2nd Week of February

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

 Hudson having fun at Scheels.  I went into the office 3 days last week (still making up time from the week before).  Passing the SLC temple while on the train.  I hurried home on the train Monday, so we could do activity days w/ the boys.  Our neighbor Ethan Gatherum and Carter both lost their front teeth.  We played Valentine's games during activity days.

Tuesday after work, we drove up to Melanie/Brandon's place to hear Ethan open/read his mission call.  He got called to the Boston, Massachusetts mission.  He'll leave April 15th.  We're super excited for him!  After reading his mission call we had dinner together. 

Wednesday was Valentine's Day.  The boys had fun activities at school.  

Here are activities that Carter's class did that day.

My ministering sisters brought over yummy cupcakes for us!  Nyles competing at martial arts against the instruction w/ their numb chucks.  He said he bet him once.  Good work Nyles!  The next day the boys went to the dentist.  Surprisingly Hudson let them clean his whole mouth and didn't fight it!

Nyles showing us his numb chuck skills.

My beautiful birthday Tulips coming in bloom.  My Lego flowers came in the mail (the boys bought me for my birthday), so I stopped putting my puzzle together and worked on putting the flowers together.  The flowers are SUPER cool.  Making progress on the puzzles.

Saturday morning Steve took Nyles up to a math activity w/ Conor.  While they were gone, Hudson, Carter and I went to the library and the park.

That afternoon Carter had another soccer game.  He played goalie again at times and did awesome!  After his game, we met Phill/Conor/Nyles to take Carter and have a sleep over at their place.

We had Stake Conference on Sunday.  With Nyles and Carter up w/ Conor, we just had Hudson w/ us.  We played w/ Plus Plus and drew on the white board to stay busy/quiet during conference.  A few of our Crocus are coming out to bloom.  Made more progress on the puzzle.  The colors are really dark, so sometimes we used a flashlight to see the colors better.

Steve smoked a beef roast for dinner Sunday night.  Super yummy!  Hudson getting a back massage.

We went over to Joann's place to have dinner.  Stacie/Phill met us there to get the boys.  Diane joined us as well.  Diane put together a pinata, which was super fun!  Thanks Diane!

Getting candy!  After we got home, Steve and I finally finished the puzzle, yeah!! It was definitely one of the hardest puzzles we've done (though we helped complete a 100% black jigsaw puzzle before).  This one was 1000 pieces, with a lot of really dark colors.  It was a challenge, but fun!

We all had Monday off for President's Day.  The sun was shinning so we decided to go on a hike to the suspension bridge.  Steve was able to have Hudson on his back the whole time.  He hasn't been able to do this for a LONG time, essentially due to his weight.  He was pretty excited to be able to "fit" both around his waist and on his back.  The hike was just over an hour for us, but we did it!  

Taking a quick break.  We made it to the bridge!  Piper came along as well :)

Beautiful view of the valley from the bridge.  Looking back at the bridge.  Nyles and Carter decided to climb the rock formation after we got down the mountain.

Carter and Nyles w/ my Lego flowers they gave me for my birthday.  Super awesome!

That night we made smoked chili, so yummy!

Great quotes on love from President Uchtdorf.

First full week of February

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

Steve took Hudson to the Butterfly Museum.  He fell asleep later that afternoon in the car picking up his brothers from school.  Building w/ Jenga blocks, then at Scheels.  

Steve made another chair riser for his mom.  The boys at Scheels again.

Hudson jumping off the couch.

I went into work on Thursday and Friday, making up days from the week before.  I stayed home since we were around Dave who told us he had Covid the next day.  I didn't know if I was going to get it nor did I want to spread it, so I didn't go into the office.  We've been asked to go in 1 week/5 days, every 4 weeks.  We just learned we'll be required to go in 2 weeks/10 days starting in September (ug....).

We've had snow/rain the past week.  Waiting for the train.  SLC Temple progress.

Friday night we went out to dinner at Chili's for my birthday.  They came and sang happy birthday to me and brought out ice cream.  I made a chocolate cake on Saturday.  Steve got me chocolate pretzels and tulips, both which I love.  Great quote.

Carter had his first soccer game on Saturday.  Both my parents and Steve's parents were able to come watch.  Carter got to play goalie a couple times.  He also made the first goal!

After Carter's game, we came back to our house, had Papa John's Pizza, then had cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday to Penny.

Steve did a great job decorating.  Happy 40th to me!

Cute Carter and Hudson playing w/ bubbles in the bath.

Sunday we went to Rose's ward for church as Ava came home from her mission from Ecuador.  She gave a great homecoming talk.  We had lunch after their church block at a reception place, then came back to their church for "dinner" and played games and visited more w/ just our family.

Carter ran into a rope playing outside, right across his eyes.  Poor kid.  

Pauline, mom, me, and Rose.  Playing games.

Singing Happy Birthday to me again.  Pauline made a HUGE chocolate cake!

Opening gifts.  Thank you everyone who made my day special!  Love you all :)

Steve had been losing his hair rather quickly due to his rapid weight loss.  Aunt Diane gave us a version of Rogaine to try.  It actually worked!  After it ran out we found a version at Costco as well.  

Steve's hair back in November, to now.  Thankfully it's been coming back in, yeah!

Great quotes.

Last of January, start of February

Here are some highlights from the last few days of January, and starting into February.

I was supposed to go into the office this week, but I was around Dave on Saturday at Carter's game, and he tested positive for Covid the next day.  I didn't know if I was going to come down w/ it, let alone did I want to pass it on to others, so I didn't go into the office the whole week.  Thankfully none of us came down w/ it Covid the whole week.

Nyles is now going to early morning choir at the elementary school.  It's on Tuesdays/Thursdays at 7:40am.  He said most of the kids in his class are going, so he wanted to go also.  Tuesday evening we went to Mount Jordan Middle School to see where Nyles will go next year.  They explained the elective classes the kids can take and some extracurricular activities as well.  It's a little further away from us, but this is the middle school that is offering Dual Immersion Spanish, so that's where Nyles will go.  It seems like a really neat school though, with a lot of fun opportunities.

Nyles also had a couple orthodontist appointments this week.  He's seen 2 different orthodontists over the past year, and they both said it's finally time for him to start getting braces.  We're double checking a few things, but he'll most likely start getting them soon.  

With Dave, Diane and LuDean all having Covid, Steve has run errands for them this week.  He also went and gave Carrie and blessing and sat w/ Jeff's kids (Alexa/Cameron) one night.  Thankfully he's both willing and able to go help.  He's a great example of love, compassion and service.

The groundhog didn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, so we're hopeful we'll have an early Spring!  Or at least not winter much longer.

Hudson checking out the camper.  He said he's excited to go camping soon.

Hudson loves to make and mix crepes.  Carter and Hudson love to eat them too w/ Nutella.

Hudson getting a hair cut.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Aquarium w/ Stacie/Phill/Claire/Conor.  They also had Lynsie and Alexa met us there.  The boys pretending to get a ride on the whale.

Conor, Carter, Nyles, Lynsie, Hudson, Alexa and Claire.  Hudson watching the penguins get fed.

Making slime. Checking out the jelly fish and fish.

Looking at the fish and otters.  Afterwards we came back to our place for burgers.  

Steve cooking the burgers on the grill and Phill playing ball w/ Piper.

Conor stayed over Saturday night.  The boys had fun playing w/ sand.  The boys are getting taller.  Nyles and Conor got to pass the sacrament together, which was pretty neat.

Great quotes from Nephi.

4th Week of January

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

Steve took a picture of the pretty blue sky.  He also stopped by to check on our camper (getting a little excited to go camping this year).  We had the boys activity days Monday night.  They made a structure out of pretzels and marshmallows and peanut butter.

Cute Hudson trying on his brother's martial art's gear.

Carter wanted to go to the school on evening for a Dad's and Donuts event ("Watch dogs").  They also had Scales and Tales (reptiles), so they had a great time!  Nyles was at Young Men's.  Great quote.

Steve took Hudson to the butterfly museum.

Hudson singing Oompa Loompa song.

Friday night Steve and Nyles drove up to Idaho (my parent's place), so they could go duck/goose hunting the next day.  They went w/ a friend Ryan Miller and his son Gavin.  While they were gone, Carter and Hudson slept on mattresses on Nyles' floor.

Carter had his last basketball game on Saturday.  He doesn't have to wear his knee brace anymore, so he's been happy about that!  He could definitely move easier w/out his brace!  Dave and Joann also came to support him as well.

Hudson and Carter ready for bed in Nyles' room.  Carter's last basketball game.

Hudson drawing while Carter plays.

Go Carter!

Carter w/ his basketball team and coach.  Hudson, Joann, Carter, and Dave after the game.

Nyles and Steve w/ the ducks they shot.

And some Canadian geese.

On Sunday, I taught the Relief Society lesson “Love Thy Neighbor” by Elder Ian S. Ardern.  Elder Ardern said,  “Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries. Jesus, the Saviour of the world, is the epitome of compassion.”

Steve and Nyles got home Sunday afternoon.  That evening we went for a walk w/ Hudson in the stroller.  He fell asleep of course since he didn't take a nap.  Great thought.

Great quotes: