3rd Week of January

January is cruising right along.  Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of January.  We all had Monday off for MLK Day (I already posted about).  I worked from home the rest of the week.

Tuesday we had activity days.  The boys had a Nerf gun war in the church gym.  That night Nyles and Steve had a combined Young Men's Activity w/ the Young Women.  They did team building activities.

Thursday, Nyles went to Classic Skate that his Middle School was hosting.  He brought his scooter and met some friends there.  Steve took Nyles, while I stayed home w/ Carter and Hudson.  Carter worked on his homework and reading, then we made chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Nyles and his friend Bailey.  Cookies!

Friday after school, Steve took the boys over to Rockport and went ice fishing.  

They had fun and caught a lot of perch.

They also had fun on the snow!

My cute boys!

Carter was spotlighted at school.  They take turns going around the classroom each week.  Carter put together a poster with some of his favorite things, including: Piper, motorcycle rides w/ Grandpa, cruising, camping, Disney World, goats, the color blue, swimming, park rides, Legos, Pokémon, sharks, and the song "The Nights" by Avicii.  

Carter w/ his poster.  I made some more sourdough!

We got a decent amount of snow on Saturday.  It snowed the whole day, lightly.  We got 3-4 inches.

The boys all playing w/ sand.  Steve working on the boxes he'll put in the Lego room (attic).

Steve put all the "boxes" in the Lego room on one side.  

They'll be used to display the kids' Lego creations.  Good work Steve!

After church I made some chicken noodle soup, then we went over to Pauline's house for lunch.  Rose and Sophia came too.  We also wished Charlotte a Happy Birthday.  She turned 17!  Later back at the house that night, Carter put on a little magic show for us (he got a kit from his birthday and is still learning the tricks).

Cute Hudson after church, playing with the magnet ball.  Singing to Charlotte.  

Carter showing us some magic tricks.

Great quotes:

2nd Week of January

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of January.  It was a fun filled week.

I went into work, riding the train, the whole week.  There was a cool full moon that I could see still showing as I was riding the train.  The SLC Temple construction progress.

Steve got the new motor put on the boat.

Thursday evening, January 16th, we went down to Thanksgiving Point to try their new dinosaur jungle gym.  You can complete "missions" and save the dinosaurs, then get a prize at the end.  It was pretty fun.  It's pretty popular right now though, so you have to reserve a spot to go.  We'll plan to go back in a few weeks.

Fun playing around.  Steve coming down the slide fast.

Shooting balls into T-Rex's mouth.

Picture at the entrance after we were done, then over at their new Ice Age exhibit.

The boys got their prizes.

More construction.  Nyles, about 10 years apart.  

Steve started taking him duck hunting at a young age :)

Great quote.  Steve took the boat trailer to get worked on (the bearing on the axles).

Friday the boys didn't have school, so they went fishing.  Dave came to enjoy the day as well.

Steve wanted to try out the new trolling motor.  They said it worked great and they caught a fish!

Fish on!

Hudson caught the biggest fish!

Dave caught the smallest fish :)  Carter just came for the ride.

Friday night we went and watched the movie Wicked at LuDean/Diane's place, and w/ Dave/Joann.  We had pizza then watched the movie.  Hudson lost interest after having his Mickey bar for dessert.  Nyles is almost as tall as me.  I maybe have a 1/2 inch on him.  I'm sure he'll pass me up soon ;)

Saturday we got some snow again!  We took the opportunity and went sledding again.

A little more snow than a few weeks again.  It was fun!

The new sleds we all got for Christmas work great!

Back at home, playing in the backyard.  Snow angel for Hudson.  Nyles giving rides to his brothers.

Piper of course wanted to play also, chasing her ball. 

Then the boys played in the front yard w/ the neighbors.

I'm learning to make bread in the Dutch Oven.  I first made regular yeast dough.  It turned out well.  I then made a sourdough, which didn't rise as I expected, but it tasted great the boys said.

Steve is making progress on the Lego room (attic).  Hudson came up to supervise. 

Nyles is working on learning how to smoke ribs on his own.  He made them on Sunday for us.  They turned out well.  Carter wasn't feeling the best, so I stayed home w/ him, while Steve, Nyles and Hudson went over to LuDean/Diane's to have dinner w/ them and Dave/Joann.  

Great quotes. 

Monday, January 20th was MLK Day, so I didn't have work nor did the boys have school.  We cleaned the house and then went and watched Moana 2 with Diane, Dave and Joann.  It was great!  I also made another loaf of sourdough with less time before cooking.  I think it actually turned out better than the longer/overnight one.

This is a great music video about the First Vision we watched in Sunday School.  It's a beautiful song.  Click HERE to watch it.  I love the question in it, "Restore my kingdom to the earth - will you?"  I'm sure if Heavenly Father asked him this, he would have said yes without hesitation.  It was no easy task but, he persevered and we all benefited from it.  I'm so thankful for Joseph Smith's desire to know the truth, praying for it, then following what the Lord instructed him to do.  I'm also thankful for all of our ancestors who chose to follow the same path, even despite persecution.  We each have the same choice to make, and question to answer "will you"?    

Great quotes:

First full week of January

Here are some highlights from the first full week of January.  The kids went back to school and I went back to work (at home thankfully).  Monday night Carter had his first basketball game.

Carter playing Junior Jazz.  Unfortunately he started to get a migraine during the game, but didn't say anything until it was over.  He threw up after they got home, and then went to bed.  Poor kid.

Tuesday, we had our first Primary Activity Days for the boys.  We only have 5 boys now (one being Carter).  We had the activity at our house, since we're small and I had to get back to work at 5 pm to cover our late night.  We discussed the importance of setting goals and we discussed the 4 areas to set goals in (Spiritual, Physical, Social and Intellectual).  We challenged the boys to set 1 goal per area on their own.  We then had them come up w/ ideas/activities we could do together in each of the 4 areas.  I wrote them on a large white board, so we could refer back to them.  I then passed out an orange as a treat.  It was a good successful activity.

Hudson coloring on the Water Doodle Mat.  Pretty sunset.  

Steve and Nyles went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.

Steve is making progress on the Lego room, getting the ceiling in.  Good work Steve!

Hudson and Steve, waiting outside while Carter does his gymnastics.

Silly boys wanting to get licks from Piper.

Silly Hudson.

Steve bought a new motor for the boat, for trolling.  Silly boys w/ their reindeer suckers.  

Cute Hudson asleep w/ his Toucan bird stuffed animal.

On Friday. Steve took Carter up to Park City to the Kutcher Clinic to talk about all the migraines he's been getting.  They think his migraines will stop later as he becomes a teenager.  In the meantime, they prescribed a medication to help treat the pain if he does get one.  We'll take him back in 6 months to see how its been going, keeping track of any incidences during that time.

Nyles also joined a play production at his middle school.  They're doing Beetlejuice.  He's going to be part of the singing group.  They just started practice after school.  He also went to a performing arts camp Saturday morning, then a birthday party that afternoon.

We got a little snow finally on Saturday and Sunday.

We stayed inside on Saturday and cleaned/organized.

We are back to 9am church.  It's a little rough, but we're managing.  After church, we stayed home, had our FHE lesson and played games.  It's great to spend time together as a family.  We're looking forward to studying the Doctrine and Covenants again this year.

Great quotes from our prophet:

2024 Highlights

 

2024 Recap

Steve: 

• Has been busy taking the boys to school and activities.  

• In his free time he likes to duck hunt and fish, and takes the boys with him most of the time.

• He and the boys cut firewood and sold it through the Summer and Winter, until they were sold out.  They plan to cut more firewood this year and sell more.

• Steve has continued to master our smoker to cook things, like his yummy smoked chili and pork ribs.  He has also been teaching Nyles to do the same.

• He was called to be in the Young Men’s Deacon's Quorum with Nyles in June.  He still served as Carter’s Primary teacher, but was just released at the end of the year.

• It has been over a year (June 2023) since Steve’s weight loss surgery.  He has lost 180 lbs and has stabilized now.

Penny:

• I’ve been at Fidelity Investments 17 years now and am still a Managed Solutions Consultant (since August 2023).  We are now back in the office every other week.  We went to Chicago for a training seminar in May.

• With Carter moving up to Activity Days, I was moved from the girls to the boys as a Primary Activity Leader.  We took the kids to Camp Tracy in the Summer.

• I also enjoy Pilates.

Nyles:

• 12 years old, 6th grade, now at Jordan Middle School.

• He has 7 classes every day, which he likes instead of staying in one classroom all day.  He’s learning to play the Flute in Band Class.

• He’s in his 5th year of Spanish Dual Immersion.  

• Nyles drew out for both an Elk and Deer tag in the Fall, and went hunting for both, though he didn’t get either.

• He also enjoys fishing.  

• He earned his Black Belt in May and finished his Martial Arts course.

• Nyles (with a little help from Steve) made smoked Chili during our Ward Chili Cookout, and won 1st place.

• Nyles also received the Aaronic Priesthood, was ordained a Deacon and has enjoyed doing baptisms for the dead every month.

Carter:

• 8 years old, in 2nd grade at Altara Elementary, in his 2nd year of Spanish Dual Immersion.  

• He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in July.

• He enjoys puzzles, Rubix Cubes, music, playing at playgrounds, and riding on boats. 

• He earned his Brown Belt in Martial Arts, but stopped after Nyles earned his Black Belt.

• Carter is learning to play the piano.

• He’s playing Jr. Jazz basketball, Soccer, and learning tumbling (like gymnastics).

• He finally got both of his front teeth in this year!

Hudson:

• Turned 4 in August.  

• He is in his 2nd year of Preschool, now 4 days/week.  He is a social butterfly and loves to make friends with anyone.

• He finally decided to go poop in the potty consistently, right before his 4th birthday, and hasn’t looked back since!  

• He is very active and loves to give hugs and kisses.  

• He tried cutting his hair, so we had to give him a buzz in April.

• He enjoys drawing, coloring, singing, swinging, bubbles, trucks, the sandbox, and just playing.  

• He makes us smile every day!

• He says the funniest things (V is for Vomit; it’s another word for throw up.  It’s not a cheerleader, it's a dancer with pom poms).

• He loves to play with the dead ducks Steve and Nyles’ shoot.

All 3 boys enjoy playing with Legos, jumping on the trampoline, watching Bluey, and playing with their stuffed animals. Nyles and Carter are still learning to play the Ukulele.  

Piper: 

• 5 years old now.

• She had surgery in the Summer to remove an infected toe on her right foot.

As a family: 

• In May, we went to Disney World for a day (Magic Kingdom), then on a 7 day Disney cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.  We went snorkeling, swimming, and enjoyed the beautiful beaches.

• We also went to Hawaii at the End of August.  We went to both Kauai and Maui for a total of 10 days.  We went snorkeling, swimming, and saw all of the beautiful sites.

• We also enjoy hiking, being outdoors, biking, and kayaking

• We bought a Toyota Sequoia to pull our camper trailer easier than our Honda Pilot.

• We took our Sequoia and camper trailer camping to East Canyon, Uintas, Bear Lake twice, Jordanelle, and Huntington.

• After Disney World, the kids wanted more rides, so we got Lagoon Season passes and had fun going often, especially with cousins.

• Visited my family and extended family in Idaho over Easter (Hegerhorst Reunion).

• We continue to get together with Steve’s family every month for dinner and to wish happy birthday to those during the month.

We feel so blessed for all that we have, for our family, and to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Last few days of December 2024, start of 2025

We finished 2024 and started 2025.  I took the week off of work to spend time w/ Steve and the boys.  Here are some highlights. 

Monday, December 30th we all went to the chiropractor, then Sam's Club, then KTR.  The boys had a Groupon to use (two, 90 minute sessions) from Christmas and wanted to go.  While they were playing/jumping around, I walked over to Wal-Mart next door and shopped the Christmas items on sale.

Hudson making friends in the younger kid section.

Jumping off the wall.

Boys at KTR

Running around.

Having fun!

So much fun!

That night the boys came up w/ their own game of "Greedy Granny."  They try to take treats from "grandma" who is sleeping w/out getting caught.  It was pretty funny :)

On Tuesday, December 31st, we met Pauline and her family at Fat Cat's to watch Moana 2.  Dave and Joann also came, which was awesome.  Unfortunately Diane wasn't feeling well and didn't make it.

It was super fun and the movie was great!

That evening we went over to Dave/Joann's for dinner and games.

Playing games.

Then doing a countdown w/ poppers.

New Year's countdown.

On Wednesday, January 1st, Barbara and Abby came down for Ava/Xander's wedding the next day.  Thursday, January 2nd was Steve and my 16th wedding anniversary!  We left that morning to go to Ava/Xander's wedding out in Tooele.

Hudson taking in the attention from Abby and Barb.  Hudson warming up w/ Steve outside the temple.  Ava and Xander coming out of the temple after their wedding/sealing.

Getting some pictures outside of the temple.  

Then we went over to a church for lunch at 3pm (Costa Vida) and hung out.

Abby, Barb, me, Pauline and Charlotte.

The boys playing games while waiting for the next event.  Barb, me and Pauline.

We then went over to the reception area where they did a ring ceremony, then their reception.

Barbara, Pauline, me, Ava, Xander, Rose and Dexter.

Barb and Abby left the next morning to head home.  We were sad their trip was so fast.  We met Pauline and Chris at the movie theater to watch the new Wicked movie as a double date for our anniversaries.  It was a great movie!  Now we just have to wait for the 2nd half to come out in November ;)

On Saturday, we woke up to snow.  We haven't had snow all break, so we quickly went out to go sledding.  The boys were anxious to try out their new sleds.  Even though we didn't have that much snow, it was enough, and we had a lot of fun!

So fun!

We stayed about 1 hour, then came home.  We actually had more snow at our house, just up the hill, than there was at the sledding hill.  The boys made a snowman in the backyard.

Yeah for some snow finally!  Steve and I then went to the Draper temple at noon for an endowment session for our neighbor going through the temple for the first time.  It was a great session and it was great to spend time w/ Steve in the temple.

On Sunday, we had church at our new time at 9am.  Steve and I took a nap after church :)  That evening we had our family dinner.  We sang Happy Birthday to Alexa, then recorded us singing to Ethan (who is on his mission), then we uploaded it to messenger for him to see.

The kids had a snowball fight outside afterwards.  Hudson of course fell asleep on the way home.

Great quotes: