Woodcutting Day {Central Illinois Style}

This was in December before Christmas.  We needed firewood and the timber had some trees that needed to be cut down, so Doug planned a woodcutting day.  It was quite the production with all the 'toys' we had to use.  I'm used to cutting wood with an ax and maul.  Not this day!  We had chainsaws, wood splitter, skid steer....  We cut down a few trees and have plenty of firewood to get thru the winter for Derek's house and ours.  

The early crew.  Doug was taking the picture. Grandma, Wesley, Lexi, Kerrigan & I came a little later - we were packing lunch, etc.

Hudson having fun riding with Grandpa in one of the toys.

Derek with one of the chainsaws

Doug and Brent splitting wood on the wood splitter - much easier than an ax and maul!  Almost felt like cheating.

Hudson giving it a try

and me

bonfire to burn unusable pieces and for keeping warm.  You don't stay as warm without an ax & maul putting you to work.

The kids had fun around the fire

trying to roll a huge log over to the burn pile.

Much better, now, Kerrigan is helping :)

now we're talking.  Grandpa to the rescue.  That is much easier.

Grandma

Good friends / cousins / Sutton & Lexi

Ready to watch Derek cut down a tree

Doug and Derek making the plan

Derek made it look easy, but it's pretty serious stuff and the tree can easily go the wrong way.

Timber!

 Doug giving it a try and finding out how hard it is.

He did it, but we discovered later, after examining the cuts, that it could've easily fallen on the photographer (me!) and the cabin behind, if had any rotten spots or wind change.

Me trading my camera for the chain saw. I was freezing and needed to do some work to warm up. 

The kids did some sledding with Grandma

Go Grandma!

Me and 4 kids!

   Londyn, Whitley, Janelle & Leann met us nearby at Derek & Leann's new house that is in progress for lunch break.  Got this shot of all the cousins.

Derek and Leann's new house.  Almost finished.  Isn't it beautiful?  It's right across from the timber, which is nice, too.

 Heading home after a long and productive day of woodcutting.  Saw this sunset in the field next to Derek & Leann's on the way out.