Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of November.
On Monday, November 14th we had our air ducts cleaned. I was working from home, but luckily I had a client reschedule and was able to get out of their way while they cleaned the vents upstairs. They took a couple hours but got it done. They said they're pretty sure our vents haven't been cleaned since the house was built in 1983 (gross). They said there was construction debris in the vents and lots of dust of course. With all our "projects" on the house over the years, we haven't really looked at the vents until now. Better late than never right?
On Tuesday, November 15th, Carter's Kindergarten class went to the Hogle Zoo. Steve, Hudson and Dave met Carter there and went along w/ him. It was pretty cold, but they bundled up in snow clothes and stayed warm. Steve said even though it was cold all the animals were out, which was awesome!
Dave, Carter and Hudson at the zoo. Carter and Steve. Hudson and Carter looking at the polar bears.
Cute Hudson literally stopped to smell the flowers before we checked out at Walmart. My boys know I love flowers, so when they spot them, they like to point them out to me. I really appreciate it, since we all need to slow down and smell the flowers you know? Silly Piper in Steve's shorts. Carter sitting w/ Steve as we read scripture before bed.
Since our 2 trees in our park-strip died, we decided to plant another one. We decided to plant it in the yard instead of the park-strip so our yard/driveway/house can get more shade. Cute Hudson playing w/ the excavator in his crib. We allow him to take it into his crib since he falls asleep quickly w/ it, then if he wakes in the morning or after his nap, he'll quietly play w/ it.
Earlier in the week Nyles wasn't feeling well and actually stayed home from school on Monday, but was feeling better the next day. He was happy he was feeling better since on Tuesday his class walked over to Alta High School to watch the play The Adams Family.
Misty Anderson (our backdoor neighbor) found Nyles at the play and sent me a pic.
Cute Hudson asleep in his crib.
On Wednesday, both Nyles and I had a Primary Activity. Nyles group made scones, and our group did gratitude activities. I love talking about gratitude and being reminded of its importance in our life.
Friday, November 18th, Nyles went to a birthday party at Altitude Trampoline Park for his friend Owen's birthday. It went from 7-9pm, so Steve drove him and stayed w/ him since it was 30 minutes away. Nyles had a good time jumping around. They also had pizza and brownies afterwards.
Friday Piper wasn't feeling well and we could see some sort of infection in her ear, so Steve took her to the vet. She had an ear infection and a fever. She took it easy for a few days and didn't even play ball. You know she doesn't feel well when we doesn't even want to play ball. We had to give her drops in her ear for the infection plus other medicine.
Saturday we went to Lowe's and the boys built little wooden turkeys for Thanksgiving. Later Steve went duck hunting w/ Nyles, so Carter, Hudson and I went to the park to play. Hudson loves the swings!
On Sunday, November 20th, Nyles and Carter sang in the Primary Program and did their speaking parts. Since Steve is Nyles' teacher he also was up there helping to sing. They all did great! Dave came to support them as well. Both Hudson and I weren't feeling well so we stayed home and watched it on Zoom. I'm glad we have that technology so we can still participate.
The children sang this beautiful song called "Choose to Serve the Lord." And yes it makes me cry every time. I love the Spirit you feel as they sing it.
Great quote. A couple weeks ago Pauline brought over a game in a bag, so I decided to try it in our game closet. The bags definitely help to save space. I also made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and we gave them to neighbors.
Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of November week:
Steve smoked some chicken wings. They were really yummy! Silly Hudson in his crib.
Wednesday night we went to Cabela's so the kids could visit w/ Santa.
They got some fun glasses as well. Steve wanted Piper to try them on :)
Carter and Hudson playing in the tub w/ bubbles. Hudson playing in his crib w/ an airplane.
Hudson asking for some of my salad, and Piper waiting in line to see if I'll give her some too.
Cute Hudson playing in a box that came in the mail.
Steve took Nyles to go duck hunting Saturday afternoon. While they were gone, Carter, Hudson and I went to Draper Park and the Library. The new park is so fun!
Steve worked on a new long-tail kit that Mud-Skipper sent him. Unfortunately when they put it in the water it didn't work. Steve is working w/ them to get it fixed. It was a free prototype they are working on, but apparently it doesn't have all the right pieces to make it work. Steve and Nyles came home early Saturday, so we got to spend the rest of the evening together, which was nice.
On Sunday, Steve smoked a beef roast for dinner. We brought it over to share w/ LuDean, Diane, Dave and Joann. After dinner the boys colored wooden Christmas decorations. So fun! Thanks everyone!
Here are some highlights from the 1st week of November.
On Tuesday, November 1st, Steve and I went downtown for a "Celebration of Service" put on by Fidelity. I have been at Fidelity Investments for 15 years now, crazy enough. Starting at 10 years they honor you and put on a dinner where you can bring your spouse, then every 5 years after that. It seems like we just celebrated my 10 year anniversary, and now here we are at 15 years.
Last time it was at the Natural History Museum of Utah by the University of Utah. After the dinner we were able to walk around and see all the exhibits which was really neat (like Dinosaur bones). This time it was at the Grand America Hotel and was just a dinner basically. It was still nice to get out and go to dinner w/ Steve especially (date night). Dave and Joann were able to come sit w/ the boys thankfully and get them to bed so we could go. Thank you!!
Just about to leave. Then at the dinner celebration. The Grand America was starting to decorate for Christmas, so we had to take a picture by the gingerbread house.
It snowed. Cute Hudson sleeping w/ a firetruck in his crib. Hudson listening to Nyles read his book.
Carter w/ an Ender Dragon costume on (it was on sale after Halloween). Silly Hudson's face while holding a duck decoy. Hudson playing w/ Piper's training collar remote.
Steve went and put up Dave's Christmas lights after putting up LuDean's and ours. Hudson watched from the window inside w/ Joann. Another day Steve took Hudson to the Aquarium to play for a little while since it was cold outside. Hudson had a lot of fun.
Friday night to Saturday Conor came over to play. The boys had fun playing w/ Play Dough, and playing Army. Hudson loves to play w/ dinosaurs. Cute Piper so cozzy.
On Sunday, Rose and Pauline and their families came over for lunch. My Mom and Dad came down to go to my mom's family Christmas Party on Saturday and decided to stay another day. Steve smoked some "burnt pork ends" and a pork roast. They were both super yummy! Steve is mastering the smoker! I also made the BBQ sauce and rub to put on the meat, which turned out great together.
Ali, Hudson, Sophia and Lincoln on the trampoline together. Yummy burnt ends.
Hudson trying to rake up some leaves like Nyles.
Nyles and Ezra raked up some leaves to play in, then put them in the garbage can. Thanks boys!
Hudson didn't want to eat his own lunch, but he happily sat w/ Grandma and helped her w/ her lunch. He then helped her w/ her watermelon. Silly kid.
Here are some highlights from Halloween weekend (Saturday - Monday).
Saturday morning Steve went duck hunting. He went w/ our neighbor Tim again.
Waiting for shooting light.
They got a Ruddy Duck. Beautiful sunrise over Farmington Bay.
While Steve was out duck hunting, Hudson was also busy. The night before I got up at 6am to use the bathroom. I came back to bed and had a thought to check on Hudson, even though he was quiet and wasn't making noise. I pulled up the camera on my phone, and as I was looking at him, he looked naked. I didn't have my glasses on so I turned it over to Steve and asked if he looked naked to him. Steve said yes, then pretty much went right back to bed. I put on my glasses and checked again, and sure enough he didn't have any clothes on. He was just sitting there though, all quiet, not making any noises. I went in his room and he said "hi mom." I then grabbed his PJs which were in his crib and his diaper, which was in another spot. He had peed in his crib since taking off his diaper, so after putting on another diaper, I then changed his crib sheets. I then gave him a drink of water and laid him down. He thankfully went right back to bed.
It was so funny, but I didn't get any pictures to prove it. Well thankfully Hudson did it the next night/morning also. After Steve was gone duck hunting that morning, at about 7am, I looked at my phone to check on Hudson, and he was butt naked again! I took a couple quick pictures because it's so funny to me, then went and dressed him again. Thankfully this time he didn't pee in his crib. Silly kid. Nyles used to do this also. He figured out how to unzip his PJs. We finally had to put zip-ties on his PJs then take the zipt-ie off w/ pliers the next morning. Ironically Hudson hasn't tried it again. I put on 2 layers of PJs after he did it the 2nd time, and so far he hasn't tried again.
Silly Piper. She loves to lay on any blankets she can find. We were putting the blankets away when she decided to lay on them. Hudson LOVES to draw and color any chance he gets.
Great quote. Cute Piper snuggling w/ the stuffed animals. The boys giving Steve a foot massage.
Silly Piper chasing the reflection on Steve's phone.
Sunday evening we went for a short walk near Little Cottonwood Canyon. The leaves have changed quickly this year as the temperatures have dropped suddenly. It was beautiful though.
Such gorgeous surroundings.
Beautiful colors.
On Monday, Halloween Day, Steve went and put up LuDean's Christmas lights around her house since it was only supposed to get even colder later in the week. Diane watched Hudson while
Steve put up the lights. Hudson had fun playing w/ balloons and watching Curious George.
That night Steve smoked a beef roast. It was really tasty! Steve is getting really good at smoking!
Cute Hudson taking a nap after a fun morning.
After dinner the kids went Trick-or-Treating. Conor came down and joined in the fun. Hudson didn't last but a few houses walking. We then put him in the stroller the rest of the way around the block. I then came home w/ him and put him to bed. He was definitely ready! He wanted to bring a fire truck w/ him to bed. I told him he could as long as he went right to bed. And he did! Funny, Nyles used to do the same thing. He always wanted a toy or stuffed animal w/ him when he went to bed, but he would actually go to bed, so we let him.
Hudson decided to be a frog this time on Halloween Night, Carter was a Policeman, and Nyles Captain Jack Sparrow again. Conor was a scary clown.
Cute Hudson saying "Cheese" while I try to get a picture.
It was a fun Halloween Weekend. The boys got way too much candy, so we're rationing it for them :) We're thankful for family and friends to spend time with.
