4th week of December/Last week of the year

We were all still off work/school this last week, so we got to spend a lot of time together, which was nice.  We played games, watched movies and enjoyed our time together.  Here are some highlights from the last week of the year!  

Monday, December 25th was Christmas!  The boys slept in until after 7am, then we had Dave/Joann over at 8am to open presents together.  The boys were super excited that Santa came!

Ready to open gifts, then go time!  Nerf guns for all the boys.

Hudson got a robot from Grandma and Grandpa McGrath and they also all got a Lego car to build.  Nyles and Carter also got another Lego set from Santa and Hudson got Lincoln Logs.

Hudson helping me open my puzzle.  Nyles and Carter got Pokémon cards.  Nyles also got his 1st duck he shot mounted.  Piper snuggling in on the blanket w/ Joann.

We also got a fun axe throwing game.  Hudson trying his new Water Wow Activity Pad.  Carter sitting  w/ his hurt knee-cap at the couch, starting to build his new Lego firetruck set.

We went over to LuDean/Diane's place for dinner that night.  Hudson loves to see the train go around and hear the music.  Hudson also got a submarine for Christmas and the tugboat from Pauline's house on Christmas Eve.  Nyles working on his submarine Lego set.

On Tuesday afternoon, we went to the Aquarium w/ Pauline's family.  The elves were gone, but we were still able to find the letters to decode the secret message.  It was fun!

Hudson watching the shark and stingray swim by.  Lincoln, Hudson, Nyles and Ezra looking at the otters swim.  Carter was getting pulled in the wagon by Steve w/ his hurt knee cap.

                                                                     

Playing in the play ground inside, then walking across the rope bridge.

Carter getting loves from Piper and vice versa.  We finished the new 500 piece puzzle in a day.

Hudson helping us read scriptures before bed, with his Book of Mormon upside down.

   Carter wearing his brace to help his knee cap heal.  The Taylorsville temple.

Wednesday, we went out to Rose's place for lunch.  

After lunch we did a White Elephant gift exchange.

Later, the kids played tag outside on the playground.  I also passed a football around w/ Sophia, Ezra, Nyles and Carter.  We had brunch for lunch, which was yummy.

Group pictures.

On the way home, Hudson fell asleep.  We then stopped to drop off some water bottles to LuDean, then the boys had a free ice cream coupon, so we picked them up.

We watched the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory that night for movie night in preparation to watch the new Wonka movie the next day.  Steve helped finish both Nyles and Carter's Lego cars, then did Hudson's car.  Hudson's car was a Lego Lamborghini.

Carter's Lego McLaren car and Nyles' Lego Jeep Wrangler.

Steve's weight loss progress, now 6 months in.

Thursday morning, Steve was able to get Carter into Primary Children's orthopedic specialist.  He had in fact broke his knee cap in 2 spots.  He will need to wear the brace for 3 weeks, then follow up again to see how it's healing.  The Dr. said he can walk on his leg and put pressure on it, as long as he's wearing his brace.  We were happy to hear it wasn't worse and he didn't need crutches to walk around.  

When they got back, we all went to the chiropractor.  Then after Hudson's nap, we went to see the new Wonka movie w/ Dave, Joann and Diane.  It was really good!

Silly Hudson with some Yeti teeth (in a sucker).  Carter at the Dr.'s office.  At the movies.

Friday morning, Steve took the boys to the Butterfly Museum, while I slept in, then got some things done around the house.  Pretty butterflies.

That afternoon, Steve, Nyles and Nyles' friend Lincoln went fishing at Utah Lake in Provo.  They met Zach and his wife Erin there.  The lake was more frozen than last time, so they had to break ice.  They had a good time and caught a few fish.

Pretty Christmas Cactus our neighbor gave us.  Carter playing in the sand.

Nyles and Carter organized their Pokémon cards and put covers on the cards.  I also finished another 500 piece puzzle of the state of Utah.  Nyles took pictures of Piper just for fun.  The boys playing in pretend "snow" since we haven't gotten any this whole break!

Sunday morning at 1am, Hudson came into our room and said his stomach hurt.  He then proceeded to throw up in our room.  Luckily it wasn't projectile onto Steve, and went on the carpet.  He then continued to throw up every 30 minutes to 1 hour until 8am.  Steve was the one getting up w/ him mostly, so he stayed home w/ Hudson while I took Nyles and Carter to church.  It was Nyles last time in Primary and would have been Hudson's last time in Nursery as well.  Nyles will start Young Men's officially this week and Hudson will move up to Primary.  I can't believe Nyles is old enough to go to Young Men's now and Hudson will be in Primary!  I'm a little in denial at this point.  

That evening, Steve took Nyles and Carter over to Dave/Joann's for dinner, to play games and bring in the New Year.  I stayed home w/ Hudson.  We put together puzzles, watched a short show, and read some stories.  I put him to bed before Steve was home w/ the other 2 boys.

Nyles and Carter all dressed up for church.  Carter and Nyles ready to bring in the New Year.

Claire got a nail set, so she painted the boys nails a little before dinner.

Carter, Nyles and Conor w/ their New Year fun!  Nyles opening a popper w/ confetti.

Happy New Year!

We had a fantastic 2023 and are excited for 2024!  We built many memories that will be with us forever.  We are so grateful for our family, friends and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

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3rd Week of December

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of December.  The boys only had school on Monday and Tuesday.  I worked through Wednesday, then was off.  We'll all go back to school/work on January 2nd.

Nyles and Carter had a combined Spanish singing program at school.  Carter's in 1st grade, which is their 1st year of Spanish, so they sang first.  Nyles is in 5th grade, which is the oldest group, so they sang last.  Nyles' group started in 2nd grade, which was the 1st class to start Spanish Dual-Immersion in this elementary school, Altara Elementary.  The classes are wearing the same color (Nyles' class is in white and Carter's class is in red).  You'll notice how much smaller Nyles' class is, as some has dropped out over the years.  The entire group did an awesome job! 

Nyles and Carter ready to sing.  The whole group of Spanish Dual-Immersion kids.

Carter and Nyles singing their Spanish songs for Christmas Program.

Family picture afterwards.  Dave and Joann were able to come, and I snuck away from work for a little bit.  Nyles singing next to his friend Lincoln.

Monday night we had our last girl's activity day.  The girls wanted to cook, so we made spaghetti noodles, sauce, garlic bread, had a veggie tray and fruit, then baked cookies for dessert.  My partner Kyle, will be moving to Young Women's w/ her daughter Kaitlyn and I will be moving over to the boys' Primary activities in 2024.  Carter will be starting Primary activities next year as well, so it'll be fun to be w/ him this next year.

Left to right: Bailey, Hayden, Siena, Zoee and Kaitlyn.

Steve took the boys to Scheels after school for a free Ferris Wheel ride and to look around.

Buddy the elf hiding out around the house.  Carter LOVES to get licks from Piper.

Santa came to visit Nyles' class at school.  More fun w/ Buddy.

Steve took the boys to the Farm at Thanksgiving Point after school on Tuesday.

They had fun petting the goats (Carter's favorite) and riding the ponies.  

Nyles is too big now to ride the little ponies, so he took pictures instead.  Thanks!

On Thursday, Nyles had a friend birthday party, so while he was gone, the rest of us went to the Aquarium to find the elves hidden around and the secret message.

Sharks!  Elves in the tanks.  Hudson playing w/ the submarine.

An elf up top in the penguin exhibit.  Riding the Komodo Dragon.  Going across the jungle bridge.

Cool bird and Iguana.  Then outside at the playground.

Hudson can get up and down the playground all by himself now!  Carter's a pro climber.

Hudson going down the slide, then Carter after him.

Fun going down the slide and in and around the playground.

I bought some sink organizers for our vanity.  It sure makes a difference and clears up the space!

Friday, Steve and I went to the Draper Temple and did sealings while Hudson took a nap.  

We got a little snow Saturday morning.  Saturday afternoon it had melted so we went to the school to play a little, while the sun was still out.  Unfortunately, Carter was running down the hill and fell and hit his kneecap on a small border for cement.

We each had a name in the family to give a gift to.  The boys couldn't wait so we opened then on Saturday.  They had fun playing w/ their new gifts from each other.  Carter got Beyblades, Hudson got some pink sand, and Nyles a Minecraft toy.  

Carter was complaining his knee was really hurting still Saturday evening, so Steve took him to the Dr.  The Dr thought he might have popped his knee out but back in.  They took x-rays though and sent them to a radiologist to get their expertise on the matter.

Carter w/ his Beyblades.  Nyles and Hudson playing w/ the sand.

Nyles playing w/ his Minecraft toy.  

Silly Hudson playing w/ the steamer.  Later playing w/ his sand again.

On Sunday, it was Christmas Eve.  We only had 1 hour of church, full of songs and testimonies of our Savior.  That afternoon we went over to Pauline's for dinner and to play games.  Just before we got to Pauline's house, Steve got a call from the Radiologist who said that Carter had in fact broke his knee cap, so he needed to bring him in to the hospital to get his looked at further.  Since we were almost to Pauline's out in Herriman, close to Riverton Hospital, Steve called back and asked if we could go there, instead of to Alta View Hospital, which is close to where we live, 20 minutes away.  They said that's fine, but it closes at 5pm, in about 20 minutes, so we needed to hurry.  Steve dropped us off, then went to Riverton Hospital to have Carter seen.  They ended up putting a brace on his leg and told us to follow up w/ an orthopedic surgeon specialist after Christmas.

A quick family picture before church.  Playing games at Pauline's house.

More games!

Playing reindeer games, trying to get marshmallows on a plate using cups as hands ie hooves.  

It was fun and funny to watch!

Playing reindeer games.

Group picture!  A stacking game.  We also acted out the Nativity scene and sang songs.

Hudson crashed on the way home while holding a speaker as we listened to Christmas songs.  Carter was tired as well.

We got ready for bed after getting home.  Then Santa came!!!

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