Rain Rain come again

So it is a rare thing that it rains in Arizona. We all love the rain, and we took advantage of it when it rained the other day. In pajamas no less, the kids started mudsliding in our back yard. Really funny. they were freezing and then the dogs joined in and then....David joined in. It was funny. Any how we thought we would share a funny adventure of my silly family.

Pine Wood Derby

Our Little cub scout had his first Pinewood Derby and he came in 3rd place!! we were so proud. His car won the best original design...any guesses what his car theme was???? Of course a DALMATION skateboard. He was so proud of it. Here is some pics.

President Hinckley Has Died

Our prophet President Hinckley died tonight at 7pm, thanks for the info Whitney.( Her friend called from Salt lake, and we couldn't even get on to Deseret News because they were so bogged down.) What a sad time for the family but now President Monson will take over and A new presidency will bring newer things, yet no one will top President Hinckley's love for the temples, and Missionary work. Peace be with his family at this time.......

NFL Experience and a New Van.

Since the Super Bowl is here in the West Valley Phoenix this year, My mom is volunteering at the Game and the week before. She was able to get us tickets to the NFL EXPERIENCE and it was fun!. Here is some pictures from our Daturday afternoon date ( no kids, because Aunt Kyley Was nice enough to watch our munchkins). And We finally got a new car, actually a new van. We wanted the Toyota or honda, and Lucked out an got a gorgeous Nissan Quest. Every one says it's somewhat of a space ship. Needless to say we are loving the space!

100 Days and only 80 to go

The kids school celebrates the 100 day of school. I'm excited because there is only 80 more days til they are home for summer break I cant wait! I love havin them home. but funny enough they get to make these silly hats! i love it!!

Nature at it's finest

Day by day I watch my new veggies grow. I started them 3 weeks ago so that I could plant them mid march. amazing how fast they are growing and changing. I have done this many times with my garden, but this time is particularly strange. All the seeds went in the soil cups the same day. same sunlight, same water, etc. This one special veggie cup has become a superhero above the rest. I'm talking about a 6 or 7 inch difference! It stands above the rest. That is amazin to me how things in nature there is just no rule of thumb! i will update you when we get tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, vincas,green peppers lettuce, spinach, cantaloupe. Pray for us that everything grows and grows and we can share the fruit of our labors with you.

Cookies

I make the treats for Connor's cub scout troop (almost) each week. I have been so stinking busy i wanted to make something easy this time. Thus came chocolate chip cookie bars. I havent made them in a long time, so I was thrilled when they came out good. And did I mention that I get to use my Pizza Slicer, which is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. Makes life so much easier.

( Ethan saw me taking a pic of the cookies and said "take a picture of me licking the batter mom". how could I resist. He is so stinking cute!)

Hockey

We took advantage of the 4 day weekend that our kids had, got a lot done around the house, kept looking for a van, went to church, and then went to a Phoenix coyotes hockey game. Sooooo fun. I still remember my first ice hockey game too many years ago, to see the LA kings, when Gretsky played for them and loved the fights, the game, the fans, the food, etc. Connor & Tink's Golf program sold the tickets for a discounted price and we all went together. Our kids were so excited. Connor couldnt wait for the fights, he was sad when the refs broke up the fights too quick. We were so glad we got to spend time with David before his long business trip this week. We had fun needless to say. We will be going back to another game really soon!

27 dresses

I went with the girls this weekend to the theatre and saw 27 dresses. It is sooo funny. Really sweet movie, funn and you gotta love james marsden. There was a few curse words, which every one knows I am soooooo particular about, but I am still reccomending it! Go see it, and let me know what you think!

Pine wood Derby

Well connor & david have been designing his Pinewood derby car. A skateboard, they are in the early stages of development, but we will keep you posted

Treadmills, Biking & more

So I like to get on to the treadmill and power walk. I do this pretty religously, and i love to crank the music on my ipod so high! well the kids love to watch(don't ask me why) and they love to get on when i am done with my workout. How funny is he!. he kept telling me, turn the music down it's too louf, i had to chuckle a little, my kids telln me to turn the music down.. Connor & Ashley learned to ride their bikes, finally, our old neighborhood we didnt let them go out much it wasn't safe, and the summers are too hot, so it is finally cool enough for them to be outside. Needless to say they have taken over the culdesac!

Magee wants to join in but the training wheels are not cooperating with his bike so he has been keeping up with the scooter.

We are trying to be a more active family. We felt good about things this week particularly, hiking as a family & david also went alone, bike riding alone, and as a family, keeping up on the treadmill, and the story continues......

Hiking

Piper & River were tired out. Magee always finds a walking stick. We have too many already. Funny guy.
We went hiking Monday afternoon, for an early FHE activity. We had a blast, and found some catus' and open mines about 30 feet down. They were scary. the dogs had fun getting out. It is amazing how big Buckeye is, there is so many more places we want to go check out!

Blog, Blog, Bloging

So 2008 had started out pretty well. A goal for our family is to keep better in touch with every one. I have to admit, i always do thank you, birthday cards, etc. Well my goal is to do the blogging email thing better. So log on more to our blog and you will see more posts!

My favorite "32" things of David

David is turning 32 and I wanted to post my "favorite" things about him. I can go on for more than 100 things but, i will keep it to 32 so i don't bore everyone.

1. Best Man on the planet.
2. He is so Kind, and loving.
3. His testimony of the Savior & Joseph Smith has made my testimony grow. He can answer any gospel question I have, and if he can't (which is rare) he will research with me.
4. He follows the principles of the gospel and takes care of his responsibilities as a companion, dad, neighbor, priesthood holder, you get the point!
5. Great Kisser. and that's all i will say about that.
6. Great cuddler, i can always cuddle with him.
7. will rub my back on cue. I owe him so many more
8. #1 dad or paddy as ashley calls him
9. His dimples which Ashley got from him
10.His selflessness, always helping the kids, me, our nieghbors. He is so giving.
11. Great cook and better barbquer ( is that a word) He love to bbq! And the best part is i dont have to touch the meat!!!!
12. He loves to do yard work with me. He does the majority these days, so i can focus on the garden.
13. I don't have to ask him to do things, he just always steps in.
14. He loves to play games with all of us. Most guys don't
15. He always smells yummy, cologne, no cologne, he always smells good.
16. He is so patient with my lack of interest in trying new restaurants.
17.He cares about his appearance (not in a bad way) not with name brands, but with his clothes ironed ( which he never lets me do), shoes shined.
18. He is not materialistic ( I would die if that was important to him)
19. Wants to better himself with school, and church and work, always striving to do better
20. Always looking for something better for our family
21. Loves to read, he has made me love to read because of his intensity to it! I love that about him
22. He makes you want to be better, just because you around him
23. He hates drama,gossip, bad speaking of others, and I feel the same because it always hurts people somehow or another.
24. Loves sports... all of them especially Lakers, and Chargers, and has taught the kids the important teams to focus on.
25. His hands. They are one of my favorite parts of him. They are so soft, and have scars, and yet they are so gentle.He loves to hold my hands and it so affectionate if love that about him!
26. His smile. His lips are so soft, and his smile is so genuine.
27.He is a great teacher, Sunday school, FHE, speaking at church, Family situations, primary
28. He gets me. We communicate so well.
29. He supports me and the kids in any of our adventures.
30. He loves movies like the rest of us, thus, many family movie nights.
31. I love that he never trys to make me be someone I am not, and makes me always feel beautiful.
32. He is always working harder than any other man on the planet to take care of us!4

One eyed Connor

Connor is patching again, because his brain shut off the right eye or the other term for " Lazy eye". We need all your prayers, and thoughts for him that he will regain his eye sight in the right eye. What a trooper he is and he has to patch every day, 4 hours on the weekdays, 8 on sat & sun. He is a funny boyafter 5 eye surgeries, and all this patching business. he still has a big grin on his face!

David's Birthday Weekend Festivities

David is Old... again.. His Parents came into town and we went to a Comedy Improv Show.. Jesters ...funny, Dinner at Red Robin, with some ebarrasing singing followed by a Barbque Sat with lots of friends, and family. David smoked a mean pork roast, and the rest is well, birthday history.

Let me tell you that I lucked out with a hunk of a man who is more loving and helps me be who I am. He is a strong, kind, honest, handsome dad and he just gets better.. Love you , lovebug

Thanks to all you that couldn't make it and sent gifts, and well wishes. It apparently was a busy weekend for many with other birthdays & things planned.

Thanks to all that came and the gifts and wishes. We appreciate you all.

Top or should I say bottom list

So a few days ago my friend posted her top ten things.. good & bad. It made me realize how much alike we are and how sometimes we really sweat the small things. Well i thought it fun to
post some of mine. in random order:

1. Shopping Mall / Mcdonalds Playgrounds- living in az this is a big thing... Basically, they are nasty! Gross to the max, and the funny thing is I only went to the mall in chandler about 4 times in over 2 1/2 years. So they didnt apply to me, but they still gross me out!

2. Loose teeth. I'm grossed out just thinking about it. Ashley's class can a test to this, they all show me their loose teeth when I come to class, and they think it's hilarious. NOT!

3. Scabs- everything about it.

4. Ear wax& nose picking---- do i have to explain??

5. Revolving glass doors ( Like at a hotel or the temple)... Obviously with the claustrophobia I have... I can't go through these. When I go to the mesa temple it's rare that I go through them, but only when i am alone, other wise I use the Handicapped door.

6. People on their cell phones while they are driving and not paying attention.. I will Volunteer to be the police of this one.

7. People that don't get up to speed of the freeway on the on ramp, and people that go slow in the fast lane.. David is the one that made me dislike this too.

8. Arizona drivers... Were they not taught what to do at a 4 way stop?

9. Prices are different at different Targets & Walmart within a few miles of each other.

10. Touching meat. even the turkey david has to clean it off and put it in the dish for me and then I can take it from there. People eating meat off the bone, ribs, chicken drumsticks, etc. ( i don't eat much meat anyway, so I don't count, but it still bugs me.


Have I grossed you out yet?

Little man

So I go in to Connor and Ashley's classes a few times a week. Ethan is a trooper, some of the time. Other times he throws a fit, but he enjoys sitting and reading. He sat for over an hour like this. today he looked like a little college boy reading and sweater vest. It just doesnt get any cuter than him..

I can't hardly believe he oes to kindergarten next fall, I'm just sick about it!

Sister.. sister times 8

I have 4 Sisters, and all of us are so different from one another. You put us together and we become this group of giggling girls, like we did for many years as The little 5 k's as my mom called us.

We don't have anypics of all of us girls on the Hoopes side so this is all I could find. David has 3 sisters (Bobbi w/ Cutest Baby, Becky 1/ 2nd from left on bottom, & Bethany/ Bride on Bobbi's lap) and we all have 1 sister in law- Becky 2/ next to me on the right). All but 1 of us lives in AZ, I wish we were able to get together more, But we each have such busy lives. When we all get together we have fun.

I feel fortunate to have 8 sisters.. lots of fun and love, many memories and many more to come ...

New Friends

So in our lives we go through with some good people. David and I have been blessed with some good friends over the years.We have friends all over the country, that we regularly keep in touch with and have come to know them as family. We tend to spend more time with them because of the loyalty, honesty and goodness that comes from all the special people. One of my newest and endearing friends is Olga. I taught her daughter in primary and the rest is history. i adore her. Honesty, and goodness shine from her bright light!

(this pic we are at the Buckeye Airport waiting for our friends Enoch to sky dive. For 2 weeks in a row he hasn't been able to because of wind, low clouds, so for the 3rd sat in a row we will go out with him again in hopes that mother nature will let him!)

We have become very close with them, and appreciate the Thompson's friendship. I can't wait for many more years to get to know each other better. ( the Thompson family)

A note from 2007

This was on my friend Erika's blog and i thought it was a way to round out the year

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Went to Byu womens Conference
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes, To leave my kids and give myself some Kary time. I did that, and Did a couple times with my special girls nights out! We have some planned for 2008 , too.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? yes, my friend Sara gave birth to her 4th, And My cousin Jen gave birth to her 4th girl
4. Did anyone close to you die? yes, My uncle don in PA, and a special man to me Don Fellars
5. What countries did you visit?saw some of america, that i hadnt seen.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A housekeeper, maid, driver for my kids, more arms to do more,a personal trainer...Oh wait it didnt ask me about my dreams...oops..he-he
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 11th the day before my 30th b-day, i had a fun party and all the people that are important to me where there. May 15th we got the keys to the new home we bought. Connor's Baptism.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Going away for 5 days to utah, With out my kids or favorite man, and only cryed the first day! The last day of preschool, i miss those kids so much.
9. What was your biggest failure? not keeping up a regular exercise routine, not spending more time reading with my kiddos (even though i did do it alot!)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, it was not a good year in that regard
11. What was the best thing you bought? Wheat grinder, and Bosch, actually david bought me them.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Connor's decision to be baptized
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? It would not be good for me to say
14. Where did most of your money go? mortgage, and medical
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going to Dallas and Oklahoma with David. we had the best time!
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Photograph by Nickelback, Tim Mcgraw's Fly Away
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer? a little Sadder, a little thinner, A little less in dollars
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? spent more time playing with my kids, reading
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? less time worrying about stupid things
20. Did you fall in love in 2007? yes, over and over again actually since 1997, and it somehow gets better and better
21. What was your favorite TV program? Grey's anatomy and Men in trees
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no. I dont hate anyone
23. What was the best book you read? Twilight series
24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Ashley's attempt at the piano
25. What did you want and get? Wheat grinder and Bosch mixer, Ipod nano
26 What did you want and not get? A new car
27. What was your favorite film of this year? The Testaments
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? iturned 30 and Had a fun party from a bunch of friends encouragement and we had a blast!!!
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Moving out of Arizona, making more friends than i was already lucky enough to meet and develop deeper relationships
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Better than 2006, attemptig to get it a bit more
31. What kept you sane? Prayer, and running on the treadmill with loud music

Back to taking care of my kids...

Well i have finished the whole twilight series. I am not sure how i can wait till the fall to get the fourth one when it comes out, but until that time, i am going to fill my mind with lots of other really good books. And take care of my responsibilities at home. I tend to neglect things around me when i am enveloped in it! I am in a book club and so we read our monthly book and i just start ed The Innocent Man, by John GrishamIt's not for book club but so good. It is funny how you get so wrapped up in a book you dont take care of your needs like your kids, laundry, etc. But in the fall when i get the 4th addition, you wont see me because i will be reading..ha-ha

Hey here is an open invite to anyone on December 8th, 2008 when Twlight is suppose to come to the theaters, come with me and a group to catch the midnight showing! I already have a few that want to go.

Family Fotos from the Buettner- Tillery side

the kiddos

the 5 K's

the boys

The whole Kit and kaboodle

The David Hoopes Family

The girls

The Bright Family

my cute sister katy, mike and sierra

So for the first time since katy got married we got a whole family picture as a surprise for my mom. Of course she loved it more than anything. she was soooooo excited. We all thought they turned out pretty good.