November 2022

December 4, 2022

After the Thanksgiving holiday we got back into routines and patterns. I went to Addie's music class this week and we went real slow as there was a very strong blasting wind on the way with lots of snow flurries. She had fun counting Christmas trees inside the homes that we passed. Greyson broke one of Addie's ornaments and made a replacement one out of construction paper and tape to demonstrate his contrition. On Monday we started yet another family challenge: no more put-downs (name calling, etc.) I created a chart and some rules inspired by cooperative game design and thus far it is going really well. On that note, we celebrated 1 month of "level 3" which means the kids wash off their own dishes and put them in the dishwasher. I'm really proud of them for doing that and it has become a habit! We had lunch at Chuck-a-rama on Saturday as the prize. It was the first buffet experience for Addie and Greyson and it was funny to see them follow the predictable pattern of curiosity, excitement, total delight, and food coma pain.

Getting started at Upchucks

Finishing up at Upchucks

Addie's new desk

We had a really good time at the Thanksgiving Point Luminaria event this week as well. At the Ashton Gardens they have loads of Christmas lights and also some really beautiful lanterns set up in the Christ statue area that chronicles his life. Everyone stayed warm and had fun. We had some good discussions about Jesus too and Greyson learned that Jesus is the baby in the nativity, not the grown man haha. On Saturday we spent some time with Brandon Hofheins and family and learned how to be good house guests. Lots more to learn there but that is the way of things. Kassie and I saw Devotion for a date and reflected on the sacrifice and courage of those who have gone before.

At Luminaria

Boy doing homemade obstacle courses

Greyson's ornament replacement

Family at Luminaria

November 27, 2022

We had a happy Thanksgiving week here in Lehi and had Kassie's parents and sister for much of the time. Early in the week the kids had some pie parties and "feasts" which they enjoyed. We have much to be thankful for! It was a pretty laid back time off. We went swimming at the Lehi Rec Center, watched the new Disney movie Strange World, played some games, made another "Spook Explorers Movie" written and directed by Hinckley, and ate a lot of food. Greyson and I went to the Ninja Playground which he has been anticipating for quite some time. It is basically everything he's ever dreamed of after watching American Ninja Warrior Kids over and over again. We were there for 3 hours! He was jumping and swinging and full of energy the whole time. He and Hinckley were both pretty excited to show their grandparents how they like to hang on the pull up bar I put in the garage and Addie had many notes and pictures to present to them as well.

Ready for Pie

The Adult table

The Kid table

Ready to feast with thanksgiving

The artist

Crafts with Aunt Liana

Finishing up feast preparations

Table set with Thanksgiving Tree

Dance Dance Revolution with Grandma

Dress to impress

3 hours at Ninja Playground

 

On Thanksgiving we went to a nearby playground that also has some Pickleball courts and played there for a bit which was fun for everyone. We split up the cooking so it wasn't too stressful hosting our first Thanksgiving and making our first (and last?) turkey. It was chilly but the sun was out so we could go to the park again in the afternoon and Addie went with me on a walk so she could talk through more thoughts in her mind. It was a great day! It took us the following 2 days to finish up all the leftovers but we managed that well too.

First turkey

Thanksgiving note

 

November 20, 2022

Wow the weeks just fly by! We finished our "family class" on Tuesday, it has been an 8 week thing we've done down in Orem where we go with our whole family in the evening to learn more about communication skills and other things to help our family. They had a little graduation ceremony and some cake which everyone was pretty jazzed about. It has been a good experience. I got to do Books and Buddies with Hinckley this week which means I went to school and read with him for about 45 minutes along with an army of parents. On Saturday we went to Hangtime (a trampoline park) and the kids had a blast jumping all over the place and practicing obstacles. Hinckley hurt his foot but hopefully it mends well soon with minor bruising. We watched A Little Princess and everyone enjoyed it!

Family "Come Follow Me" about following prophets

Family Class Graduation! 

One of Greyson's first reads! 

Coach watching from above

Hangtime

Greyson has been learning his letter sounds and is very excited to have started reading Bob books on his own! Hinckley encourages and corrects him all along the way. Addie continues to draw up a storm. Everyone is excited for Thanksgiving break and having the Burnsides over. Things are going well at work. Kassie submitted her acceptance to the UVU Nursing program and has a lot of feelings around that. We have much to be grateful for and hope you all have a great holiday!

November 13, 2022

Greyson discovered his ability to skip a bar when doing the monkey bars and was so excited to come home and tell everyone about this accomplishment. He continues to climb everything and we purchased some counter stools to discourage his hanging and climbing on the extended counter near our dining table. He is loving his ninja gymnastics class at the rec center, as well as his "itty bitty sports" activity he goes to on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That boy has a ton of energy.

Hinckley's exercise chart

Greyson's obstacle model

Addie and I went for a date on Saturday to watch Lyle Lyle Crocodile which was really great! We were the only ones in the theater which Addie got a huge kick out of. That was good because we could talk out loud about all her questions during the movie without disturbing other viewers haha. Hinckley and Kassie also had a date getting a treat and watching Studio C episodes.

At the empty movie theater with Addie

Addie and her friend Brooke at the park

Things are certainly cooling off and we had some really wet and cold days this week. I made 6 gallons of hot chocolate for a neighborhood get-together as a part of the ward mission efforts to help neighbors speak to one another. Not very many people ended up coming, but it was a good try. Some friends came over in the evening and enjoyed the hot chocolate very much so it all ended up ok.

 

November 6, 2022

We had a great Halloween and the kids all went nuts. Addie and Greyson sacrificed to the Great Pumpkin. Nevertheless, Greyson has had some major meltdowns this week in his fruitless search for more candy. The Halloween hangover is real, and the kids were like zombies the morning after. Kassie, Greyson, and I were able to go see the other two march in a parade at school in their costumes (a Utah thing?) and they were all pretty happy about that. 

Ready for trick-or-treating

Sorting the candy for the Great Pumpkin

Hinckley's final haul

Preparing to send off the Pumpkins 

Working out

Greyson's Bonk Bed Obstacle 

This week I had a pullup/pushup/dip station thing arrive and got it installed in our garage. The boys are over the moon about it as they see it as their next step toward American Ninja Warrior. They figured out some “stations” in the garage and did exercises together for nearly 30 minutes two nights in a row. They even took off their shirts to "get buff"...! They are pretty motivated right now. Meanwhile, Addie chattered with me for the whole time about her class at school and she was happy to be able to talk for a long time without interruptions. She had a fun library craft activity this week as well as a very fun tea party birthday experience. 

Addie had her field trip this week and her class went up to SLC Children’s museum. She had a great time and had lots to say about that. Kassie and I finished the first season of Rings of Power. It was better than I thought it would be though it left a lot of confusing holes.