Elk Hunt

Last weekend we were able to go on the spike elk hunt with my (Camille's) dad. I can't tell you how much I love hunting, camping, and this time of year. You couldn't put a price on spending time with my family. I grew up hunting right behind my dad. Literally behind him. I wish we had some pictures to show but if you seen my dad on the mountain you seen my sister and I behind. When we were little we thought we were so cool because he would let us carry his gun while hiking, little did we know. Just to help the old man out I carried it this time to. I'll never pass up a time to carry his gun, it will mean I am still right behind him. Now I wish I had someone to carry my gun sometimes. He had it nice. Now we just ride the roads and take little hikes with lots of mini candy bars and apples to munch on. I think that man hunts for the food and treats more than anything.

Well I made a deal with my mom, if she would tend Hayden at the trailer Kyle and I would go hunting with dad. She said deal. She doesn't do good in the cold. After the first morning I wanted to cancel the deal when we woke up to this.

Yes SNOW!!! We sat in the trailer for an hour waiting for it to lighten up. We would've stayed in bed longer but no dad had to keep opening the door and saying, we will give it a few more minutes. After an hour he decided to give it a try. Maybe it would be clear on top. So we got all bundled up, so many layers you couldn't move and headed to the top on the wheelers. Well as you can see it wasn't clear there either. So dad decided to make a fire to stay warm and give it an hour. Not much else happened that morning.



Kyle and dad (John)





We made a "John Fire" for those of you know what that is.



Buster even said it was way to cold to get out of bed. (my parents BABY)





Dad didn't end up getting an elk, but the memories is what will last for a life time. A big thanks to my dad for raising me right, to love the outdoors and how much family time means. I can't wait to show and do all the things we've done with our kids.

As you can see Hayden bug and grandma had fun at camp. It's a good thing she has a big trailer for him to play in. He was able to get a few of his 4 wheeler rides in and his camp fire time. 







All in two weeks.

It has been a fun last two weeks. The first weekend was the sage grouse hunt. We had both our birds within the first 45 minutes of the hunt. There was so many birds, Sadie was in seventh heaven. It was nice to be done that early in the day. We went back to Kyle's parents house took a long nap, watched football and then sighted in our muzzeloaders for the next weekends hunt.

Kyle, Sadie, and I

It was so fun for Kyle and I to have
Hayden there to be in the pictures.

Kyle loves this picture.
Hayden practicing his duck call.



I just love this picture.



What a handsome little boy.



Hayden and I watching dad sight in our muzzeloaders.



This last weekend was the muzzeloader hunt and the opening of the waterfowl hunt. We arrived Thursday night and went out Friday morning. We decided to split up from his dad and brother. We road the 4 wheeler through the most gorgeous places. The leaves were amazing colors. I kept telling Kyle to stop I need to take a picture. He of course kept saying, "we are deer hunting not sight seeing". I wish I had a nice camera cause my pictures ruined the colors and the sight. I could've stayed up there all weekend. Well that morning we were seeing lots of deer, but no bucks. Then we found a 2 point. Kyle said shoot him. You've never shot one with a muzzeloader. I said no it's not big enough. He said but it's a BIG 2 point and it's close to the road and we aren't seeing any other bucks. So I said ok only if you gut it. lol he jumped all over that. So off we went to the other side of the bunch of trees it went in to. Shortly later he came walking out. Kyle ranged the general area he would be walking out of at about 135 yards. He said tell me when to stop him. This whole time I was thinking I hope I miss I hope I miss. Well as you can see I didn't. He stopped him, I pulled the trigger and out the smoke came. Kyle while jumping up and down said you hit it, he's down. He ran about 50 yards and dropped 15 yards from the road. Sure enough Kyle went through with his part of the deal. He's a nice guy. I'm glad I shot it. It was one of the funnest times we've had hunting together.
I've posted some pictures of the leaves but again it didn't do them justice.



You can see but all the trees across the valley were yellow.



Getting ready.

If you draw a straight line up from his back point to
the middle of the white tree you can see the wheeler.
That's how close he was to the road.

Again Hayden is going to grow up hunting,
whether he wants to or not. lol

As I said previously, the waterfowl hunt started that Saturday. Kyle decided to go deer hunting instead because we hadn't seen any geese and not many ducks. Well as you can see after the morning hunt we seen on Big Lake there was a ton of ducks, they to were getting out of the heat and in to the mountains. Kyle and brother Jeremy decided to jump shoot some. They didn't have waters nor did we have Sadie to get them out of the water so they went in themselves. They were two big kids playing in the water. They harvested 4. So as you can see we have had a really good last two weeks. Now if we can just get Kyle to shoot a deer on the rifle hunt. (I will be there to convince him to shoot a 2 point as well or maybe a spike so it's smaller than mine :) ) 

Sorry if I've bored you to death. Enjoy the pictures.

Kyle and Jeremy just coming back



Brothers and best friends




Our nephew Bridger, Niece Maret, and Hayden on
Grandpa's mule. Hayden loves riding the mule.




Ridding around trying to spot dad and grandpa a big buck.





Hunting...

Well the hunts haven't been to successful for Kyle and I. We did however help our taxidermist harvest his BIG Bull. There is nothing better than listening to some good old mountain music (elk bugling) along with all the other sounds the mountains make. We love this time of year, it is the archey, muzzeloader, rife deer and elk hunts, a well as the sage grouse, and Kyle's FAVORITE waterfowl. He would skip out on any other hunt, Christmas, or birthday to be able to sit in a stinky marsh or freezing Duck blind. I know I married the man. He tried so hard to get me into it. Part of the money we got from our marriage we spent on waders, water shoes, and a big heavy coat for me. I still have to put the feet warmers and body warmers inside all the clothing to stay warm. But thank goodness for Hayden Bug I get to stay home or the two of us get to ride around looking the geese and ducks for dad. :)
Well here are some cute pictures for you all. Hope you enjoy.

Hayden Bug dressed in camo like mom and dad. On an outing looking for a daddy deer.

 Where's the deer mom?

Oh there it is. (I just love this picture. We are teaching him right).

Hayden got the flu over Labor Day weekend. Poor guy :( (NOT FUN) They had to draw blood from his little feet and we had to show how tough he is by wearing pink.

Just a quick up date.

As you can see this month is the beginning of hunting season, hence the camo back ground. Kyle started it off by going to Alaska hunting fish lol. Those picture will come later. This weekend is the opening of the bow hunt. Kyle and I both have tags and I am so going to shoot one before or in front of him. I love hunting. I owe it all to my dad, thanks to him it's in my blood. There is nothing like getting up really early to hike or sit on a mountain side and just watch, listen and stock. God has created us an amazing beautiful place.

While dad was away Hayden bug and I went swimming for the first time. I was worried about it. He has is to nice at home with nice warm baths. But as you can see he LOVED it. Even with all the kids, Austin bullfrog and Laila splashing him. We went around the lazy river and he just smiled. I was also surprised he kept his hat on. I am so glad he doesn't mind that, for now anyway things could change.

What a handsome bug.



Hayden Bug, Aunt Tawnya, and Shelby




Laila (Chris & Jenn's daughter)

 We also went up the canyon and had tinfoil dinners with my mom, brother, and nephew. Again wore a hat and not a problem. That makes for a happy mom.

Here is his first camo hat.

Also while dad was gone. Hayden decided to roll over, sit up (almost all by himself) and talks your ear off. I was on the phone one night and Kyle asked why I had my nephew with me? I said that is your son. He couldn't believe it.

Sitting up all by himself. If he notices that
your not holding him he will fall. It's funny.

We have sent quit about a bit of time at my mom's with my dad gone. One night we had my niece Shelby over to play. As you can see Hayden wasn't to fawned of her.

I don't want a kiss I don't want a kiss...

Oh man....

 Who needs a motor we have Shelby.

One day he will be able to take her.

 As you can see we have started on the different kinds of veggies and fruits. Hayden didn't care to much for the beans. He got mad at me cause I was laughing at the faces he was pulling.. Oh how I love this boy.

The Month Of July

July has been one busy and crazy month. Over the 4th weekend spent time with family, ate and did fireworks. Next weekend had an 8 family yard sale (ya crazy). The next weekend Mom, sister and I went to St George to see Little Mermaid and Grease, it was our first time to the Tuacahn. I highly recommend going doesn't matter what show the surrounding area is worth it, just gorgeous. That Sunday the 17th Kyle turned the BIG 30... Yip OLD lol.. Just kidding Kyle I'm not to far behind you. His birthday gift is 2 weeks with dad and bro's in Alaska fishing. "Spoiled". Well the final weekend was the 24th. Friday we entered Hayden into the town baby contest for the Fiesta Days. Ya he didn't like it. He was tired and grumpy so didn't think he stood a chance. So Saturday Kyle had the privilege of baptizing our nephew Blake. After which we ran back to Spanish to get Hayden's pictures just to find out that he won the theme category in his age group. So you know what that means? We were to ride on the float in the parade Monday morning. We can't skip Sunday. While getting ready to go have birthday dinner for Kyle we found out that Hayden was getting his first tooth. That explained his grumpiness the last few days. So that day we celebrated Kyle's birthday and Hayden's first tooth. And last, Monday. We road in the parade and I am so glade we were close to the front of the line cause I don't think we would've made it. That night had family and friends over and did more fireworks. Wow what a Month... Here is some pictures to go along with the novel.


I asked mom to hand me my sunglasses... lol




Me, My mom Charlotte, and the best sister ever Tawnya at Little Mermaid



Tawnya and I with King Triton



Mom liked Sebastian



Us with Ursula

This was so pretty. Gorgeous bridal picture location.

For those who know my sister, I had to show that she really bought her first
pair of sandals. :)

Mom showing us the grand waterfall.

Sandy, me, and Danny

Look Tawnya has long hair again. lol



Mom and friend Peggy. It was so good to visit with her and a big thanks
to her for letting us stay with her.



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This is the picture he won with. "The Place to Be" was the Pro Rodeo that was in town, the sign you can't see very well was suppose to show that.

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This is practicing at home for the baby contest. What a fine looking cowboy.





Showing him off to family and friends. He doesn't seem to care.

Here is our float.