2nd Week of February

Here are some highlights for the 2nd week of February.  Monday, February 10th, I took the day off work for my birthday.  Unfortunately Hudson woke up throwing up, so he stayed home from school.  The sun was shining though, so Steve and I went for a walk, pushing Hudson in the stroller.  Hudson thankfully fell asleep on our walk, and remained asleep for a few hours.  He definitely needed the sleep after being up during the night.

Grandma LuDean was happy to use her new ramp to go to her DUP meeting.  Out for a walk.

Steve working on the attic/Lego room, getting the furnace installed outside.  The wall Steve installed to keep kids away from the opening (stairs going up/down).  Carter highlighted in the kindness spotlight from his school.  Great quote.

Monday evening, we went over to have dinner w/ Dave/Joann and LuDean/Diane for my birthday.  We picked up Panda Express for dinner, then had brownies and ice cream for dessert.  The boys were good helpers in blowing out the candles.

Singing Happy Birthday

Tuesday late afternoon, we had our activity days at our house.  The boys made heart hand warmers.  My partner Sydney sewed the fabric, so the boys were just making stitches around the heart, then we filled them with rice, and then helped them sew up the heart.  We discussed God's love for each of us.

Hudson threw up again the next morning unfortunately, poor little guy.

Activity day boys: Jacob Hamilton, Carter, Beau (front) and Clay Evans, and Ethan Gatherum.

Tuesday evening Steve took the young men to a tour of a water treatment facility in Sandy.

Cool moon at the train station early Wednesday morning (around 7:10am).  I took Nyles to the train that morning, as I had a team meeting I was joining and needed to be in the office earlier, so I just went at the same time as him to save on a trip to the train.  Carter w/ a Lego in his hair for crazy hair day at school.  Cute Hudson feeling better, getting a hot dog at Costco.

The AC/Furnace outside the house and inside.  Steve is making great progress.

SLC temple under construction.  President Nelson announced this week that there will be 6 months of open house for the SLC Temple (April - October 2027).  I'm sure it'll be busy as many will want to come tour it, but such a cool opportunity.  Great quotes.  It started to snow Thursday afternoon.  It was getting pretty bad, so I took the train home during my lunch break.

The further south I went on the train, the worse it was got.  By the time I got to my stop in Draper, we had several inches on the ground.  I had the Sequoia to drive home, but didn't realize it was NOT in 4 wheel drive, so I was sliding as I went home.  Thankfully I made it home, though it was very slow going.  A LOT of people were sliding off the roads, especially going up the hill on 13th east.  Steve put the car in 4 wheel drive when I got home, and it worked great in the snow.  Good to know :)

Steve went and picked up the boys from school, then took them to the dentist.  Ironically, by the time they were done, the weather had warmed up and the snow was melting.  The roads were actually good.  The boys did well at the dentist.  Hudson needs to go back this next week though, and get a little cavity filled.  Apparently he has softer teeth like Steve.  Nyles and Carter seem to have harder teeth like me.

Great quotes.  Cute Hudson making a heart for Valentine's Day on Friday.

Friday after school, Kaitlyn came over and played.  They also put on a dance video and danced for a little bit.  Then we made heart shaped pizzas for dinner.  The boys got a Lego hearts and some treats for Valentine's Day from Steve and I.

Unfortunately, early the next morning (Saturday) Steve started to feel sick to his stomach.  He had a sharp pain that wasn't moving either, then he started to throw up and had it coming out the other end.  He dealt with it for hours, but was worried something serious was wrong, so he ended up in the ER.  They determined that he had food poisoning.  He came home and slept most of the day.  

To get the kids out of the house, and so Steve could sleep, I took them over to the Aquarium.  The boys had fun playing outside on the playground, and inside at the play place.

Going across the bridge in the Amazon jungle.  Then we watched a short video about the Amazon in 4D (virtual reality), showing us the different animals that live in the Amazon.

Hudson showing the paper items his brothers made during sacrament meeting.  I made sour dough again Saturday evening.  Sunday evening, Rose and Pauline came over for dinner to celebrate by birthday as well.  We had tacos for dinner.  Rose made a 3 in 1 dessert (chocolate cake, sugar cookies, and almond cake).  Carter wanted chocolate, Nyles wanted the almond, and Hudson the sugar cookie, so I asked Rose to make the 3 in 1, which worked out perfect.  Thanks Rose!

Singing Happy Birthday

Hudson is a big help blowing out the candles.  Sisters.  Ezra and Lincoln ended up staying over after dinner.  They all slept in Nyles' room.

We all had Monday off for President's Day.  I made pancakes for breakfast the next morning, then went over to the Aquarium together.  Chris met us there.  The boys played again outside for a while, then we went to the 4D movie.  This time exploring the ocean.  Unfortunately the sound wasn't working, but we got the jest of it.

They had a python snake out for the kids to pet.  The boys thought it was awesome!

As Monday was a holiday and raining, it got pretty busy at the Aquarium, so we left and went over to Sam's club for a bit to eat.

We then dropped of Carter to play w/ Colin at his house, then Nyles at Lincoln's house.  Steve worked in the attic and I worked in submitting our taxes.  We had a low key evening in general.  My ministering sisters stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday.  Steve got the electric panel switched for the new ac/furnace in the attic.  Good work Steve.

Thank you all for your birthday wishing and kind words.  I really appreciate it.  Love you all!

Great quotes.

1st week of February

Today is my birthday!  I'm taking the day off (most because I have to go into the office this week).  Here are some highlights from the first week in February.

On Monday, Steve continued to work on the ramp for Grandma LuDean.

He wanted to make sure it wasn't too steep and ADA "approved."

He's a perfectionist and professional :)

Looks great!

Carter had a basketball game Monday night.  Steve was still finishing up on the ramp, so Nyles and I took Carter to his basketball game.  I also picket up Carter from school.

The next day, Steve continued working on the attic/Lego room.

Getting all the boxes in on the other side, then dry wall, then getting the lights in place and A/C and heater unit put in place.  Good work Steve!  It's coming together.

Cute Hudson with a beanie Diane's friend made.

Carter won a Kindness Award at school.  Good work Carter!

It was warmer this week (though really windy) so the kids wanted to play outside, which was nice.

Steve went back and installed a metal piece on both sides of the ramp, to make it easier to get on/off the ramp, while pushing LuDean in her wheelchair.

Dave then sanded and painted the railing.  Now it's all done!  Good work!

We wanted more storage up in the attic/Lego room, so we went to Ikea and got 2 shelves and storage bins to go in them.  This way the kids can put their extra Legos in the bins and store completed Legos on top of them.  They fit perfectly on the side of the window, and were cheaper and quicker than Steve making them himself.   Win/win!

Nyles by the storage bin in the attic/Lego room.  It's coming along!

Friday night after work, we picked up Little Caesar's Pizza and breadsticks and dropped off the boys and Piper at Dave/Joann's place to stay the night.  We then went over to Red Robin's for dinner.  I had a free birthday burger there.  Rob met us there.  

I also had a free night at a hotel, so Steve and I went and stayed at a hotel afterwards (not too far from Dave/Joann's place).  We haven't had a night w/out kids since Nyles was about a year old (so 11 years ago), so we wanted to try it!  Steve wanted to try the hot tub once we were at the hotel.  It had been snowing most of the day, but thankfully it stopped in the evening, so we tired it out.  The hot tub was outside so it was cold getting in, but felt nice once we were in the water.  It was fun to have a date night.

Red Robin for dinner!  Then back at the hotel.

Nyles brought his flute and played a few songs for Dave/Joann.  They watched a couple movies as well.  Hudson got bored I guess and played on the Switch.  He also took a bath in their big bathtub.  Apparently Hudson wouldn't get dressed after getting out of the bath (he was running around), so Dave threatened to dunk his bum in the snow.  He wouldn't listen, so Dave finally picked him up and dunked his bum in the snow!  He was pretty surprised to say the least, haha.  After getting in bed, Hudson was still rambunctious, so Nyles called us.  We told him to have Grandma or Grandpa turn on the song of Book of Mormon stories, which they did.  It did the trick and he finally fell asleep.

Nyles playing on his flute.  Carter watching the show.  Hudson playing on the Switch

Nyles playing his flute for Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday morning they decided to take the boys to Black Bear Diner for breakfast.  

I guess they had some free pancakes.  They had a great time!

Fun at the diner!

We ate our free breakfast at our hotel, then went and picked up Piper and the boys' stuff at Dave/Joann's place, then brought her home.  After their breakfast, they came and brought the boys home as well.  We really appreciate Dave and Joann watching the boys (and Piper).  Thank you!!!

Hudson and Nyles playing w/ the newspapers they got from the diner.  

Nyles got on the Honor Roll again at school.  Good work Nyles!  

Steve and I went to the Draper Temple Saturday afternoon and did sealings together.

Sunday I taught the lesson in Relief Society.  It was on Elder Bednar's talk, "In the space of not many years."  It is a great talk.  You should read it if you haven't lately, here.  Thankfully we had good participation and had a good discussion during the lesson.

I made sugar cookies for Valentine's coming up (Hudson helped w/ the dough).  I also made more sour dough and Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner.  The Elders assigned to our ward stopped by at 7pm and gave us a message.  I gave them a cookie as well.  My sourdough starter was spilling over, so we finally moved it to a larger bottle.

Great quotes:

Last week of January

Here are some highlights from the last week of January. I went into the office all week, riding the train like usual.  Thankfully I was able to come home early afternoon or lunch time, and then worked the rest of the time from home.

Steve continues to make great progress on the attic/Lego room.

Carter had another basketball game Monday night.  On Tuesday at Nyles' school for fun, they weren't supposed to use a backpack, so Nyles brought a suitcase instead.  Great quote.

Steve carried all the buckets of wheat up from Dave/Joann's basement, out onto our trailer.  Since they are going to be moving this year (building a new house), they're working on getting rid of things.  Later Dave drove the wheat over to a relative's place to give to their animals.

All the buckets of wheat on the trailer.  I took Carter and Hudson to the library while Nyles and Steve were at a combined Young Men/Women's Broadcast at the church.  Hudson playing at the library.

Our neighbor invited us over to look through his telescope.  We got to see Mars (the Red Planet), Venus (looked like a half moon upside down), and Jupiter.  Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System.  We could see the rings around it, along w/ its 4 most dominant moons.  It was awesome!

Great quote.  Nyles looking in the telescope.  Construction on the SLC temple.  Friday was 100 days at school, so they let the kids dress up like they were 100 years old.  Carter got to be Grandpa Carter, white hair and all (baby powder and dry shampoo for the win).  He thought it was really fun!

I made some more sour dough.  This one turned out the best so far :)

Steve and Nyles are enjoying the sour dough.

Friday afternoon after school (early out), Steve took the boys ice fishing again over to Rockport.  Rob, Dave, Phill and Conor went this time as well.  Unfortunately the fish didn't cooperate this time and it was SUPER windy.  They still had a fun time.

Steve won a new Nintendo Switch Oled from GameStop.  Last year they bought a Pokémon game from them and apparently were entered into a drawing.  And Steve won!!!  So awesome!  We also got some free ice cream (free perk on one of our credit cards).  We love FREE! :)

On Saturday, Steve went over to LuDean's place to build her a wheel chair ramp, so she can get in/out of her house easier.  He ended up working on it all day.  Nyles came to help as well.

Carter, Hudson and I ran some errands, then we got on the train to go up to the Jazz basketball game.  We met Steve/Nyles at 3300 South and dropped Hudson off w/ them.  Since Carter is playing Jr. Jazz, he got a free ticket to go watch a game.  They played the Orlando Magic and won!  It was a good game!

Carter and his friend Colin playing during a break at the basketball game.  

Carter and I at the top of the arena.

Hudson played w/ blocks and toys while Steve was building the ramp.

On Sunday we had our family dinner.  After dinner we played a quick game drawing a Cootie Bug.

Cute Hudson working hard on drawing his bug.  He got a eye mask at Diane's the day before and brought it with him :)

We then sang Happy Birthday to me!  (Carrie wasn't feeling well so she didn't come).

Hudson was my big helper blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday to Penny, help from Hudson.

Great quotes:

3rd Week of January

January is cruising right along.  Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of January.  We all had Monday off for MLK Day (I already posted about).  I worked from home the rest of the week.

Tuesday we had activity days.  The boys had a Nerf gun war in the church gym.  That night Nyles and Steve had a combined Young Men's Activity w/ the Young Women.  They did team building activities.

Thursday, Nyles went to Classic Skate that his Middle School was hosting.  He brought his scooter and met some friends there.  Steve took Nyles, while I stayed home w/ Carter and Hudson.  Carter worked on his homework and reading, then we made chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Nyles and his friend Bailey.  Cookies!

Friday after school, Steve took the boys over to Rockport and went ice fishing.  

They had fun and caught a lot of perch.

They also had fun on the snow!

My cute boys!

Carter was spotlighted at school.  They take turns going around the classroom each week.  Carter put together a poster with some of his favorite things, including: Piper, motorcycle rides w/ Grandpa, cruising, camping, Disney World, goats, the color blue, swimming, park rides, Legos, Pokémon, sharks, and the song "The Nights" by Avicii.  

Carter w/ his poster.  I made some more sourdough!

We got a decent amount of snow on Saturday.  It snowed the whole day, lightly.  We got 3-4 inches.

The boys all playing w/ sand.  Steve working on the boxes he'll put in the Lego room (attic).

Steve put all the "boxes" in the Lego room on one side.  

They'll be used to display the kids' Lego creations.  Good work Steve!

After church I made some chicken noodle soup, then we went over to Pauline's house for lunch.  Rose and Sophia came too.  We also wished Charlotte a Happy Birthday.  She turned 17!  Later back at the house that night, Carter put on a little magic show for us (he got a kit from his birthday and is still learning the tricks).

Cute Hudson after church, playing with the magnet ball.  Singing to Charlotte.  

Carter showing us some magic tricks.

Great quotes: