Carter and Steve's hand on the doodle pad while at church. Steve took Hudson home 2nd hour to get his nap. Nyles, Carter and I walked home after Primary. Piper watched us come home through the front window.
We went over and had dinner w/ Diane and LuDean that evening. Aunt Diane gave Hudson a ride on LuDean's walker and looked at the Christmas decorations. He thought it was so fun!
Steve built a wench and pully to help get his motor on and off the boat.
Carter taking a turn going up the pulley. Our elf "Buddy" came back to visit on December 1st and will be w/ us until Christmas Eve. The boys were so excited to see him after a year!
The boys let Hudson try on their martial arts helmets. Piper couldn't resist and came in for a kiss.
Then Hudson went over and gave Nyles a hug.
On Friday, December 3rd, Steve took the boys fishing. Dave and our neighbor Jacob Anderson came too. They went down to Utah Lake at the Provo Harbor and caught White Bass, some Crappie and Yellow Perch. They figured out what to put on their line and caught a lot!
Nyles did awesome and even learned how to unhook the fish himself. He can now put the bait on, hook the fish, reel in the fish, and then unhook it all by himself! He even caught 2 fish at one time (one line w/ 2 hooks)! Carter even figured out how to hook them. Good work boys!
They all had a good time, even Hudson.
They kept the fish and gave them to Rob's brother's father-in-law.
Buddy the Elf mimicked the boys by fishing the next day as well!
On Saturday, Nyles and Steve went duck hunting. Carter, Hudson and I played while they were gone. We did Mega Blocks and built a car from Home Depot, and went to the park. The lights are turning on around the park now, yeah! Carter built a wreath at preschool as well.
Nyles out duck hunting w/ Steve at Utah Lake. Steve took some new friends as well, Ryan and his 14 year old son Gavin Miller, to teach them how to duck hunt.
Steve took some cool pictures at the lake.
Buddy the Elf got into the fishing gear on our Christmas tree. Carter helping Hudson w/ the Mega Blocks. Nyles and Carter eating pretzels w/ Nutella w/ Hudson checking it out.
Hudson sitting on a box coloring. At church Nyles slowly colored it in to make the rainbow. I wasn't feeling well so I stayed home w/ Hudson. I also stayed home w/ him that evening as Steve and the older boys went to his family dinner.
Steve: Finished up his Sonography Program last year and has been studying for his board exams this year. He has been busy with our 3 boys and taking them to school and activities. In his free time he likes to duck hunt, fish, and camp. He also drew out on a swan tag this year and was able to fill it. He was recently released as Young Men's Deacon Advisor and called as the Ward Mission Leader.
Penny: Has been back to work full time since January after maternity leave last year with Hudson. She's been at Fidelity Investments for 14 years now and is a Senior Portfolio Specialist. She is still the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency, serving now for just over 3.5 years.
Nyles: Is 9 years old, in the 3rd grade at Altara Elementary, in his 2nd year of Spanish Dual Immersion. He enjoys hunting and fishing with Steve. He and Carter also started Martial Arts this Summer and are working towards their Black Belt, which will take 3 years.
Carter: Is 5 years old, in Pre-Kindergarten at New Castle, his 2nd year there also. He enjoys puzzles, music, playing at playgrounds, and riding on boats. He and Nyles also enjoy playing with Legos, jumping on the trampoline, and playing with their stuffed animals.
Hudson: Turned 1 in August. He is trying new foods, learned to crawl, on the verge of walking, and increasing his vocabulary .
Piper: Turned 2 this year (we've had her 1 year now). The boys love snuggling with her and she loves playing fetch any chance she gets.
As a family we like to go hiking and be outdoors. We got kayaks this year and have enjoyed taking them out, especially to Bear Lake. Steve also camped in the Uintas with Nyles and Carter, they slept on the trampoline and in the backyard several times as well. We've also spent time with family in various activities, which was great.
We feel so blessed for all that we have, for our family, and to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Here are some highlights from the last few days of November.
Nyles and Carter helping to put up Christmas decorations, while Hudson takes something and tries to hide it in the fireplace. Silly kid. He keeps us on our toes that's for sure :)
Later Hudson found the Santa Hat, jingle bells, and the pinecones my mom sent last year. Cutie!
Nyles wanted to help cook Steve's birthday dinner, Ribs. Steve showed him how to do it, then Nyles took over at the BBQ. He's learning. They also cooked up some of the fish they caught the day before. Nyles likes to try his fish, unlike Steve :)
We then went over and had dinner w/ LuDean, Diane, Dave and Joann for Steve's birthday. We had his favorites: Ribs, baked potatoes, breadsticks, then cheesecake for dessert. Diane also had a fun game for us to play. Thanks for the fun everyone!
I took Monday off work as well, to celebrate Steve's birthday, his actual birthday day (the 29th). The boys had school, but after school we went down to Thanksgiving Point's Curiosity Museum for some fun. Dave and Joann were able to join us as well. Thankfully it wasn't super busy and the boys were able to explore.
Hudson playing in the toddler area, and the boys petting a snake.
Hudson had fun going up the stairs and down the slides.
Hudson going down the slide.
Steve, Dave and Hudson playing w/ the green screen, then the motion picture.
Dave, Carter and Nyles trying to hold on in the wind tunnel.
Playing in the water area. We were basically the only ones in the area, so the boys were able to really have fun making water tunnels and bridges. We then hurried through a few fun mazes, and a quick pictures in front of a Christmas tree before heading out for the night. It was a lot of fun!
I made a photo book for Steve's birthday of some of his hunting and fishing adventures (he has just a few you know). I also got him a new headlamp for his adventures.
On Tuesday, Steve took Nyles and Carter to get their 2nd dose of the Covid vaccine. That evening he went over and got his booster shot as well. I had a sore throat so decided to wait until I'm feeling better. Though they weren't happy about getting the shot, we're proud they did it, as a way to protect themselves and those around them from Covid.
Here are some highlights from the week of Thanksgiving. It was a fun week full of activities, especially w/ family. I took Wednesday and Friday off, which was great!
Hudson loves to give hugs!
Steve put up the blowup bear/penguin outside. The boys think it's pretty fun, especially at night.
Carter won it the year before at Home Depot.
At Nyles' school they had visitors come and tell them about their jobs.
Nyles and Carter earned another stripe on their belts in martial arts for "intensity".
They've both been working hard.
More pictures of Carter and Nyles while at martial arts.
Carter fell asleep in the car, which is very typical of him.
Nyles started growing a bean plant at school then brought it home to continue to grow.
Hudson tried Nutella and whip cream and no surprise, loves them! He also likes having utensils when he eats. Before I could get him a spoon he grabbed the toy on his tray and used her as a spoon. Too funny! It worked though!
Hudson using a Wild Kratts toys as a spoon for his whip cream.
We put up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving before heading to dinner. It's always fun to decorate it!
Trying to get a quick picture at Thanksgiving. Hudson reaching for a balloon in Carter's face.
I'm so thankful for these 3 precious boys in my life!
Having Thanksgiving dinner at Dave/Joann's place.
Nyles and Connor laughing at each other. Chandler playing the piano while Melanie holds Hudson. Jeff giving Steve a meatball as Stacie gives them a look.
Hudson had whip cream for dessert. He thoroughly enjoyed it!
The next day my parents came over. My mom stayed at our place while Steve, Nyles and my dad went fishing at Utah Lake. Carter, my mom and I played games and did puzzles. We had a lot of fun. Thankfully my mom was able to figure out how to get into our bathroom w/ her wheelchair and transfer w/ one leg. This is the 1st time since her surgery. Now we know she can stay for a while w/ us!
Nyles catching a fish, and my dad enjoying the sunshine.
They figured out how to catch them and caught a lot!
That evening Pauline and Rose and their families came over for dinner. I cooked up a ham.
After dinner we played Blank Slate, then did our White Elephant gift exchange.
We also played Pictionary. It was a lot of fun and great to be together again.
Steve playing Chess against Sophia, while Piper watched. Carter got a hat and a "movie" from the gift exchange. He was pretty excited about it. Later Piper asleep under the tree.
On Saturday, Steve, Nyles and my dad went fishing again at the same place. Dave met them over there as well. Since they knew from the day before what to do, they had a lot of success and caught even more fish than the day before!
Dave, Nyles and my dad getting some lunch while fishing. All the fish they caught in the live well of our boat. They used the boat to get to the docks since the gate was locked to walk to it, then used the boat to store the fish. Rob's brother's father-in-law, who is from the Philippines, gladly took all the fish they caught to eat, both days! He also took their swans they shot earlier this month.
They had a great time! Funny Dave and my dad had almost the same outfit on :)
Carter, my mom and Hudson stayed home again. Carter taught my mom how to use Perler beads. He then gave his Perler bead creation (a deer) to my dad. My mom made a flower. We also played guess who, and other games and puzzles. Piper later on her bed by the main Christmas tree.
Saturday late afternoon, Steve took Nyles and Carter to a neighbor boy's birthday party at an ice skating place. It was both of their 1st times trying it. It was a little tricky, but they make improvements.
We're so thankful for all that we've been blessed with, for our family and friends, and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We're thankful for this time of year to reflect on all we our grateful for. Steve and I have actually been writing down every day (since March), something we're grateful for in a journal. There is always something to be grateful for, even when at first it might not seem so.
