Wednesday, December 21, 2016

November Happenings

Well we are getting close to the end of the year, and I haven't caught up on what happened in November.  We had a pretty busy month, but we had a lot of fun as well.  Here are some highlights.

Nyles playing w/ some marbles.

Dave Thomas w/ his daughter Piper and son Calvin playing at our house.  His wife Melissa was at a training for work, so Dave had the kids and thought it would be fun to let the kids play together.  Nyles always enjoys having friends over.

Nyles and Calvin playing downstairs.

Nyles showing Carter how to play w/ his toys :)
Nyles w/ his new camo winter boots.
   

Steve and Cameron getting sung Happy Birthday at our monthly family dinner.
I made the s'mores cupcakes.  Nyles of course helping blow out the candles.

Nyles "helping" rake up the leaves at Dave/Joann's place.

Carter still trying to decide if he likes rice cereal.  He actually does now! :)

 Nyles and Carter enjoying some time w/ Grandpa McGrath.  
We had them over for dinner which is always fun. 

Nyles won this blow up snowman at Home Depot by spinning a wheel.  It was one of the more expensive prizes, and let's just say the employees were really surprised when he actually landed on it.  He's one lucky kid that's for sure!  He was so excited to get it.
    

The snowman outside w/ our Christmas Lights.  We actually put our lights up before Halloween since the weather was so nice and we had a ladder that Steve borrowed to put up LuDean's lights.  We didn't turn them on until closer to Thanksgiving though.  Everyone in our circle put up their lights by Thanksgiving as well.  It's fun to decorate a little more w/ our house.

Cute Carter eating his toes, which he does regularly, and playing w/ Steve's duck calls.

We got snow the night of November 16th.  Steve of course figured it was a great opportunity to go duck hunting.  So he left early the next morning w/ Zach, while I got ready for work and then Joann came over to sit w/ the boys after I left.  Carter has cute "duck fuzz" coming in now for hair ;)
 

More snow the next morning as I was going in to work on the train/trax.

The ducks Steve and Zach got.  Zach's dog Jesse.

 Zach and Jesse making their way out into the marsh.  Steve showing off their kill.

Steve out hunting another time w/ Rob that Saturday.

Rob on the kick boat.

Carter, Nyles and I at home cleaning and having fun while Steve is duck hunting.

Carter biting his binky.  He sure acts likes he's teething, but no teeth yet thankfully.

Nyles and I put together this cute Thanksgiving Turkey that Joann gave us.

Carter just eating his book.  That's one way to use a book :)

More fingers, toes and now socks in his mouth.

Carter loves to get Nyles.

On Tuesday, November 29th, Steve's birthday, we got a little more snow as well.  I was able to get off work early to get home and help cook dinner.  Steve had invited his parents, Rob, Zach and our neighbors Ron and Becky over for dinner.  Ironically both Rob and Zach got sick so they couldn't make it.  Steve wanted ribs for dinner, so he went to Costco and got some.  Steve grilled them and let them cook in the Crockpots that afternoon, then grilled them again when they were done.  They turned out soooo yummy!  He also grilled some yummy chicken as well.  The meal was fantastic as was the company.  It was a fun evening!

Our snowman w/ more snow.  We put up our Christmas tree as well.

Nyles helping Steve blow the candles out and open presents.

Nyles thought it was funny to blow this.  Luckily it didn't make noise.


Our neighbors Ron and Becky.

Nyles sitting on the bed w/ Steve but looking like he has some really big feet.
Carter starting to get a hang of the rice cereal.

Steve and I have been busy teaching our Primary Class, kids age 7 going on 8.  We officially got called in October.  I probably have been enjoying it a little more than Steve, but I think it's growing on him.  We have 6 kids who we teach, 5 girls and 1 boy.  They are a fun class, but like many kids have a little too much energy for Sunday School at times.  As we've prepared and taught the lessons, we have then been able to use the lessons for our FHE w/ Nyles, on a simplified version.  Nyles has really enjoyed our "lessons" and especially likes if we have games to go w/ it.  It's been fun learning to teach, especially kids, as it applies being parents right now.  We also had tithing settlement one Sunday afternoon, and the following Sunday we met to get our temple recommends renewed.

I've been busy w/ work.  We had a campaign that went for 6 weeks from October to mid-November.  I've been working hard to stay on top, and thankfully I was able to do well during the campaign.  I got a few perk points from it too.  I took a couple days off around Thanksgiving (my first days off since going back to work from Maternity Leave), and then I've got time off now for Christmas.  Again I was able to push myself and try to stay ahead so I can take the time off.  Since I had so much time off for Maternity Leave (4 months paid), I still have vacation time, so I'll still be able to roll over 4 days into 2017, which is awesome!  Yeah for paid vacations!  I hope you're all enjoying the Holidays as well. ;)



Deer Hunts

On Saturday, November 5th, Steve got up around 3:30 am to go deer hunting, then got Nyles up to go w/ him.  Rob Daniels also met at our place, and then they went up to Dave's house where they all got into the Tahoe together.  Ethan Lake (Melanie's son) stayed that night at Dave's house and rode up w/ them too.  They left so early in order to get up to the property (on the Idaho/Utah border about 3 hours away) at sunrise, since that was when they were most likely to see the deer.  Sure enough, as they got there they were able to spot the deer and shoot their two.  Rob and Steve had the tags, but Steve decided to give his to his former mission companion Eric Seamons.  Eric lives in Logan right now going to school at Utah State.  His family really enjoys deer meat, plus Rob said he would split his deer w/ Steve anyway.  It took them a while to drag the deer, then skin and gut it, but they finally got done and headed home.  They had a great time, but as you can imagine everyone was super tired on the way home and fell asleep, except Steve and Dave who took turns driving.

Nyles helping Dave down the hillside.  He told Dave he could hold his hand so he wouldn't fall (since Dave's knee is still a little sore from surgery back in July).

Rob w/ his deer.

Steve w/ his deer.

Nyles and Rob taking a break.

Rob and Ethan.

Steve and Ethan w/ the deer.

Steve and Rob skinning the deer.
 

On their way home, Rob, Ethan, and Nyles asleep.

Carter at home w/ me just being cute ;)

The deer tags were from a guy who my dad does business with ie farming, Paul Firth.  This is the third year in a row they've gone, though this year my dad decided not to go.  After hearing how successful they were, and still having more deer he wanted off his property, Paul let Steve know he could get him more tags if he wanted.  Of course he jumped on the opportunity.  So the next Saturday, November 12th, they went up again. This time Zach Hannay was able to go, and Eric Seamons came to shoot another deer in his name.  Again they left super early (an hour earlier than last time since we had daylight savings), in order to get there by sunrise.  Luckily they were able to get their two deer again in pretty good time.  Isaac McGrath (Jeff's son) came this time as well.  They had a great time like usual.  Nyles stayed home w/ Carter and I since he wasn't feeling too well and it was really early, so we wanted him to get his rest and get better.  Zach and Eric were the ones shooting this time, so Nyles didn't mind after he learned Steve wasn't shooting.  The three of us had a good day together as well at home.

Eric dragging his deer, followed by Zach and Isaac.

Zach and Eric scouting the deer.  Eric skinning his deer.

Nyles helping me grind some wheat while Steve was gone.  Carter just playing ;)