First trip to the deer lease!!!

Well, it is officially bow-hunting season in the Bartling home. We are doing things a little differently this year. We aquired a 20 year old travel trailer (The Nomad), and we are making hunting season a family affair. One of the other gentelman hunters out on the lease said this on opening weekend: "The family that hunts together, stays together." Well, that is our objective and goal.

It has been so nice to disconnect from everything. We wake up in the morning, turn on some Hillsong, eat breakfast and drink some good coffee. I've even learned how to drive a four-wheeler myself. Luke and I go searching for cows while Chad hunts in the late afternoon.

So far we have been out to the lease twice, and Luke loves it! There is a swing, slide, four-wheelers, cows, deer, a big tractor, dogs and a goose. What little boy wouldn't like all of that?!! We are going to attempt going out with Chad on a hunt next time. Luke may spoil the hunt with all of his"dee-daw's," but is worth a try. Here are some shots of our first time out there. Oh yeah, Chad has been working hard at providing some yummy game for us to eat. So far, he has gotten one pig and one doe. Great job baby!

Lizzy and Bekah

I first met this precious family in Oct. of 2005...I can't believe it has been that long ago! Chad and I traveled with our good friends Tim and Leslie to visit the Albrights in Croatia. Lizzy was literally weeks old. I can't tell you enough how much this family has blessed our family. They are so encouraging and inspirational in their walk with Christ. It is always amazing to hear how God is working through them in Croatia. The past three months, they have been back in the States to visit friends and family, and we got the privilege of spending an evening with them. It was such a sweet evening full of food, fun and fellowship! Laura was telling me how difficult it is to get professional portraits in Croatia, so we set a date for a photo session right then and there. The girls were so good that day. I hope you enjoy the pictures Albrights. It was a pleasure and blessing to serve. Love you guys and miss you tremendously already! Maybe one of these days God has in his plan all of us living together in the same town...Heck, I'll even settle for the same country!!! You guys will continue to be in our prayers.

Sweet Jenna

What a blessing it was to get to photograph this little girl for the 3rd time. I took her newborn portraits, 6 month portraits, and now she is ONE YEAR OLD!!! Time has flown by, that is for sure. Jenna is one of Luke's favorite friends. They absolutely LOVE playing together! Jenna has one of the most angelic faces I have ever seen. What a beauty! We love you, Jenna (Tera and Andy, too!). Our lives are all the more rich because of your friendship.

She got pretty tired of me there at the end. I don't blame her...she was workin' hard! It is exhausting being that cute!