1st Week of November.

 Here are some highlights from the 1st week of November.

Steve ordered a cover for the boat.  It fit perfectly, even w/ extra stuff inside.  He's pretty happy w/ it.

Hudson tried fruit snacks for the first time and loved them!  

Hudson helping Steve drive the car into the garage.

Hudson likes to swing while waiting for Nyles to get out from school.  

We also had a bird in our  pine tree that Steve though was pretty cool.

I love the beautiful fall colors in our yard.  We have a pink Mum in bloom, our bush turned red and our Honey Locust tree leaves have turned yellow/orange.  Our other Mum also is blooming yellow again.

The boys playing on the trampoline w/ their stuffed animals and blankets.

Steve also helped Rob and Rob's dad lay sod in Rob's yard.

Carter had a Western Day at preschool so he got to dress up.  

Hudson has been a little tricky w/ his naps, so he's calmed down better in his car-seat. 

Carter and his friend Colin at preschool (on Western day).  

Our neighbor's son Ethan, is also in Carter's class, which is fun.

Pretending to roast marshmallows over the fire, mixing food, and learning at preschool

Cute Carter at Scheels, and Carter enjoying some of his Halloween candy :)

Nyles and Carter have been learning how to use num-chuks and even how to break a board in their martial arts classes.  They're also learning discipline and working towards goals.  They're both really enjoying their classes and are now working towards earning their black belts.

They were brave and received their 1st dose of the Covid vaccine this week, just a couple days after it was officially approved by the CDC for kids ages 5-11.  We're proud of them for doing this and doing their part to lessen the spread of Covid.

Carter and Hudson playing on the trampoline together and down the slide.

Carter and Hudson going down the slide.

Carter playing w/ Hudson on the trampoline.

Carter and Hudson bouncing on the trampoline.

We took our own passport photos at home, as part of the passport application, but when we got to the post office the employee (who was super grumpy), told us we shouldn't have our teeth showing.  So we had to redo all of them except Hudson's photo.  Thankfully after taking the pictures he turned us over to someone else who was much happier and polite and got our applications processed pretty quickly.

My mom and dad came down from Idaho on Friday and had dinner w/ us.  I put a Costco frozen lasagna in the oven while working that afternoon, then we had it that evening for dinner.  They stayed for just a little while, then headed over to a wedding reception.

Saturday morning we met up again for Ezra's baptism.  After his baptism we had brunch together at another church.  The boys were happy to see Grandma and Grandpa again and play w/ cousins.  

Hudson saying hi to Grandma and Grandpa again.  Piper being silly, hiding behind Steve's leg.

Group picture of everyone who came to Ezra's baptism.  Just our side of the family.  

And the "UP" house near Pauline's house in Herriman.

After we got back, Steve loaded up his gear, picked up Rob, and went to Farmington Bay to hunt swans w/ Mark Gasper (from Idaho).  They heard the swans were in, so they hurried to go find them. Thankfully they were all able to get their swans pretty quickly, then they hunted ducks while they were out there until sunset when shooting light was over.

Steve w/ a Redhead duck he shot.  Steve, Mark and Rob w/ their swans.

Sunday we went up to Melanie/Brandon's house in Midway for our family dinner.  We sang to the October (Stacie, Dave and Diane) and November (Steve and Cameron) birthdays.  Dave decorated cute little turkeys for their birthday cake.  Hudson liked the M&Ms most.

Hudson wearing Steve's sunglasses, and catching a ride on LuDean's walker w/ Aunt Diane.  

After dinner and dessert we had our honoree night for Olivia this time.

Great quotes.

4th Week of October

Here are some highlights from this past week, the last week of October.

On Monday, the winds were blowing really strong.  Steve went over to Dave/Joann's house to get a tree down for them.  The tree's roots were lifting up the soil and it was going to fall over in the wind.  Thankfully they were able to tie it up to Dave's truck to stabilize it enough to get it to fall right where they needed it.  Good work Steve!

Hudson was a big helper and played w/ a box inside w/ Joann.

We were "Booed" twice w/ some goodies and a note to pass it on.  We had it in our main window, but apparently they couldn't see it, so we put it next to the door this time.  The kids had fun "booing" others too.  Diane gave us a cool puzzle from the movie Coco.  Carter did the puzzle all by himself!  The boys were making a fort and Piper decided to join them :)

Carter and Nyles learning to use num-chuks in their martial arts class.

Steve tickling the boys and Hudson crawling on them.

The boys went on Wednesday to pass off their speed test at marital arts.  They normally go on Tuesday and Thursday, but they went on Wednesday in order to be free on Thursday for Dave's birthday.  

They did awesome!

Carter helping Grandpa put up Christmas lights on his birthday!

While Carter was w/ Joann on Monday, he decided to try adding M&Ms to his macaroni.  He figured since he likes macaroni and M&Ms that they'd taste good together.  Well.... they didn't, haha ;)

Carter and Piper looking out the window.  Cute baby Hudson w/ his bum in the air.  Carter fell asleep in the car on the way to LuDean's for Dave's birthday dinner.

We went over to LuDean's place on Thursday for Dave's birthday.  I cooked up a lasagna from Costco, Diane made her yummy breadsticks, and Dave/Joann brought a salad.  It was yummy!  Dave wanted chocolate donuts for dessert instead of a cake.  The boys thought it was a great idea as well :)

On Friday, after dropping off Nyles and Carter at school, they heard Nyles' school was going to do a Halloween costume parade, so they came back to watch.  Hudson had a great time eating his snacks.

Friday night we headed up to Midway for our family Halloween party at Melanie and Brandon's house, well in their detached garage.  Carter and Hudson fell asleep on the way up.  Rob rode up w/ us as well.  Olivia had a scavenger hunt for the kids after we got there.

We had chili for dinner, then played games.  It was a jungle theme.  Dave and Joann did jungle bingo.

Then we did our game which was charades, jungle animals.  Everyone had a fun time taking a turn.

Then we played jungle limbo.  It was a lot of fun as well.

Playing Limbo

More Limbo.

Dave and Joann, our family, Steve and Rob, and Dave, Rob, Steve and Phill all dress up for a jungle safari w/ a dinosaur (Ethan) near by.

Stacie, Phill, London Claire and Conor.  A Lion veggie tray and an elephant fruit tray.  

Olivia, Noah, Chandler, Ethan, Melanie and Brandon from the original Jurassic Park. 

Saturday, Steve and the boys, Dave and Rob went out duck hunting.  The weather was beautiful!

The boys definitely had fun, especially since it wasn't cold.

Steve and Nyles putting decoys out.  Carter helping Rob get the mojos ready.

Steve and Nyles throwing out the decoys.

Coming back from setting up, Carter getting a snack.

Hudson playing w/ Piper's bones.  Thankfully Piper is patient w/ him and doesn't mind :)

Cute baby Hudson trying on his monster costume.  Our pretty Mum is finally in bloom!  

Cute Hudson bum in the air again while sleeping.

Carter w/ his friend Colin at preschool in their Halloween costumes.  Carter getting his good night kisses from Piper.  All of us out Trick-or-Treating Saturday night around our neighborhood for Halloween. Nyles was an Army man, Carter was Spiderman, and Hudson was a monster. 

Carter left me some bugs in our room (he knows I don't like bugs and thinks it's funny).

Hudson all tuckered out after Trick-or-Treating.

Sunday we went to the park for a little bit.  The weather was beautiful.  Hudson really likes the swings now, just like his brothers.  Nyles and Carter also like to roll down the hill.

My cute boys!  Piper playing fetch w/ a stick and Nyles and Carter rolling down the hill again.

Rolling down the hill.

More rolling down the hill w/ Piper playing fetch.

Cute Hudson sat in the chair in between Steve and I and wanted to hold some popcorn himself. 

He's also learning to stand, or in this case, sit on Steve's hand and pretend he's standing :)

We had dinner together Sunday night w/ LuDean, Diane, Dave and Joann.  

Hudson is learning to walk with some help.  Another pic of him w/ the popcorn.

Cute Hudson likes to play peek-a-book w/ LuDean.  Piper's silly ear flipped over.

Great quotes.

3rd Week of October

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of October.  

Steve had a busy week.  His parents and Diane left to Disneyland on Sunday, October 17th w/ Stacie and Phill.  Steve drove over to his parent's house Sunday morning, picked them up (switched over to Dave's truck) then went over to pick up Aunt Diane.  He then drove them out to the airport.  That evening we brought dinner over to Grandma LuDean.  Steve then went back every day after picking Carter up from preschool to make sure LuDean was able to get lunch and do a few errands around the house.  Friday afternoon, he also went and picked up his parents and Diane at the airport and took them home.

We also had our roof looked at.  We've had some shingles come off, and have been wondering how long it'll last us.  We knew it wasn't in the best shape when we moved in.  Two roofing companies both said that it might last another year, but that's it.  So we are contracted to get our roof replaced first thing next year, as soon as the weather permits.  Definitely not something we want to do, but something that needs to be done or course.  We feel blessed though it's held out this long and should get us through the winter.  The company said they'll come fix a leak if needs be before they completely replace it next year at no cost, so that's nice as well.

Nyles also had a Primary Activity on Wednesday for the boys.  They had one of our neighbors bring his telescope and they took turns looking at the stars.  They had postponed it from last week due to the rain and cloud cover.  They had a good time.

We decorated our Halloween pumpkins for FHE on Monday night.

Silly Hudson was supposed to be taking a nap, but grabbed his bedtime book instead and started "reading" it.  We put up a baby gate downstairs, which Hudson doesn't like.

Nap time: Piper taking a nap in our room while I work, soaking up the sun.  Cute Hudson w/ his bum in the air, and Piper all comfortable on her bed.

I got this email from the librarian at Altara about Nyles.  So proud of him!

Steve also went over to Dave/Joann's house every day to check on their house, the bird Rio, and get their garbage cans on Wednesday.  One time he came in and Rio was flying around, apparently lost and unable to find his cage.  Steve was able to get him and bring him back to his cage.  The boys also had fun playing on the trampoline, even Hudson. 

Friday afternoon, Steve went to pick up Dave, Joann and Diane from the airport, so I finished up work early to be w/ the kids.  We went outside and played for a while, then went over to the park to play as well.  It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Hudson crawling in the grass.

Hudson trying to go up the slide.

Nyles and Hudson going down the slide.

Hudson enjoying the swing at the park.

Thursday night we went over to Lowe's for a quick activity.  The kids got a bag of candy and a cup of hot chocolate.  Then Friday night after Steve got back, we went over to the Sandy Amphitheater.  They had music and did a Trunk or Treat for the kids.  

Nyles, me, Carter and Hudson at the Sandy Trunk or Treat.  Unfortunately Carter got his thumb stuck in the car door when we got home, so it was hurting.  Piper came to cheer him up :)

Silly Hudson in the laundry basket and playing w/ sprinkles.  Carter getting so love licks from Piper.

Saturday Steve went out w/ Rob and Nyles to go duck hunting.  It rained a LOT and they got soaked.  They always have a good time, but they mentioned they might not go out when it's raining that hard anymore.  Steve bought some waterproof LED lights to put inside the boat now and installed them.  That way they can see inside the boat as well, not just outside, when it's dark.

Saturday night we had our ward/neighborhood Chili Cookoff.  I made White Chicken Chili, and to my surprise it won 1st place!  Everyone got to try the different chilis and vote for their top 3.  I think mine was the only white chicken, so maybe it won since it was different.  They also had pies for dessert.  Then the kids went around and played some games and got some candy.  They even got their faces painted.  Steve had a corn hole booth w/ the young men (Deacons).  It was his last official activity w/ them.  He was released on Sunday as the Deacon's Advisor and called as our Ward Mission Leader now.  He taught a combined young men's lesson Sunday even after being released, since he was already planning on it.  Since he's been in young men's for 4.5 years, he's actually taught all of the boys that were there (Deacons through Priests), so it was a great opportunity to see them all together and teach them one more time.

Family picture.

We brought dinner over to LuDean's on Sunday and had dinner w/ her, Diane, Dave and Joann.  Dave/Joann brought cupcakes.  Hudson thought they were pretty good, especially the frosting.  He tried a orange frosting one first, then a purple one.  Such a cutie!

Nyles and Carter trying on some eyeball glasses.

Hudson loves playing w/ balloons.

Great quotes.