Christmas Vacation Part One

For Christmas this year we decided to go up to my parent's place again since I have a full week off.  Grandma VaLere Hegerhorst was also having the Hegerhorst Christmas party the Saturday before Christmas, so we wanted to come up for that also.  There was another snow storm coming in Friday evening through Saturday, so we decided to leave that afternoon to get ahead of it.  I was able to get off at 3pm and Steve picked me up at work downtown.  Of course there was an accident (on the other side of the road but it slowed both sides down), so it took us a little while to get going.  We then stopped for a quick bite to eat in Centerville, then continued on.  We only stopped one more time in Jerome to get gas.  The roads were really good until we got off the exit towards Hammett, then it started snowing really bad.  It was coming down really fast and heavy which made it hard to see and the roads were covered so it was hard to see the road or any lines.  We had to drive slower of course so it took us about 5 1/2 hours to get to my parents, but not too bad all things considered.  I'm glad we left early and missed most of the storm.  Nyles was glad to get out of his carseat and see Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandpa tickling Nyles w/ a feather, silly Grandpa

The next morning we took it easy.  Mom and I wrapped presents while Steve and Dad were out in the shop building a rack to go on the back of our Edge (to put coolers and what not).  In the afternoon Anna, Daron and Dexter showed up.  Right before they showed up I went downstairs to take a shower while Nyles was down for a nap.  As I was getting out of the shower I heard some water running.  As I opened the curtain I realized the toilet was overflowing and there was water covering the whole floor.  I quickly got dressed and started mopping up the water, trying to be quiet since Nyles was sleeping.  As I was mopping it up Steve came downstairs so I asked him to help me.  I figured we'd handle  it and didn't need to tell my Dad just yet.  I also turned off the water on the toilet.  Just then I heard a toilet flushing upstairs and as that happened poopy water came up the shower drain and rested in the shower.  I then turned towards Steve and said he'd better go tell my dad now, but be quiet about it :)

He then went upstairs, told my dad, and the fun began.  My dad figured the septic tank was too full and was backing up.  So the way to solve the problem was to suck out some poop.  Luckily Daron, Dexter, Chris Coates and Steve were around to help.  They then dug up the lawn to find the lid to the septic tank.

Daron then used the backhoe to pull the heavy lid off.

After pulling the lid off, my dad got a tractor and made a couple rounds of sucking poop out and then emptying it out in the field.  The Christmas Party was going to start soon, so they had to cut it short.  

After cleaning up quickly, we all headed over to the church for the Annual Hegerhorst Christmas Party.  We started in the Relief Society room and did some songs, poems and stories.  We then went into the gym and had our white elephant gift exchange and then had dinner.  Shortly after dinner we cleaned up and all headed home.  We were all there except Rose and Pauline this year.

All ready for the white elephant exchange

Grandma VaLere helping Nyles open his present

Oh a cute puppy and a movie

 Colten w/ his gift

Nyles sitting w/ Grandma and Grandpa

Nyles playing w/ someone else's stuffed lion

(that little boy sure does love stuffed animals)

Barbara and Dexter had to go home to put kids to bed, but Daron and Anna came back to mom/dad's to stay the night.  We chatted and played games then went to bed.  The next morning Anna left after breakfast and the rest of us headed off to church.  Nyles did pretty good during church until the very end since he was overdue for a nap.  Daron thought he was being fussy during Sunday School so he picked him up and said he'd stay w/ him out in the hall :)  Grandma VaLere gave a beautiful talk in sacrament meeting about some of her memories of Christmas.  She told how Great Grandpa Hegerhorst used to tell all the kids/grandkids about how a bullet changed his life.  It eventually led him to find the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are soooo blessed by his example and willingness to follow the Spirit.  He had the courage to do what he knew was right, even though his family would disown him for joining the church.  I never tire of hearing that story.  I'm glad my Grandma VaLere has written down his conversion story and also each year she gives us more family history stories.  They are excellent!  Thanks Grandma!

Mom was planning on everyone coming back for dinner, but they all had to leave after church.  We invited Grandma over and she had dinner w/ us.  We took a nap after lunch, then took it easy the rest of the day.  We played games and hung out.

Nyles thought he could ride in the Barbie car, so he jumped in feet first

Monday morning my dad and Steve went out goose hunting.  They called in a flock and even got some (3 to be exact).  My mom and I hung out in the house and worked on a puzzle; it was fun.

Mom working on the puzzle

My dad and Steve so proud of their hunt!

Cute Nyles.  He was able to pull himself up on this bench and then would play on the piano w/ toys.

Nyles loved watching the kitty Addy through the window

On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, my mom and I went up to Boise to visit Barbara and her family.  Steve and my dad stayed home so they could go goose hunting again.  They ended up getting 2 more that day.  We had a great time visiting and letting the kids play.  Barbara made a really yummy ham dinner.  We also played some games which was fun. Shortly after we got there Rich said he smelt a poopy diaper.  I went over to check Nyles and sure enough he was poopy.  He wasn't just poopy though he had diarrhea.  He had a case of diarrhea the previous 2 mornings as well.  Barbara helped me clean him up and change him.  He ended up pooping one more time after he woke up from his nap so we had to change his clothes again and give him a bath.  Poor little guy.  We left at about 5 or so, stopped at Winco for a few things, then continued on home.  We put Nyles to bed then my dad and Steve made jerky from their 5 geese they caught.  We then watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV.

Making jerky

All set to put in the dryer

 My mom holding Nyles and Callie (6 weeks apart in age)

Christmas morning Nyles got us up just before 6am w/ a poopy diaper.  As we were getting him cleaned up the phone rang, it was Daron calling to wish us a Merry Christmas.  Since we knew my parents were up we went upstairs and decided to open presents.  It was fun taking turn opening gifts.  Nyles got the hang of grabbing the wrapping paper and ripping it.  He was really excited to see his gifts.

Nyles "reading" the fuzzy animal book my mom gave him.

He loves books and animals, win/win!

Steve w/ his new head lamp

Nyles trying out Steve's new seat

Mom w/ a new Christus statue from Daron/Kristi

Dad w/ some peanut brittle

Nyles checking out his new blocks and book

Nyles sitting in my slippers box

Dad helping us put together Nyles' car

Me helping get things out of the packaging.  

Nyles put the ribbon around his neck.

Still working on it.....

Oh hey dad!

We got it Grandpa!

Then my dad thought it would be fun to do a wheely, but Nyles didn't think it was too fun.

That's better, on all 4 wheels

Oh even better w/ milk

After opening gifts mom made us a yummy breakfast.  We watched a movie and hung out, then in the afternoon  my dad and Steve went and hunted ducks.  They got 2 but gave them to a neighbor who went w/ them.  For dinner we went to Grandma VaLere's.  My mom cooked up a ham.  Wendy, Harold, Elaine, Rick and my grandma's exchange student Ice joined us as well.  It was a good dinner w/ good company.  We played a game afterwards then went home to get Nyles to bed.  It was a great Christmas Day.

Nyles somehow wiggled out of his strap and climbed up on the high chair

Steve w/ the 2 ducks they shot

The next morning we basically just packed up and left.  Nyles was still having diarrhea unfortunately, so we felt it would be best to get him home.  We had good roads coming home and Nyles did really well.  We only stopped once to use the restroom.  Nyles was glad to be home and out of his carseat.  He loved seeing some of his old "toys" again and his familiar surroundings.

Nyles climbing in a box again

Finding his toy box again

We had a great time up at Grandma and Grandpa's.  It was great seeing everyone and spending time w/ family.  Thanks for letting us come, love ya lots!  ;)

Steve's Hunting Adventures

Lately Steve has been on a hunting kick, especially ducks.  He's been going out just about any chance he has.  He first went up to Strawberry Reservoir and got some ducks there.  But now that it's been getting colder up there he's been going out to the Great Salt Lake.

Rob, up at Strawberry, w/ their first duck hunt

It was a success!

Another hunt out at the GSL, different kind of duck

And another duck.....

When we were up at my parents for Christmas he went w/ my dad and went goose hunting, and they got some (3 exact)!  They went out the next two days also and got 2 more.

More pics from their hunt, from Steve's phone.....

 

Two more

Now making jerky w/ the meat from the 5 geese

Time to dry it

Christmas afternoon they ended up calling for ducks instead

 

And got a couple

He's been having a lot of fun calling the ducks/geese.  He got some decoys and a baby mojo to help w/ his hunting.  He's hoping to go back up to my parents w/ his dad in the next couple weeks to try and call geese again.  Hopefully they'll be able to go and have success again!

December Fun

Here's a quick update on the past couple weeks of December.

On Sunday, December 8th we went up to Centerville to celebrate Lynsie's first birthday (Carrie/Ryan's little girl).  We had cake and ice cream and visited w/ each other.  Ryan's mother gave Lynsie a car to play with.  All the cousins just LOVED it, Nyles especially.  He couldn't get enough of it.  He kept going back to play with it, even if someone else was in it.  He wouldn't make a fuss or anything but just open the car door and climb in w/ them.  

Nyles playing w/ London

Nyles sitting on Cameron's lap (Cameron w/ there first)

Nyles just kicking it before leaving for the night

At work we did a Sub for Santa family with the team I’m on loan with.  We had a single mom w/ 2 kids ages 9 and 10 (boy and girl).  Since we got the family information right before Black Friday, I suggested we look online and do most of our shopping.  Since all but one on this team are all boys, they’d rather just give money and be done with it per say.  I volunteered to shop online and see if we could make our money stretch.  Kohl’s was having a really nice sale so I was able to get their wish list items and then some.  We also got Kohl’s cash back so we were able to get even more stuff for them the next week.  I also found roller-blades and Toys R’Us for the boy and was able to pick them up at the store in Murray the same day.  I also went and got stockings and candy for them. 

This Tuesday during our team meeting we wrapped all the gifts and then delivered them the next day.  We were able to give them $300 in gift cards and $400 in clothes, toys, and household necessities.  I hope they have a very Merry Christmas!  It was really neat to work together as a team and think of others this time of year to make their day better.  It felt great to help someone out.  I also felt blessed to be able to use the Internet and find good deals in order to make our money go further for them.   This was a great opportunity for me and reminded me of why I love this time of year.   It definitely is better to give than receive.

Sunday, December 15^th, I taught the lesson in Relief Society.   They said I could teach any of the last 3 lessons since we were technically on the last lesson from President Lorenzo Snow.  At first I thought I’d choose one of the other ones, but kept going back to lesson 22: Doing Good to Others.  I felt w/ Christmas next week it was a good reminder why we have Christmas and how we can give service to others.  It was a good reminder for me to on gifts we can give others.  It doesn’t always have to be a physical gift, it can also be an intangible gift.  

Here's some practical advice to help you find your ideal Christmas. Simplify the season and you may find that for every minute you spend here, you'll get 10 minutes back to enjoy this holiday more fully.

Top 15 Ideas for Christmas

• Give someone an eCard this Christmas.
• Replace some holiday decorations in your home with reminders of Christ.
• Play more Christmas music. Find Christmas music here, the Tabernacle Choir YouTube page and on the Mormon Channel. 
• Donate gently used items to a thrift store.
• Go Christmas caroling.
• Avoid “mad rush” shopping times.
• Say thank you as often as possible.
• Schedule a night to help another person or family.
• Call someone you normally wouldn't to wish him or her a Merry Christmas.
• Delegate some holiday preparations to children or other family members.
• Simplify a traditional activity.
• Find quiet time to pray.
• Write down great memories as they happen.
• Set and stick to a holiday budget.
• Forgive a grudge.
  Here's a cute video I showed as well
  The Reason Behind the Season

Monday, December 16^th, we invited the couple we home teach over for a movie, Monster’s University.  I made some white cheddar popcorn and brownies and we watched it.  It was really cute!

On Tuesday, December 17^th, we had Rob come over so we could go to the temple.  We put Nyles down to bed then went to the Draper Temple since the Jordan River was closed for cleaning.  We worked on family names (initiatories) which Rose found.  I don’t know if it was the fact that I was doing family names of the sisters in the temple were more chipper due to Christmas being close, but everyone was so happy and the Spirit was strong.  I did the 3 female names Rose gave me then did 5 from the temple.  It wasn’t very busy and I was enjoying being there so much I wanted to keep doing more.  I felt so uplifted and welcome; I just wanted to stay longer.  Unfortunately Steve didn’t have the same experience.  He said he was the only one on the men’s side, but after he got done w/ 5 family names they said he couldn’t do anymore and they were closing up.  He had 8 family names to do so I figured he’d do them all and I could do 8 also.  He ended up waiting for me about 30 minutes.  I’m glad I was able to do all of the names though.  It was a really neat experience.

Steve and I have now officially gone every month his year to the temple! Our branch had a goal to go every month, so we embraced it.  It’s not always easy, especially with a baby, but I know it’s possible when we set our priorities and MAKE time for the temple, things will work out.  We also read the entire Book of Mormon together this year!  We actually finished a while ago and have been listening again to the General Conference talks together (I think we’ve just about got through them all as well).  This was another goal we had this year.  Hearing the scriptures and prophets, especially first thing in the morning has really helped me to feel uplifted and ready for the day.  The last goal we had was to attend our church meetings weekly. I’d say we also met this goal, except when we were sick or visiting others.  I know when we go to the cabin we only go to sacrament meeting, but I’d like to make a goal to go to all 3 hours even when on vacation per say.  This will be something we can work on for 2014. 

Wednesday, December 18^th Steve picked me up from work and we went over to temple square to see the lights.  It was cold outside of course, but not nearly as cold as it has been.  Most mornings the past couple weeks it has been about 7 degrees, brr!  We bundled up Nyles and got to walk around to see the lights.  It was really pretty and peaceful.  We then stopped and got a bite to eat on the way home.  It was a fun family outing.

Enjoying the lights at Temple Square

Update on Nyles

We recently found out that Nyles is ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS! 

We’d given him peanut butter before and hadn’t had any problems, but one time he did.  Steve and I were both home and I was feeding him toast w/ peanut butter (trying to give him some extra calories) and all of a sudden his cheeks and around his mouth started turning a purple/red color.  I immediately told Steve and we stopped feeding him peanut butter.   We didn’t have any problems after that (had Ritz PB crackers and what not).  Then one night Dave/Joann were watching Nyles since I had a late appointment and Steve had to go to class.  They gave him PB toast and he had the same reaction again.  He also put his hands to his mouth.  We’re not sure if he was having a hard time breathing or just simply putting his hands to his mouth (he’s been doing that a lot lately).  Dave/Joann called Steve and told him what was happening.  Steve then left class to go be w/ him.  The reaction slowly went away and was fully gone by the time Steve got there.  Steve then called the Pediatrician who advised us to bring him in.  The Pediatrician met w/ him and recommended we see an allergy specialist. 

So on Monday, December 2 Steve took him in to see the specialist.  They tested peanuts found that he did in fact have a reaction to peanuts.  The other few common nuts they tested didn’t have any reaction.  His blood work also came back which said he has a mild to severe reaction to peanuts.  Basically what this means is that we are NOT to give Nyles peanuts EVER!  We don’t know how fully his reaction could be, so they prescribed an EpiPen to carry with us at all times just in case.  The Dr said to not give him anything that was processed near peanuts or may contain them whatsoever.  This was quite a shock for us to hear, especially since Nyles is so young.  The Dr said this type of allergy usually is genetic, but we’re not exactly sure where it came from.  There is a slight chance he might grow out of it, but most likely not.  He advised us to remove all peanut type products from our house just to be on the safe side.  Looks like we’ll be giving away a bunch of PB!

We wanted to let everyone know about this so they can please be aware when around Nyles. 

 Aside from that Nyles has been growing and developing just fine.  Here are some other updates:

·         He’s 16 months old now (only 2 more before he goes to nursery, yikes!)

·         He’s getting some molars in up top

·         He’s starting to get more brave and walk on his own, still a little wobbly but getting better

·         He likes to wave goodbye to me in the morning when I’m going out to work

·         He likes to climb in the sink now while I’m getting ready for work and play

·         He loves chicken nuggets, chocolate, bananas, apples, cheese and cheese things, mom’s cookies, popcorn, suckers, mashed potatoes, meat, French fries, ice-cream, etc.

·         Prefers to feed himself now

·         He likes to climb into things (like the sink), and Grandma Joann’s toy box

·         He likes to put lids on/off things and see how things work

·         He likes to be right where I am cooking, either in his high chair or up on the counter

·         He has to sit on the couch by himself now, not on someone’s lap

·         Hates wearing socks, pulls them off several times throughout the day

·         Likes to help w/ the laundry and dishes ;)

·         Is learning to color w/ crayons, sometimes likes to eat them. ;)

·         Loves to put his feet up where ever he’s sitting

·         Says “momma” throughout the day in anticipation of when I come home

·         Likes to be swung around and tickled, loves straws