Lemon Sharks

My absolute favorite thing to do in the whole world is to go fishing with my boys.   My perfect day is the one in these pictures.  Being outside with the boys.  Spending time together.  And, most importantly, catching big fish.

There is nothing like the excitement when their rod bends and they start reeling in a fish.  "Got one, Dad".  "It's a big one"  they always scream.  On this particular day, Gabe kept calling these trout "lemon sharks".   "Dad, I got another lemon shark", he would scream.  Bryan and I jump up and cheer them on.  "Reel it in, reel it in!"   I just love the excitement of the moment.

As we get the hook out of the fishes mouth the discussion always starts about whether to keep the fish or throw him back.   If it was up to Owen, we would have kept every single fish that we have ever caught.  Bryan and I always try to convince them to throw a few back.  But, most of the time, we just keep them.  I love to eat fish and am always glad to have a few in the freezer.

The fish always end up entertaining Gabe and Owen for hours.  There is just something about playing with a big fish that never gets old.  They put them in the net, put them on a stringer, throw them in the water and drag them around everywhere with them.  

Taking these pictures with their big catch is absolutely priceless.  These pictures tell the story of our family.  How much we love each other and how we can share this passion together as a family.  These days spent together is who we are and it brings me such joy! 

snow

The first snow of the year is always so much fun.  You wake up in the morning to a whole new world.  As you look out the window all you really want to do is go out there in all that snow.  To make tracks, throw snowballs, and make snow angels.   

Our yard turns into a whole new playground for the boys.  They spent hours out in all the snow.  And, only came inside because they were freezing and wet.  Here is a few snapshots of the afternoon.

Milk Blowing

Sometimes, kids just do the funniest things. 

As I was doing the dishes this morning, I could hear Owen blowing bubbles in his milk.  Without looking at him, I told him "Owen, please stop blowing in your milk". 

As I was working on the few last pots and pans, I continued to hear the sound of "milk blowing".  "Owen Robert Dahl, stop blowing in your milk", I yelled. 

Then, I turned to see what he was doing.  It made me stop in my tracks.    Then, I smiled.  Then, it made me laugh and I went and got my camera.  Then, I cheered him on just to see how high those bubbles would go.  Eli seemed to love it as well.  He kept saying, bubba, bubba, bubba. 

Kids just have a way of taking something ordinary and bringing joy into it.  Joy and laughter into an everyday milk blowing session.

A day picking vegtables

 Owen's preschool took us on a field trip to a farm.  We had so much fun picking fresh vegetables, digging in the dirt, and exploring the farm.  Owen's best friend, Jake, went with us.

A road trip

One of my favorite kind of days.  A road trip.  Where the destination is known but, the journey is wide open.  Leaving everything behind and just spending time together.  Together as a family, wherever that might take us.

By strapping ourselves into the car, I gain instant freedom.  Freedom from my daily life.  Freedom from the household chores, home cooked meals, and mounds of laundry.   Freedom to just enjoy the day without worrying about all that needs to be done.

It's pure joy as we pull away from the house and all three children are strapped into their car seats.  Safe, confined, and happy to be going on a trip.  As I settle into the passenger seat, every muscle in my body relaxes.  And, on most road trips it doesn't take very long for me to fall asleep (just ask Bryan).  I am so relaxed that I usually can't help myself.

On this particular road trip we were headed just outside of Laramie, Wyoming.  Just to spend time in the mountains and to get out of the city for awhile. 

On this day, beauty was all around us.

I noticed this tree and asked Bryan to stop the car so I could get a picture.  This tree that has been so violently shaped by it's environment but, is beautiful.  It is amazing.

These colors that only nature can replicate.  My favorite colors mixed so perfectly together.

And, this view.  Only God could create something so amazing.

My week off

My boys never cease to amaze me.  Their passion.  Their drive.  Their love for life.  Their passion for hunting is a perfect example.

All year they have been waiting for hunting season.  They talk about it, practice for it, and wait patiently for it ALL YEAR LONG.

Bryan was able to take off work a few days early and we headed to Buffalo.  You could feel the excitement in the car the entire way.  The boys talking nonstop about all things hunting and Gabriel checking with his dad every 5 minutes about the plan for in the morning.  Bryan kept promising Gabe that they would leave first thing in the morning and head over to Spearfish hunting.  Nobody slept in the car the entire way to Buffalo.

And, so begins my week off as mommy.  From that moment until we headed back to Thornton 6 days later....I didn't see the boys.  They would get up really early in the morning, get themselves ready, and go with their dad deer hunting.  Eli and I missed them tremendously but, I'm pretty sure that they did not miss me.  They loved doing whatever it is that hunters do.

On Friday, all their patience paid off and their dad shot "a big buck".

Holiday Cheer

A little Holiday Cheer from the Dahl house.  They boys helped us decorate (kindof).  In between putting ornaments on the tree there was their favorite game of cannon ball.  Cannon ball consists of lining up on the fireplace, yelling cannon ball, and jumping off.  Then you roll around on the floor laughing because cannon ball is so much fun. 

Most ornaments on our tree were handmade by Bryan's grandmother.  Each one is very special to us!

After all the decorating everyone was HUNGRY!  So, we warmed up some apple cider and had some choclate pudding!  Merry Christmas everyone.