A "Huge" Weekend!

For months, Kameron has been counting down the days until his big hunt! So last monday, we loaded the car and we drove up to St Johns so he and his Dad could prepare for the big event. I stayed there and hung out until my cousin Elyssa and her husband Manny came from Utah on Wednesday for the weekend. We had lots of fun eating Corky's ice cream...YUMM! And watching movies. But the highlight was weds morning Grandma Lee took Porter with her to Kindergarten one day. Porter has been begging to go to "Flower Garden" AKA Kindergarted for months. He cant wait to go to school. So when we woke up and said he was going to get to go, he lit up like it was Christmas. He got dressed, ate breakfast, put on his backpack...and didnt look back.
He loved every minute of it, and came home with plenty of stories of what he got to learn. Thanks Karen for taking Porter...he LOVED it!!

Then later that afternoon Manny headed to Alpine to meet up with the "hunting" crew while Elyssa, the kids and I went to Pinetop to stay at our cabin. Porter immediately found his cars, and started playing away! I love my OCD child!


Then Thursday, we decided last minute to go visit the boys at camp! We picked up some Little Ceasars, and headed to Alpine.

Porter loves pizza!!!

The kids got a hold of the Elk Call, and they couldnt get enough!!

Anastyn realizing that this little contraption makes noise!!

Porter making the noise in Anastyn's ear!!

A few minutes later we noticed Anastyn had wandered off, and this is where we found her...
..She was caught red handed. Literally. She was digging into and helping herself to the pizza!! This little girl is ALL about the food!

Manny and Elyssa sitting around the fire. Dont mind Manny wearing flip flops...it WAS actually cold out there. Utah people!!! haha

Daddy loving on his baby girl!

I love this picture. Anastyn was mesmerized by the fire, and just for a disclaimer...she is not as close to it as she looks, and we had 2 sets of hands ready in case she stepped towards the fire. No children were harmed while taking pictures!!

Back in Pinetop my parents came down thursday night, and my dad went up to enjoy the hunt as well, so us girls went Yard Selling, shopping, movie watching, and enjoyed some El Rancho!

Elyssa, Porter and I at dinner!

We were feeding Anastyn lemons, and she kept making faces, and while I was trying to get her faces on film...she would make a face..see the camera, and cheese away. So this is her sour/cheesy face!

My beautiful sweet girl. She is going through this new stage of talking. A few weeks ago, I couldnt get her to say a word, NOW...I cant get her to be quiet! Her favorite thing is to SING!! She was our performing monkey all week because we would tell her to Sing a Song, and she would ramble off a mixture of, the Alligator/Monkey song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Ring Around the Rosie...then clap and say Yeah!! Seriously adorable. I wish my camera took videos too!! I seriously cant get enough of this girl. She is the best!!

Porter was having and stand off one night protesting bedtime! Well after over an hour of the back and forth...his protesting lost, and he was dead asleep in the middle of the hallway. What a goofball!! If only someone would put me in a room and threaten me with punishment if I didnt go to sleep. Now thats the life!

Elyssa and I watching Date Night the night before they had to leave!! Hilarious movie! I was so sad to say goodbye, but I had so much fun visiting with them. Thanks Elyssa and Manny for making the trip to Arizona, it was great having you. Please come visit us again!!! And Manny...You were SO right!! That thing stunk more rancid then you described! Yuck!! I will have to mail you some Jerky...and beans! =)

The rest of the trip was spent relaxing and going for wagon rides with Tata!! And enjoying the great weather.

Did I mention Saturday Morning Kameron killed?? Thats right, first thing day 2, he spoted this bad boy and he nailed it.

I know some people arent pro-hunting, but we are. Its population management, and all the usable meat was given to families in need, and is in the dehydrator as we speak. Not to mention the head of that thing is on its way to being mounted and hung in our family cabin!!

The thing weighed around 700+ pounds, was a 6X6, and scored around 360. Not too shabby my dear. Great job!!

Kameron wanted to bring the horns home instead of leaving them at his parents house...so we rolled City Slicker style. I have to say...it was HILARIOUS seeing all the red necks walking out of walmart on our way out staring and pointing. We were definately head turners the entire trip home. Not to mention the countless thumbs ups, and clapping from men driving by us. This hunting comradeship is crazy stuff. I am glad that Kameron was able to get his bull, this was a once in a life time draw, and Kameron did such a great job. But more then that...I am glad to no longer have the stinky hide on the roof of my car, that thing smelled worse them a room full of rotting, soured milk! You're welcome for the description.

Here is to eating a hundred pounds of Elk Jerky, and months of savings going to pay to mount this sucker! Congrats babe!!

It's Not Goodbye, It's I'll See You Later!!!!

While living in Maricopa I have made the greatest life long friends. It has made moving so difficult. The weekend before I moved my good friends Kara and Ashley put together a girls overnighter at the Arizona Grand Resort as one last hoo-rah before I left. It was such a fun night with a crazy bunch of girls. I will miss them all so much, and I already feel like I am missing out on everything. We started the night off with a little Red Robin....Yumm!! (thats totally for you Ash!)

From left to right: Molly the Great, Kara, Marrene, Teri, Me, Sarah, and Ashley. I think I felt bad for the people around us, we are kind of an outrageous bunch...especially Teri! ;)


I love this girl. I already miss her. She is such a great friend and is constantly thinking of other people. I could always count on my "tigger" to cheer me up. During the whole packing and moving process, she was at my door taking Porter for the day so I could get things done, or when I had had enough, spend half the day with me getting pedicures and laughing. Not to mention she taught me how to be domestic. Canning Jam of every flavor, planting a garden...this girl gets more done in one day then I can in a week. She never quits. Thats why I love her.


Its not a girls night with out Briana. We had to bring her along. I know what you are thinking...and yes she had a lot of fun!! =)

We went down to the hot tub and pool when we got back from being called matresses (total inside joke...and be jealous, because it is HILARIOUS!!!"), loading up on candy and chocolate covered strawberries. It was a good time.

Molly had to go home for the night, but these are the fun gals that stayed over. We watched a pay per view movie, painted toenails, made a QT run, ate more junk, and stayed up til 5am talking. I havent had that much fun in a long time. P.s. So sorry Sarah for you sleeping on that horrid pullout..seriously, I slept on it for only 2 hours, I dont know how you did it all night. Thanks for toughing it out. You are great, and seriously the sweetest girl I know. Miss you!

The next morning Sarah had to get back to her kids, and Ashley had to take her daughter to dance, so it was just 4 of us that were able to enjoy the fun water park. But before we headed out, we ordered room service for breakfast!!
This was my ubber delicious breakfast. The best part is that Kara has the hook ups and we were able to get it for FREE. Thats right...it was amazing.

Marrene, myself, and Teri ready to party up on the lazy river. Pardon the no make up, we were running off like 2 hours of sleep.

Kara, she is such a crack up. She is so sweet and such a good friend. No matter what it is...she can make it. Crafty as can be. I will miss making watch bands, chatting, and our many days of crafts.

Meet Teri. Teri, Teri, Teri. I love this girl because she seriously says everything that passes through her mind. Literally. Its her best most endearing quality. She makes me laugh, like a LOT. And dont worry Teri, no matter what Jake says, you ARE hilarious! I miss you quirkiness. Life will definately be dull without you.

Marrene. She was my across the street neighbor. I talked to her atleast once or twice a day. I watched her boys 3 days a week. Porter and Wes were best buds. And we basically had a "Mi Casa es Su Casa" rule. I dont know how many times we have saved eachother with a last minute ingredient we were missing. I honestly dont know what I am going to do without her across the street from me. They were the best neighbors in the world...so whoever is in the market for a house...buy ours and you will inherit a great friend. (and beautiful house might I add) I cant even express how I will miss them. We have spent holidays, pregnancies, babies, the pretty, the ugly...she has seen every side of me. Not most people get that. And you are probably welcome, not all my sides are that great. haha. But she loved me despite my craziness at times, and always had the kindest words of wisdom to share with me when I needed them. Always knew just what to say and what I needed to hear. She was my sounding board for any and all frustrations. Bless her heart. She is like family now, so sorry Marrene...you are STUCK with me! Not to mention she made us dinner every single night for the last 4 days we were there since our fridge was gone, and we had nothing in our house. I'm telling you, she is the best. Love you Marrene!

All of us crazies!!
Teri had never been to a water park, and she went up all by herself and went down the tall water slide. She was so brave. Then I talked...or dragged, whichever....Kara up there and made her go down. She was so scared it was hilarious. Even though she was totally wigging out, when the guy started screaming at her "SIT DOWN, LEGS CROSSED, ARMS CROSSED, GOOOOOOO" After a second "GOOOOOO" she freaked out thinking he may push her, and she went. And guess what...she is alive to tell the tale. It was such a fun time, and I am so grateful for amazing friends who would go through the trouble and take the times out to come spend time with me. I love them all dearly, and know that no matter what...I will always be friends with them. I dont know how I got so lucky to have them, because I probably dont deserve them.

Through the last few days before I left, I had a few friends stop buy with little surprises for me. It made it that much worse to leave. From raspberries, to Coke Zeros on my doorstep, to Ashley and Kara showing up before we leave and brought me a Coke Zero, and Porter a frizzoni for the road. Seriously, what am I going to do without these girls. I am so excited for all the new adventures of living here, and I already have a lot of good friends. But I know that none of these girls can or will be replaced. So with faith I will move forward. Bring on the future!!