Carter stayed home a few days still being sick w/ the flu, but then went back to school. Here's to hoping we're all better now. :) Here are some highlights from the first full week of December.
Our elf "Buddy" helping the Army man. Cute Hudson sleeping, then playing w/ Mickey Mouse.
Colin and Carter after their 1st basketball game. Getting some pointers during the game.
Later that afternoon, Nyles and Carter went to a birthday party for our neighbor Kaitlyn.
Buddy driving Nyles' monster truck. Hudson later playing w/ the monster truck, driving his sippy cups around. Nyles and Carter built a fort w/ the cushions.
Buddy trying some fondue w/ us. We dipped pretzels for dessert after dinner Sunday night.
That evening, Steve dropped off Nyles at karate at 5pm when the roads were fine (Steve took him Monday instead of Tuesday since Tuesday was Steve's birthday), but by 6pm when it was time to pick him up, it looked like this. The temperatures dropped and the roads were super slick, aka black ice. We were going to run out and do some shopping, but came back home when we saw/heard 13th East. Steve then tried to go a different way and slide as well. He ended up parking and walking a little bit to go get him. It was crazy out there!
Nyles and Carter played in the snow after school in the front yard before it got dark and colder.
On Tuesday, November 29th, it was Steve's birthday! Steve and Nyles smoked some pork ribs!
The ribs were delicious! Hudson helping Nyles vacuum w/ his toy vacuum before Rob, Dave and Joann came over for dinner.
Steve opening his gifts. We got him some grease pan liners for the smoker and a new tool box.
We then had brownies for dessert since we had cake on Sunday.
The next day Steve took the tools from his old toolbox and put them into his new one. There definitely is more room, it's more organized, and easier to find things now. Great quote also.
Steve's new toolbox w/ the different drawers.
Great quote. Cute Hudson giving Piper hugs. On Wednesday evening, November 30th, we went to the Draper Temple and did sealings w/ Dave and Joann. It was a really special session. The wind was super cold though so we didn't get a picture before Dave/Joann left. It was great going together though. We did many of their family names.
Our Elf "Buddy" keeping an eye on the boys. Cute flashback from 2015 when Nyles was 3.
Nyles and Carter in our new banana chairs that Buddy brought.
Silly Hudson w/ his blankets on his head (I hate it when he does that). More snow. Nyles and Carter have been watching how to draw on YouTube. They're doing awesome! Cute Hudson playing w/ his airplane in bed.
Carter's cute picture he made for Buddy. Buddy brought out the popcorn maker in anticipation of movie night. Nyles making ornaments during his activity day. Our cute "real" Christmas tree.
Cute Hudson playing w/ dinosaurs. Carter w/ his sugar cookies he decorated. We made some one evening after dinner. Carter wasn't feeling well so Steve took him to the Dr. He was diagnosed w/ the flu. He was kind enough to wear a mask while around us. Nyles with his finished Christmas ornaments made out of melted cups. Cute Hudson.
Hudson hasn't been feeling the best either. Steve took him to the Dr but he tested negative for everything (the Flu, Covid, RSV). The Dr. said if he comes up negative he's either just teething or maybe another virus they didn't test for, like a different strain of the Flu.
Hudson has a cute saying lately which is "Ya I do."
He's so cute when he says it, even when he doesn't feel great.
Nyles and Carter getting love from Piper. Nyles and Hudson in his bed while brushing his teeth and snuggling w/ stuffed animals. Nyles and Steve smoked a yummy roast.
On Friday, December 2nd, the school district called in a online/virtual learning day. Since Carter wasn't feeling great, we were thankful they could stay home. The boys did school work online. They would have much rather had a "snow day" but at least they got to stay home.
Buddy moving around the house.
Our house right before when we moved in (Feb 2016) vs now (Aug 2022).
Well we had a memorable Thanksgiving week I guess. We were planning to go up to Idaho for Thanksgiving, but Hudson got sick w/ an ear infection and RSV, so we ended up staying home. We didn't want to travel w/ a sick baby let alone pass it to anyone else. So we figured it would be best to isolate and do Thanksgiving by ourselves. It almost reminded me of 2020 during Covid when we were all required to isolate. Steve and I weren't feeling the best either, so we felt staying home would be best for all of us.
Cute Hudson w/ his digger in his crib w/ him. He went on antibiotics Monday morning after Steve took him into the Dr and found out what he had.
Nyles and Hudson pretending to "work" like me. Nyles and Carter w/ some Thanksgiving art that they've done at school.
Carter w/ his Thanksgiving Turkey he made at school. Cute Hudson playing w/ his helicopter in bed. Carter and Nyles at Scheels getting worms to go fishing.
Steve and Nyles have been busy cooking on the smoker. They made hamburgers earlier in the week, then smoked up a turkey breast for Thanksgiving Day. Good work boys!
Nyles working hard cutting up the turkey breast. Ready for our Thanksgiving feast!
Cute Piper asleep on her bed. Cute Hudson asleep in his crib w/ his digger.
Playing at Draper Park for a few minutes to get out of the house after Thanksgiving lunch.
We then put up the Christmas tree and decorated it. Joann sent stickers to make a turkey for the boys for something fun to do since we were by ourselves, thanks!
Yeah for the Christmas tree! We got a new star too (from after Christmas last year).
The boys putting blankets and pillows in their shark blankets. Piper cuddling up to the blankets.
Steve reading a Thanksgiving story Joann let us borrow.
Friday afternoon, Steve, Nyles and Carter went fishing. Dave and Rob went as well. They drove down to Utah Lake and took the boat. There was a little ice but still open water, so they drove by the docks and fished around them. People fishing on the shore complained they were out there, though it was legal of course to be on your boat, but since they were private docks, they had to stay in the boat and not go on the docks to fish. I stayed home w/ Hudson while he took a nap and checked on the boys via the webcam at Utah Lake.
Fishing Time!
It was a beautiful sunny day and they caught lots of fish (White Bass and 1 Perch), 85 total to be exact!
Saturday morning we drove up to Kamas, met up w/ Dave/Joann and Stacie/Phill, then over to Woodland to cut down a Christmas Tree. Every year 4th graders can get a free National Park Pass. Plus they can get a free Christmas Tree permit. Steve went up earlier this month and got Nyles' passes in Heber and was able to pick up Conor's passes as well.
We pulled over on the side of the road once in the National Forest area.
Ready to cut our Christmas tree down. Enjoying a donut before going.
Carter eating a donut. London Claire, Hudson and Joann in the truck.
Dave and Joann. Hudson and London Claire. Carter eating his donut.
On our way up the hill to find a Christmas Tree.
Not very far up the hillside we found the tree, yeah!
With our Christmas Trees, then loading them up in Dave's truck. Such a fun adventure!
Phill, London Claire, Stacie, Conor, Penny, Carter, Hudson, Nyles and Steve.
London Claire playing w/ Hudson. Nyles, Conor and Carter getting some hot chocolate.
Stacie, Steve, London Claire, and me getting hot chocolate.
After getting back home, Steve cut off a couple inches of the tree stump and Piper thought it was her toy to play fetch with. She played w/ it for a quite a while until the bark was coming off too much and we had to throw it away. Silly Piper! Our tree ready to get decorated. We found a tree stand the night before at Savers; score!
Hudson helping to decorate the tree, then Carter and Nyles also. We love it!
Sunday we went over to LuDean/Diane's for dinner since we were all feeling better.
We also celebrated Steve's birthday which was coming up.
Though we were sad not to go up to Idaho and have Thanksgiving w/ my family, we're glad we were able to rest and recover. We tried to make the most of it and find moments of joy together anyway. We're thankful for all of our blessings from our Heavenly Father, especially to have each other. Families are what matter the most!
