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! ;)
