Kade's 8th Birthday!

Kade and Buddy Ian Stelter had their birthday party together again this year.  We were looking for something fun and different to do this year and we ended up going to the "Crocodile Experience" down in the Houston area.  Actually it is kind of in the middle of nowhere.  Anyway, we invited the Bounty Boys Baseball team and headed headed down to experience some crocodile encounters.  The birthday boys had an amazing time.  They got to hold everything from a baby croc to slithering snakes wrapped around their necks.  They also got to feed giant tortioses, wart hogs, and other exotic animals.  We all got to watch the professionals feed the full grown crocodiles and learn a little about them in the process.  It was a great day, and I think us mamas (me and Kam) pulled off another fun birthday.  Now, how are we going to top this one next year?  Hmmmm?

Having a picnic lunch

Getting some facts about an endangered crocodile

Kaden, Eric, Kade & Cade

Happy Birthday to you!

The Birthday Boys

Make a wish

Learning all about snakes

Kade and Ian with a snake wrapped around them

Getting a kiss from one big lizzard

holding a baby crocodile

Learning more about the reptiles

Feeding the big tortoises

Feeding the tortoises

Taking a slow ride on the tortoise

The Bounty Boys

Watching the guys feed the crocs

A big female crocodile

The big boy

A little snack of raw chicken

I forget the name of this animal but it comes from Brazil

He was in heaven all those boys petting him

The pop belled pig had babies the night before; so cute!

Kade and Ian playing with a wart hog

These wart hogs go for between $9000-$15,000 a wart hog.  I'm in the wrong business.

Another interesting animal to see

Feeding the pigs

Visit to Enchanted Rock!

Back in October, we went to visit Wallace and Delores at their home in Fredericksburg for a weekend hunt.  That Saturday morning, Dane and I decided to take the boys and climb enchanted rock.  Kade and Brady really enjoyed it.  They ran up that mountain like it was nothing.  I did good getting to the top, but my better half had to make a few stops because he was out of breath and his legs hurt.  Poor baby.  I told him he needs to go running with me and get back in shape.  Ha!  Nevertheless, it was fun and a beautiful scenery to enjoy once we got to the top.  Although we came home empty handed from the hunt, we made and brought home with us another great family memory.

Getting ready to take off up the mountain

Heading up the mountain

The Rau Boys

Mom and her boys

We reached the top

Brady and Kade

Stopped for a little rest

Yeah, we made it

Dove Season 2012!

Well, it was yet another successful dove season this year.  The Rau Boys hooked up a few times with the Maurer Boys for some bird hunting action.  Kade really enjoyed hunting this year with his 410.  He even managed to hit a few flying in the air this season.  Brady played the role of the bird dog once again, but he wouldn't have it any other way.  He loves sitting and hunting with Papa Rau.  Nate even got in on the action one evening with his play rifle.  While the big boys were out in the pasture hunting, he kept watch at the house by the carport as the birds flew over.  He even got Nana Rau in on the action a little bit.  The second half of the season will be opening up in just a couple of weeks, the boys in the Rau home are itching to go track down and shoot a few more birds.  Happy Hunting Guys!

getting ready for a hunt with Papa Rau

Kade getting ready to wait out the doves

Another successful hunt with the Maurer Boys

Getting ready to go out and hunt

Nate and Nana Rau hunting at the house

Kade got 2 doves opening morning is his finest hunting gear

Big Catch for a Little Guy!

Fair Time! Yee Haw!

What would the fall season be without the Washington County Fair?  We made our way down there again for another year.  Dane and Cody entered the cook-off again this year.  They did an awesome job, but only placed 2nd place for two years in a row now with their ribs.  We set a night aside to look around at all the animals, watch the rodeo, and ride some rides.  Kade loved the rides this year because he could ride all the big rides.  Nate loved it because he could ride them period.  We couldn't get him off the rides.  Brady enjoyed them all as well.  He is kind of in between the baby rides and the big rides.  Nonetheless, he had fun. 

Cub Football!

Cool Friday nights = Cub Football Time

Eric, Kade & Ian

Ethan & Brady

Dane & Nate

Nate and Brady enjoying snow cones