Friend Day!

This morning I started off by going to visit teach Linda.  Crystal has finals and wasn't able to let me come to her until next week.  That's okay with me.  I don't mind spending a few days visiting my friends.  I committed myself to only staying 1/2 an hour.  When the half hour mark came around it was not a good time to leave.  Linda was sharing some things with me and I really needed to stay and listen.  Then the spirit gave me some ideas of advice.  I felt so good when I left.  I always do.  I love the ladies I visit!  Today I took a caramel apple with the little quote from President Nelson.  Linda sent me a picture later after she tried it...she liked it! 

I met Mallory and Kathy for lunch at Applebee's.  It's "our" place and we got seated at "our" table today.  I got there first and was seated.  Mallory came next and when she saw her gift that I brought her she asked me what it was.  I smiled and told her it was her gift.  She then asked me again what it was and I noticed that she was holding the same size of gifts.  I told her it was a mug and she told me that so was hers.  She got us Yetti's and I got her and Kathy Rtic's.  They are the same but the Yetti is the original brand and costs a little more.  Funny that we thought the same this year.  I added their names to theirs and so now we all have two! ☺  Kathy gave us darling signs Angels can't be everywhere and that is why God gave us friends!  These two are two of the best and I do consider them Angels as well as friends.  Kathy had to leave for Young Women's and so Mallory and I chatted for while longer until I needed to leave.  Man...I love these friends of mine!

I left Mal and went to meet Tammy and Judy for dinner. (I didn't eat much at either)  We met at Good Wood and had a nice visit.  I loved listening to Judy tell us about her cute missionary.  A pastor's wife loves the missionaries and especially Judy's son.  She adores him and takes such good care of him.  She likes to do extra things for him and even bought him a new suit for Christmas.  Elder Nauta doesn't even live in her area anymore and so this family travels to see him.  It was really cool hearing all the stories. I had a great time visiting and exchanging gifts with my dear friends today.  Again I couldn't help but think....(you know what's coming)....It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! I love that we make time to see the ones we love.  Even if we can't meet up with everyone we love we take time to send a card or note.  It's Great!

Terrific Tuesday

Oh my word, I had another fun filled day.  I met Jodi today in Farmington for lunch.  We met at the HomeGoods store.  We both love that store and today it was wonderful because Santa and his elf showed up!  Jodi and I are both like little kids and wanted our picture with them.  Heck, we like our picture with anything or anyone fun!  These two were great!  One of them had an accent...I'm thinking Mr. Elf.  They were cute guys and certainly made my day more jolly.  They told Jodi and I that they lost a bet and still had a few more stores to visit!  They were great!  Jodi and I took advantage of another kodak moment while we were there. ☺ I had got there a few minutes before Jodi and had walked around the store and then when she came I walked around with her.  I found it very interesting that the same things caught our eyes.  She even picked up a few things that I had picked up...we are quite alike.

We went and ate at the Blue Lemon.  That place is always good.  We exchanged gifts with each other.  She gave me a cute frame that has quotes that you can change, a darling ceramic mug, a kiss and truffle.  I gave her a willow tree angel (Tapestry of memories), a little mitten coin purse filled with chocolate treasures and a truffle.  I love this girl and I'm so dang glad that we connected at this time in our lives.  Life is so much more fun with Jodi in it!  I love everything about her!  The time always goes to fast and since I kept her a few more minutes than I should have, I drove home a little faster myself. hahaha 

I got home in time to change into a skirt and leave for the Temple with Larry.  Today we did sealings of some family members.  Holy Cow...the spirit was so strong and I know that a few of those relatives were with us and that they were happy.  I was so happy and so glad that we were able to do their work.  The group we joined were awesome and a few cool stories were shared.  One lady told of doing work for a man that wasn't very nice.  After doing his work, one of the workers (maybe Sealer) made the comment to them that the man wasn't a very nice man.  Crazy how they would know that.  The work and all the info was lost on this man whose work had been done and it will need to be redone.  Maybe when it's redone he will have had a change of heart.

Larry and I went to dinner at LaFerrovia afterwards.  It was a slow time and so we got to visit with our friends that own it.  They always give us Italian cake at Christmas and did again.  We love them.  I brought most of my dinner home for Kimleighel...she liked it too!

Beauty and the Beast

Kimleighel and I went to the Perry Theater and enjoyed the production of Beauty and the Beast.  It's the first time that I have been there but I think it won't be the last.  It's a small theater but it was great.  I knew a few of the actors and I must say the three I knew were awesome.  Two of them, Troy and Dawn grew up in our Roy ward.  Oh my word they cracked me up...they were so good.  The other one is married  to Dawn and he is fantastic.  Jon, Dawn's hubby, had a big part and he played it well.  They all did!  I was proud to say I knew them!

The guy sitting by Kimleighel was so nice.  He talked to us a lot and was so encouraging to Kimi.  I love how people come into our lives at the right time to tell us messages we need to hear.  Come to find out he knows Jerry, Larry's brother.  He wrote down all of Larry's siblings and Kimleighel's name. (not sure why) He was a super nice man!  It was a really fun time with Kimi!  My girls love plays like I love plays!

It's Christmas at our House

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Actually I have had the house pretty much decorated for a few weeks but this year I decided to put out the Christmas Village and so I took pictures. I left some of the big wood things under the stairs this year because I didn't feel like bringing them in but I like the change up.  Usually I put every thing in the same spot and for the most part it is but there are some differences this year.

 I like having Christmas decorations around the house...it makes me happy.  I have enough decorations to decorate the bathrooms too but I haven't done that for years.  Maybe another year I will.

I like my decorations.  They bring back so many memories of friends.  I know who gave me what and when I purchased other things.  I love looking around my home and thinking of others.  It makes me smile.  I feel like a part of them is with me at this time of year.  I know I've said it many times and I'm going to say it again: "This really is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".

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!