Last Week of September

Here are some highlights from the last week of September.

Hudson and I playing at the park while the others were at karate.  Piper sniffing out a little bone/treat we stuck in a toy.  Great thought.

The boys had Parent Teacher Conferences this week.  Nyles and Carter got out of school early on Thursday, and Hudson didn't have school at all on Thursday.  Steve met w/ all of their teachers.  They are all doing awesome!  They are all working hard and applying themselves.  We are so proud of them in their efforts and determination to give it their all.

Thursday evening, we went over to Gardner Village to find the witches.

Finding the witches and enjoying the fall decor.

Trying to get a family picture.  After finding all the witches, our family tradition is to go to Winco close by and get pumpkins and a treat.  So fun!  Almost a full moon coming home.

Nyles volunteered to mow the lawn for me on Friday since I was working and they didn't have school. It was Nyles' first time to mow.  Steve stayed w/ him to teach him until he got the hang of it.  Nyles did awesome!  He said he really enjoyed mowing and wants to do it more, but I also enjoy it, so we'll see :)  That afternoon we finished packing up, and drove over to Starvation Reservoir. 

 Carter and Hudson were cheering Nyles on while jumping on the trampoline. 

There were beautiful fall colors driving up Parley's Canyon; so pretty!

Piper quickly found a spot in the camper to relax.  The boys wanted to check out our spot.  We were right next to the reservoir, and had Big Cottonwood trees for hammocks.  Pretty sunset, then we saw the full moon, which was amazing!

The boys playing in the hammocks.  They wanted a fire of course before going to bed.

Hudson getting one more snack before bed (microwave popcorn).  Carter showing Piper a secret hiding place under the table.  The cool full moon behind the camper.

The next morning we cooked pancakes and bacon.  We tried out our new griddle top, which worked great!  Carter enjoying his breakfast, snuggled up in his blanket he bought in Mexico.  Hudson found a rubber ducky on the sidewalk w/ a string on it, so he took it for a walk.

We then went over to the beach.  There was a tight rope the boys had to try, then played in the sand.  We were the only ones on the beach and only a few boats in the water, which was nice!  General Conference was starting by then, so I pulled it up on my phone and listened that way.

We took the kayaks out for a ride.  Piper even came for a ride w/ me.  Then I dropped her off and took Hudson for a ride.  There were Seagulls everywhere!

Carter having fun in the sand.  Nyles and I went out for a ride as well.

We then cleaned up and went and had lunch.  The State Park has a 3D archery course you could go on (free), so we went and borrowed some bows/arrows and gave it a try.  It was a lot of fun!

Practicing w/ the bows.

Hudson was done after a bit, so Steve took him to the car, while Nyles, Carter and I continued on.  

We had fun shooting and even got some!

Hudson was ready for a nap by this time, so we drove a couple miles to Duchesne.  Thankfully he fell asleep shortly after getting on the road.  We got gas while in "town" then drove back to the campground.  We then got our fishing poles and went over to a dock to catch fish.  Hudson slept for a little while longer, so I stayed in the car w/ him while Steve went over w/ Nyles and Carter.  After he woke up we joined them.  Unfortunately we didn't get any bites, but we still had fun.

Trying to catch a fish.

Pretty flowers and evening view.

Playing in the hammock while getting dinner done, then we went for a little hike on a nearby hill.

The boys wanted to throw rocks in the water of course.

Then we had another fire before bed.

The winds picked up Sunday morning around 4am, along w/ rain.  It woke Steve and I up, but the boys slept through it, and thankfully we all stayed warm and dry in our camper.  We also had packed up almost everything the night before, so after waking up we grabbed some snacks to take w/ us in the car and headed out.  We stopped at the cabin to try and borrow a Dutch oven, but the spare key was gone.  We then stopped a little further at the Visitor's Center at Strawberry Reservoir and walked over to the trap and egg harvesting facility to see the Kokanee Salmon run.

Kokanee Salmon in pink!  Beautiful colors at the cabin.  At the Visitor's Center.

So pretty!  We drove home through Provo Canyon and enjoyed more beautiful fall colors.

So pretty!

We listened to General Conference in the car coming home.  We made it home by 11am, then continued to watch it on TV.  Hudson then took a nap after lunch.  We made Perler Beads during the last session of General Conference and put magnets on the back of them so we can take them on our cruise coming up next month.

Carter w/ his Donald Duck he made, Hudson w/ his Goofy, and my Minnie and Mickey.

Sunday night we had our family dinner over at LuDean/Diane's.  Steve made his yummy smoked "over the top" chili again and I made my mom's cornbread.  Both were pretty well eaten up.

We sang Happy Birthday to Dave, Diane and Stacie (Hudson helped).  

Silly faces!

We're so grateful for a living prophet to lead us and guide us.  We're thankful for the messages that were shared w/ us and for the Holy Ghost to testify to us of their truthfulness.

A couple great quotes from General Conference.

3rd Week of September

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

Carter made a "fort" out of wood blocks and later doing his spelling words.

Hudson smelling the flowers at Sam's Club.  Steve and I were able to go to the temple Tuesday morning after dropping the boys off to school and Hudson at pre-school.  It was fun to go together in the morning, during the week, instead of the evening like we usually do.

Pretty Mums in bloom in our front yard and a Daisy.

Friday night our ward had a chili cookoff.  Steve made some chili in the smoker called "over the top smoked chili."  You let the beef cook/smoke above the beans/rest of the chili.  It was SUPER YUMMY!  Good work Steve!  Hudson playing in the water w/ a spray bottle.  He LOVES playing in the water anyway he can.

Steve finished his duck blind.  The frame is what my dad helped him build when we were up to visit last month.  Then Steve added netting and grass to it.  This way they can sit in the boat and be hidden better so the ducks will fly right to them.

Saturday afternoon, Steve took Nyles out for his first duck hunt at the Youth Opener, 3 weeks before the "regular" hunt begins.  Nyles officially finished his Hunter's Safety on June 3rd so he was super excited to actually shoot this time.  Carter wanted to go along as well.  Rob also went to help and Jeff's son Cameron came too (Steve picked him up in Lehi on the way to Utah Lake).  Cameron wanted to do the "trial program" to see if he liked it first.

I took Hudson to the park and library while the others were gone.

Getting set up.  Carter made a little "fort" at the back of the boat.  Cameron and Nyles ready to hunt.

Nyles shot a hen Mallard and a Coot.  He did awesome!

Steve getting Nyles' bird he shot, then cleaning up their decoys.

Pretty sunset coming home.

Nyles and Steve coming back to the boat.

On Sunday, we had our Primary Program.  Nyles and Carter did a great job w/ their parts and singing the songs.  Steve sat up on the stage as well to help the Primary kids.  Dave and Joann came to support them and my parents/Diane/LuDean were able to join w/ a Zoom link (thanks for your support!).  Unfortunately they couldn't hear the music though since they forgot to put more mics in the back.  They all did great though!  Good work boys!

Steve helping the kids w/ their parts.  We had dinner w/ Diane/LuDean/Dave/Joann that evening.  On the way over we discussed helping others and not doing it grudgingly or w/ a sad face.  Steve demonstrated to the boys a sad face (he's really good at it) :)  We played Cards Against Humanity Family Edition after dinner, which was fun!

Steve has been doing awesome w/ his weight loss.

He is now officially down 100 lbs since he started his weight loss journey back in June!

Awesome job Steve!

Great quotes.

2nd Week of September

Here are some highlights of the 2nd week of September.  The weather has been nice and we enjoyed some fun activities outside.

I went into work this week, taking the train in, passing the construction on the SLC temple.  Steve has been busy working on his boat blind that my dad helped him build/weld.

Silly Hudson using the roller on Piper.  Carter finally got his loose tooth out, with Steve's help.  

As you can see his other tooth has been coming in behind it, so we're glad it's finally out ;)

My cute boys!  Nyles and Carter ready for picture day.

Carter and Hudson trying on their pirate costumes for our cruise coming up in November.

We went on a walk and got rained on, but it stopped after a bit thankfully.  

We saw the zebra and emu on our way back.

Carter w/ his award from school.

Carter getting his award.

Carter getting his award.

It's the responsibility of 5th graders to help as crossing guards.  Nyles took his turn this week.

Nyles working as a crossing guard at his elementary school.

Cute Hudson at Scheels, then playing w/ the chalk.

Friday night we went over to Mountain Point Lake and Hot Springs w/ the family. Jeff reserved it for everyone and we all paid our share for the 3 hours we were there. I invited Pauline and Rose to join us, though only Pauline could make it.

Nyles and Hudson swimming. Pauline and Lincoln on our kayak.

Ezra jumping off the highest spot into the lake. Cameron on a paddle board.

Cute Carter.  Steve and I on the kayaks.  Pretty sunset.

More fun on the lake.

Pauline and I on the kayaks.  Hudson and Nyles swimming some more, then over to the hot springs.

Making some s'mores (Kathy, Kim's mom in the back), Claire, Olivia and Nyles.  Nyles and Carter rode home w/ Phill/Stacie and stayed the night w/ them.  The girl cousins also stayed the night w/ Claire.

The next morning we woke up early (before 7am) and drove up to Farmington Bay for the Youth Waterfowl Festival.  It was Hudson and my first time going.  The boys were all pretty excited to go.  It's a free activity, especially geared towards kids to learn about the outdoors, especially hunting and little bit of fishing.

Hudson w/ his free duck decoy.  Going on a boat ride.

Learning how to use their free duck calls.  Hudson walking w/ Grandpa Dave.

Learning to duck call.

Taking an airboat ride.

So fun!  The kids that came: Lynsie, Alexa, Claire, Olivia, Hudson, Carter, Nyles and Conor.

Airboat ride.

Trying to guess which duck is which.  Throwing bean bags.

Conor taking a turn trying to shoot a duck, then Hudson.  

Hudson also shooting the dart gun w/ Olivia's help.  Olivia and Alexa playing w/ Hudson.

Nyles shooting.

Steve enjoying the boat ride.  Going on another air boat ride.

Fun times on the boat!

Switching spots, then Conor and Nyles getting cat tails blown in their face.

Airboat ride.

Airboat ride, another view.

Airboat ride.

In addition to all the free stuff they already got going around to the different booths, they then have free door prizes.  Incredibly, almost all the kids won a prize.  Hudson won a goose call, Nyles won shooting targets that explode, and Carter won a sling shot.  After getting their door prizes, we packed up and headed home.

As we were headed home, our friends Dave and Melissa Thomas asked if we wanted to go to the Aquarium w/ them.  We got home, I hurried and showered, then we met them at the Aquarium.

The "touch pond" checking out the starfish and sea anemone.  The turtle got turned upside down.  Hudson watching the penguins.

Piper, Tessa and Carter sitting on the Comodo Dragon.  The clouded leopard was out!  

Going across the bridge.

Getting some peaches off our tree.  There are LOTS this year again!  Steve finishing up his blind.

Hudson playing on the ukulele.

Great quotes as we prepare for General Conference coming up in a couple weeks.