Cody's First Elk Hunt

Cody is all boy. He loves everything to do with motorcycles, dirt, and guns. For the past couple of years he has been begging to go hunting.
During the week of the elk hunt this year, Chris' dad invited Cody to come and go hunting with them. He missed school for two days and instead, trudged up and down mountains in freezing, snowy weather. Not my idea of fun, but Cody had the time of his life.

They even took time out to carve pumpkins one night.
Cody still hasn't stopped talking about his hunt. He got to go out and do something he loved with his bestest buddy and cousin, Chris. At 7, life just doesn't get better than this.

Primary Program

Today was our wards primary program. It was also the last primary program for Miss Brit. It was fun to watch all the things that the kids have learned over the year. I practiced Cody's line with him a couple of times. When I asked him if he had it memorized, he said, " I don't have to memorize it mom, the teacher will just whisper what to say in my ear."
They both said their lines very well though. Next year, Cody will be our one remaining primary goer. I'm a little melancholy about that but I'm really excited that Britnee will be in Young Women. I'm loving every minute watching these kids grow.

The Witching Hour

Halloween means it's time again for our Bear Lake Witches party. Same place and same theme as last year- anything witchy goes.

This year Candice and I found costume ideas at the melodrama we went to in Salt Lake last month. We bought prom dresses from the DI and hula hoops, hats, and gloves from the dollar store. Add a little toile and some fabric and Voila!!

Ashlee- Our awesome hostess for the evening

Sitting down proved to be quite hilarious. We both drove our cars to and from the party too. Good thing there weren't any accidents involved.

Lots of different friends were there to visit and have fun with, including my good friend Amy. It was a wonderful night of food, fun, and witchin'.

Round 2- The Family

And we're finished!!! On Sunday afternoon Candice came over and we took our family pictures up Jacobs Canyon. There was an old house up there that was a perfect backdrop.
Matt thinks that one picture per decade outta do it, so he does not even almost get excited to go pose for the various pictures I think are important each year. He goes though, and for that I'm thankful.
I just love my little family. I love to see how much the kids change and grow.
Until next year...

Round One-The Kids

Every fall I attempt to take the kids pictures for my blog, family, and friends. And every year I come home with stories only slightly less frustrating than the last.

This year we went up Swan Creek and were frantically running around trying to beat the sun over the hill. It only took an hour, and though there were a few throw aways, most of them turned out ok. The screaming was at a minimum and we all survived with most of our sanity intact.

I had just to snap this one. Cody was trying so hard to smile so that he could go home and in the process, tripped Britnee over. I love that even though they are falling over, Cody still has his smile.
Round one- CHECK. Round two (Family Pictures)- Gettin' Geared up.
Just smile and nod, Tara, just smile and nod.

Winner Winner Winner!!

Tonight at Bunco one of the girls needed a sub, so Jaycee got to come play. I had my eye on this cute pumpkin guy but by about half way through the game, I knew that I was not going to be the winner. Jaycee played her little heart out though and when they called out the winner, it was my Jaycee.

There's not really a lot of skill involved with Bunco, but I was so happy for her winning none the less. Go Jaycee, you can come play with us again anytime. Love you girl!!!

The Icing on the Shed

Is any project ever really done? Matthew wants to think that they are but I find myself laying in bed at night just thinking of new things to do to improve our home and yard.

This is the (kind of) finished product of the shed. I've been working like crazy to get everything done for winter and Mother Nature has helped with some beautiful fall weather.

My friend Katie and I took trips to Cokeville, Wyoming to load up on river rock. I love the look of smooth stone as borders and Bear Lake doesn't have much of it here. The flowers are all overstock on my front flower beds so those are getting trimmed up in the process.

Matt and Cody worked very hard earlier this summer putting up the double decker front porch. I have to give them two thumbs way up for the way it turned out.

This is definitely the icing on the cake for our shed project. It kinda looks like it lives here now and not just plopped in the back yard. I still have some work to do but I feel so much more ready for winter than I did last week at this time.
I feel like this part of the world can be at rest for a minute, but am I finished with my yard work? NEVER!!!!