Oct 29th - Nov 4th Halloween Week

Oct 29th Monday - Today I spent the whole day in the basement organizing our new living space. It is fun to have the opportunity to live in the basement before we move. It is so rewarding after all that work we have put into finishing this place to get to enjoy it. Then I took a load to di, went to the farm to feed animals, grocery store then back home to cook my family their favorite meal "Fried Chicken" while Terry put up sheet rock in the bathroom.

Oct 30th Tuesday - Man I will sure miss teaching preschool, I love this day when we have our party and all my little friends come dressed up and ready to share treats with their friends. Of course I was a witch again, some may say that is not really dressing up for me... And truth be told that may be more correct then they think. Matia had her dance Halloween party and she just looked so cute in her black cat costume!

Luckily we had enough time to carve pumpkins! The kids did them all by themselves... Don't they look fab!

Oct 31st HAPPY HALLOWEEN - What a fun day filled with the kids Halloween parade at school, picking up Halloween Pizzas for dinner, then back to the school for Tregs Halloween party, pick up the Jr. High boys, then back home to make sure all the costumes are not missing any pieces.

Then of course we have to have time to enjoy our annual Jack-O-lantern Pizza and touch up our makeup, find our trick or treat bags, call our friends to make plans.

Then off they go a Trick or Treating. Probably Bowdee's last year, we figure next year on the farm we will throw a great big Halloween party for those that don't want to trick or treat, but this year we just can't. I am just so thankful that my kids have good friends to go with that I can trust them with. Terry had to work late so he didn't even get to see them before they left. I had a sore throat and have absolutely no energy to go even if the kids did want me to go with them. Since Tia and Treg deemed this the year they would trick or treat alone, I was left to my own misery. It was kinda sad to see them go off and leave me behind. Don't get me wrong I am glad to be raising such independent children who are trustable but kinda sad they don't need me much anymore. They did say there was a headless horseman out there that I wish I could have seen. But Kami came over to keep me company so I wouldn't get too lonely until Terry came home. So it was a fun safe Halloween night which was topped off by a marvelous waffle delivered by our sweet Mark Harris... Man we are going to miss our neighbors like him.

Nov. 1st Thursday - Wow, today I was suppose to take my friend to lunch for her birthday but we were both so sick that we stopped by for a milk shake then went home for a nap before our children got home from school. I can't tell you the last time I took a nap and I was out for almost 3 hours. Luckily I woke up just in time to go get Bowdee from school. Then it was off to piano lessons, making dinner, cleaning the house, homework, dance, and sheet rocking the basement bathroom some more when Terry got home.

Nov. 2nd Friday - Finally it is Friday! Not that we are going to get much of a break this weekend. We hope to get the washer and dryer hooked up and the bathroom sheet rocked and mudded so we can finish that and then finally get working on the farm house. I enjoyed a yummy lunch with my sweet Angela & Tonya, I just don't get to see these ladies enough. After lunch we went on a field trip to the farm to show them what I have gotten myself into.

Nov. 3rd Saturday - We woke up early to my sweet sister in law calling to invite Bowdee to go the the Utes game with her dad at 11:00. When Bowdee woke up and I told him he was so excited he could barely focus on getting his chores done so he could go. But he did it and he went and man they had a great time. He said it was so cool that he could barely stand it! Dunn made a new NCAA record of 4-100 yard kick off returns during this game. Wolfman (aka John White IV) one of Bowdee's favorite players had a great game, along with all the other team members for a 49-6 victory over Washington.

I wasn't feeling well so while Terry worked on the tile I watched part of the game. Late Emilee and Kye came over to watch it with us and man I just love being with these people. Poor Terry hates it when I don't feel well because then he doesn't have his wing man to help him out which makes him more productive. So he got the 1st coat of mudding done yesterday and then the self-leveling flooring on so we can tile tomorrow.

Sunday morning Terry woke up and jumped right onto laying the tile and I made a mean french toast breakfast. By 12:00 the tile was laid and we were on our way to the farm to get some work done there. We put the kids to work doing miscellaneous things here and there, I was cleaning the garage, Terry started working on framing Bowdee's bedroom when Kyle called to see if he could give us 3 more workers.

So he dropped off his girls then Troy showed up with his 3 girls so we had 12 extra hands to work. And not one of them complained. We had them driving the 4 wheelers through the fields pulling big rocks out of the dirt. Then hauling stuff from the garage to the hay barn. Man I love to see these kids working. Now I realized why my dad and mom loved watching us work as a kid.

Of course I remember after getting all my chores done playing on the farm was so fun because there was a million things to choose from. Well these 9 kids chose to rake then jump into a pile of a million leaves! So ya I love to see our cousins playing so well and having a good time just as much as I like to watch them work together. We finally got all the door locks changed and door jams fixed! We are making progress slowly but surely!

6:42pm with daylight savings the sunsets pretty quickly these days. So we called it a night hit Wendy's on the way home for a super healthy dinner of chicken sandwiches, potatoes and chili then to the basement to watch "We bought a zoo" together. Then to turn it off brush our teeth and put this weekend to bed. Ready for another week of homework, piano, chores, and happy memories! Thanks for the beautiful photo Bowdee.

Oct 22nd - 28th Move into Basement Week

Oct 22nd Monday - I have a feeling this is going to be a long week of cleaning, walking up and down the stairs, more cleaning, organizing and boxing. Our house is starting to feel empty upstairs and every once in a while I glimpse at it and feel sad. Then that moment is gone. I don't have time to feel sad. I remember thinking we would never move out of this house that it was the house of our dreams.

But here today I clean, box, and move constantly from the time I get up till I fall on my bed at 11:30pm. Dad did a burn of all the weeds on the farm today so when we went down to unload the trailer again, we helped put the fire out, enjoy a beautiful sunset then head back to start working on the basement washer/dryer hook ups. Wow, what a day can I please call it a night and go to sleep?

Oct 23rd Tuesday - Before then after preschool I spent the whole day (until I took Treg to his football game) moving the kitchen from upstairs to downstairs. My mom came over and she mentioned aren't you so lucky that your moving so close. I thought that was funny but I went up and down those stairs so many times today I want to throw up. But by the end of the day it was complete, we ate our first dinner in the basement, the kids made us french dip sandwiches while we sheet rocked the closet and finished the dryer vent.

Oct 24th Wednesday - Today 2 of my wonderful friends Tara and Mindee came to eat lunch and clean part of my house. I have been stressing this much cleaning all at once. It was so much funner to clean with my friends then just myself! Thanks ladies I owe you a great big frozen yogurt when I have time to sit down and eat it. Then Treg had his last football game of the season! Which is a GREAT thing cuz it is getting colder and colder. Then back to the basement working on plumbing for the washer and dryer again.

Oct 25th Thursday - Today was the day to move the office to the basement. I know this is a major big job but I started right after preschool and then when Terry got home he tore down the computers and reassembled them downstairs. I am so glad to have that job done. It was a mess but it is sure nice when you complete something major like that you realize we are getting somewhere.

Oct 26th Friday - This morning another great friend/neighbor came and helped me clean some more. Kim is my visit teacher but as you may have figured out she is more than that, she is the salt of this earth kind of ladies. I sure hope she will come visit me at the farm because we really do have alot in common. Then after I couldn't move my arms anymore I went to take care of the farm and get some sushi for my hot date tonight with my honey! Man I love this guy he sure makes all this craziness so much better.

Oct 27th Saturday - We woke up early and started working on our bedroom since that and the laundry room is all we have to move. Then thank heavens Bowdee had his semi-championship football game against Lone Peak. So we went and watched them play. They lost the game so that ended up being the last of the year. Today my favorite part was when my dad and Kyle showed up to support Bowdee. I don't know why but Kyle and Bowdee seem to have some kind of personal connection that I adore.

Then after the game it was back to packing and moving and cleaning. We busted our butts to be done by 6:00 so we could turn over the keys so our friends could clean the carpets and get ready to start moving in on Monday. Pretty crazy how this all worked out, I am sure it was meant to be and will be GREAT! Then we had Troy, Kami, Kyle, and Emilee come over to watch the Utes. The Utes won but the best part was creating some good times with our family. I LOVE YOU PEOPLES!

Dad offered to take any of the grand kids to the farm for a sleepover and of course they all were thrilled to go. He is so cute with all of them trying to figure out what he can feed them to make them all happy and then what movie they could watch to help them unwind. They ended up waking up at 8:00 and hit the saddles in the arena. By the end of the morning Matia and Tayla had those horses looping around like pros. Thanks dad for being such an amazing grandpa. The kids all missed you grandma but I am sure you were having fun with your girlfriends.

Oct 28th Sunday - We took our final load to the farm this morning and then we released the kittens into the great Crazy Creek Rance. It was fun watching them run up and down the trees and pretend to sneak up on the chickens then running away. We also let the chickens out and they ran around rolling in the dirt and eating any spider they could find. The kids were scattered here and there playing different games.

After 6 hours of working in the house Terry was about to blow a fuse so we dropped everything asked my family to make sure my kids got home before 8:00 then headed for the mountains to go hiking/hunting. It always does Terry and I some good to clear our heads with that good crisp clean mountain air. Also just to be together and remember what we love about each other. I love watching Terry hunt with his cute little quirky style. Love you babe thanks!

After a little late night touch up painting we left our garage remotes on the counter locked the doors and said goodbye to the upstairs of our home. We are so greatful to have such wonderful people move in that it doesn't hurt as bad moving into the basement because we know they will take good care of the house we have cherished for the last 9 years. Goodbye upstairs and hello basement. Please take note my phone doesn't always work downstairs so keep trying or send an email.

Oct 15-21 Bowdee's 13 and Moving Fun

October 15th - Today my sweet boy turned 13 years old. I can't tell you what a delight it has been to watch him grow day by day and see what an awesome young man he has become. Bowdee is such a fun kid to be around. Yes he can be quite serious at times but that is just because he thinks everything through. I love you so unconditionally Bowdee and I hope that you remember to love and live every minute of this life. Thank you for making me a mommy and coming to this family 13 short years ago. I LOVE YOU so much!

October 16th - Teach preschool, update blog, make lasagna dinner, pick up more boxes, unload a ton of sawdust with dad at the farm, pack box and haul stuff out of the garage, unload a little tension on Terry as he comes home, pack more boxes as I feel bad for my weaknesses, pack more boxes, then get to wound up to sleep. What a fun day lets do it again! I really hate moving I don't know if you knew that about me but I have never liked anything about it!

October 17th - So today I took the day off to go with my mom and dad to buy Bowdee some fainting goats in Goshen. It was such a great day to just spend time with my mom and dad. The goats are really shy because they were just left in a pasture but I am sure when spring comes and we have our first set of twins it will just be magical! Today in itself was magical just spending that much time with my mom and dad getting back to my roots of farmin!

October 19th - Today after packing for a while I decided to take a break and go wash Little Lady (Bowdee's nanny goat). She was a little shy but was so sweet and she looks so much better. Then I went to pick up the kittens from the vet I found a deal to get them all fixed for free. Then to pick up kids for piano, football and dance. Then to the farm to help dad in the dark with the manure spreader hydraulics then take apart our bed and crash at 12:00.

October 20th - 7:00 it wasn't even light yet and Terry's friend from work Greg and his wife show up to help us move all the heavy stuff I didn't want to do again. We got so much moved today and it was heavy stuff that was stressin me out. We got 2 loads finished and it felt so good all before 9:00 for Bowdee's first play off game.

They played at AF High against West Lake who Troys girlfriends son (Jackson) plays on that team. AF won so they will continue on another week. Bowdee played great I wish you could all see him play! He caught his first punt and got a few quarterback sacks. I just kept sitting back and looking at the view of the field nestled in the corner of Timpanogus backdrop thinking man this is one good life!

Then right after his football game he had his last soccer game. It's funny cuz his team has gone undefeated this season and when they see Bowdee show up they get all excited and say oh good Bowdee's here we are going to for sure win now. It was a great game 0-0 with 1 min left. There was a corner kick and they have Bowdee kick those. He kicked a good one but the other team kicked it out of bounds so he got another shot at it. He kicked it over every ones head to the other side of the goal and his team member chested it in for the game winning goal. What a fun game!

At 4:00 was Matia's last game of the season in soccer as well. She made a goal and they won 3-0. Everyone says that Matia is their favorite player to watch because she plays with such heart. If she gets a shove she is not afraid to shove right back. She is one determined player. After the game her coach took them all for ice cream at Macey's what a good way to end a great season. Then we got a hot dog roast picnic and headed to the farm with friends for a campfire and more fun.

October 21st - We loaded the trailer then headed for a drop at the farm. We had Tia's bed in there and we decided to put it up in the barn but to do that we needed to remove some fence panels then flatten with the tractor. I pulled out the power washer and washed the big doors so they would open and finished cleaning the walls. Kye and his girls came down to help and see the goats. We finally unloaded came home and finished cleaning out the office and living room. Things are getting pretty empty!

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!