Calvin 1 Month Old Today...

It is so hard to believe Calvin is already one month old, the time has just flown right by. He is getting bigger every day, and has already passed the 12 lb marker. Calvin, a typical Shiflet looks much older than he actually is, most people don't believe us when we say he's a month old. He's already begun to hold his head up for short periods of time, has rolled over, and is increasingly aware of his surroundings. Meanwhile the rest of are trying to get things back to "normal" (whatever that is) :) and trying to resume some sort of schedule.

...and here's Calvin sucking his thumb for the first time...

Guess Who!

Don't you want to just EAT HIM UP? He is SOO CUTE!!!!

In these pics Calvin looks like he's trying to smile...well, in truth it's more of a grimace because he feels a burp coming on -excuse me! :) But it's so cute and it really does look like he's trying to smile. I should have videoed it (maybe I'll think of it tomorrow) because his expression was not limited to his face only, but extended to his whole body-right down to his toes!

Hunting and Fishing

I like sitting at this table where I can have everything steady for me! It was fun to shoot this way.

Kathlena's favorite mode of transportation...go carts. "Go
fast Mommy!"

Father-Son time.

Andrew is very attentive and careful when he gets to shoot.
He has learned that "real" guns are to be respected and handled
with specific rules that Daddy has taught him. It is a privilege to
get to shoot that carelessness revokes.

J.Michael taking careful aim at some fish eating turtles
that then become fish food.

Have you ever wondered what a baby catfish looks like?
Well now you know because you are looking at them. Below
is a picture of a swarm of hundreds in the water. This is
exciting as the lake will be stocked full of them.


Our own Annie Oakley. Emily is a very good shot also. She
also enjoys shooting her favorite caliber is the .22 and pistol.

Our family absolutely loves the outdoors. Some of our favorite outdoor activities are hunting and fishing. The boys and girls both enjoy time together in the outdoors. We also enjoy camping and although we have not been able to go camping in a while we are really hoping to go again soon.

Here are a few pictures from our Memorial Weekend trip to DoDad's and Nana's. They have a great place to fish and work on our marksmanship. Andrew is quite the fisherman and was reeling them in as fast as he could! He also enjoys target practice with a .22 rifle. He is left handed but right eye dominant so, he is learning to shoot right handed and he is a pretty good shot for a beginner. J.Michael enjoys the clay target shooting with a variety of caliber guns. J.Michael enjoys quail, dove and deer hunting. Andrew has been on one deer hunt so far and although sitting in a blind early in the morning was a challenge, he is learning from his big brother and Daddy and really enjoyed the time with just the boys most of all.

I think what I enjoy most about the outdoors is the simplicity of life at a slower pace and time just spent together as a family. We get to talk, laugh, and learn so much about each other during our outdoor adventures. It is also a time to reflect on our Lord's beautiful creation and admire the complexity and simplicity of life whether in catching a glimpse at the baby catfish or by taking dominion by managing the over population of turtles in the lake that eat the fish. All of the outdoors reflects the indelible fingerprints of the masterful Creator-the one true God.