Now hold on to your seats, a small miracle is happening. I am actually blogging and posting pictures about the month, the calendar shows we are still currently in! Yes, I am shocked myself! You all know it is because, we in Utah, celebrated Halloween a day early, because Halloween falls on Sunday this year. So, it sure helped to wrap up the month a day early.
Traditionally, I am a widow the month of October. It has always been that way since the day I said "I do." It doesn't matter if your having a baby, getting married or the kids teams are in the play offs. The minute the calendar says you can legally shoot somethings that moves, you don't see your hubby again until the hunts close.
This year was no exception however, Jeff had a work related trip the first week of October, so he really would be gone, it would seam, the entire month. So, I knew if I wanted to get any kind of family photo before Christmas it had to be taken ASAP. It was finally a beautiful fall day, so we grabbed my camera, my Mom as our photographer and headed out the door as the sun was starting to set with the mosquitoes nipping at our heels. These are some of the shots that did not make our Christmas card, but I thought they were fun just the same.
I absolutely love the first photo posted. We have an old aluminum barn near our home and I have seen several segments on "Studio 5" about finding different textures to use as your background for family pictures. Then add in some fun props to make it a classic picture. Tommy, holding that balloon with his sour face, is typical Tommy. He would not let me use it on our card, so I thought I would share it on our blog. I chuckle every time I see that picture. I think I am going to blow it up to a 11 X 17 and then make it black and white or sepia for some where in my house. Anyway I thought it was fun to share.
The morning after family pictures, Jeff left for his work trip to New Orleans. He was chosen to be part of a team to represent Utah in the National Operators Challenge. Teams from all over the country come and take part in mock situations to see who had the fastest times and know their stuff. Of course the goal is to take home the grand prize. He was also able to take in a little sight seeing, so I am sharing his photos.
The team always dresses in some fancy duds to go along with a theme. This year was no exception as they had a military theme. They won best uniform overall and 9th place over all with their times. Pretty good for some blue collar boys! He is the one on the far left.
Jeff returned home from his trip safe and sound, only to pack and walk out the door 15 hours later to pick up his Dad and head out for the Elk hunt. We did not join him as we still had football going on for Tanner and Tate. Jeff's family has hunted in the same spot for decades and this year was not exception. It is really beautiful country.
Jeff arrived home for a few days and then prepared to headed right back down for the deer hunt. The kids love going down for the hunting experience and really felt like they were getting the raw end of the deal for not being able to go. Usually UEA is the same weekend as the deer hunt, so they have gone in the past some years, but it didn't work out that way this year. So at the very, very, very last minute Jeff decided to take Tate, Tucker and Tommy with him. Tanner had to stay back as he had football and early morning Drivers Ed. Yes, can you believe he is that old? Tracen and I also stayed home as I have a rule that a child can not go until they are three. It is way too hard to have a toddler down camping in the middle of no where! I have been there and done that, and lets just say if you don't want me not to check into the loony bin..... It is better that I stay home.
This year they experienced some pretty harsh weather where they were in the trailer a lot of the time! Tate got some neat shots of nature in the high mountains. He is a budding photographer.
I especially like these pictures he took of the snow falling from the sky, like stars, and the fresh snow sparking like in the movies. Good job Tate!
Yep, even though the weather was the worst they experienced in years, Jeff got one!
The bad weather enabled their travel plans to return home when expected, so the kids missed out on the school pumpkin walk. Darn it, we didn't have to carve pumpkins and make a big mess, get every one's pumpkins to school and have all the drama this year! Can you tell I was way upset that we didn't get to do it :)!
Instead we got to dress up for the trunk-er-treat in our area. It was pouring rain, so it was moved in doors, and the kids had a fun time and scored lots of candy. Tracen was "Mr. Potato Head", Tanner a "football player". Tate a "chic magnet", Tommy a "power ranger" and Tucker a runaway prisoner/ or referee however you interpret his costume.
Over all it was a fun holiday to go along with our busy month. I am sure this weekend the kids will have stomach aches from all the treats to go along with their head aches from having so much homework from missing so much school. Yes, Jeff will always still be hunting something, but the game is close to home and not nearly as time consuming. Oh well, October for me is about survival and we did it! Here is to next month!
