memories

I thought this was really fun to do - thanks for the idea katie. Anyways, as much fun as it may be, I was a little hesitant to do this due to the fact that I don't know if anyone has any.....how do I say.....positive.... memories to post. But wether happy, sad, embarassing, whatever - bring it on! They can be about me or Aaron - anything is game.

Here is how you play:1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

summer continues

Well, we finally had a down week this summer, thanks to all of us getting colds. It's so weird to experience a bad February cold in the middle of July....just doesn't seem right. We survived though and luckily were mostly better before our busy July 24th week. We were going to go camping the weekend before the holiday, so I guess it wasn't all that bad that we got sick :) Aaron's parents came down a couple weekends ago to check on his dad's heart. Luckily with a little surgery he should be ok. Then Amy and the kids came to play. It was really fun to have them down and attempt to wear the boys out. We were going to go to the Reservoir and play one night. I even had dinner all packed up and ready. But when we got there it was incredibly windy - windy enough to throw our water trampoline into the air - which was really scary, considering Travis was on it- good thing Amy has a good catch, it scared me good!! -Good enough to call it quites and go home. We had fun going on bike rides and playing outside.

On the 24th my family came down to play. I wish I would've taken pictures, but I was having too much fun playing. We played some wii, did some slip n slide, went to the carnival and had a pretty darn good BBQ. We cooked the same tri tip meat that our neighbors the Cooks did on the 4th - It's so good, I can't get enough of it! It was really fun to get together as a family and enjoy the holiday, and of course, fireworks.

The next day we spent a fortune getting our applications in for passports and finishing up food storage. It took forever, but I feel much better feeling like we are set in case of disaster.

Saturday we headed up Provo Canyon and hiked to Stuart Falls. I love this hike and it brings back so many memories of different stages of my life every time I go up there. Plus I love that it is short, sweet, and worth it. Whitney even hiked a good portion of the way by herself. As usual our kids enjoyed just throwing rocks into the river. Whitney even took her shoes off and waded through the river with me. I love playing in rivers, it's up there with lighting fireworks. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun just relaxing and enjoying our morning. To top it all off we went to Red Robin - something I could easily do once a week!

Sunday we went and visited Aaron's parents - sadly they had to come back down because his mom was having kidney problems. She had been enduring kidney stones for about a week. She has an amazing pain tolerance, it reminds me what a woos I really am.

Monday night something amazing happened. Well, first I should explain, I have a curse. I can't even count how many championships I have made it too in my life, but never can seem to win. I've kind of come to terms with it. Monday night we playing in the Spanish Fork women's soccer championship. Despite the fact that it was the lowest division, and I couldn't seem to score a goal that game if my life depended on it (proving the curse is quite strong!), we actually won. I finally won my first free t-shirt.

Well, that's my journaling. Sorry if I bored you to tears. Aaron is out of town this week and so I though t I would finally buck up and try to remember what I've done with the last 2 weeks of my life.

Living la vida loca

Last week was so crazy busy, busy enough that I couldn't even remember what we did until I sat down and really thought hard about it. Time just flies when your loving life. Anyway, Aaron had basketball games on Monday. Tuesday after running I set the pool and slip n slide up. For the first time Whitney actually ran and went on her belly. She has been almost afraid of the water - since it's cold, until recently. We had fun chilling outside and soaking in some sun before it got too hot. Aaron has claimed Tuesday nights after his Elder's Quorum meetings Volleyball night. Our neighbors the Cooks are very good players and it's always fun to get a somewhat competitive game going. I've really enjoyed it because for the first time since Jr. High I'm remembering how to spike. It would sure help if I could jump.

Wednesday I thought it would be fun to take the kids up to Bridalveil Falls. I Rollerbladed up the Canyon on the sweet trail - I love that provo trail, it's so pretty! It was quite the workout though, pushing two kids in a stroller while rollerblading against a slight wind -felt like I was pushing a tire up the canyon. It was so worth it though. I wish I would've remembered to take the camera because the kids were so cute. Whitney was excited about the challenge of moving from rock to rock without touching the water -water was freezing! Travis stood on the gravel that had just a little water on it and enjoyed throwing rock after rock in the water and watching it splash. They really had a good time. We had a picnic and then headed back for a much needed nap. That night Aaron came home from work a little early so we could hike to the hot pots. It is such a gorgeous hike - amazing! I loved everything about it except for the view at the top - the nudists!! Holy Cow did I want to throw up - that's enough to cure anyone of a sex drive!! These free loving hippies that were definitely high - I'm pretty naive but they were definitely high - were just being one with nature up there. Maybe it was the sulfur but I couldn't even eat my dinner - I wanted to upchuck, so the kids quickly ate and we headed back down.

Thursday we had our Ward Party at the City Pool. I love this ward activity. We ate dinner and built sand castles on the sand volleyball court and then went and swam. Since it was pretty late Aaron took Travis home before the swim part - which he was not thrilled about at all! He could see the swim park and was excited. It was so nice to be able to focus all my attention on Whitney though. Travis is so demanding I don't get much one on one time with her. She is such a fun, cute kid.

Friday night we headed up to my house to celebrate my Dad's b-day. Saturday morning Me, Aaron and Lindsay went boating with Aaron's Uncle. We went freakin' early - so it was pretty cold still, but the water was glass, and when the sun popped out it was perfect. We all had our injuries but it was my favorite boating experience yet. I was able to wakeboard as much as I wanted to - to the point where I could try to start doing tricks - it was such a blast!!!! Later that day the family got together. Jeff and Selly flew in for a friends reception - seeing them made me miss them that much more! Plus I'm pretty sure Travis has a crush on Selly. Here are some pics, courtesy Lori.

This is proof of Whitney going down the slip n' slide.

I think my kids had about 50 Popsicles while at G&G Rasmussen's house. Here is Whit and Brooklyn.

Here is Travis attacking Brooklyn with his air sword. He is boy through and through - although he does walk pretty darn good in heels!

Well, I know that was really long, but I'm making sure that we are making this the "summer of the Hoopes'." This week is pretty much our relaxing week before family comes again and all the 24th festivities start. The weather has been awesome. The only thing I'm wanting to pack in is some tennis - perhaps later.

4th of July

We had a good 4th. We caught some of the parade at the freedom festival and got some skimboarding in. Whitney loved the 10 min. of the parade that we caught. She saw all the city Royalties. When she asked me who they were I was too lazy to explain so I just said they were princesses - that more than satisfied her. From that moment on she watched thier every move. This is her practicing how to wave like them.

Like my stance? It's coming along.

Our neighbors, the Cooks, put together a little get together with family/friends for a b-bque and fireworks. This year has had the wierdest weather. Right before dinner it started getting rediculously windy. Since there were a ton of people we moved the party to our basement. Yep, that's right we ate our 4th of July bbque in the dungeon. It was really fun though, and let me tell you, the Cooks cooked up some amazing meat!! I'm still dreaming about it. Despite the wind we were still able to sneak in some volleyball and fireworks. While talking during dinner I was reminded of how lucky we are to live here. We have a great home, in a great neighborhood, with amazing neighbors. I love being able to talk to fun adults while I watch my kids play outside. And Whitney loves that she pretty much always has someone to play with everytime she goes outside. To her, the more kids the better. My favorite part of every fourth though is the fireworks. Every time I light fireworks I have flashback to my childhood (including Jeff lighting my hair on fire!). I always wanted to be rich around that time of the year so I could buy tons of fireworks. What an ambition - to own lots of fireworks. All-in-all We had a good, kick-back relaxing fourth. I love our country.

Family Vacation

Last week we took our first family vacation. We have made a lot of trips to G&G Rasmussen & Hoopes' house, but we finally ventured somewhere for an actual vacation. Aaron had a convention in Sun Valley and found an awesome place for us to stay in so we could tag along. Our kids are great sleepers, if they have their own territory. So the fact that this place had three separate sleeping areas made it great. We also were right next to a swimming pool and a never ending bike trail. Friday we traveled up, got settled in, explored, and went swimming. Saturday we put our new children hiking packs to the test. We went on a really pretty hike that overlooked the city. Sun Valley isn't exactly a family oriented town, so we got a lot of long looks and comments about us carrying two children with us on a hike.

Here is us at the top lookout point getting some snacks in.

Whitney even ventured out for a little while and practiced her hiking.

By the end Travis was out. He fell asleep and looked hillarious hanging out of the pack.

It was really fun though and I'm looking forward to going again soon. The rest of our vacation was pretty much biking, swimming, eating, repeat. I got some rollerblading and a carmel apple from the chocolate factory in - so I can't complain. Every day we went swimming, sometimes twice a day, and Whitney got pretty comfortable with the water.

Whitney found a blow-dryer in the drawer and was so funny to always ask if she could blow dry her hair. It just makes me laugh how old she thinks she is.

Since there was no AC in the place, it got pretty hot. I actually took this picture in the dark and got a good laugh when I saw it. This is Travis doing his routine -run away from mom while he's naked and I'm getting his clothes.

I love swimming on vacation. It's a little different with kids. It reminded me of how growing up we really did just swim and play tennis on some vacations. Me and Aaron would always crack up when Whitney would call her goggles gobbles. She was always asking "Where's my gobbles", or "oh - wait - I need my gobbles".

Just chilling on the steps, eating peanuts.

It's so funny how it is always the simple things that are kids' favorite activities. Of everything we did while there their favorite activity was probably riding the bus. Aaron had the idea to ride our bikes (Whitney rode her bike, Aaron rode the ripstick, and I rollerbladed while pushing Travis on his big boy bike) down the slight hill about 3 miles to a bus stop and then ride the bus up. They had so much fun the first time that we did it again before we left. Who, knew, a free bus ride. We really had a great time. It was fun to just hang out and play with the kids and soak up the cute stage that they are at. I wish I could just freeze time at their current stages.

A few more random swimming pics: