One of the Best Days Ever!

Since we started having kids I have looked forward to the day that I would be able to share my love of the out doors with them. Since the time they were little they would go on campouts and we would fish lakes from the shore. They were just a little to small to do the fun and adventurous things. Last year during our father and sons outing we wanted to go fly fishing at a lake that has proven to provide some fun outing over the years. (This is actually one of the many times that Kristin had fallen in love with me because in all the times she had been fishing she never really experienced the joys of catching a plethora of fish in one day!) After some thought, I was able to find a way for Keane to fish right next to me on my pontoon boat. I rigged him up with some flies and a bobber and we ended up catching enough fish to keep him interested within a two hour span. Keep in mind he was two and a half years old at the time.
Over the last month I have been telling Lucy that I wanted to take her fly fishing and let her fish in her own float tube right beside me. This has been a day that I have looked forward to for six years and it was finally here. She was excited up to the time that we were actually getting into the truck to leave then the tears started and the nerves kicked in. Not knowing what to expect throughout the day I hoped for the best but expected the worse. On the ride up we got her excited and hopped up on sugar which proved to be successful.

On our last fishing trip to Colorado I got some kids waders and wading boots from my cousin, so Lucy was set up from head to toe (well from the neck down since I forgot to put sun screen and hat on) she looked like she was ready to go pro! Even though I knew she was nervous she was a real trooper and stuck it out for three hours on the lake. From the time she got on the water to the time she got off she was catching fish even while eating fruit snacks and gold fish! She beat her mom’s record of nine fish and ended with eleven total. To top off a great day there were two times that she actually caught two fish at the same time. In all the years I have fished I have never done this.
Keane on the other hand acts like he is a pro since this wasn’t his first rodeo! He likes to tell us how it is done and rightly so the boy can catch fish! I put him with my dad since I was taking care of Lucy and from the beginning he was catching fish. One thing that everyone needs to know is Keane no matter what we are doing always falls asleep in the middle of our activities. A couple of weeks ago when we went quad riding all we could see is Keane’s head bobbing back and forth every time he would fall asleep. On this trip he didn’t let us down, it was a good thing that the fishing continued to stay hot while he was asleep!
I can’t wait for our next adventure, I am thankful for kids who like the outdoors, a wife who will let us get away and a grandpa who loves to take his grandkids to do fun activities!

Lucy's First Catch of the Day!

Another of Many!

Life Vest $27.99

Waders and wading boots "Free"

Float tube $150

Gas for the truck $38.92

Fishing permit $10.00

Happy Kids "Priceless"!

Double, Double!

Colorado Fly Fishing

Two years ago I began to have a desire to fish somewhere other then Arizona still waters. Nearly fifteen years ago my father and I were drawn to fly fishing through the movie “A River Runs Through it”. Being into fishing my whole life this was naturally the next step in the progression of a fisherman’s life. Conveniently at this time my dad had to make a few trips to Colorado where his father is from (My grandpa) to take care of his estate since he has passed away. I remember the Christmas of my junior year in high school getting a float tube and some of my grandpas fly fishing gear with a note stating that we would be going to Colorado later that summer for a first time fishing trip with our cousin Jimmy.

This trip would set me up for the next 12 years of my fly fishing career. Since I have picked up fly fishing I have rarely fished with a spin cast rod and reel (not that I don’t like it) I have just grown a love for what we like to call the Long Rod!:) So back to the story, a couple of years ago while I was sitting at my desk at work late one evening I got the urge to set up a trip where we would be able to fish some quality water and have a chance to catch a lot of nice fish. I found myself calling my cousin in Colorado and before I got off the phone with him we had a trip set up! When I got off the phone I felt like I had buyer’s remorse….. What had I have done? I hadn’t even talked with my wife to see if this would be okay……. I can’t even remember how I broke the news to her, however she never gives me a hard time she knows that I love the outdoors and that I have an addiction, as long as I don’t abuse it.

This is the third year that we have been to Colorado and like always it didn’t disappoint us. This year we were lucky to have my brother in-law Chris on the camera which makes the trip more presentable. We all had our moments of catching fish my best day by far was the first. This is also the day we had the best weather with each day getting progressively worse. On the last day it was so cold that what ever was out of the water for more then a couple of minutes turned to ice. We would go to reel a fish in and your reel and line would be frozen, this by far has been the coldest weather I have ever fished in. Next year we are going to try out a new place.

This is what it is all about!

Tyson Taking Fly Fishing to a new level (GQ)

What we will endure to catch a fish

Hard at work

Preview of next year!

Christmas Overview

Christmas this year was great, in so many ways. Since it is currently past Valentine's Day, I will just show you some of the highlights.

*Hayride, bonfire, dinner with family and friends at the Wheelers. When you are cold like this. . .
You need a hot chocolate mustache like this to make you feel better.
*Progressive dinner with the Ellsworths (sorry no pics)
*Santa at Bass Pro Shop (He was terrific, singing carols and talking with the kids forever, although as the pics show, the boys are a bunch of Santa scaredy cats. Keane is standing outside of the frame most of the time. . .clutching his hat)A boy can dream can't he? Sorry Cash, you weren't THAT good this year.
*Christmas Eve movie (Tale of Despereaux) with Ellsworths
*Luminarias--yes we are in short sleeves and flip flops, it wasn't that cold!
*Getting in our footsie pajamas and sleeping on the "magic" (hide-a) bed so that we can see out the front window and wait for Santaand putting out some swag for our visitors.
***Christmas Morning!!!Seriously, can't the dang reindeer finish one carrot before starting another one??? Don't they know there are starving reindeer in Africa!!!
And then check the nerve of these arctic mammals. Yes that's right, POOP. In. my. yard. Eeeeew.On the way from one party to the next. A little tired don't ya think?A memorable day, with fabulous family and three little angels that made it so much fun. My favorite is watching them cling to their new treasures. I mean I have always dreamed of having a son and watching him doze off into a Christmas slumber while snuggling his CHAINSAW. Okay but this one is frealz. Lucy got a cabbage patch from my parents named Lyndia, (mom's name is Linda, coincidence? I think not!) I love watching her play with it and tuck it in and all that stuff. It brings back all the good years I had with my cabbage patch doll, Amy.
I love Lucy. The End.

Wheeler Wash

After you drive through the mountains and snow, and your car looks like this:
you must visit the posh Wheeler Car Wash. Where you can dine at our oreos and milk cafe (courtesy of Lucy)See wild animals, this is the rare miniature schnauzer, don't worry she is behind a protective screen and is no danger to small children, only spare socks and food scraps.All of your seats and car seats will be detailed by this guy who was holding a "will vaccuum for oreos" sign at the corner. He seems harmless.Then, drive off into the beautiful Arizona sunset. Thank you for your patronage.

Hunt For A Christmas Tree 2008

The day after Thanksgiving we went up with all of the Wheelers to do some tree huntin'. Armed with Ty's chainsaw, an empty trailer, and a bunch of anxious children we headed North.

It was a blast! Although we made the sad discovery that no matter how many layers the kids had on, nothing we had was very waterproof. Which means that they got cold very quickly. (note the tear on the left cheek--we had been out of the car for 5 minutes--no joke)
Nothing some goldfish can't cure.
They hurriedly picked this tree and demanded we go back to the car.
Anyhow, after the qualified hunters did their job, we all ended up going home with some great trees. Although they didn't all live up to expectations when they got home (ahem--the Teeles), we did our part to thin the forest and prevent forest fires.

A fantastic tradition.

PS-Evidence that bigfoot is alive and well.
The next few photos were all taken on the way home and are a few of the reasons I love Arizona!
More chainsaw massacre. . .Beautiful.