First full week of October

 Here are some highlights from the first full week of October.

Nyles earned another belt rank in martial arts.  He earned his blue belt.  Good work Nyles! 

Steve smoked a pork loin.  It was super yummy!

Oh silly Hudson!

Carter's cast was bothering him since he pulled out some of the padding, and it was rubbing on his thumb.  So Steve took him to the Dr where they did another x-ray and said it was healing ok, so they said it could come off.  Carter was so happy to get the cast off and just wear the brace again.  He has to wear it 2 more weeks, then he'll be done!

Carter w/ his cast off.  Carter grew these sunflowers all by himself.  He started it in preschool 5 months ago in a cup, then brought it home.  We let it grow for a while in the cup, then planted it outside.  It's definitely grown.  Good work Carter!  Another pretty flower in our yard. 

We made Halloween sugar cookies w/ orange Kool-aid frosting and candy corn.  

They're yummy!  Such a fun tradition!

For activities days w/ the girls, they made sock animals.  The Young Women did it during Girl's Camp this summer and since they had lots of leftovers, they decided to share and teach the younger girls how to make them.  The loved it!

Cute Hudson saying "Run, run."

Cute poses of Hudson while sleeping!

Steve took the boys to the aquarium on Friday.  Carter invited his friend Colin to go w/ him, and Nyles had Colin's older brother Austin w/ him.  Nyles and Austin went on their own, while Carter, Colin and Hudson stayed w/ Steve.  They had fun seeing the exhibits.

Carter went over to Colin's place after the Aquarium and they painted pumpkins.  It was Colin's older sister's birthday and Colin wanted to have a friend there, so he asked if Carter could come.

Nyles singing Spanish w/ his class.

Steve and Nyles went duck hunting on Saturday.  

It was rather warm and they shot zero ducks, but had a good time anyway.

Our cute boys after church.  Hudson loves to draw.

Steve smoked some ribs on Sunday.  They were super delicious!  Good work Steve!

Great quote.  Cute Hudson w/ his binky and blankets (he can't go very far w/out them).

Last Week of September

Here are some highlights from the last week in September.

On Monday, September 26th, I rode the train into work (downtown SLC).  It was my first time going back into the office since March 2020 when we went home to avoid Covid.  Who knew it would last 2.5 years?  I'm so thankful though for the opportunity I had to work 100% from home during these 2.5 years.  Especially since Hudson was born in August 2020 and I was able to be home w/ him more and spend more time w/ the boys.  I know our relationships have greatly improved over these couple years.  

Right now they are asking us to come into the office on a rotation basis (based on your department), every 4 weeks.  So through the end of the year, I'll go in basically once a month for 3 of the days during that week.  Not bad, but it's likely to change.  The interesting thing is that there literally isn't enough room for us all in the office.  Fidelity Investments has continued to hire over these past 2.5 years.

On my way home from work, I got off the train at 7200 South, where Steve and the boys met me.  We then went over to Gardner's Village to the Witch Fest, to find all the withes.  We like to go earlier in the season since it's less busy, but not on the weekend is also less busy, which is nice.

On our way finding some witches!

Our cute boys!

Nyles trying on a witches hat.  Family picture.  Cute Hudson likes to say "Halloween!"

A witch in an outhouse.  Another witch and Harry Potter/Hogwarts!

After finding all the witches, we went over to Winco to get our pumpkins (25 cents/lb), then ordered Cafe Rio on our way home.  It was a fun evening as a family!

Hudson drawing on the wall w/ chalk, then playing in the sandbox, and w/ his bubble machines!

Cute Hudson sleeping and pretending to read some books (trying to do as Nyles did).

Steve playing ball w/ Piper since I was at work.  I always play w/ her during my lunch break when working from home.  The boys trying out the Tobbans, in anticipation of the duck opener on Saturday.  Since the water is soooo low at Utah Lake, Steve decided they'd sit in these instead of the boat while hunting.  Nyles pretending to shoot ducks.

On Friday, September 30th, the boys didn't have school in light of parent teacher conferences.  Steve went to theirs on Wednesday evening.  They're both doing their best and working hard.  We're proud of their efforts.

Steve took the boys to Thanksgiving Point to the butterfly museum w/ Nyles' friend Lincoln.  

They had a great time and enjoyed holding the butterflies.

More butterflies!

More fun at the museum.  Rob came too since he took the day off work. 

 Then they went and got ice cream.

Saturday morning, Steve woke up Nyles (like at 3:30am), to go duck hunting.  It was the duck opener (1st day of the season), so they wanted to make sure they had a good spot.  He met a guy names Ivan and his friend Devin there as well who joined them.  Rob's back/neck has really been hurting now for a few months, so he didn't want to hurt it again and didn't go.

They drove the boat out on the water, then left it there and got into position.  They all sat in their Toboggans ready to shoot as soon as it was sunlight. 

They all had a good time and got 5 ducks total.

While they were gone, Carter, Hudson and I went over to Savers and found a couple costumes. Carter wanted to try on a few as well.  Then we played outside.  Our neighbor picked us up a Camp Chef smoker up in Logan that morning as they were having a huge sale on them.  Steve heard about it and asked if he'd get us one, which we did.  So while they were gone I opened it and got it ready to assemble once they were back.

Carter trying on a mask, and Nyles' Jack Sparrow hat.  Then popping the bubble wrap from the smoker.

Steve got home by noon and we put the Camp Chef together.  He was only a little excited!

Hudson LOVES popsicles!

After the afternoon session of General Conference, we went over to Pauline's house for Lincoln's 3rd birthday.  She did a Paw Patrol them and got little puppies for each kid to wash, name, decorate a house for, and adopt.  It was cute!  The boys loved it !  Then they went outside and played.  Hudson went straight to the sandbox of course.

Hudson going down the slide.  Lincoln blowing out the candles.  Nyles and Steve at the party.

Sunday morning we got a call from Mickey Mouse telling him how excited he was that they're coming soon on another DISNEY CRUISE!!  We are leaving October 13th and will be back the 20th!  Later the boys playing w/ their puppies on the trampoline.

Steve just had to try the new smoker, so Saturday night we went and bought chicken thighs and pellets for the smoker.  He got them going as General Conference started Sunday morning, and they were done by lunchtime.  They were super yummy!!!

Carter made a fort w/ our pillows and couch cushions during General Conference.  That evening we went to Dave/Joann's for our family dinner.  They had a game of guessing whose baby picture it was, which was a lot of fun.  Silly Hudson sleeps in such funny positions.

Great quotes.

3rd Week of September

 

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of September:

Monday night, after work, we decided to take the kayaks out for one more time before Summer ends. Rob came w/ us as well.  It was such a sad day :( 

There was hardly anyone at Utah Lake.  It was awesome!  We were going to go up the river, but the water was so low it was basically just mud.  They are draining the water into the Great Salt Lake since it's so low.  We then decided to go to the lake and launched in the marina.  We ended up staying in the harbor due to the wind.  It was still really fun.  

We rode around the bigger boats in the harbor/marina.  Cute boys playing on the shore.

Hudson w/ his Mickey Mouse.  Cute Carter said he wants to be a farmer when he grows up. :)

On Tuesday, September 20th, Nyles' class and part of his school went up to Camp Tracy for the day.  They had a lot of fun doing many activities.  

They even got to do more rowing.  Nyles had a great time!

Tuesday night, Barb, Rich and Ryan stopped by and stayed the night.  They were on their way to drop Ryan off at the MTC the next day.  It was great visiting w/ them and having them over.  Ryan even threw the ball w/ Piper, which she loved!  Rich also fixed my printer that wasn't printing.  Thanks Rich!  They took Ryan the next morning to the MTC.  He'll do awesome!  The boys were sad they couldn't stay longer.  Next time hopefully :)

We went to Saver's looking for Halloween costumes.  Nyles found this panda head, so of course they had to try it one.  Silly boys.  Earlier we had a girls Primary Activity.  We went on a nature walk and it rained on us, so we ended up at the church.  We then played other games.  The girls gathered leaves and such items while we walked and stuck them on a duck tape "bracelet."

Cute Hudson w/ his Mickey Mouse stuffed animal and shirt.  Too cute ;)

Cute Hudson sleeping.  Our Mums are starting to bloom!  Friday night we had a Chili and Pie cookoff at the church.  Last year I won 1st place on my White Chicken Chili recipe.  This year I won 2nd place on an Oreo Cream Pie recipe.  Nyles helped me make it.  The boys were pretty excited to win again!

Saturday morning Steve and Nyles went to Utah Lake to see if they could find a duck hunting spot for the next weekend.  Someone got their boat stuck by going in where it was too shallow.  Nyles even got to help drive the boat.  The water levels are SUPER LOW again this year, but worse than last year.  Steve said he's not sure many people will be able to get out to hunt.  I guess we'll see how it goes.

When they got back, we went up to West Bountiful to visit Dave and Melissa Thomas and their 3 kids.  We had dinner, caught up and toured their new house.  They just moved a couple months ago from Woods Cross, like 2 miles away.  It was fun to catch up.  They used to be our neighbors when we lived at the condos we owned in Midvale.  We wished we lived closer so we could see them more often.  The kids had fun making s'mores and then putting all the leaves/branches in the fire. :)

On Sunday we went over to LuDean's/Diane's for dinner.  Diane drew a dog on Carter's cast for him, which he loves!  Cute Hudson sleeping.

Our Honey Locust trees are growing so well, they're almost as big as the Maple trees in the neighbor's yard behind us, in just a couple years.  It's still been rather hot, so we're thankful for our temporary sunshade to provide shade, especially in the afternoon.  Hudson and Carter love to draw w/ chalk on the sidewalk whenever they can.

Great quotes.

2nd Week of September

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of September:

Carter put together another puzzle.  On Tuesday, September 13th, Steve took Carter to Primary Children's Hospital to get his cast put on.  He was really happy to finally get it on.  He said with the hard cast it doesn't hurt now when something touches it.  It's waterproof also, but we still shouldn't get it wet from lakes/rivers since there could be bacteria and we don't want it trapped inside the cast.  

Hudson has been on a Popsicle kick.  He wants to eat them all throughout the day.  It's been so hot we can't blame him.  He's so cute when he sleeps.

Tuesday night we went and did sealings at the Draper Temple w/ Dave and Joann.  Rob came and sat w/ the boys so we could go.  We put Hudson to bed, then Nyles and Carter went to bed 45 minutes later.  It was great to go together and do some family names.  The Spirit was strong.  Cute Hudson bum.

Some chalk fun I did on the retaining wall.  Hudson w/ some stuffed animals.

Steve took Hudson to the Aquarium.  He had fun climbing on the frogs and turtle.

Another day Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum.  

Hudson loved watching the butterflies land on the stroller.

Another day Steve took Hudson to Thanksgiving Point's Farm.  Hudson liked looking at the goats and said "Carter."  The time before, the goats kept coming up to Carter, so Hudson automatically thought of him.  Another day Carter and Nyles built a bus to drive in the living room.  Hudson playing with chalk.

On Saturday, the Primary put on a "Dad's and Donuts" Activity where they came and got a donut and played some games for a little bit.  They had fun!

After they got back from getting donuts, we finished packing up and headed to the cabin.  Carter was excited to do more puzzles.  Nyles took some pictures on my phone of Joann, Carter, Hudson and Dave.

It was kinda cool and it rained, but Dave, Steve and Nyles still wanted to take the boat out to try fishing.  Carter decided to go along as well.  Nyles caught a few fish and Carter reeled one it.

We stayed over night, so the next morning we watched our sacrament meeting via Zoom.  

Later the boys wanted to try shooting the Bebe guns.

Steve tried to put Hudson down for a nap, so Nyles, Carter, Piper and I went for a walk down to the lake.  The water is SOOO low!

Checking out the shore.  After lunch we headed back home.  I then made some Autumn Soup and cornbread to take for dinner over at Diane/LuDeans.  Dave and Joann came too.  Funny the cornbread came out looking like a Jack-0-Lantern face.

Great quotes.