3rd Week of December

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of December.  It was the last week of school for the boys, and work for me for the rest of the year!

Carter and Nyles decorating a Rice Krispy train we got from a neighbor as a gift.  Earlier Hudson taking off the ornaments from the bottom of the tree.  He thinks the ornaments are balls and tries to bounce them on the floor.  Thankfully they're shatterproof.

Carter painted an ornament and Hudson eating some crackers.

Hudson is standing up and grabbing for everything.

Buddy the Elf hiding around the house.  

He likes to move throughout the day as well, which the boys just LOVE!

On the night of Tuesday, December 14th we got DUMPED on with more snow!  

We got over a foot; it was crazy!

Hudson excited to sit on his chair and see all the snow the next morning.

The school district cancelled in class learning, but said it's now an online learning day.  Nyles' teachers then had homework for him to do online.  He wasn't happy about still having to do schoolwork, but at least he got to stay home and play in the snow.  He also got to go to Carter's program that morning.

Steve trying to get our driveway cleared out so we could go to Carter's preschool Christmas Program.

Once we got out of our circle, the road were better and at least somewhat plowed.  Carter wanted to dress up even.  He was nervous the night before saying he didn't want to go, but after he got dressed up and we got there, he didn't look back.  His program was at the old Draper Theater.  He sang his best and did all the parts to the songs.  This was his last "day" of school before Christmas break.

Carter singing, and Steve holding up Hudson so he could see better.

Here are many of the songs they sang during their Christmas Program.

Carter did so awesome!

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

Jingle Bells.

Christmas Bells.

Santa's Helpers.

Santa Clause is coming to town.

Happy Christmas Tree.

Feliz Navidad.

Carter did an awesome job!  We're so proud of all the work he put into learning the songs and parts.

Carter w/ his teacher Ms. Julie and Carter w/ his friend Colin.

When we got back, Steve and the boys worked to shovel out more of the snow.  I had to get back to work but watched them from my window.  Hudson took a nap thankfully.  

Carter making a snow angel.  Look at all this snow!

The snow didn't stop Piper.  She still wanted to play ball!  Carter and Nyles playing in the snow.

Cute Hudson w/ a bear vest on, then giving Nyles a hug while we go through a store.

On Friday, December 17th, Nyles had his last day of school.  They had a party and did fun things!

It was also my last day of work for the rest of the year, oh yeah!

That evening we went to see Carter and Nyles pass off many of their skills they've learned in martial arts over the past several months, to get their yellow belts.

Carter showing his num-chuk stills (Nyles in the background)

Carter breaking his board.

Nyles breaking his board.

We asked Nyles to do his pass off w/ Carter and the younger group so we didn't have to sit through 2 of them.  Mostly since Hudson has a hard time sitting through it and Steve and I both wanted to see them.

Nyles and Carter working on passing off things they're learned in martial arts in order to get their yellow belt.  They both worked hard over these past few months and got their belt!  Awesome job!

Buddy the Elf riding our dinosaur.  After we got back, we put Hudson to bed, then had a movie night finally.  We watched the newer Grinch movie.  The boys like to wrestle and Hudson likes to give hugs.  Carter likes to have lots of stuffed animals when he goes to bed too; silly kid.

Saturday Steve went duck hunting w/ Nyles, Rob and Zach, for the last time this season.  Steve broke a propeller on the boat trying to get through the ice on top of the lake.  

They got a couple ducks though, so it was worth it :) 

Carter loves pajamas.  These are both PJs Nyles used to wear.  We found more downstairs, including this Paw Patrol one, that match the slippers Pauline gave us :)

Buddy hiding behind the snowmen, Hudson eating some chocolate, and playing in the ball bit.

Sunday evening we went up to Brandon and Melanie's house in Midway to do our annual Jerusalem Dinner.  We try to eat simple foods that Jesus might have eaten.

We don't use utensils either, and eat on the floor.  Hudson sitting w/ Joann, licking his plate, and everyone w/ their food (most of us that is).  We then had a testimony meeting after dinner.  It was great to hear everyone's testimony and strengthen each other.

Good insight:

At this Christmas time, it is my hope and prayer that we will never forget that without Christ, there would be no Christmas celebrations. There would be no hope, and no joy. There would only be sadness, misery, and sorrow. But, thanks be to God and to His Son Jesus Christ, we now have hope, and we now have joy in the expectant future resurrection of the dead, and the salvation of mankind.

I testify that He who was born a baby in Bethlehem, now reigns as our Lord and God in heavenly glory.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Dr. D. Todd Harrison

2nd Week of December

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of December.

Nyles really enjoys his martial arts classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Cute Hudson w/ his binky and blanket.  Hudson getting a snack while watching it rain.  

Nyles and Carter playing w/ their army guys.  Carter at Scheels.

Buddy the Elf on the move each day.

Cute Hudson moves all over the place while sleeping.

Carter at Pre-school, getting a snack and coloring.

Hudson walking more w/ his walker.

We finally got some snow Thursday, December 9th.

We then got more overnight into Friday.  It was awesome to see it come down so quickly!

Friday I got off work a little early and went sledding w/ Nyles and Carter while Steve stayed home so Hudson could take a nap.  It was a lot of fun!

We also played back at home in the yard.

Friday night we had a our ward Christmas dinner/party.  Nyles had fun telling Santa what he wanted.  Hudson enjoyed the brownies.

Hudson did NOT like sitting on Santa's lap though.  Looks familiar, 5 years ago w/ Carter :)

Buddy the Elf getting around the house more.

Hudson's cute laugh.  He sees Buddy the Elf flying in the plane.

More of Hudson's cute laugh, looking at the elf.

Steve went out duck hunting on Saturday.

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!

Getting a picture w/ LuDean and Aunt Diane.

Great quotes.

1st week of December

 Here are some highlights from the 1st week of December:

Hudson loves Butterfly kisses from Steve.

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.

Great quotes.

2021 Newsletter

 

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!