Happy Halloween

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Halloween was so fun for me this year because the boys were so excited all day long to get dressed in their costumes and go get lots of CANDY!! Ty looked especially handsome in his "cop" uniform and Tag was such a true county boy in his "cowboy" getup! I just loved it and had a fun time with the boys and our community trunk or treat! This year our church announced that they would not be doing a trunk or treat and that made me a little sad! I didn't know what we were going to do for the evening. I was so happy that the community decided to bring the trunk or treat back this year! Even though we had a great time, the boys really didn't get too much candy, but at this age I am okay with that! When they get a little older they might feel a little robbed, but for now we will embrace it! I just remember the good ol' days of being able to go door to door to get candy and I really miss that! We use to bring home so much candy that it was down right sick and boy did we get sick if we ate it too fast!

At the community event they had the trunks decorated and had candy for the kids to be passed out. Then our friends set up their bungee cord trampoline and rock climbing wall! We waited in line forever for Ty and Tag to take their turn on the bungee jump! I was really bummed that I didn't bring my camera to capture the boys! Tag had a blast jumping and Ty loved it as usual! They also had this really fun tall cylindrical thing that you climbed up and once you got to the top there was a huge slide for them to go down! Unfortunately, there were too many big kids trying to climb up that Ty couldn't get to the top! Maybe next year when he is a little bigger he will have better luck!

We had a Happy Halloween and look for many more fun Halloween memories!

My First Mule Deer

This year I was the only one in our family who got a deer tag! Josh was about in tears when he found out that he didn't draw a single tag! However, he couldn't wait to take me hunting! As many of you know, my husband was gone for about 2 1/2 months, but made sure to come back right before the hunt! He was so excited to go hunting, but my hunt didn't start until Monday October 5th, so he had to work a couple of days before taking off to go hunting! We left Wednesday afternoon and were really in no hurry to get to his parents house, but then the phone call came! "Josh a rancher has had four really nice bucks coming into his pasture for the past couple of nights around 4:00pm you better hurry up and get here!" Needless to say, Josh sped the entire way to his parents! We jumped out and dropped the kids off and grandma's and got in the truck and left. I didn't have my hunting clothes or boots on and really didn't expect to get a deer! We left his parent's around 4:20pm and thank goodness we only had to go about 20 minutes up the road. We picked up my father-in-law, Kelly, and headed for the field where the bucks had been seen. Originally we were going to take the 4-wheeler, but we didn't have time to load it, so off we went a hiking. It was a nice evening and we started hiking around the mountains behind the field where the bucks had been seen. We didn't see anything, but there were tons of tracks everywhere. We hiked for a little while and then decided to sit down and glass the mountain. Josh wasn't too happy when he didn't see anything. Then 4 really nice bucks popped up and all I heard was, "Holy crap that is a monster!!" He let me look and they looked like nice bucks, but they were so far away that it was really hard to tell! Well, he drew up a game plan or should I say "hunting plan"! We waited until the bucks dropped down into the canyon and out our view and booked it up this other mountain. Josh then tells me, "From here on out we have to be super quiet!" I thought I was being quiet, but apparently I was going to fast up the mountain and he had to keep pulling on my jeans to slow me down! What can I say, I was excited and my heart was racing so fast!

We get to almost where we needed to be and Josh tells me to get my gun ready to fire because they are going to be right there when get to the top! Now I am really nervous, but excited at the same time! We get to the top and found NOTHING there! What the heck, where did they go! They weren't moving that fast, so we figured they would be there, but we were wrong. Josh tells me to stay where I am and he was going to see if they were further down the wash! Sure enough there they were and they had picked up 3 other nice size bucks! He tells me to hurry up! I am carrying my rifle and sprinting across a mountain top trying to not trip and fall and shoot my husband in the process! I am sure I looked so graceful! I got to Josh and was ready to fire, but he told me to calm down and take a deep breath! I was so afraid I was going to miss my shot! Thank goodness there was a nice big rock to rest my rifle on! Josh pointed out the buck that he wanted me to shoot, but it wasn't that cut and dry! I had a military sight on my rifle instead of a scope, so it was really hard to see the deer! They looked really small and it was getting dark, so I just hope I would hit where I needed too! I fired my first shot and hit him and really wounded him! I was shooting a 223 and ended up shooting him 6 times out of 8 total shots! We knew he was wounded really bad by the first shot, but we were worried he would get away, so I kept shooting! Needless to say, in the end we got him. I will say that I did a big boo boo and shot his antler one of those times! Lets just say it was good I was shooting a 223 and not something bigger! I can't tell you the adrenaline rush I was on! I was so excited and was so happy about my first buck!

It was getting so dark and it was a long way to drag him back to the truck, so we came back and got him the next morning! The boys loved it! The very first thing Tag did was touch his eyeball...so disgusting! Then both Ty and Tag were trying to ride on him and petting him! They were so proud of mom! I had a great time and am now excited for my next hunt! We called my dad to tell him the news and he was so excited and that made me happy! He told me that I had to get it mounted, so that is what we did! Now daddy and the boys can be jealous and have something to aim for! Josh and my brothers said they were all jealous because they have been hunting their whole lives and have never shot anything so nice! I blame it all on my hot hunting guide...I definitely needed him there with me! Let's just say it was a HUGE turn on for him!! I think it was a win-win situation!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ty!!

This year Ty's birthday fell on a Monday (October 5th). This was a perfect day because we could have a birthday party for our Family Night! We invited Ty's closest friends, Isaac and Becca, and of course their siblings and parents came too! We got him some balloons and he picked out the "Bob the Builder" one which surprised me because we had a "car" theme going on, but I guess he had the best of both worlds! I was going to make him a cake, but it was a crazy day, so I went and bought one! All day long he kept asking to have his birthday party! I had to explain that it wouldn't be much of a party if no one was there and that we had to wait until daddy got home and all of his friends came over. He was such a good boy because mom wrapped his presents early and put them on the safe and he never tried to open them! I know it killed him because he asked me ever day if it was his birthday! What a trooper he was!

Those who know my son, knows that he loves anything with tires that go fast or any type of big equipment! I found this big backhoe that makes fun noises, goes forward, and the bug bucket even lifts up and down! I just knew he would love it! Then I found a great deal on a set of Thomas the Train DVDs at Costco! Since his Thomas the Train DVD doesn't work anymore, I decided to get him this set of 6 for only $20! He has really missed watching Thomas and I knew he would just love all these new movies!

We sang "Happy Birthday", lit the #3 candle, and then opened his presents! He opened the backhoe first and I think we should of saved it for last! His friend Isaac helped him open it and instantly fell in love! I guess he has been wanting the same thing! Ty didn't want to share at first, but we finally got it settled and they did a great job sharing it! He loved the DVDs and Isaac got him a really fun jeep with a trailer and backhoe on the back! He plays with it in the bathtub and outside all the time! I asked Ty if he had a good birthday and he said "yes!"

It is crazy to think back 3 years ago and remember the tiny, tiny, tiny baby he once was! There were many problems with my pregnancy and Ty stopped growing so they decided to take him at 37 weeks! He weighed 5 lbs 13 oz and was just the tiniest thing! Josh and I instantly fell in love with him and have enjoyed all the joy and laughter he has brought to our lives! We love our, "Ty Ty" and wouldn't change anything about him! We Love You Ty!!

*birthday pictures will come when I get my camera back...what is up with me never having my camera?

Happy 30th Birthday Josh

Josh actually missed his birthday because he was still working up north! His birthday was on Wednesday September 3oth, but he didn't get home until the following Friday night. The boys were so excited to make dad a cake and have a party for him when he got home. He got home about 7:30pm, but we still had a party for him. Ty and Tag loved helping dad open his present and they really LOVED the cake and ice cream! There was much to celebrate...daddy being home for good, a birthday, and being back together as a family!!!

Daddy LOVED his present! I was so excited that my surprised stayed a surprise! Josh has been wanting a Kimber 1911, but they are expensive. I looked at some other pistols, but I knew he really wanted this one! I had been saving some money up for his birthday and decided to splurge and get him what he really wanted! He was really shocked that I got it for him and his twin brother about fainted...green with envy! I think I have a lot of my dad in me! I love surprises and I love to get people what they really want! Nothing makes me happier than making those I love and care about happy! However, this will also be Josh's Christmas present this year and he is perfectly fine with that!

We went out and shot the pistol and it is really fun to shoot! It feels great in your hand and shoots really well! We ended up going to Sportsman's Warehouse so Josh could get a new holster to carry it concealed. I think it is safe to say that this is the best birthday ever! We love you Dad!!

A Shout out to Single Moms!

I have been a single mom for the past 2 months and what a hard job it is! I just wanted to let all you single moms out there know what a hard job you have and what tough women you are!! But of course you already know this!! I will hopefully not be a single mom for much longer because my husband should be returning home soon and I really feel for those of you who are not so lucky! Whether you are a single mom because your husband is in some branch of the military, widowed, or divorced it makes no difference! It is a hard and demanding job and I want each of you to be proud of the title of "mother"!!

I often take for granted the tremendous help my husband is to me! If I have to go anywhere, I have to find a babysitter, friend, or family member to help me with the kids...what a big fat PAIN!!! Normally, I would just have my husband stay home with the kids...not the case when they are not there to help! While making dinner the kids are normally screaming, crying, or wanting my attention and that just isn't possible, but when my husband is home he can take care of them so I can make dinner! Oh the joys of being, "Mrs. Not So Handyman!" I have learned how to put on training wheels (which had to be fixed by my great brother-in-law)! Who knew you had to use 2 wrenches when trying to tighten them...NOT ME!! This is not in my job description, but when you don't have a man by your side EVERYTHING is in your job description!! Not only do I clean toilets, do dishes,laundry, make meals, grocery shop, etc., etc....I also do yard work, attempt to fix the broken sprinkler heads, drip systems, put on training wheels, and whatever else decides to break down! What a complete NIGHTMARE!! Don't even get me started on trying to go to church with 2 VERY WILD BOYS!!! I am sure I could write a novel on all the woes of single motherhood, but for your sake I will not!!

I just really wanted to give credit where credit is due....REAL SINGLE MOTHERS!!! I am just a TEMP and will soon enjoy the luxuries of having a husband by my side! For all of you who gripe about your husbands (ME INCLUDED) try and cherish them, even when they don't pick up after themselves because you will miss them when they are gone!

To my WONDERFUL HUSBAND....I love you, miss you, and NEED you in my life! Please hurry home! I think the boys are starting to think that mommy is a liar when I tell them, "when daddy comes home...(fill in the blank)!!

A trip to the Zoo

One of the many kangaroos

I want that Turkey

The HUGE Porcupines!

Lemurs

I loved the otters too...such sweet little animals

The cute little monkey in the tree with the sloths (very interesting creature)

This is a baby kangaroo...called a "joey"

My friend, Jill and I, decided to take the boys to the local zoo! They had a GREAT time, but it was a little hot for all of us! We saw kangaroos, otters, sloths, monkeys, lemurs, zebras, camels, goats, porcupines, ostrich, tortoise, and some other animals! The kids loved the otters and even got an otter kiss! There was a monkey that would jump on people and loved hair! I wasn't quick enough with the camera when the monkey came to Tag and Ty...darn it! Ty wanted to go pet the African or Asian (can't remember) porcupines and I FREAKED out! I don't think he understood that you had to go a certain direction or be caused great pain! Tag loved the animals and wanted to get as close as he could! I really think he would have chased the turkey into that tunnel...not where I wanted him to be! We would have loved to stay longer, but I was sweating to death and our poor boys cheeks were bright red! We were bad moms and brought no water with us...thank goodness for the misters! Next time we will go in the fall or spring! Summer is just too hot, but we all survived and had a great time!

Bunko Night

Once a month I get together with 11 other women, who I now call friends, and we play a fun game of Bunko! I look forward to this night all month long. I love hanging out with all of these wonderful friends and we laugh and talk and just be "girls"! We usually have a theme and this time it was "Grouchy Grammy!" I am a little embarrassed to put this picture up, but for memory sake I am willing to sacrifice! I am on the phone with my sister...she was wanting to see my outfit and helped give me some ideas! I had some problems keeping my bottom lifted, so I finally had to tape it on (advice from my hubby)! I am just sad that we didn't get a group picture because there were some really good "grannies!" We always take a group picture, so I will try to post a group one next month! I added some bright orange lipstick and gave myself some fuller hair which is not shown in this picture! Thank Bunko girls for all the fun memories! This is our 2nd year of doing this and man have we had some good times! No Men are allowed for a reason and the "theme" night is one of the main reasons! I wouldn't even get out of the car when I picked up some of the girls because I didn't want anyone to see my attire! I think, so I know, our husbands think we are all a bunch of "nut jobs!", but at least we are a bunch of fun "nut jobs!"

Let me know if you have any good themes...my turn is in April!