Rest of January

January sure did fly by.  I can't believe it's February already.  I need to catch up.

Over Martin Luther King holiday, we decided to go up to my parent's place.  We thought it would be a good opportunity, especially since we didn't get to go up for Christmas.  I had a few appointments in that morning, Friday, January 16th, so Steve picked me up from work around noon after I finished them.  Nyles fell asleep on the way up to get me, but woke up after I got in the car.

We then we headed over to the DMV to renew my driver's license.  I had to wait a little while, but it was pretty quick.  We then got a quick bite to eat at Arby's, then headed up.  Since Nyles got a quick nap on the way up, he didn't nap the rest of the way, but was good.  He played w/ his toys and read books.  We stopped at Jerome to get some gas.  Gas was $1.67 a gallon; love it!!!  It was surprisingly a little cheaper in Idaho than Utah.  The last few years it's been the opposite.  Either way it's been really nice having gas prices down again.  After getting a few things in Wal-mart, we headed on up to my parents.  We got there in time for dinner and for Nyles to play a little before bed.

 Nyles lining up his trucks while driving in the car.

The next day Steve and my dad went out to go goose hunting.  It was really fogging though so they had a hard time getting the geese to come in, though they could hear them close by.  Nyles, my mom and I hung out at home.  Nyles loves finding new trucks and toys to play with at Grandma's house.

 When Steve and my dad got back, they made up some more goose jerky from last time.

Steve getting the jerky ready to go dry.

Steve thought he should make me some jerky w/ my initials.  :)

On Sunday we went to church, had lunch and took a nap.   After a nap Nyles wanted to go out and look at Grandpa's tractors, so Steve took him to go sit and pretend driving them.  That evening we asked Margie to come over to play games w/ us.  We brought up our new game "Cover your assets" from Aunt Diane.  We had a great time!  Thanks for playing Margie!

Nyles checking out Grandpa's big tractor

Pretending to drive the 3 wheeler

Now a big red tractor

 Nyles just being a silly boy, walking w/ his hands in his pockets wearing one of Grandpa's hats.

 While they were out looking at the tractors, I did some puzzles.

We left Monday after lunch.  My mom and I went and visited Grandma Hegerhorst.  She hasn't been feeling too good lately, mainly her back has been bothering her.  Her back has been especially sore since last July when she was trying to clean her garage and feel from the ladder, which landed on her.   She actually had surgery on it this past Friday, February 6th.  We all prayed and fasted for her that things would go well.  She's home now recovering.  We're all hoping and praying still that it works and will help her feel better.

After visiting Grandma VaLere, we got a quick bite to eat, then headed home.  Our plan was to "lose" Nyles binky, and ironically we did for a while.  When we went over to visit Grandma VaLere we actually couldn't find it.  After we got back I found it in the toy room downstairs, but I put it in my pocket.  Nyles was pretty sad, but we said he lost it so now it's time to stop using it since he's a big boy now.  He cried several times on the way home, which was sad, but he survived.  He went right to bed that night and the next, though it took him a little longer to fall asleep for his naps the next couple days.  He's asked for it a couple times, but he's been doing great.

Nyles has been having fun every day.  He's learning new things and words.  Here are some of his adventures from January.  You'll notice he doesn't have his binky anymore.  Since our trip to Idaho last month he hasn't had it.  He was a little sad the first couple days, but hasn't really asked about it since.  When has has, he'll say "Lost, Grandma's house," then move on.  We thought he might get mad or sad when he saw his cousins w/ their binky's, but he actually didn't mind and said the same thing, "Lost, Grandma's house."  I'm glad we're done w/ the binky! ;)

Nyles playing in his Halloween tractor.  

We finally threw it out after he accidentally destroyed it.

Nyles at Wheeler Farm

Nyles enjoying Grandpa Hegerhorst's goose jerky and wearing one of his hats he gave him.

Nyles loving his Curious George shirt from Grandma and Grandpa McGrath from Christmas

Here are a few adventures while playing at Grandpa/Grandma McGrath's house.  Joann has been kind enough to watch Nyles a couple times during the week while Steve goes to class.

Nyles playing w/ shoes from Holland

Stacking some boxes

Playing w/ their food storage

He likes to take pictures

The weather has been a little warmer, so he went and played in the snow, then the sandbox, then back inside to warm up and watch Curious George.

Since duck season is over, Steve has found the opportunity to go ice fishing now.  He's gone up to Strawberry the past couple weeks.  The first time he went w/ our neighbor Dave Thomas and our high council member Richard Reese.  They caught LOTS of fish, though most of them were little ones.  They had a great time either way!

Dave Thomas waiting for a fish

Steve enjoying the day fishing

Dave w/ a big fish he caught

The next weekend Steve wanted to go again.  This time he took Nyles, our neighbor Bryson Miles and his friend Josh Featherstone.  Ironically they didn't catch any fish this time.   They still had a fun time being outside and playing in the snow a little.

Steve said Nyles fell over so he was a little sad, but he was happy otherwise.

Nyles loving being w/ daddy, especially to go fishing

I've been busy w/ work and studying for my CFP exam.  I've been enjoying the fact that the sun is staying longer during the day and ironically we've been having 60 degree weather.  It's definitely warmer than it normally is and we haven't got much snow down in the valley here.  We're hoping to go to the cabin this weekend.  If the weather is this warm again, it might be warm enough to drive in. I'm personally ready for Spring!