The Rau-D Bunch

Friday, December 13, 2013

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

Waaaaaaayyyyyy back in March we took the boys to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to see all the sights and sounds, the rodeo, and Jason Aldean. Although it made for a long day, it was a memorable family outing.

2012 Hunting Season Highlights!

Last hunting season was full fun and firsts for our family. Kade and Brady got to make a few trips to the deer lease in Mason with Dane. I love that our boys get to experience the joy of hunting with their dad, and I know Dane loves taking them hunting. The boys love going to the deer lease in Mason because along with dad comes the Maurer boys and Popo Loewe as well. We also made our way to Fredericksburg for a weekend hunt and some hunting around the Washington County area as well. I'll let the pictures tell the stories in detail below.

Kade's doe he shot at Mason

The Rau Boys & Maurer Boys at Mason

Brady got to sit in the stand with Popo when he shot his buck

Dane guided Kade on successful doe hunt in Mason

Future Hunters

Learning how to clean a deer

Cleaning a deer

Mini Hunters

Kade shot a big boar hog in Mason

Kade showing off his daddy's buck

Dane's buck and turkey

Looks like a successful hunt in Mason

Dane shot a buck at the Long Branch in Fredericksburg

Kade and Austin caught a couple of wild baby pigs

New Year's Eve 2012!

Last year we spent New Year's Eve with the Maurer family and the Siemsglusz family. We had a great time drinking, eating, and playing a little pictionary (which I might add the wives won). The kiddos had fun playing throughout the night and most of them made it until midnight to ring in the new year. However, you will notice in the picture below that Brady is not in it. Anyone who knows Brady knows that anything that happens past 8:30 or 9:00 at night he will not be apart of unless it involves sleeping.

Christmas with the Klussmann's 2012!

Every year we get together with Wallace and Delores Klussmann for Christmas. Wallace and Delores are Dane's godparents and although we aren't technically blood related, we are most definitely family. It's always fun traveling up to Fredericksburg to visit and do a little hunting.

Christmas Festivities 2012!

Getting ready to head to church Christmas Eve with the Rau Family

Family pic before church Christmas Eve

Nana and Papa with all the grandkids

Opening presents at Nana and Papa's Christmas Eve

Aunt Stacy and Uncle Trey got the boys new bags

Look out! A boy with a new gun and new boots

Those poor animals don't stand a chance

All the boys got new guns for Christmas at Nana and Papa's

What a bunch

Christmas morning. Santa brought a new aquarium.

Santa brought Nate a new four wheeler

Christmas with the Loewe Family

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Mom Shoots a Big One!

So last hunting season in 2012, we noticed some deer walking across our place every morning and we started throwing out some corn in our back pasture. After setting up a camera, we saw that there was a decent buck coming to the corn, but was by no means consistently coming. Dane told me I was going to have to hunt him hard and hope that one day we would cross paths. Well, it was the night of the Christmas program at church that we crossed paths. I had gotten all dressed for the program and went to sit in our homemade stick blind so that when I finished hunting I could just get in the car and go. It was about 10 minutes before 6:00 that evening and we had to be at the program at 6:45 when he walks out. I figured this was my chance, and I shot the big 8. Needless to say, we made it to the program on time and had a deer to clean afterwards. I joke with Dane that I didn't even have to pay to go anywhere to shoot him.

Remembering the True Meaning of Christmas 2012!

Last year's church Christmas program sent out the message that through all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we all need to stop, slow down, and remember the true meaning of Christmas. All of the boys participated in the program; Kade and Dawson Draehn were rapping wise men, Brady was the policeman trying to get everyone to slow down, and Nate was part of the manger scene. I always love the church Christmas program. It sends such a fantastic message to those of us of all ages. I can't wait for this year's program.