The Elk Hunt

I'm not a gambling woman, but here in Arizona hunting is on a lottery system. I've wanted to go deer hunting for years, but have yet to do anything about it, this year one of my resolutions was to go hunting. I got talking into going elk hunting instead of deer, and I felt confident that with beginners luck I would be selected. I put in early, and anxiously awaited the good news.

Unfortunately my dreams were dashed when I looked up my hunting number to see that I was not awarded a tag. In sadness I went about my life and sadly told my friends that I wouldn't be giving them elk jerky for Christmas (my idea was to give some of the meat to family and friends for Christmas presents). A few days later my dear friend Jen Wilson, who always seems to know what to do to cheer me up, stopped by my house for a surprise visit. I was in the midst of making pizza (hence the apron) and she made me close my eyes for a minute. When I opened them there was an elk (that kind of looks like a reindeer, but "ELK" is written on the bottom to avoid any confusion) on my wall and a toy gun that shoots 3 high caliber rounds. With a smile she exclaimed that now I could go hunting whenever I wanted. Could a girl ask for any better friends?

Jen and I posing...

...and then getting serious about our hunt.

Carson Jeremy Lamb

I have been looking forward to nieces and nephews for years now! (That's no exaggeration either.) My sister-in-law had my first nephew on May 8, 2008, but they live in Texas and it is so hard to be the favorite auntie from a couple states away. My sister lives 20 minutes away from me and I was elated to hear the news when she got pregnant. Even more exciting was that she was having a boy also! Carson Jeremy Lamb was born 09/09/09. I anxiously waited for him and my sister to be brought to the recovery room so I could go meet him.

The first thing I thought when I saw his sweet little face was: "he's perfect". He is absolutely the cutest baby I've ever seen! (Since he was a cesarean section baby his face and head were in perfect condition.) I fell in love with the little guy immediately.

My brother-in-law, Jason, and Carson just a few hours after he was born. Jason is an amazing dad, I love watching him with his son.

Being that their last name is Lamb I spare nothing when I find something they could use that has lambs on it. This particular blanket I actually bought together with another set of lamb items before I even knew they were pregnant! Haha. My mom bought the other set that was similar. We didn't have to wait long though because we got them around Christmas and found out they were pregnant only a couple of months later.

He looked like a little Italian baby with olive colored skin and dark features, it was funny to see him next to my pale sister (haha, just kidding, you're not too pale Robin ;) ) I just think he's face is so adorable! Grandpa says I'm biased, but I don't think so....I mean look at him, who could argue!?!

Such a sweet little smile too.

When he was 2 months old my oldest nephew, Jay, came to visit. Jay was only a year and a half old and he was so funny with Carson.

Carson just a little after 6 months old, totally punched his uncle Kolby in the eye (with the help of his Tito, Kevin)

My favorite thing in this whole world is to get this little boy to smile and laugh!

My sister made his hat and pants out of an old, favorite shirt of his dads. Ya, my sis has mad skills! She didn't even use a pattern!!!

You might be questioning my auntie quality level since this post is 6 months after he was born, but I was so busy being an auntie that I just didn't have time!