Trick Or Treat

This Halloween was a bit hectic for this little family.  We moved on Tuesday night with the help of our new Ward, thank goodness.  I felt bad asking our old Ward to help us considering they helped us move our extremely heavy furniture not five months ago.  We got all of our stuff to the new place which was great considering most of the small stuff was already there- we moved slowly since it was just across a very small town.  The people who came to help cracked me up though, apparently they don't move often.  They were carrying big stuff like our dressed with the drawers in.  Are you nuts?  Did I mention most of these men were in their 40's or 50'S.  I was waiting for someone to have a heart attack, I am not saying they are out of shape but really they were lifting really heavy stuff.  

On Wednesday my dear sweet mother helped me clean our old place.  I really need to pay my debt to her for helping me clean two apartments from top to bottom in the last 5 months.  This apartment wasn't hard to clean though because we had only lived there a short time.  We got done cleaning and locked everything up for the new tenants just in time to get a little of the house put away before Travis came home from work.  

Trick-or-treating these days is kind of a joke.  When we were kids do you not remember running from house to house actually working for your candy?  Now with all of this trunk-or-treating kids get all the candy they need with one spin around the parking lot.  Oh how times have changed.  We got the kids ready and headed out to a few houses.  Jaylee was a great little kitten.  She did amazing, it was our little dragon that was difficult.  Sawyer didn't want to wear his costume at first, even though he loved wearing it around the house prior to Halloween.  To make matters worse, the first house we went to Sawyer tripped on the stairs and split his lip.  Poor thing.  It kind of put a damper on things for him.  Halloween is just not his holiday, last year hand-foot-mouth disease and this year a split lip.  Maybe next year will be better for him. 

All tuckered out

The blood from Sawyer's split lip, when Travis wears this shirt Sawyer asks where his owie is. 

The Opening Day

The Deer Hunt....need I say more?  This year I had the tag for the deer.  I decided last time I went hunting and passed up some bucks because "they were too small" that I would shoot anything that came along with antlers otherwise the hunt could go on for days.  

We were hunting in Circleville this year because, 1. it was my dear sweet Grandma's birthday opening day, and 2. that is where my babysitters were- love ya Aunt Nessa and Aunt Krista.  Plus, I love that we get to come home and eat and then go back out because nothing is very far away.  We headed down Friday night to go check the trail cams and get situated with everything.  My sisters brought Mariah's kids over to Grandma's to help celebrate and their parents were either hunting or working.  We ate some amazing homemade chicken noodle soup before the craziness of putting kids to bed started.  I kid you not we started getting kids ready for bed at 7:45 and finished putting kids to bed at 11:30, thank you very much Jaylee- she was the night owl.  We were all packing into Grandma's with three pack and plays for the babies and Sawyer who would wonder aimlessly if not confined.  The night started out swell until Jaylee woke up to be fed and I was oblivious to her.  Vanessa actually woke up and thought it was Hannah but to her relief it was my baby.  I fed Jaylee but then Hannah woke up about 15 min later which Vanessa didn't hear so then Sawyer woke up.  It was a bit of a three ringed circus for a little bit trying to get helping hands because I was the only one awake and I already had a baby.  We made it through the night though....barely.  

We came home and Sawyer was all ready to go hunting with his camo pants and his hunter orange, but he settled for a horse ride.

The opening morning Travis, Grandpa, Spencer and I headed out to the hunting grounds.  This is the worst part of hunting if you ask me.  We hiked to the top of hill in the pitch black in the freezing cold and sat there until the sun came up.  Fortunately, it was only half of an hour but still I was frozen.  Once the lights came on though all hell broke lose.  There were a lot of shots and all for a little forked horn.  When the sun came up too we were able to see all of the other out of town hunters in our spot, so frustrating.  Travis had been seeing a nice 4 point in our spot for weeks and the morning of the hunt he didn't show himself so we moved on before we got shot because people were every where.  

For lunch we all met up and headed down to Hoover's for Grandma's birthday luncheon.  We had quite the crew.  My mom and Dan met us there, along with Colby and Andie who were hunting on the Dutton.  Andie didn't have deer yet either, we were having a bit of a competition.  After lunch we headed back to the Grandparents to get ready to head out again.  Travis and I headed to the other end of the valley that requires more hiking to get to the areas so there goes all the lazy hunters.  We headed through the junipers and pinyons to find my buck. I kept getting distracted by all the pine nuts still in the trees.  I love those things.  My hunter/gatherer instincts kicked in and I started filling my pockets with pine nuts.  Hey if I didn't bring home meat we could have nuts. Finally just before dark we got this little one.  We thought me may have lost him in the sage brush but I found him.  Yep, it was like a needle in a haystack but we found him.  

We got him home and Travis finished cleaning him for me. I can not do raw meat after having kids. The smell and texture gets me all morning sick again.  It was a family affair out in the barn.  We were all excited that I got a deer until we started getting texts from Andie and Colby.  She won!!! She got a really nice 4 point.  If only I was that lucky.  Maybe next time. We finished the evening off with cake and ice cream.  Thanks for being born Grandma! 

Sunday morning we all headed to church, Saturday night went a lot more smoothly.  After church Grandma cooked a great roast and potato dinner.  We rested a bit and then headed back to Monroe.  Thanks for all the help and good times. 

Aunt Krista with the Mighty Hunter

Such a great Husband

Hunters in the making

Notice Zach Morris in the background

Just wants to be one of the big kids

Our nursery

Gone Fishing

Travis and my parents booked a fishing trip to go to Flaming Gorge to go Burbot fishing.  I had never heard of these fish before but apparently they are really good eating and fun to catch.  

Travis left on a thursday to go fishing that night from 6 to midnight- crazy hours.  The guide took them to a great spot.  They ended up catching like 41 burbot, it made the trip totally worth it.  They are pretty ugly fish but what they lack in looks they make up for in size and taste.  Apparently, they are part of the ling cod family. They also caught some trout too.  After fishing was over they stayed in Vernal at a friend of ours.  Travis and my mom had to hone their detective skills to get into the house though because our friends phone died and she didn't tell them how to get in but they figured it out.  Can you imagine 3 in the morning two people just wandering around trying to get into the house?  It is a good thing nobody reported them. 

While they were away for the weekend I took the kids shopping in Richfield and then we hit up a park that we hadn't been to.  It was a little chilly, a huge storm was blowing in. On Friday there was even snow up on the mountains.  Sawyer had fun at the park though even if he wouldn't go on half the stuff there. 

Friday I headed down to my grandparents- being a single parent is tough. Sawyer was excited to see Papa as usual.  Lately, he keeps asking to go see people- I see Todd, I see Papa, etc. Am I really that boring?  It was nice to be at my grandparents and get a little help.  

Saturday we all headed down to St. George for my great-Aunt Eloise 80th birthday.  We met up with Mariah and my Mom- she miraculously made it from Vernal to Beaver with a cousin. We all piled in Mariah's suburban and headed down the road.  We did some much needed shopping for my kids and their winter clothes.  Poor Sawyer had been wearing high waters since all of his pants were 18 month pants. We got them all squared away though.  I went a little nuts, ssshhh don't tell Travis.  Vanessa met us in St. George too and helped keep Sawyer entertained.   

We went to eat before headed to the party. That was entertaining in and of itself, Saturday afternoon in a St. George eatery busy, busy, busy- people watching that is. After lunch/dinner we headed over to the party.  It was fun to meet my mom's cousins.  I have met them before apparently but it has been years.  I met my mom's cousin that shares my name. There weren't many little kids there and Sawyer was stirring up some trouble with the ones that were there so my cousin Colby took him back to play with his boys.  Sawyer has been asking for Cason and Colby.  After Colby left though I realized that I forgot to send a diaper with him.  Oops. When the party was over Mariah treated my mom and me to a Costco membership.  I am so excited!!! I love Costco. We did more shopping at Costco while Vanessa and my Grandparents went to get my little man.  Apparently, they had to ride with the windows down because Sawyer was pretty ripe. 

When all was said and done we finally made it back to Circleville at about 10:30 pm.  What a long day.  My kids did pretty well if you ask me though.  My mom came back with us so I could take her to Monroe.  At about 1:30 in the morning Travis surprised us and came down to Circleville.  I had a hunch he would do that.  He missed his family and we missed him A LOT. He is lucky though I didn't break out my kung Fu skills on him for sneaking into the house in the dark. 

Sunday we met Dan at our house to have a fish fry.  It was delicious fish.  I am just bummed they didn't catch more.  I guess it will have to be an annual thing now to go Burbot fishing. 

Growing, Growing........

The kids sure are growing and changing.  When Jaylee was first born I remember thinking how much Sawyer has changed and seemed to have grown in just a few short weeks since she arrived.  He was such a "little guy" who needed my help for everything before the baby.  I was happy to give him my full attention but once Jaylee was here he had to start to do more for himself.  I am happy he has become a little more independent but at the same time a little sad.  I miss my little boy, but you have to let you kids grow up I guess.  

Recently, he has decided he doesn't like going to bed very much.  I think he knows that Travis and I stay up and watch movies, eat treats, and all kinds of fun stuff.  He can open doors now too so some nights we find him standing by the doorway of the front room just standing there watching the movie or watching us.  Afraid to say anything but wanting to be part of the fun. He has learned too, to not shut his door at these times because it is loud and we will know he is out of bed.  Smart little stinker.  

The other day he was sitting by the bookshelf.  I asked him what he was doing and he told me Jesus watching.  I don't know if he meant the picture of Jesus that is not too far away or what.  It made me chuckle a little though.  

Another afternoon we were outside sitting on the porch. I saw a lot of weeds in the flower box/garden area so I thought I will pick them.  Sawyer had found a plastic spoon and was digging in the area.  I was squatting down picking weeds when all the sudden I felt something cold and wet go down my pants.  Apparently, Sawyer thought I needed some dirt down my plumbers crack, goodness I hope I didn't have plumbers crack. I asked him what he thought he was going and he just kept repeating "dirt Mama, dirt". Thanks son. 

Nap, sleep Mama

Kiss Her Night

Jaylee has been growing a lot lately.  I don't remember time going so quickly when we had Sawyer but we have been so busy with hunting and fishing, and life in general that time just slips away from me.  She has started rolling and moving all over the place if you leave her on a blanket.  She likes to laugh.  In fact, last weekend when we were down at my grandparents for the deer hunt she was laying on the floor looking at her Aunt Nessa and just started laughing.  I love baby laughs.  She is starting to get pretty good head control too.  Everybody we meet comments on her hair, most days it is pretty wild but I try to tame it when we go in public. 

One night Travis was packing to go on a fishing trip so he was in the garage, I left Jaylee on the floor to kick and get some wiggles out while I went to talk to him for a minute.  When I came back in Jaylee had rolled over on her stomach up against the couch and she wasn't moving.  I freaked out, not because I thought why isn't she moving.  I hurried over to her and picked her up.  She got upset because I woke her up.  Yep she was sleeping.  She had carpet imprints on her little chubby cheek.  She is going through a little phase, well heaven help us I hope it is a phase, where she isn't sleeping very good at night.  I think it is because we keep going places and staying the night.  She needs more consistency I guess.  She used to sleep like 6 to 7 hrs from week 8 now we are lucky to get a stretch of 2 to 3 hrs.  Little stinker.  It is hard to get mad at such a little cutie though.  Jaylee is also discovering her voice.  I love it when baby's start to make lots of noises.  She squeals and squawks and jabbers.  Apparently, she has a lot to say.  I guess we will keep her even if her erratic sleep patterns are driving us all bonkers.  

I am a mover and a shaker

Cheeser

The Great Pumpkin

Mariah and her family came over to go to the Elsinore Pumpkin Patch.  We got there pretty late with everybody getting off work but it was perfect.  We were able to ride the train when we got there.  I was a little nervous because the kid driving the tractor was going in like high rabbit speed- if you don't know what that means sorry- and there were not any seat belts.  Sam was sitting behind us and I thought we might lose him a couple of times.  

We took the wagon ride out into the patch. There were tons of pumpkins.  We got a huge load with all the kids.  I don't care about the carving of the pumpkins I just want the seeds.  I didn't know there was a gourd part of the patch that they take you too as well.  I wanted to get some but we are moving soon, yes you heard it here first we are moving again, and I didn't want to move all of them.  

Once the pumpkins were bought and loaded we all headed into town to Pizza Hut.  Sawyer was excited to eat there with Sam again.  He loves Sam.  We ate there months ago with Sam and all of Mariah's family but every time we drive past there he says, Sam eat pizza mom.  Sawyer did really well eating with all those people which is surprising because he get distracted super easy, he was just happy to be one of the crowd. 

BYU v Aggies

The time has come again when Utah State played BYU.  It is always fun to go to these games.  There is such an excitement in the air and it always attracts a lot of people since it is an in state game.  We decided after the last football game that we would leave Jaylee at my mom's since she didn't like the noise and the people at the game.  BYU requires a ticket for kids above 2 so Sawyer got to stay at Grandma's too.  I don't think he was too put out though.  He barely even noticed we were gone since Grandma let him go pick up the golf balls in the field that Grandpa Dan hit out there for him.  He thinks that it is so much fun, Grandpa Dan thinks it is nice to have someone do that hard work for him.  

Travis and I headed up to Provo sans children.  That was the weirdest thing for me.  I haven't been without my kids for a long time- kids I am still getting used to the fact that I have kids..plural. When we got to Provo we stopped at the mall.  It has been such a long time since I have been in a place with a lot of stores.  (sigh, I miss living in the city) We didn't get much time to shop though because traffic was NUTS- I don't miss that- and we were going to meet my old roommate from BYU-Hawaii, Maresa.  We had so much fun together when we lived together.  I felt bad though because she was excited to meet my kids and we left them home.  I was excited to meet her husband but he was out of town so I guess we will have to get together again, hopefully soon.

Maresa came with us out to dinner.  A guy at Travis' work told him about a great Pho place in Provo that he "just had to try" so we went there.  I felt so out of place, I have seen this kind of food before but I have never eaten it, why I don't know because I love Ramen noodles.  Gross I know but sometimes I just like noodles.  Shoot, I can't even watch Kung Fo Panda without craving noodles.  We had fun eating and reminiscing.  We headed back across town to go to the game.  

We parked far away in hopes that we would be able to get out quicker. We got to the game and realized we were sitting not too far under the band.  They should put a little note with your tickets when you are sitting by the band to bring ear plugs.  We actually ran into a few people we knew.  During half time we met up with my other old roommate Lori.  Now her and I caused a lot of trouble together.  We really had some good times.  Good Ol' Snow College. The game turned out to be a pretty uneventful game.  The score was 3 to 6 BYU won.  Next year Aggies, next year.  Krista, met up with us after the game.  She was supposed to have a mission reunion at the Y but they got stuck in traffic and it took them 5 hours to get from Logan to Provo.  I don't know what the problem was but HOLY COW. 

We headed down to my mom's after the game. We got there super late but poor Mom was still up trying to get Jaylee to settle down.  She was like asleep but not in a deep sleep.  Apparently she just needed her Mama. 

It was General Conference so we got up and listened to the messages from the Prophet and Apostles.  We were all really surprised with the announcement of the lowered age to go on a mission.  There were a lot of other great messages shared.  In between sessions we all headed down to the tennis courts to play.  We played doubles, Dan and I against Krista and Travis.  We smoked them, thanks to my excellent skills, okay it may have been Dan's skills. 

Later in the day we exercised our skills at Boche Ball.  My mom really showed up.  She beat us all.  It was fun and a lot of laughing went on.  I learned I really need to lift some weights or learn to throw better.  

Golfing Mom

We stayed until Sunday and enjoyed being together as family.  We played, ate, talked, ate, laughed and had a good time, did I mention we ate.  I swear that is all we do at my mom's, it helps when she is a good cook.  

Who is enjoying this more do you think?

Yum ice cream

Pine nut Hunting

Travis' Aunt and Uncle had their LDS Mission farewell the last weekend of September.  They got called to the Boston Temple Mission, so cool.  We headed over the mountain to spend the weekend and visit with family. We started by heading out west to pick pine nuts.  I love pine nuts! They were everywhere out there.  It was addicting to start picking them.  I had a hard time not picking them all up and moving from tree to tree.  Travis' cousin came with us and helped entertain Sawyer which was nice.  Although, he didn't stop him from eating juniper berries and pine nuts with their shells. You live you learn right.  We collected quite a few nuts but sadly we have already eaten them all and it has only been two weeks. 

We headed back into town and the kids took much needed naps.  Sawyer was exhausted. After the pine nuts were cleaned and the bad ones separated out we were able to watch the Aggie Football game.  

That night was the worst night sleep for my kids for a long time.  Jaylee got up at 3 AM.  While I was feeding her, I heard a little, tired "Mamma".  Yep Sawyer got out of bed, that never happens.  I had to  go lay down with him to get him to sleep.  Next thing I know, Travis was waking me up because he couldn't find me and was worried.  We all settled back down and then Jaylee got up again at 6 AM, are you kidding me?  I guess we can't have good sleepers all the time.  Jaylee just likes playing games with us.  She was a super good sleeper now she is NOT!!! 

Sunday was the farewell and luncheon.  Jaylee was not her quiet self in church which meant I got to spend some time walking the halls with her.  Silly child.  The luncheon was crowded but it was good to see everybody.   

On our way back to our house we stopped to return some toys that Sawyer took from my sisters.  We stopped by the farm and saw Heidi and Carolyn.  It was fun to see them.  It has been ages since 1. I have been to the family farm, and 2. since I have seen my cousins.  We also had some more time to burn so we stopped by my Aunt Phyllis' to visit.  

Tired little cowboy