December 2021

 Mason took a great picture of a Blue Jay in our backyard!

More pictures of deer on the trail cam!  

Nathan and Levi enjoy the beautiful views while hunting.

Nathan and Levi decided to head out one more time for the season.  They were moments away from being done for the day because it was getting late and they were super cold.

A buck came within about 8 yards of Levi in his tree stand.  Nathan happened (for the first time) to get it recorded on his phone. Levi took the shot.  Hit!  It ran away.  They waited excitedly as they realized what just happened.  It was a buck and they didn't want to scare it away even further.  Based on where it was hit they decided to leave and track it the next morning.

Celebration dinner and watching football together.

We were watching football at home too.

As soon as it was light out, they went out to see if they could find the deer.  And they did!!!  What a huge success!  Levi was totally prepared to not get anything this season as bow hunting usually takes a few years to get something.  But it was an 11 point buck!!!  Far beyond their expectations.  A once in a lifetime deer.  They persisted and learned so much together.  And what a blessing to end their season in this way.  Proud of them.  

We decided to get it mounted!

The taxidermist showed us that based on it's jaw, it was probably about 6 and a half years old.  It was very surprising that he got a deer this old hunting on public land.  He also said that this time of year is when the rack on the deer is the biggest and based on it's age it's the biggest rack it will likely ever have!  So many things lined up that we couldn't help but thank God for orchestrating it the way that he did.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Snow angels, snow forts, and shoveling snow.

The boys had fun doing this fishing themed puzzle.

Mason's Christmas program at Bethel.  I was proud of him for playing a Christmas song on the piano as part of the prelude.  He did a great job!

Levi performed in the jazz band before the Christmas chapel at school.

Ready for Festive Friday and their last day of school before Christmas break!

Grandpa and Grandma took us to the Live Nativity in Maurice and then we went to LeMars to look at a Christmas light display.

Puzzle completed!

Levi's venison was ready to be picked up!  We are going to have fun trying it!

Dorian was recruited at the Borchers house to make Christmas pretzels.

Christmas Eve

The ice was frozen enough at Sandy Hollow to go ice fishing!

We spent the evening at Dad and Mom's house with Jackson and Heidi and their girls.

Christmas morning. 

It was fun to surprise the boys with a new foosball table! 

We enjoyed opening presents together.  We gave the boys a budget to get gifts for each member of our family which was a lot of fun!  They are so thoughtful!

All ready to head to church!

Grandpa and Grandma Tintle sent a motorized bike which the boys had fun with!

Dorian made a piano at school using the 3D printer and gave it to Grandma.

Grandpa and Grandma joined us for a prime rib dinner.  Jackson, Heidi and Livian came in the afternoon and Nathan made everyone homemade pizzas!  Delicious food and relaxing conversations.

Getting in a little more ice fishing over Christmas break.

Dorian was trying out the jaw jacker he made.

I took the boys to do a couple of errands in Sioux City.  Mason decided to spend his money to get Molly a new bed.  She loves it!  We also saw a movie.

Nathan took Dorian to ice fish at Spirit Lake and Dorian caught his first walleye through the ice! 

Love having the boys help in the kitchen!