Prairie Fire

Last week Andy went to Big Creek State Park to help his fellow Manager burn some prairie. We had a good day to do it and we got a couple prairies burned. Here's how one of them went....

Here's the bigger burn. You can see the fire starting off in the distance. Andy served on this burn as a look out and then mop-up man after the burn with his utility vehicle and water tank. The look-out position gave him a great vantage point to take some pictures as the burn progressed.


Here comes Chad, the Manager at Big Creek, as he lights the head fire.


The head fire comes to life....


The southerly wind that day pushed the head fire through the fuels with relative ease, creating some flame lengths as long as 20 feet! And boy, was it HOT!!!



The finished product following all the mop-up.


After the burn, Andy even cashed in on a pair of sheds from a nice 6 point buck! They were a little smokey, but still pretty cool nonetheless!

Day Trip

This past weekend we went to see our friends, the Owen's. Andy helped Brent screw some decking boards on his new dock and then all of us went fishing in the river at their place. Brent had informed us that the walleye and northern pike had been biting great all week, so we had to check out the action for ourselves.

Here's the dock. It's going to be great once Brent puts the finishing touches on it and the water level comes back up a little bit.



Once we started fishing, it didn't take long for Andy to land the first one. A very nice Smallmouth Bass!


Then Trish landed her first fish, a small Walleye.


And not too much later Trish landed the whopper of the day. It was a HUGE Northern Pike! She later said it was the biggest fish she's ever caught in her life.


Thanks to the Owen's for a great day and letting us fish at your place! We had a blast!

Wagon Master

With the nice weather, Caleb finally got to test out his first ATV. His Uncle Seth & Aunt Joanna got this for him before he was even born. Last summer he was too little to use it, but now he's perfect size! And he looooves it!!!

Pink Eye

Caleb caught a dose of the old Pink Eye yesterday. He's being a champ about it though.

Breakfast at Audrey's

It's a well known fact amongst the Bartlett's that Sunday morning is designated to visit Jim & Audrey at the Log Cabin Cafe. The adults gather around the big wooden table, shuffling the different sections of the Sunday paper back and forth. The kids are let loose to run around, play, and have fun with each other. Aunt Sherri usually shows up with a dozen farm fresh eggs and it's "everyone for themselves" to cook up what they want. Sometimes cookies get distributed, depending on how much the kids whine, and what Grandma Bartlett has in stock. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the house and warms the bellies of those in attendance. According to Grandpa Bartlett, some Sundays are so packed that you can't hardly find a seat, and others are so quiet you can hear the crickets. Well last Sunday was one of those times when the house was a buzz. Caleb & Andy visited and had a great time seeing family.

Caleb & his Great Grandma Audrey


Caleb playing with his 2nd cousins. John & Dean Hanes.


Caleb just loved their bird. Especially when it would start to sing!


Caleb & John seeing what's going on outside. Caleb is about a week older than John.


Caleb & Grandpa Mike


Some of the crew that showed up.

Baby Shower

Caleb & his dad went to Solon this past weekend to attend Seth & Joanna's baby shower! They are expecting their first baby to be born April 20th. It was an awesome shower in their big new house. Here are some highlights.....

Great Uncle Dale, Grandma Mary & Caleb.


Great Grandma Edith, Grandma Mary & Caleb eating string cheese.


Great Grandpa & ma Bartlett with Caleb (who wasn't quite "warmed" up to everyone yet)


Caleb & Grandpa Mike.


30 people RSVP'd for this baby shower, however 70 people showed up!!! It was fun though and Seth & Joanna's new house more than accomodated everyone.

Crazy Morning

Caleb going crazy at Grandma Mary's this morning!!!