Monday, June 26, 2023

3rd Week of June

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of June.

On Monday, June 19th, I had the day off for Juneteenth Holiday.  The year before we were planning for the Primary kids to go to Camp Tracy and I suggested this day (that way I didn't have to take work off).  We had 7 girls and 8 boys go.  I drove up, along w/ 2 other leaders, plus one mom w/ her son who is autistic.  She wanted to go up separate in case she needed to go home at any moment (he doesn't usually do well w/ new experiences).  We met at our circle at 7am, checked to make sure we had everyone's forms filled out correctly, had a sack lunch, water bottle and closed toed shoes, said a prayer, then divided up in cars and left.  I led the pack, leading the way up Millcreek Canyon (close to where we turn off to go to LuDean's house at 3900 South).  After checking in, the camp leaders did some skits, then had us head out to our first station.

In our car: Sienna Gatherum, Clay Evans, Zoee Gatherum, Kaitlyn Moreton and Nyles (they all live on Crestridge road next to us).  Kaitlyn's mom Kyle also rode in the front w/ me.
Our first station was a little nature walk around the pond.

We got done a little early, so we played games at the pavilion.

We then went to the pond to get instructions on using the boats/oars.

We had fun rowing around, then trying to get small balls one of the camp leaders threw in the water.

Then we went to the BB Gun station.

Nyles had a great time shooting of course, as did most of the kids.  The autistic boy Ryder Anderson (our backdoor neighbor) was especially nervous to shoot, but after a little bit he was really enjoying it.  He later said he wanted to buy a BB gun!

Then we went to the archery station.  The kids did awesome!

Then we went to the Trading Post where the kids could buy snacks or other things.  
We got a group picture while waiting to go in.  The kids L to R: Bode Jensen, Jace Brinkerhoff, Tyler Lovell, Spencer Fry, Finley Morris, Nyles, Vivian Alvey, Bailey Carlisle, Jane and Chloe Chipping, Ryder Anderson, Kaitlyn Moreton, Zoee and Sienna Gatherum and Clay Evans.
The leaders: me, Kyle Moreton, Misty Anderson, Lisa Lovell and Emily Jensen.

The kids getting some snacks.  Jace, Nyles and Clay.  Then we had lunch: Nyles, Clay, Jane and Chloe.

Nyles and Clay building a necklace. Kaitlyn making one too.  Another group pic and the kids who wanted to made necklaces with small symbols of each of the stations we went through.

Vivian and Bailey bought a sucker w/ a scorpion inside.  They also got fake mustaches. :)
Then going on a rock wall obstacle.

Vivian was adamant to try the scorpion, even though it grossed her out.
Lastly we played gaga ball.

Our group won the award that day, yeah!!  We're not sure what the award was for since they didn't say, but we'll take it!  The kids were super excited about it!
Notice the tie dye shirts.  We had the kids made them 2 weeks before camp as an activity.

After we got home, and Hudson woke up from his nap, we went to Thanksgiving Point to see the life size dinosaurs in the gardens.  Hudson was especially excited to see them again!

They're so big!

Nyles and Carter pretending to be dinosaurs.  Pretty flowers.  
While Hudson was sleeping, Nyles and Carter played outside w/ the kids on our street, Crestridge.  
I helped Carter make a tie dye shirt as well so still be part of the group.

The boys had their 2nd week of swim lesson.  Having fun playing w/ magnetic blocks.

On Wednesday, Dave and Steve took the boys fishing.  I finished work a little early and kept Hudson at home.  Hudson was sleeping, so Joann came over just in case he woke up.  Ironically he didn't, but we appreciate her help either way!  Conor was staying the night w/ us since the rest of his family were up at girls camp, at the cabin actually since Stacie was in charge.   They had fun fishing and caught many!

So pretty!  After being around me so long, Steve said he notices the pretty flowers more.  
The boys watching Dave clean the fish.

Silly Nyles, Hudson and Carter in Dave/Joann's bed one day.  Our neighbor Ron/Becky got little bunnies and they kept getting out of their cage into our yard and eating our flowers!

Steve cooked up the fish they caught for lunch the next day.  Fish and chips!  Good work Steve!
Hudson also got a big Lolli pop!  I also helped him make a tie dye shirt, which he loves!

Beautiful flowers in bloom around the yard.  Peaches and pears getting bigger.

Friday night we went through the life size replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle.  It was really neat.  Carter wasn't feeling well by the end of it, saying his ear really hurt.  Steve dropped us off, then took Carter into the Instacare.  The Dr confirmed he had an ear infection.  Thankfully we got his antibiotics that night and started his first dose.  He was pretty exhausted.  The next day Carter feeling better, in the garage w/ many of his school pics.  Hudson trying to ride his bike w/ training wheels.  His little legs barely reach the pedals though.

Saturday morning, Nyles and Carter had another martial arts graduation.  
It was only the Draper studio this time, which was great for time sake.  They did awesome!

They demonstrated a few things, including breaking a board they had a goal they're working on. 


Nyles advanced to a brown w/ black stripe belt and Carter advanced to a purple belt!  Awesome job!
Silly Hudson wanted to put on their "old" belts :)

That afternoon we went to Blackridge Reservoir again in Herriman to kayak and play on the beach.

We had a lot of fun, even though we witnessed 2 dust devils.  The first one tore apart several canopies.  And the 2nd one also tore apart several canopies but then kept going along the beachline and picked up paddleboards, camp chairs, innertubes, and even a couple small kayaks and threw them into the water.  It was crazy to see!  Thankfully we weren't in it's path and no one got hurt (that we know of).

Fun times kayaking.  Nyles picked our first raspberries on our bushes.

We put together a headboard for Nyles.  The boys had fun tearing apart the Styrofoam.

Sunday evening we had dinner over at LuDean/Diane's place.  Dave/Joann came, along w/ Stacie/Phill.  Dave and Phill gave Steve a priesthood blessing for his surgery the next day.

Great quotes.


Tuesday, June 20, 2023

2nd Week of June

 Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of June.

Pretty flowers in bloom around the yard.

Hudson's silly sleeping positions.  Carter and Hudson playing in the sandbox.



Carter and Nyles had swim lessons this week.

They're working hard and doing great!

Nyles tooth was hurting him.  It looked like his adult tooth was coming in.  We took him to the dentist who took an x-ray.  His other tooth was coming in, but there was also an infection starting between his tooth that had a cap on it and the new one.  The dentist ended up removing the tooth w/ a cap on it and the one next to it.  Thankfully we caught it in time before the infection really got bad and it cleared up on it's own  

Nyles w/ his 2 teeth that were pulled.  Hudson painting.  Playing at a school park.

Cute Carter and Nyles asleep.

Steve reading the boys a story before bedtime.  Hudson jumping outside on the trampoline.

After taking Nyles and Carter to martial arts, we took Hudson to the school to play on the playground.  He's going to go to preschool in the Fall and is getting excited to go!

Friday evening Nyles and Carter had a martial arts physical test.  They had to do 500 kicks, 50 push ups and 50 sit-ups, at the studio.  While they were doing their test, I took Hudson to the park playground.

They then came over the park and ran a mile.  Carter ran it in 10 minutes 30 seconds, and Nyles did it in 11 minutes 9 seconds!  They both did awesome, especially since their legs were tired from just doing 500 kicks.  Hudson watched them and ate 2 suckers!

After they were done w/ their tests, we hurried home to go to the temple to do sealings w/ Dave and Joann.  Rob came over to sit w/ the boys.  When we got home we found out that Hudson pooped, so Nyles cleaned it up.  And shortly after Carter started getting a migraine and was throwing up.  Nyles also helped Carter get some Ibuprofen and something to eat w/ it.  Ironically this happened when Rob locked his keys in his truck, and his dad came to give him another set of keys so he stepped outside.  He then worked to get them both to bed!  Nyles is such a BIG help to his younger brothers.  We really appreciate him and love him!

Nyles and Carter running, then getting some water after they were done.  Great job!
Joann, Dave, Steve and I at the Draper temple after doing a sealing session.

Saturday morning Steve volunteered to sit at the Tabernacle from 3-6am along w/ another guy from our ward.  Our stake was in charge of security that day.  The Tabernacle is getting moved around to different places so everyone can go through it.  Its a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle.  He said it got pretty cold but uneventful thankfully.  When he got back, Hudson was up, so he got up w/ him and let me sleep.  Then we switched and I let him sleep.

While Steve was sleeping, Carter and I made a tie dye shirt, we cleaned out both cars, then started to get ready to switch the beds in the boy's rooms.  We decided to bring up the queen bed from downstairs for Nyles, then moved his full bed into Carter's room, and the other bunk bed together in Hudson's room.  It took most of the day to switch everything over, but they all like their "new" beds now :)

Steve at the Tabernacle.  Hudson in his big boy bed.

Sunday was Father's Day.  I'm so thankful for Steve and the wonderful father he is to our 3 boys.  We're also grateful for our amazing fathers and grandfathers in our lives and their examples.  We are so blessed!

Steve w/ the boys on Father's Day.  The boys made Steve cards at home and at church.  Steve also spatchcocked a turkey in the smoker.  It was delicious!  We had Rose and Pauline's family over for dinner as well.  It was great to visit.

Great quotes.


Tuesday, June 13, 2023

First full week of June

 Here are some highlights from the first full week of June.

Beautiful Iris flowers in bloom.

Monday morning Steve took the boys over to Thanksgiving Point to the Dinosaur exhibit around the gardens.  He met Dave, Joann, Stacie, Claire and Conor there as well.


Getting some ice cream.  Digging for fossils.

Playing some games on the lawn.

Silly Nyles pretending to be a baby in the stroller.

We had a combined Primary Activity on Monday, June 5th w/ the boys and girls.  We made tie dye shirts.  We're going to have them wear them when we go up to Camp Tracy on the 19th.  

Nyles making his shirt.

Nyles tie dye shirt he made.  Piper making sure Steve doesn't move so she can lick his leg.  
Beautiful sunset.

Our pears and peaches are growing on the trees.  We went to the store to grab a few things while Nyles and Carter were at Martial Arts.  Hudson wanted to hold Mickey, Donald, Goofy and a baby doll while we shopped.

Steve took the boys to go "hammocking" at the park.  Our neighbor Kaitlyn came too.

Cute Hudson in bed.

I went into work this week.  Riding on the train, seeing the construction on the SLC Temple.
Wednesday afternoon we were able to go to the Salt Lake Bees baseball game during work.

Steve took the boys up to the cabin on Wednesday to spend the day.  They got some work done around the cabin.  Hudson wanted to talk to me on my way home on the train, telling me he was going on the potty.  They had a big appetite for dinner and ate spaghetti.

Silly Hudson making faces on the window at the cabin.

Hudson wouldn't settle down at the cabin to go to bed, so Steve ended up driving him home to sleep.  They didn't get home until 11pm.  Nyles and Carter stayed up w/ Dave/Joann.  They decorated for his birthday the next day, on Thursday, June 8th.  They sang Happy Birthday to him!

I also decorated that night at home, while they were gone.

Dave and Joann brought the boys home the next day.  They gave Carter his birthday gift, a Minion stuffed animal.  We also gave him an Army Tank set.

Flashback to when Carter was born on June 8, 2016.  Then his 1st birthday!

Beautiful flowers in bloom around the yard.

Friday night we went out to eat for Carter's birthday.  Dave, Joann, Diane and Rob came.  We were going to go to Texas Roadhouse, but it was super busy, so we went over to Chili's instead.  Diane gave him a Zelda blanket.  Carter only wanted nachos for dinner, but they kept messing it up.  They kept adding spices.  They finally got it right on the 3rd try, just chips and cheese.  Thankfully they didn't charge us for them after messing it up so many times.  Silly Hudson w/ the ribbon.

Carter w/ his soft blanket; He was so excited to go to bed w/ it!  I hurried and mowed the lawn after getting home from the restaurant.  Hudson followed after me w/ his bubble blowing lawn mower :)

More poses of Hudson.

Saturday morning we went bowling as a family for Carter's birthday.

So much fun!

Hudson thought the reflection on the hand dryer was pretty cool also.  And he liked pretending he was playing the other games.  We all bowled great!

After bowling we got a few groceries, then came home for Hudson to get a nap.  I took Carter to Build-a-Bear to make a birthday bear.  We then stopped at the Lego Store and he was able to make a mini figure for free since it was his birthday.

After we got back we met Pauline to go kayaking at Blackridge Reservoir by her house.  Chris and Charlotte were gone to Colorado, so it was just her and the boys.  It was sprinkling a little as we got there, but it cleared up and was a beautiful afternoon.

Out for a paddle.  Playing on the beach.

Playing in the sand.

So fun!

One more ride out.  Hudson liked to watch the ducks in the pond.  
Carter and Nyles also jumped in the water, which was pretty cold.

Sunday during Singing Time, they let the kids cut part of an old tie to encourage them to sing.  
The boys thought it was pretty awesome!

Sunday I made an army cake for Carter.  Steve also smoked some ribs.  Hudson refused to take a nap after church, but then fell asleep on me while finishing up a movie, the newer Parent Trap.  Silly Kid!

We then went over to Diane/LuDean's for dinner.  We sang Happy Birthday to Carter!  The big #7!
Hudson had fun playing catch w/ Grandma LuDean.  Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, he thoroughly enjoyed it and we really appreciated it!
 
Here are some things about Carter:
  • He likes to play Zelda and loves to talk about it.
  • He loves French bread, plain noodles w/ parmesan, chocolate donuts, crepes w/ Nutella, candy, Easy Macaroni and Cheese, steak, Diane's breadsticks, green grapes, 
  • He is a very caring individual.  He cares about other's feelings.
  • He enjoys his martial arts classes.
  • He did really well in Kindergarten, top of his class.
  • He currently likes to play in the sand on the beach more than kayak.
  • He loves to jump on the trampoline.
  • He loves music.
  • He loves movies.
  • He loves blankets and stuffed animals and can't get enough of them.
  • He likes to hammock.
  • He enjoys camping and making s'mores.
  • He likes to go on boat rides.
  • He enjoys stories.
  • He's a good helper.
  • He loves Piper and getting licked by her.  He loves animals.  

Great quotes.