THE BIG 4 0

For Mike's 40th birthday we went to Famous Dave's. The old man got several gag gifts from a pill bottle shot glass to a cane with a horn and rear view mirror. We had a great time, and I think he still loves me.

You know we are a great group when we can all eat off the same plate. (Check out Mike, Emily and Dennis sharing dessert.)

Taking sponsorships for pro fishing career

I do not want to spoil the next blog on the page, so this blog was my day that happened in the middle of said next post.

To anyone out there who may want to hand out some cash for some sponsorships or paying for fishing tips contact me here!

Jill was out fishing at my dads which she truly enjoys. She started the afternoon by baiting her hook with a night crawler so she could catch a bait fish (a 6"-10" bass) and use it to hopefully land one of big bass that inhabit my dads lake. After catching some 8"-11" Bluegill, she finally caught the bait fish she was looking for. About an 8" bass dangled on the hook. She unhooked it, rehooked it through the back, attached a bobber and strolled out to land the big one and retain the lake record.

Jill tends to have pretty good luck. This was not one of those days. She casted and casted and casted and casted and.... you get the point. Nothing. No bites, no close calls, nothing.

Tiffany was away for the weekend with Jill's sister Jody in Traverse City at their parents. Tiff had called and said she was close to home, so Jill chose to go back home, pick her up and bring her to my parents. I suggested to take her pole and in good faith, keep trying. She handed me the pole and walked away. While getting further away, she turned and quietly said "Just throw the bait back, its almost dead anyways." I exclaimed I would valiantly keep trying to catch that fish that was eluding her all day. ( Although my plan was to throw the pole in, let her get out of the driveway, reel it in and be done, she wouldn't know I did not stick with it =D )

I was beginning to flip the bale when she turned again and said " You forgot how to do it didn't you!" Now, I had not forgotten, but alas was just admiring the fine workmanship of the reel.

I took a fine cast 10 yards or so off shore. The bait settled into the water, the bobber gracefully landed and set up beautifully on the cool water. The fish floundered around, barely, and the thought crossed my mind that this poor fish has taken the ultimate sacrifice, not to become food for a monster fish, but instead fertilizer for some plant in the woods when I heave it when I reel in. Only moments had passed after setting the bail..... everything disappeared! The bobber takes off.... I set the hook and start reeling in slowly. I yell for Jill, in hopes she has not left yet as she would not believe I had caught this myself, on her pole, with her bait that she has miserably failed at.


Take a look at my prize possesion! Over 22" of fine meat (dont get to excited Amy) and 14" around the belly! It is my biggest fish ever.



Sponsorships incoming....

6...... and counting!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!!

Jill is taking this beautiful holiday off, so I will attempt to keep the blog up to date... JILL STYLE!!

My beautiful wife awoke this morning in a cheerful mood. Must have been the morning sex. But that's a different blog.... She decided to run to the store around 11ish this morning before we headed to my dads for the holiday and some fine family camaraderie. I was nestled in my computer chair when there came a frantic shriek from downstairs... "MIKE COME QUICK!" Damn, I was slightly alarmed at the tone of her voice as it seemed to have a quiver. I headed downstairs and met her in the kitchen where she directed me to the garage flapping her arms as if she was trying to take flight.

I followed her contrails to the rear of the garage where she landed and started running all her words together... "OHMYGODLIKEIWENTOGRABTHEFISHBAGANDTHEREWASLIKE
AMILLIONFEETSCURRINGALLOVER"

Yes, how you read that is exactly how i had to try and translate it. It took a few times of me asking her to slow down as I told her she was frothing at the mouth and I could not understand what she was saying. Finally, I got it. She heard something move and there was a lot of something.

Being that Jill has a tendency to stretch the truth a tad, I ventured deeper into the corner, moved a few things and noticed some mouse doo-doo. I waited for her to get back from the store for her to get me a mouse trap so I could get this mouse. After placing a touch of peanut butter on the trap, then fighting that damn thing to set before I lost a f$%#@#g finger, I placed the trap on the floor.

I then walked to the truck to help Jill fill the cooler with pop and ice. About 2 mins after setting this trap SNAP! HAH GOT YOU YA LIL SUCKER! I walked over picked it up, showed Jill placed into the trash and set the trap again. (Now, I said Jill stretches the truth, so I thought maybe I would get one more but not likely)

I walked away, got the the front of the truck started talking to the neighbor when SNAP! Damn, got another already. I emptied that one, and reset it. SNAP.... reset it SNAP. Gee whiz, that's 4 in 20 mins!!! I went and got 1 more trap, set it and we went to my dads.

Upon arriving home I eagerly went to the traps. Part of me was thinking there could not possibly be anymore and another part of me thinking Jill was not stretching this a bit and I am looking like a doof. I peered over the old cooler and DAMN 1 in each trap! 6!!! 6 mice in a day! And to keep this in the good faith of being Jill's blog, I have provided pictures of my hunt.



Now, upon writing this, I went to check the traps and we now have 8! Just call me the PIED PIPER!

The Princess

It is truly a blessing to have this little one in my life.

It does not matter what is going on around us Ashley always has a smile to give.

Here are some recent pictures of our growing girl since Mommy #1 is not giving us an updated photo.

Picnic

Mike's big secret!

Mike's brother Jeremie took him out tonight for a surprise birthday gift.
Mike was going nuts, trying to figure out what his brother was going to put him through.
Well here are a couple pictures Jeremie sent Tiffany on her phone.
This I know he will like. My son Steve says the go-karts go 45 miles an hour. He may come home sore but at least he will be happy!!

Mike will be the BIG 40 this month!!


The picture above is Mike still being mad because Jeremie and Scott would not tell him where they were going.





The old man has been home for ten minutes and he already can't get up. I can't wait until morning, he is not going be able to walk.

Dog & Cat!

Tuesday when we were having dinner the dogs were barking. I hate when the dogs bark, so I went out to see what was going on and found Moose and Jayda playing with a cat.
Jayda just wanted to cat to take her toy. Jayda is pushing a stuffed rat to the cat.

How cute!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all!!!

PROM