road trippin

5 days after our move, we were crazy enough to hit the road on a LONG trip to Utah.

About 6 hours into the trip, I think a few of us were questioning this decision.

 Usually, it's our tradition to stop at the BIG TEXAN in Amarillo to eat but we did NOT feel like stopping for an hour.  We were anxious to get to Albuquerque.  So instead, it just got a picture.

 This picture doesn't do the storm we went through justice.  It was a crazy storm with some SERIOUS winds that could have knocked you over.  The sky went pitch black and I prayed that all the stuff in the back of Kent's truck didn't get ruined.

 I TRIED to make the road trip as fun as possible.  Each state I give the boys a present to open which is generally something they can use to help keep them occupied on the road trip.

 As the drive got LONGER and LONGER, FINALLY the boys fell asleep although Boston's sleep was never too peaceful if Nolan was awake.

We finally made it to the hotel and the kids took a little bit to settle back down and go to sleep for the night.  At 11 pm that is always so fun to deal with.

 The next day, we decided to somewhat detour to the Grand Canyon.  We didn't think it was would be TOO long of a detour but it was brutal.  We will NEVER do that again.

 Now we can say we've been and can check that one off the bucket list.  Maybe one day when the boys are older we can actually hike or float the Grand Canyon.  It's huge, beautiful and breath taking.

 Then it was back on the road and back to trying to keep the kids occupied with games like CHUBBY BUNNY.

 After what seemed like FOREVER watching movies, ipad games, DS playing, screaming Nolan, whiny kids, and Baby Einstein on replay, we finally made it to St. George!!!!  Hallelujah!!!!!!!!  Too bad we still had LOTS of driving still ahead of us and STILL a LONG trip back home to Texas.

goodbyes

This move has been a long time coming.  We have always wanted to get our family back up to Dallas and it was just a matter of time.  Kent has worked very hard trying to get his Houston office to a point where he could leave it and start another up in Dallas.  This year was FINALLY the year!

I felt like I had been packing and organizing forever in prep for this move.  We had so much happening right before it happened that I didn't want it to come down to the wire.  My poor kids were probably somewhat neglected during the process.

 Our house was full of boxes and bins for most of May. 

The BIGGEST downside to moving is leaving great friends behind (and HEB).  Houston is THE longest place we've ever lived (6 years).  We had to say goodbye to so many people that we have just grown to love over the years.  I HATE saying goodbye.  It's never easy.  There are so many people that I truly just learned from and admired.  We are so, SO thankful for everyone's friendships.  We tried to see everyone before we left from dinners to playdates the week we were leaving.  My close friend Ashley was SO, SO sweet to throw a "going away party" for us before we left (I was very hesitant because I just didn't want to burden anyone or make anyone come see us off).  I'm not even sure how many families came but there was quite the crowd and I just can't believe Ashley lended her home to that many people.  Gotta love that girl.  I'm SO mad at myself that I got ZERO pictures that day/night.  I had a few friends send me the pictures they took of us together but that was about it.  I'm truly disappointed in myself for this. 

We are truly, truly grateful for all these special people.

It's the one reason we will miss Houston!

 The day came to loud the truck and boy were we SO grateful for all the help we received.  I tear up thinking about it.  I'm not sure we deserve that kind of service but I'll never forget all the help--from the loaders to the ones who helped clean to those who watched the boys ALL day.  It really helped SO much.  By the time we got done that evening, picked up the boys at the Devereaux's, and got everyone settled in bed, it was almost midnight.  We were all conked. 

 The next morning, we got up and headed right out but not before taking one last picture. 

We brought home TWO of the three boys to this house!  I've been so anxious to leave this place and although I'm happy to be out, it still made some special memories. 

I must say a few tears were shed as we drove away...

 And then we hit the road to Dallas with Kent in the lead. 

 and I was completely envious that the boys zonked out and I still had to drive.

 After a trip that should have taken 4 hours took more like 6, we made it to Dallas!  We were anxious to officially visit the lot of our first home!!  The countdown to move in is on!  December can't come fast enough (and yes the BETTER have it finished in December)!

We can't believe we've moved and we can't believe we are now Dallas residents.  It was quite the journey leading us here with lots of memories along the way.  Can't wait to see what this place has in store for our family!

boston's baptism day

Boston turned 8 which means he finally arrived at the age where he could decide if he wanted to be baptized. 

 I know, I know at age 8 do they really understand the importance of baptism and do they really MAKE the choice themselves?  Kent and I tried really hard as parents to explain baptism, what it meant, the importance of it, why we personally did it and then told Boston to pray about it himself and decide if that was something he wanted to do.

He knew he wanted to be baptized already but he prayed anyway after me pestering him about it.  He finally said he did feel good when he prayed about it. 

So, baptism it was.

A date was set and he had his interview with the bishop.

 The day arrived and it was a little stressful and chaotic initially so much so that I didn't ever get pictures of him in his adorable new suit.  I will say, girls get to pick out pretty new white dresses and I was a little bummed that with having boys that's not something we get to do.  So, I decided I would buy the boys their first suit when they turn 8 (a suit Boston HATES to wear).  Also, we decided that when the boys turn 8, that's when they should start with the white shirt and tie every Sunday (trust me, this kills me...it's SO boring).

Anyway, seeing Boston and Kent in their whites, was pretty neat and surreal.  It's pretty special seeing and knowing that your husband is worthy to baptize our child.

 The baptism itself was perfect. 

 

 Boston picked the program as follows:

Conducting: Shaun Stracener

 

Pianist: Becky Bluth

Chorister: Kari Combe

Opening Song: When Jesus Christ was Baptized

Opening Prayer: Kristin Withers

Talk on Baptism: Randy Bluth

Baptism of Boston Hooper

Performed by Kent Hooper

Witnesses: Chad Withers & Randy Bluth

Special Musical Number: When I am Baptized

Rylee and Sophie Withers

Talk on the Holy Ghost: Carol Hooper

Welcome to Primary: Kelly Dennis

Closing Remarks: Shaun Stracener

Closing Song: I'm Trying to be like Jesus

Closing Prayer: Brandon Combe

 

It was so wonderful having so many family and friends there to support Boston on his special day.  I really will say it was a very spiritual, uplifting day for our family.  I really can't explain the feelings that were felt.  I'm pretty sure Boston doesn't fully understand the importance of baptism but I do know that Heavenly Father is very pleased with him and so are we.  He is such a wonderful example to us as parents, his siblings and others around him.  I'm completely proud of him and I never want to forget the wonderful feeling that was felt that day.  It truly was a special, special day.

a few lasts

Our last little while in Houston seemed to fly by and was also extremely busy.  There was so much I wanted to do before we moved but we really hardly got to anything. 

We did make time to go by the zoo.  I do love the Houston Zoo.

It was EXTREMELY busy when we went and I do not love that.

Crowds really make things much more stressful but we survived.

 Cooper is one of Hudson's closest buddies.  I'll miss their little friendship.

 Rylnn and Nolan are BFF's even though they don't know it quite yet.  They were born 5 weeks apart.

Boston has been doing his basketball training since basketball season started last November.  He LOVES it so we continued doing it even after basketball ended.  His skills have improved TREMENDOUSLY since he first started.  We'll really miss Dante (Boston's favorite pro bball player---not known by many because he played in the Euro League and not NBA but Boston still thinks he's incredibly cool).

We squeezed in as many playdates as possible.

I tried to hang out with my friends as much as possible.  This particular night was the night we got together to say goodbye to my sweet Marcie.  We absolutely LOVE the Curtis family and they will be lifelong friends of ours.

We will thoroughly miss our splash pad and pool (I'm thinking there's more about Houston that I'll miss than I thought).  I remember when Boston was just 2 and we would come, hang out will friends and it was SO easy and relaxing with just ONE!  Things have changed over 5 years!

There's so much to do and so little time.  May has moved faster than we planned and the move is just around the corner!  I know we didn't get to do all we wanted before we moved but the most important thing is to be with our friends that we love so much!!

last day of school

I was SO ready for school to be over. 

I was tired of the schedule. 

 I was tired of waking up and rushing out the door.

  I was tired of extra activities. 

I was just ready to have lazy mornings, vacation and enjoy pool time.

The last day (well Boston's last day) of school arrived.

Boston FINISHED 2ND grade!

 His teacher ended up having her baby a week early, so she wasn't there on awards day to hand out their awards.  We were sad we didn't get to give a proper good bye to her since she had her baby unexpectedly (we loved Mrs. Boutwell). So instead, we had to squeeze in with Boston's switch class/teachers (Mrs. Holmes/Marshall) for the award presentation.

 Boston made some good buddies over the last couple years at Birkes.  Jacob and Kyle were two of his favorites. 

And after seeing this pictures I'm regretting Boston convincing me to push off his haircut...

 Boston had an amazing year.  I'm proud of this kid and all his hard work.  Learning comes naturally for him and he remembers EVERYTHING so that makes things easy for me (I'm not sure this will go the same way for the other kids). 

He received All A Honor Roll all year award, Born Leader, 1st place in Spelling Bee and the Superb Behavior award. 

That was the last day we would step foot into Birkes Elementary.  I remember being SO freaked out to the point of tears even before officially registering Boston for kindergarten here (I know, I know, I have issues).  Now I was in tears because I just loved this school so much.  We loved the teachers, staff, friends, the way the school was run...everything! 

I'm grateful Birkes made it easy on me bringing my first born to school and helped me realize it's not as bad or scary as I thought.

We sure will miss this place when we start school in our new city.  I'm pretty sure I may undergo the same freak out moment I experienced 3 years ago before starting at Birkes.  I'm praying our new elementary school will be just as wonderful.

 On the REAL last day of school, Boston didn't go because....well, what's the point?  Awards have been given, no more tests or homework to worry about...there's really no point in waking up one more day to have your kids go and just do nothing all day.  We so opted out like we do every year and instead had an end of the year party with friends.

 
 
 

 It was a perfect way to start the summer!! Now bring on the sun!  And let's pray my excitement for summer doesn't wear off after the first week of having them home....