Alicia aka the Hunting Master

Just call me the "huntress". We got up to Rio Vista, which is about 2 1/2 hours north of Visalia, and went to the house on the delta to get our waders and then headed out to the fields. We parked and walked down a dirt road to the edge of a field and then waded through water up to our knees to the blind set up in the middle of the field. Beau says ducks are pretty smart and that your face and body has to be covered really well, thus the camo mask I sported. The first couple times I shot, it kicked me right back into my seat, but I eventually got the hang of it. We hunted from 3:30 til 6 or so and it got dark so we headed back to the house where we made a little dinner and watched American Idol. We were up at 5:30 am, had a cup of coffee and headed out to the fields again. And I shot my first duck!!! Beau was pretty proud I think : ) I was so excited! I watched where it fell and headed out to retrieve it. Good times we had! We came in at 12, took a shower and packed up. And where did we stop on the way home? Bass Pro Shop of course! We had a such a great time; I was so happy Beau invited me, it was an awesome husband-wife bonding trip.

A dog, hunting and a backyard

This is Gracie, the Vannette's new mini-poodle!!! Emily begged for her went we went to the coast but my dad really really didn't want another dog. Well, my dad finally caved and eventually named her ha ha and to be honest, is kinda lovin' Gracie! How cute is she?!!

Beau went hunting and got some beautiful birds-now he thinks it's time to break me in. So today we're off to the Delta for an over-night hunting extravaganza! I'll post some pics in the next few days....Should be interesting

And last but not least....OUR BACKYARD!!!! Here is the finished product. We celebrated with a glass of wine and a fire in our fire pit last night. We couldn't be happier with the way it turned out; I think we'll really be enjoying this backyard for the couple years : )

A New Year, A New Blog

Today I created my dad a blog of his own!!! He and mom are going to France this summer to watch and ride part of Le Tour de France and he really wants to blog and post pictures while they're there. So I hope all of my faithful followers (thanks to all who read, i love to keep you all posted) will get hooked on my dad's blog. His comments are almost always my personal favorite so I am jazzed to be able to read and comment on HIS blog! The address is: www.kadalak.blogspot.com

Well, Christmas and New Year's is over. Another year rung in, the last seeming to fly by...Spring Training is right around the corner and I can hardly believe it. 4 months goes a lot faster than one would think...But I am really looking forward to it. I miss my girlfriends and watching Beau play (i adore watching his games; God really knew what he was doing when we put us together). I did a bit of "Spring Training" shopping today; I gotta look cute in Arizona! It's so lovely there during February and March. I even think we'll have lots of family visitors: Papa, Mom and Dad Vannette, Sean and Rochelle, Jake and Abbey. Good times ahead! We'd appreciate some prayer for this upcoming year. Success for Beau, strength for our marriage, growing closer with the Lord and in our faith as the year progresses. The Lord is Good.

"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3