Steve's Graduation from the University of Utah

Sunday, April 28th--We had church and meetings like normal.  We went for a walk in the afternoon.  Nyles really enjoys his walks.  In the evening we invited the couple who we visit/home teach (Matt and Jenny Jenkins) over to play games.  They taught us how to play Hand and Pony, which is like Hand and Foot.  It was a lot of fun.

 He loves to eat his toes and socks on the way :) 

Tuesday, April 30th--We were asked to feed the missionaries.  Since I don't get home until about 6pm we told them that would be the earliest we could feed them.  We decided to make Hawaiian Haystacks since they're pretty easy to make.  Around 3:30pm Steve said they called him and asked if they could come at 5pm instead since they scheduled an appointment at 6pm.  He told them it wouldn't work since I wouldn't be home until 6pm so they ended up cancelling.  By this time Steve had already got the rice cooked up and the veggies cut up so we figured we just have leftovers for a while.  About this time Steve heard from Rob.  Steve told him about the situation and he said he'd be willing to help us out.  Soon Zach heard about it and he said he would just come stop by to say hi to us and Rob.  After I got home I got the last few things ready and got 3 plates out since Zach said he wasn't going to eat.  Next thing I knew he Zach was getting a plate and dishing himself up some.  Both he and Rob and seconds AND some dessert.  I made Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp the night before which we had w/ ice cream.  Well, I'm glad we made a lot, and I'm glad they could help us out to eat it ;)  After we got done w/ dinner we put Nyles down to bed, then I went out w/ Cara (my RS Secretary) and went around our complex to visit a few sisters.

Nyles just loving life, playing w a bucket and cup....they're more fun than toys you know ;)

Thursday, May 2nd--After I got home from work we went over to Macey's to get a few groceries, then came home to put Nyles to bed.  We then invited Dave and Melissa Thomas over to play Munchkin w/ us.  It's a game Steve learned how to play while on his mission in Canada.  Needless to say the boys liked it much more than we did.  At least I can finally say that I played it with him.  Next time we'll invite more men to play w/ him so it will be more "fun" for him ;)

Friday, May 3rd--I took the day off, which ironically worked out to be Steve's Graduation from the University of Utah.  He technically graduated December 2012 but this is the only commencement they have so they combine them all together.  It started at 9am at the Jon Huntsman's Center.  He had to be there at 8am so he left a little after 7am then Dave and Joann picked up Nyles and I just after 8am.  Zach Hannay also came w/ us.  Pauline, Charlotte, Rose and Sophia also met us there to watch his graduation.  Though it was only a few seconds for Steve to walk across the stage and have his name read, it was still nice to see him "officially" get his diploma.  He's worked so hard to get his degree.  I'm so proud of him!  We're one BIG step closer to being able to get into PA School.  He still has some prereqs that he needs to take between now and this time next year before he can apply but we're on our way.  One step at a time!

Steve ready for his graduation

Megan Williams and Steve, degrees in Health Education and Promotion 

Dave, Joann, Nyles and Zach

Nyles excited to see Daddy on the screen

Charlotte and Nyles

Nyles and Rose

Pauline and Nyles

Rose, Me, Pauline, Sophia and Charlotte

Steve, Nyles and I after graduation

Proud parents, Dave and Joann w/ Steve

Officially graduated ;)

After the graduation we decided to go back closer to our place to get together w/ the others for a hot dog roast.  There is a park just down the street from our place with a playground, a field, and a pavilion.  Dave brought his BBQ grill to the park so we could grill the hot dogs and then everyone else brought other things.  Kim and her kids, Stacie and her kids, LuDean, Melanie and Brandon all showed up to celebrate w/ us.  Rose wasn't feeling well after the graduation so she ended up going home, but Pauline came w/ Charlotte.  It was nice for the kids to be able to run around and make messes.  It was an easy clean up on our part plus people were able to come/go as they needed.

Once the graduation was over we took Nyles back home to take a nap.  He slept for a while then we decided to go to Cabela's so Steve could use his gift card he received from my parents for graduation.  Nyles enjoyed looking at the fish in the aquarium because they were moving around, more-so than the stuffed animals.  Steve of course found some more fishing stuff, a tackle box, pliers  hooks, sinkers, line and power-bait.

Steve and Nyles at Cabela's enjoying watching the fish

Nyles wasn't quite as impressed w/ the stuffed one who didn't move

When we got home got Nyles ready for bed, he was definitely ready.  Zach then called us up and wanted to know if we wanted to go up the canyon w/ him and Megan Williams and make s'mores.  We called Rob and he was willing to sit at the house w/ Nyles so we could go out.  It was a lot of fun.  Megan's friend also came and Zach's sister Sarah and her fiance Greg.  It was fun to get out and enjoy an hour or two by ourselves, like a real date ;)

Saturday, May 4th--Steve took Dave Thomas up to Strawberry to fish for his birthday and I stayed home and did laundry and cleaned up a bit.  Steve said they first went out on the kick boats but didnt' really catch anything, but then they just fished off the shore and were catching fish like crazy.  He said his new power-bait was really catching them.  They brought home several fish, which Dave took.  After Steve got home he hurry and showered and changed then went to a reception for Rob's younger brother Michael who got married in Manti the day before.  I put Nyles down so stayed w/ him.  There was an accident on I-215 on his way home so he got delayed a while.  We watched TV for a little bit and had popcorn after he got home.

Strawberry Lake

Sunday, May 5th--We went down to Orem for Carrie/Ryan to bless their little girl Lynsie (she was born in December).  The blessing went well, then we all went up to Melanie/Brandon's place in Draper for lunch.  Since it was Cinco De Mayo we had a taco bar and churros.  Nyles was getting cranky and tired after a while but luckily he fell asleep in his car-seat after rocking him a bit so we were able to help clean up.  It was a fun day.

First Cabin Trip In The "Spring"

Here's a quick recap of the last couple weeks in April.

Nyles just being his cute self :)

Thursday, April 18th--We had a couple from our branch, our home teachers Anthony and Nicole Putich, sit at the house while went to the temple and did a session.  Nyles usually goes to sleep and doesn't wake up until early morning, but for some reason this time he woke up about 9pm and wouldn't go back to bed.  Luckily Nyles was ok w/ being held by Nicole until we got home and got him back to bed.  The session was really good nonetheless.  It's always a great experience at the temple.

Saturday, April 20th--Invited Rob over for dinner to say thanks for watching Nyles while we went to the temple.  Zach ended up coming over also.  Then while they were getting some lactose pills for Rob at the store Steve talked to his friend Dave who is a pharmacist and he ended up coming over also.  Luckily we made Hawaiian Haystacks which makes plenty, so we were fine.  They ended up hanging out for while just talking so I went to our bedroom and did laundry.

Nyles helping with the newspaper

Sunday, April 21st--I had PEC and my RS Meeting in the morning.  Then after church we had a munch and mingle.  I came home for a few minutes then went back to the church for our home/visiting teaching meeting.  We had a lot of people moving out in the month of April so we had quite a few changes to make.  With everyone moving out in the branch we had quite a few callings to make as well.  Hopefully they will be filled in the next couple weeks.  That afternoon we went on a walk w/ Nyles around the neighborhood.

The many faces of Nyles on our walk

Tuesday, April 23rd--Since Steve doesn't have his Biology Lab anymore, we decided to go out.  So, after work we went over to a pizza place and had dinner w/ a couple that is moving out, Greg and Lisa Morris.  They have a little girl Brinley who is about 3 weeks younger than Nyles.  They are pretty much the exact same size and it's fun to see them interact.  We've got to know the Morris' pretty well over the past couple years that they've been in the branch so it's sad seeing them leave.  They bought a new house up in Woods Cross, so not that far I guess.  Hopefully we'll still be able to see them here and there.

Playing w/ Zach. Who me? Steve and Nyles saying hi to mom at work.

Wednesday, April 24th--Steve's class got cancelled so we went to Flat Iron Mesa Park and pushed Nyles in the stroller.  The weather was beautiful. Nyles was getting tired so we went back and put him to bed then made dinner.

Thursday, April 25th--Steve went and bought a new fishing pole.  Zach and him went to the Jordan River and had to try it out.  Unfortunately they didn't catch anything.  Nyles had a great time though, can't you tell?  After I got home from work Steve had an HOA Board meeting so I worked on packing for the cabin. 

Steve's new fishing pole

Friday, April 26th--I had an extra hour of vacation time left so I requested to use it Friday and only have 1/2 hour lunch so I could get off by 3:30pm.  Once I got off I rode the train back home, finishing packing a few things, then we headed out.  We stopped in Heber to get a bite to eat then continued on.  

Nyles enjoying  his foot on the way up to the cabin

We got up there first so we got a fire going and turned on all the heaters in the rooms.  It was still fairly cold up there and the lake was actually still frozen.  It was just barely starting to pull away from the shore.  The snow had actually melted though so we were able to drive into the cabin, which is great.  We also turned on the water in the cabin so it was nice to have running water again.  Dave, Joann, and Kim and her kids got up to the cabin shortly after we did.  Zach also came up that night a little later.  That night Nyles kept getting scared in the pack-n-play, so we ended up putting him in his carseat where he slept the rest of the night. 

Nyles enjoying the fire at the cabin and some toys

Ice on Strawberry Lake, just barely pulling away

Saturday, April 27th--that morning Nyles woke up pretty early around 5:30am and didn't want to go back to bed.  So Steve decided to go w/ Zach and call a coyote.  They didn't find any, so they came back for breakfast a couple hours later.  I made crepes then they went out and fished.  They said it was pretty crowded on the lake, especially since there wasn't much open water, and didn't catch much.  

Nyles enjoying his graham crackers at the cabin

We then left shortly after lunch.  We were pretty tired, so luckily Nyles went down for another nap once we got home so we laid down also.  My department at work sponsored us to go to "The Living Aquarium" that night so we hurried over to that.  It was fun to see the animals and people from work also.  Nyles seemed to really enjoy it too.

At "The Living Aquarium"

 Nyles is as tall as some of the penguins

 Penguins in the background

Coming home from the "Living Aquarium" 

Nyles got Elmo stuck on his foot so he decided to eat him