Day in Miami

On Friday, October 14th, we enjoyed a day in Miami.  We had breakfast at the hotel, then the boys wanted to go swimming.  So, we got in our swimsuits and went back downstairs to the pool.  Surprisingly the water was not freezing, it was pretty nice.   

Nyles, Carter, Hudson and I in the pool.

Aunt Diane play w/ the diving rings w/ Hudson.  

Nyles and Carter getting air pockets in their shirts for fun.

Steve and Dave then ran to the store to get some things for everyone.  They saw a few chicken/roosters running around the streets on the way (too funny!).  After we were done swimming, we went back up to the room to get changed.  The boys were hungry after swimming of course, so we popped some microwave popcorn as a snack.  The boys also played w/ some "Plus Plus" puzzle blocks.

Steve and Dave picked up some lunch for us all, then we drove over to the South Pointe Pier Park.  After parking, we walked through the park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Steve and Joann on the walkway.  Beautiful views of the ocean.  Cute boys!

Steve taking some pics.

Some silly cats we found next to the walkway just relaxing.

Family pic.  Cute Hudson loves the swings.  

We saw some cool green Iguanas running up the Palm Tress.

Carter playing at the playground, and Hudson on the swing again.

I wanted to see what was at the end of the walkway, so Nyles and I went ahead to check it out.  

It connected to a cool Pier going out into the ocean.

We saw some cool Jelly Fish swimming in the ocean.  It started to rain on us, but it was still awesome!

Nyles, Carter and I then went over to the beach.  A Carnival cruise ship also came rolling by while we were there.  This is the path all the cruise ships take to get out into the ocean.  It got us excited for our cruise the next day.  We saw really cool sea shells at the beach and a fun lighthouse lifeguard tower too.

Different looking Seagulls, more cool shells, then Carter fell asleep on the way back from the park.

We then went over to Denny's for dinner.  Hudson was so silly, he kept wanting to eat the jelly packets.  Steve and Dave then took the rental van back while I got the boys ready for bed.  It was a fun day!

October Cruise, flying out

On Thursday, October 13th we went to the SLC Airport to go to Miami for another Disney Cruise.  I worked half of the day and the boys went to school in the morning.  Our neighbor Jacob came with us to the airport, then drove our car back home.  Rob also went w/ Dave, Joann and Diane and took Dave's truck back.  We appreciate their help! 

We had less bags this time, mainly due to our decision to checked our bags (so bigger bags), instead of mostly doing smaller carry on bags.  I also used a promotion that allowed us all to checked our bags (up to 8 bags) for FREE, which was awesome.  

Steve, Hudson, Nyles and Carter w/ our luggage ready to go.  Hudson drawing on a white board w/ Aunt Diane.  Carter and Nyles enjoying their view on a seat in the airport.  On our way through the airport.  We put the monkey backpack on Hudson w/ a leash attached, so he can't get too far w/out us whenever he decided to walk instead of ride in the stroller.  He's at that age that sometimes he refuses to ride in the stroller.

Our direct flight to Miami didn't leave until 5:30pm, so we got dinner in the airport while waiting for our flight.  We were able to board first since we brought a wheelchair for Joann (since her knee is still recovering from surgery in July), and Hudson w/ his stroller.  Pauline let us borrow a smaller stroller this time (thanks) and we decided to rent a car-seat w/ our car rental, so we didn't have to bring a car-seat this time.  This also helped us bring less "stuff" this time around.

Nyles w/ my sunglasses on all ready to go on our flight.  We were separated a little more on our way to Miami this time.  I sat next to Nyles, Steve next to Carter, Diane next to Carter, and Dave by Joann.

Sunset as we flew, then evening view.  After getting off our flight we picked up our luggage, then took a shuttle (MIA Mover) over to the car rental facility.  

On the Mover.  Once we got to the car rental place, we had to wait in line as there was only 1 person working at midnight.  Aunt Diane gave the boys some cute stuffed animals to keep them occupied while we waited.  Hudson also pushed his stroller w/ the stuffed animals to give them a ride :)

Cute stuffed animals and a snack.  Thanks Diane!

Once we got in the rental car (a 15 passenger van so we could fit all our luggage), and put Hudson in his car-seat, he felt right asleep.  Once we got to our hotel, Nyles and Carter quickly got into bed and fell asleep as well.  It was a long day, but we made it!

2nd Week of October

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of October.  We were mostly getting ready and packing for our vacation/cruise coming up.  Here are a few things we did until we left on Thursday the 13th.  

On Monday, Steve got took the boys to get their flu shots.  Then after work we went to Wal-Mart where I got another Covid vaccine, plus my flu shot, plus another shot the pharmacist said I needed to get.  My arm was a little sore, but thankfully I had no other reactions.  I then went to get my hair cut and Steve took the boys to Draper Park to learn more about fire safety.

Hudson sat on Carter while waiting in the shopping cart.  Carter and Nyles trying out the fire hose.

Nyles starting a chain saw.  Carter putting out a fire.

Nyles and Carter getting in the helicopter.

Then watching a fire demonstration on how sprinklers really help to put fires out in a house.

Hudson trying out Pauline's little stroller she let us borrow for the trip, while watching Mickey Mouse w/ Carter.  A cute flower in the yard.

Great quotes:

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.