Monday, January 4, 2010

Monday Memories—Our Shooting Range

Calvin said, “You’re going to blog about this aren’t you?”

I said, “Nope. This is Jeff Foxworthy fodder.”

But then we got our family pictures back from Alyson, and well . . . it is our memory, Jeff Foxworthy-worthy or no, and . . . they are pretty guns.

Photobucket
Abe thinks I don't know how to hold a gun

Over the past several years, Calvin made each gun in this picture from hunks of wood (one for Ray, Cali, Abe, and Ty. Ande is holding out for a grandfather's clock). Each gun has about 300 hours in it. He is incredibly talented.

Because it was too cold to have an outside shoot-off this Christmas, Calvin made an inside-the-house target for the pellet gun. The target trap is a box made out of plywood and lined with plumber’s putty so as to stop the bullets. The front of the box holds a clip board with the center cut out so the pellets can go through the target before hitting the putty. The box sits on a stool at the end of the hall against the bookcase and in between the two bedrooms. Not only did Calvin make a target trap, he also mounted a big sight on the pellet gun (and the rhino-sized scope looks pretty ridiculous on the itty-bitty gun, but I suppose one shouldn’t complain when it is your books that are at risk).



The boys all pushed the piano into the center of the living room so that they had a clear shot across the living room and down the hall to the target. If you looked down the hall over the head of the shooter you saw the target and then a hand resting on the carpet or an elbow sticking out of the bedroom doors. After the shot went off you saw two heads pop out to verify where the pellet hit the target. And then you heard “NICE shot” or a whole lot of razzing and arguing. Then they switched and the two heads popped back into the bedroom and the next one took aim. Another thing you heard quite often was, “DON’T COME OUT OF THE BATHROOM YET. We’ll tell you when it’s clear.” This left me a bit skittish. Target practice kept the guys entertained for hours, especially once Calvin discovered he could sit in the chair and put his feet up on the ottoman and still be in the running.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You aiming the gun is priceless--my favorite family photo of you guys! Thanks for the visit today. Sandra Bullock is bea-u-tiful! And I'm with Rachel on one of your older posts. Who in the heck IS that anonymous, anyway?

BRENDA

Derek-Jenny-Kaitlynd-Ethan-Dylan said...

I can almost hear you making the gun sounds! You look great....I don't care what Abe thinks!! Hehehe!

Julie said...

Your face while aiming is the best! I love Jeff Foxworthy. Jake quotes him often (and well). Those guns are amazing and definitely should be pictured. I love the target practice in the hall. Do they ever miss and hit your books? My boys would just shoot each other.

Deidra said...

I thought Sandra Bullock, too. Glad to see I wasn't alone in that thought!

This could have been something my dad would have done growing up, if he would have had a son or two sprinkled in with the four daughters.

Calvin's guns are so pretty. I'm amazed at all the talent there.

Jill said...

Those guns are amazing! I love that picture of your family, it's so cute!

Emma J said...

Sandra Bullock? I missed something.

Love! the first picture - what a fun group and you Jane taking aim in the center!

I'm impressed with Calvin's talent.

tina said...

That is stinking hilarious. Great family picture!! Love it! Ray might be feeling a little left out in this one, but I am sure he'll forgive you. I agree with Julie, my boys would like turn themselves into targets, although probably not with pellets; they'd break out their nerf ammo. Looks like a good time all around!

Becky said...

One of my favorite posts! :) Great family photo too!

Angie said...

I find your family completely fascinating and adorable....often times while reading your posts I feel like I am reading a recap of a fictional tv family, because it seems impossible that a "real family" lives, loves, and learns this way. I find it amazing!

melanie said...

You are adorable in this photo. I love it! Calvin's guns are amazing, he is very talented.

Kathy’s Korner said...

Seriously enjoy this stage of your family life! What great fun you have had during the holidays! I love the heads poking out of the bedrooms! I can see it all now, great post and great description of a fun event.

Lucy said...

I adore everything about your family. The time and talent put into those guns are both jaw-dropping.

Barb said...

An indoor shooting range is so funny and creative. I'm glad they didn't let a little cold weather get in the way of tradition!

michelle said...

That family photo is adorable!

But I'd be holding out for a grandfather clock, too.