4th Week of August

 Here are some highlights from the 4th week of August.

Hudson playing w/ his shark during bath time.  Baby Shark.

My friend Eve came over for dinner Tuesday night.  She came from Missouri to visit her sister before she passed away here in SLC, then they had her funeral a week later.  We were able to sneak in a visit in between all her family stuff.  I'm thankful she was able to come.  It was great to catch up w/ her.  We wish she lived closer so we could visit more often.

On Wednesday, August 24th, while I was working in our room, I heard some noises in Hudson's room and thought it was Steve.  Well a little while later, Hudson opened our bedroom door.  I picked him up, thinking Steve was close by, but he was downstairs.  I then realized he must have figured out how to climb out of his crib by himself.  I then put him back in his crib to see if he could do it again, and sure enough, he climbed out all by himself!

Eve and I.  Silly Piper just relaxing in our room while I work. 

Hudson so proud of himself after figuring out how to climb out of his crib.

Hudson climbing out of his crib.

Cute boys playing in the sandbox (we've been going out each morning to play before it gets hot and before school many days).  Then playing on the playground after school.  We are starting to pick our pears from our tree.  We have a LOT this year!

Cute Hudson and his silly poses while napping.  

Hudson fell outside on the pavement while playing w/ chalk and got a scrape on his knee.

Friday after school, Steve took the boys to Classic Fun Center for a couple hours to play on their scooters and do some games.  They met a their friends Colin and Austin.  

Afterwards they got a snow cone.

On Saturday, August 27th, we floated down the Provo River.  Rob came over and went down w/ us.  We then met Stacie/Phill/Claire/Conor at the launch site.  It was a little tricky getting in since the river is moving pretty good, but we eventually got everyone in and met up a little later down the river.

We connected Carter on the back of Steve's kayak and Hudson sat in front of him.

On our way!

The river was moving us along most of the way.  Only a few spots were needed to keep going.  

There were a few places where we went through small rapids, but they were fun!

We stopped for just a minute as we got everyone together again.  Then we were on our way again.  There were LOTS of people going down on innertubes, and some on paddle boards.

We stopped one more time to get out and go around a bridge.  We read that the innertubes going down the river should get out so they don't hit the bridge walls and pop, and since we couldn't see around the corner, we decided to get out as well.  Mostly we didn't want to chance it w/ Hudson and Carter connected w/ Steve.  After looking at it from the other side, we think we could have gone through the bridge.  We'll have to try next time, assuming the water isn't running fast.

Nyles, Claire, Me, Conor and Stacie going down the river.

We made it!  It was a so fun!  Dave/Joann came and met us at the end of the river.  They then took Steve and Phill back to the top to get our cars/trailers and came back.  Stacie and I worked to get all of our kayaks moved closer to the parking lot.  We definitely want to do it again soon.  The trickiest part was getting in and out, so we'll have to check into that before going again.   Thanks for the fun!

Picking more pears from our tree.  Hudson made a mess, then got his vacuum to clean it up :)

Sunday evening we went over to Diane/LuDean's for dinner and to celebrate Hudson' birthday w/ them and Dave/Joann.  Diane had a cute fishing shark game we all played.  Hudson also loves to play w/ the toy BBQ set whenever we come to visit.

Taking turns fishing for sharks.  Carter caught one!

Hudson playing w/ his birthday hat and trying to catch a shark.

We then sang Happy Birthday to Hudson w/ his dinosaur cake I made.  

Hudson had fun trying to sing w/ us and then blowing out the candles.  He did great!

Singing Happy Birthday to Hudson.

His brothers then helped him open his gifts.  Thank you for the thoughtful gifts and Diane for the super fun game and cute decorations.  We really appreciate you thoughtfulness.

Hudson opening his bubble leaf blower, tunnel, then Mickey Mouse stuffed animal.

Great quotes.

3rd Week of August

Nyles and Carter started school this past week!  Nyles started 4th grade on Monday, August 15th.  Carter started Kindergarten on Thursday, August 18th.  They are both at Altara Elementary.  The school was given a grant to do full day Kindergarten, so we can pick them up and drop them off at the same time.  Carter was so sad he had to wait 3 days before he could go to school like Nyles.  He was counting down the days, and it finally came!

Cute boys ready for school!

Cute Nyles all ready for his 1st day of school. 

Cute Hudson putting Piper as she eats her food.  Great quote.  Nyles lost another tooth at school!

Hudson loves water and bath time.  It's been so hot so he loves getting in the bath to play in the water.  He likes "riding" the tugboat and cleaning his digger.  He's so cute when he sleeps also!

Hudson making noises in the bathtub.

Hudson's 2nd birthday was on Saturday, August 20th.  We were headed up to Idaho on Friday afternoon to go pick corn though, so we gave him one of his presents before we left.  It was a little vacuum since he LOVES to vacuum.  He had a lot of fun all day playing w/ it.  

Well after the screw we found in the Honda's tire last weekend, we then found out they couldn't repair it since it was too close to the edge.  We were hoping to just repair that tire, but come to find out ALL 4 tires were pretty much shot/worn out.  After digging in to the reason why (since we just bought them exactly 1 year ago), we realized we hadn't rotated the tires at all, but even more so our alignment was REALLY BAD.  After getting 4 brand new tires at Costco, we then went over to Big O Tires to have them aligned.  Well after doing it 5 TIMES, they finally got it corrected!  The mechanic told Steve it was the worse he's ever seen.  We're guessing when we bought the car in 2019 it was off and just kept getting worse.  So after spending a little more than just replacing a tire, we are back in business!

Hudson w/ his new vacuum, the Honda w/ it's new set of tires and alignment. 

Hudson also like to take the tablet and sneak off w/ it when he can.

More of Hudson w/ his new vacuum.  Hudson and Carter helped me do a puzzle.

Carter all pumped up for his 1st day of Kindergarten!  Standing in line and going into the school.

We left Friday afternoon up to Idaho after I got done w/ work.  Steve dropped Piper off at Dave/Joann's.  She was of course interested in their dinner.  It was also raining on Saturday so she was in and out the door, checking out the neighbor's dogs behind the fence.

On our way up to Idaho for corn.  Nyles and Hudson watching a show.

Saturday morning we went out to pick corn.  

Where is Grandpa?  Beautiful corn.

Hudson helping sweep the floor.  Then Carter helping pick corn.

After getting the corn ready, we picked up my mom, then came back over to Marla/Mark's place to cook, cut and bag the corn.   We joined in the fun.  Aunt Elaine was also there helping Grandma and her get some corn.  Katie, Becky and her 3 kids (Sophie, Oliver and Henry) were there as well.

Becky did most of the cooking of the corn, Elaine rinsed it, and the rest of us cut and bagged it.  Nyles, Marla, Katie and Nyles helping cut and bag the corn.  Steve ended up taking Hudson back to my parent's place to take a nap and missed out on the fun :)

We gave my mom some more Hummingbird feeder juice.  They were very active most of the day; it was awesome.  We gave Hudson his birthday gifts: a Baby Shark to use in the bathtub and my parents gave him a bubble lawn mower.  He loved trying to blow up the balloon.

Hudson trying out his new bubble lawn mower.

Cool Hummingbirds around the new juice.

Hummingbirds going crazy at the feeder.

We finished up around lunchtime at Marla/Mark's place.  After getting lunch we decided we'd go pick some more and bag more since we had time to do so.  Nyles, Steve and I went out and picked the corn.  It was SOOO HOT!!!

Cute Hudson wanted to "draw" while we were bagging the 2nd batch.  He's so cute!  Carter joined in on the fun of drawing also.

After dinner we sang Happy Birthday to Hudson.  He actually blow out the candles!  Pretty sunset!

Silly Addie cat.  Piper cuddling up w/ Joann's blanket.

Sunday morning Steve and my dad went out to the other patch closer to the house and picked a few more fresh ears of corn to take home.  We drove up to Boise to attend Barbara's church to hear Mikey give his homecoming talk.  It was great to see him again.  He did an awesome job on his talk as well.

After Sacrament meeting Steve took Hudson to the car and let him take a nap.  After church we went back to Barbara's house for lunch, then sang Happy Birthday to Barbara and Hudson, who share the same birthday on the 20th.

Pretty sunset.  Hudson taking a nap during Sunday School.  

Wishing Barbara and Hudson a Happy Birthday!

Singing Happy Birthday to Barb and Hudson.

We left shortly after to head back home.  Thankfully Hudson took another nap.

Great quotes.

2nd Week of August

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of August.  It was the last week before school started, so we wanted to get in some fun.

We went over to Blackridge Reservoir for a quick ride on our kayaks.  After we found Nyles' kayak on clearance at Sam's club, we decided to get a 2nd one at that price.  Carter tried my other orange adulte kayak and did great!  The adult kayaks are ironically easier for the kids to balance on, and pretty easy to steer as well.  We ended up selling Nyles smaller kayak but plan to keep Carter's so Hudson can use it in a couple years.  We had a great time rowing around.

Carter trying an adult kayak, Nyles w/ his new green adult kayak from his birthday.  Hudson catching a ride w/ me on the other green kayak.  

Later Hudson catching a ride w/ Steve and Carter getting pulled by Steve.  Since it's been so hot, the water has gone down and algae/moss was everywhere!  It was kinda gross so we didn't stay very long, but it was still nice to get out for a little while and kayak.

Steve took the boys to Thanksgiving Point to the "farm" section for a few hours.  They wanted to hit it up again before school started.  Carter loves to visit the goats and they love him!

Carter went to 2 birthday parties this week.  There were both boys from his preschool class.  He had a great time at both of them.  One they did face painting.  While he was gone Steve took Nyles and his friend Lincoln back to Thanksgiving Point and then got ice cream.

Thursday the boys had a back to school night.  We went and met their teachers.  Carter was so excited to meet his Kindergarten teacher and be at the school Nyles is going to.

Friday morning, on Nyles birthday, Steve got the boys up early (6:30am) to go watch the hot air balloons launch here in Sandy.  Nyles really wanted to go watch them for his birthday, so he took them.  They had a great time and enjoyed watching them.

Cool hot air balloons!

Carter w/ his tie dye shirt he made at the other friend birthday party.

Cute Hudson during nap times.  Friday night the boys had a free family event for their marital arts group.  This time it was a Swim Party and BBQ dinner.  It was threatening to rain/storm, but we lucked out.  We stayed for an hour, then went and got ice cream and made ice cream shakes w/ candy bars.  Our yellow Day Lillies are in bloom also!

Saturday morning we got up and drove up to the Uintas (Moosehorn Lake again) to kayak and celebrate Nyles' birthday more.  He really wanted to kayak and go fishing for his birthday.  We bought pole holders online and Steve installed them on each of our kayaks.

Dave and Steve fishing from the shore, Nyles on his new kayak out fishing, Phil taking their dog Mesa for a ride in our kayak, and Mt. Baldy right next to us.

Cute Hudson.  Joann and Dave taking a break.  Joann was a trooper coming up w/ her recovering knee.

Stacie getting ready to go out, Hudson going w/ me on a kayak ride.

Nyles caught a fish all by himself!  Hudson went on a ride w/ me and Carter took the adult kayak out.

Nyles just enjoying life in his kayak fishing.  Phill then took Conor out for a ride on our kayak, trying to catch a fish.  London Claire trying out our other adult kayak as well.  She said she definitely fits better and wants a larger kayak.  Such a beautiful lake.

Joann holding Hudson's Gogurt.  Diane giving Hudson a treat.  

We had sunshine for a while in the morning.  Carter getting a cookie.

Nyles caught another fish!  And another!  Stacie's family out for a ride.

It started clouding up in the afternoon.  After much attempt, Conor finally caught a fish!    

Nyles w/ another fish as well!

Diane and Steve helping Hudson and Carter throw rocks in the lake.  Nyles w/ another fish.

Dave, Joann and Diane helped sing happy birthday to Nyles, then left around 2pm.

Happy Birthday to Nyles up in the Uintas.  I made indoor s'mores for his "cake."

Shortly after they left, it started to rain HARD, so we started packing up as well.

Raining up in the Uintas.

After packing up to leave from the Uintas, Stacie thought she heard air leaking.  We looked at our front left tire on the driver's side, and noticed there was a screw in our tire.  It was slowly leaking.  Ironically we saw the alert on the dashboard come up while driving up, but just thought it was the cold air setting it off.  Thankfully we had a portable air pump in the car (bought for emergencies) and were able to air it up.  We then drove to Kamas and used the free air pump at the gas station.  The air gauge showed we weren't losing a lot of air, so we decided to drive it all the way home.  We passed Carrie on the way down, but she turned around and talked w/ us for a little bit in Kamas.  We all headed home, so she did too.  Hopefully next time she'll be able to make it.

We had 2 miracles driving home.  The first was that the screw held the whole way home and we didn't have to put on the donut tire.  The second was while driving down the canyon from Moosehorn Lake, as if we weren't stressed enough w/ the tire situation, all of a sudden a big flatbed tow truck came directly at us in our lane (on a 2 lane highway).  Steve miraculously was able to swerve out of the way just enough so he didn't hit us or the trailer we were pulling.  Steve also didn't swerve too far that he hit the gravel on the edge, causing himself to overcorrect or something.  It all happened so fast, but thankfully nobody got hurt.  Looking back, we definitely felt the Lord's hand during that moment, and the entire way as we were on our way home.  We know were blessed w/ safety.

We went over to Costco Tire before driving home, but they said since the screw was so close to the edge, they couldn't just patch it.  After airing it up a little more, we drove home w/ the screw still in the tire.  

Later, our neighbor Ron came over and helped up take the tire off and put on our spare.  

Nyles helped also and Carter watched.

Nyles helping take off the tire.

`    On Sunday, we went over to LuDean's/Diane's to celebrate Nyles' birthday some more.  Hudson got a water coloring pad from Nursery, for his birthday coming up.  We also changed his car-seat to a forward facing one.  He is so happy to be in a bigger car-seat!  Later Hudson playing w/ the toy that sings Old McDonald.  Singing Happy Birthday to Nyles.

Blowing out the candles and opening his gift.  A pretty flower in the front yard.

Singing Happy Birthday to Nyles.

Thank you everyone who came to support Nyles during the outing and overall for his birthday.  We really do appreciate it and love you all!  Thank you!  We are so proud of Nyles in all that he does and who he is becoming.  We love him so much and are extremely blessed to be his parents.

Great quotes.