3rd Week of December

We had another busy week in December.  Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of December. 

Monday night we had the sister missionaries come give us a message.  We haven't had sisters in our ward since we've lived here (9.5 years now), so it was a nice change.  These sisters are from New Zealand and Samoa.  They were wonderful, as was their message!

Buddy the elf getting some Muddy Buddies.  Then playing w/ the Army men.

Steve and Nyles w/ the YW helping w/ the service project.  Hudson having a bubble bath.

On Wednesday afternoon, Carter had a Spanish Christmas Program.  He did a great job!

Dave came as well (thanks!).  Carter w/ his teacher, Ms. Rivas.

Carter's class, Christmas Spanish Song

Carter's school, Christmas Spanish Song

Wednesday night we went down to Cabela's and the boys got to see Santa.

Quick picture outside.  Carter and Hudson colored their "Shrinky Dink" ornaments, then we "baked them at home.  They start out bigger and thin as paper, then get smaller and harder as they cook in 3 minutes.  Pretty cool!

Thursday afternoon Hudson had his preschool Christmas program.  He did a great job!

Hudson w/ his teacher Mrs. Em, then w/ Grandma and Grandpa and Steve and I after his program (thanks for coming!).  Nyles and Carter were at their last rock climbing class for the year.

Singing Let it Snow

Singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Hudson at school w/ his teacher Mrs. Em and his classmates.

Cute Hudson w/ his reindeer nose from his teacher.  Pretty sunset.  We finished the puzzle Barbara gave us for Christmas.  Thankfully they were divided into smaller boxes (one for each day until Christmas) so it was easier to do.  We finished it a little early.

We invited Dave and Joann over for pizza after Hudson's program.

Silly Buddy.  Nyles heading off for his last day of school this year.  

Hudson at preschool.  Carter got the phone (cute freckles).

Steve and the boys went duck hunting Friday afternoon after school.  They had fun.

Steve dropped me off at Smith's to meet Pauline.  We then met Rose in Bountiful and continued up to Barbara's house to attend Ryan's wedding the next day.

Saturday morning Steve shot a squirrel in our backyard w/ his pellet gun.  

They have been getting into Ron's attic.

On Saturday, December 20th, Ryan and Sarah were married in the Meridian Temple.  Even though Sarah is a convert and had no direct family in the sealing room, the room was completely full and we even had people standing up behind the chairs.  The Spirit was really strong.  The sealer mentioned that the room was full of people we could see in the room, and those who have passed on, whom we couldn't see.  He also promised Sarah that even though her family members are not members of the church right now, she will be able to help them, both here on Earth and those on the other side of the veil.

Mom, Pauline, Aunt Elaine, and Dad waiting for them to come out.  Ryan and Sarah, yeah!

Barbara and I wearing blue (their wedding color).  Rose, Barbara, Pauline and I at the church where we had the luncheon afterwards.  All the family and friends at the temple there to support them.

The Dunns and Sarah's dad and step-mom.

Sarah and Ryan exchanged rings at the luncheon.  Daron, Kristi, and Riley also came.

Pauline, Rose and I drove back after the luncheon.  We got home around 9pm.  It was a quick trip, but we were glad to be there to support them.  We are so happy for them!  As it got dark, we were talking about how we don't like the dark.  Rose reminded us that it's great that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Light of the World, at the most dark time of year.  Great insight.

Steve took the boys to Cal-Ranch on Saturday for a free sleigh ride.

They also had a petting zoo.

Sunday morning we had church at 9am, just 1 hour.  

We had a great celebration of the birth of our Savior.  Family picture.

Sunday night we had our family Jerusalem Dinner at Dave and Joann's place.  Stacie and Phill's family, along w/ Carrie and Ryan's family came also.  It was great to hear everyone's testimonies.  We are all so blessed and have so much to be thankful for, despite our challenges in life.

Cute Carter made a creation and wanted to get a picture.

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2nd Week of December

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

Buddy our elf, making his way around the house and keeping the kids in line.  Steve finished the last Disney Pirate Night bandana blanket for Christmas.  Steve and Nyles went to look at the Draper Park lights w/ the YW/YM for an activity.

Steve and I went and did a session on Wednesday.  Nyles went to see the dermatologist.  Steve has been working on adding more greenery to his duck blind on the boat.

Steve and I went for a walk during my lunch break.  The weather has been nice and sunny, even in December.  We pulled Hudson along in the wagon and he fell asleep.  Carter made a graham cracker house at school.  Hudson and our neighbor Tate.  They love to play together, almost every day.

Steve and Rob went out duck hunting Friday afternoon.  The boys ended up staying home this time.

Cute Steve and Hudson dressed alike.  Hudson in a box!  My parent's came down for Stephen Naylor's dad's funeral on Saturday.  They stopped by for a few minutes before driving up to Tremonton for the night.  It was great to see them even for a short time.  They drove the rest of the way home on Sunday.

Saturday evening, we went to our Ward Christmas Party.  Nyles went to a friend's birthday party that was at the same time.  Carter and Hudson got to say hi to Santa.

Neighbors w/ Santa: Kyle Moreton, Taft Monson, Zoe Gatherum, Kaitlyn Moreton, Hudson, Siena Gatherum, and Carter.

Hudson snuggling w/ Piper.  Piper sitting in between Steve's leg's as we do family prayer.  Piper licking Nyles' legs another night during family prayer.  Buddy hanging out in Carter's graham cracker house.

It's been a fun and eventful December so far, and we know we have more fun activities coming our way.  We are thankful for this time of year to think of our Savior and others around us.

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1st Week of December

We had an eventful and busy 1st week of December.  I was in the office this week.  We had training Monday and Tuesday, so it was extra busy, and they were long days.  Here are some highlights.

Hudson working on the Friend magazine while we read scriptures.  Steve teaching Carter and Nyles how to crochet.  I made some sour-dough bread, which the boys ate in a day.

Tuesday night was Carter's Christmas Program at his elementary school.  He's been going into school early, at 7:30am, twice a week, to practice the songs and get ready for months now.  He was super excited for us to hear them perform.  They performed their concert in the morning for their school, then twice in the evening for the parents.

They still have a picture of Nyles in the cafeteria at Carter's school (pretty neat) w/ his friend Lincoln.  

Cute Carter performing.

Jingle Bells

1st Noel

A Christmas assortment of songs

Fun w/ flashlights during a song.  Dave and Joann came to support him, which was neat.

Carter did an awesome job!!!

The choir was made up of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who volunteered to sing.  They did awesome!

After it was over, Steve and Nyles went over to a neighbor's for the last of their YM's activity.  

The boys eating the sour dough bread that came out of the oven.

Wednesday night, we had my work Holiday Party.  I went over w/ my co-worker Brooke Dewaal (blond hair) and met up w/ another co-worker Veronica Montoya (dark hair).  The food was pretty good, but they still didn't have dessert at 6:30pm when we left (lame).

Thursday evening, Nyles had his band concert.  They performed songs from the Nutcracker and did amazing job!  It's incredible how far they've come after 1 year of playing.

Me w/ co-workers at the Fidelity Holiday Party.

Nyles at his band Christmas concert.

Friday after work (I had late night until 6pm), we went over to rock climb again as a family.  We invited Conor this time to go w/ us.  He then stayed the night.

Nyles, Carter, and Conor ready to rock climb.  Steve and I got passed off to belay others since we took the class last time.  I got to belay all the kids, which was fun but also a lot of work.

Having fun rock climbing.

More fun rock climbing.

Nyles showed us how to "crack" climb.  It looks painful to me ;)

Saturday morning, Carter had his first basketball game.  Dave met us there.  Afterwards, Steve then met Phill to pick up Conor.  I went over to the church building to help w/ our stake baptismal days.  Steve took Nyles and went duck hunting for the afternoon.

Hudson, Carter and I worked on a puzzle and set up a magnetic nativity set.  

Carter at his basketball game, Nyles duck hunting.

We have some squirrels that wonder around the trees in the neighborhood.  Buddy the elf brought snowballs to play with ie so they kids could have an indoor snowball fight.  He then came w/ us up to Midway for family dinner.

After dinner we had a white elephant gift exchange, which was fun.

Gift exchange time.  It was also Dave/Joann's 49th wedding anniversary, so we each said something nice about them before we picked a gift.

Singing to December birthdays: Megan, Claire, Lynsie, Kim, and Haley.

Everyone, including Noah (cardboard cutout while he's on his mission).

We're thankful for this time of year to think more of our Savior.

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Last week of November

We had a busy last week of November.

Monday night Steve and I went and took a belay class at Momentum Climbing (where Nyles and Carter take lessons).  Steve was taught how to belay years ago, but I've never done it.  It was great to learn the proper techniques.  We'll go get certified next time we go, that way we can belay the boys and each other.  It was a fun date night :)

Steve and the boys actually sold the last of our firewood this week, for the year.  They sold more this week of Thanksgiving than any other, even during the Summer.  Steve said the boys only got 2 of their 4 cords of firewood this year, so next year they'll plan to cut down all 4 cords and hopefully continue to sell through the winter.

Cute Hudson and his preschool class w/ their pilgrim hats.  Steve and I rock climbing.  The last of the firewood bundles before it was sold.

On Wednesday, I worked that day, then that afternoon my parents came over. after driving down from Idaho.  Steve took my dad to a couple stores to look for coveralls once they got here.  We watched the new Snow White while they were gone.  Then Steve made hamburgers for dinner.  They were super yummy!  My parents then went over to Dave/Joann's place to stay.

On Thursday, we had Thanksgiving at LuDean/Diane's place.  Steve cooked the turkey in the oven, then I made a small batch of gluten-free rolls and regular rolls.  We also make gluten-free stuffing, and I made some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

The grandkids in order of age: Chandler, Ethan, Isaac, (Noah missing while on his mission), Cameron, Claire, Olivia, Alexa, Conor, Nyles, Lynsie, Carter and Hudson.

Cute Hudson digging.  More pics of the grandkids.

After Thanksgiving lunch, we went home, put stuff away, then went over to Dave/Joann's place to play games.  Steve stayed home w/ Hudson as he was tired.  Pauline met us there, along w/ Rose, Ava/Xander, Ali and Sophia.  We played Blank Slate and Apples to Apples.  It was a lot of fun.  The last word my dad had, which was "Easy."  My mom put in "Having a baby" and I put in "Running out of Toilet Paper" which got my dad laughing.  He chose mine.  It was a fun night ;)  Nyles and Carter went home w/ Pauline to stay the night (impromptu sleepover).

Dad cracking up.

Friday morning we met my parents and Pauline's family at the Aquarium.  After the Aquarium, we went over to Sam's Club to get a bite to eat.  We bought a new dryer while there, as our other one was making really LOUD noises and we couldn't fix it.

Buddy our elf came back!  He brought a Lego Christmas tree w/ him!

Our new dryer.  The boys reading the note from Buddy.

Getting ready for the 4D activity at the Aquarium.

Looking at the fish and turtle at the Aquarium.  Then getting a bite to eat at Sam's Club.

My parents went back to Dave/Joann's place after Sam's Club.  Sheri and Steve met them there to visit and look at the homes that can be built in Dave/Joann's neighborhood.  They just moved back from Texas and are looking for another house.  They mentioned they want to buy a house, probably further out of the "city" though. 

That evening we met up again at our place for dinner.  Pauline's family and my parents came over.  We ordered Papa John's Pizza.  We then a game called Goat Lords, kindof like Cover your Assets.  Then we played Cards Against Humanity.  Both were a lot of fun!

Saturday was Steve's birthday!  Steve, Nyles and Zach went out duck hunting early that morning, leaving our place by 5am.  They had a lot of fun and each shot a duck, each a different kind of duck.

                                                    Nyles, Steve and Zach out duck hunting.

Cool ducks.  Steve shot a Bufflehead Duck.  He was sooo excited!  Hudson was super excited they shot ducks also.  He loves to "play" w/ them.  Piper has to check them out as well.

We put up birthday decorations while Steve was gone.  Then we put up our Christmas trees and other decorations that afternoon.

Saturday evening we had dinner back at Dave/Joann's place.  We cooked up lasagna.  Rob came over as well.  We then played Phase 10 w/ a Twist.  It was a lot of fun!

Getting dinner, then playing Phase 10 w/ a Twist.

Sunday, we had church.  For 2nd hour, they had a combined meeting for an Area Broadcast.  We were all combined in the gym for the broadcast.  We had a small table set up for the kids to color and write a letter to the missionaries, as a way to keep them entertained/busy/quiet.

Steve helping Nyles w/ his tie.  Cute Piper w/ reindeer antlers.

A thank you letter to a missionary in our ward.  Cute drawings.

Sunday evening we set out to go over to Dave/Joann's place again for dinner.  Earlier in the month, I told Steve my parents wanted to stay another night, so we had planned on having dinner Sunday night for a while.  What he didn't know, was that I was planning a surprise birthday party for him.  I told him my mom wanted to check out the clubhouse, so I asked him to stop there first, before going to his parent's house.  As we got in, everyone was there to surprise him!  

Unfortunately, it snowed that afternoon and Parley's Canyon was eventually shut down.  Ethan was able to get through, but Melanie/Brandon and the rest of the family had to turn around due to the snow/bad road conditions.  We were grateful for those that were able to make it though.  We had a good time, and Steve amazingly was completely surprised!

Steve's surprise!

Cupcakes and the big cake for Steve's 40th birthday!

I made the cupcakes and Pauline made the big cake.

Happy 40th Birthday to Steve!  Steve smoked his yummy ribs.

Zach, Steve, Rob and Joann.

Everyone getting their dinner.

After dinner we played a Kahoot game of "How well do you know Steve?"  It was fun!

We then watched a picture slideshow I put together of Steve's life.

Cake time!

Cute Hudson w/ balloons and both Grandmas, McGrath (Joann) and Hegerhorst (Cathleen).

A quick picture, then opening gifts.

I'm so thankful for everyone helping to pull this off.  Ironically on Steve's birthday he asked to keep his birthday low key, which we did.  It was the day AFTER his birthday that we did his surprise party!  Thanks again everyone for your help and efforts to throw a party for Steve.  He does so much for everyone else, I wanted to celebrate him.  I'm so blessed to have him in my life and as my eternal companion.  I love you forever Steve!!!

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