Here are some highlights of the 4th week of February before we left on our trip on Thursday.
Monday, February 20th was President's Day, so I had the day off from work and the boys also didn't have school. That morning I met Pauline at a Pilates studio in Draper and we did a reformer's class together. I've been doing online Pilates for over a year now, but had never tried doing it on the reformer, so Pauline invited me. It was 1 hour long and definitely worked my muscles in different ways. I was sore for a few days after. It was a great workout though. Thanks for the invite Pauline!
Pauline and I after our workout.
Then that afternoon I took Nyles and Carter over to our neighbor to get their faces painted for free. She does it for a living and wanted to update her pictures. The boys were happy to volunteer! She did it in less than 10 minutes each, so good!
Nyles w/ his dragon face.
Carter w/ "Squirtle" on his cheek.
We got DUMPED on with snow Tuesday night.
They canceled school and asked them to do online learning instead.
It was amazing how much snow we got! It kept coming down most of the day! Our snow blower had a hard time moving it, but Steve was able to get it done after a few hours. If we have another winter like this one, we'll need to invest in a new snow blower for sure.
Lots of snow, basically covering the snow blower. Great quote!
The Tulips the boys got me for Valentine's Day started to bloom. So pretty!
I also finished our 2nd Disney puzzle before we left on our Disney cruise. Thanks Diane!
When I measured in the morning we had about 16 inches and since it kept coming down we got a few more inches to that. I finished up work early that afternoon, then went out to play w/ the boys. Piper was super excited to play ball, though she'd lose it many times in the really deep snow.
Nyles just laying in the snow. So much snow!
Look at the height of that snow!
The snow plows finally came!
Hudson wanted to come out and play as well w/ his trucks. Cute boys!
Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of February.
I had to go into work the whole week. We are now required to come into the office every 4 weeks (not my favorite, but I guess it's still better than 50% like it was before Covid). I take the train into work, which is 45 minutes one way, plus a little walking after getting off the train, so about 1 hour today each way. One positive, it gives me time to read at least. It's also nice to see people I've worked w/ over the 15 years at Fidelity and catch up a little bit.
Cute Hudson reading his book in bed after waking up in the morning. Hudson also finds it fun to feed Piper some of her treats, though he does it when he's not supposed to, and ends up giving her more than she's supposed to as well (this might be the reason why she's gained a little weight that past couple months). Silly Hudson. Hudson also wanted to call me on my way home from work.
Steve helped Nyles make his Valentine's box. He decided to make an Army tank. Good work boys! Both Nyles and Carter got plenty of treats from their class parties.
Nyles coming in to read with Hudson in the morning. Other times in his bed, including playing w/ his binoculars after waking up from his nap.
Steve made steak for dinner on Valentine's Day, which was super yummy. The next day I made heart shaped pizza for dinner. Steve and the boys also got me Tulips, which I love. The bouquet of flowers Pauline came me for my birthday and the Hydrangea Steve gave me for my birthday.
Carter started complaining about his ear again, though he just got off antibiotics earlier this week. Steve decided to take him back to the Dr. on Wednesday night. They said he must have a virus since he just got off antibiotics. But by Thursday, Carter's ear was still hurting and he didn't sleep well (kept waking up crying and coming in our room). I ended up staying home to work I was so tired Friday morning. Steve then made an appointment for Carter's regular Dr, and sure enough, the Dr. said he had a "raging ear infection." This time the Dr. put him on a double dose of antibiotics, to be taken both morning and evening, to make sure it takes care of it this time.
Great quote. Poor Carter feel asleep on the couch he was so tired from not sleeping the night before.
Carter couldn't wake up to take his medicine, so we let him sleep until he woke up on his own.
Great quote. Hudson found crayons in Carter's room and decided to write on his wall. Thankfully we had a magic eraser which I had him use to get it off.
Saturday morning we got a call from Mickey Mouse telling us he's excited for us to go on our cruise. Hudson was especially excited to hear his voice!
Hudson's poses while sleeping. A fort Nyles and Carter built while listening to a book Steve was reading to them. Piper's silly smile.
Hudson playing w/ a stool as I was getting things ready to start packing. Steve cut the boys hair Saturday morning. We also had Stake Conference on Sunday, so we walked over to the church. We sat in the Primary room w/ just one other family from our ward, so that was nice. I brought some dry erase markers and the boys drew on the white board in the room. They encouraged us all to do more missionary work, including senior couples who can serve full time. I also finished the puzzle Diane gave us over Christmas; thanks Diane.
After Hudson's nap Sunday afternoon, we went over to Sprucewood Elementary to play for a while. Nyles and Carter rode their scooters (Hudson tried w/ Nyles' help as well), we threw the frisbee, played on the swings, played on the slides and playground, threw the ball w/ Piper and just played. It was nice to get outside even though it's still a little cold outside.
Carter and Nyles on the playground, Hudson going down the hill.
Here are some highlights from the first full week of February.
Cute Hudson asleep. Carter took a picture of Steve and Nyles wrestling on the bed.
Cute Hudson asleep. Steve had to wake him up to go pick up Nyles and Carter from school. Steve then took all 3 boys to the Dentist. Surprisingly Hudson did awesome! He actually sat still for the whole cleaning and polishing. Good work Hudson!
On Friday, February 10th, it was my birthday. I decided to work until 1pm since I'm taking time off for our upcoming cruise. Carter had a friend birthday party that afternoon as well. We picked him up at 5pm, and went over to LuDean/Diane's for dinner. Dave/Joann came as well and surprised me w/ Moochies Philly Cheesesteaks for dinner! They were delicious! We played a fun game, then sang Happy Birthday. Diane made her yummy Texas sheet cake and had Mickey Ice Cream Bars. Everything was super yummy and we all had a lot of fun. Thanks everyone for making my day special!
Nyles and I ready for dinner. Hudson helping blow out the candles, but making spit bubbles instead. When we got home, we got Hudson to bed, then Nyles and Carter gave me their birthday cards and a pretty Hydrangea flower from Steve. So special!
Steve also decorated the living/dining room. I love their thoughtfulness.
Cute Hudson asleep, then playing w/ a flashlight after waking up in the morning. We allow him to have some toys at the end of his bed. He goes right to sleep thankfully, then in the morning he'll quietly play w/ them.
On Saturday, Steve and I went to the Draper Temple as one of my birthday activities. Rob came over while Hudson took his nap, and played Nintendo w/ Carter and Nyles. We met Dave/Joann there and did a sealing session w/ them, which was great! It's been quite a while since we went to the temple during the day and when the sun was still out. We usually go after putting Hudson to bed and the older ones go to bed shortly after. It was nice to go in the daylight!
After the temple we went to the DI to get more swim shorts for Nyles. I had everyone try on their swimsuits before I start packing, and Nyles didn't fit into his swimsuits he just wore in October. That kid is growing for sure! Thankfully we were able to find both some swimsuits and some regular shorts that fit him. On the way home, we stopped at the boy's Elementary school and let them play for a while. It was pretty cold out though, so we didn't last very long.
Steve and I at the Draper Temple. Carter and Hudson playing Hide and Seek at the DI.
Enjoying the swings at their school playground.
Sunday Steve and Nyles smoked some pulled pork and pork burnt ends for my birthday dinner. Pauline and Rose and their families came over to celebrate. The food was super yummy! We had a good time visiting, playing Blank Slate, then sang Happy Birthday. Hudson and Lincoln wanted to help blow out the candles of course ;)
Nyles w/ the pulled pork, the burnt ends, great quote, and singing Happy Birthday.
Thanks everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes and for making my day EXTRA special! I had an amazing day, thank you!!!! :)
“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.”
Here are some highlights from the last few days of January, beginning of February.
The last couple days of January were REALLY cold! It didn't even get above freezing during the day, and at night it was even colder of course. It was below 10 degrees as Steve was taking the boys to school in the morning at 8:30am. Day's like this we're especially thankful for a warm house, and a garage to keep our cars warm.
Cold temperatures outside taking the boys to school. Cute Hudson playing w/ a vacuum piece pretending it's a telescope. Another time asleep across his pillow.
Silly Hudson playing w/ his blankets around his head before falling asleep. Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum, though he didn't behave very well, so Steve took him home. Hudson likes to sit on the toilet before his bath and mostly pretend he's going (it's good practice). Lately he thinks its funny to let the seat come down on him. Silly kid!
Nyles wanted Steve and I to learn Spanish w/ him, so I'm doing a couple minutes of Duolingo every day. I was doing over the summer, then we went on our cruise in October and stopped when we didn't have service then I picked it up after getting back. I've now done 100 days in a row!
Nyles and Carter at martial arts. They're in the same class now though Nyles is ahead in his rank since Carter took a break when school started. It's slowly coming back to him.
Saturday, Steve, Nyles and Dave went ice fishing for a little while at Utah Lake. Unfortunately the fish didn't cooperate. Hudson Carter and I went outside in the backyard to enjoy the sunlight. The boys wanted to draw w/ chalk on the wall. Thankfully it was a little warmer on the weekend than it was at the beginning of the week.
Great quote. Cute Hudson so sleepy. Saturday night we took Nyles and Carter to stay the night at Stacie/Phill's house. They built a fort in the living room w/ Conor that night and slept in it. Their dog Mesa, who is 100 lbs right now, laid on Carter. Carter likes to snuggle though, so he didn't mind :)
At 11pm Saturday night, Steve put a beef brisket on the smoker. He let it go overnight for 12 hours, then covered it in tinfoil after we got home from church at 11am. It then cooked another 2.5 hours, then "rested" another 3 hours. We then went back up to Centerville to Stacie/Phill's house for our family dinner. It snowed pretty hard in the afternoon and covered the grass by a couple inches. Thankfully it stopped and the roads were clear so we were able to travel. Nyles and Conor also bore their testimonies in sacrament meeting. Awesome job boys!
Steve cutting up the brisket. I also made Texas Roadhouse rolls and some cinnamon butter. Everything was super yummy! Hudson thought it was fun to "ride" Steve's leg after dinner. Great quote.
It's hard to believe January has come and gone already. It was a good month and we're excited for what lies ahead for us in February.
Here are some highlights from the 4th week of January.
Monday at 4:30pm, I had our primary girls' activity. We did a physical activity by playing ladder-ball, cornhole and frisbee throw in the gym. All the girls came and we had a great time!
Silly Hudson kicking the wall while laying in his bed. Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum. The butterflies kept landing on his hat.
Silly Piper w/ her leg in the air. Then Steve found her cuddled up on Nyles' bed, which she's not supposed to get on beds. Cute Hudson snuggled w/ his blankies.
On Wednesday, Nyles had his primary activity. They went on a tour of Smith's Grocery store.
Another day at the Butterfly Museum.
After going to Nyles' Martial Arts class, Carter has wanted to go back. He stopped going to Martial Arts when school started back up in August, since he wanted to take a break. We talked w/ the instructors and they're willing to let Carter come to Nyles' class (usually you have to be at least 8 years old) since there are usually only a few kids in the class. Carter's super excited to get back to the mat!
Nyles and Carter at Martial Arts class. Cute Hudson at the dinosaur museum another day.
Carter had his last basketball game on Saturday.
Carter enjoying the game. Dave and Joann came and watched again as well. He did an awesome job!
After Carter's basketball game we went home for lunch. Steve and Nyles then went fishing at Utah Lake for a while. Carter and I worked on making a Perler bead hummingbird while Hudson took a nap. When Hudson woke up, I asked Carter to go get Hudson out of his bed since I was ironing the beads downstairs. Carter then left him up there and came back down. A little while later I asked Carter to go check on what Hudson was doing. Carter said I better come up and look. Someone had left the Vaseline on the counter and Hudson apparently thought it would be fun to smear it on the bathroom door. Silly kid! At least it came off!
Steve and Nyles smoked some ribs for dinner tonight. We went over to Diane/LuDean's for dinner w/ them and Dave/Joann. It was snowing both on the way there and back, but we made it safely thankfully. We had a great dinner, played a game, and sang Happy Birthday to me (a couple weeks early). Hudson loves "helping" me blow out the candles.
Playing a fun game Aunt Diane put together.
We all had a great time! Thanks everyone for the fun evening!
Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of January. Monday, January 16th, we had the day off for Martin Luther King Jr Day. We took it easy.
Hudson playing in the blocks bin. We then bundled up and went outside. Piper wanted to play ball of course. Hudson helped by kicking her the ball.
Nyles had my name for Christmas and he got me a dart board. Steve set it up in the garage. We took turns playing it as a family and Hudson played in the car.
On Tuesday, I had to go into work, the whole week! They just started requiring us to go into the office for the whole week, every 4 weeks. I'm not excited about it, but I guess it's still better than going in 50% of the time, like we did before Covid. I stinks though that it takes 1 hour total to get to work on the train and 1 hour total back. I'd rather be at home w/ Steve and the boys for those 2 hours, but we'll make due and adjust again. Hudson was especially sad I had to go into work. In the past when I've said I'm going to work, I just shut our bedroom down and he knows not bother me (mostly). He wanted to call me on my way home on the train on day, and of course played w/ the graphics. When I got home he gave me a huge hug and wouldn't let go. I have been spoiled being able to work 100% from home since March 2020 when Covid started, so almost 3 years.
Hudson loves Nyles' Rocketship and wants to play w/ it all the time, but Nyles is afraid he'll break it of course. We finally looked online and ordered one for Hudson so he doesn't have to play w/ Nyles'.
Hudson talking to me while coming home on the train after work. The boys using their tools to build things. Hudson sleeping w/ Nyles' Rocketship, then playing w/ his once we got it.
Hudson counting backwards for his new rocket to blastoff. He learned it watching Mickey Mouse.
Hudson finding out that peanuts are inside of the shell.
On Saturday, Carter had another basketball game. Dave and Joann came to see him. He had a great pass (assist) to another player closer to the basket who then make it for their team. Great job Carter!
Carter (#13) and his friend Colin (#5) play on the same team.
Joann, Carter and Dave. Hudson rolling the basketball w/ Nyles.
Steve put up my ukulele above my desk w/ something we already had at home. The boys wanted theirs hung up too, so we ordered some online. Now we can safely put them away each day and keep them out of Hudson's hands ;)
Steve has wanted to try smoking a pork butt for a while, so while we were at Sam's Club we found one on sale. He started it this morning at 5 am and it just got done, a little earlier than expected. We're having the missionaries over tonight for dinner plus Stacie/Phill's family. It's super yummy! Good work Steve! It's been snowing today, so Steve put up the canopy to try to keep the smoker warmer, protect from the snow, plus Steve stays dry when he goes out to check on it. It works great!
The pork seasoned and ready to go. The canopy keeping the smoker dry.
The snow we're getting today (not much). All done!
We had a great lesson today on forgiveness. It's something we all can continue to pray for and work on.
