Monday, October 29, 2012

Winter Already?


This past Thursday, October 25th, we went up to the cabin in order to winterize it.  Ironically that morning we got SNOWED on.  I was a little nervous to go up since we normally get more snow up at the cabin than down here, plus it's usually 10 degrees cooler, but luckily the weather held out enough and we made it.  We followed Dave and Joann up in the Tahoe pulling the trailer.  Dave took the trailer up in order to load the ATVs up and bring them back down so we can get the tracks on them for the winter. 

When we got up to the cabin there definitely was snow.  Once we pulled off the main road there was a couple inches of snow we had to drive through.  Thankfully our little Corolla made it just fine.  It was rather cold when we got there of course, both inside and outside the cabin.  It was 36 degrees outside when we got there.  Luckily after starting a fire and turning on the space heaters, by the time we went to bed it was warm per say.  We were also blessed that the pipes didn't freeze before we could get up there (our prayers were answered).

Nyles warming up by the fire
 

It sure felt like winter up there.  The next morning it was 18 degrees outside, brrrr!  Steve and Dave attempted to go out fishing that morning but unfortunately the water pump in the boat was frozen so it wouldn't go.  They then came back and put the boat away for the winter.  I helped them sort through things and get the ATVs loaded up.  We also moved more firewood up so it would be ready to go.
  
    Strawberry Lake "steaming" in the morning.

 View from the cabin

Lots of snow

Winter already?

 Me, Nyles and Bailey at the cabin

Steve teasing Bailey

After we got things winterized except the turning the water off, Steve and I left while Dave and Joann stayed up one more night (they turned the water off just before they left).  When we got down we unloaded then Steve went w/ Dave Thomas fishing for a few hours.  I finished unpacking, showered, fed Nyles, then went over to visit Melissa Thomas until they got back.  When they got back we all went over to Sweet Tomatoes for a quick bite to eat.  It was fun chatting w/ them.  They were leaving the next day to go on a cruise in the Caribbean.

Saturday the 27th Steve had a training he was in charge of for his capstone class.  He left at 7:15am and didn't get back until 3:45pm.  He has to put in 100 hours for his project and is getting really close to being done.  He has about 18 hours left, so hopefully by the time I have to go back to work in a couple weeks he'll be done.  After the training was over he went up to the U Hospital to give Daron's wife Kristi's mom a blessing.  They came here from Nevada to get better treatment though we're not sure what's wrong. 

On Sunday I had my PEC meeting at 7:30am.  After going to that I swung home and picked up Steve and Nyles.  Nyles was pretty good during church, except a little bit during 3rd hour when Steve had him for Elder's Quorum.  After church we went home and had our home teachers for a 1/2 hour, then I fed Nyles, then had my counselors over for a RS Meeting.  We went over callings again, since we've had a lot of new sisters move in the last couple months (which is great!).  I think I heard we've had over 85 callings in our branch extended since January.  That's just this year.  I've been RS President for almost 2 years now just to give you an idea of the amount of change we have here.  Fun, Fun :) 

After my meeting I fed Nyles again, then we went over to LuDean's house to celebrate Dave's birthday.  We also celebrated Stacie, Diane and Joann's dad Carl's birthday.  We had cake and ice cream and played Halloween Bingo.  Afterwards Steve and I helped clean up then we stayed and played a game w/ Dave, Joann and Diane.  Nyles even stayed up for the game.  It was a fun evening!

Nyles w/ his Boo shirt on (the ghost glows in the dark)

 4 Generations on Joann's side (Joann, Steve, Carl and Nyles)

After we got home from playing games we got Nyles ready for bed and put him down at about 10pm.  He normally wakes up at least once during the night, but last night he slept through the whole night!  He didn't wake up to feed until 7:30am!!!!  It was soooo nice to sleep the whole night.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that this trend will continue.  Especially since I have to go back to work in a couple weeks and I'll need my sleep.

Cute baby Nyles sleeping like an Angel

Last Saturday, October 20th we had the McGrath Family Halloween Party at Melanie and Brandon's house.  We found a cute mouse costume for Nyles at Savers for $2 and figured we'd think of something for Steve and I to go w/ it.  With Joann's help we came up w/ 3 Blind Mice.  Here is a sneak peak at our costumes.  I'll put more pictures up shortly.  I made sugar cookies w/ orange Kool-Aid frosting and candy corns and chocolate cupcakes w/ orange and brown M&Ms, but we had lots of desserts so we didn't really eat them.  We had dinner and played games, though Nyles was a little overstimulated so we just hung out instead.

Cute little mouse

The next day, Sunday, I had Branch Council at 7:30am.  After the meeting I came home and picked up Nyles and Steve.  After church we had a munch and mingle, but since it was taco soup and I can't have beans or spices, I took Nyles home to feed and change him.  I then came back w/ him for my home and visiting teaching meeting.  Steve went with a few other Elders and helped pass the sacrament at Health South Rehabilitation Center so Nyles stayed w/ me.  He was pretty good, but got a little fussy towards the end, though I can't blame him since it was a long meeting.  After the meeting I hurried home and made chicken cordon bleu.  We wanted to help our before LuDean had surgery on her arm the next morning.  We then took it over to LuDean's house and had dinner w/ her, Diane, Dave and Joann.  Joann brought rolls, rice and a salad, all of which tasted great.  We had my sugar cookies and cupcakes for dessert which was leftover from the night before.  We then played Ticket to Ride, which was a lot of fun.

On Monday the 22nd while Steve was at class I had the opportunity to go w/ the missionaries and teach a lesson to a couple investigators.  I had our neighbor Melissa watch Nyles while I went over.  We planned to teach them the 2nd lesson but ended up mostly answering questions that they had.  It's a mom and daughter who moved her from Las Vegas.  Apparently the dad's side of the family are members but they've never been involved much in the church.  We should have another lesson w/ them this week.  Unfortunately they weren't able to make it to church since they were sick.  Hopefully this next week.  It's fun teaching the Gospel to investigators again.

On Tuesday the 23rd I went over to Chase bank to correct a transaction I saw online which was incorrect.  A couple days before I had gone through the drive through to deposit a $50 check and the cashier lady actually filled out the deposit slip for me.  Mistakenly she wrote $500 instead of $50, and though the check was clearly $50, they deposited $500 into my checking account.  Though it was tempting to do nothing, especially since I called their 800 # after I saw it online and they told me they couldn't do anything but I'd have to go to the branch who made the mistake, I wouldn't have felt right about taking money that wasn't mine.  Ironically, when I went to the bank to correct the mistake they didn't say anything about them making a mistake.  All they said was that they'd correct it for me, as if it was MY fault or something.  Oh well, at least I know I was being honest about the whole situation.

On Wednesday the 24th Steve took me to my eye appointment.  I hadn't had an eye exam in a couple years and figured it was time.  I had planned to do it earlier this year, but since I was pregnant I decided to wait since sometimes your eyes can change after having a baby I hear.  My contact prescription changed just a little bit but my glasses prescription changed a lot.  I hadn't updated my glasses prescription in a while since I hardly wear them, but now that I wear them at night when I breastfeed I figured I'd probably better update them so I can see better.  Since my eyes got dilated during the exam it made it hard to see or focus on things.  The Dr said it would last a couple hours, but it ended up lasting more like 6 hours.  Not being able to see gave me a headache, but thankfully Nyles took a nap w/ me on our bed while Steve was gone to class.

Well we're excited to go up and visit my family this weekend.  Barbara is blessing her little girl Calley Mae.  Nyles and her are 6 weeks apart, fun! ;)



Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Nyles' Baby Blessing

This past Sunday, October 14, 2012, Steve blessed Nyles at our branch.  We are very grateful for all who attended and stood in the circle.  With the amount of family members who came we basically doubled the size of our branch.  It was pretty neat to see.  Here are some pictures.

My side of the family who came.  My niece Haley, my mom and dad, my sister Pauline her husband Chris and daughter Charlotte, and my sister Rose and her 4 girls Summer, Ava, Ali and Sophia.

At the church right after his blessing

Right after the blessing at the church we went up to Dave and Joann's house and had a light luncheon.  It was really fun to see the whole family together and spend some time with them.  I'm grateful my parents were able to come down, though it was a short trip.  They had to leave that afternoon to get back to the farm.  For the luncheon we actually cooked up hams from a pig my niece Haley raised.  Everyone said they were delicious!  She was also a big help getting Nyles in and out of his outfit.  It was fun seeing her.  She is actually taller than me now, as is Summer.  I won't be surprised if most of my nieces and nephews end up taller than me though.  Oh well, at least I was taller than then at some point.  :)

Priesthood holders who attended his blessing (most stood in the circle)
Steve's dad Dave McGrath, friend Dave Thomas, brother in law Chris Grayson, Cousin Greg Taylor, brother in law Brandon Lake, friend Carl Bertoch, brother in laws Phill Monson and Ryan Hammett, Uncle Mike McGrath, friend Rob Daniels, brother Jeff McGrath, me, Steve, Nyles and my dad Grant Hegerhorst
 

Cute baby Nyles

We love his SOOO much!

LuDean's sister Maudella w/ Nyles (she crocheted the blanket he was blessed in) and Margaret from Ireland holding Conor (Nyles' cousin who is 2 weeks older than him)

My sister Rose and her daughter Ava w/ baby Nyles

My dad w/ Nyles, grand-baby #18 on my side, #10 on Steve's side



The next day, on the 15th we had Nyles' 2 month appointment.  He weighed in at 11 lbs 8 ozs and was 23 inches long, which makes him "average" I guess.  It's amazing how much he's grown and developed these past 2 months.  He also got 3 shots and an oral vaccine.  He cried a little of course, as they were giving him the shots, but was fine afterwards.  Our pediatrician suggested getting Tylenol to give to him when we got home since he'd be sore.  We did so, which seemed to help.  The appointment must have worn him out because he ended up sleeping most of the afternoon.

The next couple days I had some Relief Society visits to meet new sisters in the branch and a meeting.  We are in charge of our branch Christmas Party again so we got started on planning that again.  We basically used the "template" we made from last year and made some slight adjustments for this year.  It should be a lot easier this year since we know a little more of what to expect.  Our theme is going to be "Tell me the Stories of Jesus."

Last week I also went and got some storage bins and sorted through all the clothes that my sister Barbara gave me and Steve's sister Melanie also.  With the two amounts combined we have plenty of clothes for Nyles up to 4T, which we are VERY grateful for.  Thank you!

Steve has been working hard at this very BUSY school schedule this semester.  Each week is getting busier and busier but at the same time getting closer to getting done.  I know it will be such a relief to get this semester over with, which means he will graduate also!!!

On Friday October 19th I got together with my sisters Pauline and Rose and their girls and went to Gardner Village to the Witchfest.  Since it was UEA the girls didn't have school.  It was a little crowded due to UEA, but it was still fun.  We went around searching for witches that were scattered around the place.  It was great just to get out and enjoy the sunshine.  Nyles must has enjoyed it too since he slept the whole time in his stroller ;)  Afterwards we went back to my place where the girls watched a movie, ate some popcorn and played while we chit chatted.  It was a lot of fun!


One of the witches we had to find at the Witchfest

Cute saying in one of the stores 


 Me, Nyles, Pauline, Charlotte, Ali, Ava, Rose, Sophia and Summer at Witchfest
 (Thanks Pauline for all the pictures!)

That night we went over to LuDean's house to celebrate his Aunt Diane's birthday.  The night before LuDean actually got into a car accident and broke her right arm.  Instead of going out to eat Dave and Joann brought over Papa Murphy's pizza which we cooked up and I made a chocolate cake for her. Chris and Wendy Wardell also came to visit.  It was fun to be w/ them and celebrate her birthday.  LuDean had surgery this past Monday and is slowly recovering. 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Nyles is 2 Months Old

Nyles is officially 2 months old today.  As I mentioned before, Pauline came up last week and took REALLY cute pictures of Nyles.  Thanks again Pauline for taking them; we really enjoy them!  He's such a joy to our lives and has such a sweet spirit.  I think you can tell from the pictures, enjoy ;)


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We love you baby Nyles!!!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Fall is here

Can you believe October is here?  That means Fall has been here for over 2 1/2 weeks.  My time off is sure going quickly.  I only have 4 1/2 weeks left, so I'd better make the most of it.  It sure has been fun to see Nyles grow and develop, even in these first couple months.  He's changed a lot these past couple months and I know there is much more to come.  He'll be officially 2 months old on Friday so I'll post more then and show the pictures Pauline took last week (they are sooo cute).  Here's a quick update on some other things that have been going on.

On Sunday the 23rd we went to the Brigham City Temple dedication at our Stake Center.  We had originally planned to go to the noon session, but after struggling to get Nyles to bed the night before we decided to go to the 3pm session.  That way we were able to sleep in a little more per say and get all of us ready.  Dave and Joann we kind enough to come and sit with him while we went so we could go together (since kids under age 8 we not allowed).  Since they watched Nyles for us I decided to make them dinner.  I made sweet and sour chicken w/ rice then molten lava cake for dessert.  I made plenty so we decided to take it down to LuDean's house to visit her and Diane also.  She had made a roast and rolls, so we all shared each other's meal; it was all very yummy.  It was fun to visit with them also.

4 Generations...LuDean, Dave, Steve and Nyles
On Wednesday the 26th I had a home and visiting teaching meeting.  This was the only night all the others could meet and since Steve has class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-10pm, I just took Nyles with me.  Thankfully he was really well behaved and actually slept through the whole thing.

Cute little Nyles sporting his big boy clothes :)

The next night I had my RS Presidency over for a meeting.  We got a lot accomplished, mainly getting new sisters callings.  We have had a lot of people move out so we have needed to change almost every calling.  We are just about "refilled" per say.  With having a new branch president it might take some time though.

Nyles in his cocoon Grandma VaLere made for him

Steve and I also had a dentist appointment that morning and neither of us had cavities...yeah!!!  Steve said that was the first time ever for him.  He might be exaggerating though ;)  We brought Nyles of course.  The receptionist let me know that she is a grandma and if he starts acting up she could hold him for us ;)  All the hygienists wanted to see him and the Dentist.  They all said he was so precious.

Nyles in his cute pjs

On Saturday the 29th Steve left in the morning w/ his dad and brother/brother-in-laws up near Logan to go pheasant hunting.  They went last year and wanted to go again this year.  Last year they had snow and cold weather, but this year they went earlier and had rather warm weather, 80 degrees I think.  While he was gone I ventured out and went to WinCo w/ Nyles.  He was really fussing going over there, but then fell asleep right before we got there and stayed asleep for a while after we got home.  I got some items to make monster cookies w/ miniature M&Ms for Conor's baby blessing the next day, then made them one I got home.  They turned out pretty good I think.  That night was the Relief Society General Conference.  Steve didn't get home until right before, so I just pulled it up on the Internet and watched it.

Nyles taking a bath...he loves his bath time :)

On Sunday the 30th we decided to go to our sacrament meeting, then head up to Conor's blessing.  We were going to ride w/ Dave and Joann, so I left a little early to go home and feed Nyles in order to leave in time.  As soon as Steve got home we drove up to their house, got in the Tahoe and headed out.  We first stopped by LuDean's house to get more tables and chairs, then headed up the rest of the way.  We got there in plenty of time so we could save some seats.  I also was able to feed Nyles some more which allowed him to sleep most of the afternoon actually.  We went to a park after the blessing for food, stayed and chatted some, then cleaned up and headed back.  We stopped by LuDean's again to say hi and ended up staying most of the night.  We played a game called "The Game of Things" which was really fun!

Steve and Nyles all ready to go for Conor's blessing

On Tuesday October 2nd I had some RS visits, so Steve watched Nyles.  On Wednesday the 3rd Pauline and Charlotte came up to visit and take pictures of Nyles.  They turned out REALLY cute.  I'll post those pictures in a couple days.

On Thursday the 4th we decided we'd go up to the cabin.  We waited until Rob Daniels got off work, then met him at Dave and Joann's house and headed up.  Rob drove his own car behind us.  We stopped in Heber to get some groceries and a bite to eat at Arby's.  By the time we got to the cabin it was about 9pm.  It definitely was cool up there.  We had to start a fire right away so we weren't freezing.  At least so Nyles and I weren't freezing.  Steve and Rob seemed to enjoy the cold.

We slept in the next morning, then I made breakfast (bacon, hash-browns and toast).  Steve and Rob then went out fly fishing behind the Dam.  The wind was REALLY blowing which made it pretty cold, but they said they still had a good time.  Dave and Diane came up that night.  We played "Ticket to Ride," then went to bed.

River behind the Dam that Steve and Rob fly fished

On Saturday it was a little cool, but at least the wind wasn't blowing as bad, so they all went out on the boat to fish.  They stayed out until 2pm, then came in since the wind was picking up.  I stayed in the cabin and listened to General Conference.  There were so really good talks.  I especially liked the one from President Uchtdorf called "Of Regrests and Resolutions."  I like this quote, "We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it. Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."

 Nyles loving life at the cabin

After they got back we had sandwiches for lunch, then the guys got ready for Priesthood.  They then drove down to Heber to watch the session.  Diane and Nyles and I stayed at the cabin and talked and watched "The Vow" which was on tv.  After they got home we had Diane's yummy stew for dinner and watched "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel."  

On Sunday we just watched General Conference and played a couple more rounds of "Ticket to Ride."  It was a lot of fun.  Dave made his famous ribs for lunch; they were yummy.  We also went for a drive around behind the Dam to where Steve and Rob fished.  We were having so much fun we didn't get out of there until after 7pm, so we didn't get back until about 8:30pm. 

Nyles enjoying life...driving over to the Dam


Grandpa Dave showing Nyles how to wear his pants

Rob taking his turn at holding Nyles

Well we're looking forward to seeing most of you at Nyles' baby blessing this coming Sunday.  See you then!