Fish Lips

{fish lips are the new duck lips}

On Saturday there was an ice fishing tournament for the employees at my work...no I did not sign up to fish, but since I run the Human Resources Department I usually get tasked with coordination of events, prizes and food, thankfully Katie was on board for helping out!

I had planned to take Ryan with me but everything changed last minute and I ended up taking David instead.  It was -2 degrees on Saturday morning and I was sure Ryan wouldn't make it very long, he was pretty sad but when Jon mentioned pancake breakfast?  Sold.

{Within minutes ~ itty bitty fish on}

David wore a snowsuit that used to be my grandpa's and it was huge on him, we joked that he looked like an oompa loompa but it was all we had and thankfully he could care less.  I have to say that I was so proud of him Saturday, he sat at his little fishing hole and watched his pole intently, everyone commented on what a good kid he was.

Speaking of behavior, not everyone behaved so well....meet Stan!  Stan and his girlfriend Ava are straight off the boat from their home country and admittedly never ice fished in their lives, they came to socialize but also threw a few tip ups in the water.  Somebody yelled that Stan had a fish on, so he dropped the drink keeping him toasty and high tailed it to the hole.

{yelling holy f*$% the entire way}

They pulled the fish up and it was a pike, the biggest fish I have ever seen and he had teeth!  Stan was screaming like a school girl over this catch until somebody said it had to measure 24" or he would have to throw it back.  He couldn't fathom the fact that he might not be able to keep it...

{maybe the best day of his life}

The pike measured one measly inch too short so the guys told Stan he would have to throw it back, he literally shoved that stinky snake-like fish inside his jacket and begged to keep it but the sportsman in the group said it was a no-go.  So he KISSED the fish and then threw him back into the water.

{he will never forget his first fish}

Katie on the other hand was perfecting her own craft...

{snow angel}

I was having a good time but I could not keep my fingers and toes warm!  I had on three shirts and a pair of snow pants so my core was good but my digits were like little blocks of ice!

Katie and I warmed up some sloppy joes for everyone, walked hot chocolate around and took a lot of pictures, I'd like to think we spiced up those ol' fisherman's day!  Well of course we did...because they invited us back for next year.

{she loved that little fish finder}

{still sitting at his hole waiting for the big one}

David wanted so badly to win the fishing contest, there was a cash prize in three different categories.  When we announced that there was only fifteen minutes until the weigh in, I thought he would have a heart attack.  

We only had one true winner in the pan fish division (perch) and even then he was a teeny tiny little thing!  So for the pike and walleye division we ended up drawing names out of a hat and wouldn't you know David won...he was grinning ear-to-ear, when they called his name.  I swear that boy is so lucky sometimes!

{poor little fishy}

When noon rolled around, we cleaned up and hiked back to the van where there was heat.  I had a really good time but this girl loves a little heat...I'm by no means a diva, but could I have gotten twenty or thirty degrees at least?