Silver Lake in the Fall

After General Conference on Sunday, October 4th we decided to go up to the canyon.  It was pretty cool when we got up there, but it was still a really pretty view.  We walked around the boardwalk and saw a few ducks.  We brought the wagon as well, which worked out some of the time.

Nyles and I reading a sign.

It started raining right after we got there, and Nyles didn't want to ride in the wagon anymore.

Beautiful scenery. 

Nyles using his "umi-googles" to find the ducks.

 Now showing me where to look for them.

Found some!

After being up by the lake we promised Nyles we could stop at a playground for a few minutes.  Nyles loves climbing and going down slides.

Going up the rock climbing wall.

Now down the slide.

General Conference was great!  The Women's session the weekend before was incredible as well.  Here are a few quotes.  You can go here to read or watch any of the talks.  We are so blessed to have living Prophets today.

Duck Hunting

Well Duck Season has been open for the past 3 weeks, and Steve has taken any opportunity he could find to go out and shoot ducks.  The opening weekend he went up to Strawberry Reservoir w/ Zach and Rob and "camped" in the ATV trainer next to their "spot."  They got up pretty early the next morning and were ready to go when it was shooting light.  They shot 8 the first time and 5 the next time, and missed a few sounds like.  Steve said it was pretty crowded up there since there were both duck hunters and deer hunters.  Overall they had a good time though.

Steve w/ the ducks they shot.

Dave was up at the cabin and had to come check out how they did.

Steve enjoys taking Nyles out w/ him hunting, and Nyles enjoys it too, so we were wanting to find him a nice camo coat.  Ironically while I was at Savers a couple weeks ago, I found a Cabela's duck hunting coat that looked like it had only been worn a few times.  And it was only $15 instead of over $100.  Score!  Even though it's REALLY big, we figured it'll keep him warm and he can grow into it.  Nyles was so excited about his new coat he had to wear it over to Grandma's house to show her.  It's a little more like a dress at the moment, but that's ok.  :)

   

  Steve went and got a new hat.  Nyles wanted to try wearing it also.  

Steve and Nyles at Farmington Bay.  The weather has been so WARM though ducks haven't been flying much.  They've been enjoying getting outside and spending time together though.  Nyles thinks it's fun to ride in the wagon as well.  It's been a great investment said Steve.  Not only to carry Nyles but all their gear too.

Nyles helping Steve call the ducks.

 Zach and his dog Jesse out w/ Steve and Nyles as well (Farmington Bay).  

 

   Beautiful scenery though.

This past weekend it was actually raining so Steve thought the ducks would be flying but they didn't really.  Steve said there was a lot of people out hunting as well, so everyone was shooting at any duck that would dare fly too.  Again, even w/ the rain, Nyles and him had a good time.

Nyles getting ready w/ his gun to shoot.

Nyles was helping Steve w/ their jerk rig, while eating a sucker :)  

The coat at least covers him and keeps him dry.  Good times!

Fall is Here!

Fall is here, and Steve is counting down the days until Duck Season opens.  It opens this coming Saturday, October 3rd, in case any of you are wondering.  Zach Hannay and him have been planning what they're going to do for the past few months, and now they have Rob Daniels talked into joining them.  They've gone out several times to practice shooting, and have scouted out their "spot."  Thankfully Steve is slowly starting to feel better this week from being in the hospital.  He definitely does NOT want to miss the opening day of Duck Season.

Rob, Steve and Nyles cleaning their guns.  Steve is trying to teach Nyles proper and safe handling of guns.  Nyles is only allowed to touch Steve's gun when Steve is with him.

Steve at the shooting range.  Steve took Nyles as well.  The employees were excited to see Nyles w/ him to learn hunting safety.  They even gave him free safety goggles to wear.

Steve and Zach drove up to Strawberry to check out their spot.  

Nyles wanted to take a quick break for a chocolate pudding.

 Nyles scooping up leaves w/ his loader and putting them into his dump truck.  Nyles and I played this while Steve was in the hospital this past week.

Nyles wanted to try on the "bones" PJs from Conor.  It was his Halloween Costume last year.  

Nyles LOVES Nutella.  Trying to get the last scoop out.

Playing w/ a box.  Making it a track for his trains.

Nyles waiting for Grandpa McGrath to come back from work, using binoculars to find him ;)

 

This past Saturday, Steve took Nyles up to the cabin.  He went to go fishing, look at their duck spot again, and to let me study.  I have signed up to take the CFP Test in November, so I'm going to need to study every second I can.  Thankfully I got a good study session in yesterday while they were gone.  Thanks Steve!  :)

Stacie and Phil went up the night before, and Dave and Joann just left that morning also.  It was a beautiful day!  They decided to take the boat out fishing first thing.  Though they didn't reel a fish into the boat, they still caught a few on the lines, and of course had a great time being on the lake.

Before they went out on the boat Stacie took Nyles and Conor for an ATV ride.  

The boys LOVED it!  Thanks Stacie ;)

Conor and Nyles looking over the boat at the water.

Nyles helping Stacie drive the boat.

Joann, Conor, Nyles, Phil, London, Stacie and Dave on the boat. 

Nyles checking the boat out.

After fishing they came back to the cabin for a minute, then Steve headed home.  As soon as he left Nyles fell right asleep.  Steve stopped at his duck spot to take a look one more time before the BIG day.  Nyles didn't even move an inch!  He slept the whole way home.  I think it's safe to say he was a little tired. :)

Well October starts this week.  Aside from Duck Season starting, we're looking forward to listening to General Conference this weekend.  It's always a joy to listen to the prophet's voice.  We are so blessed and thankful to have a living Prophet today, even President Thomas S. Monson!  We hope you all get a chance to listen as well.  Love ya!