Kissin Cousins

Jesse and Jet swimming in the nude. Oh to be so young and so free. They sure do love each other.

Who doesn't love swimming?

I snapped a few pictures of Jesse at his swimming lessons today. He loves them and Pam his teacher. He is a great little swimmer too. His favorite part is jumping off the diving board.

Faith and Jesse in our luxury pool in the back yard. We are loving the warm water.

Happy Anniversary Yesterday Babe!

It was our 4th Anniversary yesterday! Wow, I can't believe it. It has been fast, yet I can't imagine what life was like without my family. They are so much of my identity now. What can I say I love them.

We are actually celebrating it next weekend in St. George, but last night we went up to Ruth's Chris for dinner. I don't know what's better--the steak, sweet potatoes, or asparagus with holandaise sauce. It was a great fourth and I can't wait to keep celebrating....

Stitches, Trucks, Fourwheelers and the Weekend Is Not Even Over...

Today we went to the Off Road Expo up in Salt Lake and Jesse and Faith had a blast. Jesse was dying to see a monster truck and he even got to sit on one.

Faith quickly picked out what was her favorite too. She threw a major fit when we pulled her off of it. I guess the love of off road toys must run in the Hoopes blood, boy or girl.

There were motorcycle dudes doing big jumps too, but it quickly got rained out.

Jesse even got to take a couple of rock buggy toys home. They run off of batteries and climb over all sorts of obstacles.

Jesse dreaming this rock buggy was his.

Then on Friday night he got a little crazy on the trampoline and landed himself in need of some stitches. Luckily he has an uncle Ray who was willing to stitch him up.

This is before the stitches

During the stitching process. He was very brave.

And then the final product. Only two stitches and now he has no idea that anything is even back there.

Snow!?

At first it looks like a nice spring picture, but look closer and you will see snow. I hate April snows. It makes me want to cuddle up on the couch with a blanket all day and do nothing all day.

On a brighter note though, aren't my spring blossoms and flowers pretty?

Jesse Is Growing Up

Yesterday afternoon Jesse kept asking me for "blue cereal" (Trix) and I kept telling him no--I was mad because we went to Burger Supreme and ordered him a hot dog that he wouldn't eat. So then I ordered him a grilled cheese and he didn't eat that either (you can see it in the picture). So I was not about to waste milk and cereal too. I hate wastefulness.

Eventually he stopped asking me and disappeared downstairs. After a few minutes I was suspicious about the too quietness and went downstairs to inquire. Come to find out Jesse had gotten out the Trix, somehow climbed up and got his own bowl out of the cupboard, got a spoon, poured his cereal into the down without spilling, and I found him with the fridge open, on a stool, trying to reach the milk.

At that point I was so impressed with his handiwork that I had to pour milk for him. Luckily for him he ate it all gone and even drank all the milk too. That kid can get me so frustrated and with in seconds he has me praising and loving on him.

I Forgot To Mention...

We also had a fun lunch with friends--well sort of. Both my kids are sick and I had to bring them a long. Faith didn't want anything to do with a restaurant. Needless to say I was a little distracted. Sorry guys. Next time I will be able to show my enthusiasm for the updates in your lives.

What We Did Today. . .

1. First fun thing we did was swimming lessons. Jesse loves them and I can't believe how much progress he has made in the last week and a half. He will definately be swimming this summer. (So I know this isn't a great picture, but there is a pool in it. He swims at a house on Pallisades, but we were practicing at my parents yesterday and I snapped this right before we left.)


2. My mom called me later this morning and said she had good new and bad news. Bad news is the ring that she bought when we went to Anthropologie was too small for comfort, but the good news was that she was going to give it too me. Yipee! I was secretly coveting it.


3. Then Jesse found a new toy over at my brother's house and he wants Momma to "buy it." Is this his dream or what? He happend to have on the perfect jammies too.



4. Last, Jesse got to work in the garage with his Daddy and Uncles. What is better then Rhinos, tools, garages?

Moab for Easter

We had a great Easter weekend in Moab. We went down for the Jeep Safari and Jesse was in heaven. He just about lost his voice after constantly saying "Look mom, a rhino, rock buggy, jeep." He was right at home with the moab crowd. Faith loved it too-rhino rides put her right to sleep.

Everything was great, except that my camera was out of batteries and I had no charger. So no pictures of the kids first trip to Moab, nor the delight in their faces when they found the Easter baskets. Easters in Moab are some of my most magical childhood memories. I am a little heart broken; I guess we will just have to go again soon.

Faith is One!

My baby girl is one and I can hardly believe it. On her birthday we took the kids to Chuckee Cheese and then went and got ice cream. The kids loved the rides--especially the monster truck ride. It was a dream night for both of them. Then last night we had a Lady Bug party with friends and family. Faith always loves a party. Here are a few pics, there are more on our homepage.

Emma, Faith and Haven. Party Girls

Faith had her cake and ate it too!

Could three girls be any cuter?

Birthday Princess!

Her lady bug cake. I made it all by myself (for those of you that don't know me well, this is a serious feat. Can you believe it Natalie?)

Happy girl at Chuckee Cheese.

She is a natural.