Last full week of September

It's crazy to think we are finishing up September here soon.  This month has flown by.  Here are some highlights from this past week

Hudson's teacher has been posting pictures of him and their class on Instagram, so I got a few.  Hudson celebrated part of his 5th birthday at school this year, on August 20th!  He's been working hard learning his letters and numbers at school.  His entire preschool class at Corner Canyon Academy in Draper.  There are only 4 girls.

Hudson on the 1st day of school.  Different art projects they've done in class.

Hudson had a T-ball game again on Tuesday.  

Steve and Nyles got to come to this one as they didn't have YM this week.

Silly Piper.  Steve and I then went and did sealings at the Draper temple after we got back from Hudson's game.  It was a great session.

Wednesday after school, Steve took the boys to go deer hunting.  I stayed home to work.  It was my in office week this week.  Zach and Nyles had both drawn tags for the muzzle loader.  Zach actually got his deer as they were pulling into camp that night.  Rob came up that night also.  Dave came up Thursday morning and spent the day w/ them.  Here are more photos from Rob.

They saw several deer/bucks, but Nyles didn't take a shot until Saturday morning.  They ended up switching their locations as more people came in on Friday night.  Thankfully, Nyles not only took a shot Saturday morning but also hit the buck!  His first one!  They came home that afternoon/evening.  They all had a great time camping and hunting, and it's an extra win when everyone fills their tags.  

Steve, Nyles, Carter and Hudson w/ the buck Nyles shot.  

Later Steve and Nyles working on the meat.

Piper and I going on a walk.  I take her every day.  Beautiful fall colors on the mountains.

Sunday evening Pauline's family came over.  Rose wasn't feeling well so wasn't able to come.  We celebrated Lincoln's birthday coming up on October 1st.  He'll be 6.

Pauline then took some pictures for us at Draper Park.  We can't wait to see them.  Thanks, Pauline!

We were saddened to hear the news about the passing of our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.  He was 101 years old and served 41 years as an apostle (called in April 1984), and President of the Church since January 14, 2018.  We've seen so many changes w/ him as the prophet.  We went to 2 hour church, changed from visiting teaching to ministering, and being a home-focused people when it comes to gospel study and church supported, instead of visa versa.  He announced 200 temples while prophet of the church, of the total 382 in the world (including those that are dedicated, under construction, or announced).  The work of the Lord has definitely hastened while he was the prophet on the Earth.  How blessed we are to have a prophet on the Earth!  President Nelson will be missed, yet we know the Lord's work will continue to move forward.  Here are a few of his quotes.

I also put together the promises he gave us while acting as the prophet of the Lord.

12 promises from President Nelson

1. April 2018, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our lives

1. To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng 

2. October 2018, The Correct name of the Church

1. My dear brothers and sisters, I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng 

3. October 2018, Sisters Participating in the Gathering of Israel 

1. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/sisters-participation-in-the-gathering-of-israel?lang=eng 

4. October 2018, Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints

1. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-exemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng 

5. April 2020, Hear Him

1. I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson?lang=eng 

6. October 2020, Embrace the Future with Faith

1. I promise that as you increase your capacity to receive revelation, the Lord will bless you with increased direction for your life and with boundless gifts of the Spirit.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/37nelson?lang=eng 

7.  October 2020, A New Normal

1. Now, my dear brothers and sisters, I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/58nelson?lang=eng 

8. October 2021, The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation.

1. If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often—not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng 

9. April 2022, The Power of Spiritual Momentum

1. If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/47nelson?lang=eng 

10. October 2022, Focus on the Temple

1. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/58nelson?lang=eng 

11. October 2022, Overcome the World and Find Rest

1. I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people. Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy, and yes, rest.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/47nelson?lang=eng 

12. April 2024, Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys

1. Time in the temple will help you to think celestial and to catch a vision of who you really are, who you can become, and the kind of life you can have forever. Regular temple worship will enhance the way you see yourself and how you fit into God’s magnificent plan. I promise you that.

2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/57nelson?lang=eng 

3rd Week of September

We got back from our cruise on Friday, September 12th.  The next morning at 9am, I took Carter and Hudson to the church to practice for their primary program.  Their primary program was on Sunday, September 14th.  Since we are learning about the Doctrine and Covenants this year, they asked the primary kids to share a conversion story of someone in their family.  They all took turns throughout the year giving their talks, then they repeated them during the program.  Carter spoke about Grandpa Heinrich Friedrich Hegerhorst's conversion and Hudson about Mary Rolling's conversion. We only have 8 boys in our whole primary (no girls). They all did an awesome job singing and telling about their family history. The Spirit was strong! Dave and Joann were able to come, and my parents and Diane and LuDean were able to join via Zoom. Thank you for your love and support!

Sunday after the boys Primary Program, we left to go up to Midway for Noah's mission farewell talk.  We had lunch back at Melanie and Brandon's house, then came home.

Cute Hudson next to our Mums starting to bloom.  Our cute primary boys: Jacob Hamilton, Carter, Timbo Marcinowski, Hudson, Beau, Tate and Clay Evans, and Theo Whitehead.  On the way up to Midway, Hudson playing with putty.

Hudson fell asleep on the way home.  Then, later the boys built a fort.

On Tuesday, September 16th, Hudson had his first T-ball game.  Our neighbor's boy Tate is on the same team.  They're pretty cute to watch together.

Dave came and watched the game also.  Steve and Nyles went to YW.  

Nyles with his new Student Council sweatshirt.

Steve put in a new transition strip between the laundry room and living room.  He also finished getting the boat ready for duck hunting.  Tate came over to play the next day.  Hudson anxiously awaited him.

We got our carpet cleaned.

Steve and Hudson built a tower w/ blocks.

Saturday morning, Steve, Nyles, and Carter helped w/ a service project our stake was participating in. I stayed home w/ Hudson and we cleaned the house.

I then took Carter and Hudson to a birthday party at Uptown Jungle for a boy in Hudson' preschool.  His name is Porter (the boy in the black shirt, dark hair).

Steve took Nyles and his friend Lincoln to go duck hunting.  

It was the opener of the youth waterfowl hunt.

Carter and Hudson wanted to do the rock climbing activity before we left the party.

Nyles shot a few ducks!!!

They had a great time, until the motor wouldn't start.  Steve ended up pulling them through the mud 1/2 mile or so until they could flag down another boater to pull them in.

On Sunday, it was our Ward Conference. The Stake Primary President (I'm the secretary) came.  I gave her a side hug, then my hand started to hurt really bad.  I saw something small on my hand, so I thought it was a small bug.  Later after talking to Steve, who was home w/ Hudson, I realized it was a bee that stung me.  My hand started to swell up and my fingers went numb for a little while.  I took some Benadryl when I got home and Ibuprofen.  So weird to get a bee sting IN CHURCH.

After our ward conference, we went back to the chapel to listen to another ward's primary program.  Then I went home for a few minutes, then went to another ward's primary program.  They were all wonderful and the Spirit was strong in each of them.  The children are incredible!  We had 4 primary programs to go to and our ward conference, so we divided up between our presidency who was going to what.  Here is one of the songs they sang, so great! 

My hand swelling up.  Hudson sitting on Steve.  Steve had a tired headache so he put the tired headache on.  You leave it in the fridge so it's cool.  Steve said it really helped, both the coolness and the pressure on his head.  He ended up taking a nap.

Great quotes:

Disembarking and heading home

On Friday, September 12th, we had to disembark the Disney Wish.  We grabbed our last few things from our staterooms and then went to breakfast one last time at Marceline Market. 

Enjoying the balcony one last time.  Hudson entertaining us w/ his fart sounds.

Hudson's new skill: making fart sounds :)

When our character was called (this time blue Donald Duck), we then made our way off the ship, found our luggage marked w/ blue Donald Duck, went through customs, then made our way out to the street.  We then called our shuttle to take us back to the airport.  After picking us up, the shuttle picked up a couple at the Carnival Ship area (ironically they rode w/ us on our way to the ship), then we were off.  It takes about 1 hour to go from Port to the airport.

Waiting just a few minutes for our shuttle.  The Wish in the background.

Hudson and Carter fell asleep on the way to the airport.  Bye bye Disney Wish!

We then boarded the plane.  We had a short layover in Denver, then we were off again.

I was tired too ;) Here we go again!

Carter fell asleep.  Interesting, the mountains were further away from the airport in Denver.  We could definitely tell we were back in SLC as the mountains were right next to us.  We were all happy to be home!

After getting our luggage, we then waited for Dave and Rob to pick us up again, which we greatly appreciated.  As we were getting our luggage, Nyles and Carter found a couple Delta pilots, who they asked for trading cards (a new thing we learned about).  The boys each got a few "trading cards" to start their collections :)

It was a really fast trip, but we had a LOT of fun and made more memories together.  We're so thankful for the opportunity we had to be together, enjoy the fun we had, and see the beauty of the world.  Until next time...

Day at Sea

On Thursday, September 11th, we had our last day, which was a day at sea.  It was a beautiful morning from our balcony.  We wore our swimsuits to breakfast.

Churro Mickey waffles for breakfast!  Hudson enjoying his waffle while laying down ;)

After breakfast, we went to try the Slide-a-Saurus Rex slide.

Swimming and going down the AquaMouse!

The water was again amazingly calm.  Then ice cream!

The horn on the Disney Wish.

Steve and Hudson trying the slide.

Hudson and Steve going down the slide.

Then the Diaper Dash aka baby crawling race.  It's pretty hilarious to watch.  Carter and Hudson playing air hockey.  Then we went to watch the play Aladdin, which was amazing!

Then meeting Mickey!

Yeah for Mickey!

Unfortunately, Carter started getting a migraine, so we had him rest for a bit.  We then went to dinner, which was formal night, so we dressed up a little.

The last night we were at the 1923 Restaurant.  Yummy dinner.

They had the super-yummy churro desserts w/ carmel like we had on the Treasure.  They are SOOO good!  Carter started getting his migraine again, so he went back to the room.  We missed him for our picture w/ our servers.  Steve got a few desserts to try.  Why not?  It's all included :)

After dinner we walked around a little bit.  Silly Nyles got my phone and took some pictures.

Steve and I enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Then we played shuttle-board for a few minutes.

We then went back to the room to check on Carter.  Fun towel animal in our room.

Since we had already seen the play in the afternoon, Diane and I used that time to finish packing our suitcases.  Steve took the boys up on deck to go swimming.  Carter thankfully felt a little better and got some dinner up on deck.

The boys went down the AquaMouse a few times, especially right before it closed at 10pm.

And just like that, it was time for bed.  

The waves picked up as we got closer to Florida and it got a little rocky on the ship.

We had a wonderful day on the ship, enjoying the various activities.  It's always sad the final night, as we know we have to get off the ship in the morning.  We knew this was a short cruise, only 4 days, but we tried to make the most of it.