Deer Garden

Whew - it is hot here! If you didn't know - we have been having record heat for November. This IS NOT good for hunters that bring their deer back home! You know - heat, dead animals - you get the picture, but at least you don't get the smell that goes with it! Anyway - needing to do something with the head/antlers until my dear husband can decide whether to mount them or throw them away, he got very clever. So - here is the Alldredge deer garden. Tell me what you think! Will it catch on? Will we grow anything?
Doug buried the heads - with the antlers sticking up! How clever is that? Well, it seemed pretty clever until Jeremy pulled them out to start working on them for doing a home mount. Whew - bad news. But, it was a pretty neat sight while it lasted. Our dog - little ol' Oscar wasn't sure what to think of the sight, but he sure liked to dig at them. We stopped that in a hurry when it started!

Here comes another hunting widow weekend for me. Doug is taking Matt, Kendall and Jason out for their hunt. Carson will be the man of the house - with just the girls home. We'll have to have a big party - but don't tell the guys!

Halloween Day!

Just a few pictures from Halloween! I had to show this picture of Carson taken earlier in the day. He is getting very brave letting go of the couch. Usually is stands there with one hand just touching the couch. Isn't he cute in his "I love Mummy" shirt! I love him too!







Well, you already saw Carson and Dani's Halloween costumes from the Fall Festival, but here they are again. This time Kristi and Mikel joined in. Mikel was just on her way out to a young adult party. She went as a softball player. (Hmm- now wasn't that a stretch! She is such a good softball player too. She was just re-living those high school years!) Kristi is a witch - but a "cute one" as she would say. None of those warts, black teeth, ratty hair for her! Then, of course we have our "Spiderella" and our "hunting dude". Man, you should have seen the haul of candy that Dani and Kristi (and even Carson) brought home. Enough to share with everyone and last until Christmas!
Isn't Jason just one cool kid with all of his "bling, bling".

Kendall had a costume too - but had changed out of it before he came home. I told him "I want pictures!" So, when I get it - you'll see it!

If you have a few minutes - take a look at Jeremy and Jo's blog and see the cutest picture ever of my granddaughter, EmmaLee. You'll have to admit - you haven't seen many babies cuter than her!

There were so many kids trick or treating around our neighborhood. Doug stayed home to get ready to leave again for the Jeremy's deer hunt. He said everytime he turned around, the doorbell was ringing. He didn't get anything done! Poor guy. That's usually how my days go at home - constant interruptions that nothing gets done. He is off again, and this is just another post from the "hunting widow!"

Here's Jason!

I just have to let you know what a great kid Jason is. Last night was the Fall Sports award for the Freshman teams. Jason got a couple of awards. One for being the player of the game against Carson Jr. High. The other was for the top Special Teams player. He was also "nominated" for the top offensive player. Doug and I were able to really observe how well the other players looked up to Jason. He was a leader on the team. We are very proud of him in all aspects of his life. He is also a scholar athlete - which is wonderful. Jason has never gotten less than a 4.0 since he entered the 7th grade. Here are a few more pictures of Jason!

Here he is on the football field, #33 - hot and sweaty as usual. Jason played on the offensive and defencive teams - besides the special teams. He was one of the leaders in tackles, scored a few touchdowns, kick-off return specialist, and on kick-offs - he was like a missile in finding and running down the ball carrier - he could get to him faster than most of the team, even when Jason was clear across the field. He is one fast kid!




Jason after the game - with his friend Nick. They are both glad the game was finally over. They were just out of gas!


Jason is now moving on to wrestling for his winter sport. He hasn't done much wrestling, but is really looking forward to it.

Jason also plays the Frech Horn for the top concert band at Kino. He is also in the Kino Choir, singing bass. This is a whole new adventure for Jason. He was quite excited to make the choir. His director was excited to have him too - no one else can hit the low notes like Jason can!


Today - Halloween day - was crazy hair day. Here is Jason modeling his hairstyle for the day. Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw with that hairstyle!


We love you Jason and are very proud of you and of your accomplishments. Keep up the good work!!

Opinions

You all ought to really be proud of me to even make this attempt at a blog. I am really trying to get the hang of it! So - here are a couple of questions for you all - and I would like some answers! Do you like the smaller or the larger pictures I have used? The ones seem a little too small, but then the others seem too large, and there is no between size for them. I am adding enough information or not enough? Is there anything you can help me with on the blog? See, I am having this womanly self-esteem issue of it not being good enough - that it doesn't match up to all of those other great blogs. And now that I have really bonded with all of you, I have another question "Do these pants make me look fat?" Just kidding - I don't really want the answer to that one! (I already know that answer)

The Mighty Hunters return!

Success - Success! Our mighty hunters return - and this weekend as a hunting widow has ended! I know how I'll be spending my nights this week - helping cut up and freeze all this meat!


Here is Mikel with her deer - a 3 point! Way to go Mikel. This is her first time ever getting something on a hunt. She was very excited. Doesn't she look like a mighty hunter? Well, she did in the picture she took on her camera out in the hills, but I didn't have that one on my computer. Maybe I'll try and get it for my next post. (It will give me something to plan on anyway!)


Here is Doug with the deer he got. It is a nice 4 point. Mikel said he is just like a little kid when he - and Mikel - got a deer, with him pumping up his fists in the air and even a little jump too!

Here the two mighty hunters are together. Good job you two! Jeremy wasn't able to get his deer this weekend, so he and Doug will head out again next weekend to try. Good luck Jeremy - and to me as I become the lonely hunting widow once more.

Fall Festival

What a fun time Dani and Carson had at our ward fall festival. No one else in the family was able to attend - too bad for them! Enjoy the pictures.


Here are our two little cuties! (Can you see Carson? After all - he is hidden in those clothes and with that paint on his face.)



Playing games at the festival. Dani is helping Carson at the fishpond.

Did you find Carson yet? Here he is with our good friend and neighbor, Suzanne.









Matt was complaining that I never put anything about him in this blog. So Matt - this is for you! Isn't he a handsome dude! He is dressed up and ready to go out - to the Young Single adult halloween party that is. (He doesn't want you to think this is his regular attire!) Don't those velcro shoes really add to this costume? Hey Matt - love those glasses!

A Fall Weekend

When most people think of fall - they think of leaves changing colors, falling leaves, cool weather. Well, here in my neck of the woods I think of fall and a few other things come to mind; football, World Series, and being a hunting widow. What is a hunting widow you say? Well, when your husband is gone for practically every Friday and Saturday scouting or hunting deer and elk - you are a hunting widow. It's a good thing I have my football games to watch, the world series to watch (even if the Diamondbacks aren't in it) - and my kids to keep me busy (notice I didn't say to keep me sane?). Good think I like the meat (from the hunting)!


Dani had the opportunity Friday night to cheer at the local high school varsity football game. GO WESTWOOD!!! She loved it! Here she is with her friend, Jamie after they were done. I wish I had an actual picture of her cheering, but my camera wasn't that good. All the pictures were too blurry. She loved the jumping, kicking, clapping, and cheering for her Westwood Warriors. Go D-A-N-I !!!

Saturday night we had our fall block party. The kids had a lot of fun - as you can see. Here is Kristi bobbing for an apple - and got one. Carson has his own way of bobbing for apples - making the apples bob!

While Dani was busy in the "build a Scarecrow" contest, Jason and Carson were just hanging out and watching all the fun. Dani's team didn't win, but they sure built a cute scarecrow!

There was also a pumpkin decorating contest. Kristi and her friend Selena did theirs together and won first place! You can't see it in the picture, but it is like a lite-brite and the little lights flash off and on. Here is Dani with her entry into the contest. A Raggady Ann cleaning pumpkin - what a combination. Way to go girls!

Now it is onto other things this week. Doug, Mikel, Kristi, Jeremy, Jo - with EmmaLee - are leaving for the deer hunt on Wednesday. Here I am - the hunting widow. Good thing I will have my football game (Go ASU) to watch on TV and the World Series will be starting too. (I am such a sports junkie). Good luck to all those hunters - I will be looking forward to seeing them Saturday night!