A Mother's Work...

A wonderful thing was about to happen....but first, we had to shovel snow!! When we all got there, set up and assembled, Brother Keone Liddell conducted the meeting-

Brother Garth Hadley spoke-

Brother Jim Dunlop spoke-

And Brother Noel Stott spoke and presented Adam with his Eagle Scout Award!

Adam's Brothers, Brad and Drew changed his neckerchief-

And Adam joined them in the "Eagles Nest"-

After the meeting, there were hugs!

The proud Grandma-

And the exstatic Parents (and sister too!)!

Sometimes, a Mother's work actually does get done....those were happy and difficult years.

Adam, we couldn't be more proud of you. Take what you've learned and take on the world!

Christmas time was bittersweet this year. We were able to be all together this year. Brad came home from New York, Drew is home from school. Annie and Jay came over for Christmas Eve from thier home in Tigard. It was fun to be together!

We did all the usual things:

Fondue dinner

Christmas Jammies (Jay is official now-he has his own jammies!)

Photos of all the kids

We know that this time is fleeting now.

Brad will be in Afghanistan next Christmas

Drew will be in Guatemala

Adam will be in college!

Annie and Jay should still be local

Lainey will be in High School!






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Changes around here are no longer subtle.

We love our little family and are so proud of everyone!

We hope every one had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Wedding Day in September

Well, it's about time I blogged about the biggest event to happen in the Hopper family this year...Annie and Jay got married!
Everything went perfectly and the day was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for more. I'll show a few of the hundreds of beautiful photos that were taken by Jen Preece that day:

Getting dressed...

Julie Melanson did her hair.

Waiting impatiently to leave!

Brad surprised her. That was the best part of the day for me.

The whole gang!

Both of the parents

Annie and her bridesmaids Lainey and Marlaina

This is my favorite photo!

Daddy Daughter dance.

Off they go to a weekend away.

When all was done, Brad had to run back to the airport to catch his flight back to Ft. Drum.

We would like to thank all those who helped make this day a grand success!

Carrot surprise...

So I was in the garden this morning and I decided that since there was so much crowding going on, that I would go ahead and pull the few carrots I had growing. I brought them in and put them in the sink to rinse...


But wait - what is that white thing on the carrot on top?? It grew through something.
Wait... it's one of Adam's long lost Army Men!!! They rise once again! Every once in a while we find another one in the dirt out there. This one decided to ride a carrot!

I wonder if we could make anything on ebay for this one....?

All Together Now!

Since Brad was home for a visit, we took advantage and had some photos done (thanks Jen!). Please don't mind the indulgence!