camping??? in January?

"Let's go camping," Kevin said enthusiastically after receiving camping gear for Christmas.

"Yes, that will be so fun in the summer!" I replied.

"No, like next weekend."

Ummm, did Kevin know he didn't marry someone quite so adventurous? So, we compromised. We went up to make a fire and dinner in our dutch oven. He whittled a long stick so we could roast teriyaki chicken. It was quite tasty . . . albeit a bit chilly.

Of course we went in and out of the house a few times to get all the supplies we needed. And the last trip in proved fateful because I FORGOT MY GLOVES! Brrr. At least we found some grungy work gloves in the truck and I didn't totally freeze.

We made cheesy potatoes in the dutch oven (thank you Aunt DeLoris!) and tried to stay warm while eating and listening to music. It was a grand evening. And I'm pretty sure it took an hour after we got home that night with the heater blasting and me in 10 layers of sweats before I stopped shivering. Maybe eating ice cream after we got home wasn't the best idea . . .

the joy of technology

Webcam = FUN!

This is my brother Scott and me being silly on the Webcam last night. Whoever doesn't have one should consider getting one. It's the best ever to see people's faces while talking. Technology is amazing!

blank wall: filled.

This amazing wall-hanging was a late wedding gift from my dear friend Sheri.
Pictures truly can't do this artwork justice! She pieced it together and it's quilted on the top.
I am obsessed with it!

The start of something good

It's not everyday that you wake up and think, "Today, I'm going to meet my future husband." If you are like me, you wondered whether Mr. Wonderful was ever going to come, or [gasp] if you maybe had met him already. A year ago today, I met my Mr. Wonderful. Little did I know at the time just how wonderful he was, and it took me a while to come around . . . silly me. A short sixteen days prior to this blessed event, while at the Single's New Year's Eve dance (which is dumb because I don't even like dancing), I made a New Year's Resolution to not attend the New Year's Eve dance the next year. I worded this resolution carefully, since I had no idea what the future held. Even if I was single, I wouldn't subject myself to such things next year. How fortuitous that goal ended up being.

So, where were we? Ah, yes. January 15, 2008. 12 pm. It was a blustery day with the beginnings of snowflakes falling down as I waited outside the Joseph Knight Building on BYU campus. I regretfully put my beanie on because of the weather, fearing it would give me crazy hair, but hey, every guy is bound to see that side of you if he's worth it anyway, right?

We walked across campus to the old Sentra and Kevin opened my door. Conversation flowed as we drove up University Avenue to Cafe Rio. Brownie points to him for such a tasty choice. I took off my hat and tousled my hair as we walked in and stood in line. The place was packed and the only open seat was right by the door. Brrr! Little did Kevin know this would be just the first of many many many (have I mentioned MANY) times that I would be cold. Luckily we moved seats and enjoyed the rest of our lunch. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Kevin drove me back to campus, with a slight detour to my apartment so I could drop off my leftovers . . . we weren't to the point of him finishing my meals yet . . . and not once did he ever give me a sign that he wanted to see me again. There was a non-awkward goodbye (no doorstep scene when you're hopping out of the car in a busy parking lot), and that was that.

Or was it?

I guess that crazy hair of mine didn't betray me after all, because Kevin had a rather anxious weekend without me since I went home for the return of my brother Scott from his LDS mission to Canada. I remember mentioning to my family that I had been on a blind date but had no idea if anything would come of it. Oh, little did we know that he would be spending Christmas with us as my husband!

January 15, 2008. What a wonderful wonderful day. I have now officially known my husband for 367 days. And counting.

Eye can't see you

I was at a team meeting at work last week minding my own business (this is a weekly meeting that I have attended for almost three months now, and have never contributed anything nor been asked to contribute) I quietly nod my head when it seems appropriate and am sure to bring my water or hard candy to keep me awake). I didn't escape quite so easily this time. My boss finally asks me a direct question that I can reply to since I know the answer. Wouldn't you know it but I got something in my right eye just before he asked and I looked like a fool, crying out of one eye as I discussed something I had been working on.

That's not even the saddest eye drama of late, although I'm sure you're already feeling sorry for me.

No, the saddest and most embarrassing drama would be my finale of blond moments 2008 (it happened on New Year's Eve). Only a few people were working, one of which is incredibly smart and I try to impress her and be her friend. Well, I was having contact issues, again, and took one out at my desk. I go to the restroom to put it back in and the lights weren't on. Nor could I find the light switch. So, I ask my smart friend to help me. Um, yeah. It's right as you walk in the door. Yikes.

So, I went to the eye doctor and decided to try soft lenses. I have worn gas-permeable lenses for 12 years or so now, but decided to try switching to soft lenses, because, according to Kevin, they are incredibly comfortable and you don't feel like passing out in pain if you ever get a speck of dust or something in them. It sounds ideal to me, but the doctor hasn't been able to get the prescription right.

Strike three in this tragic sequence of events is that last week I didn't plug up the sink when I was taking out my gas-permeable lens and it went down the drain!!! I guess I got a little cocky. I have lost many a lens in my day, but never EVER down the sink. We tried to save it, but we couldn't. So now I have no back-up lenses. It's maddening. Oh, and on top of that, putting in a soft lense is MUCH different than a hard lens. It takes forever and then I still am walking around with blurry vision because the prescription isn't right. So, if you see me and I don't wave hello, don't take it personally. I probably can't see you.

Opinions? Should I revert to what I'm used to and get gas-permeable lenses? Or should I persist with the soft lenses?

Is there something in the water?

So, I began making a list. A list of all the people I know that are currently expecting. Now this is a bit odd, but I was curious. Now aren't you curious to know how many people I know of that are pregnant? THIRTY-TWO! I don't personally know all of these women. Maybe I work with their husband, or served a mission with their sister, or whatever. But everyone seems to be talking about it. I won't name names, but here's a little breakdown: seven of them were missionaries in Romania, two are sisters-in-law, two are coworkers' wives, eight are in my ward right now, five were in past wards, two are old roommates, and seven are school friends from over the years. Yowza. I hope that adds up to 32. Actually, it's probably 33 because one of my old roommates is in my ward now. Many congratulations to all. Did anyone else want to add their name to my list?

From the bookcase to the car...a long series of events that led to the Saturn getting stuck in the snow this morning.

In an attempt to organize our new life together, Kevin and I were quick to go to Ikea and get a bookcase. We looked at lots of them and finally decided on one that was within our budget. Our bookcase has served us well and we like it.

Turns out, four months later, that Kevin's employer is moving offices and is surplusing all the furniture. Kevin came home wide-eyed, telling me that we could get a free bookcase, made of real wood. (The Ikea one, to our chagrin, isn't as solid as we would've preferred...but hey, we shop with a budget around here.) I remind him that free isn't always good . . . we already have a lot of furniture in our house.

Not to be deterred, Kevin asks if someday I might like the bookcase, like when we have more space. I say yes. So, he convinces his sister that lives in Spanish Fork to hold onto one for us if we get one for them for free, too.

Well, it's been snowing around here a lot, and we haven't had the opportunity to go pick them up. Last night was the absolute last time to get them before they clear everything out and tear the old building down. Luckily it wasn't snowing, but the truck had a bed full of snow. Kevin scraped it out with a board into a mound of snow in our parking lot. Keep this in mind for the end of this oh-so-long story. (We're still in the introduction.)

After our tasty dinner of Kung-Pao chicken made by Kevin, we successfully got the bookcases to Spanish Fork as it just starts to snow...how lucky are we!

So now, the story of this morning: Kevin walks me out to my car so I can leave for work at 7:40 am. That's just enough time for me to get there by 8 am. I'm pulling out and waving to Kevin, obviously paying just enough attention so I don't hit the fence, and then what? I get stuck in that pile of snow he removed from the truck bed last night! Of all the ironic things!

We didn't fuss for too long until a neighbor came out that needed to leave for school (the Saturn was right in his way), and he and Kevin pushed it out.

I was only 10 minutes late . . . good thing I stayed late on Wednesday so I still left on time today!

Yay for snow!!!

PS Have I mentioned yet that not only am I an official Utah resident now, the Saturn now has Utah plates. It was a sad day in the Hoopes household when that happened.


PPS If you're still reading this, you've passed the true-friend test.

PPS If you're still going to frequent this blog, you've passed the even-truer-friend test. I'm not exactly the most engaging storyteller, but I'm working on it.

Frosty's Plight

Due to an unfortunate turn of events, Frosty lost his nose right at the beginning of his month to shine: DECEMBER!


Sadly, it took me ALL MONTH to find my glue gun and aright the wrong.

How I didn't lose his little nose is a miracle!
And lucky for him (and us), Frosty is a permanent fixture in our home...he gets to hold the paper towels year-round!

I'll be home for Christmas!

Christmas of 2008 will be unforgettable for us since it's the first one we spent together!

It started with Kevin's side of the family. . . this is our niece Rachel modeling a new headlamp.

We stayed the night at the airport due to a delay in Chicago. These are our fancy boarding passes.

While waiting for dinner, we colored with Alexa.

We had a tasty Christmas Eve dinner. My parents are modeling their crowns, which we all wore. This is a Canadian tradition brought to us by our returned-missionary Scott.

We vied for the best candy...you only got one or got to steal from someone else if you rolled a seven, an eleven, or doubles.

Following dinner, we played a game with lots of random prizes. Some were good sports about getting presents that weren't necessarily their favorite...

others were not.
(see the girly hair accesories in the background)

We were visited by a princess

and by Popeye

and of course, by Santa Claus.

We went ice-skating, and some of us had an easier time than others...

The End

Mawiage

We took a road trip to St. George and Las Vegas for my friend Angie's wedding. It was a lot of fun and a great way to begin our Christmas break!

I loved the St. George temple. We headed down to Las Vegas for the reception and enjoyed In 'n' Out with our friends the Browns. Cami is a good friend of mine from childhood and we had a lot to talk about. After the reception, we went to Las Vegas because I'd never been. Cami was the most excellent tour guide, trying hard to shield us from the dirtiness and smut of the city. The Christmas decorations were fun and the fountain and the Bellagio was my favorite! Kevin wanted to watch Ocean's 11 right when we got home. It was a neat experience, but I don't think we'll be going back anytime soon--there's a lot of times when you just can't avert your eyes quick enough. Overall, it was a fun trip!

yummy in 'n' out; me with the bride

Cami and I in front of a chocolate fountain

the bellagio with my man