Merry Christmas 2015!

The past few years we've taken Nyles to Temple Square to look at the lights.  Well since Nyles wasn't feeling the best and it was REALLY cold this year, we decided we'd go look at some lights that we could stay in the car instead.  I looked up this place in Draper (Christensen and Hymas) which had Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music.  You just tuned your car radio to the station and watched the lights go w/ the music.  It was really neat.  Nyles loved it and didn't want to leave.

The house w/ the music playing w/ it.

We then stopped by the Draper park and walked around for just a few minutes since it was really cold.  The lights were pretty though.

Nyles didn't want to take a family picture.

We promised Nyles we'd go see lights at the Temple, so since we were in Draper, we went to the Draper Temple and saw the lights and Nativity scene there.  On the way back we saw another house w/ lots of lights tuned to another radio station.  This one was a little more spiritual.  They had the nativity scene also and in the commentary they offered people to read the Book of Mormon, and had copies on their front porch.  It was really neat.  We had a great evening looking at the lights from inside the car where it was warm :)

The next day, Tuesday, December 22nd, we headed to Idaho for Christmas at my parents.  It started to snow that morning and wasn't expected to stop for the next day.  It was really coming down all the way from here to Ogden.  As we got closer to Idaho it was of course windy and foggy at times.  There were also times in Idaho where only one side of the road was somewhat clear to drive.  It took about an hour longer, but we made it none the less.  We heard they closed the road later that day, so we were glad we left when we did.

Steve and my dad went duck/geese hunting every day we were there.  They were successful at times, and not at other times.  Nyles and I mainly played in the house and visited w/ my mom.  It was pretty cold outside so we couldn't play out there for long.  I took it easy and even took a nap every day when Nyles was napping.  It was nice!  We also went and visited Emily and her new baby girl for a while, and Marla and Margie who came home at the end.  It was nice to see them.

Christmas Day Nyles slept til 7am, so we got some sleep.  He was really excited to open presents to say the least!

Here are some pics:

Opening his new tool set.

Grandpa was a good helper opening the boxes for him ;)

Nyles new blanket that my mom made for him.

New tractors from Grandma/Grandpa and playdoh from Santa.

And his remote control truck.

Putting up an ornament after reading the scripture reference.  Nyles thought this was really fun.  We did it every night we were there.  Thanks Grandma!  Nyles wearing his new John Deere pajamas as well.  He thinks they are the best!

Nyles snuggling in his new blanket :)

It was a little cold outside!

Nyles playing w/ his tools w/ daddy.  

The day after Christmas, another cold day!

Steve and my dad got some geese this time!

Nyles wasn't sure this time if he wanted to go look at them or not.

We had a great Christmas!  Thanks mom and dad for having us!  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  How blessed we are that Christ was born!

December Happenings

The first weekend of December, Steve decided to go up to Idaho to go duck/geese hunting.  He had been talking to a guy in my parents ward, Mark Gasper, who had volunteered to take him.  I took that Friday off so they could go, and decided not to go with them since it was going to be a pretty quick trip up and back.  They left Thursday afternoon.  Carrie asked to take Nyles w/ Lynsie to the Aquarium, so it worked out well.  Carrie then dropped Nyles off shortly after I got home from work.

Nyles and Lynsie playing at the Aquarium

Steve and Zach got up to my parent's place late that night.  They had a little bit of bad weather along the way, but made it just fine.  They left early the next morning and met Mark in Glenns Ferry.  They hunted along the Snake River and had lots of success!  They used Mark's boat to get to an island on the Snake River, then his dogs would help retrieve the birds.  It was very efficient.  They went up the next morning as well w/ my dad and got even more.  Steve and Zach said it was the best hunt they've ever been on!  Here are some pics.

Steve w/ his new warmer waders before going up to Idaho to hunt.

Steve and Dad hunting.

Steve w/ some ducks they shot.

 My dad and Steve after the hunt.

  

Zach, Mark and Steve.

Steve got some tags for shooting certain ducks.  And more ducks!

That Saturday while Steve was hunting, Nyles and I went to our Branch Christmas Brunch.  I didn't have to do much, just bring some premade cinnamon rolls.  We had the Primary practice a few songs to sing as well.  Since we're a pretty small Primary, the nursery kids came up as well.  Nyles thought it was a lot of fun!  He'll be starting Sunbeans in January!  We've had Nyles and the other nursery boy Cooper come into Sharing Time every Sunday this month to start getting used to it.  They've been doing really good actually.  I can't believe Nyles will be in Sunbeans already!

 Our Primary and Nursery kids: 

Michael, Nyles, Michael, Daniel, Reed, Jackson, Cooper, Scott, Jaidyn and Ethan.

While Steve was gone Nyles and I had a good time.  We played w/ playdough, made snowflakes, did some painting, and went to the playground.  We had a lot of fun, but we were glad when Steve made it home.  It's not the same w/out him. ;)

Nyles at Cabela's w/ Steve feeding the fish.

Nyles decorating cookies w/ Grandma McGrath.

And of course eating some...

Nyles pretending to shoot ducks while sitting in his "blind."

Nyles fixing the outlet w/ his drill.  He loves to fix things.

On Saturday, December 12th we went to the Aquarium to see Santa.  We got there just in time and didn't have to wait very long to see him.  Nyles was pretty excited to see him.  He told him he wanted more tools for Christmas.  Carrie and Lynsie met us there too.  We saw Santa then played in the playground for a little while.  They had a lot of fun!

Nyles with Mrs. and Mr. Claus

Lynsie and Nyles

Steve made it out to go duck hunting again, this time by the Great Salt Lake.

Dave Mensen and Rob Daniels w/ Steve.

The following Monday we got DUMPED on with 15 inches of snow.  When we woke up that morning we had over 8 inches at our place, and it kept coming down all day.  Steve dropped me off at the train to go to work, then he headed over to his parents place to see if they needed help shoveling the snow.  The train was late 20 minutes, but we got there just in time for one to show up. The roads were pretty yucky, so everyone else driving took twice as long to get into work.  It was a mess out there!  Luckily I had rescheduled my Dr. appt for the following Monday, mainly so I wouldn't have to worry about being late to work.  I'm glad I did.  My coworker Betsy and I left around 3:30pm as well, so we didn't have to deal w/ the traffic and snow coming home from work.  We're glad we did!  When I got home Nyles and I went outside and played in the snow.  We had over 15 inches at our place before it was done.  Dave and Joann had over 2 feet.  Nyles had a great day playing in the snow!

Nyles at Dave/Joann's place.

Dave working on getting the snow cleared out.

After work Nyles and I went and played in our tennis court area.  It was a little difficult driving his truck in it, but he had to try going over the snow anyway.

Notice the fence is completely covered in snow, and the weight of the snow on the trees.

Well we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  Remember the reason for the season!