BFF's

This is what it looks like to be 5 and 3.... and truly best friends.

It's that time of year again.

Skip this entry if you can't stomach hunting.

This is not anything that I could personally do but Brian LOVES it. 

The months of preparation... reading, trail cam pictures, tree stand building, and lots of other things that I know nothing about. Being around this my entire life it doesn't faze me anymore. (Well, the only thing that bothered me is a couple of years ago when Brian, Patrick(my brother), and Steve(best friend) butchered a deer themselves in our garage. If I had installed a strobe light in the garage and video taped it I probably could have made YouTube's most popular videos.... and then CPS would have come and taken the kids from us.) Brian's response to this? Now picture him with a blank stare, looking at me saying, "Why wouldn't I butcher a deer in my garage?" This makes as much sense to him as if he were frying a turkey out there. No big deal. 

Me... I was appalled and quickly got the kids in the car and stayed away for a couple of hours. 

I do have to say that they did have a cute little assembly line thing going on.

I believe Steve and Brian cut (with various methods) while they passed it to Patrick who was in charge of the vacuum sealer. Patrick's work station was the work bench. 

When I returned home there wasn't much left.... (the head I think.)

~

Well, the season has started again. Brian is up at camp this weekend with his bow and muzzleloader. He got a doe yesterday. 

This will be the scene for the next couple of months.

I will keep you updated with the weekend battles of

Brian vs. NYS Deer Population.

At the end of the war we'll see who came out on top.

Any wagers out there??? :)

I  sure do hope it wasn't this pretty little Bambi. I took this photo last February. Run sweetie, run!!

~Tara

YUMMY CUB SCOUT POPCORN!!!

Sam is a Lion Cub in Boy Scouts. He is now part of the Hiawatha Seaway Council. We are selling yummy popcorn. We are not going door to door but I thought if anyone wanted to purchase any I would put up the link online. If you click onto the ? below his page will come up. He will get credit for the purchase. Please do not feel obligated, just thought I would put it out there.

If the link does not work the website is:

www.orderpopcorn.com and the "key word" is TEQSCVR

Thanks!

Let me slip into something a little more comfortable.

We weren't even home an hour. Brian and I were still unpacking the car and this is how she sashayed out to the driveway. I am guessing to her, being with out a princess dress for a little over a week was torture. I am thinking it's like when you are uncomfortably dressed up for something and all you can think about is getting into a comfy pair of sweats or jammies. This is what it must have felt for her. Being in conventional clothing and bathing suits all week was tough. I love that she was in such a frantic rush to put it on that she put it on backwards and with only one glove too!

Princess Elizabeth has regained her throne and is once again ready to rule her subjects (all her dolls and stuffed animals.)

:)

Tara

Adios Bella Vista

We left yesterday morning, stopping by Bodie Island lighthouse.

The drive to Philly was easy and fast. The kids were great again. We decided to stay with Luke and Danielle. We definitely could have made it all the way home but decided to visit with them. The kids were very glad we stopped because they were able to see their dog, Zeke, and Danielle had made them cookies. Luke was in complete Eagles mode.... thank goodness they won! I try to avoid if I can "bad mood Luke".  :)

This was my position through out the week. In the chaise... proofing pictures or reading or both! We had a wonderful, relaxing time and now it's back to reality. Hopefully we will be able to spend 2009 here too.

~Tara

Landscapes and a Boy

Here is the infamous 'Nights in Rodanthe' house.

I made a point to get pictures of it on this trip... it's a safe bet that it won't be here next year.

The sea is claiming it as it's own.

I don't normally shoot landscapes. I just don't think that I am that good at it. 

At the beginning of the week I foolishly kept telling myself that I had all week to go out and explore. And photograph.

It's been raining off and on since yesterday. Lots of overcast, cloudy skies.

We had a break for a few hours during the afternoon.

It was now or never. So I decided to take a long walk... by myself. :)

I got a few things, but I sure do wish I had taken advantage earlier in the week.

My Boy

I had taken so many pictures of Beth earlier in the week.

I had to quickly get some of Sam.

He didn't complain too much. :)

Ocracoke Island and a couple of Lighthouses

Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

Beth has waited years to be able to climb the light house. You have to 42" tall and be able to climb the whole thing by yourself. All 257 steps! She did great and was much faster than I... she didn't even ever seem out of breath! Brian and Sam decided to stay on the ground this year.

All the National Park employees were so sweet to Beth, giving her high fives and wishing her luck. She was so excited.

Only 255 steps more to go!

Brian and Sam down below waving to us!

(standing near the entrance to the house)

My girl triumphantly making it to the top!

Another tourist was kind enough to take our photo.

The descent.

After leaving the lighthouse we caught the ferry to Ocracoke Island.

The kids love how the cars are loaded. They got out to walk around the boat. It's about a 25- 30 minute ride so I brought something to read with me.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

He had found a dollar in his pocket earlier this day. He asked me what the box was for and I told him it was a donation box. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his dollar. I kept telling him that nothing was going to come out of the box... no toy or prize. We told him that his donation would help maintain the lighthouse. He was happy about that and decided to do it.

It's little moments like this that make me s proud of him.

Monkey see, monkey do. At least he was being a good role model. 

One of Brian's favorite spots. We get the Carolina burger and oysters Rockefeller everytime!

I bought him a t-shirt and a new sticker for the garage fridge.

He loves this place because in addition to the great food there is an incredible selection of beer from all around the world.

The Outer Banks is known for it's beaches but more specifically for being able to drive on them. OBX is very underdeveloped (housing) as far as ocean front standards in the rest of the country are. There are literally miles and miles of unpopulated beaches. They want to keep it that way too. 

Ocracoke beaches are no different. There are many turn off points were you can just drive on down to the ocean. People come from all over to surf fish. Lately there's been a lot of controversy surrounding the idea of driving on the dunes... beach erosion, ect. 

I do see both sides of the argument. It's a way of life for the locals who have been doing it for generations. Whatever they decide in the future we will be ok with... but for now.... 4x4 is so much FUN!!

This is such a beach community, I love it!