Hunt

We let Kolton come with us on my deer hunt this year.  It was his first, and he was very excited.  He asked Brian to buy him a pair of hunting boots at Walmart so that he could go on my deer hunt. He was so funny.  We woke him at 5:00 am. Still half asleep in the drowsy minutes of morning he snuggled back in and tried to go to sleep.  Brian asked, "do you want to go hunting or go back to sleep?"  He bolted upright and exclaimed, "I go hunting!" He has his own binoculars which he held to his face throughout the drive. This was my 3rd big game tag.  I got nervous that morning, but it ended up being really easy.  I shot right through the heart which was my best shot yet.  Kolton dozed off right when I shot her, but that made no difference to him.  In his memory, he shot the deer.  Then, when we hiked up to it and Brian was field dressing it, he asked, "Why daddy cutting that blood?" I told him it was so that we could get the yucky parts out and eat it for meat.  "oh, I wike meat!" He replied.  Then, he retold the story from start to finish to every person he encountered for the rest of the day starting with, "do you want to see my deer?" It was darling.  We had an enjoyable, quick time.  We left the house at 6 and were done by 8.

Deer hunting is exhausting!

Jack'o'lantern

We tried a new approach this year,,,,

Happy Happy birthday Xiana Dear

This was an even year for my sweet Xiana so she got to have a friend party.  Can you believe she turned 6? I can't.  It's hard to even fathom that she is a six-year-old.  I mean, that's like almost a teenager.... before I know it she'll be begging to date, driving a car forcing me to go prematurely grey, and straightening her hair (that last one I'm hoping to be so open about that it never actually comes to that).  Six.

At six, she's learning to read.  I mean she can actually sound out all kinds of words and already knows about a hundred sight words. Six.  What a blessing she has been to my life.  I find it so bizarre to try to articulate this feeling of a little tiny girl who saved my life; who taught me so very much; who introduced me to a child of God, myself.  She's stinking cute....and smart.... and altogether amazing.  I'm not exactly sure why or how I got to be her mommy, but I sure am grateful.  We did cupcakes galore... for school, for party with friends, for party with family.  We ate a lot of cupcakes.  We had an enjoyable time.

Already I feel her beginning to pull away from me and assert her independence.  I already see her holding hands and giggling with little girls that I didn't introduce her to.  I already see her lift her chin in a defiant gaze and know that she needs to be right...to make decisions by herself.  I'm trying to let her.  I already see a glimpse of the woman she will be become, of the girl she once was, and the girl she's rapidly turning into.  I'm so proud of her.  She's a special little soul.  Everyone she encounters recognizes that special quality in her. They're drawn to her.  I pray that she'll continue to be brave, and strong, and always see her value.  I hope that even in her darkest hours, she can feel the tugs of the Spirit on her heart strings.  I'm amazed at how much of an impact one little six-year-old can have on me... on the world.  What a joy it is to be her mommy.

Though we had a wonderful time, it would be a lie to say I didn't shed a few tears.  I know that dad was with us, but it was heart breaking to celebrate her mortal life without him here in the flesh.  His absence is so poignant, so tangible.  It's remarkable what this life has to offer.  It's brutiful to celebrate her life while also mourning his death.

Happy birthday little girl.  I hope that life is always everything you want it to be.  I love you.  I'm proud of you.  I think you're remarkable.

Halloween

Xiana was a witch this year, and Kolton was Lightening McQueen, and Ekco was a cosplay from the Anime she so dearly loves.  She got to go to Comicon with her mom this year so her $100 costume wasn't completely in vain.  I got super lucky and managed to walk out the door at $20 for both the little's costumes!  They were pretty darling!  We went to our ward trunk or treat, Xiana dressed up for school, and we went trick or treating.  Not bad for a few days work.  Kolton, like last year, ate candy as fast as it hit his bucket.  Xiana is a little more delicate than that.  It was bittersweet to trick or treat without my dad.  I know we all felt his absence and commented on it more than once.  Still, it was pleasant and enjoyable.  Mom brought dinner over on Halloween to see the kids and get some real food in their bellies.  Then we finished the night per our usual tradition at Helen and Al's house where they dumped the remainder of their candy bowl into the kid's baskets.  Halloween is fun... exhausting and filling, but fun!

Apple Hill

We went to Apple Hill on Xiana's birthday, so she invited Tad to come with us. Thankfully mom joined us too.  We did the usual: apple donuts, apple fritters, caramel apples, brussel sprouts, pumpkin patch, corn maze, rolling down grassy hills, honey sticks, apple cider, apples, pears, and then came home to make apple pie!