Tuesday, June 15, 2021

MN Fishing Trip - Summer 2021

Every year the boys and I head up north to Camp Liberty in Nevis MN for a week of fishing! It marks the start to our summer and each year we start a count down to fishing trip when its about 2 months away! 
We are a fishing family, we love to fish, we love fishing gear and tackle. Both boys have 3 rods and reels each, both have tackle bags, they sort, resort and organize their tackle bags throughout the year! They bait their own hooks and handle their own fish! So they were ready to hit the water when we got up north!
The 8th Crow Wing lake does not disappoint when it comes to fishing, we caught big bass, blue gills, crappie and perch! 

My dad got this nice 3 pound large mouth
I hooked into another
Each morning, the boys get some screen time and snuggle on the couch!
Meanwhile, my dad and I were out catching a few more fish!
G loves to help drive the boat!
He also catches big fish!
Trigg catches lots of fish too!
All smiles!
It was hot up there this week with temperatures in the 90's all week, so we cooled off in the lake!
G with another bass that he caught!
Trigg reeled this one in for me!
Back into the lake and the fun blue lily pad mat!
Drying off in the shade
We catch big fish...and sometimes small fish too!
My dad with another good sized bass!
We used 2 of the small fish to make fish prints on some t-shirts!
Painted one side black and then push down on a t-shirt!
Back to the water!
And some frozen yogurt tubes to help cool off!
The dudes with our custom made fish t-shirts!
Heather sends along small gifts for each day, this day the boys got marshmallow blow guns!
They jumped into the paddle boat to try and shoot some fish with marshmallows!
When not fishing, Trigg takes a break to read while on the boat!
They did make it out to the big float mat and slide this year!
Cruising in the kayak!
And the last day...we have to pull the boat out and pack up
The week always goes so fast but it is always fun and memorable! It is a great week of fishing with family and catching fish!

Friday, April 30, 2021

Fly fishing in Iowa

 I started fly fishing and I really have been enjoying it! This spring, my friend Tony and I planned a day trip to Eastern Iowa to hit up a couple trout streams. 

Our first stop was to the Manchester Trout Hatchery, this place is awesome and you get to see the fish that the Iowa DNR stocks in the streams!

From 1 inch fingerlings up to these 15 inch trout, they have tanks with all sorts of fish...now if we could only catch them!

Down to the stream! We fished by the hatchery for a little while then made our way up to Backbone State Park
I managed to catch a couple of rainbow trout!
another rainbow in the net!
It was a super fun trip and one that I need to take more often! A great way to explore nature and the streams of Iowa!

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Table reclaimed

 When we sold our house, we sold the kitchen table with it...it fit in the space. So during the building process of our new house, Heather was on the hunt to find a round dining room table that didn't cost a fortune... After scoring Facebook Marketplace, she found this table in the middle of Illinois. The base and legs are what caught her eye!

So, we made a road trip, 4.5 hours to get this table. Maybe it was the sunlight in the original picture, but when we picked it up...it wasn't as pretty as I remember it in the picture... The table was super dark wood and not wood but a dark veneer top...
I started by ripping off the veneer to see what was underneath. 
And that base... time to get out the sander!
I was pleasantly surprised with what I found under the ugly top layer...
and the base of the table started to look a lot better!
After some poly...it was really looking good.
I used some epoxy in the deep gouges on the top and then gave it a good sanding down
Fast forward, I put the table back together, found some new brass wheels for the feet and raised the top up 2 inches and it is looking pretty good in our new house!
Phase 2 will be to make 2 leaves, the table does pull apart but didn't come with any leaves to go into the table, but for now, it is a pretty table that was headed to the burn pile!

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Giddy Up

 One of our favorite things to do is to head down to Indianola and ride horses at Uncle Phil's. This year, with transitional living, we were excited to head down there for an afternoon! The kids love riding on the horses! Phil has a great set up with a big riding barn to ride around in.

Garrett...a future cowboy?!?
Trigg and the ladies taking a lap
Giddy Up!
B was so brave to ride a horse all by herself...and she had a ton of fun!
Trigg may also have a future as a cowboy!
Heather going for a ride around the barn!
So much fun and a great way to spend an afternoon! Thanks Phil for letting us come down and ride!