4th week of December/Last week of the year

We were all still off work/school this last week, so we got to spend a lot of time together, which was nice.  We played games, watched movies and enjoyed our time together.  Here are some highlights from the last week of the year!  

Monday, December 25th was Christmas!  The boys slept in until after 7am, then we had Dave/Joann over at 8am to open presents together.  The boys were super excited that Santa came!

Ready to open gifts, then go time!  Nerf guns for all the boys.

Hudson got a robot from Grandma and Grandpa McGrath and they also all got a Lego car to build.  Nyles and Carter also got another Lego set from Santa and Hudson got Lincoln Logs.

Hudson helping me open my puzzle.  Nyles and Carter got Pokémon cards.  Nyles also got his 1st duck he shot mounted.  Piper snuggling in on the blanket w/ Joann.

We also got a fun axe throwing game.  Hudson trying his new Water Wow Activity Pad.  Carter sitting  w/ his hurt knee-cap at the couch, starting to build his new Lego firetruck set.

We went over to LuDean/Diane's place for dinner that night.  Hudson loves to see the train go around and hear the music.  Hudson also got a submarine for Christmas and the tugboat from Pauline's house on Christmas Eve.  Nyles working on his submarine Lego set.

On Tuesday afternoon, we went to the Aquarium w/ Pauline's family.  The elves were gone, but we were still able to find the letters to decode the secret message.  It was fun!

Hudson watching the shark and stingray swim by.  Lincoln, Hudson, Nyles and Ezra looking at the otters swim.  Carter was getting pulled in the wagon by Steve w/ his hurt knee cap.

                                                                     

Playing in the play ground inside, then walking across the rope bridge.

Carter getting loves from Piper and vice versa.  We finished the new 500 piece puzzle in a day.

Hudson helping us read scriptures before bed, with his Book of Mormon upside down.

   Carter wearing his brace to help his knee cap heal.  The Taylorsville temple.

Wednesday, we went out to Rose's place for lunch.  

After lunch we did a White Elephant gift exchange.

Later, the kids played tag outside on the playground.  I also passed a football around w/ Sophia, Ezra, Nyles and Carter.  We had brunch for lunch, which was yummy.

Group pictures.

On the way home, Hudson fell asleep.  We then stopped to drop off some water bottles to LuDean, then the boys had a free ice cream coupon, so we picked them up.

We watched the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory that night for movie night in preparation to watch the new Wonka movie the next day.  Steve helped finish both Nyles and Carter's Lego cars, then did Hudson's car.  Hudson's car was a Lego Lamborghini.

Carter's Lego McLaren car and Nyles' Lego Jeep Wrangler.

Steve's weight loss progress, now 6 months in.

Thursday morning, Steve was able to get Carter into Primary Children's orthopedic specialist.  He had in fact broke his knee cap in 2 spots.  He will need to wear the brace for 3 weeks, then follow up again to see how it's healing.  The Dr. said he can walk on his leg and put pressure on it, as long as he's wearing his brace.  We were happy to hear it wasn't worse and he didn't need crutches to walk around.  

When they got back, we all went to the chiropractor.  Then after Hudson's nap, we went to see the new Wonka movie w/ Dave, Joann and Diane.  It was really good!

Silly Hudson with some Yeti teeth (in a sucker).  Carter at the Dr.'s office.  At the movies.

Friday morning, Steve took the boys to the Butterfly Museum, while I slept in, then got some things done around the house.  Pretty butterflies.

That afternoon, Steve, Nyles and Nyles' friend Lincoln went fishing at Utah Lake in Provo.  They met Zach and his wife Erin there.  The lake was more frozen than last time, so they had to break ice.  They had a good time and caught a few fish.

Pretty Christmas Cactus our neighbor gave us.  Carter playing in the sand.

Nyles and Carter organized their Pokémon cards and put covers on the cards.  I also finished another 500 piece puzzle of the state of Utah.  Nyles took pictures of Piper just for fun.  The boys playing in pretend "snow" since we haven't gotten any this whole break!

Sunday morning at 1am, Hudson came into our room and said his stomach hurt.  He then proceeded to throw up in our room.  Luckily it wasn't projectile onto Steve, and went on the carpet.  He then continued to throw up every 30 minutes to 1 hour until 8am.  Steve was the one getting up w/ him mostly, so he stayed home w/ Hudson while I took Nyles and Carter to church.  It was Nyles last time in Primary and would have been Hudson's last time in Nursery as well.  Nyles will start Young Men's officially this week and Hudson will move up to Primary.  I can't believe Nyles is old enough to go to Young Men's now and Hudson will be in Primary!  I'm a little in denial at this point.  

That evening, Steve took Nyles and Carter over to Dave/Joann's for dinner, to play games and bring in the New Year.  I stayed home w/ Hudson.  We put together puzzles, watched a short show, and read some stories.  I put him to bed before Steve was home w/ the other 2 boys.

Nyles and Carter all dressed up for church.  Carter and Nyles ready to bring in the New Year.

Claire got a nail set, so she painted the boys nails a little before dinner.

Carter, Nyles and Conor w/ their New Year fun!  Nyles opening a popper w/ confetti.

Happy New Year!

We had a fantastic 2023 and are excited for 2024!  We built many memories that will be with us forever.  We are so grateful for our family, friends and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

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