2nd Week of November

I can't believe another week has gone by.  This month is just moving so quickly.  We had a good week though.  Here are a few highlights.

As I probably mentioned earlier, Nyles is enjoying school SOOO much more this year.  It's a night and day difference.  He's actually excited to go to school, he's enjoying Spanish, and he actually said he told me he this week he likes doing homework!  Last year it was like pulling teeth to get him to do his homework, so it's refreshing to hear the opposite now.  We're thankful for his progress and the confirmation to our decision to have him switch schools to do dual immersion this year.  It's definitely been a blessing for all of us and I can see the hand of the Lord in our lives getting to this point.

We also had a tender mercy this week.  On Thursday, I woke up w/ Hudson and Steve was already down in the kitchen getting the boys breakfast.  As I entered the hallway I could smell something strange.  I mentioned it to Steve and he said he noticed it coming from the boys' room but wasn't sure what it was.  I changed Hudson's diaper then Steve came up and looked again in their room.  We found that the fish tank had been leaking water and burned the electric surge protector below the tank.  The surge protector plug in spots were all burned and 2 of the wires were melted and no longer usable.  We ended up needing to buy a new air pump and heater for the tank, but we're so thankful it didn't start a fire during the night.  We're grateful for the protection we received.

On Monday, the boys got to meet Santa at Cabela's.  Per Covid style, Santa was behind a plexiglass screen and had a plexiglass mask on.  We also had to make an appointment to see him in order to reduce the number of people there vs just showing up and waiting in line.  We walked right up for our time, and got to see Santa, which was time.  It was a little different that prior years, but it worked.  The boys were still excited to see him and tell him what they wanted for Christmas this year.

Helping the boys write an official letter to Santa w/ their wish list.

Carter ready to mail his letter.

Putting it in the mailbox.

We got the free kids kit from Home Depot this month.  Carter and I put it together then he colored it.

It's a battleship which the boys loved.

Cute Hudson trying the Bumbo again.

Silly Piper laying on my blanket.

So after trying the little steamer, I decided I needed a bigger one in order to get the job done quicker and easier since we have a lot of tile/grout in the kitchen plus the bathrooms.  The little one couldn't hold very much water, so I had to refill it after just a few minutes, which wasted time and it took FOREVER!  So after a little research, we decided to get this all purpose steamer.  It can do both inside and outside projects like grout, tile, granite, grills, appliances, cars, etc.  I love that you don't have to use chemicals to clean, just water!

Our McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Steam Cleaner.  

The top grout is done, the bottom isn't.  The difference is looks great but is also much cleaner!

We picked up where I left off w/ the grout.  This time I had some helpers which was great!

We also helped Carter make a dragon book, which he was really excited about.  

We drew dragons in his book then he colored them.

This section is all done!  Sometimes you don't realize how dirty things are until you start cleaning them.

So much better!

Then Steve took it upstairs and did the shower.  The steam was able to get the dirt out no problem!

While he was doing that, I did one more adjustment to the pantry.  I couldn't resist and got a couple more containers, this time for the flour and sugar.  They fit great and again, amazingly they take up less room than before.  I can now fit all of the containers on one row.  They fit perfectly!

Cute Hudson.  Nyles had this outfit, then Carter, and now Hudson wears it.

He's growing!

Steve put Hudson on the couches next to Nyles and Carter.  He said he enjoyed it!

Carter colored his picture for our primary program.  We're having each class of kids make a poster about something from the Book of Mormon this year instead of our regular one in church.

On Saturday, Steve and Rob took Ethan out duck hunting again.  Steve said Ethan's now hooked!

Ethan and Rob waiting for ducks.

They got some ducks!

Rob let Ethan drive the boat back.

Rob just enjoying the ride.

Cute baby Hudson.

Nyles and Carter during our Come Follow Me lesson.  Good insight.

 

1st Week of November

We had a fun 1st week of November.  The weather was beautiful for most of the week, so we enjoyed the outdoors when we could.  Here are some highlights.

Cute boys playing on the playground.

And playing on a rock.

Then over to play on the tractor for a minute at another playground.

Nyles doing his Zoom Art class while Carter joins him.

Carter won a free blowup bear/penguin at Home Depot.  Good work Carter!

Cute Hudson trying out the Bumbo chair.

Nyles checking out the inflatable after he got home from school.

Now with Steve's hat on.

And it's a little big.  Nyles thought it was pretty funny.

Carter, Hudson, and I went to the library and playground so Steve could study at home.  He's preparing for his abdomen exam in December.  It was a beautiful day. 

Silly Piper trying to get the treats out.

We wanted to enjoy the sunny weather while we could, so we went on a short hike up to Lisa Falls in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  We waited until Nyles got out of school then went.  We didn't have much sunlight since daylight savings switch, so we went on a short hike.  Poor Carter fell down on the way up the hill.  He had his hands in his pockets and couldn't stop his stumble.  Ironically I had just told him and Nyles to get their hands out of their pockets so they could have better balance.  

The falls are slower this time of year.

Carter was still a little upset about falling down.

Exploring the rocks.

Nyles climbed up on a rock.

Then Carter wanted to get up on it.

Pretty view of the mountains.  They actually rerouted the runoff from the falls to go down this way now, instead of where it went before.

Friday, after Nyles got done w/ his homework, we went on a longer hike to Battle Creek Falls.  It was a little cool but still wonderful to get outside before the weather changed.  Last time we did this hike it was the middle of July and it was sooo hot!  I was also super pregnant, which didn't help w/ the heat.  It definitely felt better this time around.

Nyles, Steve, Carter and Piper on our way up the hike.

Piper still wanted to get a drink in the stream.

Crossing the bridge.

Cute boys on the bridge.

And checking out the cave of course.

We made it to the falls.

It wasn't as busy as it was last time.  We had the falls to ourselves this time.

Steve helping both Piper and Carter across the stream.

Good work Steve!

We then hiked a little further to the top of the falls.

A beautiful view from the top.

Cute Hudson asleep on the way.

After we got back we went over the "park" there to check it out.

There wasn't much there other than a pavilion.

The boys are having fun building w/ Legos.  Nyles built a horse corral.

We got a little steam cleaner and I worked Saturday afternoon to clean the kitchen grout.  It took a while so I only finished some of it.  You don't realize it's dirty until you start cleaning.  It looks so much better!  You can see the areas I did clean and the ones I hadn't gotten to yet.

The weather was cooling off, so I made chicken noodle soup.  Yum!

The boys and I then made dough and made mini pizzas for dinner.

We had extra dough so the boys wanted to make pretzels too.

They said they were just as good a soft pretzel they got at the pool once.  Yumm!

While we were busy cleaning and cooking, Steve was out duck hunting w/ Rob and Ethan.  It was Ethan's 1st time duck hunting.  He said he really enjoyed it and wants to go back.

Ethan on Rob's boat.

Rob and Ethan ready to hunt.

Ethan w/ a bird they shot.

Ethan enjoying the hunt.  

Later once Steve was home we watched a movie w/ popcorn, and Piper wanted some of course.

 

Oh silly Piper.

And then it snowed Sunday.

Cute boys in the same outfit.

Cute Hudson in some warm clothes (thanks Rose).

More snow coming down.

It started to stick so the boys wanted to go play in it of course.

Good thought Steve found.

One I found a few years ago, but is needed even more so now.

                                        

A reminder on how important masks are (from our boys' pediatrician's office).