Crazy Kids!

Autumn loved animals. She loved this little kitten so much she hiked all over with it. (It's not our kitty. Kami's in-laws kitten)

Then I have Hunter. He loves to get ahold of my camera and this is what I get....
Rrrraaaaa

Then I have Dillon...He is a sweet good boy. He is learning a lot right now!! These baby donkey's were just born and not sure what to think of him. Dillon wasn't afraid to pet them. Today, he wants to go aligator hunting with his dad. OHhh!

Wow! What do you think of this house? Autumn worked hard to build it and wanted a picture.

These kids are only one reason why we haven't blogged for a month. They are lots of fun as you can see!

The hunt is on...

This post is for all my hunting girlfriends out there. Thanks to Jared and his co-worker they heard my cry's for the opportunity to hunt. After hearing Emily's experience, and Bethany's experience, and Becki's experience...I suppose I was feeling a little left out. They all have children and they were able to hunt this year. Enough excuses for staying home! It's time to hunt.

A landowner works with the Division to allow a certain number of management elk to be taken on their land and so I was able to have one of these lucky tags. Little did I know it was a last minute opportunity and the adrenaline was way intense on my part. Jared was amazing with the kids (lucky to be out of school for the day). He took them sledding, hiking, and to the local gas station for snacks. In the meantime I was horseback riding Rosie. She was the sweetest well behaved pony I've ever been on. Mike (yes, one of the 6 Mikes we know who hunts) was on the other horse with saddle bags, gun, gear, etc. He was prepared for a great day of hunting. The first 200 yards of our ride we saw over 30 elk and Mike said, "That would end your hunt too fast, but you could try for these ones? It's your hunt." We decided to ride for a little while and I was so glad because we saw an amazing 4 point deer. I had him close and in my sites and broadside, but no tag. He was just tempting me. This majestic buck tried to disappear, but we saw him 2 more times in the day. BIG TEASE! So back on the horses. Spooked out of the draw came 3 elk. Getting on them was really hard because they were moving and wouldn't turn. Missed that group. So on the horses we go. Deeper and deeper in the canyon. Side hill-group of elk-far a way-and starting to move to the next ridge...Mike was pretty confident in me and build my confidence and so a shot flew. Missed completely (but now I know the gun better). We decided to ride up to check for sign and if they were close over the next ridge. There they are! I picked a calf (mostly because Jared's dad shot a cow a week ago and so we have plenty of meat.) I made a good shot and then the work began.

Most of you know Jared's arrangement he made with me the first year married. He guts all my animals and I change dirty diapers. Well, I felt like it was his turn to deliver...so he owes Mike BIG! Lucky for me I had an excellent guide do the job. I felt like a queen riding Rose back to the truck while Mike hiked his horse with my elk back. I offered to let him ride while I walked to horse and he would hear of that.

We met the kids back at the truck and found them Sledding down the mountain top having a great time. Perfect ending to a perfect hunt.

Jared's teasing me for putting "Crystal's elk meat" on the packages. Just letting everyone know this time I brought the meat home.

Three Happy Kids

Just a quick update...fun Christmas!! Something about staying in pajamas all day and playing with the fun things that we give and recieve from Santa and your family and friends, just puts me in the Christmas Spirit. My kids are so happy today. They were happy to pass out the presents to everyone and open their own. The best was Autumn's bunny (Missy) it was hopping around a cage and making noises and lit up a spark in her. Then Hunter...how does 4 hours of Wii sound...pure heaven for him! Dillon just wants to drive his BLUE motorcycle all around and shoot everyone with his new gun-to hunt with his dad with. (funny story: he went hunting with Jared and a nurf gun. Shot at a deer and it bounced off. So disappointed he didn't get to bag the deer and take it home he says, "I know what I did wrong dad, I didn't lick it" )

Well, fun stuff on Christmas. Joy in my heart knowing that I have happy children!

Tonsilectomy

It's never a fun decision to put kids through surgery. In fact I fought the idea for over 2 years. Dillon has been healthy and happy boy, but those who know him know that he always has a runny nose. He would always be fighting a cold or we suspected allergies. After visiting 3 ENT (ear, nose, throat) Doctors and having to make a decision of living with snot or doing surgery. Well, this is the what happened.

For a week we have been creative with forts and comfy spots to lay down. We also stalked up on library movies and books to read.



He got some fun stiff to play with from the nurse.

Just after surgery...notice the 3 popcycles. His favorite was the Root Beer slushy.

He had to where his hunting camo to the hospital. He was so excited to see this mural on the wall. Primary Childrens is a wonderful hospital that did an amazing job taking care of him!

Holiday's

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We've had some fun decorating our tree. I love having the white lights on our tree every year so the colorful lights have been fun and different for us. Thanks to my parents who brought it up from South.

I can't believe these pictures of the boys sledding in grandma's back yard are all I have of Thanksgiving this year. Hunter pulled Dillon around for about an hour and then said to Dillon, "Now it's your turn to pull me." He tried and tried to pull but Hunter was to heavy. He was laughing so hard and didn't cry about it. He's a good kid.

We spent some time with Emily's family at the prop in Marysville. Emily and Hunter created a treasure hunt and the kids had so much fun! It was a quick trip south and we did spend some time with my mom in Panguitch too.

Our Halloween Holiday was spent in Washington. Kami and levi ran a 5 K with Riley and I was amazed that my kids ran the 1 mile fun run. Hunter couldn't let Autumn win so he ran harder than ever.

Oh how I miss Moses Lake! These girls are amazing! And I love that our kids all love eachother too. Autumn announced today that we are going to go back to washington next year so we can have more parties. Gotta love that Hunter pose. And Annalese put tape over here eyes just to be scary looking. Characters!

Well, Autumn was an Indian princess, Dillon a cow...I tried to pull off last minute being a Hunter and well Hunter is a Wal Mart bag. Leave it to him to think of that.

This was a fun post to do because our holidays begin with Halloween! We visited Raychel and Paul then headed to Washington to spend time with good friends and my sister's family Kami and Levi and baby Riley. So much has happened in all of this...so more to come.

Autumn's Baptism Dress

Here are some of my favorite "professional" shots from my camera. (I certainly am not a professional)

She is really happy with it and I think you can really see her personality. We love you Autumn!

My Favorite!

for Shayden

At our visit with Raychel up in Logan Dillon wanted to take a bath. The only way to put on these toy glasses was to lay down. Goof! The funny thing is a week later Shay had to have the same picture just to be like Dillon. They are 5 days apart. Cute kids!