Happy New Year 2014 everyone! We're so excited to welcome in another year! I can't believe it's 2014 already. Since there's not much we can do about the loss of time now, all we can do is enjoy this upcoming year and make the best of it. We've made some goals for the New Year, but before I just into that, let me sum up the last of 2013 and what's been going on the past few weeks since then.
On New Year’s Eve we went over to LuDean’s for dinner. Steve met me at the 3900 South train stop and we went over to her place. Diane had invited us all over for lasagna and fun. Everyone showed up shortly after us, and then we had dinner and played some games. Nyles got tired and cranky about 7pm or so, so we headed home shortly after. Steve then went back and helped clean up and put LuDean’s house back in order. After Steve got home we watched a show together and ended up staying up until midnight ironically, so we got to ring in the New Year! We’re looking forward to a great 2014! (Thanks Diane/LuDean for a great party!).
Nyles playing w/ some maracas
Nyles and I ready to bring in the New Year
Getting ready to party
Happy New Year!
On New Year’s Day we got together in the afternoon w/ Rose and Pauline and their families. Pauline didn’t want to travel too far w/ baby Ezra so we asked Dave/Joann if we could use their house as a meeting place. They said it would be no problem, so we all met at their place around 3pm. We then hung out and made pizza for dinner (thanks Rose for making it!). We then played a game together then left to get the kids home for bed. It was fun to see everyone again and spend some time together. Everyone seems to be doing well.
Ave holding baby Ezra
Standing: Me, Steve, Summer, Chris, Charlotte, Ava, Ali, Rose and Pauline (kneeling)
Sitting: Sophia, Nyles and Ezra
Nyles having some ice cream, yumm :)
The next day, January 2nd was our 5th wedding anniversary. I decided to work and then we could celebrate in the evening (and save vacation days for later). Steve picked me up from work and we went to Olive Garden for dinner w/ Nyles. The food was yummy. Nyles entertained the waitress as well; he’s such a character (as my mom would say). We then came home, put him to bed, then played “Ticket to Ride.” It was a fun evening. The next night after work we decided to go to a movie, “The Hobbit: desolation of Smaug”. Rob was kind enough to come over and watch Nyles after we put him to bed. Dave and Joann also wanted to watch the show so we made it a double date. It was another fun evening.
Pretty flowers Steve got me for our anniversary
Nyles loving the crayons at Olive Garden, maybe eating them too :)
Saturday, January 4th Steve went duck hunting and Nyles and I cleaned up the house and did laundry. When he got back we went and got groceries together. Steve then went up to Dave/Joann’s to teach Melanie/Brandon more about firearms. They want to take a class but wanted some basic questions answered first.
Nyles playing w/ Steve's gun holster
Steve went duck hunting on Wednesday the 8th and Saturday the 11th. He wanted to get in a couple more times before the season ended. He had a great time both times. On the 8th, Steve left before I went to work so Joann came over and sat with Nyles when I left until Steve came home. I know Steve really appreciated her willingness to help him out. Steve keeps saying how much he just LOVES duck hunting. Though the season is now over, he’s already thinking about how he can better prepare this next season. Silly boy ;)
Nyles figuring out the coach has metal on it so the magnetic pieces stick
(while Grandma Joann was watching him)
Some crazy snow we were getting downtown while I was at work
Friday, January 10th we were able to go to the Draper Temple and did initiatories. Our home teacher Nicole came and sat at the house while Nyles was asleep so we could go. We want to keep the goal of attending the temple every month this year as well. We figured it will be easier if we plan to go the first week rather then the last, since things always seem to come up. So far so good, one for one! :)
We are now at the 9am church time for this year. So far it’s been GREAT! Nyles usually gets a little nap in the morning then makes it just in time for us to come home and put him to bed at noon. He’s getting a lot more confident with his walking now, so it makes it fun to chase him at church. The following week during 3rd hour, I had to teach in Relief Society and Steve had clerk stuff to do, so Steve asked if we could put him in Nursery. Since he’s now 17 months old and we have a small nursery, they said it wasn’t a problem. Thankfully he did GREAT! They were just starting snack time so he went right in and didn’t fuss the whole hour. The nursery said we can keep bringing him if we’d like to. It’ll work out nice to let him play with the other kids and not have to worry about chasing him around in Sunday school or Relief Society. I can’t believe he is old enough to go to nursery, but it’s a good thing I guess ;)
Nyles playing on the Ipad w/ Grandma McGrath
My lesson went well, thankfully. I switched lessons w/ our other teacher since we were gone this past Sunday up at the cabin. I taught the 1st lesson on our Heavenly Father. It was a really neat lesson. I used a 2 videos from lds.org w/ my lesson. One was about people talking about their relationship w/ their Heavenly Father and the other was the song “I am a Child of God.” I then shared an experience from my mission about a family we came across tracking one day. It was a single father with 4 kids. When we first met him it was a late Friday evening and he was just getting them ready for bed, so he asked us to come back the next day. We then came back Saturday morning and he let us right in. We again introduced ourselves and why we were there. The father then had us sit down at their kitchen table with his kids and said, “Please, teach my children.” We then went on to teach the 4 kids about their Father in Heaven and taught them how to pray. The oldest boy, Dominick, who was about 11, was really excited to learn. He asked if he could pray, which of course we let him. He then asked if he could teach his 3 younger sisters as well. He then took turns helping each of his little sisters how to pray. It was an amazing experience to hear them pray for the first time to their Heavenly Father. As I shared this experience to our Relief Society the Spirit witnessed to me again how important this is. I remember thinking as a missionary if only we could tell everyone that they are Children of God, how much a difference this would make in many people’s lives. I bore my testimony of the importance of the lesson. It seems so “Primary” but the reason it’s one of the 1st commandments to love God, one of the 1st songs we teach kids, our 1st article of faith, etc is because it is so fundamental to the Gospel and our faith in Him. I am so thankful for this knowledge; I know this is true!
Steve started classes on January 13th. He’s retaking his College Biology and Chemistry class to get a better grade in them. He’s pretty optimistic about his classes and thinks he’ll do much better this time. He’ll have class Mondaythrough Thursday evenings with Tuesday being his latest since he’ll have a lab as well that night.
Nyles playing w/ the snow shovel
Nyles enjoying some fajita chicken
We went up to the cabin this past Friday, the 17th. I took the day off so we could get up there in the daylight, and hopefully beat the crowd since it was a Holiday weekend. Joann was going to go with us that morning but her back was hurting her so she came up that night later w/ Rob. We stopped at their house and got the Tahoe w/ the trailer full of ATV’s and packed in most of their food/supplies. We also stopped in Heber to get lunch, grab a few more groceries, and pick up Papa Murphy’s Pizza. Ironically Nyles had pooped when we got there, so I ran him into Smiths and changed him and his clothes. When we got to the parking lot, we parked the Tahoe, then got our winter clothes on and got the ATV’s ready. We then rode in, Steve shoveling the entrance out and we went in. By the time we were in w/ a fire going and heaters on, it was probably about 2pm. It was about 32 degrees inside the cabin, brrrr.
Nyles all bundled up, just getting into the cabin
Nyles trying to play w/ the toys, all bundled up while the cabin warms up
While I started putting things away Steve went back for one more load of gear. An orange soda can was left in the fridge and exploded due to the cold. It was EVERYWHERE in the fridge, so I had to take all the drawers and shelves out and wipe them off the best I could w/ papertowels and semi-frozen disinfecting wipes (since there is no running water in the cabin in the winter). It took a little time but I got it. Shortly after Dave called and said he was about to the cabin. Steve then went and picked him up. Stacie/Phill had their plans change several times that week, but they ended up being able to come. They got up there shortly after 5pm. I put in pizzas right before they got there and we all enjoyed some pizza for dinner. Rob and Joann came up a little after that as well. After we got the kids to bed we watched “Oblivion” together.
Socks work well as gloves :)
The next morning we had breakfast then Steve, Rob and Dave went out ice fishing. London and Phill went out for a few minutes as well. Everyone came in for lunch, and then they went back out. Phill, Stacie, London and Conor went sledding while Nyles took a nap and I shoved the front deck off. It was a “warm” sunny day so it was nice to get outside. The Monson’s then left in the afternoon in order to get home to babysit Lynsie so Carrie could go to her work party. I went out w/ Nyles for a few minutes to ice fish, and then came back in. We had dinner then put Nyles to bed. We played a game of “Apples to Apples” then watched a movie.
Nyles enjoying some bacon at the cabin for breakfast
Nyles and Conor w/ bacon
Dave w/ a fish he caught
Another fish...
London w/ a fish
Steve w/ Nyles, so excited to be on the ATV
Ready to do some more ice fishing
Rob and Dave ready to fish
Steve showing Nyles the best fishing spots
A big cutthroat Dave caught
Sunday we took it easy. Made pancakes for breakfast, then talked about the Creation (since it was the Sunday School lesson). We put Nyles down for a nap, watched “Epic” then got packed up and ready to go. Since it takes several trips to get all of our stuff out we figured we’d better start early. After packing and cleaning up, getting a bite to eat and getting all of us and our stuff out it was 3pm. We made it back down about 5pm, then Steve helped Dave/Joann unload and clean the fish, then made it to our place by 6:30pm or so. After Nyles went to bed we both took nice warm showers and took it easy. I certainly do enjoy warm running water!
Nyles enjoying some sun
Joann and Steve also enjoying the sunny day w/ Nyles
Monday the 20th I had the day off so we took it easy. We even got a nap in while Nyles was taking a nap. We then went and got our Edge cleaned at the carwash. Ironically it was a pretty busy place. Maybe because a lot of people had the day off, the sun was shining it almost felt like Spring, and we aren't expecting snow for a while. We then went to Winco to get some groceries, then later to Ross and got some new pillows. After putting Nyles to bed we watched "Despicable Me 2", such a cute show!
Nyles is figuring out other places to put his magnets, like the dishwasher and front door (not pictured)
Nyles found this flag in our closet and was so excited by it
