Mackinac Republican Conference 2009

As most of you know, Aleta and I really enjoy politics. We follow the local, state and national issues pretty closely. During the Presidential race last year, we were Mitt Romney supporters. Aleta was able to join his campaign team here in Michigan the night he won the Michigan nomination. A great experience. Since then, we have joined Republican clubs in our area. Aleta is now on the Board of the Bloomfield Republican Women's Club, which is a terrific organization with excellent connections and dinners! Every two years, the Republican Party in the state holds a 3-day Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel (think Somewhere in Time movie). We attended this year with our boys Dylan and Keenan. What a terrific event! We had such a wonderful time, we hated for it to end. The highlight of the weekend was a chance to meet Governor Romney. He gave an awesome speech, and let his natural sense of humor show through.

In addition to Governor Romney, we met with each of the candidates for Governor of Michigan, Secretary of State and Attorney General. They were all terrific people and just a lot of fun to be around. They are so different in person from what you see on TV. Easy to talk to, funny, and very motivated to take back Michigan! Our family will be involved with campaigns for the next 18 months. More on that stuff later. Here are some more photos from the Conference. FYI, that is Congressman Pete Hoekstra with the family. He's a candidate for Governor and is the ranking Republican on House Intelligence Committee.

Additionally, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Ari Flescher - W's Press Secretary, John Fund of the Wall Street Journal and Frank Luntz of Fox News were there too.

As usual, the Island was beautiful, and we enjoyed being up there in the fall. It is truly a special place for our family as we have lots of memories collected over the years. If you want to see the Island, all you have to do is come visit us in the summer sometime....

Bear Hunt in Canada

If you have been on Facebook lately, you may have seen some pics from my Bear Hunt in northwest Ontario in late August. In case you are not using FB these days, here are some shots from the big hunt.

Our hunt had been planned for almost a year. A few of us from the ward went together, with a couple of dads, brothers and sons joining. The other guys were from Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin. Great guys!

We had a blast. In total, there were 12 hunters at the outfitter, of which 8 were in our group. All 12 hunters got bears. This was my first bear hunt, and I am hooked! It is

a very different experience to hunt something that can eat you! Anyway, the week in Ontario was terrific. It is beautiful country up there...we were not quite an hour northwest of International Falls, MN. It was only a few miles from the Manitoba border.

I guess I had beginners luck, as I got the biggest bear of the week. Estimated at just over 400 lbs live weight. Average was probably around 200 lbs or so. Beautiful animals. The most common question I get is what are going to do with the bear? The answer is I'm having the skin tanned and made into a bear skin rug with head being mounted as part of the rug. As for the meat, I brought back as much as I could transport back home (about 60 lbs or so) and intend to eat it. Aleta made bear stew last Sunday, and it was outstanding. I can't wait for the next bear dinner!

Texas Style Birthday for Dylan

Dylan turned 17 on the 3rd of August. Dylan and I were able to travel to Dallas to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma and the cousins. He pretty much disappeared once we got there thanks to Emmi having a full social agenda. Great time. Hot. We got to drive the silver Corvette a little, work on a new shed Rod is building, and still had time to squeeze in some Mexican food and an fantastic Texas BBQ. That's Dylan doing the Chicken Dance for us in recognition of being the Birthday Boy. Grandpa is demonstrating the correct technique of how to lift a kid by his ears. Tyson is getting the instructions.

It's All About the Girl....

Lately, everything in our family has been about the girl.... I guess that is what happens when you have a graduating senior who is your only daughter! We have had Senior Prom, Awards Ceremonies and Graduation Ceremonies. Awesome times. I have to admit that buying another dress for a dance was a hard thing as a father to get my head around. What all those other dresses we bought and wore just once? Nobody remembers what you wore right? Wrong. I made a bet that Caitlin's boyfriend Keon wouldn't remember the dresses she wore previously anyway, so why buy another one. We called Keon, and with very a-typical male accuracy, described every dress she wore to every dance he had taken her to over the past 3-4 years. I honestly don't know how he did it. Perhaps they were in his wallet and he pulled a fast one, but if he did, he's a great actor because I believed him. Maybe I'm the one with the problem. Needless to say, that bright pink dress was picked out and paid for within a couple days of losing that bet. As you can see, it was money well spent.

For graduation, we were lucky to have G&G Moffitt and G&G Despain be able to attend. Fun times and great memories. Lot's of happy kids at the high school the day the Seniors 'walked the halls' in front of the parents and student body. Hard to believe Aleta has two kids out of high school...

Summer Fun

Quick update to let everyone know we are back to summer fun in Michigan. Got the Corvette out of storage and launched the boat. Hasn't warmed up too much just yet. Still a little chilly. Lot's of fun stuff coming up in the next few days around here...we have a Senior!