Winter Cabin Trip

Last week we went up to the cabin.  Before we left though we had 2 pieces of good news.

First, Thursday night, January 14th we went under contract with our condo!  Someone who had looked at our place one of the first days put in an offer.  She actually offered us full price!  We of course excepted!  It was exactly a week from when we listed that we were under contract.  Ironically we had 2 showings that day, and another request Friday and Saturday, but had to decline them since we were already under contract.  We had our inspection this Thursday the 21st and things passed just fine.  Next is the appraisal, then we'll close around February 18th-20th.  We're still trying to find a house though.

The next exciting news we had was Friday morning, we found out we are expecting another BOY!  He wasn't shy at all; we saw right away that he was a boy.  He made himself known may times during the ultrasound too.  We were all pretty excited to have another boy.  Steve and I both thought he was a boy, but it's always good to officially get confirmation that he was.  Everything looked great and he was growing just perfectly!  After the appointment we went across the street to Zurcher's to get a balloon to announce what we were having.  While Steve and I were getting the "boy" balloon, Nyles found another balloon in the bin next to us, and proceeded to put his mouth on it and tried to blow it up.  So needless to say, we ended up buying both balloons, the second which said "Just Married."  :)

Steve w/ our "I'm a boy" balloon.

Nyles w/ it also, and the "Just Married" balloon.

After getting the balloons, we went up to Dave/Joann's, then proceeded to head up to the cabin together.  We had all our stuff packed before going to the Ultrasound appointment so we were ready to go.  We met Stacie and Phill up in Heber as well.  After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we headed the rest of the way up.  There was a lot more snow this year than last year at this time, so we had to ATV in w/ the tracks from the parking lot (instead of driving half the way in like last year).  

Nyles playing w/ my coat, in between the 2 layers.

Nyles all ready in his snow gear, waiting to go into the cabin.

Nyles driving the car while waiting.

Conor and Nyles sitting on the ATV ready to go.

Icicles coming from the bottom of the deck at the cabin.

Nyles and Conor playing on the mattress at the cabin.

Nyles loves this stuffed fish animal; he loves to play w/ it and took it to bed w/ him every night.

We played in the cabin the rest of the day.  It takes a while to run all our stuff in.  Rob showed up later that night after work as well.  That night we also watched the movie "The Martian."  It was good, better than I thought.

The next day the boys were excited to go out fishing of course.  So, after breakfast they got all the ice fishing gear together and headed out.  We brought the kids out next.  We got a few fish while out there, but the wind picked up, so the kids didn't last too long.

Steve pulling out a fish.  

Rob getting another pole ready, and London and Nyles watching Steve.

Nyles waiting for a fish.

Steve, Rob and Dave getting the poles ready.

London watching Steve get the fish out.

Steve w/ the fish he caught.

Steve, Nyles and Rob.

London and Nyles waiting for a fish to bite.

London anxious for the fish to bite.

Another fish caught!

Since the wind picked up, we ended up not going back out to sled w/ the kids.  The boys of course headed out again anyway to fish though.  Stacie brought some stickers and paper, so we made Valentine's boxes.  It was a lot of fun, and kept their attention at least for a few minutes ;)  Thanks Stacie for bringing some fun activities.

The next day we did some sledding, since we weren't able to the day before.  We also filled the wood pile since we were using a good amount of wood to keep the cabin warm.  The first day was a little cool, but after that luckily the cabin warmed right up and we were able to keep the temperature nice and cozy.

Steve filling the wood box, Phill, Nyles, London and Rob helping.

Conor and Nyles running around the deck.

We tried sledding on the back side closer to Uncle Mike's cabin.  

It worked pretty well until the wind picked up, then the kids got cold.

Steve and Nyles on the ATV.

Rob pulling Stacie and Phill back up the hill.

Dave and Conor pulling up Steve and Nyles.

Stacie enjoying some sledding.

Steve and Nyles coming down now.

Stacie and Conor.

Rob and Steve coming down.  Rob getting snow on his beard.

After coming down the hill, Rob's beard was all covered in snow!

It was pretty funny!

Dave riding w/ Conor and Nyles, pulling Stacie back up.

After the wind picked up, we went back inside for lunch and naps.  Steve laid down w/ Nyles and took a nap, along w/ Phill and Conor.  While they were sleeping London played "Go Fish" w/ Grandma Joann.

That afternoon Carrie and Lynsie showed up as well.  After Conor and Nyles got up from their naps, we frosted graham crackers and put sprinkles and M&Ms on them.  The kids mostly wanted to eat the frosting, but it kept their attention for a little while.  Thanks again Stacie for bringing the supplies :)

After frosting, we went back out to sled some more.  This time we went right by the cabin. Thankfully the wind wasn't blowing as much this time.

Carrie making a snow angel.

Steve taking Conor, Nyles and Lynsie down together.

Carrie and Stacie going.

Steve went many times w/ the 3 little ones.  

They were loving it and didn't want to stop!

Lynsie eating the snow ;)

London coming down, and Phill driving Stacie, Carrie and London back up.

Steve again w/ the 3 year olds.  Conor liked to cover his face while coming down.

 

Carrie and Stacie together now!

Carrie w/ Lynsie and Nyles.

Beautiful sunset!

Rob pulling Steve, Lynsie and Nyles in.

Back in the cabin we played.  Rob was laying on the floor and Conor and Nyles jumped on him.  They thought it was a lot of fun; imagine that!  After the kids went to bed, we played "Cover Your Assets" and "CatchPhrase".  It was a lot of fun as well!  Good times. :)

Monday morning, the guys went out fishing for a while.  Nyles didn't want to go, so while he played, I packed up our stuff and cleaned.  We were all planning to head out after lunch anyway.

Lynsie, Conor and Nyles eating some chips.

Now eating some fruit roll-ups: London, Conor, Nyles and Lynsie.

We were the last ones out since Nyles was having fun playing at the cabin, and I wanted to make sure I could use the bathroom if needs be.  We all had a great time, but of course we were glad to get back and be able to shower (since there was no running water in the cabin).  Until next time....

Steve and Nyles on our last load out, back to vehicles.

Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year!  I can't believe it's 2016.  It has sure come quickly!  I can't believe we're 2 weeks into the New Year already.  Here is what's gone on so far.

First we decided to list our condo!  We figured w/ baby #2 on the way we would like a little more space.  The whole last week of December we were packing up half of our stuff and putting it in Rob's basement, in order to remove some of our clutter.  We just listed last week and have had 2 showings so far.  Here is the listing if you want to look at it.  We are also looking for a house, but no luck so far.  We really like the area we're in so we've been wanting to stay around here if possible.  There are just so many conveniences around this area, plus we love Nyles' preschool and the school district.

Our new shower curtain.

New Year Eve we went to Dave/Joann's for some pizza, then played/visited for a few hours.  We then celebrated the New Year, a little early of course, by counting down and letting Nyles hit on some pots and pans outside (Steve said they used to do that as kids growing up).  Nyles thought it was a lot of fun!

 Nyles bringing in the New Year!

On New Year's Day Steve went fly fishing w/ his dad and Dave Thomas.  The first river they went to was frozen though (Weber), so they drove over to the Provo River instead.  It was really cold, but they still caught a few fish and had a good time.

Frozen Weber River.

Just a little cold outside!

Steve w/ a fish he caught.

 

 Dave giving it a try.

On the 2nd, it was our 7th Anniversary!  Rob came over and watched Nyles while we went out to dinner.  Dave and Joann gave us a gift card to Texas Roadhouse for Christmas, and since Nyles can't be there due to the peanuts, we figured our anniversary would be a good opportunity to go.  It was Saturday night, which we didn't consider since we don't eat out much, so we had to wait an hour to get seated.  Next time we'll definitely call ahead and get reserve seating.  It was a nice to get out and spend some time together though.  It's been a great 7 years so far!  We can't wait for what is to come, and are glad we get to spend Eternity together ;)

Waiting to be seated.

Cookies I made for neighbors for New Years.

I went back to work after the New Year.  Things are going well.  Just taking it one day at a time.  Steve decided to take the semester off.  He's not sure he wants to be a Physician's Assistant anymore.  He's thinking he'd like to go a different route instead.  We're still thinking/praying about it.

Here are some of Nyles' common phrases we hear, which are so cute!
-No, Mom/Dad listen to my words!
-Mom/Dad you are my best friend.
-Oh huggies (hugs), or Me want to give your huggies.
-Me 3.
-Oh, hi Dad/Mom (first thing in the morning when he sees one of us)

Nyles duck hunting w/ Steve.  Steve has been trying to go out a few more times before it's over this weekend.  Nyles thought it was fun to hide under the blanket like a fort he said.

 Nyles and Steve at Denny's.  We went out to eat since our place was being shown.

I'm 18 weeks now w/ this pregnancy.  I've been feeling better for the most part, though still nauseous here and there, but not nearly as bad.  I actually started to feel the baby at 11 weeks!  It's great since I know more what it feels like this time.  I told a coworker the week before Christmas, and didn't tell my boss until last week that I was pregnant.  We announced on Facebook the week of Christmas as well.  We will have our ultrasound this Friday to find out what we're having.  Nyles is pretty excited to have the baby.  He keeps telling people that he is going to be a big brother and that we're having a baby.  He says he's going to share w/ the baby and be really soft.  He even brought me one of his little blankies and said it was for the baby to use so he could be warm.  Nyles likes to put his hand on my belly and will either say, "Oh I feel the baby," or "Why is the baby not moving."  We think he's going to be a big helper when the baby finally does come in June.

The announcement I made and put on Facebook.

This past Saturday we went sledding w/ Pauline, Chris, Charlotte and Ezra.  We went to Mountain View Park (Ft Union Splash Pad), just down the street from us.  Instead of sledding I took some pictures of everyone.  We all had a great time!  After sledding for about an hour, we went over to a the Pizza Pie Cafe and had lunch.  It was a lot of fun.  We'll have to do it again soon!  Here are some pics.

Pauline and Ezra ready to go.

Nyles excited to go.

Now together w/ Charlotte. 

It's a race!

Nyles and Charlotte win!

Steve's turn.  Nyles was so excited!!

Chris and Ezra now.

Pauline and Charlotte.  Charlotte getting a little snow in her face....

Steve working hard to pull Nyles back up the big hill.  

Nyles just enjoying life playing w/ the snow on the way up.

This past Sunday I was asked to talk on "Recognizing Answers to Prayers" by Elder Scott from the October 1989 General Conference.  It was a great talk.  You should watch it and/or read it if you haven't.  Here is a link to both.  It was a great reminder to me to review the many times that the Lord has answered my prayers.  I know the Lord does hear and answers our prayers.  He loves us more than we can comprehend!  

I also taught Sharing Time on Sunday, and taught about searching the scriptures.  It was fun having Nyles in there now.  He started Sunbeams last week and has been doing really well!  There are 2 other boys in his class, both of which are 6 months older than him.  Nyles likes to come over to me and give me a hug and kiss during either Sharing Time or Music Time.  I don't mind of course :)  He's growing up so quickly!  We love him so much!

We're excited for what 2016 has to bring.  I have a feeling we're going to have a few changes, ie new baby, new house, etc, but it's going to be great!  The Lord will guide us.  Happy New Year!