Cabin Trip and Silver Lake

Thursday, June 26th Stacie called up Steve and asked if we wanted to go up to the cabin w/ her and her kids (Phil was going to be gone taking pictures over the weekend).  We had some things already planned, but decided to work around them.  I made Autumn Soup, cornbread and brownies that night so it would be ready the next day for the Thomas' who just had a baby.  I had volunteered to make them a meal that Friday.  Since we were going to be leaving right after work Friday, I made it before hand and had Steve take it over to them that afternoon so they could warm it up when they wanted.  After I got home we packed up, grabbed a bite to eat, then left.  Stacie got their first, then Dave who went up right after work.  We got there at about 8pm, then Joann and Chandler showed up shortly thereafter.  Rob came a little later.

The next morning the guys went out fishing pretty early around 6am.  They wanted to get a good head start.  Unfortunately it was really foggy and they couldn't see much but they still caught some.  Stacie and I came out w/ the kids around 10:30 am or so.  We fished for a while, then came back in for some lunch.  The weather was beautiful and the water was surprisingly calm while we were out there.  It was wonderful!

Nyles getting down after helping Grandpa drive the boat

London, Chandler, Conor and Grandpa

Steve getting a fish w/ Conor and London

Nyles waiting for Grandpa to put the boat away

Singing Happy Birthday to Rob.  

I made him and Pineapple Peach Cobbler to celebrate.

Rob was nice enough to come up on his birthday to help cut wood for the cabin.  Steve went up the Tuesday before w/ Zach and bought 4 cords of wood then went and cut 1 cord worth.  I was in the top 10% at work in our last campaign so to reward us they gave us tickets to the SLC Bee's Game.  Instead of going I came home, which allowed Steve to go cut the wood.  The office is only open during the week (in Heber), so we were worried we wouldn't get another chance to go.  Carrie was nice enough to watch Nyles at Joann's place until I got off work.  Rob, Dave, Steve and Chandler then went and cut another cord of wood after lunch on Saturday.  This time went a lot quicker/easier since Steve knew right where to go and how to get it done.  Rob left a little while later in order to make it home for his family's party for his birthday.

The wood they chopped

Unloading the wood

Nyles and Conor enjoying Connect 4

Nyles loved playing on London's bike out on the deck.

Looking at Chandler below shooting the BB Gun.

Playing w/ Conor's truck w/ London on her bike.

Conor and Nyles playing in the tub together.

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Steve and I enjoying the beautiful sunset

Nyles and Conor out on the deck.  

Conor wasn't too happy since Nyles accidentally hit him w/ his truck.

 Reading a story to Nyles and Conor

Stacie left shortly after I read to them.  She wanted to leave at about bed time, hoping that they'd fall asleep on the way home.  They were going to a farewell the next morning so she wanted to make sure she was there in time.  Carrie came w/ Lynsie shortly after as well.  I put Nyles to bed as well.  Steve, Dave, Chandler and Dave's brother Mike went out fishing again that night as well.  I worked on my Primary Sharing Time lesson while they were gone.  The next morning Nyles got up at 7 and we packed up and headed out, in order to be home in time so I could teach Sharing Time.  Thankfully it went well.  The biggest challenge was teaching and trying to make sure they were still reverent.  They all were so wiggly.  I guess that's pretty normal for young kids. ;)

After Nyles got up from his nap that afternoon, he kept saying he wanted to go outside, but it was 90 degrees outside.  I then decided that we should go up to Silver Lake since it's cooler up there.  Thankfully it was about 15 degrees cooler, so it was perfect.  We walked around the boardwalk and enjoyed the beautiful nature around us.  Nyles especially loved looking at the ducks and fish in the water, and of course just being outside.

Looking for ducks

Nyles thought it was fun to fun on the boardwalk

 He also thought it was fun to run on the big rock

After walking around Silver Lake, since we were right there, I asked if we could go up to Guardsman's Pass, where we got engaged.  Surprisingly we haven't been back up, which was almost 6 years ago (October 3, 2008).  It was beautiful as always.  I just had to take more pics again.

It was a fantastic weekend!  It's always nice to get out and enjoy nature.  We are so blessed to have such beautiful places around us to enjoy.

Father's Day Get Together

On Father's Day, Sunday, June 15th, we got together w/ Steve's family for dinner.  We had a nice BBQ and the kids especially loved being outside.  Steve pulled the kids around in the wagon pretty much the whole time.  They thought it was so fun.  The weather was beautiful and it was nice to be outside enjoying it w/ family.

A simple card I made Steve

And a photo book for Steve telling him how much we love him

Steve taking Cameron and Alexa for a ride, Nyles enjoying the lift also

Lynsie and Nyles

Cameron and Nyles in the wagon 

London and Nyles

The rest of the crowd enjoying S'mores

Nyles eating a S'more

The following Sunday, the 22nd, we went out to Rose's to have dinner.  I brought sugar cookies to make mini fruit pizzas w/ cool whip and fruit.  We made them into flags since the 4th of July was coming up.

Ava, Ali, Charlotte, Summer, and Sophia w/ their pizzas

Nyles joining in on the fun w/ his cousins

Pauline feeding Ezra

Both times it was great to see family and enjoy each other's company.  It was also good to catch up a little w/ one another.  I'm glad we live so close to family and can spend time w/ them.  We are so blessed.  I'm thankful for my wonderful father who has taught me many incredible things and helped me develop great qualities, including a strong testimony of the Gospel.  I'm thankful for my fantastic husband who does so much for me and Nyles.  I can't imagine life w/out him; I love his so much.  I'm also blessed to have such an amazing father-in-law who always puts his family first.   I'm so thankful for the amazing men in my life.  Happy Father's Day to all, love ya lots! ;)

June Update

I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of June.  This month has gone soooo fast!  It's been a busy yet good one.  Here is a quick update on what we've been up to.

Penny:

• Got a new calling at church.  I'm now the 2nd counselor in Primary.  It's definitely been a change from being over the entire Relief Society to then teaching Relief Society once a month, to now being over the Primary.  As the 2nd counselor I'm over the nursery, which is nice since Nyles is in there.  We have a rather small Primary, only about 10 kids and maybe 6 or so in Nursery.  Though I was really enjoying teaching Relief Society every month, it's also really fun to learn new ways to teach kids.  I'm sure this will be helpful in being able to teach our own kids.
• Still enjoying her new job, though it's really busy.  I'm still on-boarding new clients into my "book of business" so it's been really busy.  I think it'll be this busy for at least another month or so, but should start to slow down a little after that. I've been having to stay late and go in a little early, but it's still going to be worth it in the end.  
• Just finished her third CFP course on investing.  It was a tough one and this next one on taxes will be even tougher.  It's a little tough to stay motivated during the Summer but it's good information and I'm learning a lot.  The next course starts July 10th, right before we have vacations the next two weeks.  I least I'll be able to study while we are driving.
• Looking forward to our family vacations this month, Bear Lake and Idaho.
• Enjoys spending time w/ Steve and Nyles and family.

Nyles and I playing at the play ground. 

Steve:

• Doing well in his class.  I'm sure he will be excited to have it done and one step closing to being able to apply for PA school
• Being a great friend.  He's been helping Rob Daniels w/ his renovations on his house in Sandy.  He also went to support Zach Hannay graduating from fire academy.  

Stacie was kind enough to watch Nyles for him so he could go.

Nyles liked trying Conor's binky.

• Doing a great job of taking care of Nyles every day.  They have a lot of fun adventures every day.  It's nice he can get together w/ his sisters every so often to let the kids play as well.

Playing w/ London and Conor in a boat, Stacie supervising

Nyles playing under the rug at Grandma McGrath's house

It's kindof like a tunnel, right?

Playing w/ blocks while sitting in the laundry soap bucket.  Silly kid.

Saying hi to mom at work.  My cute boys ;)

• Playing in the pool w/ cousins Conor and Lynsie.  They thought it was so fun to play w/ the duck decoys in the water.  Nyles brought his one then they all wanted to play w/ them so Steve got his bag full so they could all play.

 

Warming up in the sun, though still eating a Popsicle 

• At the Zoo w/ Carrie and Lynsie.  Nyles loved the train ride especially.

Looking at the lions

Cute boy, sitting on the Eagle's nest

Nyles:

• Is such a joy to have in our lives.  He's growing and learning every day.  He continues to amaze us in what he says and does.  He can definitely bring a smile to our faces.

 Some days you just want to cuddle w/ your stuffed animals and a fluffy blanket.

Nyles loving Sunbutter.  It's a GREAT alternative to Peanut Butter, yeah!

Just enjoying a sucker

Steve and Nyles watching the fountains at Gateway where I work, waiting for me to get off work.  Nyles loved watching the water.

 Nyles likes to wear his hat and sunglasses like dad, so cute ;)

He loves Popsicles and swimming.