2nd week of November

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of November.

On Monday, November 13, I worked until noon, then Steve and Hudson drove me to the airport.  I flew down to Westlake, Texas for work training along w/ 3 other guys in SLC.  We had training all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and half day Thursday.  I was hired to my new position as a Managed Solutions Consultant in August, but we were just now getting our formal training.  There were 15 of us total from across the country from other sites.

Steve made French Toast for the boys Monday night for dinner.

Tuesday night after training, we went up to Dallas for the Dallas Stars Hockey Game.  They won in overtime which was exciting!  

Jason, Me, Dillon, Moira, and Shaun at the game.  Our trainers from Texas also gave us a cute gift bag w/ Texas stuff, but unfortunately I wasn't able to take it home since I only had a carry on bag and they were too big :)

Tuesday afternoon, Steve checked the boys out of school a little early and took them duck hunting.  The weather was beautiful!  Steve let Nyles practice shooting, but he didn't get any.

Wednesday afternoon Nyles went bowling w/ the Primary boys.  They had a great time!  Carter also got his free duck mount back.  He won it at last year's Youth Waterfowl Festival.  He was SUPER EXCITED to get it back!

My hotel room.  The bathroom at work had a light next to the door, green for available, red for busy.  The Westlake campus/site is HUGE especially compared to the SLC one.  Cool break room.

There are trees everywhere and pond on the site.  

Wednesday night we went out to dinner w/ our group at a Mexican Restaurant.

Thursday we had training until noon, then headed out.  Shaun Wilson, me and Dillon Slaugh (from SLC), at the Westlake Campus until we headed back to the airport.  They have a lot more seating options at this site, that's for sure!

Hudson delaying taking his nap.  Steve and the boys picked me up from the airport around 5pm Thursday night.  We passed by the Taylorsville Temple on the way home; it's almost done!  The boys surprised me w/ flowers and chocolate; my favorite!  Steve also cleaned the whole house that morning, which I greatly appreciate.  Thanks Steve!

Friday I had a busy day at work.  That night we went down to Cabela's to meet Santa and make a little craft.  Plus it's fun to explore the place.

Steve w/ his reindeer antlers.  Hudson and Carter wanted to try out the ATVs.

Then the guns and an ATV that was Hudson's size.  Cute Carter and Hudson near the fish.

On Saturday, Nyles and Carter went over to Diane/LuDean's to help paint windows.  

They did a great job!

Steve and his grandpa George McGrath w/ his duck tie.  Steve w/ Nyles (both wearing George's ties).

It snowed on Sunday!  Steve also smoked some chicken breasts and chicken thighs wrapped in bacon, topped w/ my homemade bbq sauce.  They were both super yummy!  Stacie/Phill family came over to enjoy it w/ us.  We talked about our upcoming cruise this week!  For school Carter had to disguise his turkey, so he dressed him up as Santa Clause.  

What we are grateful for this week.

November 13:

• Steve- Helping my dad plant his tulips.
• Penny- Made it safely to Texas.
• Nyles- Sub in karate, changed things up.
• Carter- Karate.
• Hudson- My PJs.

November 14:

• Steve- Cell phones to talk to each other.
• Penny- Had good training.
• Nyles- Go duck hunting.
• Carter- Go duck hunting.
• Hudson- Brother.

November 15:

• Steve- Rain gutters.
• Penny- Got to know my co-workers better.
• Nyles- Dad knows how to make some food.
• Carter- I got my duck mount.
• Hudson- For Piper.

November 16: 

• Steve- Penny came home.
• Penny- I was able to come home today.
• Nyles- Mom came home.
• Carter- We could pick up mom from the airport.
• Hudson- Mom could come back home.

November 17:

• Steve- The boys were able to play w/ friends today.
• Penny- It's Friday!
• Nyles- That I'm on Student Council.
• Carter- Go to Colin's house today.  Got to see Santa.
• Hudson- Got to meet Santa tonight.

November 18:

• Steve- To sleep in.
• Penny- Go to Pilates class.
• Nyles- Paint window at Diane's place.
• Carter- Go to Diane's place.
• Hudson- Dad takes us places.

November 19:

• Steve- Chicken bacon bombs turned out great on the smoker.
• Penny- The rain/snow/moisture we got today
• Nyles- The cruise is coming soon.
• Carter- Played my ukulele today.
• Hudson- Stacie/Phill/Claire/Conor came to visit today.
  
  
  Great quotes:

First full week of November

Here are some highlights from the first full week of November.

We had rain a couple days this week, so Hudson used the umbrella walking over to preschool.  Monday night we made little wreaths out of pinecones w/ the girls.  They then added different bows to them so they can use it throughout the year.

Tuesday night I went to a Pilates class and Nyles went to the Orem Temple Open House w/ the YM/YM.  Steve took Hudson and Carter to the Butterfly Museum while we were gone.

I went into the office Wednesday and Thursday this week.  Steve said Piper misses me when I'm gone and just sits in our room/my office looking like a lost puppy.  The SLC Temple is still under construction.  Beautiful sunlight coming over the Delta Center and some beautiful trees as I was getting off work.  Steve played a trick on the boys saying he needed a picture, then got them w/ silly string :)

Steve getting the boys w/ silly string.

Hudson saying "Puddle Jumpers" to Nyles and Carter as they get out of the car going to school.

Friday, Carter made a beautiful heart for Veteran's Day at school.  Then after school Carter's friend Colin came over to play.  They played around, including Croquet in the front yard.  Kaitlyn came over to play as well.  They all had a great time.

Friday evening we went down to the Orem Temple Open House.  Pauline came over earlier to take a few family pictures for us at the park.  Then we went to Cafe Rio for dinner together, then drove down to Orem.  We met Rose's family there and Dave/Joann.

Such a beautiful temple, inside and out.

Back: Dave, Nyles, Steve, Ali, Penny, Sophia, Charlotte, Pauline, Lincoln, Chris, and Rose.

Front: Joann w/ Hudson on her lap, Carter and Ezra.

Saturday morning, Steve and Nyles went out duck hunting w/ Utah Lake w/ our neighbor Tim Marcinowski.  It was 23 degrees that morning, but they still had fun and got a few ducks.

Saturday after putting Hudson down for a nap, Steve and I went over to the Draper Temple and did some sealings.  Steve tricked the boys again and got them w/ silly string.  We are less than 2 weeks away from going on our family cruise!  Silly Hudson dressed up in his armor.

What we're thankful for:

November 6:

• Steve- I could help my dad today get his Christmas lights up.
• Penny- For the Internet, we use it for so many things.
• Nyles- For a shower.
• Carter- For school to teach me.
• Hudson- Dr. Erickson to get his bum better.

November 7:

• Steve- Kids got out of school fast to make it to Hudson's Dr. Appt.
• Penny- Able to go to Pilates class tonight.
• Nyles- Go to the Orem Temple Open House w/ YM/YM.
• Carter- Went to the Butterfly Museum.
• Hudson- Dad picked me up from school.

November 8:

• Steve- Penny working today.
• Penny- Others to help me at work.
• Nyles- That Latinos in Action came today.
• Carter- Dad picked us up from school.
• Hudson- For the car wash.

November 9:

• Steve- Medicine.
• Penny- Steve taking care of the boys and the house.
• Nyles- That Dad knows how to fix walls.
• Carter- My teachers could come over to our house.
• Hudson- For my teacher.

November 10:

• Steve- I'm grateful that Hudson was found safe at the Orem Open House (he wandered away).
• Penny- We could go to the Orem Open House today.
• Nyles- To go to the temple.
• Carter- To go to the temple and play w/ cousins.
• Hudson- I was found after getting lost.

November 11:

• Steve- waders didn't leak on a cold morning.
• Penny- To go do sealings w/ Steve at the temple.
• Nyles- Go duck hunting.
• Carter- For pizza.
• Hudson- Grandma and Grandpa came over to our house. 

November 12:

• Steve- For our smoker.
• Penny- For family.
• Nyles-For the smoker to cook things.
• Carter- Go to Aunt Diane's for dinner.
• Hudson- Lemonade.

Thoughts from our lesson today on "Think Celestial" in Relief Society.  I was helping in Nursery so I missed it, but here is a thought from the discussion.  Another great quote.

Last couple days of October/First few of November

Here are some highlights from the last few days of October and start of November.

On Monday, October 30th, we had a combined Halloween Activity for the Activity Day age kids.  Hudson and Carter came to join in the fun as well since Steve was helping me w/ the donut game.

Nyles, Hudson, Clay, Sienna and Kaitlyn trying to eat their donut on a string.

Carter's turn.  Jacob, Beau, and Ryder trying as well.

More donuts attempts.

Then drawing a story w/ their eyes closed.

Hudson especially had a great time playing w/ the other kids.  Telling a Halloween story!

Hudson playing the bowling game.  Kyle holding our neighbor's boy, cute baby Taft Evans (their 4th boy).  More kids trying the donut on a string.

After our activity we hurried home for a quick dinner, then walked back to the church for our Stake Trunk or Treat event.  Kaitlyn, Sienna, Clay, Ethan, Beau, Carter, Tate, and Nyles ready to go.  Hudson pictured in the bottom one.

Tuesday morning, October 31st, the boys had their Halloween Parades at the school.  

Steve called Dave so he could see them since they were in Arizona for the week.

Carter during his class Halloween Party.  Carter's class w/ his teacher Senior Laureano (from Peru).

That night we went out Trick or Treating w/ the Evan's boys again.  Hudson went one block then wanted to go back and take a warm bubble bath.  Steve took him home and I went w/ the older boys a little longer.  Piper kept an close eye on the rubber duck in Hudson's bath.

Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum the next morning.

Hudson just LOVES to hold the Butterflies!

With the nice temperatures, Steve decided to put up our Christmas lights, so we're ready for December.  He also decided to get up on our roof and fill in some holes in our chimney so moisture won't get in.

Carter's doing awesome at school.  We appreciate all his hard work and effort!  Steve also made his super yummy "Over the top, Smoked Chili."  He uses beef and sausage.  It's so tasty!!!

On Thursday, we decided to go to the Butterfly museum as a family.

It's so fun to hold the butterflies!  Beautiful flower as well!

Since Nyles and Carter ride their bikes, Hudson is trying to ride his as well.  He's getting it!

Saturday afternoon, Steve took Nyles, Carter, Nyles' friend Lincoln, and our neighbor Tim Marcinowski out to go duck hunting.  It was a beautiful day.

They had a great time.  Carter enjoys using the duck calls and had fun trying to teach Lincoln.

They even got a duck!

While they were gone Hudson and I went to the park to play.

And then over to the library to warm up, as there was a cold wind.

On Sunday, we had our family dinner.  Since most of us are going to be gone for Thanksgiving (we're all headed out on our cruise), we decided to have Thanksgiving dinner early.  It was also Conor's turn as the honoree, where we say something we like about the person and give them a gift.  We also sang Happy Birthday to Steve and Cameron coming up this month.  Ironically Cameron's birthday will be the day we board the ship, the 25th, and Steve's birthday is the last full day we are on the ship, the 29th.

Hudson playing the piano.

Hudson playing w/ other's shoes on his hands/feet.  Honoring Conor.  He loves the color orange so we gave him a soft orange blanket as one of our gifts.

We are writing something we are grateful for every day in November as a family.

1. November 1st
• Steve- For lumber.
• Penny- All 3 boys have good eye sight (hopefully it'll stay that way).
• Nyles- The eye Dr. has good equipment to check our eyes.
• Carter- Nutella.
• Hudson- My rocket.
2. November 2nd
• Steve- Flushing toilets.
• Penny- Electricity.
• Nyles- My rocket he built.
• Carter- My teacher who teaches him.
• Hudson- For Jesus.
3. November 3rd
• Steve- For Penny who provides for us.
• Penny- It's Friday!
• Nyles- Lincoln could come over to play and for meds to help my hurt tailbone.
• Carter- Got a Minecraft toy.
• Hudson- For my digger.
4. November 4th
• Steve- Going duck hunting today.
• Penny- For the sunshine today.
• Nyles- Going hunting w/ Lincoln.
• Carter- We got to shoot some ducks.
• Hudson- We could go to the park.
5. November 5th
• Steve- I'm able to eat foods again, in small amounts.
• Penny- For the sacrament to renew our baptismal covenants.
• Nyles- Grateful we could celebrate Conor tonight (honoree dinner).
• Carter- To go to Conor's house.
• Hudson- Grateful for Conor.

Great quotes.