Last week of February

Here are some highlights from this week. 

Monday morning, Carter had a Dr. appt w/ a pediatric neurologist for his migraines.  The Dr's office is at the Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi.  Last year, Carter met w/ a Dr in Park City for his migraines, but they are no longer accepting any insurance, so we searched around to find another Dr. who is in our network.  I called around and found one, then we were on a waiting list for several months.  Thankfully, I kept calling to check if he was still on the waitlist, and we finally got an appointment.  Steve took Carter to the appointment and said it went great!  He said the Dr. was fantastic and definitely knows what he's doing.  Though Carter gets a few migraines a month, many kids get them every day or several a week, so he's not considered a severe case.  The Dr. prescribed more meds in case he needs them, and said Carter will continue to meet w/ him or his PA going forward.  We're very thankful to have found a great Dr. for Carter!

Monday afternoon, Steve went to parent-teacher conferences for both Carter and Nyles.  They are both doing well, and the teachers enjoy having them in their classes.  We're proud of their efforts and keeping a positive attitude even when things get hard.

Hudson giving Piper some scratches and wanting to get licked.  

We went and watched a movie called "Goat" on Tuesday night w/ Dave and Joann, as Steve and Nyles didn't have YM that night.  It was $5 Tuesday.  It was fun!

Our pretty Crocus are still blooming, including white ones now.

On Friday morning, Nyles met at the church at 8am w/ the YM/YW to go on a temple trip since they didn't have school.  They went to the Saratoga Springs temple and then the Provo City Center temple.  After the Provo temple they met over at Pioneer Park, just a couple blocks from the temple for lunch.  Steve went and picked up some Costco pizza in Orem and brought it to the park.  He had Carter and Hudson w/ him since they were out of school as well.  The kids had fun playing in the park and enjoyed the sunshine, as they said the water in the baptismal font was cold, so they were trying to warm up.  After lunch, Steve, Carter and Hudson went home, but the rest of the group went to the Bean Museum in Provo for a little while, then over to the BYU Creamery for ice cream afterwards.  They had a good trip overall.

Eating pizza at the park.

After lunch, they also practiced a few songs they're working on for a youth sacrament meeting program we'll have in a few weeks.

We have a "baby" tulip and "baby" Gerber flower (Hudson calls them) bloom this week also. 

Hudson and Carter had fun w/ chalk on the back patio.

Friday evening, we went out to eat at Chilis for dinner.  Rob met us there.  Then we went over to Momentum to rock climb.  Rob hasn't gone rock climbing in forever, so he was interested in going again.  Nyles' friend Cal also met us there and climbed w/ us.  We all had a good time.

Nyles and Cal climbing, Hudson about to climb, then Rob.

Hudson taking a break.  Nyles climbing, then me.  Carter carrying Hudson upside down.

The boys stacking on top of Steve that night before saying prayers.

Carter carrying Hudson.

Saturday morning, Steve and the boys went fishing w/ Dave at Utah Lake.  They had a good time but didn't catch any fish.  Steve, unfortunately slipped on some moss by the boat dock and fell and hurt his back.  He took it easy the rest of the weekend.

Out fishing.

They put in a new park at Utah Lake, so the boys had to play on it afterwards.

While they were gone, I cleaned, did laundry, and made some cinnamon sugar sourdough.

Pretty Crocus and now a Daffodil is blooming!

Since Steve's back was hurting, and Hudson wasn't feeling the best, we asked to get the Zoom link for our Stake Conference on Sunday.  We then all decided to stay home and watch it together.  Nyles and I worked on a puzzle together, while Carter and Hudson colored.  Amazingly, I think it was the most Steve, and I got out of Stake Conference in years!  That evening we went over to Diane's place for our family dinner.

Hudson fell asleep on the way over to Diane's place.

Singing Happy Birthday to Brandon, Melanie and Joann for March birthdays (Hudson's cute little finger in the picture pointing at the candles).

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3rd Week of February

We definitely had a more eventful week this past week.  Thankfully we were mostly feeling better.  Here are some highlights. 

On Monday, we had the day off for President's Day.  Steve took Hudson to the dentist to get a crown put on.  Hudson wanted a Slurpee afterwards, so he picked him up one.  The numbing gas worked a little too well, though, so it was hard to eat, but he managed.  

Hudson waiting at the dentist office, getting gas, then after eating his Slurpee.  Notice the red lips and half smile due to dumbness.  Hudson showing off his new crown!  

On Tuesday, Nyles got his braces off.  Steve also passed his kidney stone!  This one was definitely larger than the last one.  He then met w/ his Urologist the next day.  There is ANOTHER kidney stone on his other kidney, which is even larger (9mm), so they scheduled surgery on March 23rd.  Steve isn't happy about another surgery, but the good news is we know it's there and have a plan to get it out.

Nyles about to get his braces off!  Steve's kidney stones (the bigger one from this week, the smaller one from last July).  Taft following his brother Tate and Hudson over to our house.

Nyles from start to finish with his braces.  Looking good!

Tuesday night, the YW and YM had a combined activity where they did a formal dinner.  They got paired up w/ the YM and were taught how to formally eat with all the different courses and silverware.

On Wednesday, it finally snowed!!!  And my Tulips bloomed!

As soon as I got off work, we went over to the hill and went sledding!

We finally got to go sledding!  Our new sleds from last Christmas are the best!

Pretty Tulips in bloom from my birthday!

On Friday morning, Steve and Hudson went to the ribbon-cutting of the new Aquarium.

They were one of the first ones to explore the new areas.

Friday evening, Steve and I went to the Hyatt Regency downtown for the night for my birthday and to celebrate our anniversary more.  Rob came over and stayed w/ the boys.  I emailed the manager a couple of days before we got there, and they upgraded us to a room w/ a view for free!  Plus, they gave us some thoughtful anniversary gifts!

Balloons, cookies, Kind bars, and sparkling water to celebrate our anniversary (even though it was in January).  They gave us robes and slippers as well, which was awesome!

We then walked over to the Cheesecake Factory at City Creek for dinner.  It was super yummy, but we couldn't finish it all, so we brought it home for later.  I had the chicken parmesan, and Steve had a BBQ burger.  They were both soooo good!

A couple pictures in front of the background in the hotel, just for fun.

Our view, with the Delta Center out one side of the window, and the SLC Temple out the other side.

The view in the morning.  We had breakfast in the club the next morning, then headed home.

Carter had his last basketball game that afternoon.  He did awesome and worked hard!

His team!

Then he had his last football game as well!  He worked hard and they did awesome!

His friends Quinton and Collin were on his team.

Rose and Pauline then came over for cake and ice cream to celebrate my birthday.

Silly Nyles tying up Hudson to the table.

Saturday night, Carter woke up to an ear infection.  Steve took him into the Instacare Sunday morning before church.  Then came into the foyer after the Dr appt to get the sacrament, then went and picked up his antibiotics, then came back for 2nd hour.  Carter then gave a talk in Primary.  He did awesome!

                                                        Carter giving his talk in Primary.

                        Later putting together some puzzles.  Our crocuses are in bloom (early).

Sunday evening, we went over to Dave/Joann's place for dinner.  Diane came over as well, along w/ Carl (Joann's dad).  After dinner we played Flip 7 card game, which was fun.

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2nd Week of February

It was my birthday week, but unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well this week.  I had a really sore throat, and congestion.  Then, later, Steve got hit with another kidney stone (he's still working on passing it).  For those reasons, we didn't have much of an eventful week, but here are some highlights anyway. 

Tuesday morning for my birthday, Steve and I went to the temple and did a session.  There were Daffodils in bloom all around the temple.  It was pretty awesome to see for my birthday!

Nyles stayed home from school on my birthday as he wasn't feeling well.  After we picked up Hudson from preschool, he stayed w/ him while we went to watch a new movie called, "Solo Mio."  It was really good!  I wasn't feeling well most of the day, so I took it easy the rest of the day.  

Carter went w/ Nyles to YMs that night to play broom hockey while Steve took me to the Instacare (Hudson came along).  My throat was what really hurt, so they swabbed it for strep throat.  It came back negative, but they gave me a steroid to open up my throat, as it was hard to swallow.  After we got back, Steve went to the last bit of YMs and played hockey w/ them.

At the movie.  YM playing broom hockey.  We saw a deer on our way out of the neighborhood.  Steve took a picture of me at the Dr's office.  Not a great way to celebrate my birthday, but what can you do?  Thank you for all the birthday wishes, I really appreciate it :)

Steve helped Carter make his Valentine's box for school.  They made a tent and a camping scene.  You could put the Valentine's in the front of the tent.  It was awesome!  Carter also made soap during Activity Days.  The boys only had a 1/2 day of school Thursday, then no school on Friday.

Silly Piper!  Tate and Hudson coming over to our house (looking through from our bedroom window where I work).  They're so cute.  Everyday after school, Hudson asks if he can play w/ Tate.

Steve actually went to the ER early Saturday morning (4am) being in a lot of pain.  They confirmed he has another kidney stone working its way down in his left ureter.  They sent him home w/ a few pain meds.  It is 4.5 millimeters, so they typically don't do surgery if it's under 5 millimeters.  So now its just the waiting game unfortunately.  

We made Valentine's Day sugar cookies on Saturday.  A few goodies for Valentine's Day.

Carter had another football game Saturday afternoon.  Steve's kidney stone started acting up again, so I took the boys to the park and library for a while, so Steve could rest.

Steve and the boys got me some pretty Tulips for my birthday, along w/ Riesens and chocolate-covered pretzels from Trader Joe's.  Kelly Engstrom, the Steak Primary President I serve with, also brought me some Gerber Daisy's and a small chocolate sheet cake from Trader Joe's, which was really good.

Piper asleep w/ her toy Princess Leia, birthday gifts, Hudson balancing on the chair while we watched a movie together as a family, and earlier in the week at preschool.

Great quotes:

First week of February

Here are some highlights from the first week of February: 

It's been warm enough that our Crocuses are starting to bloom!

Nyles was on the Honor Roll again; good work!  Cool moon coming up.

Pretty sunset.  Monday evening, Nyles accidently sat on Carter's knee and hurt it.  Steve ended up taking him to the Dr. the next day just in case.  Thankfully nothing was broken.

The boys playing darts in the garage.  Carter snuggling w/ Piper in the sun outside.

Friday afternoon, Hudson went to a birthday party for a kid in his class.

Hudson at school (pajama and crazy hair day).  

Another day he drew a dinosaur and its bones for me; cute.

Friday after work, Steve and Nyles went up to Melanie/Brandon's house in Midway for a YM "campout."  They had 7 boys go, and 6 adults go.  Steve picked up Little Caesars Pizza for dinner, then they watched the movie Blue Miracle.  It's a true story and a really good show.

Watching the movie, then playing night games outside while the adults enjoyed the fire.

Saturday, they had breakfast, then did a small devotion.  Ethan shared his experience about the importance of Young Men's.  They then cleaned up and left.  Dave and Zach then met Steve and Nyles at Deer Creek to go fishing.

They had a great time and caught a lot of Rainbow Trout.

Nyles and Zach caught 7 each, and Dave caught 1.  Steve drove the boat so he didn't fish.

Saturday afternoon, Carter had another flag football game.

After he was done, Hudson and Carter played on the playground next to the rec center.  

We had a great view of the Draper Temple.  Another Crocus in bloom at home.

Piper chewing on Princess Leia.  Pretty sunset.

                                                                 Piper chasing Princess Leia.  

Sunday, Nyles was set apart of the Teacher's Quorum Secretary.  He was the Deacon Quorum President all last year, so he welcomed the change for this year.  He's particularly excited to not have to go to as many meetings now :)  

That evening, we went over to Diane's house for dinner.  Dave met us there, but Joann needed to help w/ her dad, so we missed seeing her.  Steve cooked up orange and teriyaki chicken, along w/ white and fried rice.  Thanks, Steve!  We played a game, including the new Flip 7 game, which was a lot of fun.  We had a chocolate pie for dessert.  Thanks for the fun!

Hudson helping me blow out the candles!

Great quotes: