Rest of May

May was fun.  We started out the month with our family dinner that Sunday.  We were in charge and did a "Cinco de Mayo" theme, since it was close to May 5th.  We had tacos and the works.  We held it in our backyard/patio.  Melanie/Brandon let us borrow some of their tables/chairs.  We all fit, so that way good.  The kids thought it was fun to hunt for snails and bugs all over our yard, who knew?  We also had some lawn games to play.  It was good to get together as family again.

Fiesta time!  Ole! 

The food is ready to go and so is Carter!  Ole!

 

The kids playing lawn games.

Cute Carter w/ Steve, just sitting in the swimming pool in the front yard.

 

Cute Carter (on the hammock at Lake's house), and Nyles wrapping up Carter for fun. :)

Nyles and Steve shooting Nerf guns at the target Steve made.  Carter just watching them.

SLC Temple.  I went and did initiatories after work one day.  So nice it's close.  Cute Carter.

 

Yuck, Nyles w/ a couple of the many snails we have in our yard.

At the park: Carter just chewing on a fruit snack, and Nyles playing on the playground.

He loves riding his bike at the Draper Park.

Carter playing w/ a slinky and eating a Cheeto for the first time.  He may be hooked now!

Nyles w/ his funny face at Costco eating pizza.

Nyles, Carter, and Steve at the Aquarium.

Nyles being silly again.

Nyles showing Carter how to operate the Submarine.

We got another nail in our tire somehow.  Luckily Big O' Tire is close to us.

And Steve out bow fishing w/ Zach at Utah Lake.

Carter playing in the pool w/ the balls.  

Nyles having a s'more at Melanie's house for Memorial Day.

Lynsie came over to play one day.

Calvin Thomas and Nyles playing at the park.

Steve went up for a few hours to fish at Strawberry w/ his dad and friend Duane Bates.  They had a good time, though fishing was slow.  While Steve was talking to Duane Bates, who is a PA (Physician's Assistant), they talked about Steve looking into becoming a Sonographer.  Salt Lake Community College has a program called Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound.  The program only starts every 2 years, so it won't start again until next fall, fall of 2018.  So he could apply in the Spring next year.  The class they select is usually less than 10 people, but usually they don't have men applicants.  Based on Steve's background/credentials, he should have a good shot.  He already took the introductory class which they require, so now he'll wait until Spring.  He might audit Anatomy again next Spring, just to have a refresher course.  Other than that, we will just have to wait and see.  When Steve got home, we talked about and have since prayed about it, and we both feel really good about this direction.  It seems to be a perfect fit for Steve, hands on learning and helping people.

Carter at the cabin.

Carter checking out the dock at Strawberry.

More shade now.

Dave and Nyles getting ready to fish.

Nyles fell asleep on the way back; all tuckered out.

Steve took the boys up on Saturday to Strawberry as well over Memorial Day Weekend, so I could take a 5 hour long test.  I also decided that I want to take the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) test again, so I'm taking a review class now.  I'm planning to take it in November, but I figured I my as well take the review class twice to refresh my memory since it's been a couple years now.  Fidelity (my work) is now paying for the review class AND the test, so I figured why not?  This is the last step to getting the certification.  The financial industry is changing and going towards an "advice model" as well, so the CFP will be helpful down the road.

Joann at the cemetery w/ Nyles, London and Conor, before heading up to the cabin.

They put flowers on graves since it was Memorial Day Weekend.

Nyles putting an American Flag next to the grave.

Nyles, Conor, and Carter at the cabin.

Steve used our edge to pull the boat out of the garage up at the cabin since they didn't bring the Tahoe.  Rob came up for a little while also to help.  Unfortunately, they didn't get to go fishing.

We had a lot going on the month of May, but it was fun and we got a lot done/decided.  We hope you're all doing well.  School is out now and it's officially Summer!  Yeehaw!

Fun Outside

As the weather warmed up in May, we went outside more to play.  Nyles has been enjoying riding his bike in our circle by himself or with the neighborhood kids.  They like to ride up and down the street and play games.  One day he came up to Steve and asked to take off his training wheels.  Steve told him that he would take them off, but once they came off they were going to stay off.  Nyles was a little scared at first, but kept at it, and is riding like a pro now!  He loves riding his bike!

Steve helping Nyles balance on his bike w/out training wheels.

Getting better.

Nyles practiced without the training wheels and got better and balancing, riding, and pedaling.  Then one day, about 2 weeks later, he said "I'm going to ride my bike."  He got on it and just took off.  I had the day off (the Friday before Memorial Day), so it was awesome to be there and see him succeed!  He seriously just went and never looked back!  He is a pro now and rides w/ all the other kids in the neighborhood.  We might need to get him a bigger bike now though :)

Nyles riding his bike w/out training wheels.

In addition to riding his bike, Nyles has learned to ride/drive a Jeep (that we got from Lakes who just moved to Midway).  We got a new battery for it, fixed the tires, and it's been running like a charm now.  Nyles especially likes taking people on rides.

Nyles leaning into the curve.  Taking Carter for a ride in his car-seat, haha :)

Nyles driving Carter in the Jeep.

Taking our neighbor Caitlin for a ride.

Now w/ Ezra.  

Ezra came over for a day to play while Pauline was out of town (New York).

They also had fun shooting dart guns.

So fun!

 Then shooting water guns in the backyard.

Steve went and bought an airplane kite for Nyles.  

They took it to the park and flew it for a while.

Both boys absolutely LOVED it!

Nyles holding the kite string, now Carter's turn.

Steve said Carter was fascinated w/ the kite. 

Carter flying the kite.

It's so fun to be outside and enjoy the beauty around us.  

It's fun to see the boys have fun w/ each other!  We love our boys:)