End of the Energy Era

Energy softball went out with a bang and earned some bling by winning 2nd place in their last tournament together!  So proud of Harper and her teammates!  Harps worked hard to become a reliable and consistent pitcher, usually pitching at least 60% strikes each game.  She also moved her way up the batting lineup and was crushing the softball!  She really hit her stride!  We sure hope to see Harper back on the diamond but for now she is taking a little break to focus on volleyball!  We are so proud of you sis!

Mason picked up on the Stars baseball team the same weekend and also earned some hardware!

These 4 have been playing softball together since they were in kindergarten!  The sweetest teammates and lifelong friends!

First Buck

Since the day we bought our land in Perkins the boys have been counting down until deer hunting season.  It's a right of passage growing up in Oklahoma and my boys were ready!

Our Thanksgiving week looked very different this year with hunting.  I'm used to that being a week where we are all home, playing games, inviting friends/family over and doing things we don't typically have time to do.  This year it was ALL about the hunting, morning and afternoon.  

Jackson was the most dedicated to it!  He shot first, hit his buck but unfortunately the buck was not found.  Jackson shot shortly before dark on a misty afternoon.  The buck ran off and the boys followed the blood trail searching for hours in the dark.  Unfortunately the rain picked up so they called the search off that evening and resumed the next morning with a crew helping.  It rained so hard that the blood trail was washed away.  Jackson was bummed and even more determined but it was now Mason's turn.  

Evidence of his hit!

Mason's hunting started like this on an early morning . . . a little blind nap in the morning and back at it in the afternoon. 

Mason also took one shot with 2 mins to spare before sunset.  He shot at a 10 pt buck but wasn't 100% sure he hit because it was getting so dark.  The boys searched but didn't find any blood evidence so called the search off shortly after.  6 weeks later my sister and fam were at the land and look what they found!!!  Based on the rack the boys knew it was Mason's instantly!  We went out the next day to collect his trophy and he was smiling ear to ear!!!  Our mount collection starts now!

What a great first season of hunting for the Miller boys!  It wasn't picture perfect not finding their bucks instantly (or at all) but they made their first hunting memories and spent lots of time together!  They are already scheming on their plans for 2024 hunting!

Cali - Fall Break

 We love a family wedding and rarely pass up an opportunity to see the Winslow family when they are all together!  We had a blast celebrating Cory and Justine and could not be more excited to welcome Justine into the Winslow family!  This was a very special wedding because the wedding, reception and all festivities took place at my grandparents cabin and the neighborhood lodge at Blue Lake Springs in the Sierra Nevada mountains.  I have always looked forward to taking the kids to the cabin and showing them what we did on summer vacations (and Nana did growing up).  Crazy to think 3 generations of Winslows are now enjoying the cabin!  Such a special place for our family!

This kid lives to travel . . . his big brown eyes get even bigger to soak it all in!

We flew into San Jose at night, drove 3 hrs to arrive around midnight and woke up to these beautiful views.  Exactly how I remember it as a kid!

The fresh mountain air brings out all the smiles!

Mase started fishing within minutes that first morning . . .

Can't go to the cabin without a visit to Mercer caverns.   This was the kids first time in a cave and they loved it!

You also can't go to the cabin without visiting a few wineries!  Fun for the kids first, then fun for the adults!

We loved getting to love on the newest Winlows!  My cousins Laura and Amanda both had babies in 2023 and we couldn't wait to meet them!

Love this cousin crew!  

Lots of first this trip but one of the coolest was seeing this mama bear and her 3 cubs!!!  They were walking by my grandparents cabin as we walked up for smores night!  

We woke up wedding morning and got to start the day by watching the Sooners play West Virginia.  9am Pacific time kickoffs give you the rest of the day to enjoy!  Mason was the baby whisperer during the game!  The babies loved his crazy hair!

Pre wedding we did all things outdoors . . . built sand castles, played frisbee golf, pickleball and tennis.

The wedding overlooked the upper lake and was beautiful!

Love all these cousins of mine!  I don't get to see them enough but we always make the most of our time together!

Cousins and our kids!  The Winslow crew keeps growing!

We love a photo booth . . .

You also can't go to the cabin without visiting Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  Unfortunately the park was doing a controlled burn during our visit so some of the spots I wanted to take the kids to see were closed.  There were still endless big trees and great hiking to enjoy!