The Big Hunt

Like I've said before, I drew a bull elk tag in 45! So we were really excited when October 1st came around-opening morning! We got up at like 1am and headed to the mountains! Got to the mountain around like 4am, I think, hiked in to our spot and waited until it got light.

When it finally got light we saw a big heard of elk come up over the mountain with probably like 30-40 head of cows with 9-10 bulls! And man were there some nice ones!! They were all on private property though and the two nicest bulls were probably about 100 yards away from the fence that separated the private from the public. Through out the day a few elk here and there would cross the fence and come up right by us into some quakies, but those big ones I had my eye on weren't budging. I figured that they would all eventually cross the fence and come up into the quakies where I could get a shot about 40 yards away... but of course they didn't. :(

Later on in the morning there was a shot on the other side of the hill the elk were on... Perfect! Or so I thought. Usually if a shot is fired behind the herd, as it was, it would push the herd the other way-which would have been right up to me! But just our luck-seriously we have such bad luck- the shot was fired and the elk went toward it!! So that was that! I couldn't believe it and was totally confused as to what the heck possessed them to go Toward the shot! But none the less the biggest elk we had ever seen in our lives were pushing the cows toward the shot :( They were so giant I can't even describe how big they were.. but when the herd elk was pushing the cows he would throw back his head and his antlers would reach all the way to his butt-he sure was a beaut! And that was from 500 yards away.

So enough of the pitty party... on with the rest of the story. We went out every single morning we could to that same spot and saw elk every single time but I was really good at holding out for a big one... I was actually really really hoping that I would see those giants again!

One of the mornings

A different morning

But on Monday October 12th we went out and were on the hill for about an hour when Ted spotted a nice sized elk, all by himself, making his way up the hill. Tommy and I made our way down the hill where we could be just about even with him. We watched him cross the fence to where he was on public and Tommy started calling him in! We could hear him making his way through the trees so I was getting ready to shoot him as soon as I saw him. Pretty soon we say his antlers coming through the trees so I crouched down to look through my scope and the instant he came out the trees I shot! Tommy called him right to us! I shot him at about 20 yards away! I shot Tommy's 300 which is loud and has a good kick-but I didn't hear it or feel it! It was so fast I don't even remember it! I could have steadied myself a little more and got a better shot but I didn't want to risk the chance of him getting away! Needless to say I was tired of driving that horrible road every morning that was so bumpy it made me sick! 

I did not feel good at all this day! And the bumpy road didn't help either!

But I got him right in the lungs and he ran about 10 yards into the trees and went down.

Ted gutted it out and cut it all up for me and he and Tommy started packing it out! I didn't pack any of the quarters out... they were as big as me! But I packed the head out!!.. Half way anyways haha. The antlers were too wide I couldn't get my arms around them to hold on to them... but hey I'm alright with that! ;) So that was the big hunt for the year! And since this post is so late, we have eaten some of the plethera of meat we got off him and it is yummy!!

Just some bonus pictures of the fog one of the mornings. It was sooo cold but it was pretty!

Adding To The Family By Eight Paws

This year I was lucky enough to draw a 45 bull elk tag!! So that is how we spend all our days off and free time-scouting for elk! We went up looking on the night of Aug. 26 and didn't see a dang thing! Except for a big old black bear! That was pretty cool because I had never seen a bear in real life before! I wish I would have taken some pictures but I was to worried about getting it caught on the video camera :( It was about 600 yards away, so we kept a pretty good distance!, and probably about 300+ pounds! I don't know if it was worth seeing no elk, but it was cool.

 The next morning we headed home and decided to stop and see Cody's new house, and on a whim went and looked at some kitties his grandma had at her house and ended up bringing two home!

One for each of us! Tommy picked the one on the right and named her Yazzi, and I picked the smallest one there and named him Little Bit. He and his mom and brothers and sisters were actually dropped off on the side of the road and then his mom and all the other kittens left and left him behind :( I Had to take him!

These guys keep us so entertained and company! We love having them!

Yazzi is the spaz of the two (Yaz the spaz ;) ) and doesn't like to be held very long and there's no change of cuddling! and Little Bit is the snuggler! Which I love because I love snuggles! When I held him he would actually climb up to my shoulders and just lay down or stand there while I was doing stuff in the kitchen or anything really.

Snuggles on your shoulder...

Snuggles on your chest...

Snuggles in your bed...

Snuggles while your reading the hunting regulations...

Or so we thought... He was actually a little sick when we got him and now he is feeling a lot better and he is CRAZY!! He doesn't do much snuggling anymore either :( Just a lot of wrestling! Which he thinks he's pretty good at and big and tough but Yazzi is bigger than him (and forgets that) and the wrestling usually ends up in us getting after Yazzi for wrestling him so hard and making him squeak out a little yelp.

He likes to help me study... or rather-be all up in your business while doing anything!

He's my adorable little baby! I actually kind of have a hard time leaving them when I go to work! I feel bad leaving them alone if Tommy and I are both working :( The first day I had to work after we got them I actually really missed then and really wanted to go check on them during my lunch... sadly I couldn't :( haha

I had to put my curtains up (in the background) because little bit was climbing them :/ Like I said-He's Wild!

So we are a family of four now! ;) And we love it! We're pretty good parents too, if I do say so myself! And yes that is all my phone is full of now is pictures of these too!! Haha #parentprobs

P.S. All the pictures weren't taken on the same day even though it looks like it since I'm wearing the same shirt... I just really like that shirt and wear it alot! :)

Raspberry Days!

Two weekends after the last time we went down to Bear Lake, we returned! to go down to Raspberry Days with Alyssa and Cody.

This time we left Friday morning (August 7th) because I reaallly wanted to go to the body combat class that I rarely get to go to since I work a lot of Fridays! So after body combat we left for Bear Lake! Had to make a quick stop in Poky to get Tommys hair cut! It needed it bad! And to wingers for lunch.

Then we stopped in Soda to watch the geyser and taste the soda water

I remember loving going to the geyser when I was little and running under it like a sprinkler, even though we kind of stunk afterward like sulfer!

I remember the soda/carbonated water being gross but wanted Tommy to try it. It tasted like metal probably because there were a bunch of pennies in it. I was going to take some flavored water mix, but forgot... but the bubbly feeling of the carbonation in your mouth was still cool :)

When we got into Montpelier the first stop was up to see the twins of course!

My favorite picture of the weekend!

Baby Brooks just chillin in Tommy's arms

Baby Brody sprawled out in mine <3

Getting ready to eat!

Oooh I'm going to be one of those parents that constantly post pictures of their kids! ;) These little guys aren't even mine and I can't help but post pictures of them!! Can't get enough of these boys!!

Saturday morning we got up way to early and went to the Raspberry Day's 5K.

This was post-race so don't mind how cute we are ;)

So apparently I finished 42nd and Tommy finished 60th yet we finished together and we were the only ones crossing the finish line when we did... ?

After the race at 8:30 in the morning they served us ice cream! But it was homemade raspberry,, so it's ok! Great breakfast after running ;)

We headed back to town to get showered and ready for the day since we didn't want to spend the rest of the day sweaty and gross, enjoyed a delicious breakfast at The Ranch Hand then spend the rest of the day at Raspberry Day's-going through the craft fair and eating more of those famous raspberry shakes! and ended the night with the rodeo! I should have taken more pictures of the rest of the day and night but failed :(

All in all the weekend was super fun! and probably our last trip down of the summer :(

It Doesn't Matter What I Name This Post-You're Going To Look At It Cuz' The First Picture Is Of Two Adorable Babies!!

Last weekend (July 24-26) we went to Bear Lake for our annual family camping trip and a couple reunions :) Tommy and I both worked Thursday but we wanted to be down there by Friday so we left after I got off work.


Friday morning, !early!, after just getting four hours of sleep I woke up and went to the hospital to see my brother and his wife who were going to have twins!! Heir go-

Meet Brody and Brooks! Brody had a little trouble keeping his sats up so he was on oxygen but still both as cute as could be!

Tommy holding Brooks

Doesn't he just look sooo natural??! ;)

My cute hubs! Dang he looks good with a baby in his arms! ;)

Holding Brody-You had to hold him a certain way (with his head in the sniffing position) to keep his sats up

What an arm full!! This was kind of hard! Especially holding Brody's head the right way! Maybe I better start off with just one ;)

2+2=7! Right? ;) What a beautiful family!! Love them all!!

 After seeing the babies-and holding and cuddling them, we helped my sister get things ready for Casey's birthday party!

I made the bucket while Carrie made the cake

Then we headed up camping for the weekend!
Switch gears from babies to camping, or puppies :)

This is Diesel my nephews new hound pup.... So. Stinking. Cute!

And Casey's awesome firework/candles!

Switching gears again :) 
Saturday we were going to the lake for a family reunion, so of course we had to stop and see the babies again!


Holding Brooks this time :)

Out at the lake we had a great time kayaking, paddle boarding, and being together as a family. Nothing Ever beats that!!

It was really hard balancing on a paddleboard alone, let alone with someone else :)

But we got it!

Then we started tipping...

But never fell off!! #Peace #HangLoose

All the sister! <3

Kayaking with the little sis's

After a fun day at the lake we headed back to camp for the night, then packed up the next day to head back to reality :(

I. Love. My. Family!!

When we got back into service we learned that little Brody had to go to Poky during the night because he couldn't keep his sats up. So on the way home we stopped and saw him in the NICU.

Poor little guy :( But that was the best place for him!

 And a week later, they get to go home and finally be together!

Look at those Cute little boys!!

And just a bonus picture I loved! Of my sister holding Brody's hand in the NICU. So Precious!

So the weekend was a success and soooo much fun!! It had been way to long since we had been to Bear Lake and seen the fam! And even better, a week later, was learning that Brody got to go home! Can't wait to snuggle them this coming weekend!!