The Annual Hooper Christmas Party!

Every year it gets bigger and better. You can always count on decorating some sort of treat, the kids making a homemade ornament, a mean game{not kidding} of pictionary; guys vs. girls, and of course tons of good food and family. This year we had a surprise visitor.

Logan, of course played it cool. He is 11 going on teens.



Now, this one surprised me. Addie our little usual social butterfly, wouldn't have anything to do with them unless Grandpa sat with her.

Taggert wouldn't sit on his lap until he noticed he had a present for him.

I guess all that talk about stranger danger really, kind of worked.

This just makes me laugh. Drexton just couldn't take his eyes off of him. He just kept nodding his head and saying yes.

Yes, this is Brad smiling! And this is him committing to Santa to take me out every other week {because babysitters can get expensive}, after I told Santa all I wanted was more quality time with my husband.

Family pic with the Big Guy!

He was so nice and patient.

Drexton wanted to know where did Santa go?

We make gingerbread cookies.

Here's the last 2 weeks!

Despite if the mom feels good or not, life with 4 kids must go on, right!?!?
I'm really looking forward to the next two weeks/with the kids and fam/holiday/vacation/not paid. Seriously, no dentist/ortho appts/school/dance/appts/church act./carpooling/etc. Just stayin in and relaxin. Which is what I should've been doing the last 2 weeks anyways. But hey, those of you that do know me so well, know that I'm always running late. (That should be a great New's Year goal!)

Gingerbread house contest at Grandma & Grandpa Brower's. Ours is still standing even after the ride home from Lehi, thanks to the engineering genius in our family (a.k.a. Brad).


Christmas did get put up the weekend of Thanksgiving. Thanks to the 3 hours I guess I had to spare just putting up the tree and lights. Then the 10 minutes it took the kids to put the ornaments on. Thank goodness they are all at different height levels so it looks a little even. But hey, if anyone has a prelit tree they are dying to get rid of, I just might be willing to trade.










































I love our ornaments, they are all homemade!


This is what's going on post-surgery. The kids and Brad have been so good to help around the house and do whatever is asked. It does help that the elves are also watching.









Logan, helping the computer illiterate mom.












Addie found out vacuuming could be a workout.







Taggert probably does a better job than I do.





















And here's why they are all cleaning!






























Making frosting for Logan's 6th grade class, for gingerbread houses.

Yes, I'm here, barely!

I say barely because I feel like I'm not all mentally here. (On percocet). Close second to the Morphine button in my hand after surgery.
I finally had surgery December 2, supposed to be a same day scope, turned out to be a 3-day, cut me open surgery. But yeah, they did find something. They took out my right ovary and tube which was wrapped with vericose veins, tied the right off, coterized the uterus and found endometrial tissue above the uterus to biopsy. Basically I was cut in half, filled with gas, gutted, and sown back up. I also apparently have anemia, my hematicrit was so low they almost gave me a blood transfusion. I hate to sound so negative, but it hurts!! Worse than the c-section 11 1/2 years ago. I've cried myself to sleep every night on the couch, (I can't get in or out of my bed yet), since I've got home.
On the flip side, I am so grateful for my husband, kids, and family and friends who have picked up the slack of housework, carpooling, babysitting, dinners, phone calls, and prayers. And the D.P. Jaime was very tasty! I love you all so much!! I can't think of a better time of year actually to have down time. What a season to reflect and realize how much I do have. The only thing I want for Christmas now is to feel good, even if just for one more day.

Yeah, doesn't he look so sweet!?!

I have a normal 2-yr-old!

We've been very blessed with our four children. The older 3 are very well behaved and I'd like to say most of the time they do what they are told the first time. As for the last one.... well I think I got a normal one. This is last week alone:
Monday: He colored on the tan wall with red crayon.
Tuesday: I found about 15 gum wrappers in the garbage and woke up to Brad scrubbing the head board right above my head at 7a.m. so I wouldn't get gum in my hair.
Wednesday: The minivan day! (Read previous post)
Thursday: Blew out a candle then spread the black wick all over the counter. (I need a new Mr.Clean Magic Eraser)
Friday: Spilled the popcorn then preceded to run over it with his rocking horse. Later ran away from the other kids with the toothpaste which ended up on the carpet.
Saturday: Found candy wrappers stuffed in the rubbermaid containers. (little monkey climbs the counter when no one is looking)
This one is definately Brad's child and he knows it. He gets to come home and laugh, but after all day with this preschooler I'm exhausted. I know it could be a lot worse, but he's lucky he's so cute and funny!

Holy Hannah-Montana!!

So, we have a Pontiac Montana minivan. (I know, not on your dream car list, but what do you do when you have four growing kids. And they're all too practical, you know. The van is.) Anyway, Wednesday morning we wake up to a flat tire. Luckily Brad noticed it at 7a.m. when he was about to leave for work and put the spare on for me. But the spare was quite low also. So he says go straight to Big-O this morning before you go anywhere. But of course I had to drive the kids to school on the way, then Drexton and I spent the next 2 hours entertaining one another in their all-but-clean waiting area. (I needed an oil change too, so as long as we were there, right?) We did meet a very sociable 4-year-old named Kaitlynn. Yes, sorry to Andy and Drexton, we would have rather been at preschool.
Later that day.... Me and the two little boys go to Marshall & Brittany's to help out with the new baby and change sheets, laundry, etc. (She just had her pacemaker replaced.) We go to leave and the boys beat me to the van. You can picture the seen with your little monkeys pretending to drive and lock mom out. Tell me you've all been there right?
Little did I know Drexton the 2-yr-old had stuck the house keys in the ignition. Now, supposedly this is a security device so when I stuck the real van key in it would not turn the motor over. Thank goodness for wonderful family, who works at Brent Brown, they towed the van off at 5p.m. last night to tear into the steering column and reset the key slot.(There is a fancy word, I just forgot.) It is still under warranty, yeah! And I'm driving Brittany's Hyundai Sonata, quite nice actually, but won't fit us all.
But wait, Brad drives a Buick LeSabre! That does fit all 6 comfortably.

Happy Birthday Taggert!!

Taggert turned 6 on Nov. 1! I can't believe it. My third child is in Kindergarten. I tell Brad all the time, I wish I could freeze the kids right now. They are all so cute and I'm loving the stages they are all in.
Taggert gets to share his birthday with his cousin Aubrie. On Sunday, (Nov.2) we had all the Brower's over for dinner and cake and ice cream. Jen made this cute Hannah Montana guitar cake. Tag was okay with that, he does know all the songs and doesn't mind watching the show with Addie.






























All Taggert wanted to do for his birthday was go riding 4-wheelers. It was the day after Halloween, if you remember the weather was perfect. We rode just west of the Payson dump for about 2 hours, went home to clean up, dinner at McDonald's, off to Kmart for Tag to pick his present, then to Blockbuster so he could pick a movie. We all thought it was a perfect day!

Are you on the right blog?

Are you confused? So was I! Apparently I left my camera at Brooke & Brad's two weeks ago. When I picked it up and downloaded my pictures I came across this first one and said "What the..?" Then I kept scrolling through and it made sense. These little decorations were on top of Brooke's T.V. stand. I knew I had seen them somewhere but couldn't remember where, or why I would take a picture of them for that fact. Thanks Brooke, love you guys!!

Tagged by Jaime!

8 T.V. shows I like to watch..
1. Extreme Makeover/Home Edition
2. Rachel Ray
3. Deal or No Deal
4. Seriously I was pulling those from down deep
We just don't watch t.v.

8 Things that happened yesterday..
1. Couldn't sleep past 7:30a.m. so I flipped through
a magazine and some paper work.
2. Took a long, hot shower (got to shave both legs & armpits)
3. Cleaned the shower while in there.
4. Stayed home from church with Addie (she was coughing)
5. A friend brought me a birthday gift.
6. Went to my parents for birthday dinner for me & Tag.
7. Got to see all my siblings and nieces and nephews.
8. Brad's Dad & stepmom came down from Lehi to give me a
very nice card & gift.

8 Favorite Places to Eat...
1. Mi Ranchito
2. Bajio
3. Olive Garden
4. Wee Blu Inn (Bar in Payson, don't judge me, they have great burgers)
5. Tucanos
6. Wendy's (jr. bacon cheeseburger)
7. Chuck-a-rama
8. Ruth's Chris in S.L. (Best steak ever, besides Brad's)

8 Things I'm looking forward to...
1. Feeling great everyday!
2. Growing old with Brad
3. The Holidays
4. The next thing that comes out of Drexton's mouth
5. Tag's losing his rotten teeth
6. Addie becoming a young woman
7. Logan being able to babysit all the time
8. My siblings having more babies

8 Things on my wish list...
1. Paying off my van
2. Getting a new car & truck for Brad
3. Paying off my house
4. Buying investment property
5. Health & strength for my family always
6. To park in a newly painted garage (almost there)
7. Gas & food prices to keep dropping
8. The second coming (so I don't have to raise my family to much longer
in this crazy world)

8 People I tag...
1. Andy
2. Jen
3. Brooke
4. Jenn
5. Jane P.
6. Millissa
7. Aleisa (update yours would ya?)
8. Suzee

Tagged by Andy!

6 Quirks!

Rules: Link the person who tagged you.
Tell about 6 of your quirks.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
Leave a comment to let them know.

1. I am OCD! To the point of my pantry is not only organized by fruits, vegetables, soups, etc., but also alphabetized. I know crazy, but this way I know what is missing.

2. I am computer illiterate. I know nothing until you show me, slooowly, and then one more time please.

3. I am a Show-me person. I can't remember any facts I read.

4. For that fact, I can't remember anything! Ask my sister. Oh, wait I wasn't there. (He-he Andy).

5. I too, like my sister, have a terrible habit of interrupting people when they are talking. I know I do it and I hate it. I'm sorry to any of you that have fallen victim to this bad habit. But again I'm afraid I'm going to forget what I want to say later.

6. I love to be complimented, especially by my husband. (Hint, hint) Who doesn't? I don't love huge crowds and lots of attention, but I love for that one person to notice me or something I did.

I tag:
1. Jen B.
2. Jenn C.
3. Jaime
4. Brooke
5. Garrit
6. Suzee

Turn the page, would ya!

Ok, so I haven't blogged for a while, and there is a lot to catch up on. So keep scrolling down and leave some comments you stalkers!

To start off, can I just tell you that there is nothing like the power of the priesthood or prayer and fasting. A big thank you to family and friends and ward members who have kept us in mind lately.

As some of you may know I have had some health problems in the last 2 years, and after several cat-scans, MRI's, on and off the pill, many ruptured cysts, I think I've narrowed it down to those lovely hormones. So after we get on our new insurance I will surely go in to my long time friend, Dr. Dewey and have an oblation done. Which means they coterize your ovaries, and as far as I know a lot less problems.

Which brings me to explain why we are getting new insurance.

Brad had been impressed to start putting his resume' together about a month ago. Two weeks ago on Friday he came home and told me he had 30 days to find a new job. He was being laid off, but don't panic, he wasn't worried, he just thought I needed to know. Nevertheless I panicked, this was right after he asked me to add up what we spent on the shed so far. Two weeks later, many hours on the internet, searching and sending resume's by email, sleepless nights again (not due to soccer this time), several prayers, fasting, and a blessing for each of us, he found a wonderful job!
He asked me to look at this guys last name on the contact list for the company Axis Steel. It is spelled really different, but had to be the same Rob Shoen he worked with at another company right out of college. He sent the resume last Saturday, we fasted and prayed Sunday, had one of those great preisthood blessings with all my brothers -1 standing in, and Monday morning got a phone call from Rob telling Brad he had been looking for him. There was 250 responses to the job and he wants to interview Brad at 3p.m. Brad got home at 4:30 dancing! I'm not kidding he was bouncing around the rest of the night. This job is what he went to school for, is more money, plenty of overtime opportunities, fully paid benefits, 2 weeks vacation right off the bat, and bonus incentives for finishing jobs before the deadline. (May include travel) He will be detailing the structural steel for huge commercial projects, such as the New York,New York in Las Vegas and possibly a new colliseum for the Orlando Magics. Best of all he starts Monday at 7:30a.m. in Orem, for training on a new computer program with the whole company and as long as he gets his work done, can make his own hours. So we can still coach and we are not moving!

Logan's team took the Championship again!!

These boys are awesome! Of course they couldn't have done it without their fabulous coach, Brad. He is incredible with these boys and their parents. They went undefeated outscoring their opponents 45-7. And that was showing mercy. It'll be interesting to see how many of them stick with it and make the high school team.

Logan also made co-chair on the Student Council this year. He is so smart, and so responsible, such a great kid. I couldn't ask for better.

Two peas-in-a-pod! This is Adyson, Adelin's new cousin that joined our family when Brad's dad got married just over a year ago to the sweetest, little (not exaggerating) lady ever. They are only like 6 days apart and were meant to be best friends. She lives in Silver Lake, just outside of Saratoga Springs. We had her over for the weekend and built a fort in the living room, painted fingernails, braided hair for Sunday, danced to Hannah Montana, and of course lots of giggling.

It's so nice to be close to family!

Addie's soccer team was 8-2. The girls played their hearts out. A few of them had never even touched a ball before. They all improved tremendously.(Brad's word of the day). We had so much fun coaching them we decided to have them over for an ice cream party. What were we thinking? Fourteen 8-10 year olds in a confined space all at once. It was so fun! You know as a mom of a newborn you don't think 8 years down the line you would be doing this, but I can't think of any other way I would want to spend my days!

Addie is the second from the left on the bottom.

Taggert is just a happy-go-lucky kid. He has such a contagious laugh. He is loving kindergarten, of course, who wouldn't with Mrs. Barber as your teacher? He is doing excellent with his reading, homework, and helping out around the house without being told. And he is so concerned everyday about picking the garden and when are we going to eat it.

Drexton caught his first fish at the Judd's Springlake Trout Farm on a field trip. He helped me reel it in and as we were waiting for the kind fellow to pull the fish off the line so I didn't have to touch it, the fish jumped off instead into a puddle and Drex is yelling, "Mom, my fish!" I couldn't not save the day, so after Emily (one of the mom's) couldn't get a hand on it I had to try and was successful enough to get the slimey thing into the ziploc bag. So I guesss you could say it was a joint effort. Dad cooked it a few days later with the boys while Addie and me were at a tea party.

Just hanging out with Dad.

Look at those beautiful eyes!

Sunday Dinners

Every Sunday we eat dinner with our families. We trade off every other week with my family and Brad's. We have done this our entire 14 years of marriage and love it! This is where there is tons of laughter, inside jokes, sometimes hostile arguments (don't bring up tipping waiters at my house and don't bring up politics at Brad's), and of course huge announcements.
Pictured from left to right: Brad, Lori and Brett, Dad and Mom, Bill and (Andy not pictured), Brittany and Marshall. Chad and Tawna also not pictured, they live in Murray so aren't always able to make but most likely get put on speakerphone.

Is that what I think it is?

I know you can't see what he is holding up, but this is Trey. My sister's only child so far. He is 7 years old and one big sweetheart like his mom and dad. He is actually holding 3 pictures of an ultrasound. Yes, after nearly 7 years ,6 miscarriages, 3 doctors, many emotional heartaches and tears my sister is 10 weeks pregnant and doing awesome! Other than she wishes she could just throw up. But hey that's good right? We couldn't be happier for her. She is such a good mom, and one of my best friends. (Sorry Andy, Brad comes first.) She is due April 30, but they will take the baby by c-section at least 1 week in advance. That will make 3 birthdays in April for her. Treys' is the 24th, what a great 8th birthday present! Okay that's all, I've got a big lump in my throat.

Isn't she so cute!?!

My baby brother, Marshall, had a baby. Ok, well his wife, Brittany did. She will be 3 weeks on Sunday. She wieghed 7lb.14oz. and was 19 in. long. Her name is Libby Rose Hooper. Just perfect. Brittany went into labor on her own early Sunday, Sept. 14 and was born at around 8p.m. that night. Both mom and baby and Marshall are doing wonderful. Brittany's heart is doing great, she goes in for a review in November to see when she can get a new pacemaker. Marshall is back to working the night shift and comes home at 7a.m. to hold the baby. I don't think he is getting enough sleep, but he is so cute and head-over-heels for his new daughter. We're quite excited to finally have another girl in the family. We are very outnumbered.

Aw, Peaceful Bliss!!

Shhh, do you hear that? Exactly. Addie now has dance class every Tuesday afternoon for 1 hour across town. It hit me last week as I stayed to watch her first class that I'm here by myself, well watching her. But nobody was hitting my leg telling me they had to potty, nobody asked for a snack, and my phone didn't even ring. It was quite relaxing. Logan was home babysitting the other two boys. I worked it out with Logan, he loves to come home and cook up some popcorn and watch monster trucks with the boys. So yesterday I parked out front of Miss Debbie's house while Addie was inside dancing and I read a couple chapters of my book with the windows down and the cool breeze coming through windows, finishing off my share of Kettle Corn popcorn I stole before I left the house and my Peach Propel. What a peaceful afternoon, even if only once a week, in this wonderful fairytale I live!?!

Sweet Dreams ?!?

So, the other night Brad and I were up having one of those talks. You know, the one about life; work, the kids, schedules, coaching 2 soccer teams, projects around the house, money, etc. So I said, "What can I do, I've noticed you haven't been sleeping for about 2 weeks." He said, "I know. Everytime I close my eyes I think about soccer!" I couldn't help but laugh. Of all the things going on in the world, or our little world, and he's stressing about soccer. I guess it was a relief. He is such an awesome coach! Last Friday even the fans from the other team were stopping Brad on the side lines to shake his hand and tell him what a great job he is doing. I had tears in my eyes. The5-6 grade boys are undefeated, and the 3-4 grade girls have only lost 1. Both kids have progressed so much this year. Logan has scored almost every game, and Addie has really kicked it in gear and is hustling. It so great to have the whole family support us in these hectic 5 weeks. Thanks for coming to the games Hooper's!
I will try to get more pictures of the next few games, it's just been so exciting to watch. I forget I do have my camera there.

What a beautiful weekend!

We went camping this past weekend, and what gorgeous weather. It was so fun! The kids all practiced riding their bikes and 4-wheelers, shooting grasshoppers with b-b guns with grandma, nature hiking for scouts, playing a little badminton, of course Taggert had to be a part of the fire starting, (Little Pyro) and just plain hanging out!! I just have one question: Does anybody know what my 2-year-old might be allergic to when he stops breathing at night? (We could've done without that scary part. Thank goodnes for Benadryl!)

First day of Preschool!!
(Again)
Drexton wrote his name on an apple so when they come to school they find their name and hang it on the tree, so we know who is there and they get used to finding their name.

Can you tell which one is his?
He actually did write all the right letters and then scribbled on it.




He is hanging his apple on the wall.





And yes, can you see the big boy underwear sticking out the top of the pants?





I got Andy to convince him he couldn't come back to preschool unless he went in the potty like a big boy. It worked! Thanks Andy!!

We have 9 girls in this class and only 4 boys, Drexton is one of them. So he gets to sit right in the middle of all of them. (She's cute! as he points).

It's going to be a fun year!

Tagged by Suzee!

8 Things I am Passionate about:
1. Brad
2. My kids
3. The rest of my Family
4. Service
5. My calling
6. Preschool
7. Keeping my house clean
8. Money

8 Words or Phrases I say often:
1. So....(according to mom)
2. I love you
3. Logan, just be a kid, relax
4. Addie, hustle
5. Tag, say Lllogan
6. Yes, Drex, that's a bad word, don't say it again!
7. Shhhh!, the baby is sleeping
8. What do you want for dinner?

8 Things I want to do before I die:
1. See my kids marry in the temple & have kids
2. Be a missionary mom
3. Be completely debt free
4. Learn to wakeboard
5. Ride my motorbike without crashing
6. Learn to take better pictures
7. Take a well deserved vacation with just Brad
8. Write a better bucket list

8 Things I have learned from my past:
1. Enjoy the moment (even the chaos)
2. Appreciate good health
3. It's never too late to give
4. Forgive others
5. Forgive yourself
6. Be selfless, but take of yourself
7. It's okay to cry
8. It's okay, because somebody else (thank goodness) is in charge

8 Places I would love to Go or See
1. Visit every temple
2. Go on a mission with Brad
3. Bahamas again
4. My brothers missions
5. New York to see Les Miserables
6. A cruise anywhere
7. Hawaii
8. Anywhere Brad wants to take me

8 People I Tag:
1. Jen
2. Brooke
3. Dani
4. Tara
5. Garrit
6. Jill S.
7. Angie J.
8. Whoever else spies on us

Taggert's First Day of Kindergarten!

Tag is so excited, and so are we, we have Mrs. Barber!
She is awesome!! Tag had a great day, Drex was fine for about an hour and then had a meltdown. "I miss Tag! Can we go get a drink?" So we had to go to Jim's for a bug juice and get Taggert one. We went to wash the van, visiting teaching, and for a ride, to keep him occupied. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

OLYMPIC HOPEFUL!!

So I went to get Drexton out of the tub the other night and he insisted on swimming laps back and forth, slapped the edge of the plug, looked at me and said "Did I win?"

We've got spirit, yes we do, We've got the olympic spirit, how 'bout you?

Can you believe that Michael Phelps?

Happy Anniversary!!

I can't believe it's been 14 years (yesterday) since we started our journey together. I can't fathom going throughout this life or the next without my Brad. He is definately everything I could of asked for and more. He is a wonderful husband and father who puts all of us before himself. He is truly my best friend and I love him more than anything!!