Bill's Big Antelope Hunt

Okay, I guess I should put Bill's trophy antelope on our blog. Luckily this one won't be hanging up in our living room! I am glad that he had a fun time hunting this year with his brother and dad. It's something he looks forward to every year and even though I am not a fan of hunting, I know he loves it. So this picture is for him and anyone who might appreciate this. For those who don't like to look at this stuff, I apologize.

Fall Time

Yea!!! I LOVE fall! I just can't say that enough. I have never been a fan of summer and October is by far the best month of the year. I love the cooler weather and I love that the holidays are here, especially Halloween. Today Bill and I took Stella and Tristan to the pumpkin patch. We found a few pumpkins that were perfect for carving and did so tonight before the kids went to bed. They had a lot of fun helping us carve the pumpkins. Tristan was trying hard to help, but couldn't do too much. Stella refused to help clean out the insides, but they loved taking them outside and lighting up the candles. I can't wait for next week when we get to take them trick-or-treating!

Just a few thoughts...

The past few days I have been thinking about how quickly this year is coming to an end. The holidays are already here! I've even started my Christmas shopping, which never happens this early! Anyways, I have to say that this year we have been very fortunate. We haven't had anything really horrible happen, aside from Sierra dying of course. I hope I didn't just jinx myself by saying that! However, we have had steady work and overall enjoy what we do. We are like many middle class families where the mom stays home to raise the kids. And money most of the time can be pretty tight. And you know what?? I wouldn't have it any other way! Yes, I would love extra money, but I wouldn't trade all of the money in the world for the memories I am making with my children.

I get to do what so many others want to do, but can't for whatever reason. I am grateful for that. I can't say that I don't have those days where I am counting down the seconds 'til bedtime, because that would be a blatant lie! But I know that even the toughest day at home with my kids is better than any day in the world without them! My two beautiful children are my everything and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to learn from them everyday! It's an amazing gift to be able to see the world through a child's eyes! Well, enough of my rambling....

In Rememberance Of....

Sunday, September 28, 2008 our sweet and loyal dog Sierra passed away. We were camping at Fish Lake off of Seven Mile when she was running alongside a car of a friend that was camping with us and she got too ahead of the car and was hit. At first we didn't think it was fatal. She had lost a tooth, but there was so much more that we couldn't see that was going on. Bill was out with his brother and dad when this happened. When he returned to camp, after having looked at Sierra's injuries we decided we would drive to Richfield to try and find a vet to take a look at her. Only a few minutes later Sierra, with Bill by her side, died.

This has been devastating for both Bill and I. We got her when she was only 6 weeks old 7 1/2 years ago. And before Stella came along, our dogs were our babies! I will never forget when Bill came home from the Elk Foundation dinner and stood at my doorway holding this white, fat, fluffy puppy. It was love at first sight! She has been my shadow, Bill's hunting buddy, Stella's first friend, and Tristan's playmate. Our home has not been the same without her. However, if she had to go, at least she spent the last few days of her life playing in the mountains, swimming in the river and doing the things she loved the most. Fish Lake was the prettiest I had ever seen it that weekend. The colors were vibrant hues of yellow, green and red. Bill, Ron and I found a beautiful spot under some Aspens where we laid her to rest. I know it will be a beautiful resting spot for her in a place that means so much to our family, especially Bill. We loved Sierra and will always miss her sweet, gentle, playful, devoted, loving spirit that she was. Good-bye my good friend.