Oct 8th-14th Elk Hunt

October 8th Monday - Today I went to Kami's house to help her take a load to DI. I sure love to help out when I am needed I guess I get that from my mom and dad. Then down to the farm right after to get to work. I did some electrical fence stuff for my dad then after a short lunch break with mom dad and Kami it was back to work until 4:30 we worked on tearing down that old shed. All that was left when we got done with it was the 4 big poles at the corners.

At 4:30 Dad and I drove over to Jim's house my uncles and bought his 5400 John Deer Tracter. I don't know how much we will be able to use it on our farm. But I just figured there are certain males in our family that would be creating some good memories on that thing. I still to this day recall sitting on the tractor with my dad just plowing some fields. I remember the smells and dust and the opportunity that I had to just be with my dad. To me it is well worth the $14,000 we paid to have my children create that same memory with their dad and grandpa! Welcome to our family my sweet John Deer!

Then I hussled home to be late taking Bowdee to football which he rode his bike. Make spagetti dinner for the family and burn it as I went to pick Bowdee up. Then we got to Kamis house late for Izaks birthday party. If you don't know me well I hate it when I drop the ball. So being late, burning dinner, missing dropping Bowdee off to football it was just a bad night. At least I got Izak a kitten for his birthday and a nice black shirt. Man I sure love all of my nieces and nephews and I hope they know that!

October 9th Tuesday - Back to the farm right after preschool to finish with that stinking manure barn. So we got there and dad and I went to work loading and sorting good from junk building piles and tossing garbage. I do love working next to my dad, I am constantly amazed at the things he comes up with to get a job done. Like today he was pushing and pulling the railroad ties with the 4 wheeler to move them instead of us breaking our backs. After the pile of crap was cleared he taught me to drive my tractor. I went round and round in circles and Loved every minute of it! Dash followed me around just like he does when I mow the lawn. Silly dog!

October 10th Wednesday - What a fun day! I spent the morning working with my dad trying to get the farm ready for Bowdee and his friends to come down to play night games for his birthday. So then at 6:30 all of Bowdee's friends started showing up. We carpooled them down to the farm and started out riding horses in the arena. It was many of the kids first time riding horses so they got quite the experience.

Then we went out and sat around a campfire roasting hot dogs, enjoying home made rootbeer, and of course followed by smores. The kids all had a good time eating until their bellies were full and they sat around telling campfire stories while waiting for Easton Bowdee's really good friend to show up so they could play night games.

Then it was quick gifts, cupcakes, and night games until 10:30. None of the kids wanted to go home, they all seemed to have a fabulous time. Thank heavens there were no injuries and no lost children. I always get nervous during night games thinking someone will go missing or get hurt. But the party was a GRAND SLAM hit, everyone loved everything about it, I mostly enjoyed the lack of cleanup!

October 11th Thursday - Terry took the day off to try and move the garage down to the farm. We woke up at 6:00 started packing up the garage and then thought before we moved it all down there we better sheet rock it first so we spent $450.00 to get it ready to move into it. We put up sheetrock and installed the cabinets with the help of my good old dad. Of course it took longer then we would have liked but its safer to run a welder among sheetrock then 2x4's. We did take a load down after the sheetrock was up but that was all we had energy for.

October 12th Friday - Today is my sweet sisters 40th birthday! Kami has been there for me every step of the way from my infant years to my mid 30's. We are so different yet we get each other indefinately. With Kami I know I can always be who I am and she will always love and accept me. Kami is so tenderhearted and sweet, I just don't know what I would do without my sis!

We woke up and took all the metal down to the hay barn. I have always been afraid of the day we move because of that garage! Terry has so many talents that without the tools he would not be able to do. So of course it all has to go with us. It wasn't fun to move all that heavy metal but we did it. Then we hurry and packed the trailer to a sweet escape to the mountains for a quick cold elk hunt. Hoping to find some relaxation along the way.

October 13th Saturday - Terry went off and did the morning hunt while we kids slept in. It was one cold camp trip and I can NOT tell you how happy I was that we had our trailer to keep the freeze off of us. It snowed last night so in the morning when it all thawed out it was muddy. So it was messy. We took a drive to Duchesne then by currant creek down (which we saw a REAL porcupine climb a tree)then down through Heber. It was a nice relaxing drive that kept us out of the mud and freezing wind.

We did stop by our favorite fish spot to throw in a line and I caught a 19" cut throat. It is always so hard for me to throw those back in but I let it go. I did get a few more bites but didn't land any more. On the way back to camp we road hunted and saw some elk but they were just far enough away that we couldn't find a spike.

October 14th Sunday - Terry went off for the morning hunt again and had some luck in the truck. He saw some elk and thought one was a spike but they went to the next canyon so he kept chasing them and got really close but they took off like a freight train and they were gone in a flash of an eye. We went on another road hunt and saw a few more but no spike we ended up hiking to the lake at a different spot and had no luck there either. So we tried looking for the kokanee salmon and the kids saw a few.

Then we went back to camp to make Bowdee his peach cobbler cake for his birthday. We taught him how to make it so if he goes camping he will know how to impress the ladies or his friends which ever. That cobbler is so stinking yummy. Then shooting bee-bee guns and chillin under the finally warm sun. It was almost time for the night hunt so we cleaned up camp and headed out to look for more elk. We ended up not seeing anything and heading home around 7:30.

October ALREADY?

October 1st Monday - Today I went right down to the farm because I found out my dad had rented a bobcat to mulch all the rag weed. So I went and walked the property picking up any trash I could find and getting it out of the way. We filled up another dump truck and 3 hours later all the rag weed was mulched down to nothing :) I just can't tell you how much I LOVE working right along side my dad.

Then my moms friend came down to visit her name is Lovie and she is Matia's little pen pal. She has been such a good friend to my mom for so many years that we love her as if she were family. She came to see Matia's new Bunny, our kittens, goats and the ranch. Because it is a ranch we are raising animals not fields she informed me. We love our Lovie and were so happy she could visit.

On our hunting trip we realized we need to replace our water pump in the truck it has been leaking for a while now so Terry decided it was time. He came home from working 8 hours and went right to work. He worked on it until 10:00 and finally called it a night. He will have to take a day off to do a job this big. I just can't tell you how much I love this man. This man who knows how to get any job done and remembers to take time to play. Love you Terry! Thanks for everything you do.

October 2nd Tuesday - Terry took the day off to change the water pump. It was a harry job and it took from 8:00am right until 9:00pm but he did it and he is truly amazing to me. Thanks babe. I spent the day teaching preschool, packing, running errands, Treg had a football game then parent teacher conferences for Matia and Treg. It was funny because when I walked in each of their classes the stopped to tell me how much they LOVE my child and how they are such good children and to please stay in this school the rest of the year. Yes, they are such great kids I would have to agree with them. Right after I with my mom to Aunt Dixies for a Baby show for Jakes wife Ellyse. Wow I have some REALLY great cousins and family. Just wondering if life ever slows down?

October 3rd Wednesday - First thing after getting the kids to school which on some days lets me honest feels like a full days job just getting them to shower, dress, eat, feed the pets, practice piano, make lunches, read and out the door in time to ride bikes to school. I went to the ranch to power wash more stalls before winter sets in. After 4 hours of power washing the stall barn looked like a lake and I look like I had fallen in except with manure all over me. The wind came in and I was cold and my arms felt like they were going to fall off. So I called it quits came home took a LONG hot shower and finished just in time to go pick up Bowdee from school. I tell you what I am NOT looking forward to when we have to tear down this old barn though!

October 4th Thursday - Oh I just love my job today we went on a field trip to see the fire station and talk to the fire men. Wow, what wonderful people to be able to entertain 20 children and feed us so full of information. I am so sad I will not be able to teach next year. I sure enjoy these little ones. After my fun field trip and school let out we had piano, football, dance, and scouts pack meeting. Terry worked on winterizing the boat and moving it down to the farm. I guess this is really going to happen!

October 5th Friday - Today was magical. I went down to the farm knowing my dad would be there and sure enough he was in the trailer just waiting for me. I noticed the horse trailer there and wondered where the horses were so I went into the stall barn and all 4 of my dads horses were in their own stalls. Ya the stalls I just cleaned out for them. But it was magical to see them all in there munching on some fresh hay. Then we let them out into the corral and wow what a sight to see them running around kicking up their heels happy as can be. Then I let Buck off the rope and he mingled right in with those horses. What a happy day for me! I loved it!

October 6th Saturday - Today Bowdee had a football game in the morning. It was their 2nd loss of the season. Which put them in the 3rd place going into the play offs. Then Terry and I winterized the boat and packed it with stuff in the barn. Then we drove it down to the farm and got her all dusty and parked her in the hay barn. It is so hard to do that when we have worked so hard to keep her nice and clean. After that sad moment we took Matia to her soccer game. She played so tough, I love watching her play!

October 7th Sunday - I know what I should have been doing... I should have been listening to conference with my kids like my parents did as I grew up... But I just couldn't when we have so much that needs to be done. So we spent the day packing and moving and cleaning out the boat barn so that our renters (aka friends) will have somewhere nice to park their boat.

It was a big chore and lots of work. Here is a before and after photo so you can see just how much we did today. Thanks to the kids it really wasn't as bad as it looks. They are such tough little workers who really know how to dig in and get a job done when there is McDonald Monopoly to play after. :) I will sure miss this barn it has been so good to us and all our fun toys!

We took one load down to the farm and then Matia and I took a little break. We called up Grandpa and he took us for a trail ride on the horses. Matia asked for this for her birthday that is all she wanted was to ride the horses on a trail with grandpa and me. So today we finally did it. Matia rode Jake, I rode Robby, Dad rode Trigger with Misty in tow. It was just a short little ride up hog hollow area on the foot hills but it was just enough to give Matia a taste for it! My perfect ride with my dad and Matia what a great moment to be treasured!

Sept 24-31st - Life goes on!

Sept 24th Monday - So today was quite the day I spent most of the day packing and cleaning then I started to make the family fried chicken for dinner o ut of that wonderful cook book Kami got me. Which was absolutely delicious, everyone went on and on about how yummy it was. While I was cooking I was telling Kami how we had a friend coming to look at the house to see if they wanted to rent it. Well Bowdee and the kids heard me and while I was cooking they chipped right in without me asking. You know that made me so happy that I didn't even have to ask them to help so I could finish cooking dinner.

Sept 25th Tuesday - Even though I feel like I have a million things going on out of the ordinary... Life still goes on. Treg still has scouts and football, Matia still has soccer and dance, Bowdee still has football and scouts when we can make it with homework on top of all of that and cleaning the house it can all get a little overwhelming so I just have to remind myself this is just our life right now. I will do what I can when I can and forget the rest.

Sept 26th Wednesday - Bowdee's Mussleloader hunt started today so Bowdee, Terry and I left at 6:00 to Hickman canyon to see if we could have any luck on his hunt. We got there and started hiking up the canyon after about 45 min of hiking we came to a spot where Terry saw a couple deer off in the distance. Turns out there was 3 buck and 5 doe so we sat still and watched them put on a show for us for the next hour. There were hitting heads and playing around. But never came our direction so before they went over the ridge Bowdee took his first shot with a black powder gun. It was a 175 yard shot and he missed. The boys went to work reloading as fast as possible and he had one more shot at 220 yards. He missed and it was gone.

We hiked around a little more then went back to the truck for lunch and to practice shooting. Then we drove up and down the canyon then up to where I shot my buck last year and went for a little hike and took a nap in the nice warm sun. After our nap we headed back down the canyon then we decided to go to Box Elder got 1/2 way there then decided to just finish in Hickman so we headed back up Hickman with only 20 min left of daylight. I was following far behind so the dust wouldn't get in my eyes.

I come around a bend and Bowdee's helmet, gloves, backpack everything sprawled in the middle of the road with the boys working like crazy to load the gun with a quickness I rarely see out of Terry. With his eyes quickly pointing to let me know there was a HUGE 4 point 100 yards away on the top of the ridge. Bowdee got a shot off then another quick reload and shot at his friend a smaller 4 point missing both. I think Terry gave him his dose of buck fever along with his own was just to much for Bowdee. But we hiked around some more waiting for it but never saw it again.

Sept 27th Thursday - Today was Tregs 2nd football game. Grandma got to take him to his game yesterday while we were hunting so I was excited to see how he played today. He did great played his position like a real pro but never got a throw to him. Maybe next game it is just too bad the coach can't play it a little more fair when they are so little. But he did play great defense. Then Terry and I went to the basement and worked on the electrical in our basement bedroom for a while. Man we still have so much work to do. I wonder if it will ever end.

Sept 28th Friday - Right after I sent the kids to school I went to work on the farm with my dad and mom. We edged all the way around the property line then along each fence thinking we had a tractor coming in Saturday morning to chop down all the rag weed so we could get my dads horses down there. Then as he took a nap I started cleaning out 2 more stalls. Oh man that is some nasty work but weird as it is I didn't mind at all. Then I came home and Terry and I did some more work in the basement.

Sept 29th Saturday - Bowdee and Tia had games at 9&10 so after the games we packed as quick as we could then we headed up to Hickman canyon we got an awesome camp spot. Parked the trailer and got all situated and then we had Bowdee shoot 3 shots at a target to see how he was doing. He hit all 3 pretty good so we headed out for the night hunt. We didn't see any buck, alot of doe but no buck. Treg and Tia loved looking for deer and taking turns driving me around.

That night after we came back from the hunt and ate soup for dinner Grandma and Grandpa show up for a little campfire action. It was nice to see them and to visit for a little. Bowdee told them his hunting adventure from Wednesday. It was fun to see how he told the story. Then we just sat around the fire and enjoyed it until there was a big bang like a gun shot... Scared us all to death... There was bunch of  .22shells laying around in the dirt. So we all were on edge after that one, some people are so STUPID!

Sept 30th Sunday - Matia woke us all up at 6:00 wanting to go hiking looking for deer. I reminded her it had to be light outside to see the deer but she was so excited we got up and ready and headed out for another day of hunting. We went to the spot where Bowdee shot at his first deer but we only saw a few doe in the fields. We hiked way in then sat and had a few quite snacks. Then headed back to the 4 wheelers.

Then we drove up and down the canyon with only seeing a few more doe. We hiked up where I got my deer again but way back in and tried to take a nap but the flys were just buggin the kids so after a little sit down we headed back down with nothing to be seen. We didn't see much so we headed  back to camp for lunch and a little beebee gun action and naps for the old people.

Around 5:00 we headed back out for the night hunt we saw alot of doe, talked to alot of nice people then as we were almost back to camp Terry spotted a buck about 450 yards away way up on the hill side in the yellow grass. So Bowdee took a shot just for fun just to try he didn't get it but we did see a buck finally! Then we cleaned up camp and headed home. All in all it was a fun weekend that was nice and relaxing (just what we needed).

Sept 17-23 Here we go!

Sept 17th Monday - So we have had the keys to our new farm for 1 week now and it feels like we haven't got much done. The civic is still broke down, basement plumbing still partially done, but we got all the carpet, blinds, carpet tack board, and cabinets out of the house then today Terry and I went down to tear down the wall separating kitchen from living room. So it is starting to feel like we are getting alot accomplished.

Sept 18th Tuesday - Today at lunch Terry went to dump my dads dump trailer because it was full of garbage from the house. Then after preschool I went down to meet with the propane installers. It took them a while to get there so I helped Terry pack the dump trailer so he could go dump it. (Which by the way was 1800 lbs of garbage). Then I finished taking trip and tacking off, swept, and cabinets out. While the propane guy did his thing. Terry got his part for the car and he put that together and it WORKS!

Sept 19th Wednesday - With me being off work I decided to go back to the farm to bleach the floors today. Not a particularly fun job but one that needs to be done before we retexture. So I guess the only way to get it done is to do it. Then I got a little antsy and went out to the stable with the pressure washer and went at it to surprise Terry. It looks much better on the outside still alot to do on the inside here is a before and after to give you an idea.

Sept 20th Thursday - What a busy day we have planned so we will be doing more plumbing in the basement and more packing boxes for me. I started Matia with a new dance company this year. It is a dance competition team with her friends Emeree and Maddie. She seems to really like it and she is excited to start performing. I just love watching her dance around! It makes me dance in my heart!
I try not to really dance cuz then that embarrasses her!

Sept 21st Friday - Today I packed more boxes, I know it sounds like that is all I do lately and that is what it feels like but oh well all this stuff has to be sorted. Then when Terry got home I shared some jalapeno poppers with him... My sister bought me this sweet ranch warming gift (which is a pioneers cookbook) so this was the first thing I have made out of it and it was AMAZING, Terry thanked Kami a million times over. After we enjoyed the poppers went down to the basement and finished the rough plumbing.

Sept 22nd Saturday - So my friend called me last week and asked if we wanted kittens for the farm. Well ya we did to get the mice of course, anyway I surprised the kids with kittens today. They are slightly wild so it will take lots of love to warm them up. Yes, these are the first cats we have owned since I moved away from home. Should be a fun adventure. But yes every farm needs a few OUTSIDE cats to keep the mice away.

After we went and picked up the kittens Terry and I went shopping for the farm house. We bought $325.00 worth of lumber, doors, and stuff. Yes this is just the beginning of lots of money to spend. Then we went down and unloaded it, and mom and dad Covington surprised us with lots of energy and ready to work. So mom and I worked on tearing out more kitchen flooring. Dad and Terry worked on tearing down more walls. It was a fun day but I loved the little surprise Yellow Rose on my rose bush at the farm!

Sept 23rd Sunday - We started in the basement by pouring concrete over the rough plumbing and it feels so good to have that part done! Then Terry and I went shopping to get more stuff for the farm just like I said yesterdays 325$ was just the beginning today it was $250.00 more. But it will be worth it someday. Then we went down to the farm and my friend Mindy and her kids showed up to surprise us and check out the slow progress. We finished the flooring HOORAY! And started electrical for the new bedroom.

Sept 10-16th Now What?

Sept 10th Monday - So I got a text from my friend Drew and he said we are now funded and the house in ours. He went and took the lock box off the house and left us the key. So I know what needs to be done. I need to move into the basement and rent out this house. But I stand in my house and just turn in circles not knowing where to start. Today we also took out a loan on the boat so we have the money for repairs on the farm yet get to keep the boat for now! That sounds much better to me.

Sept 11th Tuesday - After preschool I went to lunch with a neighbor/friend Deena Vanausdal. She just put her house up for sale and is looking to build in Highland. We went to eat at Zuppas then to the farm to show her what I have gotten into and then to see the lot they are under contract on. She is hoping they sell fast enough that if they can't rent from the new owners she can rent my house. Then I showed the car and they LOVED it and are going to buy it. I guess everything does work itself out huh.

Sept 12th Wednesday - Today I spent the day packing more boxes! What a surprise I know. Then I went shopping with mom to buy more boxes (for those scrapbooks). After school I took the kids to visit the goats and to tie them up in the field to eat the weeds. I hope they don't get loose! When Terry got home we tore back into the civic trying to change the timing belt... But that didn't really happen but we did break the harmonic balancer trying to get it off. $130 dollars later and we still don't have our car running. But I have faith in Terry... I know he can do this.

Sept 13th Thursday - After preschool I decided it was time to start moving boxes again. So I started packing more STUFF! Yes it is just stuff and I should have more guts to get rid of it all but I will keep most of it until we move and decide what we need and what we can really do without. I have this problem with letting things go. I know this is good for me. I can't imagine what life would be like if I kept everything. So little by little I will get there and this shed will be full. Because the more stuff you have the more cluttered you get and the more depressed!

Sept. 14th Friday - So my friend Amy called me and told me I needed to step up to the plate and get busy. So we went to the farm and started the demolition process. Tearing carpet out, tack stripping, and baseboards so we can start bleaching the crap out of this place. I am really getting excited to see this place turn around. Here we go a little at a time it will be what we love and live for in the end! I did this without Terry knowing so I could surprise him.

Terry got home and we tried to get the nut off again and we still couldn't get it off so Terry declared we needed to call in the "Big Guns" I asked who the big guns might be and he simply matter of factly declared "Your Dad" in an of course tone of voice. Dad came when he got off work and after about 1/2 hour of torching and trying and icing and trying we finally broke it loose and won! What would we ever do without our Big Guns!

Sept. 15th Saturday - Football game 3 soccer games and football practice. Then off to a Townsend family party in the park. Sounds a little like last week. We have a ton of stuff we need to do but you know what, family is the most important. We never know when will be our last day so we need to make sure and enjoy the times we have with them. So we went to the park with mom and dad Townsend and all the family to play some games. What a fun time we had there.

Then the big Utes vs. BYU game at 8:00. The game of the year! I always love watching a good football game with the family. Mostly Bowdee, but Terry really got into it this year. So the game started at 8:00 we made the first touchdown then it was a pretty intense game all the way right to the end where we won my a missed field goal that bounced off the pole for the wild win for the Utes of 24 to 21. Wow that was a crazy game ending right at 12:00am!