2nd week of January

Covid cases are definitely on the rise.  The new 3rd variant, Omicron, is 4 times as contagious as the previous 2, so more people are getting it.  We have neighbors and family members who have had it this past week.  We have decided not to take Hudson to public places (including church) since he can't/won't wear a mask right now.  Thankfully we have permission to partake of the sacrament at home again.  The Bishop also had us to 2nd hour virtually this past Sunday.  We had a 15 minute primary session, which was perfect.  I know we're all hoping and praying Covid will "pass" soon.  Every prayer the boys give they ask if Covid will go away.  :)

We ordered a Gabb watch for Nyles for Christmas but they were on back order, so it came this past week.  We want to be able to get a hold of Nyles when he's away from us, like at school, so we felt this was perfect.  He can only text and call a few contacts (which we put in for him), and no social media or picture messages.  Like the old flip phones we used to have, hahah!

He knew it was coming in the mail soon, so I did a scavenger hunt for him to find it when he got home from karate.  He was only a little excited to find the clues!  After adding a few contacts, he had to try calling them (both Grandma and Grandpas).  He thought it was pretty cool!

Nyles w/ his new Gabb watch.

We are experiencing shortages again.  Bread and milk being a couple of them.  Steve ironically found some more ammo though, so he had to get some for he and Nyles.  Nyles is going to start working on Hunter's Safety this year, so they're starting to stock up now.

Nyles doing karate w/ his friend Austin Ure that came for the day.  This is Carter's friend Colin's older brother who is ironically 8 days younger than Nyles.  Even though they live in Riverton, the 4 of them have played a few times.  They get along pretty well thankfully!

Hudson going down the stairs.

Hudson making fart noises on the couches, haha.

Cute Hudson in his high chair.  Hudson just chillin w/ Nyles.  He LOVES to drink from my water bottle every time he comes up to see me while working in our room.  He especially loves straws!  Other times the boys came up to visit for a minute in between my appointments.  Hudson figured out how to 'poke' the dots in the poke-a-dot book.  He's getting so smart!

Carter saved his money from Christmas and decided to buy a squid.  He loves it!  

He and Nyles LOVE stuffed animals and play w/ them all the time.  

Hudson loves to give hugs and especially to his brothers.  Huggy Hudson!  Silly Piper sleeping w/ her ear up and waiting to see if Nyles would give him some elk jerky.  Steve and the boys made elk jerky this past week.  Nyles and Carter LOVE the jerky so it doesn't last very long.

Friday night Dave and Joann came over for dinner.  Steve picked up pizza from Costco, then we watched "Santa Clause" after putting Hudson to bed.  Dave brought his projector and put it on a "big screen" and we turned our couches around in the living room.  The boys laid on cushions and got their blankets and stuffed animals.  Carter went to bed around his normal time at 8pm (he asked to go to bed), but the rest of us finished the movie.  It was a fun evening, thanks!

Steve and Nyles went fishing Saturday evening, so Carter, Hudson and I went to the library, then went for a walk to an elementary school and played for a minute.  It was cold, but fun to get outside.  Hudson likes suckers, but even more so Ring Pops!

Steve and Nyles trying to ice fish (Dave, Rob and our neighbor Jacob went also).  It got colder as the sun went down, but they decided to stay a few hours after dark and see if the fish were more active.  Unfortunately the fish didn't bite much, but they said they still had fun.

Sunday, like I mentioned, we had our home/virtual church.  We played at the playground that afternoon, then went over to LuDean's/Diane's for dinner.  I made Cheeseburger Soup, Diane made her yummy breadsticks, and Dave/Joann brought some yummy fruit.  We then played a game of Apple to Apple Junior.  It was fun.  Thanks everyone for the fun evening!

Nyles and Carter like to "do my hair" while we read the Friend magazine.  Nyles drew a robot on his whiteboard.  Hudson loves popcorn, like the rest of our family!

Sunday afternoon we took Steve and Nyles to play at the playground as well.  Hudson catching a ride on Nyles' back.  Carter made a fort (happens several times during the week). 

Great quotes about parenting, like we're learning this week in the Old Testament.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to be parents.  As they say, though it's not easy, it'll be worth it. :)