The Great White North (by Ryan Pelhank)

Hi Guys,

I was fortunate enough this year to go on the trip of a lifetime to White River, Ontario (Canada), the home of Lake Kabinakagami (yep, look it up) for an amazing fishing trip.  It was me, Uncle Keith (Pelhank), Cousin Scott (Pelhank), Cousin (in-law) Jordan Fleig, Jordan's dad Keith (Fleig), Jordan's brother Josh, and a couple of their friends.  After flying to Detroit, we made the ten hour drive north and took a bush-plane another 30 minutes to the lake.

I have never seen or caught so many fish on a trip.  My worst day, I probably caught 30 Walleye.  Northern Pike were everywhere, but it was tough to get a 40-incher (considered a trophy).  This was almost too cool for words.  Check out the cabins we stayed in and some pictures of Jordan from previous trips in their photo albums at http://www.kabykabins.ca/.  We were there from 5/17 - 5/25, so it was a pretty long and fulfilling trip.  Lots of wildlife, and you can check out all the pictures on my FB page at http://www.facebook.com/ryan.pelhank.  Thanks for reading!!

My biggest Walleye.  About 22 inches.

Dee Plane, dee plane!!

We called these guys 'The Billies'.  Whaddya know, some hillbillies from North Carolina with mandolins and fiddles were at the camp too!!  Ryan and Jordan were in heaven!!

My biggest pike.  About 27 inches.  Jordan's dad caught a 39 incher the first day, so we thought we were going to catch monsters all week......not exactly.

Uncle Keith's monster on the last night of fishing.  I think it was 37 inches.  Those things are like torpedoes with teeth!!  I still have the scar on my hand to prove it.  Little known fact: Northern Pike STINK!! (...like, actually smelly).

We're Expecting!

On April 18, we announced that our family of three will soon become four: we're expecting. We are so excited! Brendan already knows, and is pretty nonchalant about it. We are due on November 24, two days after Thanksgiving. What a wonderful thing to be thankful for! Here we go again.

Our 2nd child's 1st photo.

Mommy Works on a Green Thumb: April 2012

So, if you know me well, you know that I have never had any experience with gardening. And, after 4 years of living in our house, I have finally decided to try my hand at it. We took out the nasty, plastic "bricks" that line the front of the house and replaced it with actual brick landscaping. I then enlisted my friend, Jessica's, help and chose my first perennials that I planted in the front and side areas. I am pretty pleased with the outcome. The true test will be if they survive the hot St. Louis summer. Here goes nothing.....

Before: yucky fake brick

Before: close-up of said brick.

After: garden in front. The Azaleas are the pink, and day lilies are the yellow. The others should bloom early summer, then late summer/early fall. If all goes well.

Side box (before we put in the mulch): the Foxglove is in bloom in this photo.

Easter: April 8, 2012

The night before Easter we did the usual: dying Easter eggs. But this was the first time that Brendan was able to dunk, and remove, the eggs by himself. And he was so proud of his work. On Easter Sunday, we attended church with Aunt T and Uncle Danny. After which, we made our way to PaPa Pelhank's for the usual overstuffing ourselves on a huge meal. This year, the weather in St. Louis was beautiful. So the boys decided to work off some of their meal by doing some fishing. And Brendan had so much fun. He was excited when he (with a little help from Daddy) caught a fish. Amy, Tory, and I relaxed in the sun a little while the fellas fished. It was a nice change for Easter Sunday...maybe a new tradition has started.

B dyes his own Easter eggs.

The finished product.

Our handsome man in his Easter Sunday best: ready for church.

Not sure what the plan was on this: but what a good sport Aunt T is!

Brendan fishes with Uncle Danny.

"Yes!" Brendan and Daddy catch a fish.

All the guys walking along the opposite side of the lake. From left: Uncle Danny, Brendan, PaPa Pelhank, & Daddy.

Easter Egg Hunt: April 6, 2012

We were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt this year by the Whitlocks at the South County YMCA. Brendan had a blast! He gathered eggs like a champ. And after the actual hunt we were able to go inside the YMCA gym. He could not get enough of the trampoline. He went on it over, and over, AND OVER! So much fun.

Brendan and Josie say "Cheese" before the Easter Egg Hunt begins.

From left: Janet, Josie, Dave, Kelly, Ryan, Brendan (acting silly, and a little hidden), Leanna, and Jessica.

A pro egg collector: look at him go!

Showing off his collection

The trampoline

Think Brendan is enjoying himself?

First Time on Skates

Well, he did it. Brendan got on skates for the first time. It was only in our living room...but it's a start. He did pretty well for the first time, too.

B's 1st Parade: January 28, 2012

 On this day we took Brendan to the Welcome Home Heroes parade. It was a parade held in downtown St. Louis to honor the newly release Iraq war veterans. We prepared him before by explaining why we were going to this parade. What these soldiers had done for us, what they had sacrificed, and how they do what they do so we can be free to live the life that we live. He colored his own sign to bring with him for the parade, and was truly excited that morning. It was cold, and pretty windy, but it didn't matter. It was touching to see the reactions of the soldiers...thanking us for being there. When, in no way, could that even compare to what these remarkable people have done for us. Brendan could not comprehend the magnitude of what Ryan & I felt as we fought back tears through much of the parade. That's not to say that Brendan did not enjoy himself. By the end of the parade, he was a pro flag-waver and plastic hand clapper. He also thought the Clydesdales and clowns were pretty cool. Such a fun and memorable experience, so glad we could enjoy it together.

Snow! Jan 12, 2012

We did not get much snow this Winter, but on this date we were able to enjoy a little fun in the white stuff. While Daddy was at work, Brendan was able to help Mommy shovel off our impressively steep driveway. And what a helper he was! After the work was done, we tossed a few snow balls at each other. And as a reward for all our hard work....HOT CHOCOLATE! One of Mommy (and now Brendan's) favorites!