1st Full Week of September

Here are some highlights from the 1st full week of September, after Labor Day.

Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum while the other 2 boys were at school.

Hudson and I coming down the slide at the park, then smelling the flowers at the store while the other 2 were at Martial Arts.  Pretty Sunset.

Hudson getting out of bed when he's not supposed to.  My cute boys on the morning of my mom's birthday, September 7th.  Carter got an award at school from his teachers for working hard.  Nyles was also elected by the teacher's at their school to be on the Student Council.  Good work boys!

Friday late afternoon, after work, we packed up and headed up to Rockport State Park to go camping.  We met Jeff/Kim's family up there as well for the weekend.  The boys were excited to use our camper trailer again.

Silly Hudson playing in Piper's kennel.  Our camper all set up.  Getting a fire going at Jeff/Kim's campsite.  We put the kayak's on top of the roof rack on the Honda.  The Honda did great going up Parley's Canyon thankfully and we made it in good time.

Hudson playing in the hammock.  Pretty sunset.  Getting stuff ready for s'mores.

Nyles, Steve, Carter, Cameron, Hudson and Kim.

The next day Hudson playing w/ his boat at the reservoir.  Nyles and the kids went on a walk w/ the dogs and Carol (Jeff's friend Richard's neighbor who was camping by us).

We then got our gear and brought them down to the water.  Phill came up w/ Claire and Conor for the day.  Stacie was gone for the weekend.  Hudson playing in the muddy water.  Cameron putting mud on his face.  Conor, Carter and Nyles playing in the muddy water.

Claire and Alexa putting mud on their faces and playing w/ Hudson. Steve, Hudson and I going on a ride on the kayaks.  Jeff flew his drone above us as we were kayaking.

Steve and Nyles in kayaks.  Then Nyles in a kayak and Conor and Carter in a raft.  

Alexa and Claire playing on the paddleboard.

Steve and Nyles going out for a ride.  Kim on the kayaks.  Steve took Hudson for a quick ride in the car and he fell asleep, and for a few minutes back in the camper, then came back down to the water.

Nyles trying out the paddleboard.  Kim on the kayak.   Claire, Hudson and Alexa on the paddleboard.

Nyles and Carter swimming while Conor tried to get on the raft.  

Hudson playing in the rocks.  Carter and Nyles on the paddleboard.

Beautiful flowers.

That evening a wind came up, so we moved our dinner inside our campers.  

Carter, Cameron and Hudson playing on the hammock.  Beautiful sunset.

The next morning at breakfast: Cameron and Hudson playing on the hammock again.  Kim, Alexa, Carter and Nyles getting breakfast.  Jeff and Steve working on getting the fire going.

Steve hit a big achievement this week, he got below 300 lbs.  He started at 392 lbs in June.  He was also able to use our "regular" kayaks instead of our bigger one that he normally uses which can hold 2 people.  He's doing awesome!  Good work Steve!  Another pretty sunset.  The boys racing for fun.

Great quotes.

Last week of August/Labor Day Weekend

Here are some highlights of the last week of August and into Labor Day weekend. 

Hudson got to start preschool this week.  He missed his 1st day last week since we drove up to Idaho for the funeral for Sage.  He was super excited to be going finally!

Hudson all ready for preschool.  Steve said he just went without him and didn't look back.  

With his teacher LaKesha Johnson at Sprucewood Elementary.

They finally got the parts in for our Honda and were able to get it done so we can now pull the camper trailer w/ our Honda.  We were pretty excited to have it done.  

Steve then got new tires for the camper trailer since they were pretty worn out.

While they were waiting for the new tires to be put on, Hudson and Steve explored Wal-Mart and got a pretzel at Sam's Club.

Hudson playing in his bed w/ his firetruck and rocket ship.  Hudson pretending to be a Dr. and checking Nyles' eye.  Hudson and Carter just swinging at the park.

On Friday, September 1st we packed up and drove up to the Perry/Brigham City KOA.  It was our first time to use our camper trailer, so we didn't want to be far away, just in case, and decided on a KOA for the amenities this time.  It was only just over an hour away, which was nice, and we were to our campsite.  We got the trailer leveled and a few things put up and we were set!  It sure was nice to pack the camper and not worry about things getting wet or flying out along the drive.  I wasn't sure if things would move around much in cupboards, so I just put them in bags.  Everything stayed put though, so that'll be even easier going forward knowing I can just pack the cupboards next time.  Either way, it was easier than packing a trailer and having to strap them all down so they don't fly out or get wet.

Hudson and Carter fell asleep on the way.  We made it to the KOA.  We were also happy to be able to bring Piper w/ us now, which is a lot easier to do vs sleeping in a tent.

We then drove a few minutes to Brigham City and got dinner at Peach City Restaurant.  The food was great!  There were cool Sycamore Trees along the road, along w/ the "new" Brigham City Temple.

When we got back after dinner, the kids wanted to play some of the games, and try the pool.

The next morning Steve wanted to try out the drains, so Nyles helped him.  I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  We then went over to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Center.  

We walked through the Visitors Center for a little bit, then took a walk outside.

There were lots of pretty Sunflowers along the way and LOTS of grasshoppers.  We all took turns smashing them :)  

A few family pictures and exploring the area.  We did see some birds as well, though we didn't go out very far from the Visitor's Center.

After our walk, we then came home, got some lunch, then I took Nyles and Carter to do a scavenger hunt around the KOA.  There were painted rocks hidden around different areas.  We had clues and had to find them.  When we were done they were able to turn in their paper for a flavored candy cane prize.  It was pretty fun!  While we were doing this, Steve was trying to get Hudson to take a nap.  He almost fell asleep, but then woke up.  So we then decided to go over to the pool to swim.

Finding the painted rocks around the KOA, then getting their treat/prize.

Going swimming at the pool.  Steve being silly.

They also set up a bouncy house, so the kids wanted to try that as well.  We also played the games more, like throwing plastic axes at a target.  It was really fun!

Carter kicking in bouncy house.

Dave, Joann and Diane drove up to have dinner w/ us.  

We had tacos and they brought Mickey Bars for dessert :)

Hudson enjoyed his Mickey Bar.  We played a quick game of Hudson's new face game from his birthday.  The boys then wanted to show everyone the "playground" and swings.

After cleaning up, we made a fire for s'mores.

Aunt Diane and Hudson enjoying their s'mores.  

Carter, Nyles, Steve, Joann and Dave relaxing around the fire.

After s'mores, Diane, Carter, Dave, Hudson and I played Five Crowns.  

Hudson showing us his light up sword.

After the game, they headed home.  It was fun having them come up to visit us for the evening.  Hudson was pretty exhausted, especially considering he didn't get a nap.  He fell asleep shortly after we got him in his PJs and had prayers.  Nyles and Carter in the bunkbeds, Steve on our queen bed, and Piper on her mat at the floor.  We fit just right!

The next morning we had breakfast then packed up and headed home.  Again it was a lot easier to pack up in the camper than a tent.  We left most everything in the cupboards and they traveled great!  We all slept better as well and stayed warmer throughout the night.  We didn't need to turn on the heater, and Steve and I actually opened the windows by us during the night.  It was pretty warm during the day as well, so we turned on the A/C to cool off while in the camper, which was nice.  We thoroughly enjoyed our camping experience in our camper and are looking forward to many more :) 

When we got home, we unpacked, showered, made rice, then got ready to go up to Midway for the monthly family dinner.  Just before we got to Melanie/Brandon's place we saw a double rainbow.  It was so vibrant!

Carter and Hudson fell asleep again on the way home.  Beautiful rainbows!

The kids had fun playing, we had dinner, then sang Happy Birthday to Isaac (over the phone).

Monday, September 4th was Labor Day.  It started raining, then we had a big down pour.  It actually snowed up in the Unitas and at some of the ski resorts.  Our gutters got clogged and the rain started piling up in one of our window wells.  Steve worked to unclog the gutter then cover the window well.  While he was doing that, some of the water was coming through our basement window, so I was working to soak up the water that was coming downstairs.  Thankfully we got it covered, and thankfully we were home to take care of it right then.  Later that day we went to Home Depot and got a window covering to prevent water and other things from coming in our window well going forward. 

The downpour at our place.  Snow in the mountains.  The new window covering Steve put on.

Downpour on Labor Day.

Hudson playing in bed.

Great quotes:

4th Week of August

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

On Monday, August 21st, Nyles and Carter started school.  

Nyles is in 5th grade and Carter is in 1st grade now.  

Nyles teacher is Mrs. Vinuesa, from Spain.  He had her in 3rd grade as well.  He doesn't have 2 teachers this year though, so his teacher does both the Spanish and English and they are all combined the whole day (like a normal class).  Carter is officially starting Dual Immersion w/ Spanish this year, just like Nyles.  So half of his day is in Spanish and half of his day is in English.  Carter's Spanish teacher is from Peru, Mr./Senor Laureano and his English teacher is Mrs. Bilbow.

Nyles w/ his teacher Mrs./Senora Vinuesa.  Nyles, Mrs. Vinuesa and his friend Lincoln.  They are happy to be together this year in the same classroom.  Carter's teacher was helping w/ parking so we couldn't get a picture.  He was super excited to start school though!

Silly Hudson playing before going to bed.  Hudson had an orientation to meet his teacher for preschool coming up.  He loved it!  He is pretty excited to go to school like his older brothers.  He also loves going through the car wash, so we got a monthly pass for his birthday.  He likes to use the air blowers.

We have been enjoying camping as a family the past couple years, so we decided to buy a little camper that fits our family.  It has a queen bed, bunk beds, and the table turns into a bed.  The boys are pretty excited to start to use it!

Thursday morning we drove up to Idaho for Sage's memorial service/Celebration of Life.  Hudson thankfully took a nap along the way.  We pulled the boat up so my dad could help Steve make a duck blind that's attaches to it.  They got to work on it that evening.

The boys had fun pulling each other around on chairs in the shop.

The boys playing in the shop while Steve and Grandpa work on the boat.

Lots of hummingbirds coming in.  My mom's brother Brad came up for the memorial as well.  We played several games w/ him while there.  Hudson had fun using scissors to cut paper.  He also loves to ride w/ my mom and her wheelchair.  He thinks her magnifying glass is pretty fun to play with too.

More hummingbirds.  Piper having fun at the kennel.  My dad and Steve working on the boat blind.

The boys and I took a little walk down by the field and looked at the big tractor.  

Hudson on the swing and riding on the back of my mom's wheelchair.

The boat duck blind about done.  It comes up, then Steve will add camo leaves/brush to it so they can hide under it.  Good work!  My dad did an awesome job!

Friday afternoon we drove up to Homedale for Sage's memorial/Celebration of Life.  It was a special service.  There were a lot of family and friends that came.  Memories were shared and of course I cried a lot.  It's still hard to say goodbye, even though it's temporary.  He know we will see her again, but we will definitely miss her in the meantime.  We are so grateful and thankful for the Plan of Salvation and our Savior Jesus Christ who made it all possible.

Family picture.  Beautiful sunset coming home.

Back Row: Will, Grant (dad), Graci, Wade, Rose, Riley, Sophia, Daron holding Dallas, Kristi, Pauline holding Lincoln, Chris, Steve holding Hudson, Tanner and Anna (Colby and Colten already left).

Middle row: Haley, Kolten, Dexter, Barbara, Ali, Dallin, Charlotte, and Penny.

Front row: Ezra, Carter, Cathleen (mom), Calley, Haley, Ayden, and Nyles.

We left Saturday mid morning to come home.  Hudson thankfully took a nap on the way home as well.  Funny he fell asleep w/ a sucker and would randomly suck on it, though still asleep.  We also hit a HUGE bug on the way home and thankfully it wasn't in our direct view.  Gross!

Piper doing some training at the kennel (K-9).  

We were able to pick her up Saturday evening, which she was pretty happy about.

Silly Hudson getting out of bed.

Nyles and Carter weren't feeling the best on the way home, nor on Sunday, so we ended up staying home from church.  Steve took Nyles into the Dr. Sunday afternoon and he was confirmed w/ Strep Throat.  He started taking antibiotics that day and started feeling better that evening.

The boys w/ their silly faces they made from a new game Hudson got for his birthday from Grandma/Grandpa McGrath.  The boys playing outside Sunday evening.  Hudson loves to play w/ the hose and get his brother's with it.

 Silly Hudson's hair after spraying it w/ the hose.  Piper loves to try to bite the water as well.

Great quotes.