Idaho

Last week we ventured to Idaho to hike Table Rock. My mom and dad have been wanting to do this hike for a while now and Aaron's parents were nice enough to accommodate us all. Thursday we hiked Jenny's lake. It's a pretty short, beautiful hike. Our kids did pretty good, especially since we carried them most of the way, but poor Travis by the end was due for a nap. We forgot our hiking pack for him unfortunately, because if we did he no doubt would have taken a nice nap during the trip. Despite Travis being tired it was a fun, very pretty hike. We took a short boat ride back to the car - which was a brilliant idea.

That night we went to Bar J Wranglers. I had heard a lot about them and always wanted to see what the fuss was all about. They were very funny and entertaining. Even though I just caught a glimpse of the performance here and there (kids just wanted to play around outside) it was really fun (all except for trying to feed Travis an unbelievable messy dinner while he was on my lap - and then getting peed on by him.......again - thank goodness I brought an extra pair of pants!).

Friday was my favorite day there because we did nothing! It felt so good to just play around and do whatever we felt like. The weather was perfect, not too hot, and most of Aaron's family came up to visit. We got some 4wheeling in, reading, jumping on the tramp, and the kids went horseback riding.

Travis loved all the animals, kids, and things to discover at G&G Hoopes'. Unfortunately he got sick, which I swear happens every time we go to Idaho - our luck, but the pour kid has 4 molars coming in - so he wasn't too happy. Whitney was just thrilled to have so many cousins to play with.

Saturday was the big hike day. It's a long hike - but pretty and has an incredible view from the top. It's pretty much very steep up and down (obviously). The hike really didn't seem that hard - probably since me and Aaron are used to doing it was a kid strapped to us.Anyways, we had a great time - a definite highlight of our summer adventures. Thanks G&G Hoopes for the fun and hospitality! (For you Davis Highschoolers out there - if you look closely I still have my wind jacket from Junior Committee - pretty much the last of my DHS memorabilia). Enlarge this next picture to see what the sign says - good thing it was dark so Bev didn't see :) - in case you can't - it pretty much says Trail not maintained, Very Steep, Not recommended.

I had to put this picture in because we teased mom quite a bit about the train she made them do. My mom is not the biggest fan of hiking on slippery terain - which it was - shale rock. But she managed with the help of her husband and Aaron's dad.

Car Smashing Derby

We went to the Demolition Derby in Spanish Fork on Saturday and it was a blast. Usually our kids won't sit still (mostly Travis) for longer than a minute - but we figured if he was watching cars....anyway it mostly worked. There is something about cars smashing into each other that brings me great joy. It's like bumper cars without the stupid safety stuff. It was a lot of fun and the kids did good, as long as we went for a little walk after each round - since it took them about 20 min. to clean up the damage and get ready for the next round. We made it about 3 hours and then Travis peed on me - snuck out his diaper somehow, must've been sitting weird. I've been peed on a lot in my lifetime, the worst being from my grandma (yes, Iva), so it really didn't even phase me. We got home and the kids got to take a bath/swim in our bath tub. Then we went outside on our lawn and waited for the fireworks. It was way past all of our bedtimes, but we figured the fireworks would wake the kids up anyway. Apparently the last 2 rounds took forever at the derby - because the fireworks didn't start until almost 12. We entertained the kids for a while with glow sticks and fireworks, but they were definately getting tired of waiting. Travis had tons of energy all night, so we thought it was funny that 5 min. into the fireworks he fell asleep - at least he waited long enough to see his first fireworks.

August goes fast

wow, it's already almost halfway through august. It's so crazy how time flies when you are so content with life. At the beginning of the month we had fun going to a Hartman reunion. I saw cousins that I hadn't seen in almost 10 years. Then the Schelins came up to play. We went up for a day to Grandma's. Grandma spoiled us with huge subs at the park and feeding ducks. I had a lot of fun playing in the water with them after - and watching Amy try to skimboard. I love this picture of all the grandkids feeding the ducks. Other than that, we have pretty much been just enjoying the warm weather - getting a little skimboarding in here and there. I love August, especially when going back to school doesn't hang over my head. I love that it is still warm but not scorching. As of right now I am absolutely loving the olympics, I always have......if I could just find my event.......and have the freedom to dedicate 4 yrs. of my life to......but in all reality I'd rather have what I have with my family than what any medal could bring. It's so fun to watch the amazing athletes and realize how much dedication it took to get where they are.

Anywho,,, this post was supposed to be brief. I just wanted to show some funny things my kids do these days. I absolutely love their stages. Especially Travis, I wish I could freeze him at this stage! Whitney is still princess obsessed. She is starting to say funny things here and there. For example on Sunday she got this pink flower with a picture of her in the middle with her name on it. I never realized that I probably hadn't taught her to say her whole name. So I asked what the flower said. She replied "Whitney is Pink." After a little talking I think she understands her full name now. Also she has a pretend credit card in her purse. When we were cleaning tonight she told me I could have it. I said that she should put it in her purse. She said back "No mom, you'll need that for Walmart." I laughed...I didn't even know she knew what that store was called. She is also getting pretty good at soccer since she'll play with me in the backyard. Travis is a pretty good dribbler - it's just funny to watch since the soccer ball is the same height of his leg.

Travis' new thing is to play in the car. I had no problem with this - since it kept him plenty entertained for long periods of time. I was pretty good about returning the car back to normal when he was done. Apparently last week I missed a light. We got in the car for a busy day of shopping and pictures....to discover that the battery was dead - trip cancelled. That was the end of the car being a playground. Travis is talking like crazy. He had shocked us both by going to nursery for 2 weeks now without a hesitation - in fact he even went to the door and started knocking for them to let him in when Aaron was slow in following. I love that he will try and say any word you ask him too. He is just so playful, his smile melts me everytime. Here is some video

In ending news.... Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes just came and visited for a couple days while picking up thier motorcycle. They let us take it for a spin and it is pretty sweet. We look forward to going and playing in Idaho with them next week.

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.