4th week of December, Christmas

We had a wonderful, surprisingly warm week of Christmas.  I worked Monday and Tuesday, then had the rest of the week and year off.  The kids were out of school as well the last 2 weeks of the year.  Here are some highlights.  

Hudson showing us how Buddy the elf was tied up.  The youth in our ward did a service project.  Steve was in charge, so he went and delivered it to Primary Children's Hospital Monday afternoon, December 22nd.  Our neighbor Kaitlyn Moreton went w/ them to deliver the gifts.  Good work!

Monday night we went and walked around Draper Park to look at the lights, and the "tree of life."  

It's tradition to go every year and we live so close, it's great!

Steve and Nyles went duck hunting on Tuesday morning.  

They enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and got a few ducks as well.

Steve and I went for a walk and the neighbors had their sprinkler on!  That tells you how warm it has been.  Cute Piper giving Carter her puppy eyes, wanting a treat.  Carter built a tower.

Tuesday late afternoon we went and watched Zootopia 2.  It was super cute!  Diane couldn't make it, as she was caring for Grandma LuDean, so we invited Conor to come.  Dave and Joann met us there too.  Right after the movie was over, Carter and I walked over to the train trax and took them downtown to watch a Jazz game for Jr. Jazz.  It was fun, though they lost by a few.  Conor stayed the night.

On Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, we went over to Dave/Joann's place to visit w/ them and Grandpa Carl.  Stacie and Phill's family were they also, so we played a game.  We then went home for a little bit, then went over to Diane/LuDean's place for dinner w/ Dave and Joann.  Grandma LuDean was in her bed, in the living room, sleeping, so we didn't get to visit w/ her.

A beautiful rainbow on our way over to Dave/Joann's place. 

The boys opening up their gifts from Dave/Joann (Legos).

After we got home on Christmas Eve, Hudson helped me make chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  The boys worked on putting their Legos together.  We then, per tradition, we read the Christmas story and sang a few songs.  Then we read the story of my great-grandpa Hegerhorst, how he was shot in the leg during WW2, and how the bullet changed his life for the better.  Carter was able to share this story during primary this year as they learned about their pioneer ancestors, and he read it during the Primary Program in September.  We are so thankful and blessed for our ancestors and their sacrifices, which made our lives better.  We're also thankful for this time of year to reflect on our Savior and his sacrifice for each of us so we can return to our Heavenly Father and see our families again.

Hudson helping to make chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  

Steve and Hudson.  The boys working on their Legos.

Christmas Eve, the boys all slept in Nyles' room (a tradition now).  Santa came!

Carter w/ some Lego sets he got for Christmas.  

Hudson dumping out his stocking.  Christmas morning!

Cute Piper wanted to be in on the action, so we brought her bed in.  Nyles got a new watch.  More gifts, like mini chainsaws to help them trim the branches for firewood.  Ralph the Elf came too.

Steve got a new jacket.  We got the new Switch 2!

New Switch 2.  The boys were only a little excited!

Hudson was eager to crack open his dinosaur egg.  He showed Grandpa and Grandma Hegerhorst how to do it while they were on the phone w/ us.  We also finished a puzzle.  Steve made all of the boys a blanket from our Disney cruise bandanas from pirate nights.  We had enough to make all the boys a blanket and one for Diane, which we gave her for her birthday back in October.  My mom explained to us how to make the blanket (thanks).  So fun!  Good work Steve!

It was quite warm, so after being in the house most of the day, we went back over to Draper Park to get outside for a while.  The kids played on the playground to get some energy out, which was nice.

On Friday, December 26th, we cleaned up the Christmas decorations and cleaned the house.  The wall anchor was coming out by the window, so Steve showed and taught Nyles how to fix it.

On Saturday, December 27th, Steve and Nyles went over to the Draper Temple to do baptisms for the dead.  Ironically, while there were there, they saw President Uchtdorf there also!  They were told he came to the temple and wanted to start in the baptistry, then make his way up to the Holy of Holies.  President Jeffrey R. Holland had just passed away, so we wonder if he was going to pray.

Amazingly, we finally got a little bit of snow that morning also!  It is our first snow of the season crazy enough.  We knew it wouldn't last long, so I told the boys to get their snow clothes on and go out and play in it.

Nyles and Steve at the temple.  Our little bit of snow!

Cute Carter and Hudson got in their Halloween costumes and played later as well.

The boys playing in the snow.  Carter and Hudson making snow angels and all of them building a snowman.  They put it on the shady side of our house, which helped it last longer.  Piper was super excited for the snow as well.  She got to be Hyper Piper running around in it!

The boys w/ their blankets from Christmas.  Carter and Hudson just cutting paper.  Sunday evening we had dinner again at Diane/LuDean's place w/ Dave and Joann.  Grandma LuDean wasn't doing well, sleeping again.  We played a few games after dinner, which was fun.  Hudson sitting w/ Grandma Joann.

We had a wonderful Christmas and week together.  We are so thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ, his birth and life, and this time of year we have to celebrate Him.  

Great quotes:

3rd Week of December

We had another busy week in December.  Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of December. 

Monday night we had the sister missionaries come give us a message.  We haven't had sisters in our ward since we've lived here (9.5 years now), so it was a nice change.  These sisters are from New Zealand and Samoa.  They were wonderful, as was their message!

Buddy the elf getting some Muddy Buddies.  Then playing w/ the Army men.

Steve and Nyles w/ the YW helping w/ the service project.  Hudson having a bubble bath.

On Wednesday afternoon, Carter had a Spanish Christmas Program.  He did a great job!

Dave came as well (thanks!).  Carter w/ his teacher, Ms. Rivas.

Carter's class, Christmas Spanish Song

Carter's school, Christmas Spanish Song

Wednesday night we went down to Cabela's and the boys got to see Santa.

Quick picture outside.  Carter and Hudson colored their "Shrinky Dink" ornaments, then we "baked them at home.  They start out bigger and thin as paper, then get smaller and harder as they cook in 3 minutes.  Pretty cool!

Thursday afternoon Hudson had his preschool Christmas program.  He did a great job!

Hudson w/ his teacher Mrs. Em, then w/ Grandma and Grandpa and Steve and I after his program (thanks for coming!).  Nyles and Carter were at their last rock climbing class for the year.

Singing Let it Snow

Singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Hudson at school w/ his teacher Mrs. Em and his classmates.

Cute Hudson w/ his reindeer nose from his teacher.  Pretty sunset.  We finished the puzzle Barbara gave us for Christmas.  Thankfully they were divided into smaller boxes (one for each day until Christmas) so it was easier to do.  We finished it a little early.

We invited Dave and Joann over for pizza after Hudson's program.

Silly Buddy.  Nyles heading off for his last day of school this year.  

Hudson at preschool.  Carter got the phone (cute freckles).

Steve and the boys went duck hunting Friday afternoon after school.  They had fun.

Steve dropped me off at Smith's to meet Pauline.  We then met Rose in Bountiful and continued up to Barbara's house to attend Ryan's wedding the next day.

Saturday morning Steve shot a squirrel in our backyard w/ his pellet gun.  

They have been getting into Ron's attic.

On Saturday, December 20th, Ryan and Sarah were married in the Meridian Temple.  Even though Sarah is a convert and had no direct family in the sealing room, the room was completely full and we even had people standing up behind the chairs.  The Spirit was really strong.  The sealer mentioned that the room was full of people we could see in the room, and those who have passed on, whom we couldn't see.  He also promised Sarah that even though her family members are not members of the church right now, she will be able to help them, both here on Earth and those on the other side of the veil.

Mom, Pauline, Aunt Elaine, and Dad waiting for them to come out.  Ryan and Sarah, yeah!

Barbara and I wearing blue (their wedding color).  Rose, Barbara, Pauline and I at the church where we had the luncheon afterwards.  All the family and friends at the temple there to support them.

The Dunns and Sarah's dad and step-mom.

Sarah and Ryan exchanged rings at the luncheon.  Daron, Kristi, and Riley also came.

Pauline, Rose and I drove back after the luncheon.  We got home around 9pm.  It was a quick trip, but we were glad to be there to support them.  We are so happy for them!  As it got dark, we were talking about how we don't like the dark.  Rose reminded us that it's great that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Light of the World, at the most dark time of year.  Great insight.

Steve took the boys to Cal-Ranch on Saturday for a free sleigh ride.

They also had a petting zoo.

Sunday morning we had church at 9am, just 1 hour.  

We had a great celebration of the birth of our Savior.  Family picture.

Sunday night we had our family Jerusalem Dinner at Dave and Joann's place.  Stacie and Phill's family, along w/ Carrie and Ryan's family came also.  It was great to hear everyone's testimonies.  We are all so blessed and have so much to be thankful for, despite our challenges in life.

Cute Carter made a creation and wanted to get a picture.

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2nd Week of December

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

Buddy our elf, making his way around the house and keeping the kids in line.  Steve finished the last Disney Pirate Night bandana blanket for Christmas.  Steve and Nyles went to look at the Draper Park lights w/ the YW/YM for an activity.

Steve and I went and did a session on Wednesday.  Nyles went to see the dermatologist.  Steve has been working on adding more greenery to his duck blind on the boat.

Steve and I went for a walk during my lunch break.  The weather has been nice and sunny, even in December.  We pulled Hudson along in the wagon and he fell asleep.  Carter made a graham cracker house at school.  Hudson and our neighbor Tate.  They love to play together, almost every day.

Steve and Rob went out duck hunting Friday afternoon.  The boys ended up staying home this time.

Cute Steve and Hudson dressed alike.  Hudson in a box!  My parent's came down for Stephen Naylor's dad's funeral on Saturday.  They stopped by for a few minutes before driving up to Tremonton for the night.  It was great to see them even for a short time.  They drove the rest of the way home on Sunday.

Saturday evening, we went to our Ward Christmas Party.  Nyles went to a friend's birthday party that was at the same time.  Carter and Hudson got to say hi to Santa.

Neighbors w/ Santa: Kyle Moreton, Taft Monson, Zoe Gatherum, Kaitlyn Moreton, Hudson, Siena Gatherum, and Carter.

Hudson snuggling w/ Piper.  Piper sitting in between Steve's leg's as we do family prayer.  Piper licking Nyles' legs another night during family prayer.  Buddy hanging out in Carter's graham cracker house.

It's been a fun and eventful December so far, and we know we have more fun activities coming our way.  We are thankful for this time of year to think of our Savior and others around us.

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1st Week of December

We had an eventful and busy 1st week of December.  I was in the office this week.  We had training Monday and Tuesday, so it was extra busy, and they were long days.  Here are some highlights.

Hudson working on the Friend magazine while we read scriptures.  Steve teaching Carter and Nyles how to crochet.  I made some sour-dough bread, which the boys ate in a day.

Tuesday night was Carter's Christmas Program at his elementary school.  He's been going into school early, at 7:30am, twice a week, to practice the songs and get ready for months now.  He was super excited for us to hear them perform.  They performed their concert in the morning for their school, then twice in the evening for the parents.

They still have a picture of Nyles in the cafeteria at Carter's school (pretty neat) w/ his friend Lincoln.  

Cute Carter performing.

Jingle Bells

1st Noel

A Christmas assortment of songs

Fun w/ flashlights during a song.  Dave and Joann came to support him, which was neat.

Carter did an awesome job!!!

The choir was made up of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who volunteered to sing.  They did awesome!

After it was over, Steve and Nyles went over to a neighbor's for the last of their YM's activity.  

The boys eating the sour dough bread that came out of the oven.

Wednesday night, we had my work Holiday Party.  I went over w/ my co-worker Brooke Dewaal (blond hair) and met up w/ another co-worker Veronica Montoya (dark hair).  The food was pretty good, but they still didn't have dessert at 6:30pm when we left (lame).

Thursday evening, Nyles had his band concert.  They performed songs from the Nutcracker and did amazing job!  It's incredible how far they've come after 1 year of playing.

Me w/ co-workers at the Fidelity Holiday Party.

Nyles at his band Christmas concert.

Friday after work (I had late night until 6pm), we went over to rock climb again as a family.  We invited Conor this time to go w/ us.  He then stayed the night.

Nyles, Carter, and Conor ready to rock climb.  Steve and I got passed off to belay others since we took the class last time.  I got to belay all the kids, which was fun but also a lot of work.

Having fun rock climbing.

More fun rock climbing.

Nyles showed us how to "crack" climb.  It looks painful to me ;)

Saturday morning, Carter had his first basketball game.  Dave met us there.  Afterwards, Steve then met Phill to pick up Conor.  I went over to the church building to help w/ our stake baptismal days.  Steve took Nyles and went duck hunting for the afternoon.

Hudson, Carter and I worked on a puzzle and set up a magnetic nativity set.  

Carter at his basketball game, Nyles duck hunting.

We have some squirrels that wonder around the trees in the neighborhood.  Buddy the elf brought snowballs to play with ie so they kids could have an indoor snowball fight.  He then came w/ us up to Midway for family dinner.

After dinner we had a white elephant gift exchange, which was fun.

Gift exchange time.  It was also Dave/Joann's 49th wedding anniversary, so we each said something nice about them before we picked a gift.

Singing to December birthdays: Megan, Claire, Lynsie, Kim, and Haley.

Everyone, including Noah (cardboard cutout while he's on his mission).

We're thankful for this time of year to think more of our Savior.

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