3rd Week of January

Here are some highlights from this past week:

Monday, January 17th we all had the day off for Martin Luther King Day.  We enjoyed the day together.

Silly Hudson laying on the kitchen floor pulling on the drawer.  We made some large chocolate covered pretzels.  First dipped in milk chocolate, then drizzled w/ white chocolate.  The boys hugging :) 

We went on a hike up to the suspension bridge that afternoon.  It was great to get outside!

Silly Hudson playing in his crib.  Hudson cuddling w/ Nyles on the couch.

Tuesday, Nyles had another online learning day since Covid numbers have been high in the state of Utah.  We've been averaging over 11,000 cases a day!  After getting his homework done, Steve took the boys to the Classic Fun Center to ride on their scooters, and play some games.  Nyles has a couple free tickets he earned at school and he shared them w/ Carter.  They had a lot of fun!

Cute boys having a good time!

I told Carter to get ready for bed and I found him in our room on our bed like this (with his sunglasses on and in his sleeping blanket).  Silly kid!  Steve will take Carter and Hudson a little early to pick up Nyles and let them swing on the swings.  They really enjoy it, though it's a little cold out there!  Hudson cleaning out a Nutella jar :)

Hudson making silly noises during his nap.

Hudson standing.

Hudson standing a little longer!

Friday evening we were able to sneak away to the temple.  We decided to look that afternoon (during my lunch break) and found a sealing session open at 8pm.  Steve called Rob to see if he could watch the boys and he said sure.  So I went to book it and it said it was full.  Steve then called the Draper Temple and they said w/ just 2 of us they'd let us in!  So after dinner, we put Hudson to bed and Rob came over, and we went over to the temple.  I brought several names of children to be sealed to their parents.  We were able to seal 3 sisters to their parents at the same time, w/ Steve and I acting as parents.  It was a really beautiful and uplifting experience.  The Spirit was really strong as the ordinance was performed.  I didn't realize I printed sisters until we were at the temple.  When we got home I looked at them closer and found there are actually 8 children in their family, all girls!  They are my 1st cousins, 6 times removed and come from my dad's grandma's side (Marie Louise Karoline Ohlendorf, their last name is Bredemeier).  Thankfully the others have all been sealed (or are in progress).  It makes me wonder how many children have maybe been missed though.  I guess that's we've got our work cut out for us right?  They say if your immediate family work is done, find your cousins!  I love going to the temple.  Temple Sealings are especially touching and are the pinnacle of our work in the temple, to bring us back to our Father in Heaven, as families, forever!

Great perspective.  Steve and I at the Draper Temple.  Steve was able to participate this week w/ the boys during their martial arts lessons.  The boys thought it was pretty fun!

Saturday I took the boys over to the school playground while Steve was studying.  It was kind cool outside, but still nice to get out.  Nyles and Carter played on the playground while I pushed Hudson around and threw the ball for Piper.

Saturday night Steve gave Hudson a hair cut.  He didn't like the sound but also didn't move thankfully.  Steve got it done as quick as he could.  Good work Steve!

Sunday we made some window art before church.  It was a Christmas present to them from us.  

Quotes from this week's lesson.  Hudson putting his toes on his face while "napping".  Ironically Steve used to do the same thing as a baby :)

Nyles helping Hudson walk.

Nyles helping Hudson walk around the kitchen/living room.  The boys making their fort again.  Hudson joined in and even brought his milk w/ him.  Then he stopped by the fridge to play w/ the magnets.

Next making a cushion tower.  Hudson is getting better at pushing his walker around all by himself now.  He also has a "pooping corner" as we call it.  He likes to play in the closet where we put the vacuum and brooms.  So first will have us take out the vacuum and brooms to play with, then when he's done he goes in the closet and works on it.  A little while later he is back out w/ a smell.  Most of the time when he poops he's in the "pooping corner."

Steve drawing pictures to keep the boys entertained during sacrament meeting at home.  Due to Covid numbers we are taking the sacrament from home.  Nyles, Carter and I then went to 2nd hour while Hudson took a nap.   Hudson walking w/ me w/ only one hand!  He's getting it!

Great quotes about the importance and meaning of temples in our lives.

2nd week of January

Covid cases are definitely on the rise.  The new 3rd variant, Omicron, is 4 times as contagious as the previous 2, so more people are getting it.  We have neighbors and family members who have had it this past week.  We have decided not to take Hudson to public places (including church) since he can't/won't wear a mask right now.  Thankfully we have permission to partake of the sacrament at home again.  The Bishop also had us to 2nd hour virtually this past Sunday.  We had a 15 minute primary session, which was perfect.  I know we're all hoping and praying Covid will "pass" soon.  Every prayer the boys give they ask if Covid will go away.  :)

We ordered a Gabb watch for Nyles for Christmas but they were on back order, so it came this past week.  We want to be able to get a hold of Nyles when he's away from us, like at school, so we felt this was perfect.  He can only text and call a few contacts (which we put in for him), and no social media or picture messages.  Like the old flip phones we used to have, hahah!

He knew it was coming in the mail soon, so I did a scavenger hunt for him to find it when he got home from karate.  He was only a little excited to find the clues!  After adding a few contacts, he had to try calling them (both Grandma and Grandpas).  He thought it was pretty cool!

Nyles w/ his new Gabb watch.

We are experiencing shortages again.  Bread and milk being a couple of them.  Steve ironically found some more ammo though, so he had to get some for he and Nyles.  Nyles is going to start working on Hunter's Safety this year, so they're starting to stock up now.

Nyles doing karate w/ his friend Austin Ure that came for the day.  This is Carter's friend Colin's older brother who is ironically 8 days younger than Nyles.  Even though they live in Riverton, the 4 of them have played a few times.  They get along pretty well thankfully!

Hudson going down the stairs.

Hudson making fart noises on the couches, haha.

Cute Hudson in his high chair.  Hudson just chillin w/ Nyles.  He LOVES to drink from my water bottle every time he comes up to see me while working in our room.  He especially loves straws!  Other times the boys came up to visit for a minute in between my appointments.  Hudson figured out how to 'poke' the dots in the poke-a-dot book.  He's getting so smart!

Carter saved his money from Christmas and decided to buy a squid.  He loves it!  

He and Nyles LOVE stuffed animals and play w/ them all the time.  

Hudson loves to give hugs and especially to his brothers.  Huggy Hudson!  Silly Piper sleeping w/ her ear up and waiting to see if Nyles would give him some elk jerky.  Steve and the boys made elk jerky this past week.  Nyles and Carter LOVE the jerky so it doesn't last very long.

Friday night Dave and Joann came over for dinner.  Steve picked up pizza from Costco, then we watched "Santa Clause" after putting Hudson to bed.  Dave brought his projector and put it on a "big screen" and we turned our couches around in the living room.  The boys laid on cushions and got their blankets and stuffed animals.  Carter went to bed around his normal time at 8pm (he asked to go to bed), but the rest of us finished the movie.  It was a fun evening, thanks!

Steve and Nyles went fishing Saturday evening, so Carter, Hudson and I went to the library, then went for a walk to an elementary school and played for a minute.  It was cold, but fun to get outside.  Hudson likes suckers, but even more so Ring Pops!

Steve and Nyles trying to ice fish (Dave, Rob and our neighbor Jacob went also).  It got colder as the sun went down, but they decided to stay a few hours after dark and see if the fish were more active.  Unfortunately the fish didn't bite much, but they said they still had fun.

Sunday, like I mentioned, we had our home/virtual church.  We played at the playground that afternoon, then went over to LuDean's/Diane's for dinner.  I made Cheeseburger Soup, Diane made her yummy breadsticks, and Dave/Joann brought some yummy fruit.  We then played a game of Apple to Apple Junior.  It was fun.  Thanks everyone for the fun evening!

Nyles and Carter like to "do my hair" while we read the Friend magazine.  Nyles drew a robot on his whiteboard.  Hudson loves popcorn, like the rest of our family!

Sunday afternoon we took Steve and Nyles to play at the playground as well.  Hudson catching a ride on Nyles' back.  Carter made a fort (happens several times during the week). 

Great quotes about parenting, like we're learning this week in the Old Testament.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to be parents.  As they say, though it's not easy, it'll be worth it. :)

1st Week of January

 We had a pretty low key 1st week of January, getting back into the swing of things after the Holidays.  Here are some highlights.  

Carter made a cute snowman at preschool  Carter giving Hudson a ride.  Carter got all 26 letters of the alphabet right while doing since Upstart!  He's sure making a lot of great progress this year.  He's really working hard and is learning lots!  We're proud of him!

Hudson likes to watch the washer sometimes.  Hudson having a snack while the boys play at the park.  

Then later the boys making forts out of floor mats.

Saturday Steve, Nyles and Hudson went ice fishing.  Rob, Dave, Jeff and his kids came also.  

They had a great time and caught a few fish. :)

Cameron w/ a fish, a bunny in the clouds, Nyles waiting for a fish, and Isaac w/ a fish.

Carter and Nyles waiting for fish to bite, then playing on the shore when it slowed down.  

Steve enjoying life :)

Nyles at martial arts.  The boys made elk jerky.  Nyles playing at the school playground.

Great quotes and reminders.  We're looking forward to an awesome New Year!

Last week of December - New Year's Day

I had the last week of the year off as well, so we got to spend more time together as a family.  We were planning to go visit my parents in Idaho, but it was supposed to snow all week, so we didn't want to travel in bad weather and decided to stay home.  Here are some highlights of the week.

Carter giving Hudson a ride in his truck.  The boys w/ their stuffed animals from Aunt Diane.  

And Piper passed out on her bed :)

Nyles and Carter playing w/ their Legos.  Nyles got his castle and dragon put together!

We got more snow!

Since it snowed we decided to go to the Aquarium w/ Pauline and her kids.

Hudson going down the slide.  Lincoln and Hudson trying to get up to go down the slide.  

Looking at the penguins and Nyles sitting on the whale.

Carter and Hudson w/ their matching Pokémon PJs from Christmas.  There was ice forming on our tires when we got out of the Aquarium, kinds crazy.  Cute Hudson waking up from his nap.

Steve and I celebrated our anniversary by going to the Jordan River Temple (the temple we were married in 13 years ago on January 2nd, 2009) and doing a session together.   It was wonderful to be in the temple together again.  Silly Hudson w/ his blankets.  :)

With more snow we decided to go sledding again.  We took Hudson for the 1st time as well.  

I took him down w/ me and he LOVED it!  So much fun!

Nyles took Hudson down a few times as well.  

Nyles and Carter went down the bigger hill while Hudson and I stayed on the little one.

The next day we went to Thanksgiving Point at the Butterfly exhibit.  

There were beautiful flowers in the exhibit as well, so of course I had to take pictures :)

Look at this cool butterfly w/ transparent wings.  

Steve got the butterfly and was able to transfer it to Nyles.  Nyles thought it was pretty cool!

Pretty butterflies!

Nyles w/ cool butterflies on him.

More fun at the butterfly exhibit and playground.

Cute Hudson looking out our bedroom window (I'm holding him), looking out at Steve in the driveway.  Hudson going up the steps at the Aquarium to come down the slide.  Piper waiting for the snow to fall from the tree so she could bite it.  Silly Piper :)

And we got MORE SNOW!

Another 6 inches or so.  Steve taught Nyles to use the snow blower, which he thought was pretty fun.  Carter playing on the playground w/ the snow.

Fun in snow!

Steve told Rob about the butterfly exhibit and Rob wanted to go too, so he took him the next day, New Year's Eve.  I stayed home w/ Hudson while he took a nap.  They had a great time.

They were able to hold a lot of butterflies!

They were very friendly, especially w/ Rob.

Pretty butterflies, and the transparent wing one again.

They were having such a great time, they decided to go over to the Dinosaur Museum as well.  

They even found one of the hidden gnomes!

Even though it was pretty snowy, we were able to make it over to LuDean/Diane's for a New Year's Eve get together.  Dave, Joann, Carrie, Ryan and Lynsie came as well, along w/ Carrie's friend Lara.  We had dinner, then played a game together.  It was a lot of fun!

On Saturday, New Year's Day, Nyles and Carter had fun playing in the snow pile in front the of mailbox pushed there by the snowplows.  It was their "fort" for the day.  They played for like 3 hours and didn't stop until they realized they actually were cold.  Hudson LOVES the vacuum and goes over to the closets to get it any chance he can, silly kid.  Piper LOVES to play ball, even in the snow.  And Hudson also LOVES to take baths and splash!  Cute boys :)

Nyles and Carter playing on their "fort" more and they put a cup of water out to see how quickly it would freeze.  It only took a couple hours.  The boys thought it was pretty cool.

On Sunday, January 2nd, it was our "real" anniversary.  We went to church like normal and had Steve's family dinner get together that evening, this time at Jeff/Kim's place.  They sang us "Happy Anniversary."  We also put together a puzzle over a few days, which was fun!  I'm so thankful for Steve in my life and that he is my eternal companion.  I am so blessed because of him.

The boys also like to build "forts" in the house w/ blankets and pillows.  

They all think it's pretty fun, including Hudson.

I love the New Year, not only is it our anniversary, but it's a great time to look back over the year to see what we've accomplished and set new goals.  Happy New Year!!!  I know we're all hoping for a great year!

Great quote and reminder.

It's also a great time to set spiritual goals.  From our dear prophet, President Nelson:

Russell M. Nelson 

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I’m sure many of you are setting aside time today to write down your resolutions for the coming year. May I make a few suggestions?

First, resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation. This may involve setting a specific time and place to study the scriptures, praying more often, making temple worship a bigger priority, and letting God prevail in all aspects of your life.

Second, resolve to be kind to others. When the Savior Jesus Christ visited the Americas, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, one of the first things He taught was the need to eliminate contention in our lives. So, please be compassionate, be understanding, be slow to judge, and be quick to forgive.

Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).

May God bless you, my dear friends, and may this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us.