Pruning the Orchard and Other Fun

On the weekend of February 22 - 23, I headed for the cabin with both Abigail and Bridget in tow. After getting things setup and eating some lunch in the cabin, we headed off in search of shed antlers.

Everyone needs a special shed finding mask

Searching for some antlers

The remainder of the afternoon was spent working on pruning the fruit orchard and yelling at the girls as they refused to get along with each other. Between fighting, they did actually manage to help me a little bit by carrying the sticks and branches over to the burn pile. 

The girls helping out

Before dinner, I gave the girls the opportunity to each choose a spot to place a trail camera. In addition, I put the cameras on video mode to make it even more exciting. They loved riding around in the wagon to find just the right tree for their cameras. 

All ready to put up trail cameras

Abigail picked a tree along the big field food
plot because she saw a lot of deer tracks

Bridget picked a tree on the ridge food plot, because that is where
all of the big deer are

As I made Easy Mac and hot dogs for dinner, the girls curled up in their beds and Abigail read to Bridget. After dinner we settled in for a movie and went to bed. 

Abigail reading from the top bunk

Bridget listening from the bottom bunk

After church and breakfast the next morning, I worked on finishing up pruning the orchard. It ended up being more work then I expected but I'm glad to have it done. 

Breakfast of champions

Abigail helping while her sister plays inside, it was much
better this way

Freshly pruned orchard

After the work was done, I loaded up the 22 rifle, target, and both girls and we headed for the big field blind for Abigail to do some more target shooting. Once again, Abigail did an excellent job shooting and following directions. Bridget also did a great job watching and listening. 

Abigail lining up her shot

Bridget waiting "patiently" in the wagon

Bridget plugged her ears because the
rifle was so loud...

While the burgers were on the grill for lunch, I began packing up some things in the cabin as well as installing a new seat and back rest on the cabin tree stand. 

Working to pack everything up in the cabin

New seat and back rest

Firing up the grill for lunch

After lunch, I gave each girl another ride on the ATV before packing everything up and heading for home. The girls were not very good at all for this entire trip as they just could not get along with each other. I think it may be quite some time before I'm willing to take both of them to the cabin together again. In spite of that, we did have some fun and made some memories. There is a lot to look forward to in the weeks and months to come. 

Bridget's final ride on the ATV 

Abigail's turn

Bridget being silly