4th Week of December, Christmas

We had a fun week of Christmas.  I took the last 2 weeks off to spend w/ the family.  Here are some highlights.

Buddy the Elf just hanging out on a swing.  Cute Piper got a new collar and pad for her kennel.  The boys got Amazon Fire Tablets (for the car ride to Idaho, and for educational learning).

We went and visited Dave, Joann and her dad Carl.  The boys were excited to open a gift from Dave/Joann.  They got Nerf guns, which they love.  Thank you!  Aunt Diane also gave them stuffed animals, which Carter is holding his penguin he got.  Thank you Diane!

We also visited w/ Joann's dad Carl, who came up to visit from Arizona.

We decided to go up and visit my parents in Idaho for Christmas since we hadn't seen them since June and they hadn't met Hudson yet.  We made sure to stay away from others and be extra careful of Covid.  Steve and I were tested for Covid before we left just to make sure we didn't have it.  Nyles was tested the week before as well.  We all were negative so we felt more comfortable being w/ them w/out masks.  We left Wednesday, December 23rd around 11am and got there around 5pm.  The boys were so excited to finally go up and visit again.

On Christmas Eve we had some fun.  Carter watching my mom practice walking w/ her prosthetic leg, and Nyles helping make elk jerky.  

We went to visit my grandma.  We did some puzzles while we visited.

Cute boys w/ Great Grandma VaLere Hegerhorst.

Carter and Nyles helped my mom make chocolate covered pretzels.  Carter used a little too much sprinkles on one.  We also built cookie trays (from Home Depot) for Santa. 

While we were making treats and visiting, Steve actually helped my dad fix a leak in the downstairs bathroom and add a new light in the fruit room.  My mom said of course after 35 years and now that she can't go down to the fruit room :)  Steve and my dad worked most of the day to get things done and right (they had to rewire the lights and take a trip into Mt. Home for the bathroom part) but they did it!

The new light definitely helps so you can see what's in there now.  Good work!

The boys got Christmas Eve PJs.  Presents are ready, from "Santa."

The boys were up at 7am like normal, then we went upstairs and they opened their gifts.  They even waited patiently while I fed Hudson before coming up.  They both asked Santa for Lego sets and were so excited to get them.

Carter showing Hudson his Ninjago Lego dragon.  Steve helping the boys build their Lego sets.

More Lego building.  My dad even helped!

My dad got a 1 pound Snickers from both Rose and Pauline!  

Carter holding up his Ninjago car Steve helped him build.

My wonderful parents.  My mom finally got to hold cute baby Hudson.  We're so glad we were able to come up and visit and spend time w/ them.  Steve, my parents and I played games every night.  My mom and I even put together one of her puzzles in one day (with a little help from the boys).  Thanks for everything Mom and Dad!  We love you!

We left Saturday mid-morning, and got home late afternoon.  The roads were wet and a little snowy at times, but we made it safely home.  The boys opened a couple family gifts once we got home, like a few games and swim goggles!  Hopefully pools will be open this Summer.  They both got some dinosaur shirts and pants too.

We're so thankful for all of our blessings, and most importantly for the gift of our Savior.

3rd Week of December

I worked the whole 3rd week of December (14th-18th).  Thankfully I still had someone covering my book for me, so I mostly followed up on voicemails and only had a few appointments.  It's been nice slowly easing back into work.  I've still been able to nurse and put Hudson down for naps.  I'm taking the last 2 weeks of the year off, like normal, to spend Christmas and New Year's w/ the family.  The boys finished up school this week also, which was great timing.  I'll be back "full time" after the New Year.  Thankfully we're still working 100% from home, so I'll be able to still see the boys more often.  Here are a few highlights from the week.

Cute Carter playing w/ Mad Mattr (using Halloween decorations).  

Hudson watching Carter and holding the playdoh knife.

Buddy the elf told the boys he loves them, and left a note for Nyles.  Nyles wasn't feeling well one night, so Buddy brought a thoughtful note.  We called Nyles' Pediatrician and they said to get him tested for Covid, which we did.  The next morning he was thankfully feeling better, so after taking the test he wanted to go back to school.  We got the results back the next morning and it was negative.

Elf hiding out.

Elf flying w/ a hang glider (Carter asked him to).

Cute Hudson and Carter.

Nyles and Carter both wanted to hold baby Hudson.

Carter at his preschool, having a snack.

Nyles had a party at school the last day before Christmas break.  This is his good friend Owen.

The Red and Blue classes all together.  They are always divided, one class w/ Mrs. Sullivan (taking the picture) and one w/ Senior Dunn for Spanish (the guy up front in Santa outfit).  

It's great they have smaller class sizes, especially this year.

Carter wanted to wear Nyles reindeer antlers.

And Steve had to try them on Hudson too.

We finally got a generator that can power most of our house.  We've been looking for one since we had the earthquake earlier this year and had power outages.  We've been adding to our emergency preparedness supplies this year and this was one thing Steve really wanted to save up for.  We saved up and when we saw it on sale at Costco we got it.

We got the new "Grinch" movie and watched it as a family.  Nyles wanted Hudson so sit with him.

On Saturday, Steve took Nyles and Carter ice fishing at Utah Lake (American Fork Marina).  Our neighbor Jacob Anderson followed Steve there.  They fished off the docks and did really well, even in only a few feet of water.  Not only did they catch a lot of fish, but it's only 25 minutes from our house which is awesome!  Win win!

Carter helped me complete a puzzle we borrowed from my mom.  

We did it!  Carter is sure getting good at puzzles.

The boys wanted to see Piper w/ the reindeer antlers on.  I don't think Piper liked it.  

Cute boys dressed up for church.  We watched our sacrament meeting via Zoom at home since we were headed out of town in a couple days and didn't want to be exposed accidently.

Family picture.  Hudson loves to blow bubbles.

Cute Hudson loves to suck on his hands.

Nyles saved up his money and decided to buy a huge stuffed snake on Amazon.  It's over 9 feet long!

The boys doing "Once there was a Snowman" at the end of our "Come Follow Me" lesson.  

The snowman definitely melted :)

Hudson is sure growing.  He's such a sweetheart and brings our family so much joy!

Hudson had his 4 month Dr appointment.  He weighed16lbs 12oz (85 percentile), and was 17.1 inches long (87 percentile).  He's officially doubled his weight (started out at 8lbs 3oz).  He received another round of shots, so as expected, that night and the next day he had a slight fever.  Thankfully he was feeling better the next night and slept well.

This was our Christmas card we mailed out.  Pauline designed it.

Great reminder.

2nd Week of December

Monday, December 7th Steve took his Abdomen Ultrasound Test.  He studied really hard and did his best, but unfortunately didn't pass.  After discussing w/ some of the others who took it also, sounds like he drew the short stick and got a really hard test.  He plans to keep studying and retake the test again in a few months.

On Thursday, December 10th I went back to work.  We're still working from home, and my boss is allowing me to "ease back into it slowly" so it wasn't too bad.  The girl covering for me will continue to cover for me through the end of the year.  I'll work 7 days, then take the last 2 weeks off of the year.  I'll be back to "normal" starting in January.  The good news is the day I got back, we had a national meeting which announced a new pay structure.  We will now have a higher base pay and lower variable pay.  The criteria we're measured on is also changing, all of which is great news!  Then on Friday they announced a Christmas bonus we'll be getting.  Needless to say it was a happy 2 days back to work!

Here are some other highlights.

Cute baby Hudson!

Carter made an ornament in preschool and colored this picture.  

He loves to cuddle w/ Piper.

Steve sold the 2 boats, making room for a bigger boat he's ordered to be completed in March.

"Buddy" the elf.

Cute Nyles.  He loves to hold baby Hudson.

Friday evening we went to the Aquarium w/ Pauline's family to find the elves hidden around it.

Finding the elves.  It was a lot of fun.  We went and got food at the Shake Shack afterwards.

Nyles holding Hudson and we finally got more snow!

Steve helping the boys building trains from Lowe's while Piper give support.

The elf got caught by Army men.

Sunday morning the elf got out stuff to make Christmas sugar cookies.

The boys were more than excited to help make the dough, cut the cookies and decorate them.

We watched "Elf" together as a family.  Piper wanted to get a hug from Buddy on the TV.  

Nyles received a very thoughtful gift for his baptism from Melanie and Brandon.  He LOVES his new blanket.  Thank you Melanie and Brandon!

 

Sunday night we went to Draper Park to look at the lights.