A Doe and a Buck, A Doe and a Buck, High-Ho-The-Dairy-O, A Doe and a Buck!

O.K., for those of you who have known me forever, I did not grow up the daughter of a hunter, nor did I date many hunters, I didn't even really marry a hunter.... BUT, my husband has turned in to a hunter and quite a skilled one at that. Not to mention the fact that I've got a feeling I will be the mother of at least one and likely 3 hunters! So, I would be remiss not to blog about the fact that my husband so selflessly has stocked our freezer full of deer meat! Wahoo! About 2 weeks ago he and Nate got their first deer (sounds much better than killed or slayed)! As Nate tells the story, Tim wanted to go to the food plot to hunt, but Nate convinced him to go to the tree stand, so they did. Much to the boys' delight they saw several deer. Eventually one got close enough to shoot (Tim and Nate had worked out hand signals so Nate would know to cover his ears). After the smoke cleared, Nate and Tim saw that they had gotten their first deer of the season, a doe (if anyone reading this is a supporter of PETA or vegetarian... so sorry)! Nate was ecstatic as was Tim. They field dressed it (removed the organs) which turned in to a science lesson for Nate who thought it was so cool. Zac kept calling it his friend and kissed it once before I told him not too (fear of disease)! It was a successful hunt!

Deer # 2 was a Buck (9 pt. with an 18 inch spread)! Daddy shot this one on his own while on the mountain across from our house. Once again the boys were thrilled and so was daddy! This was a big deer people! Anyway, I'm sure the antlers will be mounted and the meat will be stored and given to friends... any takers!

Camping and Horseback Riding! What a Perfect Weekend!

Two weekends ago, my friend Mica, her husband Greg, and her little man Eli came up to "Camp Oosterhous" so that Eli could have his first

campout! The boys were so excited and couldn't wait to show Eli the joys of camping and playing at their house... tent, campfire, marshmallows, hot dogs, campfire stories, etc.! Now Eli, has been here several times, so he was a pro at canoing and he knows that Mr. Tim will put him to work while he is here! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and Mica and Greg were wonderful campers too! The boys had a great time and everyone made it all night in their tents (now I was inside the warm house with Ben)! Somehow this camping trip managed to transpire without me taking pictures! :-(

Just when we thought things couldn't get any better, we got an invite to got to Greg/Eli's farm in DeQueen! The boys got to ride horses (Goldie, Mac & Pete) and feed the cows! I must explain that feeding the cows consisted of Mica driving the truck, and all of the boys rode in the back and tossed out food for the cows. Mica was driving and we were visiting when all of a sudden (and Mica really was paying attention) we were stuck in a big muddy hole! This resulted in mud being slung everywhere and poor Mr. Greg having to go find something to pull us out! Much to my boys delight, that "something" was a Massey tractor! This was the highlight of the day for my boys who LOVE tractors and love mud! Greg and his daddy got us out and we went back to the barn to ride horses again. The boys had a spectacular time and can't wait for another visit to the farm! After such a big weekend, the boys were worn out!

We are so glad Greg, Mica and Eli came to visit us and spend a wonderful weekend making memories!

Pumpkin Patch Trip!

O.K., so I'm two weeks late with this post and about 4 others! We have been busy and I have been lazy when it comes to blogging! The boys took a field trip with their school classes to a pumpkin patch that was about 60 minutes away. They had a wonderful time playing, going on hay rides and searching for that special pumpkin! Below are a few pictures! So much to blog about I'll keep this one short!

Go Team Oosterhous!

I just have to brag on my family for a few minutes! This weekend we all participated in the Rugged Man Triathlon here in Glenwood. Tim competed as an individual and I competed as an individual.... 8.4 mile bike ride (up big hills), 7 mile kayak trip, 3.1 mile run!

Let me give a little background. Last year Tim competed as part of a 2-man team and won first place. As soon as the race was over, he began planning on competing as an individual in the 2008 race...EXCEPT for he was going to do it lugging around 3 boys - one on each leg of the race (the only competitor to do so). Zac rode on the back of the bike in the bike seat, Nate sat in front of him on the kayak, and he pushed Ben in the jogging stroller. My boys have been looking forward to this race all year! The day of the race they were so excited that they woke up extra early! They all did excellent. Tim is an athlete and a fierce competitor. He finished 3rd despite all of the extra weight, I mean help! I was so impressed and proud... and he of course was thinking he could've done better... that is a true competitor for you!

Background on me! I've always thought it would be fun to do but I am NO biker... I'm very intimidated by biking. About a month ago I started riding to prepare for the 50 mile bike ride (2 weeks ago). After that ride, I decided that I would try the triathlon. I'm in decent shape so I wasn't too worried about the kayak or run but I was terrified of the bike portion. So I decided to enter with my goal being to finish and hopefully not come in last! I approached it as something I wanted to have fun doing... challenge myself... but not kill myself! It was so much fun. I got smoked on the bike (like I new I would) but I did good on the river and decent on the run. Not too bad for someone who has had 3 kiddos. I actually got the 3rd place plaque for the women's division! However, when it was all said and done I think that I actually got 4th due to a glitch with the timing chips; however, they did not "strip me of my trophy" (thank goodness because that gave us a plaque for each of the boys) and just awarded the other girl a trophy too! So, the trophy wasn't that important to me but the fact that I finished in a respectable time was. I also must brag on my best friend who competed with her sister as part of a team and they were the first all girl team to finish. Go Steph and Lynette!

The boys were so proud of themselves... they may have "been along for the ride" but in their minds and hearts the "raced" very hard. I couldn't have been more proud of team Oosterhous and of our family. When I get more pics I'll post them...

Ben Ben!

This will be quick but I just wanted to take a minute to write a little about Ben. It is so hard to believe he is one! His personality is really starting to shine through. He is a happy-go-lucky little guy who wants to be in the middle of everything that his brothers do. He is very tough and will jump on the boys and attempt to join in when they are wrestling. He's also "spirited" meaning he can throw a little fit when one of the boy's takes away his toy and he just breaks down in tears when you tell him "No" in a stern voice. He still doesn't talk much but he did start saying "Ma Ma" on Friday. That and "uh oh" are his two words! He squeals and screams in delight and babbles nonstop. He walks everywhere and is undeterred by hills or rough terrain. He will be an excellent hiker like his daddy and bubbas! The cutest thing that he does is hold his hand up to his ear (or any toy or the remote for that matter) and attempt to say "Hi"! If I hold the phone up to my ear and say "Hello" he automatically puts his hand up to his ear and tries to say "Hi"! Too Cute! Oh yeah, he's learned to wave bye-bye! Well, I could write forever about how precious he is but I'll stop ... for now!

50 miles!

I don't have any pictures to post but I wanted to say "yea to me" for finishing the 50 mile bike ride last Saturday! With much encouragement from friends Cindy Daily and Stephanie Duggan I signed up to ride in the 32 mile portion of the Big Dam Bridge bike ride. The ride was so much fun because I got to ride with my best friend Stephanie and friends Cindy Daily and Miranda Burris. They all 3 are bike riders and were so patient and encouraging to me. 3 weeks prior to the race I had only ridden 6 miles... So it was a big personal accomplishment to decide during the race to make it 25 miles before turning around for a total of 50 miles! Yea... go me! Now keep in mind, I wasn't fast.... but I was steady and had fun! Already planning on riding next year. Will post pics when I get them.

Camping

I meant to blog about this earlier but things have been busy the past couple of weeks.... the stomach bug whet through all 4 boys and Ben had an ear infection! Finally a week that seems to be free of vomit! Thank goodness.

The camping trip that occurred the same weekend of the Mutton Busting was so much fun for the boys and Tim. One of Tim's best buddies from Texarkana, William (they've known each other since kindergarten), and his little guy William came to Glenwood for little William's first camping trip. The weather was perfect so the boys spent some time canoing and fishing on Saturday. Saturday evening was the big cookout at the campsite (across the street from our house) and a night of camping. All of the boys had a wonderful time (daddy's included) and we were so excited to get to share in little William's first camp out. Nate & Zac can't wait for their new budy to come play agian.