fortnerfamilyhappenings: Holt's first dove hunt

Every year Jonathan has a dove hunt the opening weekend of dove season. It is always fun to get all of his friends from high school and college together. This year was extra special, since it was the first year Holt was really old enough to get up early and go "hunting." In terms of actual hunting, the morning was a bit of a let down, but for sheer entertainments sake the morning (and weekend) was a complete success.

Holt was, as always entertaining. He was in and out of consciousness on the way out to the field and it wasn't until he got to ride in the back of the truck that he really woke up. He walked, kicked clods of dirt and scouted birds for dad, for all of 10 minutes before he said he was done hunting and ready for breakfast. Fortunately Jonathan's Dad was there to take the kid to some food. Once Holt left, aside from Daho forgetting to put his safety on and shooting the ground (thankfully not someone), the morning passed as they usually do, with talk of football and hunting and other things I am glad Holt wasn't around for.

The weekend was great from start to finish. Matt and Carley came from Fayetteville, AR and Daho and his newly wedded wife Emily came from Baton Rouge and Bacon and Lisa and Brian and Sarah drove down from memphistown. The usual suspects were there too. Friday night we went to Crawdads and stayed up way past my bedtime (was college really that long ago?) then Saturday we had a full house over to watch Alabama take care of VT. We loved getting to put the guest bedroom and pack'n'play to use and wish Matt and Carley lived closer, but are certainly thankful that we can pick up right where we left off when we do get together. We can't wait to meet the new little Hill in March. A few photos from the hunt below, thanks to Carley for the use of her camera and for getting the pictures mailed to me so fast.