On Saturday, October 17th, we finished packing and cleaning the house before heading to the airport. Rob came over to ride with us and drove our car back home, where he stayed to take care of Piper while we were gone. Dave and Joann also dropped off Diane at the airport.
At the airport, ready to go. Traditional picture in the airport. On the plane heading to San Diego!
And we're off! Looking the Great Salt Lake as we flow over it, then into the clouds.
It was a short flight. There was an advertisement for Disney Cruises as we got into the airport!
After landing, we grabbed our bags, caught the hotel shuttle, and settled into our rooms. We wrapped up the night with pizza for dinner and got ready for bed, excited for our day at SeaWorld tomorrow.
We had a fun 2nd week of October before heading out on our trip and cruise out of San Diego. I worked from home that week, and the kids had 3 days of school. They then had Fall break Thursday and Friday. Here are some highlights.
Hudson went and played w/ some friends from his class after school. He also had fun coloring w/ water on our reusable coloring pad.
Carter had another street hockey game. They won again! Steve came w/ us this time as they didn't have YM's due to Fall Break. Afterwards, Carter got a free ice-cream/slurpee.
The boys didn't have school Thursday or Friday as it was Fall Break. Steve took them to Lagoon (Frightmares) Thursday for a few hours. They had fun.
Thursday afternoon, Nyles had his rock climbing class. He then took his friend Lincoln rock climbing Friday afternoon, as he has free friend passes each month. Later, we saw him in the backyard talking on the phone w/ friends (Steve took a picture haha).
We got the piano tuned finally. We had to wait a while for it to "acclimate" to our house. It definitely sounds much better! Carter, Hudson, and I are enjoying the piano's new sound. We then cleaned the house and packed up to go to San Diego. We flew out Saturday afternoon (updates on next post).
Here are some highlights from the first full week of October.
Hudson and the rest of the elementary got to wear PJs to school and bring books to read. Hudson and his Kindergarten class also went to the Hogle Zoo w/ their teacher Mrs. Sullivan.
Flashback to a year ago on the deer hunt.
Carter had another street hockey game on Wednesday.
There was a beautiful rainbow during the game.
More fun from the game. They gave out donuts as a treat.
After we got back, I picked up Hudson who was at the church w/ Steve as they got started for a combined YM/YW activity w/ the 2nd ward. Carter wanted to stay though, so he got out and Hudson got in the car and we went home. They did minute to win it type games for their activity.
Hudson w/ his spider picture as they were learning about insects. Carter had activity days where they decorated donuts. On Friday Altara Elementary did a fun run. All the kids, teachers, and staff got new T-shirts. The kids then participated in the run. My cute boys in their matching T-shirts.
Another flashback.
On Saturday morning, Steve and the Young Men cleaned the church. Afterward, Steve took Carter to his ice skating lessons so I could head over to help with our Stake baptisms, where we had two in total that day. Once Steve got back, he and Nyles loaded up their gear and went duck hunting with Nyles' friend, Lincoln.
We got the rest of the wood from Rob's place where it was drying, then split it, ready to sell.
This is the last of the firewood this year.
It cooled off over the weekend and we got lots of rain. Cool clouds by the mountains. We went over to Dave/Joann's place on Sunday to celebrate Diane's birthday coming up next week. We made ribs for dinner, then played a game. We had a lot of fun, and the boys wrestled of course.
Piper chewing on a bone. Steve and Nyles cut up the deer, vacuum-sealed it, then put it into the freezer. Hudson having fun playing the piano. He also found a dinosaur costume for Halloween.
Carter had his first street hockey game on Wednesday night. He even scored a goal!
He missed last week since he went up for the deer hunting.
Thursday, we went over to Gardner Village to find the witches.
We then got some pumpkins and snacks per tradition.
Friday night, my parents came over for dinner, along w/ Pauline and her family. My mom had a reunion w/ some of the ladies she went to high school earlier in the day. We ordered pizza and then sang Happy Birthday to both Lincoln and Ezra (both in October). Pauline made a chocolate cake for dessert.
Singing Happy Birthday. Chris' dad Dave, was also there.
On Saturday, we helped Diane get moved into her new place. We moved a few loads from Dave's place to her place, and unloaded her pods and boxes once in the house. I mostly helped unload and organize the kitchen.
A few pictures Phill took: Nyles helping move a mattress, Steve on the phone, and Dave taking a break.
I ran Carter over to his skating lesson at 11am. Since I forgot my jacket, I stayed outside and walked around the field and listened to General Conference. We then went back and helped unpack more. Steve left to go duck hunting with Nyles at 2pm, and I left around 3:15 p.m. to get Hudson over to a birthday party back at Draper Park by our house.
Carter at skating lessons.
Steve and Nyles enjoying the sunset at Farmington Bay (Great Salt Lake).
We then left at 5:30pm to go over to Pauline's house. Carter and Hudson stayed and played w/ Ezra and Lincoln, while I rode w/ Pauline to Stansbury Park for Ava's baby shower.
My dad, Rose, Pauline, me, and my mom. Then w/ Ava and Sophia.
Sunday, we had General Conference. We are so grateful to listen to the words of the prophet and apostles and all those who spoke. We'll need to reread and rewatch them soon. That evening we went up to Brandon/Melanie's place for family dinner.
Singing Happy Birthday to Diane, Dave, and Stacie.
Here are some highlights from the 4th week of September.
The kids had a short week with a half-day Thursday and no school Friday for parent-teacher conferences. Ironically, it lined up perfectly with the start of the deer hunt on Wednesday. Steve had meetings with all the boys' teachers, and it was wonderful to hear so much positive feedback about them.
Hudson and Nyles w/ firewood ready to sale. Getting closer to our cruise!
On Wednesday afternoon, Steve picked up the boys a little early from school right after work. Once they got home, I helped them finish loading up the rest of the gear for their deer hunting trip. Rob drove up right behind them, and Zach met them all up at the camp. Once they got up there, they finished setting up and had dinner. Nyles went out looking for deer w/ Zach. Rob, Nyles, and Steve had deer tags this time for the muzzleloader hunt.
Zach had his tent, Rob had his new trailer, and Steve and the boys had our camper.
Just after they went to bed, Hudson woke up at 11:30 PM and started throwing up. Steve said it happened several times throughout the night, leaving both of them completely exhausted. Despite the lack of sleep, Steve still managed to get his deer the next day! On his way back into camp, he spotted several deer and went back to show Carter. He grabbed his gun—which only had a single bullet left in it—not expecting to find any bucks in the herd. But as luck would have it, a buck appeared, Steve took his shot, and he got it!
Steve's deer he shot.
Poor Hudson was still pretty tired from the night before.
Steve and the boys up on the hillside.
The boys got hungry, so Steve cooked up a Mountainhouse Meal for them really quick.
They then worked hard to get a deer for Rob or Nyles.
Beautiful landscape.
They went all over looking for a buck, but mostly just found does.
Saturday afternoon, Nyles actually shot a buck, but unfortunately it ran away. They tried to hunt it down for over 2 hours, but never found it. At one point, they did find a moose though. :)
I worked in the office all week! Since the boys were gone, I finally caught up on laundry, dishes, and cleaning. I also started taking walks after work while listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks. I actually started them just a couple of weeks ago and am already on the fifth book—they are so good!
The boys got home late Saturday night. After showering, we all went to bed. They were thankful to be home, and I was thankful they were home! They had a great time though.
Sunday afternoon, we went over to Pauline's house to celebrate Lincoln's 7th birthday coming up on October 1st. We sang Happy Birthday to him. Pauline made him a cat cake :)
Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of September.
On Wednesday, Nyles, Steve, and the rest of the YM/YW took the tram at Snowbird.
Steve said it was really foggy up at the top. Group picture up at the top: Steve, Scott Ellis, Rich Mitchell, Emily and Bode Jensen, Josh, Kyle and Cameron Moreton, Nyles, Kaitlyn Moreton, Brad and Jacob Hamilton, Tristan Bernard, Oliver Hunter, Sophie Anderson, Natalie Marston, Ryder Anderson, Malece Marston, and Misty Anderson.
After getting to the top, they took the trail we did, down to the tunnel. Unfortunately, many turned around and went back down the tram. Some said they weren't feeling well.
Steve continued down and back w/ the rest of the group.
Getting a snack after the hike.
On Friday, I took Carter and Hudson to school (Steve left earlier for work). I then went into the gym to watch Hudson get his Student of the Week award. Hudson was so excited to get his award!
Carter's teacher, Mr. Lowe, allowed Carter to come watch Hudson get his award. Hudson was excited to see him! Kind words about Hudson from his teacher Mrs. Sullivan.
Nyles put in a new light on the side of the house (with a little help from Steve).
Some fun AI pictures of the boys in the 80s. :)
Saturday morning, Steve took Nyles and his friend Lincoln out duck hunting on the Youth Waterfowl opener. They left at 3:30 in the morning to get out to Farmington Bay.
Thankfully, they got a few ducks.
While they were gone, I dropped Hudson off at his friend Porter's birthday party.
I then took Carter up to Murray to take another ice skating lesson.
After we were all home, the boys played w/ the Evans boys. Tate bit his tongue while jumping on the trampoline, so I gave him some ice cream to make it feel better (we didn't have Popsicles). Then the rest of the boys got Creamies.
Beau, Carter and Taft Evans. Nyles on the swing, and Tate and Hudson on the slide taking a break.
Right after church on Sunday, we hitched up the camper to scout out a deer hunting spot. We lucked out and found a great location, so we got camp all set up. The plan was to leave the camper, then Steve and the boys would come back on Wednesday for the start of the deer hunt (muzzle loader). Steve, Nyles, and Rob all had deer tags this year. Zack was also going to come up to help since he didn't have a tag this year.
Beautiful location up in the mountains.
"Camp" all set up. Plenty of space of Rob and Zack to come up later.
