Hooper Santa Family

Last Sunday and Today we had a visit from Santa, on a tractor with a bunch of his helpers.  A few of our kids went down last Sunday and I went down today with a few more.  A family just west of us does this wonderful service for our community.  They made flyers each week and put them on our doors telling of their route.  They dress up and give out candy canes and take time to stop and visit with all the kids that wait for them on the road.  It's such a magical experience to watch the lighted tractor and trailer come down the street.  Then to see the trailer packed with reindeer,(and Rudolf) Frosty, Mrs. Santa, elves and even soldiers.  Oh, and the Grinch!  It's so cute and fun.  Maybe just by reading this you might know that the child in me was bursting with happiness.  I loved it!  I am grateful for a wonderful family that takes time to bring happiness and magic to their neighbors.  They drive around a few miles and I'm sure each week it took them hours.  They are wonderful and I hope they are blessed by their magical service.

Oh and they take pictures and post them so that if you forgot your camera you can still have pictures.  I thought it was fun looking through the pictures and seeing other Hooperites enjoying their night with Santa too.

Trichelle's kids

What a fun and exciting week.  Having Trichelle's kids for the week was really fun.  Trichelle couldn't have programmed them to be any better.  They were a joy!  Zaden and Ivy did their homework every day without any questions.  They played and laughed and sang.  Behr was busy but fun and very entertaining.

One night Behr was doing squats...up and down...up and down.  No wander his little thighs are so thick and strong.  He loves it when he knows he is being funny.  We laughed a lot at Behr.  Keeping him in the family room was a bit of a task. We block the hallway with chairs and that did slow him down but didn't stop him.  He'd pull or push at the chairs to get them to move just enough so he could fit through or he would climb through or over them.  I think I had a harder time getting over them than Behrenger did.  He's such a strong and funny little kid.  He liked playing with my brooms and mops. We had toys out all the time and I'm not really sure why?  The child preferred making his own adventures. 

 Zaden had his very first pinewood derby.  He was so cute and excited.  Joe came and supported him and that thrilled Zaden.  My grands have good daddy's.  All the scouts got to race on all four tracks, which was really fun.  Zaden's car didn't win any races but it always finished.

The scout committee went all out and the gym looked awesome.  All the scouts received trophies and certificates.  Their was "fuel" for all the kids. (suckers) The place was busy the whole night.  It was fun but I was happy to leave.  My grands were well behaved and didn't go over the track or play with the ropes. They sat and watched and even Behr seemed to know his boundaries.  I can't say that about all the kids...some where out of control and I don't think their parents had a clue..or didn't care.  All in all it was really fun though.  Zaden had a good time and that is what matters most.

One of the nights Zaden talked grandpa into putting up the train.  Larry loves trains and bought this one years ago and all our grands love it too.  They will just sit and watch it go around and around the tree. Behr learned quickly that he couldn't get near the tracks.  Ivy was fun to have but we didn't get her as much.  She stays with her dad for half of the week.  When we did have her we enjoyed her.  She's a big help with Behr and he adores her.

We had a few cousins come to play this week too.  Macie comes every Friday morning for a few hours and Sadie came on Saturday while her mommy got her hair cut.  It's so fun having them over and it's really fun watching the cousins interact with one another.  They are learning to share and be nice.  Oh how they make my heart smile.

TJ wanted pictures of the kids every day.  He didn't want them changing too much while him and Trichelle were away.  The only time Behr had a hard time was when Trichelle face-timed one evening.  Behrenger saw his mommy and daddy and just starting crying so hard.  He wanted the phone and just cried and cried.  I think he was missing them.

I am really glad Trichelle and TJ were able to get away together and especially with the Limitless Group.  While they were having fun, they were also learning things.  They were breaking through limiting beliefs and fears, washing away regrets and being reborn so to speak.  I'm glad that I was able to be a part of their experience by taking care of their kids.  More than anything I want my children and their spouses to be happy.  I hope for them all to have great relationships with each other. I hope that they can be better than Larry and I and for sure they will succeed and be so happy.

This was a fun and busy week.  I am thankful for the singing of Here come's Santa Claus by Zaden one morning.  I am thankful for each little smile as the kids woke up.  I'm am thankful for their obedience and going to bed so good every single night.  I am thankful for hugs and kisses and giggles and messing hair and faces.  I am thankful for Larry, Kimleighel, Jared and Natalie for helping me out this week so I could still do the things I had on my calendar, and taking over when I was sick.

I am so thankful for every amazing part of my life.  The only thing that could make my life better is Five Million Dollars...and that is on it's way! ☺

Christmas Cards at Mom's

Today I went up to my mom's after Parker's basketball game to help her make her Christmas Cards.  Shelly started this little tradition a few years ago.  I think it's fun.  This year the cards were super easy and we had them done in no time.  Susan came about 45 minutes late and we were done.  I was able to stay for a few minutes after she came and really wished that I would have had more time. I love visiting with my sister, mom and niece.  I like this little tradition and appreciate Shelly for making it happen.

Kamryn had a basketball game as well today and I really try to support the grands and so I left.  The gym was packed with no seats and so I just stood and held Briggs and smiled and talked to Brynlie.  Kevin brought the twins with him to the game.  I don't think I even asked where Julie and Jordyn were.  Kevin's such a good daddy.  It was fun watching Kam and the twins.  Larry was able to make Kam's game today too!

Sadie came to play later and we let Behr go to his other grandpa's for a few hours.  It was a busy day!

Dinner at Carla's

Carla and Roger couldn't be nicer if they tried.  Carla loves having people over for parties and dinner and that is one way that she shows her love to others.  Even though I had the kids we decided that tonight was the only time we really could get together.  Actually Ivy and Zaden went with their dads and so it was just Behr that we were leaving.  Kimi loves watching him and so it worked out great.  Carla also invited Barbie and Scott.  Carla met Barbie through Special Needs and our camp and really likes her now.  Roger met Scott at our camp too because all our wonderful men helped out.

Carla prepared a yummy dinner and then we played 5 Crowns.  Larry won I think (maybe Roger) and I was happy that he had good hands.  I think he gets frustrated when he looses.  It was such a nice night and we all had a great time.  Carla had gifts for me and Barbie and I tucked a gift for her under her tree.  I gave Barbie hers as we were leaving.

One of the things that makes this time of year so wonderful is that we do take the time to be with those we love.  I love my friends and I'm glad that my friends become friends with each other.

Bowling and Book Club

Today at Bowling we celebrated Shirley's birthday that is happening soon.  This woman is amazing.  She is gentle, funny and so very thoughtful.  Shirley loves making things for everyone.  She is always coming up with some cute gift to give away.  It's been so much fun for me to get to know her over the last few years.  She is a great friend and I have learned some positive things from her.  I made a chocolate sheet cake to share with everyone.  Debbie, Carla and I all brought her gifts because she just deserves to be spoiled. (usually we all go in on one)  I got her some cute ear rings.

I made two cakes while I was baking because I also needed to take dessert to book club.  Our Christmas Party was right after bowling. I love Book Club and I really enjoy our Christmas Party.

We always exchange white elephant gifts and have such a good time doing it.  This year we passed gifts around as a story was read that had the words "right" and "left" in it.  When the story was over you got to keep the gift you were holding.  Kathy had told me earlier in the week that she hoped that I would get her gift.  Funny, but that is the gift I ended up holding.  I laughed so hard when I opened it.  It was a picture of me and Larry that I had given in 2011.  I got it back with a pair of monster slippers. I had given out pictures of Larry and I a few years in a row and had received the other back from Loretta the next year after she had changed it a little and make Larry and I look like some dancers from Dancing with the Stars.  All by chance which makes it funnier to me.  I gave the peacock purse again.  The peacock purse has been going around for years.  I kept it for years but decided it was time to move it along.  The chicken hat that Loretta brought had us all laughing out loud.  Susan has her choice of many headbands to wear all season long, and Loretta gets to enjoy a steamy romance novel.  Shanna doesn't love the white elephant exchange and so she didn't participate this year.  We all give gifts to each other as well. I gave everyone the book I put together about Jared's experience.  I gave Suzie a different book about Filling Your Bucket since she bought a few of Jared's books.

I always have such a great time when I am with these ladies.  I had to leave before anyone else because I had to pick up grands from school.  I didn't want to leave and I must say that I am thankful to Natalie for watching Behr today so I could participate in these fun times at all.  I was grateful for the time I had. 

Breakfast at Kellie's

Kellie invited the Hooper Honey's for a yummy Christmas Breakfast.  I had Jared stay home with Behr for a few hours so I could go.  I made everyone a caramel apple and brought some hot chocolate to share.  Kellie had made a yummy breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls.  Tammy brought a fruit salad.  Everything was so yummy and it was just plain fun being together.  It was a pajama party and yes  I bought new pajama's for it.  I wanted something festive and I think my Santa jammies did the trick.  These gals are so wonderful and I feel so blessed to have them as my friends.  I love spending time with them and sharing our lives with each other.  I really appreciate Kellie for being so gracious and putting this breakfast together.  Gathering with friends is one of the things that makes this time of year so wonderful.  It makes me very grateful....I have the best of friends!

Angels Among Us

Yesterday I got really sick after our Conference.  I wasn't sure that I would even be able to make it through Conference but some how I was able to.  As soon as I got home though I was confined to my room so that I was close to the bathroom.  I was so sick.  I kept praying that no one else would get sick this week.  I really didn't want this to go through our family and grands.  Larry gave me a blessing and blessed me that the sickness would leave my body quickly.  I know when that happened. It was later in the day and all at once my body was burning up.  I was so weak but knew I needed to be in the bathroom.  I mustered up enough energy to get there just.  I was sure I was going to throw up but I also needed to be on the toilet. I grabbed a grocery sack that was in a cupboard and about that time I saw black...I was passing out but was able to get to the floor gently.  I laid on the floor and it felt good...it was so cold and I was so hot.  I breathed deep and hard. I feel asleep and when I woke up (when Larry came to check on me) I could tell whatever had been making me sick was gone.  I felt weak but I knew I was going to be better.

Larry gave everyone a blessing that night.  We taught Zaden a little about the Priesthood and blessings since he didn't want one at first.  After our little lesson on them he agreed to have one too.  I still kept praying that everyone would be fine.

Today when Kimi was leaving Natalie came in.  I was feeling pretty good and was getting Behr breakfast.  I was still a little weak but would have been okay.  Natalie just told me that she was there for an hour and I could shower, rest or do whatever.  I decided to shower.  (I was planning on showering when Behr napped)  Natalie had brought me soup too.  She is such a sweetie.  While I was showering she picked up and vacuumed.  It is so hard for me to accept help from others.  I held the little's while Natalie served me.  I am in awe of how she serves others.  I really haven't met too many people that just come in and do.  I think I cried off and on the rest of the day.  My kids continue to teach me so much.  Natalie was sweet and told me that we all serve differently and she pointed out a few ways I serve.  That did make me feel better but I still want to be more like Natalie.  Natalie was truly an Angel to me today.