Oh "Deer"

We have been cheated by Mother Nature. With fall being one of my favorite seasons, I have been quite disappointed this year. We had an early freeze and all the leaves dropped off the trees before they even had a chance to change color. I hate winter. Winter is no friend of mine. And the beautifulness (is that a word?) of fall buffers those depressing feelings that surface when I know winter is on its way. And so, unfortunately, we will crash into winter this year. Whatever - lets get it over with.

And with fall, naturally, comes hunting. Lots and lots of hunting. Hunting for elk and everyone else's elk. Hunting for deer and everyone else's deer. Hunting for pheasants. Hunting for mountain lion. Hunting, hunting, hunting. I hate hunting. However, my husband does not. My husband LOVES hunting. We don't see much of him during hunting season - and around these parts it seems like hunting season lasts pretty much all year. Exaggerating is one of my specialties.

He did finally get an elk. Even though he was disappointed with its size, I was quite pleased with it. It was just a spike. Hadn't had much of a life yet I suppose. But, it has provided us with some nice, young, tender meat. I like elk meat pretty well. We got a lot of steaks and roasts, jerky, and of course, a lot of hamburger. I have already started using it and its not too bad at all!! The best part about Kyle finally getting his elk is this - the terrible mountain man beard thing that he had going on is now gone!! Our deal was that he had to shave it off as soon as he got an elk! Yay for me - I cannot stand the feel of a beard on my face. Good riddance!

In my opinion, this next image is rather disturbing. Thank goodness I know that my husband is a good man - because he looks really creepy here. Did he just murder somebody in a fit of rage?? No - he just made the mistake of going hunting all alone, shooting an elk, and having to drag it back to his truck and lift it into the back of his truck all by himself. I suppose I would have a little bit of blood on me if I had to do such a thing. Which I never would. That is a situation I would never ever find myself in.
We (especially me) really lucked out this year when Kyle got his deer just a few days after the season opened. And Tyler got one too. And then a couple days later Brent got one. That just leaves Kaleb. Maybe, just maybe, Kaleb will get one this weekend and we will be DONE!!! That is unless Kyle's friends start asking him to go along with them to get their animals. Which usually happens. I think I (not Kyle) might start charging people for his services. A hunting widow's life is not easy, you know.

This fall we have also enjoyed watching Kaleb play football. It has been fun. The girls love to go to the games and cheer him on! Matty's favorite part is the popcorn. She can finish off a whole bag by herself - and she doesn't like to share it either!! So, here is a picture of our little Lovell Bulldog Football fans!!