I'd better start back from the beginning of March since I missed a
few things.
Saturday, March 1st—we
booked our lodging for Bear Lake this summer.
We got the whole McGrath family to commit to going in July. Most are camping at the KOA. We’ll be staying w/ Dave/Joann in a condo.
Nyles thinks it's fun to try on our shoes, and lift his shirt for some reason :)
Sunday, March 2nd—we got
together w/ Steve’s family for dinner and to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a
little early. We met at LuDean’s house
and had an Irish dinner that Diane put together.
We had Irish beef stew, green jello, green drinks, I made rolls and we
had cake and ice cream for March birthdays.
It was a lot of fun visiting everyone and Diane did a great job with the
decorations, food and games afterwards, thanks!
Nyles had a lot of fun w/ the Irish hat also!
Wednesday, March 5th—I started
my CFP (Certified Financial Planner) class.
They started offering one at Gateway after work on Thursday nights and a
couple Saturdays a month, but because Steve has classes on Thursday I decided
to go the virtual class instead. We have
class 3 nights a week for lecture, about 3 hours long each. We just finished this week, so now all I need
to do is take my final this next week. It’s
a really great class and I’m learning a lot.
Fidelity reimburses 90% of the costs of the courses as well, so that
helps a lot. We’ll have a couple weeks
before we start the next section. There are
7 total sections. We’ll get done by
December and then study to take the National Exam in March 2015.
Ironically that week I also got sick w/ Strep Throat. I have never had it before so I wasn’t sure
what to expect. That Monday my throat
started hurting, but since I had a cold a couple weeks before I didn’t think
much of it. I went to work Monday then that
night it was really hurting. I thought
to look down my throat and sure enough I could see spots in the back of my
throat. I showed Steve and he said I definitely
had Strep. I ended up not going to work
the rest of the week, mostly due to the pain it caused me in not being able to
talk. We called our PA friend and got an
antibiotic on Tuesday but I didn’t start feeling better (being able to swallow
and talk) until Friday night, Saturday morning.
It was ridiculous how painful it was.
It felt like razor blades down my throat or having open sores and every
time I swallowed and tried to talk it was like pouring salt on a wound. Needless to say I’m very thankful to be
feeling better now and being able to talk again like normal. Definitely makes my job easier, since I talk
on the phone all day. I guess on the positive side, I was able to spend a
little time reading for my class while sick and we went and got stocked up on
a few things during the Case Lot Sale.
Saturday, March 8th—that
night we had Steve’s dad Dave over and watched the 2nd Hunger Games
together. I made popcorn and we enjoyed
the movie. They are great books and the
movies are great also. We can’t wait
until the 3rd one comes out.
Nyles put my laptop cover around his neck and then put his snacks in the case and was walking around. He never ceased to amaze us on what he'll do next. Silly kid ;)
Later Nyles and I went on a walk to a park and played
We went up to visit Dave/Joann for a minute also. Lynsie (Carrie's little girl was there too while Carrie was at work. Lynsie is 4 months younger than Nyles). Nyles and Lynsie both wanted to sit on Grandpa's lap and play w/ his glasses and phone.
Nyles then had to have some chocolate pudding at Grandma's.
His shirt says, "The best part about Grandpa's house is Grandma." ;)
Tuesday, March 11th—we had our RS Birthday Dinner for our branch. Luckily Steve had Spring Break that week so I was able to go and we didn’t need to find a babysitter. I picked up two other sisters (Melissa Thomas and Camille Millward) who lived right close to me and we went over together. I made Chicken Tortilla Soup and Melissa made Broccoli Cheese. We had soup, salad and breadsticks then cake for dessert. Ironically Melissa and I were also asked to help w/ the program.
They had us each talk about one of the goals of Relief
Society. I was asked to talk about “seek
out and help those in need.” I really
enjoyed learning more about this and looking for ways to serve those around
us. I like what President Monson said
about charity and how it’s not just making meals and big service projects. He said, “I have in mind the charity that
manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their
actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient." I also retold the analogy that Elder Ballard shared
in this past conference about the honeybees and being “anxiously engaged.” When we all help do a little we can really
help a do a LOT. I really like the quote
from President Spencer W. Kimball said: “God does notice us, and he
watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our
needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.” We can pray for opportunities
of service and to recognize the opportunities to serve those around us.
Nyles playing at Grandma McGrath's house.
I think that's his drool on the wedge.
He's getting his canine teeth in up top right now.
We got him a little chair to sit on. He loves hauling it around the house to sit on.
Steve and Nyles at the Gateway fountains, waiting for me to get off work.
Another park to play on Steve took Nyles to.
We ate at Cafe Rio one night.
Nyles thought it was fun to put his blanket on his head and eat the cup.
Friday, March 14th—we went
over to Dave and Melissa Thomas’ house for dinner. We made little pizzas together and visited
for a while until Nyles was ready for bed.
After getting him home and to bed, Steve's dad Dave and Steve’s friend Rob came over
and we watched the movie “Thor” together.
I made popcorn for everyone and Dave brought some other snacks to share
as well. It was fun!
Nyles playing the sandbox at Grandma McGrath's house
Saturday, March 15th—we watched
Rose’s girls in the afternoon while she went to host a Norwex party in
Bountiful. Nyles woke up from his nap
shortly after they got here, then we headed out to Wheeler Farm. We fed the ducks and looked at the animals. We also played on the playground for a little
while. It was a little windy at times,
but all in all we had good weather. We then
went back to our place and I made some kettle corn and white cheddar popcorn
for a snack and a quesedilla for Sophia who was hungry. We then went out and played bocce for a few
minutes then played in our tennis court a couple games of tag.
Duck!
Ducks and Geese
Nyles, Sophia, Ali, Ava and Summer checking out the cows....moo!
Petting the horses
Nyles and Steve looking at the horses
Nyles, Ali, Sophia, Ava and Summer
Looking out from a treehouse
Going down the slide
Rose came about 5:30pm, and then we hurried
off to LuDean’s house to celebrate Joann’s birthday. Dave had ordered in Olive Garden for us all
(lasagna, breadsticks, and salad). We also
had cake and ice cream also and sang her Happy Birthday. It was a fun day and it was fun spending time
w/ Rose’s girls and seeing Steve's family as well.
Nyles playing the piano at LuDean's house
This past week Steve and I have been busy w/ class. Steve has just over a month left. It seems this semester has really gone
fast. It’s time to sign up for Summer
and Fall classes already. We are hoping
(if all goes as planned) that Steve can start applying for PA school this Fall
or next Spring at the latest.
Playing at another park
Nyles likes to play in the laundry basket. That's my old stuffed dog I had when I was 1 years old. Nyles likes to play w/ it. It still works too! You wind it up and it plays music.
Wednesday, March 19th—It was
free day at the Discovery Gateway Museum, so Steve brought Nyles up and let him
go through it. Steve said Nyles had a
lot of fun, other than of course there was a large amount of other kids there
as well, some of which who were not being supervised very well. It was nice seeing them right when I got off
work though.
Enjoying watching the fountains
Friday, March 21st—after work,
dinner and getting Nyles to bed, Rob came over so we could go to the
temple. We left shortly after 7pm and
made it to the temple w/ plenty of time for the 8pm session (the last one of
the night). When I got in the chapel
they were taking some people to start the session but there were still 5 rows
of people in front of me so I knew they must be busy. Steve came and sat down shortly after and we
still had another 4 rows of people behind us.
I think they must have split the last few sessions in order to accommodate
everyone. The temples sure have been
busy the past few months, which is a good thing! It always amazes me that we have so many
temples in the valley here yet apparently we need them in order to allow
everyone the opportunity to come and serve.
What a great blessing that is! I just
love going to the temple. Every time I go
I feel at peace and a greater amount of love in my heart for Steve in
particular and our families. I know this
Gospel is true!
Nyles feel asleep in the car. He must have been really tired.
He was drooling also, most likely from teething though.
Nyles wanted to help Grandma McGrath fix his sink.
He had to be right up front and hold the tools also.
Saturday, March 22nd—Steve
went fishing up Big Cottonwood Canyon w/ Dave Thomas. I stayed home w/ Nyles and took a quiz for my
class while he was down for a nap. When he
woke up we went and bought him some more sippy cups and a pair of Crocks. He’s growing out of his shoes and one pair
has shoe laces (which are really annoying to keep tying I might add). I ordered a couple other pairs on the web and
some snow boots for this next winter as well.
After lunch Nyles took another nap, and then we went over to the Living
Planet Aquarium in Draper.
This weekend is the Grand Reopening of the aquarium to their new
spot in Draper, which used to be in Sandy. The
new place is a WHOLE lot bigger and they have a lot more things to see. They’re still finishing up a few of the
tanks, but they said by April 20th it should be completed. Dave and Joann bought us an annual pass, so
we’re excited to use it this year (thanks Dave/Joann!). Nyles just loves fish and animals, though it
was a little strange for him to see them in tanks instead of a
pond/stream. He’ll get more used to it
though over time.
The Otter behind Steve and Nyles. It kept swimming back and forth.
Stingrays
Sharks swimming over us.
The tank went over our heads and on both sides where the fish could swim.
Nyles wasn't sure what to think
In the Amazon side. It was really hot/humid in there.
A Toucan bird
A Tortoise
After going through the aquarium we went down to Provo to visit
Rose and Pauline. Rose was down there
earlier having another one of her parties.
We had pizza and then let the kids play. Nyles had a great time playing outside w/ a shovel in the dirt. He threw dirt on his head many times. He definitely needed a bath when we got home. It was fun getting together and seeing everyone. We’re going to try to get together every
month is possible this year.
Nyles putting on a hat Summer made and sitting in Ezra's carseat.
