Nathan's Big Day

Last year, we dragged the kids out to the farm while Jim cut wood so they could help us load it up. Lynette took her bow and arrows, Nathan his airsoft guns, and Lorene her phone. Lynette was good help loading, Nathan a little and Lorene none. But, what hatched out of that day, (besides Lorene never wanting to step foot on the place again, she's NOT an outdoor girl) was the plan that Nathan would bring his friends out for a day to play at the farm.


These boys are just nuts for airsoft wars. It is NOT the sort of games that moms embrace. I just hold my breath, look the other way and hope for the best, knowing that boys have played Cowboys and Indians for years and not killed themselves, mind or body.



Packing up, ready to go. The guns and boys went in the van. The food, woodcutting paraphernalia, Lynette and Charlie (the dog) went in the pickup. Wise choice, Lynette.



Here's Jim laying down the law for the rules of the day. The boundaries were set, no shooting at the woodcutter, the cook, the campsite, or the dog, behave yourself, have fun, or else.



Now, these boys take this game seriously. I was trying to get a picture of the group before they took off, but it takes forever!!! All guns have to be loaded, checked and passed around. Stories of acquistion have to be told.



It was chilly when we got there, in the low 40's so everyone dressed up not only in their camo but sweatshirts underneath, too.

Even Lynette was willing to go for the first round.

This day to celebrate Nathan turning 16 wouldn't have been possible without the full cooperation of his parents. Luckily, Jim likes to come up here to cut wood and I like being outside as long as I'm not cold.

This is what Jim brings along to play with.

Nathan and I spent a little time planning what we should have to eat and I took care of the rest. I had a big list of things to take, food and snacks, and water and a lighter. And only ONE case of Mountain Dew.

The first thing I did was layer up (5 layers on top and wishing for another layer on the bottom) and set up camp. We borrowed a fancy grill and cooler set up and with the back of the van and a card table I was ready to feed people.

After I had everything all set up I made myself a cup of hot tea and sat down to enjoy it. Pretty nice to have plug in capabilties in the pickup!

Jim spent the day cutting up logs and splitting them. It is nice to have a good supply of wood at home for the fireplace.

Lynette got tired of playing with the boys after the first round and ensconced herself in the pickup with sketching materials, a comic book and Harry Potter. And as long as Lynette was busy in the pickup, Charlie was there faithfully waiting.

Once I started up the grill, Lynette found the warmest place, was right next to it!

One thing these boys found out about playing their games in the REAL country is there is a lot of room out there. They could walk around for a long time and never find the other team!

Finally, a break in the action.

Morgen. JC, Weston, Landon, Nathan L., Nathan K.

Now, it was time to recheck, repair, or replace all guns, retell in great detail of hiding places, strategies, tricks, jokes, and near misses.

One of the best jokes was Weston and Landon's full camouflage suits, that none of the others knew they had.

Trying out Nathan's new sniper.

I helped Jim load split firewood into the loader bucket, but eventually as the day waned bringing cooler temps, I stayed with Lynette by the fire enjoying the warmth and the s'mores we made.

A perfect toasted marshmallow.

This pile is one log, a small part of what we brought home.

I guess this post wouldn't be complete without a photo of the adults in the group. Lynette by this time was in some of my layers so I'm in Jim's coat. The boys laughed at how fat I looked, but I guess I'd rather be warm that look thin.

I sure hope the boys had a nice time. They didn't make it hard for us to enjoy our day. It gets dark so soon on these winter days so the party came to a natural end. We loaded up in the dark, prodding slow boys along who didn't want the day to end. They had to find a gun left in the heat of the action, they knew "just where it was". I can't believe they found it!

Nearly the best part of the day, for the boys anyway, was our extra driving around the harvested soybean field finding the road out, only to find a sheriff waiting for us when we drove out. He thought someone was out just messing around. It was dark out there, with no lights or markings to guide us.

I was glad to be home, I came home to a nice clean house, thanks to Lorene. It was too bad we had to unload everything in to it. Lorene was rather disgusted. It looked so nice until we all came home.