Long Live RSL, Deer Camp, and the Pumpkin Walk

My faithful readers (I love saying that) may remember back in July when I posted about being really ticked off at Real Salt Lake for not letting us switch tickets when Greg was sick/I had a broken leg. Thanks to the help of Greg's sweetest cousin ever, Dani (and her family), that story now has a happy ending!

James and Dani called a few weeks ago and told us to choose a date, because they wanted to get us tickets to go to a game with them. (They are like MEGA Real fans and felt really bad about our negative experience with Real Salt Lake.) We felt a bit silly about taking their extra tickets, but they insisted and we had an absolute blast. It seriously was one of the funnest things we've done in a long time! We enjoyed an absolutely amazing dinner at their house--Dani's carnitas are better than any restaurant--and then headed off to the game.

Dani was like a little kid waiting for Santa Claus and was actually giddy about going to the game. It was awesome. We had no idea she was such a huge fan, but as she rattled off everything you would ever need to know about the team and the history of RSL, we knew we were in for a fun night!

Awesome self-pic of Yours Truly, Gregory Boy, and our Amigo Ruben.


Whatever they said to each other during this pep talk worked, because we totally dominated the whole game! (Notice how I said, "we." Yes, we're fans now and I'm getting over the bad feelings I had in my heart for RSL. ) :)

Aren't Dani, Kaylee and James just the cutest? We love them!

I had to sneak this picture in of Abby snoozing in her high chair. There's nothing quite as sweet as a sleeping baby!

For many folks, October means fall, changing leaves, football, Halloween, apple cider, corn mazes, you know the drill. For the men in my family, October means only one thing: DEER HUNTING. (Okay, they like also like football, but it usually takes the back-burner during hunting season.)

I ventured up with the kids for a few days to visit Greg and the guys. Greg had actually taken Garrett up to camp the night before and they "enjoyed" a nice night in the tent before Abby and I arrived. I didn't feel quite like roughing it in a tent full of mountain men because I didn't know how the kids would sleep, so we ventured over to Bear Lake and slept in the cabin and spent the days at camp. Definitely a good choice! It got a bit chilly at night, but the days were BEAUTIFUL!

The only good thing about the cold is looking at this little gal in her hat and gloves. There's something about little kids all bundled up in their winter clothes that makes me happy. (I think it makes me think of Ralphie and I have to laugh. If you don't know who Ralphie is, you were seriously deprived as a child and should be mad at your parents.)

As could be imagined, Garrett was totally in his element and loved every second of his deer hunting experience. He ran around camp "fixing things" with his hammer.

We enjoyed a couple of lovely horse rides. The weather was perfect and the fall leaves were absolutely beautiful. Garrett was so overcome with the splendor of it all that he fell asleep multiple times along the trail. Good thing daddy has a strong shoulder for tired little heads!

Here's Little G catching a few more ZZZZ's. (Notice how simply stunning I am looking in the background in my hunter orange cap and vest.)

Garrett did wake up often enough to cause a bit of trouble every now and again. Greg discovered that Garrett was happy as long as he had a stick in his hand to hit the trees with as we passed by.

We stopped for a rest/snack break.

Darn it...too bad Abby was back at camp with Grandpa or we would have a really classy family photo to send out with our Christmas cards this year.

This old champ is Norval, my grandpa's best friend. Grandpa Butch passed away a few years ago, but Norval still visits deer camp every year and is beloved by all. Especially Garrett, who followed him around like a lost puppy.

What good is a snack break without a little swig of DC?

Norval and Brett were resting on the rocks, so Garrett decided he needed to join them for a little cowboy power nap.

Abby didn't go on the long trail ride with us, but she did catch a few quick rides around camp.

As always, deer camp was a delight and we're already looking forward to next year!

We also enjoyed visiting the Pumpkin Walk this year. Abby took in the sights from her stroller. Isn't she just so festive?

Garrett was absolutely thrilled to run into "Mrs. Allen" at the Pumpkin Walk. (Mrs. Allen teaches kindergarten across the hall from my mom and Garrett LOVES her. He talks about Mrs. Allen all the time.) When Garrett saw her, he grabbed her hand and said, "Come on, Mrs. Allen. Let's go see the pumpkins." Such a sweet (and wild) boy!