A Little More about the Sheep Hunt

Sarah said that I should give a little explanation of why, (other then the fact that my company pays for these hunts) I decided to hunt Dall Sheep in AK. For years I have seeked the adventure side of hunting. Before working for weatherby, I had not shot a rifle for 14 years, strictly shooting a bow, all for the challenge. A few years back my dad and I got into making the recurve style bows. You know the ones the Native Americans killed George Armstrong Custer with. That was allot of fun and even more challenging.
Now as far as archery goes, I love to elk hunt, but I am using the the training wheels (compound bow). I know most of the terminology is over your head, you'll have to come by my house and take a look in the garage to understand completely. Elk Hunting with a bow is the ultimate challenge being that these huge animals live in very high places.
Well the sheep hunting deal was the challenge, take a look at the pictures of where I slept for 4 days and what we had to do to get there. It put every aspect of hunting and every sensory to its max. If you want more info, just give me a call. Like I said earlier, 12 pages in my journal. I have tons of stories. Hope all is well. Stay tuned for the next adventure.

Where in the World is Aaron--Season 2

WOW , After 7 days with no shower, loosing 12 lbs, drinking creek water and eating Mountain House backpack food and smoked salmon, walking up and down some of the steepest canyons I have ever walked. I am finally home, oh, not to mention a late night flight to Bakersfield instead of my original flight to SLO. Thanks MOM! (She picked me up at 11pm and we drove to Atascadero)

I can't really give the whole story on the blog, it took 12 pages in my journal but here are some pictures to give you an idea of my adventure. This is a hunt I will never forget, the physical and mental stresses were unbelievable and the 4 hour hike up 3000 vertical feet to our spike camp was to the limit of my physical capabilities.

This area is a remote location outside of Fairbanks, AK in the Alaska mountain range. It took a 45 minute puddle jumper ride, a 3 hour quad ride and a 2 hour hike to our spike camp to get to the hunting area.

What a dream is all I can say, but it is so good to be home. Garrett is just connected to me, continually hugging me and squeezing my neck.

My boys!

I found Aaron and Garrett all tuckered out, they feel asleep watching TV together--too cute!

Blogger Tag

Jobs I’ve Held:
1. Mom & Wife (hardest, most rewarding job ever!)
2. Community Real Estate Manager (current job)
3. Stampin' Up! Consultant
4. Public Relations Assistant
5. Easter Bunny (first job at age 13...don't laugh

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Where the Heart Is
3. Singles Ward--funny Mormon humor

My Guilty Pleasures:
1. Blogging
2. Craigslist
3. Celebrity gossip
4. Soda

Places I Have Lived:
1. Riverside, CA (birthplace)
2. San Luis Obispo, CA
3. Morro Bay, CA
4. Los Osos, CA
5. Atascadero, CA

Shows I Enjoy:
1. The Office
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. Army Wives
4. House Hunters

What were likely the 1st things you thought when you saw your significant other for the first time?
1. He is one of those "cool guys"
2. He has a strong spirit

Places I’ve Been on Vacation (other an the U.S.):
1. England
2. Mexico
3. Canada
4. Switzerland
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. Austria
8. France

Those were all before child...after child vacation spot

1. Beach!

Favorite Foods:
1. Sushi
2. Pizza and salad...have to serve it together
3. Tacos--Mom's recipe

Websites I Visit (almost) Daily:
1. Email
2. Friends Blogs
3. Pottery Barn Kids
4. Craigslist

Body Parts I Have Injured:
1. I had my gallbladder removed after I had Garrett...I'd say it was injured, sure felt like it.

Nicknames I’ve been called:
1. Jonesy (Jones was my maiden name)
2. Jonesmobile (only April calles me that)
3. Captin (inside joke with Mandi and Shelli)
4. Ting (pet name from Aaron)

Now I Get to pick 4 other Blog buddies to do this! Tag your it!
1. Mandi
2. Kari
3. Michelle
4. Amy

There are others...you know who you are:)

Where do I begin?

It was an eventful weekend.

Thursday Aaron and I along with the other Smith/Kirk kids went and saw Rascal Flatts with Jason Aldean. We all had such a great time hanging out together. It really was a treat to go out on the town and not have to pay for babysitting (thank you to Aaron's mom and dad).

Friday we entertained Shelli and her friend Robert around the Central Coast. We went to Firestone's for a tri-tip sandwich (the best tri-tip you will ever have, if you have not had it you must come visit and I will be happy to take you there!), then walked around downtown and checked out all the new shops they have put in.. We then drove to the Avila Valley Barn. It's an farm that has a fresh produce market, hay rides for kids, petting zoo and a homemade ice cream shoppe...I would also recommend this as a must visit Central Coast spot. We continued our tour to Avila Beach to soak up sun and let Garrett play in the sand. We really had a great day!It is so difficult to get a cute picture of Garrett...he is just too busy to stop for a baby photo paparazzi.

Saturday Aaron and I went with some friends to the Rodeo at the Mid State Fair, we had a great time and watched Phil Vassar perform. He is an amazing talent, I didn't realize he wrote "My Next Thirty Years" who is sung by Tim McGraw. He performed many of his own hits, along with some of the songs he has written for other artists.

Today, Sunday, we enjoyed church then went to Paso for our friend Bret's 30th surprise birthday party, we had a BBQ dinner, watch all the kids run and play together and enjoyed a yummy Madonna Inn Black Forest Cake! Wow, was that thing HUGE!

Today I realized that I have been married for 4 1/2 years and have been a member of the church for almost 6. It is amazing to me how time passes by so fast. I look back at all the time in my life I had stressed out about things or worried, but now I'm finding out that life will come as it may, but my faith in Jesus Christ, my loving family and wonderful friends will always be here for me, to bring me back up and keep me strong. I'm truly grateful for that.

That Can't be Comfortable

This is how Aaron found Garrett today when he was supposed to be taking a nap in his crib. How does he get out so quietly, and why would he rather sleep in a chair than in his own bed? Beats me!
Garrett-5, Mom and Dad-0

Mid State Fair

We took Garrett to the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles tonight. It is a big deal on the Central Coast. We had a great time attending this year with our friends Bret, Jenn and Tanner, we visited the livestock, had a funnel cakes (there goes working out this morning) and checking out all the exhibits. Garrett's favorite part was playing on the tractor display and seeing Sparky the Fire Dog. As tradition Aaron and Garrett rocked their cowboy attire to the fair. Garrett had on a his cowboy boots, but on the way to the fair, he decided that he did need to wear them anymore. Good thing I remembered to bring an extra pair of shoes!

We will go back on Thursday night to see Rascal Flatts in concert, we are going with Mandi, Chris, and Shelli. We are looking forward on taking Garrett back another time before it ends next week too.Garrett and dad with the Cerro Alto 4-H pigs.

Vacation Time

With all the happenings lately, we decided not to go anywhere and just enjoy what our home county has to offer. It has been a fun couple of days and as you can see in the pictures Garrett is loving every minute of it. The second picture could be titled "Footprints in the Sand"

Every Boy Wants a John Deere Tractor

Garrett's latest obsession are tractors, he pronounces it "tract-toe". At Tanner's (Garrett calls him TT) birthday party they (Brett and Jenn, our next door neighbors) had a John Deere theme complete with an actual tractor. They had tri-tip sandwiches that were to die for, they were delicious. All the kids had a great time playing and sitting on top of the tractor. It was the hit of the party!

Fun in the Big Yellow Pool

The actual title for this post should be "No Fear". Do you see him sliding down head first? This boy has no fear of getting hurt...he always leaves my on the edge of my seat!
Words cannot describe how much I'm in love with this cute little man!

Missy's Baby Shower

Last Saturday some friends and I through our friend Missy a shower. She is about to have a little girl, after already having two boys under 4, she is ready for a little girl! We had a great time, and Alissa even showed up with little Maverick, he is too cute.

Cayucos Beach

Aaron, Garrett and I spend Saturday at Cayucos Beach with our neighbors Jenn and Bret. Bret was working on the yard at his parents beach shack, so we came and spent the day with Jenn and Tanner at the beach. We had clam chowder, walked through all the antique shops and took the boys to play in the sand. It was really windy, but turned out to be a really fun Saturday afternoon.

Daddy's Little Helper

A Baby Boy is Born!

Our friends Alissa and Ben gave birth to Maverick Benjamin Bright on
July 1, 2007. He weighed a whopping 10 lbs. 7 oz. Alissa deserves a metal for all her hard work bringing him into this world. She went into the hospital to have him on Wednesday and didn't give birth until SUNDAY!

We went to visit the little family on Friday and got to hold Maverick, he is so little and cute. I didn't get to hold for very long, Aaron stole him away and was holding him most of the time. I think he has baby fever worse than I do!

4th of July Pics

Burrito baby, neighborhood fireworks show and family time all made up our 4th of July!

This year we spend the evening at my friend Michelle and Tony's house in Templeton. The kids had a fun time swimming and lighting off fireworks. Garrett wasn't too sure if he was supposed to be scared or excited about fireworks, he wanted me to hold him during most of the "show". Earlier that day we went to a pancake breakfast at church where they also had a flag raising ceremony, it was a great way to start off the day.
We had a great time spending the 4th relaxing and enjoying a little family time!
Michelle's daughter Mikaela in the middle next to her friend Savannah, they were babysitting Garrett and playing with him the whole night. Too cute.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th, hope you all have a safe and fun holiday!

Trivia-5 years ago on this day Aaron proposed to me at Pismo Beach...crazy how time flies!

Little Stinker

I put Garrett down for his afternoon nap, and after a few hours I went into check on him since he had been asleep for a while (he usually doesn't take long naps). This is how I found Garrett...he is too funny! He had got out of his crib, got all his shoes and toys out then must have fell back asleep.

Peyton's First Birthday

"Hold on tight Peyton, were going for a ride"

Last weekend we drove over to Tehachapi for my nieces 1st birthday party. We had a great time hanging out with the family. Aaron got to sneak in two golf trips, and I was able to get a pedicure and Stamp It Up! with Mandi, Shelli and Amy (who was visiting from Texas).
Peyton's party was at the Tehachapi City Park, and the whole party was themed in polka dots. Polka dot balloons, polka dot dress, cake, goody bags...it was really a polka dot party. Mandi did a really great job putting the party together. Happy birthday Peyton!

Our Crazy Day!

Today was a crazy day...I woke up this morning and Garrett wasn't acting like Garrett. He couldn't hardly move and was not being responsive to me. So I took him to the doctor's office, then he sent us to the ER. We spend all day, not to mention thousands of dollars to rule out Leukemia or an intestinal blockage. We got home with no diagnosis, but that he has constipation and well "just doesn't feel good".

Meanwhile, we got an offer on your house today...way low, so we countered back. We will see what happens! Aaron's parents came since they were so worried about Garrett, he is fine and acting like his old self again!

Thank you for all your prayers and concern! We are looking forward to going to Tehachapi this weekend and celebrating Peyton's birthday! Did I mention we need a vacation?

Much love!

Visit to Grandma's House

This last weekend we went to Riverside for my brother's wife, Michelle, baby shower. It was so nice to see her pregnant, she looks really great. My camera battery died at the party so I need to get some pictures of the event.

Since my mom has a pool outside of the house we took Garrett swimming everyday. We also had a great time shopping and having lunch with my dad on Friday, he bought Garrett these really cute New Balance shoes...he thinks he is really HoT stuff in his new kicks!

Pics of Trevor's Graduation Party

These pictures are of the grad party we had at your house last weekend, it was a fun event! Congradulations Trevor!

Happy Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day. The Kirk's (Jenn, Ryan and Kai) were here visiting from Ventura. We went to church where the Young Women delivered one of the best sacrament meetings. They had such beautiful voices and the talks on Father's were too sweet. They gave all the fathers a Snickers bar to snack on.


Garrett and Kai playing in the living room









This made me reflect on how grateful I am for Aaron and the father he is to Garrett. I feel so lucky to have someone that wants to support, guide and be a priesthood holder in the home. I'm also grateful for my own father and the love he has shown me. Growing up he was always there for me and I will never forget my dad dressing up like a hula monster at my birthday parties. He is always there to deliver comedy, and comfort me.




Aaron and Garrett this weekend at the club.






My Dad and I






Another father I hold dear to my heart is my Grandpa Marv. He helped raise me, even when I was going through the tough times. He is always has an open ear or a shoulder to cry on.

Aaron's dad is such a wonderful father, father-in-law and grandpa (Papa 2 as we call him). I respect all that he does for his family and the example he is for Aaron. Without his gentle heart and spirit I know Aaron wouldn't be the person he is today.




Aaron's Dad (and Mandi) playing with Garrett




We can't forget Papa Smith. He too is so much like Dennis (Aaron's dad), or Dennis and Aaron are just like Papa. He has a soft soul and has set some high standards on being a father to live up to!

We love all the fathers in our lives, especially our Heavenly Father. Hope your day was special, you deserve it!

The Great Escape

**Warning, do not let your toddler read this post.


While we were getting ready for church this morning, we decided to put Garrett down for a nap...well it didn't last long because we caught him escaping out of his crib.

Here is how 007 made the jail break:

Step 1, place foot on top of bed railing
Step 2, Hoist body out of crib by use of upper body strength

Step 3, Congratulations you have just out smarted your parents and avoided nap time!