Iowa Deer Classic

This past weekend was the Iowa Deer Classic. Brandon took his buck in for the “Big Buck” contest and both Brandon and Chase participated in an archery tournament on Sunday.


Brandon’s Buck

Brandon’s buck received a ribbon stating he was a true trophy buck. Brandon said this qualified him to be listed in the Pope & Young Record Book. I’m really not sure what all of that means but I’m sure if someone wants to know Brandon would be happy to explain it to them.


His Score Card


Here is a picture of Brandon’s buck amongst the competition

I learned that archery tournaments last longer then 15 minutes. I about died when Brandon said it would take nearly two hours. It was fun watching at first but quickly reminded me of watching paint dry. Chase tends to show off in public and not do as well as he does at home so I was very proud of him when he shot better at the tournament then he did at home.


Chase on the line


Chase’s target (top left)

Brandon on the line

Unfortunately that kid draws kids that get him into trouble like a magnet. He somehow befriended a little boy during the shoot. This little boy decided to go up to the line with Chase and talk to him while he was shooting. He even went as far as patting Chase on the head while he shot. This happened during 3 rounds and those where the worst three rounds Chase had. I finally said something to Brandon who asked one of the officials to remove the boy from the line and after that Chase’s shooting went back up.


Ty and Grandma (Ty was about as bored as I was)

He shot a 196 out of 300 and Brandon shot a 285. I don’t think Brandon was too proud of that number as he says he normally shots around 295.


Chase smiling with his target (I told him if he smiled I’d buy him a four wheeler – that didn’t happened)


Ty trying to carry the bow cases so we could get out of there.

As soon as we know the results we’ll be sure to let everyone know.

Ty's Birthday

I’m not sure how I missed blogging about this but Ty had a wonderful party and he was surrounded by family & friends.



Aunt Heather made him the cutest tractor cake!



Time to blow out the candles!



What more could a birthday boy want? Why presents of course!



No birthday would be complete without presents.

Guess who is 2!

That’s right! Ty turned 2 years old today. Can you believe it? Neither can I. When people say that time flies they aren’t kidding.

He was tickled to death last night when I told him he got a card (from Val & Phyllis). He got mad at me when I didn’t get it open and to him fast enough. I think he probably held onto it for 3 hours and finally ended up falling asleep with it in the car. It is a bit wrinkled now.

I’m sure we’ll have lots of party pictures to share but thought I’d throw in some of his “baby pics” in this post.

Ty over the years

(I don't want to resize these top two pics so you can click on them to see the entire pic)

Grandma loved it when he wiggled his toes



The cutest little Santa I’ve ever seen!




An empty box and a cookbook (upside down). What more could a kid want?



1st Birthday pics







And here he is from last night. I’ve decided he’s going to either be a manager or a supervisor. When we get to the horse barn the first thing he does is grabs the crops and starts barking orders.

Trip down memory lane

As I was looking through my photobucket account I ran across this picture.



Boy that was a trip down memory lane. How long ago do you think this was?

Big Buck

Brandon finally got this big buck this year during bow season (yes he actually used a bow). He was so happy (as you can see from the picture) and of course he’s getting it mounted. **rolls eyes** I keep asking him if anything has “grown” since he shot him but he just ignores me as he doesn’t find my smart ass comments too amusing.

I think he has hope in taking the mounted deer to the Iowa Deer Classic in March for the “Big Buck Contest”.

Christmas, Christmas, Time for Cheer

Christmas Eve we celebrated our family Christmas with my family and our wonderful friends Val & Phyllis. We had lots of food and presents were plenty. The children (us included) were all spoiled and had a wonderful time!

The grandkids with Val & Phyllis



Top: Phyllis, Val, Brady
Middle: Lily, Ty
Bottom: Shari, Guage, Chase, Mason



Ty was “tooting” his horn



His annual Christmas Ornament from Grandma & Grandpa. They get the kids an ornament every year to symbolize something that happened to them throughout the year. Ty got a pacifier ornament because he loves his binki. Mom tried to get one that wasn’t too real looking so he wouldn’t try to use it but he still did.



Chase got a 4-H ornament with a cow on it which is very fitting since he joined 4-H this year and hopes to show a bottle calf next year.

We had a great time


(Brandon was working so he is not in the family photo)

A Super Star is Born!

Well as many of you probably already know Chase is a “super star” (so he thinks). He was featured in Clinton Anderson’s No Worries Club Winter Journal and he was very excited about it.

Clinton Anderson is a world redound clinician that I started following a few years back. Chase started watching him with me and picked up on the techniques. Everyone thinks he looks like a young Clinton but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Here he is at a show last year.



And here is Clinton with Chase at the Des Moines Wahl Walkabout Tour last year.



Here is the article. I know it is kind of hard to read because it is so small but if you would like to read it let me know and I will try to send you an e-mailed version of the article.



These pictures might help explain why Chase is standing on Nikki’s back. It is a “signature” move of Clintons. He can usually do this after just a few hours of work with a young horse. These are from the Road to the Horse competition that he won.





So if you see Chase don’t ask for his autograph. He’s already gotten a big head out of the deal! He informed Grandma Candy and Grandma Janet that HE made their horses famous.