window where the basketball hoop fell on it--and the front hood where again the basketball hoop fell on it (duh!) The automatic lock on the drivers side had stopped working years ago, and when it rained the front end made a horrible creaking noise from some bad struts (we never had it checked because the radio covered the creaking, and it didn't rain every day). The Mirage had character and memories; but my new car has a V6, no stains, and no dents--yet.

Cheerleading

Like Mother Like Daughter....Go Big Red!!!

Third from the right...

Kendra is cheerleading again this year. She is captain on the varsity team. She had thought about playing basketball, but in the end Cheerleading is something she loves to do (just like her mommy).

Back to School 2009

Kace, 5th Grade

Karter, 3rd Grade

Kendra, 7th Grade; Celina 9th Grade

Calli and I have become pro's at Back to School. However, this year was a little different as Celina started High School. I dropped her off for her first day, and have to admit that it was strange seeing her looking so grown up. Calli did her Back to School tradition of making the kids a special after school treat.

Bear Hunting

(Sunsetting on Bear Stand)

(Incognito!)

(the bait)

(Dave navigating the mud)

This spring I tagged along with Dave to his bait stand, hunting Black Bear. I learned a lot about sitting still and being quiet (not my best skills). I also learned that if you have any exposed skin the mosquitos will find it. I never did get to see a bear; however, the weekend I stayed home Dave did...and the Teriyaki Bear sticks were amazing!