Jake is out of his crate!

Jake is 3 years old now and has always slept in his crate at night.  For the longest time, he was in the crate anytime we left him home alone. But, he has calmed down a lot and really only misbehaves at times to get our attention. So, if we aren't home he is very good. 

Lately, it has been difficult at times to get him to wake up and go to his crate at bedtime.  So, last week he looked so comfy on his bed that I decided to try and leave him out all night.  And he did great! So, he has slept outside of the crate all week now without any problems. He is enjoying this new freedom and goes to his bed every night to sleep. 

Way to go Jake!!

The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe

Jennifer was excited to be cast in her latest play-the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  She was the character of Mrs. McReady and Queen Susan. 

The play went great! All of the kids and adults did a great job. I got to see it 5 times out of the 6 performances and never got tired of it.  I always love to watch Jennifer do what she loves!! I even got to be a backstage Mom for the first time at Elm Street and it was eyeopening to see what all goes on behind the scenes.  Those kids not only learn their lines and parts and cues, but get themselves on stage when they should be, turn lights on and off, do set changes, costume changes, and help each other with "quick" costume changes.  Jennifer, Ally, and I were wiping all of Austin's makeup off with wipes while he changed shirts and costume pieces.  It amazes me that even the little kids know what to do and when to do it. 

Here are some pictures of some of the people who came out to see her. It always pleases her to see her "fans" after each show.

Brentview neighbors

Queen Susan



Aslan

Mrs. Mcready chastises the children

Here are some pictures from the play itself:

Jennifer singing her solo

Love her expression!

Singing

Opening number

It's a grand old house!

"CHILDREN!!!!"

The wardrobe

Jenn and Ally

White Witch

Young and Older Susan

Beaver family

Bows

Kings and Queens

 They always circle up before each show and go over notes and warm up. I love that they always say a prayer before each performance.

Gun range

Well, it's been a LONG time since I shot our gun.  If I am fully honest, it has probably been since before I was pregnant with Jennifer.  But it was time!!

Mom and Bill found out about a ladies night at the local gun shop where you get free range time on Tuesdays.  So, they were going to go so that Mom could shoot their guns and gain some confidence as it had been a LONG time for her as well. 

So, Dale and I met Mom and Bill over at the gun shop where the people were very helpful and even cleaned Dale's gun for free.  They oohed and ahhed over it because it was a first generation Glock-which we had no idea. But apperently, they are quite the collector's item. 

It had been so long since we got the gun out that all 3 magazines had cracked the same way. Fortunately for us, they told us that Glock gives a lifetime warranty on their stuff and just to take it to them for new ones.  So, Dale went to Glock that afternoon for new magazines, and was happy to get them. 

We had a great time shooting at our targets and getting some practice and confidence back.  The first time I shot it I had forgotten what kind of "kick" that gun has.  But, I did pretty good after the initial shock wore off.

Here is Mom and I in our protective eyes and ears apparel.  There was one guy in there with us shooting what sounded like a cannon-it was so loud! I tried not to shoot at the same time as him as I knew it would startle me each time he shot.

 We shot at 15 and 25 yards with hollow point and full metal jacket bullets. 

This was Dale's target at the end.  He said he was aiming for the head with all the upper shots.
 



This was my silhouette at the end. I think I did pretty well.

Here are our targets when we were done.  It was a lot of fun!! And definitely a change of pace for a typical Tuesday!! 



That evening, Dale took Justin back over there for his first time shooting a real handgun.  He had a great time and did really well too!



 

His first few shots were in the targeted red zone. And then he started aiming for the head after a few times too.

 

Who is that?!?

Has anyone seen my sweet little baby boy???!!?