blog mush

Drew + his blankie = together forever.

 Real life Curbside service!

Ali's thoughtful list for a new friend in the ward.

End of the year projects!!  Art wall, our van fitting into the garage, and the best kind--the projects that Auny Jenny brings!

new year's eve

After getting Jake off with his friends for a movie, dinner, hang-out at the Wiley's, stake dance and 7-11 afterwards...

the rest of us headed to Santa Cruz and Capitola!!

It was a beautiful day--just the kind that makes you want to go on a wild roller coaster, which we did!!  It was so fun!  

We hung out at the Boardwalk, did a little shopping and some cotton candy eating, then headed to Capitola so Ali could surf.

 She loooooves surfing and is a total champ!  So BRAVE!!  It wasn't exactly warm!!

On the way home, we stopped at Krispy Kreme and In 'n Out (with a swing by Chick-fil-A).  YUM!  (The kids were tired but they are just faking it.  But still!)

Looking back on 2015, we are grateful to be happy, healthy and together.  Half of the year was spent thinking about the possibility of a new job in a new place, and 1/3 of it was actually spent at a new job in a new place.  We never, ever would've thought at the beginning of the year that we would move to California, or anywhere for that matter!  NEVER!!  Funny how life happens sometimes.  Over the last several months, we have especially felt the awareness of a loving Heavenly Father who has watched over us and blessed us with things that have made this transition easier.  Our hearts feel more open, our faith has grown, and we have felt peace, which is nothing short of a miracle, considering the sadness and difficulty we felt with moving.  

Come on 2016.  Bring it.

Christmas!

The line up and first moments downstairs...

Smiles, surprises, and a whole lot of wrapping paper!

 Plus some presents that weren't exactly asked for, but Santa thought was needed.

(the bikes, not the Xbox One)

 It was a Christmas unlike any other that we can remember anyway.  We stayed at home all day (in pajamas until Steve, Jake and Ali went to Star Wars--they actually got dressed!), and it was really nice.  Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes stopped by in the afternoon and that was fun!  I had planned to have a baked potato bar for dinner and two minutes before the potatoes were done, there was a knock on the door.  We opened it to find our neighbor, Rich, asking us if we would like some prime rib for dinner.  SERIOUSLY??!!  We said we'd love some, and it was delicious and perfect!  Our baked potato bar turned out to be more of a FEAST than we had anticipated.  A Christmas blessing for sure!

Christmas Eve

Our last Christmas in California was 2005!

This year, Christmas Eve was spent in Oakland with Grandma Diane, Grandpa Blue Eyes, Uncle Mike, Aunt Carolynn, Ryan, Kelsey, Kyle, Bob and Carol Gamblin, and Ernie (neighbor).

  The food was amazing, the program was uh, appreciated, the games were profitable, the temple was beautiful, 

 and Emmy's letter to Santa was memorable.

 Now off to visions of sugarplums...

the great out (or in) doors

It's December and we can play outside (and sometimes without coats!!)  Drew loves it!   His favorite spots as of late--in a tree in the backyard and...

  on his bike (always) riding through the leaves!

Sometimes, when it does this (which we also love),

 Drew's favorite thing to do is play hide-and-seek.

Can you see his hair poking up?  He's so good at hiding and doesn't even answer anymore when the other kids try and trick him by saying, "Drew...where are you?"

secrets

Max and Joy are back!  You can tell they are trying to get used to our new house because they hide in some of the same spots, and they seem to have gone back to just the basics.  No fancy gymnastics, no crazy accessories or props, no monkey business.  However boring they were, we just have to be glad that they found us this year in California.

Along with the secret work of our little elves, we had a bag of goodies dropped off (Christmas pillowcases for the 3 youngest and delicious candy for Jake), a wooden Christmas tree full of lollipops and scriptures, and yummy chocolate chip cookies--all left at our doorstep at different times.  We were touched by these acts of service and love, and are grateful for the secret acts of kindness of others.  Feeling the Christmas spirit here!

December happenings

The girls frosted sugar cookies with Peggy!  How nice is that!?

 Drew makes our Countdown blocks a ramp and carries presents everywhere-including to the gym!!

Jake is busy playing basketball!  We love that he is on the team.  Go Dons!