3rd Week of October

This past week has gone pretty quickly.  Here are some highlights. 

Tickles from Grandpa.

Our fall city bulk pick up came on the day they were supposed to (usually they're a day or two late, sometimes due to the weather).  Steve promised Nyles he would video it so he could watch it when he got home from school.

Nyles and Carter built Lincoln logs w/ grandma Joann while I worked on making my way home. The train had a detour (bus bridge) because someone got hit by the train so it took me 2 hours to get home.  Thankfully Joann kept them busy and happy!  By the the time I got home Steve was almost home from class as well since it was a shorter day after he had a test.  It was good to have a little more time w/ him though.

Steve and I went to the Jordan River Temple on Thursday.  It was our first time back since it was rededicated a few months ago.  Thankfully Joann was willing to watch for us so we could go together.  This is "our temple" or at least the one we were married in, almost 10 years ago.  We have so many good memories in this temple.  It's such a wonderful place to be!

Steve had the week off, so he was studying and catching up on his previous assignments.  He also was preparing for his deer hunt.  Since the deer were coming in to Paul Firth's property, Paul suggested they come asap.  So, Steve decided to go that coming weekend.  Ironically Nyles had UEA break as well on Thursday and Friday, so he was off school too.  Steve invited our neighbors Scott Ellis and his son Abe to go w/ him.  Abe had never shot a deer so he was super pumped to go get one.  Nyles was a little excited the whole week as well, to so say the least.  He kept asking if it was deer hunting time.  On Friday, Scott got off work around noon, then Steve and Nyles met him at his house.  His wife Kristi and their girls Emily and Lizzy happily agreed to watch Carter for us so they could leave early.  I got off work then walked over to get Carter.  He had such a great time playing w/ the girls he didn't want to leave.  I ended up talking w/ Kristi for another hour or so while Carter continued to play.  It was cute!

Steve and Nyles headed out to the deer hunt.

Steve and Abe scouting the deer.  Nyles w/ his toy gun ready to go.

Nyles wiping the ATV off after getting dusty.

Nyles standing by Abe's deer he shot.

 

Abe w/ his 1st deer he ever shot.  Nyles was pretty excited for him!  After shooting the deer they decided to drive the 3.5 hours home instead of staying the night up there.  It was nice to have them home even though it was a late night.

The next morning Steve went over to the Ellis' place and showed them how to skin and butcher the deer.  As usual it took most of the day, but at least they got it completely done.  They ground up the meat and put them in vacuum saver bags.

Steve and Abe skinning the deer.

Lizzy, Nyles and Emily watching the show.

That evening we took dinner over to LuDean.  I made some Autumn Soup, Cornbread, and cookies.  It was good to see her and visit for a while.

On Sunday we practiced w/ all the Primary kids in the chapel for our Primary program coming up next week.  The practice was a little rough, they usually are, but hopefully it'll go well.  After church  we went over to Chris/Pauline's house to celebrate Ezra's birthday.  We had Cafe Rio pork then donuts for his birthday cake.  It was fun to get together, and the boys had fun playing!

Getting ready to sing to Ezra on his 5th birthday.  

 Blowing out the candles and watching the sparkler.  Silly Steve in the background. 

October 2nd Week

This past week was a little more laid back.  Steve didn't have class officially, so he's been working on getting caught up in his classes (since he started 3 weeks later than everyone else).  He also went to a class on Tuesday and got re-certified for CPR.  He got all his immunizations and records submitted to SLCC, so he's all caught up on that now too.  He doesn't have class this week either as it's now "Fall Break," so he hopes to get all caught up by the weekend.

I went to a Stake Primary Leadership Training on Thursday.  We learned more about ministering in the Primary and how we can do that better.  We also learned more about what the new curriculum will look like next year and how Primary will function w/ only 2 hours.  It's definitely going to be an adjustment, but we're all excited for the changes and know the Lord is leading His Church through His Prophet at this time.

Saturday I was in charge of being there for the baptisms of 2 girls in our ward.  We decided to go as a family as well, which was nice.  The talks were short so the program was quite short overall.  It was neat to see the girls "glow" after their baptisms were performed and after being confirmed w/ the Holy Ghost.  I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessing it is in my life.

On Sunday after church we had dinner and then FHE together as a family.  It was a very cold day, so we spend the evening inside.  It was nice to be together as a family and spend time w/ one another.

Here are some other highlights w/ pictures from this past week:

We found this in our room as we were getting ready for bed.  Apparently one of the boys thought the tiger wanted to sleep in Steve's slipper, hahah.  Cute Nyles ready for picture day at school.

Steve worked to get LuDean's trees trimmed that were over the edge onto the sidewalk.  He was there one day when a city worker came over and said if they didn't get them trimmed she would be fined.  Luckily he was able to get them taken care of in a timely manner so nothing happened.  

All of a sudden we are having really cold temperatures.  It was barely 60 degrees as a high this past week.  As you can see we are getting snow in the mountains already and in the higher elevations areas like Park City and Midway.  I got my winter coat out this past week and gloves since it's quite cold waiting for the train sometimes, even for a few minutes.

Joann brought "leaves" over for the boys to play with one day.  

Nyles thought it was pretty fun to throw them and watch them fall down.  

Carter and Nyles have been having fun w/ the blocks this past week as well.

Since the temperatures have gotten so cold we brought in the last of our watermelons.  Carter and Nyles each carried in a personal size watermelon.  Again they were juicy just not really sweet.  Nyles and I still ate them all :)

Steve went over and put in 2 can lights in Dave/Joann's kitchen instead of their chandelier.  He's planning to go back and put in 2 more soon.  They sure are nice to have.  They give off good light and they don't hang down in your face.

Carter working on his penmanship w/ a HUGE pencil. 

Dave brought the ATVs over to our place to store while Carrie/Ryan work on getting their stuff out of his garage and into their new house.  Steve and Nyles are also planning to go deer hunting this Saturday w/ our neighbors, so they'll likely use them then.

The boys just had to go on a ride around the block w/ Grandpa!

While the ATVs are in our garage the boys just have to play on them everyday, pretending to drive them.  It's their favorite thing!

First week of October

Here we are almost half way through October.  It's going fast and I need to get caught up.  The first week of October it literally POURED the whole week!  We had some serious lightening and thunder storms almost every night that week.  It was wet and cold to say the least.  The temperatures have definitely came down.  It has hardly been above 60 degrees.  It felt like we went almost directly from using the A/C to now the heater, with no break in between.  It supposed to freeze tonight as well.  I have to admit I wish we had "fall" temperatures for a little longer.

Steve sent me this picture while at work of the rain coming down. 

One day Carter just wanted to play outside on the grass all day w/ his tractor.  Cute boy!

On Thursday, Steve went to the Aquarium w/ Dave Thomas and his kids.  His wife Melissa had a training for work, so he had the kids all day.  Dave thought it would be fun to get out and get a change of scenery.  They had a good time looking at all the different kids of animals, then Steve took Carter home for a nap.

Carter and Calvin looking at the leopard.

 

Another day when Steve was getting out of the shower, he found Carter on our bed wrapped up in my blanket.  He had gotten it out of our closet and taken it over to our bed.  He likes to snuggle w/ my bunny as well.  Silly boy!

 

Carter w/ his Halloween skeleton pjs on readying some books before bed.

Cute Carter and Nyles eating some watermelon from our garden.  They all were really juicy, just not really sweet.  We enjoyed eating them, then we'd give the rinds to the neighbor's ducks.

 

We finally got our basement windows replaced.  We did all the others a couple months after moving in 2 years ago, but we didn't think we'd use the basement very much, so we didn't replace them.  We've since found out that we use the basement quit often, so we thought it would be a good idea to get them replaced.  With the new windows they definitely help let in more light and help better w/ temperature control.  Now we just need to paint downstairs.  Luckily we at least put the carpet in when we were putting carpet in the rest of the house.

Old window in the playroom downstairs.

New window.

Old window in the bedroom downstairs.

New window.

Old window in the garage.

Getting installed, and new window in the garage.  

All the windows let in so much more light.  It's wonderful!

 

Duck season started on Saturday, October 6th.  Steve went up Friday night w/ Zach Hannay, Rob Daniels, and Kalia Clark.  They spent the night at the cabin, then went out to their "spot" the next morning at Strawberry Reservoir by 4:30am.  Unfortunately there were a few other groups that ended up next to them, so they didn't get a lot of ducks.  They had a good time though.

Rob waiting for the ducks.

Steve all ready to go, waiting for the ducks to fly over him.

Kalia trying out duck hunting for the 1st time.  Ironically Nyles wanted to try the duck they shot.  Steve bbq'd it after socking it in soy sauce.  Nyles and Steve said they really liked it (I didn't try it).

General Conference was great.  There were more announcements made of some upcoming changes in the church (such as 2 hours of church starting in January).  It's always great to be uplifted and hear the prophet and other leaders speak.  President Nelson gave 4 invitations during the General Women's Session.  They were:

1.  Participate in a 10 day social media fast.  It's good to take a break from them every so often.  Steve and I are doing it together, which is nice.

2.  Read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  Steve and I are working on this already.  Our ward issued the challenge just last month.

3.  Attend the temple regularly.  Steve and I have always made this a priority in our marriage, but it's great to be reminded of its importance.

4.  Participate fully in Relief Society.  This one is only for me, not Steve ;)

On Sunday, after General Conference we went up to Midway (Melanie/Brandon's house) for family pictures and family dinner.  I made Halloween cupcakes: mummies, spiders in their webs, and monsters.  They boys had fun helping me make them.

Spooky cupcakes!

Dave and Joann w/ all the grand kids.

Front row (left to right): Lynsie Hammett, Alexa McGrath, Conor Monson, Olivia Lake, Nyles McGrath, London Monson, Noah Lake.  Back row: Cameron McGrath, Isaac McGrath, Joann and Dave McGrath, Carter McGrath, Chandler Lake and Ethan Lake.

And a picture of Dave and Joann w/ their 5 kids.  Stacie Monson, Jeff McGrath, Joann and Dave McGrath, Carrie Hammett, Steve McGrath and Melanie Lake.

Our family: Steve, Carter, Nyles and Penny McGrath 

While dinner was getting put together, we had the kids decorate pumpkins, which Dave and Joann brought.  Lynsie, Olivia, Conor and Stacie working on their pumpkins.

Phill, London, Dave, Nyles, Steve and Carter.

Joann and Alexa.

 Carter decorated his pumpkin all by himself, with a little help of Steve.

Grandpa Dave helping Nyles w/ his spider legs.

Noah helping Conor wrap his mummy pumpkin.

After dinner we sang Happy Birthday to Isaac (September) and Dave and Stacie (October).

Carter blew out Dave's candle just as we were finishing up the song.  After 2 years he's got this happy birthday thing down.  Nyles w/ his completed spider pumpkin.

 

All the finished pumpkins.

Carter enjoying some ice cream.

We had a fun time but both boys were wiped out shortly after getting on the road.

It was a fun, eventful weekend.  I am so thankful for a living prophet and the chance we have to listen to General Conference every 6 months.  I know this is His Church and He leads and guides it.  I'm thankful for the restoration of the priesthood especially so we can be eternal families.