ADVENTURES OF A HOMELESS LIFE!

We were homeless for almost 4 weeks and we are NOW OFFICIALLY in Houston with our own place! Although our adventures were fun, it's nice to know we aren't going to be living out of a suitcase anymore and finally have a stable life for Boston! Although I must say, overall he did well with all of the change from place to place! Towards the end though, you could tell he was DONE! No worries Bubba, so were we!

This will probably be a picture blog so get ready! Surprisingly I didn't take that many pictures...but hopefully I can recap what we did with our time. We went from Farmington to Rexburg, Rexburg to St. George, BACK to Farmington, flew to Dallas then finally to our final destination, HOUSTON!

Kari and Brandon were SO kind to take us in for the longest period of time. They put up with Boston and Stella which is a lot for ANYONE to handle, especially when Kari's cats were constantly being chased by Stella! I guess she didn't understand that cats don't play back like other dogs do!

Once the weekend hit, Kari and I went and took care of her registry while the boys decided to put on a BBQ since the weather was so nice. They went out and bought a cheap grill and spent nearly 4+ hrs putting it together and finally at 8 pm we were grilling! It was delicious though and well worth the wait! Also that Sunday was their "Special" Stake Conference where Elder Oaks came and spoke! It was SOO nice to hear him speak and it really gave me the boost to do all I can to look at the positive and better myself as a mom, wife, and woman!

Tuesday we headed up to THE BURG (or was it Monday..?)! This was probably the last chance we'd be able to head up and hang out with the Jamisons since they'll probably be moving from Rexburg in the fall (or sooner)! It's always fun going and being with friends and having someone to back me up on my opinions!!!! We were there for St. Patricks Day and Amanda had the idea to have a GREEN dinner! So we did just that! It was SUPERB thanks to Amanda's creativity and making EVERYTHING green!

Yes this includes GREEN Sprite, GREEN butter on the bread, GREEN salad (of course), GREEN chicken fettuccine, and GREEN plates, napkins and cups!

With Amanda's help we also put together this GREEN shamrock cake which was GREEN inside and out!

The Lainharts came over (Becca also brought GREEN chocolate chip cookies) and joined us! Notice EVERYONE MINUS Kent is wearing GREEN! Apparently he is TOO GOOD for that! I've decided that we will continue this GREEN tradition next year and years to come! Maybe we'll spend it with the Jamison's next year again......?!?

Also, Boston and little Ashlynn began to entertain themselves after dinner together! They were so cute laughing and running after each other! She is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

Thanks Jamisons for letting us come stay at your Inn! I don't think we got chocolates on our pillow this time though....

Next stop, ST GEORGE! My grandparents just moved down there a few months ago and I'm SO glad we got a chance to go see their new pad! I was actually VERY impressed with St. George. The weather was SO good to us and of course my grandparents make EXCELLENT hosts! When we arrived my grandparents FAMOUS enchiladas were made and my grandma's brother, Uncle George and Aunt Lyla and their youngest song David and his family came over! It was so good to see them and meet my distant cousin! Saturday we packed up a yummy picnic and headed to the GREATEST park! They had a little man made stream of water so kids could play in it and it was the PERFECT depth so the kids could just walk in and out and play! I got no pictures of that and I'm TERRIBLY upset about it too!

Saturday my grandparents offered to watch Boston so we could go on a date together! We were SOO happy to take advantage of that and off we were for a night on the town in St. George.

We walked the St. George temple grounds.

Then headed over for some putt-putt and go-kart fun! Kent cheated and beat me in putt-putt (okay maybe he didn't cheat but for SOME REASON my game was TOTALLY OFF...UGH!) but then I beat Kent racing the karts because he was more concerned about nailing these little ten year olds he met in line....do you think he'll ever grow up? Probably not and I love it!

We finished our date at In-N-Out where I decided that YES I have DEFINITELY had better burgers and fries but hey, that's the place where Kent FIRST spent money on me (he bought me a T-shirt) and I realized he MUST really like me because he told me before that he NEVER spends money on someone else's wife! So we had to go back that night and celebrate!

We also got to visit Jacob Hamblin's home-the Mormon cowboy who is famous in the cowboy world for having riden the most miles on a horse and also for being so kind and honest with the Indians.

We also visited Brigham Young's home in St. George. It was SO neat to be in the same house that he once was and to see some of the actual things he used. Going through these sites was VERY educational and there's also a good feeling you get when you go. Kent and I both REALLY enjoy visiting these kinds of places!

We also go to attend my grandparents "retired" ward on Sunday. THAT was definately something I'd never experienced before. Boston was the ONLY child in sacrament which made me feel EXTRA paranoid if he made ANY kind of noise! They were all very welcoming and HAPPY to have a "little one" there! Spending time in St. George with my grandparents and their new retired life made Kent and I wonder what we'll look like when we're old, where we'll retire, when we'll retire, how our children will be at that point, etc. I can't imagine that stage in life although I AM looking forward to relaxing, working on family history, traveling, visiting family and living in ONE PLACE for the rest of my life! Thanks Grandpa Bob and Grandma Jean for letting us come! Boston now pats his face every time we say, "What does Grandma Great say?" since you would pat his face then yours when you were trying to get him to remember who you were! He also still says "EEEEEEE U!" just like you grandma! No worries grandma, I don't mind!

Back to Farmington we headed so I could finish preparing for Kari's baby shower! My mom flew in that Thursday to help and together I think we made it a SUCCESS! Thanks everyone for coming and making this day so special for Kari and baby Krew!! A little bit longer Kari and he'll be here!!!

The invites thanks to the talented KRISTIN!

The mother-to-be at 27 weeks!

Some decor

The favors

The grub

The drinks: virgin mimosas and water bottles

Closer look at the water bottles...once again, thanks for your talent Kristin!

The name board for Kari that I made...once again I TRIED to be creative and failed! Those two pics are Brandon and Kari as little kids!

Some of the guests.

Kari wanted to play the "DIRTY DIAPER" game, so we did and Grandma is the one who got snapped sniffing the messy diaper!

The mother-in-law, the mother-to-be and the mother herself!

SISTERS!

The grandmothers with the M.T.B.

Sunday since my mom was still in town, we headed up to Brigham City to visit. My cousin Melissa came over with her two boys and my Aunt DeAnn, Uncle Gord and cousin Jessica all come over too! Boston and the boys PLAYED and it was so cute to watch them! Melissa's boys are TRUE boys and it kinda almost convinced me to want to have a boy next instead of a girl....that's ALMOST convinced, I still want that little girl!

Our trip in Utah came to and end (good by snow and HELLO SUNSHINE). Kent left early Sunday for Houston and I flew out Wednesday to Dallas (and yes, Boston was a gem on the flight THANKFULLY). I got to spend time with all our friends in Dallas for a few days which has been very much missed and I'm glad we got to come for a little bit. It felt like we never left!

Boston and Izzy played and played! They are SOO cute together and they just LAUGH AND LAUGH at each other! Boston misses little Izzy so much! No worries though, we'll see you soon enough when little baby girl #2 (I won't say her name=)) comes!

Friday came and Kent came over to pick us up! Friday night Mary took on Boston and Izzy AND her own little Owen for us so the Nielsons and us could enjoy a night out without the kids! Ya'll are SOO sweet to do that! THANK YOU AGAIN!

Saturday was a busy day with a baby "SPRINKLE" for Kiers and O-man's ONE year birthday!

The cute diaper cakes Jamie made for the outing at Mimi's Cafe with the cute favors!

BFF's and YES only one of us is pregnant and she's on the left!

Mary and Britta (BOTH are pregnant...well only ONE that we know FOR SURE!)

I have no pictures of Owen's birthday but Mary did SUCH a cute job! I should've stole your pictures off your blog like I did with the shower pictures of Jamie's! It was fun having lots of kids for Boston to play with and see how big all of these little babies have gotten since we left last November (and how BIG the Mama's have gotten--that's to Britta and Kiers...NO ONE else and that's also because they are pregnant NOT because I'm rude)!

Last stop before heading to Houston on Sunday was a visit to Leslie and Sid. It was quick but as you can tell from the picture Boston was SOOO very ready to get to a stable environment. At Kiers' all day Sunday he kept saying, "Bye bye, bye bye!" Poor kid! I did learn that Boston LOVES eating peanut butter from the jar since Sidney introduced that to him! It makes for a mess but he LOVES it. Funny how he won't eat it on sandwiches though!

And that's OFFICIALLY IT for our adventures! We made it to Houston LATE Sunday night and are here to stay awhile! Well for the next 6 months anyway....AND we're headed to Baton Rouge this weekend for Easter. No, we NEVER stop!

STRESS!

Okay so I know I said I wasn't really going to be posting much until we got to Houston but I need help. I'm officially stressing and I HAVE to post so that I can get the help of all you mother's out there you have kids who are sleeping in a big boy (or girl) beds!

Since we leave our whole life behind when we leave for the summer and bring the BARE MINIMUM with us, this means I will be transitioning Boston into a BIG BOY BED EARLY!!!! I didn't want to do this until he was two but we now only have approximately TWELVE days of my son sleeping so soundly and easily contained in a crib. After that, BAM big boy bed here we come! I'm TERRIFIED of this; not because I'm not excited to decorate and buy new things (Kent's NOT so excited about this) but because I'm so used to the simplicity of just laying Boston down and knowing there is no way for him to crawl out of bed and give me any hassle. He goes RIGHT to sleep! Now with this whole big boy bed thing I don't think naps and bedtime will be as simple. THAT'S the part I'm stressing over! So if ANY of you have advice that made this transition period a little bit easier, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! I guess I also better head to Barnes and Nobles and pick up a few books to read before we begin this process!

IT'S A LOVE STORY!!!

So you won't be getting much updating on blogging until we get settled in Houston in 2 weeks or so. So sit tight...sorry, I know you're missing it! ;)

Until then, here's a little something to tide you over. We are currently in St. George visiting my grandparents. Tonight, my grandma showed me a book my Aunt Aundrea made them for Christmas that has my grandparent's parents, my grandparent's and ALL of their children's love stories. I thought it was SO cute and SUCH a cute idea. I was about to go to bed after reading all of their love stories and starting thinking about my own love story with Kent. I decided that I wasn't that tired and that it might be a good idea for me to write it down for history's sake. So that's what you're about to get. If you're interested, read on and if not, no worries just stop reading now. WARNING: IT'S DETAILED AND LONG!

MY VERSION:

Kent and I have known each other since we were little kids. Kent is 3 years older than I am so I was always the "little sister" to Kristin and Kari. No offense to him, but I never really looked twice or thought anything of him because I believe BOTH Kristin and Kari had some kind of a crush on him at some point....

Anyway, Kent got home from his mission August 2003 (27th to be exact). What is funny is that Kari and I had been visiting Louisiana for our break from school for two weeks and we were headed back to Utah/Idaho Aug. 26th. Kari was trying to get me to stay one more day so she could see Kent (no worries, they have ALWAYS just been friends) since he'd been on his mission for the past 2 years. I insisted that we GOOO because I didn't care and was anxious to get back to my freedom in Provo. So I got my way and we drove off to school on the 26th-the day before Kent's arrival back...just barely missing each other.

Fast forward to Christmas break. Kari STILL hadn't seen Kent since his return from his mission and informed me one night that Kent and Taylor were stopping by the house to see her. Of course, I didn't really care that much at the time but that was soon to be changing. Shortly after the doorbell rang and I went to the door with the phone to my ear to let them in. As soon as I opened the door I must admit I was surprised at my reaction. I don't know for sure if my mouth dropped or not but for some reason Kent looked VEEERRYYY attractive to me for the first time in my life!!! I remember feeling VERY awkward, letting them in and running upstairs after to get off the phone as quickly as possible. The boys stayed and watched a movie that night and I came in and out not too sure how much attention I wanted to GIVE or GET from Kent. The next 2 weeks over Christmas break I saw Kent quite a few times. Mainly because he supposedly just "tagged along" with Taylor to come see Kari. I remember one night they were over watching a movie and once the movie was over Kari and Taylor had fallen asleep and Kent and I sat up talking about our lives until almost 2 or 3 am (until my parents came and busted up the party). I remember going to bed that night a little nervous because this was the FIRST guy that was turning my head since my break-up with a previous boyfriend who I was still hoping to work things out with that happened 8 or 9 months earlier (sad I know!). I knew that I couldn't just let this slide out from underneath me because for me to be SOMEWHAT interested in someone else was HUGE! I could tell by the way Kent spoke to me that he WAS having a LITTLE bit of interest BUT I had kind of been out of the dating world (hey, 8-9 months is a LONG time) so I couldn't be 100% positive. One night he invited Kari and I to go bowling with a bunch of other people. He OH SO SLIGHLY got my number and I was REALLY hoping he'd put it to use ESPECIALLY since I was trying to play it cool and didn't reciprocate and get his number. Sure enough, a few days later was New Year's Eve and I got a phone call from a random number and when I answer, to my surprise it was KENT! He was calling to invite Kari and I to the Single's Ward New Year's Eve party in Denham and then to go four wheeling after. We talked for a REALLY long time on the phone talking about both of our previous relationships (I kinda think he was asking to see where I stood with it all and to see if he was in the clear to pursue me or not) and then ending with me telling him we'd be there!! Now I just had to rearrange plans that I'd already made with the ex. I ended up inviting him and his brothers and sisters up to Baton Rouge instead of us heading down to their place (you might think that's kinda weird but you gotta know the whole story because it really wasn't). PLUS I thought I'd REALLY know how I felt if they were BOTH there at the SAME time. I also REALLY wanted to spend one more night with Kent before we headed back to school. We had a VERY exciting, fun evening with NO New Year's kiss which I wasn't totally disappointed about (weird I know, I was still figuring things out). The night ended with Kent promising Kari he'd come up to Rexburg for her graduation and me being THRILLED to know that I was going to see him in 4 months. He gave me a BIG hug (which for some reason put butterflies in my stomach) and telling me he'd call (which I was SOO hoping he'd do).

Post New Year's 4 wheeling adventure

I'll never forget on January 4th, my mom was helping drive me up to Rexburg for school and my phone ringing and to my surprise and excitement it was KENT!!! We talked for a little bit and I was really hoping this meant he was interested. This was the FIRST phone call of many that would be happening between us over the next several months. We talked and talked and talked some more until ALL hours in the morning. We knew we both liked each other but our situation was a little odd since he was in Louisiana and I was in Idaho. For Valentine's Day weekend, Kiers, Kari, Ciara, Taylor, Jared J. and I were all planning a trip to So Cal. Well a few weeks before I get a text from Kent asking me what I thought of him coming along. OF COURSE I wanted him there!!! He told me he really wanted to see how things would be between us and so sure enough he made the trip out and we all headed to Cali for a weekend that HIT OFF our relationship. We even had our first kiss on Valentine's Day or actually Feb 15th because it was past midnight. I was the initiator on that one...I knew he wanted to kiss me but for SOME REASON he was taking FOREVER to make the move. He was sending ALL the signals but just not going in for the kill! I was assuming he was a little nervous because he hadn't kissed anyone in over 2 years so I just went in for the kill! Anyway, the weekend came to a close and I saw Kent back off to Louisiana.=( We continued our long distance relationship with our long night phone calls and we soon realized that both of us were feeling stronger for each other. I knew I had to plan a trip down to Louisiana to see him again. So in March of '04 I was heading down to the dirty south to see him (to my surprise my parents let me leave in the middle of the semester AND pay for my flight back home). We had what we call like to call our FIRST official date with JUST the TWO of us. It is my most exciting date I've EVER had. Kent picked me up, we saw Starsky and Hutch, hit up the golfing range (NO neither of us golf), went to Ninfa's for dinner (Kent had crawfish quesadillas and I had steak fajitas) then went on a 4 wheeling adventure at the "beach" and started a fire and talked forever! We had a VERY memorable weekend but once again the time quickly came for me to head back to the 'burg! Our phone conversations continued and slowly but surely April came and it was time for Kent's TWO week adventure out to Idaho for Kari's grad (like he promised her) and to pay me a LONG visit!! I headed down to Utah the day he flew in so I could meet him down there and drive up to Rexburg together. I REALLY was getting anxious to tell Kent I LOVED him because I had been wanting to wait and tell him IN PERSON instead of over the phone. I was a little nervous to say ANYTHING because he hadn't said anything to me and I didn't want to look like an idiot to say it and have him not feel the same way. The night he got in we were talking and he told me he wanted to tell me something. At first I was oblivious to what he was going to say but next thing I knew the words "I LOVE YOU" were coming out of his mouth with many other sweet, heartfelt words and my heart started racing with excitment!!! He DID love me and I DIDN'T have to be embarrassed to tell him! I quickly told him I LOVED HIM TOO and that I'd been wanting to tell him but wanted to wait until we could actually SEE each other. I guess we both were thinking on the same brainwave because he said that same thing. Well, by the time the 2 weeks of this visit was up we were talking marriage. Kent was headed down to California to sell that summer and I was headed to BR to work. We knew our long distance relationship was only going to continue but we had decided that we didn't want to wait until Kent got up to Idaho in the fall to date and have a "normal" relationship. We knew how we felt and we wanted to take the next step and get married....

On April 26th, I drove with Kent from Idaho down to California for his summer job. I was planning on flying out the next day from Cali to head back to Baton Rouge to work. I knew we were going to get engaged but I didn't think that it would happen for another month or so but the crazy guy that Kent is had other plans to surprise me. We got to Oceanside pretty late that evening and Kent was trying to convince me to go to the beach. I honestly DID NOT feel like going because #1 it was dark and we had NO IDEA where it was or HOW to get there and #2 I was tired and just wanted to relax before I left in the morning. I guess my stubbornness spoiled Kent's plans a little come to find out later. Instead of heading to the beach we stayed in and talked. In the middle of our conversation Kent left to his bedroom and returned with a BEAUTIFUL jewelry box that he bought in Italy. He told me in previous phone conversations that he bought it on his mission to give to his future wife someday. I thought maybe this was the "pre-ring promise box" that he was giving to show he was serious about us getting engaged soon. He told me to open the box and inside was a poem he'd written. For those of you who know Kent, know that he's pretty goofy and never really all that serious. Well, this poem was more of a sweet, funny poem not a mushy, gushy poem. The last line talks about us being together forever (one day I'll post the poem). Next thing I know, I look up and see Kent with a ring box in his hand!!! He gets down on one knee, opens the box and asks me to marry him!!! I was SOOO taken back and SHOCKED that it was all happening RIGHT THEN but of COURSE I said YES!!! I put on the ring and was actually surpised that he did pretty good at picking it out without my help (something that he no longer does these days because he never feels like he gets it right!).

Our engagement went just like our dating-we saw each other 3 times before our wedding date. With Kent selling in California and me in Baton Rouge planning a wedding, we were BOTH anxious to get married and FINALLY be TOGETHER in the SAME PLACE from then on out! We were married Friday, August 27, 2004-exactly ONE YEAR from the day Kent got home from his mission. We both headed back up to Rexburg together for school and honeymooned in Jackson Hole where we saw a play, a gun show, rode in a carriage around town, experienced a chuck wagon dinner and show, went whitewater rafting, rode horses through the mountains, hot tubbed, and had the time of our life together in the coziest little hotel "Inn on the Creek".

So that is how our lives got started together forever and the rest is all history!!! I LOVE that man!!!!

SHE'S BAAAAACK!!

Just when I was a LITTLE disappointed that Melissa didn't become the next bachlorette (I understand why she didn't want to...), I find out that she decided 48 hours before the show premiered that she was going to be a replacement on DANCING WITH THE STARS!!!! I'm THRILLED because I love, love, LOVE her! She was soooo cute and did such a great job and even got a standing ovation when she finished and she got all teary eyed too! I'm pulling for her win....afterall they can't take away the Dancing With the Stars trophy! Do you think Jason secretly watches her when Molly isn't around and regrets his decision?!

TAG IT UP!

Amanda tagged me to do this:

PHOTO TAG!
Here are the rules:
1. Go to your documents/pictures.
2. Go to your 6th file.
3. Go to your 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same.

So here's the picture:

BOSTON ROBERT HOOPER on May 24th just after entering the world so probably around 10:20 pm or so at night at 8 lbs 19.5 inches. Unfortunately, since I was cut open sitting on the surgery table alot of this seems like a blur but I DO remember Kent being VERY worried about Boston being taken out of his sight. He asked the nurse before I went in for my c-section if he could follow them wherever they took the little man. They told him yes and so SURE ENOUGH Kent kept a CLOSE watch on him the whole time. I knew then he'd be a FABULOUS father!

I tag: Kristin, Kiersten, Jamie, Ciara, Lindsay, and Catherine

QUICK UPDATE:

THE GOOD NEWS: We officially found someone to take over our lease here!

THE BAD NEWS: We have to be out by Tuesday!

This means for the next few days we will be VERY busy packing up our stuff and dividing it into summer stuff for Houston, long term storage, and stuff we need for the next 3 weeks as we live as hobos until we leave for Houston the end of the month! Are we crazy? Yes! But we decided that it'd be best for us to get rid of this place during the summertime so we could save more money and according to Dave Ramsey it wasn't the brightest idea to keep it until we got back. We wanted to give it to whoever wanted it whenever they wanted it and unfortunately that means being out quickly. But atleast it's officially off our hands! Wish us luck as we get everything ready to leave!

One more thing...my son is beginning to turn into his father. The past week or so he farts and begins to laugh SOO hard! Then he tries to push out another one and if he gets another one out he laughs even HARDER! BOYS!!!! I can just picture having ALL boys and them all having a farting contest! BOYS BOYS BOYS!!!

WE'RE BAAAAACK!!!

So we've made it back from our week long trip to Idaho and I guess its time to get back into the swing of things around here. But before I do, I have to list a few happenings from our trip. I didn't take any pictures (I forgot my camera) but there were a few things to remember:

• I had my FIRST experience at PITA PIT and I am SOO glad I tried it! Yes, for all of our friends who've left Rexburg and didn't know, Pita Pit has made its way into that BOOMING little town!
• There's also this new little place called the COCOA BEAN, or the Mormon way of doing Starbucks, that Amanda treated me to. It also had the BEST tasting cupcakes that are similar to the SPRINKLES cupcakes I've spoken about before. We also got the luxury to become famous while there because some girl was filming for some class and Amanda was interviewed. Unfortunately, neither of us were fully ready for the day BUT luckily this isn't something going on national television and luckily for me I wasn't interviewed! Sorry Amanda!
• I tried PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE for the 1st time! If you know me, you know that fruit mixed with desert is NOT my fav (aside from strawberry shortcake) and I must say this didn't make me want to try it again, no offense to Amanda's baking because everyone else loved it!
• We didn't just EAT the WHOLE time. Amanda also took me to this cute little new BABY BOUTIQUE that is also in Rexburg. I was a little upset that all the things I wanted to get Boston they didn't have in his size but maybe when we go back in a few weeks she'll have her spring line and they WILL have his sizes! Look at good ole Rexburg getting hip stuff like that!
• Our husband's took over one night to watch the kids so Amanda and I could go see "HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU!" I REALLY liked this movie although I officially HATE Scarlett Johansson for her role in that movie. I NEVER like a man who cheats OR the woman who he cheats with!
• We had a party for the BACHELOR FINALE that was on Monday AND Tuesday which I was COMPLETELY disappointed with. I've gone on and on about this and don't feel like going on any more aside from the fact that I think he's a JERK for PURPOSING to Melissa when he was supposedly in LOVE with TWO girls...he should have just asked to further the relationship....poor poor Melissa! Little ole Molly should have said she moved on and not have gotten back with him! That's all I have to say!
• Boston woke up most mornings EARLY because of an OVERLY WET LEAKY DIAPER! He also woke up this morning SOAKING WET! I have NO idea what to do about this. I've not given him his sippy past dinner to help cut down on the liquids and I wait until RIGHT before bed to put on his diaper but we still get the wetness in the morning. Anyone have solutions?
• Speaking of Boston, he had his FIRST OFFICIAL MELTDOWN in public when we went shopping. Let me tell you it was AWEFUL. When I say meltdown this included kicking, screaming, pulling my hair and tears. I swear the WHOLE store was looking at me especially when some stupid lady said to me after, "Well he doens't like shopping does he?" HUSH little woman, don't you think I KNOW that! It was HORRIBLE and I know it's probably not the last but I'm REALLY hoping it doesn't happen again! Stop laughing Mom and Kristin!
• Kent played basketball a few times (3 times to be exact) while we were there and would've gone for a #4 but one thing stopped him. On day 3 of playing, he SPRAINED HIS ANKLE! He likes to say its from dunking so hard BUT it was because he was clumsy! So he was out of commission with a HUGE swollen gimp leg for a few days. He's still recovering but atleast he can walk without a WHOLE lot of pain now!

So that was our wrap from Idaho. Kent stayed busy with recruiting stuff while Boston, Stella and I hung out with Amanda, Tessa and Camden! Thanks for putting up with us while we were there!

MARDI GRAS MAMBO!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS TO ALL OUR SOUTHERN FRIENDS OUT THERE (...and I guess those who aren't too...)! Wish we could be there to fully indulge in all the festivities! There's always next year right?!?

WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT?!?!

We decided to try out this a little Mexican restaurant tonight that we'd never tried before. We ordered Boston a cheese quesadilla that was HUGE!!! On the side was a cup of sour cream and the moment Boston eyed that, it was OVER! He kept dipping his chip into it and licking the chip, then putting it back in the sour cream then he'd lick it again and so on and so on! As soon as he realized the quesadilla was even better dipped in sour cream, that HUGE quesadilla was gone just like that! It was HILARIOUS! Now that we know he loves sour cream so much, maybe we should try dipping veggies in sour cream and then MAYBE he'd eat them.....

The chip he wouldn't bite! It was for licking ONLY!

ALL GONE!

**sorry for the blurriness, these are from my phone**

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

We made this Valentine's Day very simple. Now that Kent is on this whole "Total Money Makeover" deal (yes, sometimes it drives me nuts but other times I'm grateful he brings me back to reality), we decided to have a night in and cook dinner together after Boston went to bed. Actually this was my idea to contribute and show Kent that I AM willing to sacrifice(sometimes..) in order to boost our savings plus I remembered a Newlyweds episode where Jess and Nick decided to make gifts for $10 or less on Vday and thought it was a cute idea! Kent asked me what I was craving for dinner and for some reason I've been DYING to hit up Outback so Outback was brought to the Hooper's! Kent bought some steak, potatoes, asparagus, texas toast and some good ole DP! We put Boston to bed and had a nice quiet candle lit dinner together. We didn't do much in the gift department although I did give Kent a list of "50 Reasons I Love You." I wanted to do 100 but I thought about it last minute and didn't have time so maybe I'll just add to it as we go! It was a nice evening just being able to talk and relax. I LOVE being married to Kent and I'm VERY glad he's the one I'm with forever!

Boston was also so lucky to receive a Valentine's package from Mimi and Papa! When he woke up from his nap, he got to see his fun surprises! Mimi packed it FULL of little goodies!

A homemade chocolate heart sucker (Kent and I were also lucky to get one also) and a tootsie pop (which he LOVED)!

A box filled with ANIMAL CRACKERS which again he LOVED!

And the book, "Five Little Ducks" that my mom used to sing to me as a kid! Thanks Mimi and Papa for thinking of us! We love getting surprise packages, especially the little man!

Also, since we no longer have the luxury of having SPRINKLES around, Kent thought we'd make our own red velvet cupcakes! So we did and Boston devoured his cupcake as well as Kent's deacon's on Sunday!

We hope everyone else had an enjoyable Valentine's Day too!

P.S. Did I also mention Kent made me breakfast in bed on Vday also? I think that was the FIRST time in our marriage he's done that...I was VERY surprised and VERY pleased! What a man! Also, did I also mention that it has snowed here EVERY DAY since last Sunday (that's Sunday Feb 8th to be exact) and today has been the WORSE so far. Usually we've gotten snow flurries throughout the day but TODAY it has been FULL ON BLIZZARD! We shoveled approximately 1 ft of snow this morning off and I KNOW we have atleast that on it right now! I think we'll have all this snow still here when we leave the end of March for Houston! CRAAAZZZZY!

BOSTON'S FAVORITE READS:

Every night before I lay Boston down, I have him pick some books to read and it never fails that he choses the SAME TWO books:

"No No" and

"Moon" as Boston puts it.

Sometimes I must admit, I pull out different books because for some reason I want him to get a variety but most of the time he gets his way and we read these two books! It's pretty funny sometimes because we'll go in Boston's room and he's got "No No" out and is going through all the pages and saying "No No!" I think he is partially proud because he thinks he can read it? That or maybe he just knows all the things mommy tells him "no, no" to are the SAME things the book says "no no" to. It's actually a pretty cute book! Tonight I walked in and sure enough he had "No No" out....

This is generally the "no no" face!

Then he laughed and smiled at me being SOOO proud of himself!

VALENTINES DAY SUGAR COOKIES PROJECT!

So I was trying to be a good mom on Monday and decided to have Boston help me make some sugar cookies and decorate them for Valentines Day. You know how you always have in your head how a "bonding moment" will turn out? Everything is perfect, everyone is smiling and laughing and joining in on the great fun..

Well it started out that way and I guess overall it was fun but I guess I wasn't prepared for the MESS my kitchen was going to turn into. Boston LOVED helped dump the ingredients in (secret ingredient-SOUR CREAM...yes even I who HATE sugar cookies, like these kind). Anyway, things are going well and then my beater blows out so then I'm stuck hand beating this sticky dough while Boston is finding it HILARIOUS to put his hands in it and collect his own dough and then fling it across the room! We start to roll out the dough which Boston thoroughly enjoyed and was VERY upset when the dough was done being rolled out that he decided to use his feet instead when I turned my back (sorry Jamison's...)!

After finally getting hearts cut out from scratch (I have NO cookie cutter for vday and I didn't feel like driving down the mountain in search of some), I decided to bake them and take a break and frost them for family night so I could have Kent's help controlling my son who was VERY into getting as messy as possible and I wasn't about to handle the frosting on my own.

For family night it was a much better controlled situation and Boston LOVED digging in the frosting and licking it off his hands. At first he was a little taken back at the red substance on his hands (he HATES having dirty hands) but when I showed him that he could lick it off...HE LOVED IT!!! I did most of the cookie decorating since Boston was busy eating the frosting and Kent was making inappropriate designs on the cookies. Overall, we had a fun time and it was something different from what we normally do. AND I was a totally cook that day. I made breakfast, lunch, dinner AND cookies! Usually I just cook dinner so Monday was a day to remember!

Sorry I look all rudolph in this picture, my allergies were not doing so good that day! Also, notice Boston COVERED in frosting looking EXTRA chubby!

The finished product! Amanda I love that Camden looks like he's just EYEING those cookies in the background!

One last thing, it's been snowing here since Sunday (that's 3 feet of snow people!) and I'm a little jealous knowing that every where else in the nation is having 60 and 70 degree weather right now!! Thank GOODNESS Houston is only a month and a half away!

I'M BEAT!

After a long weekend of pigging out (I had an excuse because it WAS Superbowl WEEKEND), I officially feel 5 lbs heavier and I could tell in my plyometrics workout today. As they say, "It puts the X in p90x!" Now I fully understand why they tell you to eat a certain way. We have TONS of leftover JUNK food from our Superbowl party yesterday and I didn't want to throw it all away, I just promised myself I wouldn't consume a whole lot in one day....well now I think it's ALL hitting the trash can! This workout did me in. I think I'll be sitting on the couch and not moving today!