Playing in the leaves

With the change in weather it is time to spend time outside gathering leaves. Clayton is such the little helper, he has his own rake and he is constantly telling his dad where to put the pile, how to rake and telling me that I am doing a good job. He hangs out with his mother too much...



Clayton sees his father with the camera so often that you would think he wouldn't bat an eye. The opposite is true. He often hides when I get out my camera, making it a game of don't take my picture. The best time to get him is when he is playing. Of course I think that is the best time to get pictures of any kid!



Of course just cuz you are playing doesn't mean that you don't need to watch out!



Yup that photo ended the session as I had to clean my lens which got mud (mixed in with the leaves) Clayton plastered me with. I will say it was worth every minute of it!

Fall, the hunt, and why I love it all

Every fall there is a ritual that my family performs called deer hunting. For me it is a time to get away from the city, and be with my dad, brothers, cousins etc.

Our hunting grounds are the same used by my grandfather whom I never had a chance to know. I do feel that I know him a little from the stories I hear when we are hunting in the mountains he loved. The country is gorgeous during the fall, leaves are turning, the wild hills seem wilder. Winter is coming and you can feel its bite, you can see the land changing with the change in the season.

This year, my cousin Bob brought his little boy Aaron along for the hunt. Will next year be the year I take Clayton for his first hunt?



Aaron had a blast, hanging with the guys.

The hills we usually hunt were a bit dry this year. Here is Troy (brother in law) over looking from the same point that was a favorite of my Grandfather.



See those mountains in the distance, well it isn't exactly where we ended up but close.



Mountain hunting is different from the hills, but the views are spectacular. We sat in this valley watching the sun rise up lighting the hillsides around us.



If anything the terrain is even more rugged, but all the more magnificent for it.



A stand of quaking aspen.



OK, I couldn't help being a little artsy fartsy, adding a little motion blurr...



Here is part of our group heading back to the top...



This was the view at our backs, you gotta love the wild places in Utah.

Loving the big open spaces

My new thing is taking photos outside in the big open spaces. You know like what you experience in Sanpete. The only tall objects are the nearby trees and the majestic, snow capped mountains. It is almost sad that winter is nearly upon us. The days get so short and play time outside becomes a luxury that is difficult to afford. The only one who loves to be outside more than I do is Clayton. He asks to go outside even when it is pitch black.

Here Grandpa is teaching Clayton to navigate the high seas!





Clayton loves to play outside, especially with his Grandpa and cousin Jordan!





Clayton is getting braver. He used to be afraid of the four wheelers. For a little boy who loves cars and anything with wheels, you would think he would jump at the chance to sit in an ATV. He is a cautious little boy, unlike his dare devil cousin Jordan.



Brody was stuck inside the house. That's OK, he got tons of loves from his Grandma!





What a handsome little boy!

Playing in the leaves, more life in Bountiful

The great thing about where we live is the there is some outside ground for the kids to play in. The area between the town homes is green and there are a lot of kids in our units that play there all the time. Really life is good. I know we want a real house but we have awesome neighboors and live in a comfortable beautiful location. We shouldn't have anything to complain about.

Fall time is such a fun time for the kids! This year is the first year where Clayton has been able to play in the leaves. Last year he wasn't walking yet and well the leaves scared him as he didn't like the texture of the grass and leaves. Hey, he started out kinda slow.







This year it is fun stuff all fun and games. Leaves are cool and they are fun!



Of course Clayton loves to play with balls. He doesn't care that the balls are worn and well, looking a bit past prime.







Where do the leaves come from Clayton? Here comes one right now!



I have a very handsome son I must say. He is cute to the max! All the girls want to be around this little boy cuz he is a real ladies man. I love that little guy so much it hurts!