Our house in the last month or so.

As you know I've got 5 kids, one of them named Rachel. I know kids spill, I know kids make messes, I know they break things. I know my kids are no exception. They, especially Rachel, are destructive to put it bluntly. In the last month my house has seem more destruction then in the previous 7 1/2 years combined. I don't know how, I don't know why. Maybe it is because Rachel is getting older, stronger, or just more sneaky. We started with a hole in the wall behind the door. I think one of my older boys slammed it open one day and the knob went right through the dry wall. Throwing the door open is nothing new but usually there is that little spring thing attached to the bottom of the door that keeps it from going through the wall. This time the spring thing was gone. Rachel took it off. She likes to play with them, she thinks it is fun to untwist them and take them off. She hasn't figured out how to get them back on, and even if she could she probably wouldn't - putting them on isn't much fun. So we got a hole in the wall.

It is now winter and it is cold. The kids like to sit by the heater and put their feet in it. They also like to drink hot chocolate - it warms the up. Sitting by the heater with a nice cup of hot chocolate is a cozy thing to do on a cold winter day. Drinking it without spilling is nearly impossible if your name is Rachel. We now have chocolate stains all around several of our heaters and little lines of drips from the kitchen to the heater. Eating breakfast by the heater is also a fought over privilege (that none of them are supposed to have - but all feel they deserve). Well Rachel is never the fastest and never seems to get the kitchen heater so if you look closely you will see mashed in cereal and yogurt stains all around our bedroom and living room heaters.

Rachel got a tea set for Christmas. She loves having tea parties. We don't drink tea so she uses water. What could be so messy about water you may wonder. Well to begin with her tea cups are very small so carrying a tiny cup filled with water is very tricky for a 3 year old. Filling up the tiny little tea cup with our new water in door fridge also is tricky - especially because Rachel doesn't know tea should be hot and first fills the cup with crushed ice. Next Rachel somehow learned that you a good hostess offers sugar or honey with the tea and serves cakes or cookies too. So puddles of water on the kitchen floor isn't too bad but when you mix it with sugar, honey, and crumbs you get an icky sticky mess that tends to stick to little feet that track it all over the house.

Rachel also has learned to watch for when Mom isn't looking and is pretty fast at getting herself and all her tea things downstairs. You can see that by looking at the stains on the stairs.
If mom is around then the tea things go under her shirt or behind her back just in case Mom turns around and sees. Rachel still has a hard time figuring out why Mom still comes and looks behind her back and under her shirt even when she says "I don't have anything - don't come over here, don't look under my shirt or in my pocket".

Rachel also like to paint and doesn't always choose the water based easy to wipe off paint. If you look on the kitchen wall or under the kitchen table you can see that her favorite color is blue. She also likes glitter paint - you can see that on the wall above the table.

Something went down the toilet that shouldn't have. We know this because now the things that are supposed to down the toilet don't. And our kids don't see anything wrong with just leaving them there for others to see and smell. I guess this is better than when they keep flushing even though the water keep rising and they don't give up trying to get it all down until it is all over the floor and they are calling for help.

Rachel also got a scooter for Christmas. She likes to ride it but there is too much snow outside so she thinks inside is a good option. Ryan got a remote control car which Rachel really enjoys driving. She just hasn't mastered the steering and stopping. Both of these recent Christmas gifts have left their mark on the walls especially on the corners were there isn't as much paint as there used to be.

Rachel and Anna got new make up for Christmas. I think it came from the dollar store - I know the kind Anna got for her dance recital did. Well dollar store make up doesn't easily wipe off walls, or counter tops. Nail polish doesn't come off bathroom floors or bedroom carpets. I can't figure out why make up made for kids is harder to remove than Mary Kay - but it is.

And finally Rachel likes to stamp. Anna got new stamps and ink pads for Christmas. Yesterday Rachel got them out and stamped. One of her little friends was over. They had make footprints in nursery and decided to try it again. They had a great time. Our bedroom carpet now has little pink footprints all over it. Pink ink doesn't come out of carpet very well even after scrubbing and carpet cleaning. I put the ink away. Dallin got it back down. I went to the store, Rick went downstairs to play Rock Band. There is now green footprints all over the living room. Pink ink in the bedroom is one thing but bright Christmas green all over the living room is a bit more troubling to me so I googled removing ink and got out the hairspray, vinegar, baking soda, WD-40 and an old toothbrush. 2 hours and about 4 carpet cleaner tank fulls later my hands are raw, my arms are aching and there is now much fainter green footprints on the carpet.

I thought all of this might win Rick over into my way of thinking about installing hard wood floors. Rick thought all of this might win me over to his way of thinking about waiting till our kids move out before spending any more money on our house. I am beginning to think his way of thinking may have some merit but I am still looking into hardwood floors.

The end of a Year

Last night I had gotten my feelings hurt, biting back the tears I slunk downstairs climbed in Taylor's bed and started reading a rather dumb book. I spent the next couple hours intermittently reading and trying to ignore Rachel. She'd come in with something she'd want to tell me or something she would need help with and sit on my book, put her little hands on my checks with her nose touching mine and say "Moooommmmm" until I looked up at her. It was a rather long evening. The rest of the kids were playing the wii, oblivious to the world. Finally Rick came down and said, "Its New Years." I got up and went to bed. So that was the end to a wonderful year. Despite the ending it really was a wonderful year.

I've been thinking back over what has happened in the last 12 months. Not really any big changes or catastrophes it was pretty much filled with everyday type of days. But they were good - it always amazes me just how blessed we are - blessed beyond belief. For the most part we have all been incredibly healthy, and most of us have been happy the vast majority of the time. Rick works hard and provides us with the means to take care of all of our needs and most of our wants as well. I have an amazing marriage - something that seems to becoming more and more rare in society today. I love Rick more than I ever imagined possible, I love being with him and consider him my best friend and biggest fan. My children are thriving - they are learning and growing. They are developing talents and hobbies and wonderful personalities. They are fun to be with and make me incredibly happy. I have wonderful parents and brothers and sisters who are supportive and fun to be around. I enjoy my church callings, my friends, neighborhood and ward.

Some of the highlights or noteworthy points of 2009

-We went on several family vacations: Disneyland, Capitol reef, island park, Soda Springs, goblin valley, camping, antelope island, San Diego, Ohio, Michigan
-Taylor was a crutches, I got hit by a car and ran away from it
-Rick started running and enjoying it - he ran a 5k, 10k and a half marathon.
-Taylor, Dallin, Anna and Ryan played soccer, Taylor and Dallin played basketball, Anna started dance
-We were able to visit with most of our extended family, we had 2 new nieces and 1 new nephew born. We got to see the nieces.
-Rick changed companies and received several promotions at work.
- We successfully had family scriptures EVERY SINGLE DAY in 2009. We finished the Book of Mormon on Dec 17th.
-We started a Family Home Evening Journal.

So this is the end of the post the following is just information for me - Rick laughed at me for including it and suggested I just put it up on his wiki if I wanted it saved for posterity. Well I just don't want my stuff on the Riki Wiki so I am going to go ahead and include it here - but no one needs to read it it is just for me so I don't forget it and I can come back and reference it later if I want to.




At the beginning of the year (2009) I (the kids made suggestions) wrote a list of activities I wanted our family to do. I designated some of them for 2009 and others for sometime in the future. I looked back over it and while we didn't get them all done we made a pretty good dent in it this year. These are activities I want to expose my children to - some realistic, others are not.

Wish List of Activities planned for 2009

Date Activity Date Done
2009 Bean Museum 8/09
2009 Movie-Up 7/09
2009 Movie - Harry Potter 6 9/09
2009 Harry Potter Marathon 9/09
2009 Timp Caves
2009 7 peaks 8/22/09
2009 Jump on it 12/09
2009 Jumping Jacks
2009 Veterans Pool 8/09
2009 Spanish Fork Pool 7/09
2009 Payson Pool 7/09
2009 Lehi Pool 2/09
2009 Swimming Lessons 7/09
2009 Anna-dance class 8/31
2009 Hot air Balloons 7/09
2009 Rodeo 7/09
2009 Demolition Derby 8/09
2009 Antelope Island 9/7/09
2009 Bear Lake
2009 Soda -4th 7/09
2009 Island Park 7/09
2009 Toon Town subscription 6/09
2009 Bike Ride
2009 Fishing
2009 Parakeets 5/09
2009 sleep on tramp
2009 camping-just Mom and Dad
2009 Secret Lake/Mary Lake - Sugar Loaf Mt
2009 BBQ- Neighborhood
2009 BBQ-Sam
2009 Timp
2009 Hike Cross 5/09
2009 Hike Y
2009 Ward Campout 8/09
2009 Grotto 8/09
2009 Wailing Walk 10/09
2009 Arches, Capital Reef, Zions 9/09
2009 Disneyland 4/09
2009 Sea World 4/09
2009 Lego Land 4/09
2009 Dinosaur Museum
2009 Thanksgiving pt 4,8/09
2009 Provo Dinosaur Musuem
2009 lagoon 8/09

Future Wish List of Activities

Flaming Gorge
Yellowstone
Grand Canyon
Socorro
Oregon Coast
Glacier
Mt Rushmore
Boston
Palmyra
D.C
Nauvo
Kirtland
Niagra Falls
Broadway Play
Caribbean
Lake Powel
Boating
Utah National Parks
Bear Lake
Canyons-Camping
Mt Nebo
Squaw Peak
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Y Mountain
Uintas
Europe
Cruise
Visit all 50 States
Alaska
North Carolina
Roller Skating
Ice Skating
Skiing
Snow mobiling
jet skiing
Season tickets-play
horse back riding
Golfing
Marathon
Triatholon
Run race w/ kids
float down river -rapids
Bi Annual Hoopes Family Reunion
Bi Annual Carter Family Reunion
Visit Granparents 2007,2011,2015,2019,2023
EFY
Go to every Temple in Utah
Trek
Ballet
Messiah Singalong
Concert (Rock)
Professional Sporting Event
Local Sporting Events
Read classics
Watch top movies of all time
Manti Pageant
Nephi Pageant
Castle Dale Pageant
Palmyra Pageant
Navuo Pageant
Mesa Pageant
Martin Harris Pageant

13 years ago and an adventure in the Snow

Probably the smartest thing I ever did happened about 13 years ago. At first I had decided against it then after a lot of consideration and prayer I came to realize I made the wrong choice so I changed my mind and told Rick that yes I would marry him. I have never regretted it, it truly is the best decision I ever made.

13 years ago on December 21st with a covenant and a promise I became his wife. I was scared, really scared but also really excited. It has been nothing like I feared and a 1000 times better than I expected or even dreamed it would be. Not that it hasn't had it ups and downs but there has been way more laughter than tears, loads of fun with very few fights, and a few struggles with lots of triumphs. In the last 13 years we've changed and grown a lot we have become a real family and a real team. Our marriage is something I cherish above all else.

The 21st of December isn't the easiest time to celebrate an anniversary. That close to Christmas something always seems to be going on. This year we spent it at a dance recital sitting at opposite ends of the auditorium. Half way through Rick sent a text asking if we were still there. We then got Macys ice cream cones. While walking through the grocery store with all the kids, eating ice cream cones, and picking up a few groceries isn't romantic it was fun. We may not have been celebrating our marriage but we were celebrating what we had created - a family.

For our anniversary Rick gave me a trip to Daniel's Summit Lodge. We went the Monday after Christmas. It was an amazing place. He had tried to surprise me but I found out about it. I pay our credit card bill the same day each month. So when I pulled it up to pay and the very first charge under the "pay now" button is for an exuberant amount to a resort in Heber I took a second look. I asked him if it was something for his work he had put on our card. He gave in and told me. I had a hard time believing he would spend that much money on a night out with me. I was really nervous. Girls like me don't usually stay in places like that. I didn't really have anything to wear, we didn't really have luggage I felt comfortable carrying in there. I just didn't think our DI duffel bags would fit in. Well it was amazing. It was very beautiful and quite.

The next morning we went snowmobiling. It was fun and scary. Rick drove most of the time. He drove fast while I clung on for dear life. Most of the time I had my eyes squeezed tight but when they were open it was beautiful. The snow covered hill and trees were breathtaking. We didn't start out to well, within the first few minutes Rick ventured off the groomed trail into some powder and managed to roll us. I crawled out but couldn't stand up without sinking to my waist. I was all bundled up with so many layers I could hardly move trying to pull myself out. It was a ridiculous sight. We pushed and pulled and dug but couldn't get the snowmobile out. Finally a snowmobile tour with about 10 people came and their guide got us out. As soon as he showed up I backed up to give him room. I backed right back in to the waist deep powder. I then had to pull myself out with all those people watching me. I looked like a beached sea lion trying to pull myself up on the ice. I got partially out but my boot got stuck. I finally just pulled myself out on my stomach. I was bright red, mortified and breathing hard by this point. I tried to stand up but my boot stayed in the snow. I knelt down and tried to dig it out. I pulled off my gloves and was desperately digging for my boot. I gave up and stood up trying to look natural standing in the snow with a bare foot. Rick came over and helped me get my boot out. I was so embarrassed I just jammed my foot back in without dumping out the snow. By this point my hands and foot were frozen and were beginning to get numb enough not to notice. Finally our rescuers all got back on their snowmobiles and left and it was just Rick and I.

We finished the ride without incident. All in all it was really fun, I would love to do it again and maybe take the kids when they get old enough one of them can drive too.

Christmas Eve

So Kristin brought a slide show video she had made to show us on Christmas eve. It was pictures of the Hoopes family acting out the Nativity story on Christmas eve. It's a very sweet and moving slideshow - she entitled it something with a Hoopes Family Tradition which got me thinking about family tradition. Acting out the nativity on Christmas eve is a family tradition. It's fun, builds memories, and creates bonds but hopefully the real tradition is the power the story brings. I hope acting out the story sears in their minds and hearts the power and significance of that night. I want my children to know that it was and is a Holy night. That God did send His son and that it is not a fun story akin to Santa. I know that it is going to take a lot more than me telling them - I think it is a story that must be felt not just heard to be believed. So it is my job as their mother to not only tell it but provide the opportunity for them to feel the spirit testify to it. That is one job that scares me to death, the consequences of failing are monumental and terrifying. Talk about pressure - this being a mom thing is one tough gig.

Great Grandma

My Dad's Mom, Grandma Hoopes, lives in Mesa. Her son, Uncle Fred, takes care of her - and does a great job from what I understand. But he needed a little break so Grandma got to come to Idaho for Christmas. Since Mom and Dad were coming to my house they brought her along. It was fun to see her again - it has been a while. It was a very nice visit. It started out a few weeks before Christmas Kevin picked her up from the airport and brought her to my house. I drove her to Nephi to stay with her sister for a few days. Rachel and Ryan went with me. They were really excited to see Great Grandma and had lots of stories and questions for her. I thought they would drive her crazy, especially Rachel, she just had to tell Great Grandma everything she could think of. "Great Grandma did you know the snow makes your hands cold so you should wear gloves" or "Did you know cows sleep standing up". It was constant. Grandma very politely listened to her and then turned to me for a repeat since Rachel talks quieter than Grandma hears.

We dropped her off in Nephi and my parents picked her up a few days later and brought her back to our house for the weekend and then home to Idaho for a few days, then back to our house for Christmas. She told us lots of stories and remembrances - that seemed to get a lot better, more exciting and outlandish with each telling. She was amazed with the snow and how cold it was. On our way down to Nephi she remarked "I think God must have been in a bad mood when he sent the pioneers to Utah." I laughed but to be honest I think I might have to agree with that one - at least in the winter. All in all it was a lot of fun to see Grandma and I loved that my kids got to get to know her a little better. She told them lots of stories and sang them songs. Stories and songs I remember her telling me when I was her age. Like Jenny Frog and the little birds way up in their nest.

Anna the Dancer

So last September Anna started taking dance lessons. She is in a Jazz/ballet class. She loves it. She looks forward to it all week. She loves wearing a leotard, she loves feeling pretty and graceful. She loves the music and the sound her shoes makes on the dance floor. She loves to wear her tap shoes, although I feel guilty every time I see them on her feet. I guess I should buy her some more - but those things are pretty spendy and they are brand new. The problem is that somehow she got 2 different sizes. I think one of her shoes got mixed up with someone else's during class. I've gone in twice, unsuccessfully, to try and unmix them. So one of them fights just right and the other is 1 1/2 sizes to big. There is enough of a difference it is very visible. But she doesn't complain and so I just ignore it.

Monday was her recital. She of course had to have a costume. She brought it home a few weeks ago. She immediately went in and put it on she walked in and looked at the mirror. She froze, her eyes got big and her face lite up. She stood there and stared at herself for a minute and then softly whispered to herself, "I am beautiful", I almost cried. She stood in front of the mirror for at least 5 minutes smiling at herself, cocking her head this way and that, batting her eyelashes and just being in love with herself. She wanted to wear it the rest of the day, but since the number on the price tag wasn't very small I said no, took it and hung it in my closet.

Dancers, even young dancers, must wear makeup. Anna had to wear pink blush, blue eye shadow, black eye liner, black mascara and red lipstick. I didn't own any blue eyeshadow or red lipstick so we went make up shopping - at the dollar store. Anna had a blast picking out her makeup. Putting it on wasn't so fun - at least the eye liner part. It took quite a few tries and a lot of patience and careful aim to get eye liner on those eyes. Her lashes were batting faster than a hummingbirds wings. I guess it was a pretty funny site to see Anna bent back with her mouth wide open batting her lashes 1000 times a second while I was trying to hold her in a headlock with one arm and trying to draw a straight line on a moving lid with the other. Rick couldn't help but laugh, Anna was offended, I was irritated so he tried to make amends by getting involved. He tried to help by offering some advice, but never wearing eye liner himself we didn't think he was too credible and quickly shooed him out of the bathroom.

We finally got her all made up, her hair gelled back into a bun and her costume on - and she was beautiful. I think it had more to do with the light in her eyes and the smile on her face then the makeup and frilly costume. We got to the recital to find a packed house. We couldn't find seats altogether and had to hold the kids the entire time. It was crazy, with tiny little girls in make up and frills all over the place, some excited chatting with their friends, some crying and clinging to their moms who were pushing them into their classes with promises and reassurances. Dad's were fighting for good camera spots and setting up tripods, Grandma's and Grandpa's were oohing and ahhing with bouquets in hand. The recital started late and had a few little hitches but all in all it was wonderful. I loved seeing the little girls - they were so sweet and cute. And I enjoyed watching the older kids and at the end of the show the owner's son Ryan Di Lello did a pretty amazing dance for us. He recently was on the reality show So you think you can Dance, he was really good.

Anna did a super job. She wanted to make sure everyone else in her class was right on track and did a little directing of the other girls. She was a little late at one point and didn't get into the circle on time, the other girls were dancing around holding hands while she was trying to break in. Later she told me that her dance went great except for the time when she couldn't get in the circle but "That's ok she said, "people probably just thought I was doing a solo". I had to laugh at that one.

It was a wonderful evening. We all enjoyed it immensely. The boys didn't even complain too much. "Although they quickly said, "No way", when I asked if I should sign them up for dance. Rachel loved it - I was nervous she wouldn't last but the dancers held her attention the whole time. Afterwards Anna wanted to go out to celebrate. We agreed and ask her where she wanted to go. "To Macys for ice cream cones" she exclaimed. Laughing we said sure and we all went to the grocery store. I guess we are lucky our kids are still impressed with 48cent grocery store ice cream cones although a blizzard would have had my vote.