Tuesday, December 29, 2020

3rd Week of December

I worked the whole 3rd week of December (14th-18th).  Thankfully I still had someone covering my book for me, so I mostly followed up on voicemails and only had a few appointments.  It's been nice slowly easing back into work.  I've still been able to nurse and put Hudson down for naps.  I'm taking the last 2 weeks of the year off, like normal, to spend Christmas and New Year's w/ the family.  The boys finished up school this week also, which was great timing.  I'll be back "full time" after the New Year.  Thankfully we're still working 100% from home, so I'll be able to still see the boys more often.  Here are a few highlights from the week.

Cute Carter playing w/ Mad Mattr (using Halloween decorations).  
Hudson watching Carter and holding the playdoh knife.

Buddy the elf told the boys he loves them, and left a note for Nyles.  Nyles wasn't feeling well one night, so Buddy brought a thoughtful note.  We called Nyles' Pediatrician and they said to get him tested for Covid, which we did.  The next morning he was thankfully feeling better, so after taking the test he wanted to go back to school.  We got the results back the next morning and it was negative.

Elf hiding out.


Elf flying w/ a hang glider (Carter asked him to).

Cute Hudson and Carter.

Nyles and Carter both wanted to hold baby Hudson.

Carter at his preschool, having a snack.

Nyles had a party at school the last day before Christmas break.  This is his good friend Owen.

The Red and Blue classes all together.  They are always divided, one class w/ Mrs. Sullivan (taking the picture) and one w/ Senior Dunn for Spanish (the guy up front in Santa outfit).  
It's great they have smaller class sizes, especially this year.

Carter wanted to wear Nyles reindeer antlers.

And Steve had to try them on Hudson too.

We finally got a generator that can power most of our house.  We've been looking for one since we had the earthquake earlier this year and had power outages.  We've been adding to our emergency preparedness supplies this year and this was one thing Steve really wanted to save up for.  We saved up and when we saw it on sale at Costco we got it.

We got the new "Grinch" movie and watched it as a family.  Nyles wanted Hudson so sit with him.

On Saturday, Steve took Nyles and Carter ice fishing at Utah Lake (American Fork Marina).  Our neighbor Jacob Anderson followed Steve there.  They fished off the docks and did really well, even in only a few feet of water.  Not only did they catch a lot of fish, but it's only 25 minutes from our house which is awesome!  Win win!

Carter helped me complete a puzzle we borrowed from my mom.  
We did it!  Carter is sure getting good at puzzles.

The boys wanted to see Piper w/ the reindeer antlers on.  I don't think Piper liked it.  
Cute boys dressed up for church.  We watched our sacrament meeting via Zoom at home since we were headed out of town in a couple days and didn't want to be exposed accidently.

Family picture.  Hudson loves to blow bubbles.


Cute Hudson loves to suck on his hands.

Nyles saved up his money and decided to buy a huge stuffed snake on Amazon.  It's over 9 feet long!

The boys doing "Once there was a Snowman" at the end of our "Come Follow Me" lesson.  
The snowman definitely melted :)

Hudson is sure growing.  He's such a sweetheart and brings our family so much joy!

Hudson had his 4 month Dr appointment.  He weighed16lbs 12oz (85 percentile), and was 17.1 inches long (87 percentile).  He's officially doubled his weight (started out at 8lbs 3oz).  He received another round of shots, so as expected, that night and the next day he had a slight fever.  Thankfully he was feeling better the next night and slept well.

This was our Christmas card we mailed out.  Pauline designed it.

Great reminder.


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

2nd Week of December

Monday, December 7th Steve took his Abdomen Ultrasound Test.  He studied really hard and did his best, but unfortunately didn't pass.  After discussing w/ some of the others who took it also, sounds like he drew the short stick and got a really hard test.  He plans to keep studying and retake the test again in a few months.

On Thursday, December 10th I went back to work.  We're still working from home, and my boss is allowing me to "ease back into it slowly" so it wasn't too bad.  The girl covering for me will continue to cover for me through the end of the year.  I'll work 7 days, then take the last 2 weeks off of the year.  I'll be back to "normal" starting in January.  The good news is the day I got back, we had a national meeting which announced a new pay structure.  We will now have a higher base pay and lower variable pay.  The criteria we're measured on is also changing, all of which is great news!  Then on Friday they announced a Christmas bonus we'll be getting.  Needless to say it was a happy 2 days back to work!

Here are some other highlights.

Cute baby Hudson!

Carter made an ornament in preschool and colored this picture.  
He loves to cuddle w/ Piper.

Steve sold the 2 boats, making room for a bigger boat he's ordered to be completed in March.

"Buddy" the elf.

Cute Nyles.  He loves to hold baby Hudson.

Friday evening we went to the Aquarium w/ Pauline's family to find the elves hidden around it.

Finding the elves.  It was a lot of fun.  We went and got food at the Shake Shack afterwards.

Nyles holding Hudson and we finally got more snow!

Steve helping the boys building trains from Lowe's while Piper give support.
The elf got caught by Army men.

Sunday morning the elf got out stuff to make Christmas sugar cookies.
The boys were more than excited to help make the dough, cut the cookies and decorate them.

We watched "Elf" together as a family.  Piper wanted to get a hug from Buddy on the TV.  
Nyles received a very thoughtful gift for his baptism from Melanie and Brandon.  He LOVES his new blanket.  Thank you Melanie and Brandon!
 
Sunday night we went to Draper Park to look at the lights.


Wednesday, December 9, 2020

1st Week of December

Here are some highlights from the 1st week of December.

Cute baby Hudson!

Carter wanted to hold Hudson.

Nyles' class practicing some Yoga while learning about India.

Nyles was a great sport and helped me deliver blankets to our Primary kids (from the Primary Presidency for Christmas).

Our elf "Buddy" having fun, and his friend "Ralph" hiding out as well.

Carter and I having been playing games.  Carter learning to play Blockus 3-D.

We went to the Aquarium to find the elves hidden inside.  Outside the Geese were having fun eating the grass.  Steve was a little jealous watching them roam around freely.

Finding the elves hidden around the Aquarium.

More elf fun at the Aquarium.

Can't get enough of his cuteness.

Nyles and I made a fruit cup w/ a pomegranate and orange juice like my mom makes.  He loved it!

We got another tree and decorated it w/ fishing ornaments.

Buddy the elf brought the newer Grinch movie for us to watch and popcorn.  Movie night!  So fun!

Saturday the boys and I went to the library and got more books and DVDs.  
They also had this fun project learning about the food groups.

More cute Hudson.

Sunday we went for a family walk then drove up to the Temple.

I love to see the temple.