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!!

A Little Bathroom Humor...

I apologize for this post. I’ve never been a huge fan of potty pictures. But what mother doesn’t have a picture of their little potty trainee sitting on the throne stashed away in a photo album somewhere? I know my mom does. I have seen some of Kyle. Yes, it is a really sick tradition. But I just couldn’t resist! What a great little sister Anastyn is holding Matty’s hand and singing her songs for a little moral support!! Against my better judgment, I had to grab the camera and capture this cute little moment…

**Warning** I would advise you to discontinue reading this post now if you are uncomfortable with the word “poop”. If "poop" as a topic of discussion makes you gag, it is suggested that you immediately exit this blog site. : )

I don’t know when our potty training days will be over. Not soon enough I am sure. But someday my children will be able to go to the bathroom all by themselves and I will forget about the diapers, the stinky messes, the number of panties that had to go in the trash can, the number of times that I completely lost my grip and freaked out because poop was everywhere, and the countless hours spent trying to hammer civilized bathroom procedures into their heads. So, I must record some of the funny moments that come with the territory…even if it grosses you out. : )

Anastyn is going to hate me someday for this (sorry, bug). She is a very curious and observant child. Let’s just say she doesn’t miss much…and that includes things that end up in the toilet. : ) The other day she did her duty and was delighted to announce that she had “made a green one”! I was trying really hard not to laugh. I said, “Wow, Anastyn!” Then in a very matter-of-fact voice she informed me, “Now I’m gonna make a blue one!” I giggled and told her, “I don’t think you can!” To which she responded, “How about pink?”

Most kids enjoy looking at the clouds and finding shapes. You know, things like bunny rabbits and cars. Well, the other day my little “stinker” was analyzing her poop and found a DINOSAUR! I’ll admit…I looked. And I saw it too. : )

I am so sorry if you are sick to your stomach now. You can’t say I didn’t warn you. But I’ll be willing to bet you’re laughing. : ) Have a great day!!

First Day!

Well! We made it through day 1 of kindergarten!! This was a big step for Matty and me and we both had to be really, really brave! Surprisingly, neither of us shed any tears and I wasn't as much of a nervous wreck as I thought I would be. :)

So far I am very impressed with her teachers and all the people that are helping her out while she is there! She needs quite a bit of extra help and everyone seems more than willing to provide it for her. I am confident that she is going to LOVE going to kindergarten! And it is going to be such a good experience for her.

I took some pictures of Matty in her new clothes before we left for the school. She looked so cute - and so BIG. Sniff, sniff. :) After school she came home and immediately took off the outfit I had carefully put together for her big day and...well, you can see for yourself. Quite the fashionista. :) Oh - and the Bermuda Triangle stuck again!! We finally had to buy that 6th pair of glasses!!

While Matty was at school, Anastyn and I were able to spend some one-on-one time together. We had so much fun baking cookies, dancing, and making funny faces for the camera. Anastyn did miss Matty quite a bit. She kept asking if we could go get her from school! It will be good for us to spend a little more time together - just the two of us!!

Life is flying by. My little babies are gowing up. It is exciting, but when I stop and really think I get sad. Potty training stinks (literally) and chasing kids is exhausting. But those sweet morning hugs and those angelic voices calling me "Mommy" are precious and treasured. And probably before I know it, will be replaced by rolling eyes and slamming doors. Can't wait.

My Old Man

Well...we finally got moved into a place of our own! But we don't have internet so I have been absent from the blogging world for a few weeks! Sorry, Grandma Wardell! :) Meanwhile, the love of my life had a milestone birthday this month. He turned the big 3-0! I am so happy to have his company in officially being "old"!

In honor of this special birthday that we didn't even celebrate per Kyle's request (not because he has any issues with getting older, but because he is stubborn and didn't want a fuss), I went looking through his photo albums and put together some pictures of him through the years. Just for fun. He was such a cute kid...and still is!! Happy Birthday, Babe!! We love you so much!

And holy cow...check this out! As I was looking through Kyle's old pictures I couldn't believe how much he and Anastyn look alike!!