The bike ride

My running/biking friend, Jessica drove over from Indianapolis on Saturday. We had a great afternoon. We listened to the first session of General conference, then took off on a 40 mile bike ride. This is no big deal for Jessica, but took an act of courage on my part, since I haven't ridden a bike in months. But, we had a great ride, and the conversation was so interesting that I hardly noticed the distance.

The reward: dinner at Abuelo's.

Thanks for coming, Jessica!

Backpacking

David has wanted to take Benjamin backpacking for a couple of months, so this Friday, they packed up and went. They drove down after work, and hiked in in the dark (typical Hoopes family trip). Emily, Joshua, and I stayed home and watched Barbie Island Princess and ate cookies. About halfway through the movie, I got a phone call from David just to let me know that they were pretty much lost. Benjamin was a little upset after walking for over an hour and not arriving at camp. They finally set up their tent just off the trail, and had a good night.








Benjamin at their "campsite," finally!












Benjamin loves this picture of himself with this "pretty fungus."

Cousins

Matthew and Joshua had a love hate relationship. Sometimes they were best friends, sometimes they drove each other up the wall. I guess that's what happens when two 2-year olds hang out for a week. Here is a classic shot of Joshua ordering Matthew "off" of the trampoline. He ordered Sarah off, as well. He's quite the little king at our house.






They got back on, however, for this last shot before Sarah had to drive back home. Thanks for coming, guys! We miss you!

Sarah drives west

My 7 months pregnant sister, Sarah, drove from Arlington, VA with her 2-1/2 year old son, to visit us last week. We loved having them! Here are some of the highlights.




We drove out to the Audobon Society Apple Fest. The kids learned all about Johnny Appleseed, and Sarah and I sampled apple dumplings, apple pie, apple butter, etc. It was a lot of fun. Here is my nephew, Matthew riding a "horse."





Next, Benjamin modeling the hats we made. Then, Sarah and the kids checking out Thanksgiving dinner. Yum! Finally me and my kids with their cousin, Matthew. We had a great day!

Bye, bye, lovebirds

The lovebirds were very friendly creatures, and loved our heads. Joshua thought it was the coolest thing ever when they landed on him.

Try not to notice that Joshua is wearing nothing but the lovebirds and a diaper. I swear I'm a good mother, and usually dress my kids. We were getting ready for bed!
















Here they are on my head, where they spent a lot of time. I thought I was fairly tolerant of the birds. I didn't say anything when they chewed up a stack of bills I needed to pay. Ignored it when they turned the title page of Benjamin's Book of Mormon into their nest. But then they started in on Pride and Prejudice, and it was time for them to go. We gave them away to a good home a few days later. The crazy thing was that they really seemed to like Jane Austen best! Even after I covered the books with a dish cloth, Clyde would pull it off so Bonnie could get back to work on P & P. They had good taste, I'll give them that!

We miss the birds, but I think they will be better off where they are now.