4th Week of June

 Here are some highlights from the 4th week of June.

Our pretty flower in bloom.  Steve and Nyles working on taking out the grass in our park strip to use less water going forward.  Silly Hudson sitting on Nyles' head.  And our Lillies starting to bloom.

On Monday, June 20th, I had the day off.  It's a new Holiday called Juneteenth, in honor of ending slavery.  After working outside, we went swimming at the rec center in the afternoon, which was lots of fun.

At the library, drawing w/ chalk, and Hudson can't help but get into water whenever he can.

Hudson also got his first Covid vaccine shot now that they're finally available for kids under 5 years old.  We're so excited for him to have some protection going forward.  He is such a wiggle worm, even while sleeping.  Nyles and Carter took more swim lessons this week.

Hudson in the water again!  Carter helping Hudson down the slide.

Nyles and Carter working hard during martial arts.

Nyles breaking the board at martial arts.

Nyles has been learning to dive off the high dive.  He accidently did a big belly flop once, but then his teacher pulled him aside and helped him to correct his mistakes.  He didn't let it stop him and has getting better and better.  Good work Nyles!

Cute Carter w/ his swim class going down the slides and diving board the last day.  

Later Hudson just relaxing in the cart at Costco.

Thoughtful comments from Nyles' and Carter's swim teachers.

Pretty flowers in bloom around the yard.  Thursday evening Steve went out fishing w/ Rob and Nyles.  After playing outside we went inside and it started to downpour!  We definitely needed the rain!

Raining hard.

Rob and Nyles holding catfish they caught.  

Ironically they didn't get any rain down there way like we did at our house, just the wind!

Fun times and beautiful sunset!

Friday afternoon Nyles had to do a fitness test in order to pass off and earn his next belt in martial arts.  He had to run a mile in under 12 minutes (he did it in 10.5 minutes), then do so many pushup and sit-ups in 2 minutes, which he did also.  He did awesome!  Some of the kids didn't pass the running test, but since this was their first time doing it, their instructor said they are ok this time, but next time they have to meet the minimum standards.  Good work Nyles!

Another pic of the sunset.  Nyles doing his running test at the park (it was a really hot day also).

On Saturday morning, Steve went and helped w/ a service project.  That afternoon we took the kayaks out to Utah Lake and strolled up the river where the water was really calm.  It was a lot of fun!

Getting started, cute ducks on the logs.

It was very peaceful rowing down the river.   Carter got tired though, so we connected him to Steve's kayak and let him paddle when he felt like it :)

There were ducks everywhere!  Lot's of baby ducks too.

Hudson tried to help Steve row as well.

After we got back, Nyles and I rowed out to where the river met Utah Lake.  The waves were definitely higher out there.  It was a fun stroll down the river w/ hardly any wind or current.  We'll definilty plan to do it again soon.

Sunday I had the opportunity to share my testimony about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  There is so much to say, but I am ever grateful for it in my life.  I’m thankful for the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ for not just protecting me from past mistakes, but helping me become the person I dream of becoming.

Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy spoke of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to help us change.  “The atoning sacrifice of the Savior is what makes perfection or sanctification possible. We could never do it on our own, but God’s grace is sufficient to help us. As Elder David A. Bednar once observed: “Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better.”

On Sunday afternoon, we decided to go up to Silver Lake where it was cooler since it was in the 90s in the valley.  We brought up a little dinner as well and enjoyed the evening.

We set up the hammocks while we boiled some hot dogs for dinner and enjoyed the cooler temperatures.  The boys LOVE playing in the hammocks.

Sharing the hammock w/ Hudson and Carter, then sharing some watermelon and pineapple w/ Hudson.

Beautiful scenery.

After dinner, we packed up, then walked the rest of the way around the lake.  It was awesome!  I love Silver Lake.  Steve and I went up here when we were dating, so it holds a special place in my heart.  It's always beautiful to see the trees, lake and flowers.

Taking in the view.  Silly Carter w/ his Minecraft sweater.

Our cute boys!  It was a wonderful Sunday family activity.

Great quotes about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

3rd Week of June

 Here are some highlights from the 3rd week in June. 

Silly Hudson making noises before bed.

The boys are in their 2nd round of swim lessons.  Nyles moved up to the next level and is now doing laps on the deep side.  Carter is repeating his level in order to get more comfortable swimming on his back.  He's gaining his confidence and is doing really well this round.

Nyles and Carter working hard at martial arts.

We decided to dig out our park-strip in order to lower watering costs and to try to discourage the neighbor's dogs from pooping on the area.  Steve has been working on it this week.  

Nyles and Carter helped where they could.  They also took the branches he cut down and used them to "build a fire" and pretend they were camping.

Wednesday night Steve and I were able to go do an endowment session at the Temple.  After we put Hudson to bed, our neighbor Jacob came over and watched Nyles and Carter.  It was great to be in the temple!  

Hudson watching Steve shave.  Steve and I at the Draper Temple after our session.  

Cute Hudson in his PJs in the morning on my Pilates mat, before starting my exercise.

Thursday Steve went and picked up more mulch to put around the flowerbeds.  Nyles and Carter worked really hard and helped Steve get it done, all while Hudson was down for his nap in the morning.  It was a REALLY hot day too! 

Nyles and Carter both helped to scoop the mulch from the trailer and spread it around the flowers.  Awesome job boys!  I'm thankful for their help to Steve in general and also since I was working and couldn't help.  I am so proud of them!  

My view from our bedroom window as I was working.

Carter helping to scoop up the mulch.  Later that evening the boys out watching Steve use a tiller he borrowed from a neighbor to help cut through some of the tree roots.

After we got the mulch laid down, we felt like we needed more color.  So we went to Home Depot on Saturday and picked out some new flowers.  I love them!  

Different types of Tickseeds and Petunias.

Out Stargazer Lilies are coming in bloom also.  The colors are so beautiful on all the flowers!

Later Steve working on the roots while Hudson and Carter eat a Popsicle. 

The many poses of Hudson as he sleeps :) 

Hudson being silly before going to bed.

Hudson grabbed his book about baby Jesus before bed on the chair, then started 'reading' it.

He loves this book and always points out the pictures of baby Jesus.

Saturday night, we had a neighborhood BBQ put on by our ward.  Both Friday and Saturday we had REALLY strong winds, sometime bursts over 60mph.  Steve was to help set up tables and chairs, so we went over to the church and got them and brought them to our neighbors front yard to set up.  It was still REALLY windy at the time, but we were all hoping and praying it would die down by 6pm when it was to start.  Miraculously there was almost no wind from 6-7pm.  We had a really good turn out, not only from the ward but also non-members in the area.  I took Hudson back home to bed just after 7pm, and by 7:30 it started to rain again and get windy.  So everyone helped to clean up and put things away.  It was a miracle for sure that we were able to have the BBQ outside.  We are thankful for the Lord's tender mercy to allow us to have it and meet more neighbors.

Silly Piper.  Cooking hamburgers at our BBQ.  Hudson w/ a dinosaur saying "Rrrahh."

Sunday was Father's Day.  Since I was released from Primary, I was able to go to Sunday School w/ Steve, all by ourselves.  Hudson has thankfully been going to Nursery w/ no problems (knock on wood).  It sure feels weird being without kids, but it was nice to actually listen to a lesson.

The boys and I are so incredibly blessed to have Steve in our life. He is an amazing husband and father. We are also blessed to have my dad and father in law Dave as their grandparents. They are great examples to us all. Thank you for all you do! We love you all so much!

Steve w/ our 3 cute boys.  Carter wanted a picture w/ our pretty flowers.

Sunday evening we went up to Brandon/Melanie's place in Midway for a family Father's Day BBQ.  The wind had mostly calmed down by then and had cooled off, which felt nice.  It was a wonderful evening.

Nyles and Carter playing on the swings.  Dave opening his Father's Day gift from us all.  Brandon bearing the smoke and cooking the hamburgers.

Nyles and Carter w/ the gifts they made Dave.  Later after Hudson finished his dinner, he went over and sat on Dave's lap and ate some of his watermelon and pineapple.  Silly kid.

Dave mentioned he wanted a new fish finder for his boat, so all the kids contributed to get him one.  Steve researched which one would be good and was able to find one, AND it was on sale at Cabela's this week for Father's Day, bonus!  He then went down and picked it up for him.

Dave acting surprised by his gift :) 

Carter and Hudson jumping on the trampoline.  Hudson on the swing.  Melanie had little questions for the kids to write down things they love and remember about their dads, which was really sweet.  We then read them and read Dave's out loud and tried to guess which kid said what about it.  It was really neat.

Hudson and I went and smelled some of their beautiful flowers as well.  So pretty!

Nyles and Carter swinging.

More swinging.

Very kind words by Dave/Joann to Steve in his Father's Day card.

Great quotes.

 

2nd Week of June

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

Hudson making a fort w/ pillows.

Now that it's Summer time (aka school is out), Nyles and Carter wanted to sleep outside.  The first night they slept on the trampoline, then the next night they slept in the tent.  They said it was a little warmer in the tent. :)

Nyles, Hudson and Carter in the tent ready for bed, though Hudson slept inside.  Hudson spraying the grass w/ the hose.  Then Hudson giving Piper hugs.  He's learning to be "soft" w/ her.

Hudson spraying the grass and me w/ the garden hose.

Steve took the boys to Thanksgiving Point again to see the Dinosaurs.  Dave came w/ Lynsie as well.

Hudson and I checking out the tent, then Nyles, Carter and Piper taking a turn.

On Wednesday, June 8th we celebrated Carter's 6th birthday.  I took the day off so we could spend it together.  Per Carter's request, I made crepes for breakfast.  He then opened up his gifts.  Then the boys had swim lessons.

Carter w/ his cute birthday card from my parents.  

Opening up his gifts: some new clothes and a new Lego set!

That afternoon we played w/ water balloons outside and the hose.  We put water in the toboggans, which Hudson LOVED!  Instant pool!  He thought it was the best! 

That evening we went over to LuDean/Diane's for dinner and cake/ice cream.  Per Carter's request, Steve cooked up some steak.  Diane made her yummy breadsticks to go w/ them.  She also made her yummy Texas sheet cake for dessert.  Plus she found Mickey bars to go w/ them, score!  It brought back good memories from our cruise.  The boys had Mickey bars every night for dessert.  So yummy!  Carter then opened his gifts.  Thanks everyone for all your effort and your thoughtfulness on making his day so special.  We really appreciate you and all you do!

Diane also had a fun game for us all to play, including putting together a dinosaur puzzle.  Carter loves both dinosaurs and puzzles; it was perfect!  

Lynsie was w/ Dave and Joann so she came over as well.  She put one together as well.  

Later Carter doing a puzzle on the Ipad w/ Hudson watching.

Happy Birthday to Carter.

Beautiful flowers in bloom around the yard.

Our Honey Locust trees we planted are also growing well, all 5 of them, and the Dianthus up front.

Nyles and Carter finished their first round of swimming lessons this year (a 2 week course).  It was Carter's 1st official swim lessons since things were closed down due to Covid the last 2 years.  Steve taught him a little bit before we left on our cruise in April, which has definitely helped.  He does everything great, but still needs to keep working on being comfortable swimming on his back.  He's getting there.

The last day of swim lessons they let them jump off the diving board and go down the slides, which they think is really fun!

Friday after I got off work, we drove up to the cabin.  Carter really wanted to go up for his birthday, so we went.  Dave, Joann and Diane were able to come up w/ us as well, which was awesome!

Hudson eating some whip cream while sitting w/ Grandma Joann.  Hudson tickling Grandpa Dave while he replaces a part in the sink.  Carter put together Mr. Potato Head.  Looking out from the deck.

Saturday morning, Dave, Diane, Steve and Nyles went out fishing.  

They caught several Rainbow Trout.

Snowing at the cabin from the Cottonwood trees.

Diane brought a huge bucket to fill w/ water so the boys could play in it.  She also had fun water guns for them to play with, which they loved.  Carter also put together a huge dinosaur puzzle.

Hudson trying to play a game w/ Dave and Diane.  Then playing w/ the water guns w/ Aunt Diane.

We took the boat out after lunch.  Nyles and Carter wanted to try tubing.  Hudson helped drive the boat.

Nyles and Carter tubing.

The boys talked me into trying it as well.  I got in and held Hudson for a little while too. 

Having fun!

Hudson kept wanting to stand up and go to the front of the tube, which I didn't like, so we put him back in the boat after a little bit.  I then went a few more times w/ the boys.  We got going pretty fast (in my opinion) and they got us going outside of the waves and we hit plenty of bumps.  It was actually really fun, though I screamed a lot!. Next time we'll have to bring our swimsuits haha :)

Dave taking us for a ride w/ Hudson standing on my legs.  Piper watching us from the boat.  The water pooled around our butts, so our backsides got wet.  All done bringing the boat back in.

Hudson helping drive the boat some more.  Then he got really tired and snuggled w/ Steve.  

Later back in Dave's truck, he found one of Dave's hat and put it on.  Silly kid.

Dave's truck w/ his boat.  Beautiful view the next morning.  Piper keeping an eye on us while tubing.

Diane made spaghetti w/ her yummy breadsticks for dinner.  Then we sang Happy Birthday to Carter again.  He loves it!

Singing Happy Birthday to Carter at the cabin.

The boys wanted to shoot the bebe guns as well.

Sunday morning there were 4 Sand Hill Cranes out the front of the cabin.  They were really making a lot of noise.  Pretty cool to see though.

Sand Hill Cranes.

Dave, Joann and Diane headed out after breakfast.  We decided to watch church over Zoom that morning and took it easy.  It was a beautiful morning.  The boys played a few more times w/ the water guns, then we packed up to come home.

Hudson spinning Nyles on the chair as we watch church on Zoom.

It was really hot when we got back down to the valley, 96 degrees.  So after unloading, we decided to drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to cool off.  We went on the Observation Trail up there.  Not too surprising, there was still a good amount of snow up there.

Beautiful views!  It was great to have cooler temperatures and to enjoy nature.  

Hardly anyone was up there as well so it was quiet and peaceful.

Great quotes.