Josh's Elk Hunt 2014

It was a successful elk hunt for Josh this year.

With all the stress from his job, followed by the new job opportunity, he has been really stressed this year. Luckily, with the job change, he was able to have a week off so he could only have to worry about hunting season.

To add to the stress, last week, his grandpa was life flighted to SLC. He had to have some stints put in immediately and will probably need a followup procedure. He is doing well, but because of it, they won't be able to go on his hunt next weekend. I think grandpa only puts in for hunts so he can have a reason to get the family together. 

I had to go to the city for some other stuff, so on my way home, I decided to stop and see grandpa. As I was pulling into the parking garage, I got the picture from Josh. So the first thing I did when I got to the room was to show grandpa. That made his day. He even had me showing the picture to the nurses. And later, Josh was able to call him and tell him all about it.

Josh didn't have time to go home, get the horses, and get back up the mountain before dark, so he decided to just go back the next morning. He was thrilled when he dad said he would go with him.

Josh has already said, many times, this was one of his funnest hunts ever. And you can see that by the huge grin on his face.

Corn Maize with the Nephews

This weekend, we went to the Bluebell Corn Maize with most of our nephews.

 

Our group included myself, Josh, my mom, sister and her boys, Melanie, Colter and their boys and Colter's sister. I was sad that Colt wasn't there, but I guess he is a little young. 

My family got their first, so we played in the court yard. Last year, Daxsen had no fear. But this year, he got to the top of the slide and changed his mind. So my mom went with him. After that, he was fine.

Feeding the goats. Daxsen dropped most of his food pellets on the ground, but the goats still enjoyed licking his hands.

After everyone was there, we headed into the corn maize.

The boys got tired, so they hitched a ride.

My all time favorite photo last year was with the nephews at the corn maize. So I tried to duplicate it. But I showed have used a different photographer. Josh forgets the camera has a zoom button and didn't tell me that it was hard to see some faces around the bars.

Nevertheless, I will treasure this picture for the next 12 months.

After the maize, we took Vanessa's boys to the pumpkin patch. (Preston and Tyler are getting their pumpkins from their grandma this year.)

I told each boy I would buy them a large pumpkin and a small pumpkin.

Daxsen did NOT want to look at the camera and smile.

I love this age and the faces they make when you tell them to smile.

Waiting for the tractor to come back and pick us up. While we were waiting, Daxsen decided a little girl had a better pumpkin then he did. He set his down and then took hers. I've heard it said several times that the terrible two's are nothing compared to the terrible, horrible three's. He is living proof of that.

By this point, it was past their nap time, but Valex really wanted to ride the cow train before they went home.

After they left, Tyler and Preston talked Colter and Josh into doing "Friendly Fire" with them. Its a like paintball, but they use Nerf balls instead. Josh said the boys said they would be teams. Colter and Preston vs Josh and Tyler. But as soon as they stepped in, all was forgotten and both boys turned on their dad and uncle.

It was a blast and this is quickly becoming another one of my favorite traditions and another reason October is my favorite time of the year.

I also have to brag about what Valex and Daxsen made for me. Their mom took them on a walk and they collected leaves and then made these cute pictures for me. We just upgraded to an upright freezer (vs. a chest freezer) and I was thrilled to have something to hang on it.