Sweet Sadie

Winter seems to get pretty hectic because it's Ski Bike season. Scott's company, TNGNT, is revving up a little at a time so that has made him extra busy. There is a silver lining for me, though. Scott's business partner is Bill. Bill is married to Sadie. Sadie is one of my favorite people. She and Bill came to Utah for a business meeting and we got to spend some quality time together. Sadie is the sweetest and I'm so lucky to call her my friend. I wish California wasn't so far away. We spent a fun day at BYU's Museum of Art at the Norman Rockwell exhibit. It was so fun to have her here, even if the visit was short.

Half-Way to 1!

Our sweet Daisy is ready to laugh and smile at anyone who gives her attention. She is very interested in what you are eating and will try a bite or two. She likes to play with her hanging toys and discovered splashing in the tub. She has figured out her feet can be entertaining and especially likes her pjs that have cats or bears on the toes. She will sit assisted happily and likes to spend some time in her activity center. Although Daisy is still small in stature we love her in massive amounts.

A Decade in the Making

I love Scott. I remember when I first thought it and said it aloud to myself more than ten years ago in my living room. I loved him for being so sweet and caring for my comfort. I loved him for being such an involved and loving father. I loved him for his wanting to do the right thing and being willing to self examine. I loved him because it seemed we fit well together. We have been married ten years. I can honestly say it has been a grand adventure! Sometimes it has been really, really hard. And sometimes it felt like my heart would burst because of how great it is. I did marry Scott with my eyes half closed, and it is a decision I do not regret. It's been a decade and I hope there are many more and eternity ahead for us. We had talked about going to Italy for our 10th anniversary. Instead, we celebrated quietly with our new baby and cute Watson sleeping semi soundly in their beds. Italy will always be there when we can make it. I'm grateful we have this little family together and we can focus on that right now.

2nd Annual Hoopes-A-Thon

New Year's Day can be a bit of a let down around here. I mean, we have just been crazy busy trying to fit every single fun thing possible all of December! Luckily, last year we (the Hoopes Clan) started a new tradition. We meet for games, giggling, and almost reckless abandon at Grandma Nettie's ward house. It's fun for the cousins to ride scooters and bikes in the gym and basically run around almost (chapel is off limits) every nook and cranny of the building. This year we played musical chairs. It's always a hit. The winner was either Uncle Chad or London. I'm not sure how that came to be...

Another fun game was the tape wrapped candy ball. This was a big hit for everyone. I'm not sure who got the most candy but I am certain Watson was pretty satisfied with his loot.

We played a version of charades and had soup and tamales and guacamole. Of course we ended the evening with a couple of fierce rounds of dodge ball. Uncle Spencer was the one to beat for that game. All of the kids challenged him for one of the rounds. We had a great time and are so grateful to get to spend time with fun cousins and aunts and uncles. This is the perfect way to kick off our new year!

New Year's Eve

The ski bike business is always super busy during Christmas. Scott and his business partner have been working so much to get their prototype just right. It's been a challenge to squeeze in some one on one time  for us during the holidays. In fact, Scott went to Tahoe to meet up with his partner to test the ski bikes together over New Year's Eve. Luckily, Grandma Nettie watched Daisy and Watson one night before his trip so we could have a little date night. This is the first time we've left Daisy home while out together. We went to Tea Rose Diner and had a great time together. The food was great but being alone together was the best!

On New Year's Eve I treated Watson and Daisy to our own little date night. We had dinner at Training Table and then watched Star Wars Episode 6 at home. It was the perfect way to end the year with the kiddos.

2015 was a fantastic, busy, challenging year. I feel like some dreams were realized and others were let go. I'm very excited for what 2016 holds and am so grateful for the chance to experience it all with my sweet family.