Hagen's 1st hunting trip with DADDY!!!

This past weekend was a biggie.  The whole hunting trip thing really got me in an uproar, but there was a compromise...which in turn was a VERY special thing for Hagen and Ryan.

 Hagen joined Ryan on a Turkey hunting trip.  The excitement for Hagen leading up to the big Man weekend was almost too much for him to handle.  He couldn't wait.  Ryan and I were kinda nervous as to how he would do.  My biggest concern was snakes...they are pretty bad this year!

 Would Hagen be able to sit still and quiet?  Would he crumble at the lack of sleep?  Would he get bored??

 Hagen AND Ryan had a blast!  Hagen caught 44 fish!  He just sat there and casted and caught fish like he had been doing it for years.  Ryan had been practicing with him in the backyard casting (without hooks) and this weekend was the first time he had an actual hook on it.  He was having so much fun!

 In some of the videos that Ryan took you can hear Ryan saying, "reel him in Hagen...that's good buddy...come on, you can do it!" and it almost brought tears to my eyes because you can hear the excitement in Ryan's voice and see the smile and pride on Hagen's face. 

Hagen also shot a real gun for the first time.  It was a 22 rifle.  Ryan picked a spot that was safe if a bullet ricocheted off the water.  It was a valuable moment in learning safety.  I was NOT raised around guns and quite frankly am not comfortable with them.  BUT Ryan has made me open my eyes to things.  People who are not familiar with guns are the unsafe people to be AROUND guns...they don't know the proper safety things.  Hagen was taught to hold a gun, walk with a gun, all with the safety being pounded into his brain.  Also, he learned to aim...then take the safety off right before he shoots. 

I hope this becomes a lifetime of good man weekends for my boys.  They both had a great time and Hagen is still on a hunting high.

Carrie