January 2017

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you've all been having a great New Year so far!  We're pretty excited for the New Year and what lies in store for us.  We've had a good start so far.  Here are some highlights from January.

Carter enjoying time w/ Great Grandma LuDean McGrath at our monthly family dinner/get together.

Carter on the left and cousin Noah on the right at about the same age (Melanie and Brandon's son).  Aunt Diane pointed out the similarities.  Cute boys ;)

Cute Carter enjoying his teething toy from Grandparent's at Christmas.
Good call because he also actually got his first tooth in January, on the bottom.  It's so cute!

On Monday, January 2nd, we celebrated our 8th Anniversary.  It was the observed New Year's Day Holiday, so I had it off already, which was awesome.  We decided to eat lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.  It was our first time going there together.  I bought a gift card with 2 free slices of cheesecake around Christmas time, so we figured it would be the perfect opportunity to use it.  We haven't been out to eat by ourselves in a LONG time, so it was a nice change.  Later that afternoon, we went over to Pauline's house for dinner.  It started to slow pretty badly though, so we couldn't stay very long.  We had a great time though while we were there. 

Joann holding Carter and Dave w/ Nyles.  Watching the boys so Steve and I could go out for lunch on our anniversary.  Thanks again!

We forgot to take a picture at the restaurant, so we took one at Pauline's house.

Earlier in the day Steve shoveling off the sidewalk and Nyles playing on the snow mound.

Nyles going to the dentist.  No cavities yeah!  None of us had cavities, wahoo!

     

We had some pretty cold temperatures in January as well.  I took this snapshot to prove it! :)  Carter playing w/ a balloon Nyles got at the dentist.

Cute baby Carter w/ Steve and the balloon.

Carter and Nyles playing.  Carter loves Nyles so much!  He lights up every time Nyles walks in the room or he hears him.

Nyles likes to help out w/ Carter.  Carter being so cute!

And Nyles feeding Carter again.  Carter chewing on a toy tape measure ;)

Nyles thinks it's funny to dunk his head in the bubble bath.  Silly boy :)

Steve and Nyles playing the "Headbandz" game.  We have found it's a little easier if we describe the word to each other instead of having them ask us yes/no questions.  Makes it a little more fun also since we can describe things they would know.

Dave and Joann gave us an annual pass to the Living Aquarium again this year for Christmas.  We didn't get it last year since we weren't sure where we were moving.  Then once we did move, we were busy w/ renovating the house and getting ready for baby Carter.  This time we have the ability to take 2 guests with us too.  It's been fun to take family and friends with us.  They've added some more exhibits to see since last year too, so it's been fun to see all the new animals.  Plus we are literally just a couple blocks away from the Aquarium as well, which is awesome and makes it very convenient.  We just go down 12300 South, under the freeway, and we're there.  It takes maybe a total of 7 minutes!  Thanks for the pass Dave and Joann!

Pauline, Ezra, Charlotte and Nyles going across the rope bridge.  

Nyles taking a break and eating a snack on the go (on Steve).

 

Pauline holding cute baby Carter!

Nyles helping Carter ;)

A different time at the Aquarium where Steve took the boys.  

A kind of leopard that you find in Asia was actually pretty active.

 

Steve has also met up w/ Stacie and Conor a few times during the week and gone to the Aquarium.  They always have a good time together as well.

Nyles and Conor checking the fish out.

Stacie helping Conor and Nyles.

Cute Carter just smiling away!  Such a happy baby!

Checking out the fish now.

Conor and Nyles in the shark bite!

Now touching the Sting Rays.

Stacie going w/ Nyles and Conor across the rope bridge.

Stacie holding baby Carter.

Nyles wearing Steve's old vest.  He thinks it's so fun to wear.

Nyles building a "fire" w/ cardboard, w/ his swim goggles on of course.

We met Dave and Melissa Thomas one Friday night after work and went to the Aquarium.  Since both of their kids are under 3, they all got in free!  Afterwards we went back to our place and hung out a little while.

Piper and Carter-only 2 months apart.  

Piper was born in April and Carter in June.

Dave holding Calvin and Steve holding Nyles, petting some Sting Rays.

Nyles loving the fish!

More snow!

Nyles standing next to the snow after we opened our gate.  Happy shoveling!

We went over to Dave and Joann's house to help them move their stuff back upstairs after their renovations were done.  It kept snowing most of the day.   The news said we haven't had this amount of snow in Utah for 4 years.  And the way it's going all but 2 or 3 lakes in Utah will be at max capacity this Summer.  It's a good thing because last year Strawberry Reservoir was so bare.  The docks were barely in the water.

Nyles playing on the snow mound.   

The chairs are at their house.  Look at that snow! 

Cute Carter playing in the bathtub.  He loves to kick and splash while taking a bath.  Carter has learned how to feed himself and he's getting really good at it. ;)

We went over to Pauline's again on a Sunday night and had dinner and played games.  This time it didn't snow so we got to stay longer.  Charlotte and Ezra playing Peek-a-book w/ Carter.

Steve built a table for our saw.  Good work honey!

Steve taking a selfie w/ Carter to check what he was doing.

Steve took down the Christmas lights, which made me so happy!

I am definitely looking forward to Spring!

Me waiting for the train in the COLD!

 

Rob stopped by one evening and ended up feeding Carter while Steve did dishes before I got home from work.  Ironically Carter ate really well.  We think he was so mesmerized by who was feeding him he couldn't stop eating. ;)

Cute Carter chewing on everything in sight.

Nyles got the chills one day, so he wrapped up in several blankets to stay warm.

Trying to stay warm while doing his learning.

I'm reading to Nyles in the Old Testament Children's manual.  We read a story/section before bed every night.  Then Nyles likes to comb my hair for a few minutes.  Silly kid!  We have to give him credit though, he's so creative at finding ways to stay up at night.  We sure do love him though!

Gratitude, Happiness, Optimism and Positivity

Happy New Year!!!  I hope everyone has enjoyed the first month of 2017.  For 2017 we have set some new goals again, and some continuing on from the previous year.  One of our new goals is to be more grateful, optimistic and positive.  Instead of complaining we want to compliment one another and those around us.  

I was given the book "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor at work just before Christmas.  The managers in my department were given it the year before and keep referencing how great it was and how much of an impact it has been on their life.  Many have said it has literally changed their life.  Of the books we could choose from as a gift, I chose "The Happiness Advantage" since it had such great reviews.  I figured why not?  I started reading it after Christmas break and really enjoyed it.  It has made a great impact on my life as well.

The author of the book studied happiness for decades, and has come to the conclusion that we have our thinking backwards in society.  Most of hear and think, for instance, that we have to be successful in order to be happy, but the opposite is actually true.  When we are happy, we are more successful in that our intelligence rises, our creativity rises, and our energy levels rise.  Click here to watch the clip.

This year in Relief Society and Priesthood we are also studying the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley (though Steve and I are in Primary, I have still been reading the manual).  When I think of President Hinckley I think of his positive attitude and optimistic viewpoint.  Chapter 3 in the Teachings of the President Manual is titled "Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and Spirit of Optimism."  I love this chapter.  "Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. ‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’”⁷

As a family we decided that we are going to list what we are grateful for every day for 2017.  So just before dinner we each say something we are thankful for that day, write it down, then put it in a jar.  Then at the beginning of the next month we go back and read them again.  I want to keep track for them in our blog as well to remember.  Here is what we were each thankful for in January.

	Steve	Penny	Nyles
1/10/17	No cavities for Steve or Nyles
1/11/17	We have medicine (cold).	Didn't have to make dinner (Cafe Rio).	We got new rocks for Guppy (the fish).
1/12/17	Family	Seat heaters, when it's cold outside and snowy.	Yummy pears.
1/13/17	In-laws and apple pie.	Friends and neighbors.	Carter took a good long nap.
1/14/17	Cars.	Steve is home after hunting in Idaho for 2 1/2 days.	Glad we found his spy glass piece and put it back together.
1/15/17	Our primary lesson went well.	Visiting teaching opportunities; strengthens our testimony.	To go to church and learn about Jesus.
1/16/17	His hunting gear; glad he has it.	Carter pooped, pears are working on him. Yummy fresh pears!	The vest Steve gave him (Steve's old one from high school).
1/17/17	The sun was shinning today.	The train so I don't have to drive in traffice and bad weather.	His warm vest from Steve.
1/18/17	Normal healthy boys.	Carter is pooping again.	Went to aquarium, going across rope bridge.
1/19/17	Convenience of stores.	Got 100% CEI in Decemer, and was MIP for the month.	Steve is a real cop (Nyles pretend school).
1/20/17	It's Friday.	Got off work early, went to aqarium w/ Thomas', thankful 4 friends, flexibility at work.	He has 2 cop trucks.
1/21/17	Thankful for snow.	Our all-wheel drive vehicle to drive safely.	Got to play w/ Conor at grandma's; play in the snow.
1/22/17	No smog today; breathing better.	Steve helped w/ the kids and food preparation.	Lego ATV.
1/23/17	We don't have to put medicine in Nyles' nose anymore	Amazon delivers to us so we don't have to go to the store.	He likes My Little Ponies (says he is one).
1/24/17	New space heater for ice fishing.	Didn't die/crash when car was sliding on ice going to the train station this morning.	Steve played Legos w/ him.
1/25/17	The chiropractor.	My cute boys I get to come home to everyday, all 3 of them.	Worked on sherrif station w/ Legos.
1/26/17	Day went well w/ only 1 hour of TV.	Great hospitals around if we every need them.	Played in the ice shanty today.
1/27/17	Penny came home a little early from work.	Steve made dinner tonight.	Got to play w/ Conor at grandma's.
1/28/17	Space heater and going fishing, it was fun, had success.	Thankful for temples so close and covenants we make there.	Caught a lot of fish ice fishing w/ Steve and Zach.
1/29/17	The Sacrament.	Got to sleep in and for family close by.	Play w/ Ezra and got sherrif stop done.
1/30/17	Aquarium; clean air.	Steve took down the Christmas lights and put them away.	New friend at the Aquarium-Rob's nephew (Kaiden)
1/31/17	Corn from the farm.	The sun was shinning downtown; looked like spring though it was 20 degrees outside.	Found toy keys.

I encourage you all to watch the video and read the book if you can.  Try one of proven ways we can improve our moods and raid our levels of happiness throughout the day.  As the author say, "Each activity listed below not only gives us a quick boost of positive emotions, improving our performance and focus in the moment; but if performed habitually over time, each has been shown to help permanently raise our happiness baseline."  Sounds like a win to me!  Here they are:

• Meditate.

• Find something to look forward to.

• Commit conscious acts of kindness.

• Infuse positivity into your surroundings.

• Exercise.

• Spend Money (but not on stuff, on experiences).

• Exercise a signature strength.

"Man is that he might have joy [2 Nephi 2:25]. Be happy!  Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies.  The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride; and really, isn’t it a wonderful ride?  Enjoy it!  Laugh about it!  Sing about it! In all of living have much of fun and laughter.  Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured," President Hinckley."

Last few days of December 2016

I had the last week of the year off as well.  We had a great time together as a family, just hanging out and enjoying our time together.  Here are some highlights.

Nyles using his new medical bag equipment to give Steve a shot.

Now taking his temperature.

Another day giving him a shot and checking his blood pressure.

For our anniversary this year, we decided to divide up our "celebrations" into 2 parts, since Carter is still pretty young, and it would be hard to leave him for a long period of time, let alone over night.  First we wanted to go to the temple, and second we wanted to go eat out.  We asked Rose to come and sit with the boys so we could go to the temple together.  We put them both down for naps, then left.  It's been a while since we've been able to go to the temple together, so it was really nice.  We enjoy being in the House of the Lord, and especially together.  Ironically Nyles slept more than Carter, but Rose said they were both good for her.  We went out to lunch on our actual anniversary, January 2nd.

Steve and I outside the Draper Temple after doing a session together, to celebrate our anniversary.

Carter playing w/ Steve.

Carter enjoying his corn teething toy.

Nyles and his monkey George ready for the chiropractor.

Steve went up to Idaho to hunt geese and ducks (December 29-30), so the boys and I hung out.  We had a great time together just playing.  I also got on an organization kick, and organized a lot of stuff.  Since I was pregnant when we moved in, I didn't get everything done that I wanted.  So, I've gradually been finishing up moving things around and organizing them.  It great having the space and knowing where everything is finally!

Nyles and Carter playing together.

 Carter eating his duck and reindeer rag ;)  

We love his "duck fuzz" hair, so cute!

 

Nyles and I played a lot of games together.  

He likes this one, except when it pops up, it scares him a little.

We played "Finding Dory Dominoes" many, many times!  It's a fun game!

Here are some pics of Steve and Zach's Idaho trip to hunt geese/ducks.  They left Thursday morning at 2am, and got home Friday night at midnight.  They had 2 LONG days, but they had a ton of fun and had success.  The first day they drove straight up to Ben Anderson's field (my cousin Emily's husband) in Wendell.  No one ended up hunting w/ them that morning, but they were still able to get 2 geese on their own.  That afternoon my dad, Ben, and Uncle Mark joined them.  They got one more goose.  They then went over to my parents place for dinner and to get some sleep.

Friday they went and met up w/ Mark Gasper (in my parent's ward), who helped them limit out on geese.  Mark definitely does his homework and knows how to get the birds to come in.  They always have success w/ him.  They got some ducks that afternoon (Zach got a banded pintail from North Canada), then went back to my parent's place for dinner, then packed up and drove home.

Zach set up and ready for action!

Steve showing off his goose he and Zach got. 

Zach w/ the geese.  Steve set up in the corn field the 2nd day.

 Steve, Mark Gasper, and Zach w/ their kill.

Steve also took Nyles sledding on a hill close by.  Instead of walking up and down the hill, Steve tied a rope to the toboggan, then pulled him back up, so they didn't have to keep hiking the hill.  Pretty smart if you ask me.  I was home w/ Carter napping, so this way was a little safer too.  Nyles had a blast of course!

Here's a video of it.

Steve and Rob also worked on Diane's Salon flooring.  The toilet was leaking and ruined the floor underneath, so they had to redo the floor and replace the ring on the toilet.  They do great work.

The toilet spot, and floor underneath that was ruined.

Another layer of flooring under that.

Rob working on putting in the new floor.

Getting closer.

Almost done.

Done and the bathroom put back together.

For New Year's Eve we went over to visit Aunt Diane and LuDean since we didn't get to go visit for Christmas Eve.  We brought over Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner, then played games for a while.  We had an awesome time!  Thanks Diane and LuDean; love ya!

Nyles and Diane w/ their "Headbands" cards.  

You try to guess what's on your head by asking questions about it.

Steve holding Carter while playing.  Nyles eating a sucker w/ teeth on it.  Silly kid ;)  We did a quick countdown w/ Nyles then headed home to put them to bed.  It was a lot of fun!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!