Girl Time in SLC

Jenny enjoying Godiva chocolate

Cousin Jenny organized a bit of a girls' weekend in Salt Lake City. We had some family, friends, and husbands join us for some of the activities, which started at Smashburger, and then moved to the high school for Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols." I had been warned about the hand-holding and "We can be together forever someday" sing-along, but it worked out since our group had the row just for us. I've loved the story and music, and was interested in the changes they made for the play. Afterward, Jenny, sister Trena, and I stayed at a hotel and slept until the pregnant lady woke up early for the continental breakfast.

Zak took good care of Miss V while I was gone, complicated by her being sick. He's a very good Daddy.

Saturday morning, after my third time in the breakfast lounge, we met up with Trena's husband, Dallas, and my other brother-in-law, Nate, to window-shop and Christmas shop at City Creek Center. Without difficulty, Dallas convinced us to eat at Trolley Square's Rodizio Grill (definitely worth going again). Our last stop was Trader Joe's which did add to my delicious Christmas treat collection, before meeting up with Zak and Miss V at my Dad's sibling Christmas party. I had such a wonderful time, and was very grateful for a "girls' weekend." Thanks, Jenny.

Dallas and Trena at City Creek

Showing off our bellies

Nate appreciating City Creek

How Dallas feels about Rodizio Grill

Hooper Christmas party

2016 Calendar for LDS Youth

I serve in my church congregation as the secretary for our Young Women, and made some custom 2016 calendars with major holidays and church events. It also includes the annual theme "Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" and the monthly Come, Follow Me theme. Merry Christmas to all of you leaders and youth preparing for the New Year.

2016 YW/YM Calendar

Thanksgiving 2015

At the Porter's house this year, Niki really stepped up and prepared several Thanksgiving staples, since Mom recently had surgery. I brought a few things, and everyone enjoyed delicious food. I don't mind that I'm one of the few people in the family who enjoys yams, because it means I get to make them exactly how I like (covered in brown sugar and butter), and eat a large chunk of them. Cohen got roof duty this time when the boys and Miss V went outside to put up the Christmas lights. Afterward, Cohen showed us his recently-purchased massive truck that he's fixing and customizing at the diesel shop where he works. Niki and Miss V put up the Christmas tree and ornaments.

Wreck-It Ralph Halloween

This year Miss V has really enjoyed the movie "Wreck-It Ralph," so I decided to make it our Halloween costume theme. Zak become Ralph, little Miss V was his Vanellope von Schweetz, and I went as Fix-It Felix, Jr. We even got a family recognition award at our church party.

Earlier in the month, we spent time with Jenny and her kids at the North Logan Pumpkin Walk, and my parents at their neighbor's maze and raspberry farm. Zak even carved a scary pumpkin to put on our porch.

 

 

Miss V's 2nd Birthday

Miss V recently turned 2-years-old. On her birthday, we visited with my brother, Aaron, because he had to work when we planned to have family over to celebrate. He made some homemade dough (which I insist stays at Grandma's house). Miss V loved tearing it in pieces, wearing the jewelry Aaron made, and playing with the cookie cutters we used to form shapes.

Hooper August Party

Even though my paternal grandparents have both passed away, I am very blessed to have an extended family who gathers together throughout the year. Uncle Rob and Aunt Susan often host us, allowing Miss V to see their rabbits, chickens, and dogs, and to get crazy electric hair on the trampoline. We love to visit relatives, eat delicious food, and remember the crazy shenanigans the uncles pulled when they were kids.

Miss V

Johnson men

Troy and his baby girl L

Nate and Charity

Aunt Susan and Uncle Dennis

Grandma Hooper (Mom) and Miss V

Ultrasound at 20 Weeks

3D image from the front

Husband took an extended lunch break so we could go together to see the new baby in the ultrasound. Miss V loved being at a doctor's office, where she wanted to explore, but didn't have to be examined this time. Everything looked normal and healthy, and unlike Miss V, whose legs were crossed half of her ultrasound, this made his sex clearly known. We are having a son! He's been moving quite a bit (still too small to feel on the outside), and the ultrasound tech caught him moving his legs in a little run. I'm guessing he and Miss V will keep each other on their feet.

Baby kept his dukes up most of the time. The ultrasound technician had a hard time trying to get a good photo of his face because a tiny hand or an arm kept preventing it.

At this point it seems V has my face and eye shape, and Zak's fair hair, nose, and blue eyes. It'll be exciting to officially meet and see our little man in person when the time comes, which now seems to be coming very quickly.

Strong little legs

Profile view in 2D

33 Years

Many years ago, Dad had a friend, "Cheetah," who moved to the next town over and became friends with Mom. In adulthood, Mom would arrange a date for Cheetah when he would find a double date for her. After a family get-together in 1981, Cheetah was bored and moved up a planned date for that Thanksgiving Day. Dale met Alice.

Dale proposed in February, and they were married in August. After nine moves in two states, five kids and a quasi-daughter, one miscarriage, numerous jobs and church callings, hundreds of campouts, a masters degree, one self-built observatory, four deceased parents, one grandkid with another on the way, and countless removed rocks, chore charts, and weeds pulled, Alice and Dale celebrate 33 years of marriage.

I've seen Dad kneeling to pray at the foot of the bed, Mom staying up to do the dishes, the two of them at the table going over taxes and budgets, Mom and then Dad standing at the church podium to give talks, our family sitting together to read scriptures three verses at a time, flowers on the countertop to celebrate anniversaries, and the infamous "gunny bag" held by one and enforced by the other to take away toys we kids neglected to put away after numerous warnings. We are a family of shouters, clenched teeth, door slammers, and incidents remembered, but my parents work together. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your example of a strong, everlasting marriage, improving every year.