4th Week of December - Christmas week

The boys didn't have school for the last 2 weeks of the year, so I took work off as well.  It was nice to spend time as a family and be together over the Holidays.  Here are some highlights from the 4th week of December, the week leading up to Christmas.

On Monday, December 20th I went and got my Covid booster shot at Wal-Mart.  We then went to the Aquarium and found the hidden elves.  When we got back Hudson took his nap.  We went outside and threw the ball for Piper for a little while.  She LOVES playing ball!

Finding the elves at the Aquarium and looking at the animals.

More fun at the Aquarium!

That evening Steve took Nyles and Carter up to "This is the Place" for a "Candle Light Christmas" while I stayed home w/ Hudson so he could get to bed on time.  They met most of Steve's family there.  It was pretty cold, but they still had a great time.

The boys in a pioneer wagon and Nyles telling Santa what he wants for Christmas.

Carter, Nyles, Conor, Lynsie, London Claire, and Alexa.  At a tin shop.  In front a nutcracker.

Conor, Nyles, Carter, Lynsie, Alexa and London Claire, then Joann and Dave at the tree.

On Tuesday,  Steve took Nyles and Carter fishing.  They met Dave and Noah as well.  The fish weren't biting as much as they had the past few times, but they still had a good time.

Our elf Buddy.  Hudson looking at Steve's book I made him for his birthday.  Poor Piper cut her paws.  We were playing ball in the circle and apparently the pavement tore up her paws w/out her knowing.  She just kept going until I noticed she was bleeding.  Steve bandaged up her paws and she had to rest the rest of the week, which just about killed her not to play ball, but thankfully her paws healed.  Cute Hudson and his moves while sleeping. 

Hudson and Nyles sword fighting.

Our elf hanging out in the nativity and Hudson trying to stand up.

Hudson trying to stand up then smashing Nyles.

Carter feeding Hudson Lucky Charms.  He's getting where he can reach things now, especially on his tippee toes.  Buddy the Elf hiding by the fridge.

Piper chasing the flashlight w/ Hudson.

The boys earned another stripe on their new yellow belts.

Buddy hanging out; his last day here on Christmas Eve.  Hudson catching a ride on Nyles' shoulders.

Nyles and Carter playing a little Minecraft.

Hudson doing his karate moves and noises like his brothers.

On Christmas Eve it was REALLY cold, so we drove to Draper Park to see the lights.  Nyles, Hudson and I got out and went to see the "Tree of Life" then got back in the car.  Earlier we made more sugar cookies for Santa.

After Draper Park we drove up to the Draper temple to see the nativity.  We saw deer too!

After getting Hudson to bed, Nyles and Carter opened up a Christmas Eve present, new PJs!  Piper saw her gifts under the tree and didn't want to leave them.  Thankfully she didn't try to get them.  Buddy the Elf likes to move throughout the day, which the boys LOVE!

Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25th, the boys woke up normal time, about 7:20am.  They then proceeded to open their gifts.  The boys got more Legos!  They were pretty excited!  Piper got a new throw toys, which instantly caught her attention.

Hudson opened his gifts too.

The boys got new scooters, Care Bears, and blankets.  Piper so focused on her new toy!

We lit the candles the boys made from "Candle Light Christmas" on Christmas Eve.  Steve got 3 free new propellers from Mud Skipper.  He was pretty excited!  Helping Carter build his police set while Nyles worked on his.

Hudson w/ his new toy; Carter w/ his Care Bear and Lego Police set put together; Nyles got something for Piper; Nyles w/ his Lego helicopter put together (it only took him a few hours to do).

Hudson w/ his Ring Pop, playing w/ his new toy, then ready for a nap.  Carter helping Hudson unwrap a coloring book.  Nyles and Carter w/ their Legos (same set, you can just make 3 different toys from it).

Hudson dancing to Christmas music (the music was on my phone though, so when I started videoing, it turned off the song on the video).  So cute still!

Dave and Joann came over that evening for dinner.  The boys opened their gifts from them as well.  They got huge monster trucks!  They just HAD to try them, so Steve put his headlamps on their trucks so they could see them in the dark.  The boys LOVED them!  Thank you!

We also got a cool battery organizer from Dave/Joann.  Thank you!

Cute Piper w/ her new Christmas toy.  She didn't want to leave it anywhere, so she brought it wherever she went.  After Hudson went to bed we played the new game, so fun!

The next day after church, the boys went out and played w/ their new monster trucks again.

We're so thankful for this time or year to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and his life.  

He is the reason for the season!

3rd Week of December

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of December.  It was the last week of school for the boys, and work for me for the rest of the year!

Carter and Nyles decorating a Rice Krispy train we got from a neighbor as a gift.  Earlier Hudson taking off the ornaments from the bottom of the tree.  He thinks the ornaments are balls and tries to bounce them on the floor.  Thankfully they're shatterproof.

Carter painted an ornament and Hudson eating some crackers.

Hudson is standing up and grabbing for everything.

Buddy the Elf hiding around the house.  

He likes to move throughout the day as well, which the boys just LOVE!

On the night of Tuesday, December 14th we got DUMPED on with more snow!  

We got over a foot; it was crazy!

Hudson excited to sit on his chair and see all the snow the next morning.

The school district cancelled in class learning, but said it's now an online learning day.  Nyles' teachers then had homework for him to do online.  He wasn't happy about still having to do schoolwork, but at least he got to stay home and play in the snow.  He also got to go to Carter's program that morning.

Steve trying to get our driveway cleared out so we could go to Carter's preschool Christmas Program.

Once we got out of our circle, the road were better and at least somewhat plowed.  Carter wanted to dress up even.  He was nervous the night before saying he didn't want to go, but after he got dressed up and we got there, he didn't look back.  His program was at the old Draper Theater.  He sang his best and did all the parts to the songs.  This was his last "day" of school before Christmas break.

Carter singing, and Steve holding up Hudson so he could see better.

Here are many of the songs they sang during their Christmas Program.

Carter did so awesome!

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

Jingle Bells.

Christmas Bells.

Santa's Helpers.

Santa Clause is coming to town.

Happy Christmas Tree.

Feliz Navidad.

Carter did an awesome job!  We're so proud of all the work he put into learning the songs and parts.

Carter w/ his teacher Ms. Julie and Carter w/ his friend Colin.

When we got back, Steve and the boys worked to shovel out more of the snow.  I had to get back to work but watched them from my window.  Hudson took a nap thankfully.  

Carter making a snow angel.  Look at all this snow!

The snow didn't stop Piper.  She still wanted to play ball!  Carter and Nyles playing in the snow.

Cute Hudson w/ a bear vest on, then giving Nyles a hug while we go through a store.

On Friday, December 17th, Nyles had his last day of school.  They had a party and did fun things!

It was also my last day of work for the rest of the year, oh yeah!

That evening we went to see Carter and Nyles pass off many of their skills they've learned in martial arts over the past several months, to get their yellow belts.

Carter showing his num-chuk stills (Nyles in the background)

Carter breaking his board.

Nyles breaking his board.

We asked Nyles to do his pass off w/ Carter and the younger group so we didn't have to sit through 2 of them.  Mostly since Hudson has a hard time sitting through it and Steve and I both wanted to see them.

Nyles and Carter working on passing off things they're learned in martial arts in order to get their yellow belt.  They both worked hard over these past few months and got their belt!  Awesome job!

Buddy the Elf riding our dinosaur.  After we got back, we put Hudson to bed, then had a movie night finally.  We watched the newer Grinch movie.  The boys like to wrestle and Hudson likes to give hugs.  Carter likes to have lots of stuffed animals when he goes to bed too; silly kid.

Saturday Steve went duck hunting w/ Nyles, Rob and Zach, for the last time this season.  Steve broke a propeller on the boat trying to get through the ice on top of the lake.  

They got a couple ducks though, so it was worth it :) 

Carter loves pajamas.  These are both PJs Nyles used to wear.  We found more downstairs, including this Paw Patrol one, that match the slippers Pauline gave us :)

Buddy hiding behind the snowmen, Hudson eating some chocolate, and playing in the ball bit.

Sunday evening we went up to Brandon and Melanie's house in Midway to do our annual Jerusalem Dinner.  We try to eat simple foods that Jesus might have eaten.

We don't use utensils either, and eat on the floor.  Hudson sitting w/ Joann, licking his plate, and everyone w/ their food (most of us that is).  We then had a testimony meeting after dinner.  It was great to hear everyone's testimony and strengthen each other.

Good insight:

At this Christmas time, it is my hope and prayer that we will never forget that without Christ, there would be no Christmas celebrations. There would be no hope, and no joy. There would only be sadness, misery, and sorrow. But, thanks be to God and to His Son Jesus Christ, we now have hope, and we now have joy in the expectant future resurrection of the dead, and the salvation of mankind.

I testify that He who was born a baby in Bethlehem, now reigns as our Lord and God in heavenly glory.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Dr. D. Todd Harrison