Hopper Family

A Mother's Work...

2010-01-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

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!

>

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

2009-12-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-08-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

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

Grandpa Hopper Turned 75

2009-07-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, all the kids in Keith's family surprised their dad with a birthday party! All but four of the grandkids were there too. Missing were: Heather and James, Emmalee, Brad and Kristen and Cory.
Here are some highlights:

Surprise!

Cards from everyone

Jay, Annie and Lainey

Rick, JD, Alex and Shaulana

Patty, Wayne and Nicole

Lynn and Myla

Lacey, Alyssa and Myla

Drew

Jamie and Terry

Adam

Terry, Lynn, Keith, Wayne, Grandpa and Grandma
The only one missing is David

Uncle Wayne fighting with the canopy

Bella, waiting for her chance to get out of the car

The next generation: Total Cuteness!

Another Last...

2009-07-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

I just need to mention that Lainey got her braces off last week...and she looks lovely! Thus ends a 13 year era of orthodontia in the Hopper House. I think the Doctor probably sent his kids to college on the money paid. A small fortune!

For Joe's Benefit

2009-07-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Friday night was very heartwarming. Joe VanDomelen was able to know how much a lot of people care about him. Adam was able to accomplish his Eagle Scout Project. It was definitely a "win, win" night.
For a few months now Adam has been planning a Benefit Concert in honor of Joe. He has osteosarcoma. Bone Cancer. He was diagnosed last November after feeling an unusual pain in his hip for a while.
He has been receiving chemo treatments since then. It looks like he is going to need further treatment, including chemo as well as radiation to try and arrest the growth of further sites of cancer.
Joe will be in Texas for treatment for the next two months.
I admire Joe and his family. They have been so strong through all of this. They continue to be optimistic and postitive. I don't know that I would be as strong. It is an amazing thing to watch.
I'm proud of Adam for taking on this adventure and I am so excited that the concert went so well.

Adam was MC-something he is definitely not comfortable with. He did a great job!

He also conducted one of the numbers. The first group was made up of about 42 musicians, mostly Century High Students, but also about 13 alumni and 4 members of the community who wanted to help.

The groups from the Hillsboro Arts Summer played too. First a trombone ensemble and then a jazz group. These groups were made up of Century Band students and alumni.

Joe came up and played one of the numbers too! It was wonderful to see him join in.

There has definitely been someone missing this last year from the band.

Thanks Mr. McKelvey for your conducting help. We appreciate you!

A big thanks to Mr. Dunlop for being Joe and Adam's mentor through this process. They can always count on you.

Making Progress...!

2009-07-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Some progress in the garden! Here's an update. You can probably tell, it's been a while since I've gardened in earnest, so I'm a little over excited!

Here's the first of the zuccini harvest!

Brad's Birthday

2009-07-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Brad! Brad turned 23 today! Happy Birthday Brad! We celebrated a couple of weeks ago while he was here.

We had some yummy strawberry shortcake...

The Boys

2009-06-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today my boys come home. Drew and Adam came home from Scout Camp and Brad is coming home tonight for a two week leave.

Here are some photos from camp - Looks like they had a great time:

A Gardening Day

2009-05-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

We had a pretty good day around here. A few small steps were made toward things that we haven't had time to do in a long time. We found we had a Saturday on our hands with no schedule! We did a little yard work...

We tore out the back lawn last summer because we were tired of fighting the dying deck, the mole and dog digging holes and just general disorganization of it all. So, the back yard is dirt.

Today, though, we got some things done! Here are the new raised beds Keith built for me today. We are planting Tomatoes, Zuccini, Cucumbers, Corn, Green Beans and Carrots.

The side yard is looking good...we finally did something right with the raspberries and they are loaded this year!

We also have the grape vines getting underway

...and the pear trees are especially loaded this year!

For having completely ignored yard work for the last couple of years, we're not doing too bad. Hopefully, there will be a coat of paint for the house and a back lawn and stone patio in our future. I won't hold my breath for this year, but little by little, we'll make small baby steps.

Keith left a couple of dollars in the garden budget today so that I could get a couple of color spots. I got an impatien and a little petunia. Both in pink!

Later today, Lainey went out to the yard and took some beautiful photos of our purple Iris and the hanging pink fuscias that Keith got me for Mothers day. They were great shots, so I want to share:

Birthdays and Stuff

2009-05-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't blogged for a while. It's time we updated! We've had a few little successes over the last several weeks, so it might be nice to mention them.

We've had a few birthdays in the last months. First it was Adam in March. He turned 17. Wow, that was fast...

Wouldn't you know it, we didn't snap photos this time. I think that is a first. Bummer.

Next there were several band dates that came and went. The Colorguard went to California and Keith and Lainey went to help and cheer them on. They did well and had a great time touring Alcatraz and going to Six Flags. Keith and Adam went to Reno with the Jazz Bands and enjoyed playing and touring. They stayed at the Circus Circus Hotel.

Adam won a musicianship award there. We are proud of him!

Then Lainey turned into a teenager!!!

Speaking of Wow....that happened fast...my baby is a teenager!

She joined the ranks of the I-Pod generation...

The very next week was Drew's 19th Birthday! He celebrted with one of his favorite people...his brother Adam. The love flows easily around here!

Special request birthday cake-Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, cherry pie filling and whipped cream! I think we all went into a sugar shock after that.

Drew recieved luggage for his mission. It's getting closer!

2009-04-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

Drew's Home!!

I went to Rexburg to collect my boy at college. We had a great time and on the way, we were able to visit with Cindy and Lane Hillam in Idaho Falls and Bonnie Furgason in Boise.

Before we left BYU-I, I was able to attend a dance with Drew to finish up his Social Dance class. Here he is with his dance partner Alyssa from the class dancing the waltz.

We are glad to have him back!

Christmas Eve Fun!

2008-12-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

What fun it's been to be all together again! We don't know if next year will bring us the same, so we are happy for the time we have.

Here is our latest Christmas card photo...

We thought we'd add a little White Christmas charm to the Jammie photos this year!

...and of course we need to include Dad...who is a bit Horizontal this year. He had his right total knee replacement last week and is doing well. He just hangs around enjoying this time of rest and recuperation. So far so good!

Then, of course there are those great "Sister Moments". These two girls have a bond never to be broken. Lainey loves it when Annie is around.

And the brotherly love is shown in total antics during the night...this time in the form of marshmallow throwing-and catching-in Drew's mouth, of course!

...almost

....nearly!!!

...............GOT IT!!!!!!

What form!

And then, the whole discussion, in detail, about how to organize for this year's jammie photos...

Here's what we came up with:

Okay, the girls have got the right idea, but the boys?????

Let's try something else!

Posing with Dad's walker???

Maybe not!

NEXT!!

Now that Jay is part of the family, we can make a full pyramid!

Welcome to the chaos, Jay!

Are you sure you know what you're getting into?

Tallest to shortest is always a hit!

Closer-Up

Now THIS is what it's all about...

Family. Unity. Love. Togetherness.

Happiness. Warmth.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Happy Anniversary!

2008-12-21T09:15:00.001-08:00

24 years ago today, I was the most nervous person on the face of the earth! Keith and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. After dating for 3 years, Keith left for the military. We hadn't seen each other for 6 months and we met at the Salt Lake Airport two days before our wedding! We celebrated by going to get our marriage license together. It felt so strange to see him after so long, but it also felt like I finally had my best friend back again! It can't possibly be so long ago. Happy Anniversary, Honey!! I hope you are feeling better very soon and maybe we can go out for dinner sometime to celebrate!

Update of the Week

2008-12-20T20:52:00.001-08:00

Keith is home! Surgery is done and now we have the arduous task of healing and rehabilitating. He did really well! He passed all the "tests" they gave him and he surprised even the physical therapist (they are all used to working with "old people" when it comes to joint replacements-Keith is a total spring chicken!). He is now occupying his time going back and forth between the bed, couch, bathroom and pill bottles.

Update on the car...apparently there is frame damage on the car, which coupled with the expense of replacing body parts, has made the repair expensive enough that the insurance company has deemed it "a total loss". We are looking at our options. The upshot is that it's going to be that much longer before we have a car we can rely on again. Thank yous to the Stott family for letting us borrow Brittany's car while she is gone to Guatamala. I'm pretty darn sad. I really liked my Aztek! I don't know why we get emotionally wrapped up in our material things, but I think in the case of a car, it's because we become so dependent on them being reliable to get us where we need to go.

We finally decorated our Christmas tree tonight. I was beginning to wonder if decorating would become a new part of the Christmas morning ritual! It sat in our front yard for a few days, then in our living room for a few days, almost unnoticed. Well, Keith called 10 minutes of "everybody drop everything and decorate the tree"! Now it's done! Boy, are things different today than they were 10 years ago!

Snow Days

2008-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I need to put my two cents in for the snow day! It means a lot of extra mess, cold open doors and then hours of time all alone because my kids are too old to stay home and play! They have been out most of the day playing at the park, eating cookies at the Fields house (thanks Fields!) and riding (illegally I'm sure) four wheelers! Oh, and being mad at me for not letting them drive the car. What do we have a license for anyhow if it's not to drive in the snow? That, according to certain 18 year olds! I'm pretty used to being the bad guy now...it doesn't hurt my feelings quite as much any more.

One fun thing about snow is the dogs love it too! Wockie forgot about her arthritis for a bit and went on a romp. Freckle has been under the weather too, but turns on the steam when offered snow frolicking!

Stay Warm!

Headed home!

2008-12-05T16:15:00.001-08:00

Well, we've got Brad, we're in Atlanta for the night and we're heading to the airport in the morning. As it worked out, we are all on separate flights home, but we all land within 5 minutes of each other in Portland tomorrow night.
We've had such a great time hugging Brad and seeing where he's been hiding all these weeks, hugging and going to eat, hugging and shopping, and, oh, there are the hugs!
Tonight we went to my old neighborhood to see where I lived when I was little and where I started school. Everything looks so different. I guess it should since I haven't been there for 34 years! Then we went to Underground Atlanta. It's pretty much just an underground trendy shopping mall these days so we didn't stay long. Keith was here earlier this year, so he knew where to take us to see the Olympic plaza downtown. They have it all decorated for Christmas now and there is an outdoor ice skating rink.
When we get back home, I'll post some photos from the graduation and our trip home.

This was a bad day!

2008-12-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

Well, ever have one of those times in your life when everything seems to be out of control. Responsibilities, appointments, family, church, work-it all seems to run faster that we can keep up. So many things spiraling out of control. Then something happens to put it all into perspective. Something worse can always happen.

Keith had a not good bad rotten day today. He met up with a deer on Burside Rd. heading home this evening. We believe the deer didn't survive this one, but he didn't stay around to let us find out. Now this would be bad enough, except that on the job, he punctured a finger so badly that it wouldn't stop bleeding. It still hasn't. Then he had to go back to his day job and try to finish some things off so we can leave (at 4:00am) in the morning to go to our son Brad's Basic Training Graduation. That didn't go well either and he's leaving knowing there's unfinished business at work.

Well, noone was seriously injured and we still get to go tomorrow, even though we'll have a mess to return to. No sense crying yet!

We'll see you all next week with photos of Brad!

Happy Day! I have so much to be Thankful for...

2008-11-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

It’s Thanksgiving morning and I’m the only one up. It’s 7:47am and I couldn’t sleep. I’m getting a nasty cold and I’m hoping I get it mostly over before we leave to see Brad in six days. I can’t tell you how excited I am to go to him on Wednesday.
I was sitting here watching Good Morning America and they are profiling military families. They were just talking with some Army moms. I found myself crying and with the urge to write to Brad.
I have so much to be grateful for. I must be the luckiest mom in the world. Keith and I could never have imagined the pride that we have in the family that Heavenly Father allowed and helped us to create. Even though they are all gone this Thanksgiving except for sweet Lainey (thank goodness we have her here!), I find myself more grateful than ever for every moment since they were born.
I have my health, except for this cold! I have a warm home and food to eat. I have freedom to be who I want and freedom of religion. I have an Army Soldier Son who has pride in his country enough to set aside his life to defend that freedom for me, our family and the USA.
Good Heavens! I have a turkey in the sink! How great is that!! I’ll have to get another one and make another Thanksgiving dinner when all of the kids are here.
My children will all be home this year from December 13th until January 4th (these are the days Drew will be coming and going)! I wonder if that will happen very often after this year. We need to really be grateful for this year.
Boy, money is really tight, but we don’t have to worry about that unless we choose to. Keith has worked hard for many years to give us what we have and I am grateful for that too. I don’t have to worry about where to lay my head each night because I have a great and sweet husband who has been a good provider. I know he’s set a good example to my children of what to do right. My sons will be great fathers because he is. My daughters know how a man should treat them because of how he treats me.
We have a peaceful home. No fights, no mind games, no mysteries… just the knowledge that we are cared about and we are safe within its walls.
How could one person ask for more than what I’ve been given?
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are beside ourselves with the excitement of the next few weeks ahead of us! My hope is that I get to hear from Brad today and even if I don’t, I’m gettin’ hugs from him in just a very few days!