National McCallister Vacation

Every year we plan to go home over the holidays, it either being Thanksgiving or Christmas. Each year its been over Thanksgiving its gives us more time to spend with family than the busy season of Christmas. This year we got to spend an extra day with family that made it more special. Going home, seeing family it feels like we never left.

Friday November 22nd about 8pm was our departure from Kershaw County to our final destination Michigan our home. During the day while Ray was at work I was trying to sleep all day so I could drive at night. Before he arrived home I got the car all packed and ready to go. He was even impressed with my packing skills, thanks to my dad for all those years of packing the van for those Florida trips.

As we got to Charlotte, we went through a drive thru to get me dinner and Ray drove till he got tired. When we stopped for gas it was my turn behind the wheel. I went into the convenience store for a 5 hour energy drink and gum. If you've never had a 5 hour energy drink I highly recommend it if you need to stay up late, it really does work. And if your going through the mountains you need gum for when your ears start to pop.

Early Saturday morning we arrived at my sisters house. She put air in our inflatable bed as soon as our heads hit the pillows we were dreaming. It wasn't till lunch time till we awoke. The kids were excited to see us and to spend time with us. After a wonderful bowl of chili prepared by my sister, it was time to head to Howell to Cast Away Cafe. Its a place for kids to play all afternoon, it looks like a big hamster cage, but for kids to run, play, crawl and bounce. We all had fun.

Sunday Ray left mid morning to meet his family for church in Carson City and lunch at the McAlvey's. They always have the best home cooked meal where everyone is surround by the table and each eat as one. I hate that I missed lunch this year but glad Ray was able to spend time with the kids. They all so love spending time with him and most of all playing Lego's with the master.

While Ray was with his family, I was with my dad prepping for deer hunting Monday morning. We bought my deer license, shot my gun (which was right in the bullseye) then it was back to my dads to relax.

Monday morning arrived and it seemed too early. My alarm went off at 5:20, I turned it off, turned off the electric blanket, I made my way downstairs to greet my dad with a hello and to get ready for my 1st day of Michigan deer hunting. Ever since I knew about deer hunting I wanted to be in the woods with my dad but his response was always not until your 12. Well that was for bowhunting and we still couldn't sit together. Until I turned 14 for gun hunting was our first time in the deer shack together and still till this day I treasure every moment we get time together in the woods.

That morning we saw more turkeys than any deer. We counted at least 55 turkeys that came into the feeder eating corn kernals on the ground. We hoped the night would be better for us and that the deer would be moving in our direction.

As soon as we got back home from deer hunting that morning, Ray and his family picked me up to go eat sushi together in East Lansing. It was a fast trip but was worth it. Marie, Craig and Addi met us there too. As soon as Addi saw me she wasn't sure who I was, she thought I was her mama's hairdresser Rebecca. Later in the week she did warm up to me but it took longer than Uncle Ray.

Tuesday was another early morning out in the woods by daybreak hoping this would be our day to shoot. We did see deer but it was mostly button bucks and does. Nothing big enough to shoot. Lunch was at the best diner in Montcalm County: The Middleton Diner. Ray and his sister Shawn me my dad and I. They have the best fried chicken and bread pudding.

Later that night after deer hunting, since there was no shooting, it was time to show Jan my award wining pie recipe. She has been wanting to learn how to make it and what better time than for Thanksgiving. I guided her through each step and it was a success!

Wednesday was my last day of deer hunting so I was determined I was going to shoot, if it was brown it was going to be down. It wasn't long after day light and the deer were moving. Shortly after 7, 2 fawns and a doe came into our bait. Deer were coming through the corn field toward us into the big field and then I saw a another deer coming through the woods toward the other deer. I couldn't tell what it was, so I nudged my dad to inform him there was another deer but wasn't sure what it was. He knew instantly it was a buck. And I replied with "not its not", and he said "no Bubba it really is a buck and you better get your gun up". So I looked again through my binoculars to see, but yet again I couldn't see I think from my breath on the glass or from the cold outside my binoculars were foggy. As I got my gun up pointed out the window, I saw the deer approaching the other deer and I saw horns, my dad was right. He made a loop, stopped behind a tree, then made one more step then stopped. I took my safety off then fired. My dad insisted I made a good shot but I always get discouraged when we don't see them go down. We waited in the shack for at least an hour then went tracking. He only went 75 yards and dropped. It was a success!

We took him out to the pole barn, that's where we take all our deer that needs to be processed. My dad and his friends do a great job of processing the deer. Shortly after my dad and I got him skinned, Uncle Steve arrived with his 6 point he shot. Our deer were close in weight and in size but his beat mine in height.

That evening I was determined to shoot another deer. I guess it was the adrenaline in my bones that made me so ready. We got in our shack early. It was only an hour after in the deer shack we saw our first deer, which were yearlings. But it wasn't long till the older ones came in, and I took the one that gave me the best shot. We saw her run and go down. It was another successful hunt with my dad.

Thursday, being Thanksgiving day the whole day was a big deal for me. First off, it was my 1st 5k race in Michigan and with my sister. We decided to run this race back in September not knowing how cold it was going to be but that didn't stop us. I bundled up being from the south now I didn't want to take the chance of getting cold. My sister on the hand wore less clothing than me and the running part was no problem for her than I. The race started shortly after 9am, I was good for the first mile but as we reached the 2nd I thought I was going to die with the coldness. But my sister kept pushing me to run and I couldn't have finished without her. We both finished in 32 minutes and some change.

Click the link to see me crossing the finish line

http://timeframephoto.exposuremanager.com/p/13tmt_3114_to_3508/13tmt-finish-1725_11_321_7_4#sthash.tBX4sKyq.dpbs

After we finished the race it was time to get ready for my second wedding. Yes that's right! You may ask why? And the answer is why not? Why not re-affirm your vows that you had taken so long ago to reaffirm your commitment toward each other. We both got married at a young age and I don't believe we realized what those vows meant when we made them. Couples go through some tough times in their lives and we both have been there and saw that we need each other and that we can't do things alone. So we re-committed ourselves together today till death do us part.

Our Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXau3zAe7E

Shortly after our wonderful Thanksgiving lunch prepared by all, we had a gingerbread house decorating contest. Some had paired up with each other and some decorated their own houses. The one that stood out more than others was Brennan's and Aunt Anita's house. It was fun watching them construct the house when the icing was still frozen from being in my car. The house that won was the most creative than others and that was my sister's and Shawn's.

This one was the winner

Friday, was a relaxation day for all. I made a phone call to my father asking if I could go set with him one last time that afternoon. I think he was pleased and happy with my phone call. I made it to his place by 1pm ready to get dressed and to get in the deer shack. This night was beautiful, the deer started to move later but we were hoping I would be able to shoot again. At one point we had at least 9 does and fawns on the bait. When the deer stop and stare looking behind them we both agree that there must be more deer getting closer but sometimes that's not the case. We did have a good set, we saw about 22 deer. The best part was the quality time with my dad in the woods.

Saturday was deer cutting at the pole barn. Now if you know me, you know I'm not one to cut up deer but this year was different. My sister came to help (she was the foreman), my mother-in-law came to help (she was on the trimming table), there was a few of dad's friends, and me on the cuber. We had three deer to cut up and it didn't take too long at all. Thanks to my dad and his friends for processing my deer and teaching me how to do it too.

That evening was our last night all together with Ray's family at his mom's. It was one last board game to play then to open Christmas presents from his mom. The kids were excited to see us open them too. They hid all our presents under the tree covered in pillows. They each helped us unwrap and we enjoyed every minute.

Sunday was our last day home with family. We met my dad at his church for service. It was well done and spoke right to my heart. After service we went to Mount Pleasant for lunch at the Chinese buffet and to do some light grocery shopping. It wasn't long and we were back home.

We both would like to say thanks to our family for letting us stay with you, for attending our second wedding and for loving us so much. Every time we go home we feel the love and comfort and we can never get enough. We wish y'all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love the McCallsiter's