It's a White Christmas

The Morning started with a beautiful blanket of snow and our buddies morning snack.Keith got two things he's always wanted A Giant Gummy Bear (on a stick). And a board game he can finally win.
Kaleigh got something Keith has always called her... I think she was confused... and something she has always wanted. (from Nana and G'Pop)



Brenden got a DJ which he immediately had to share with his loving sister, but had his favorite brothers he didn't have to share.
Brenden even got a present for mommy. What a sweet guy.
And Brenden's best buddy, got his best buddy. What a fun present exchange... now to get ready for dinner. Thank goodness for the occupation the pony and Didj are bringing.



Oh one more note... After we saw what was in the following video we couldn't help ourselves we ran out to our favorite spot and went sledding.

Last Chance for a Christmas Card

So this year I decided to make Christmas cards. Yea, that was a not a good idea. I did them in phases. And each time I decided that I was missing something. So 7 weeks later here I am with pieces of cards. But nothing actually done. Mostly I blame my crazy obsession with my new job that I love so much. I don't mind. Hey I decided to use the new sort of decent picture of us for our cards this year. Again I'm running to costco at last minute to get our cards out. Unfortunately I am missing some addresses... Natalie, Dejah, Amy, Andrea, Don, Vanessa, Ashley, Liz... and a few more that have either moved in the past year or whatever. So please email them to me at river_hopkins@hotmail.com. Thanks guys! and if you don't Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas Tree Decoration Party!

Brenden was confused which holiday it was.

The coolest ornament.

Yea, what a good FHE. We decorated our neighbor's Christmas tree. it was so much fun. Too bad for every ornament that was hung two fell down. They had a great time. I just thought I'd share a few pictures.

We sure had fun!

bored yet again...

1. Did you date someone from your high school?
Yes
2. What kind of car did you drive?
vans
3. Were you a party animal?
not at all
4. Were you considered a flirt?
ha ha ha
5. Where you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Choir
6. What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?
well, I finally shared this for the first time without crying. I was a freshman and I had injured my wrist. My mom (I lived with my dad at the time) took me to get my cast. My mom stayed over in my room and insisted on driving me to school the next day. I told her to just drop me off in the back where the field was, because my first class was in the back of the school. I made sure to hug and kiss her good bye to avoid embarrassment. I got halfway through the field and I heard my mom yelling. Running after me saying how much she was going to miss me and that she loved me so much. As people were driving by honking and yelling... Oh did I mention she wasn't wearing pants?
7. Were you a nerd?
not so much
8. Were you on varsity teams?
track
9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled?
once
10. Can you still sing the fight song?
No
11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Mr Nino and Mr Vaughn
12. What was your school full name?
Corona Senior High School
13. School mascot?
Panthers
14. Did you go to the Homecoming dance and with who?
I did... but I don't remember his name. I think it was Sean, but that may have been my WF date.
15. If you could go back, would you?
ha ha ha not for a million dollars.
16. What do you remember most about graduation?
the bee that tried to sting me... and almost getting kicked out for jumping out of my seat. I tried explaining I'm allergic.
17. Where did you go senior skip day?
Huntington Beach
18. Were you in a club?
nope
19. Have you gained some weight since then?
Not some... a ton.
20. Who was your prom date?
didn't go cause I hated my date!!!
21. Are you planning on going to your 10 yr reunion?
I hadn't til I talked to my best friend and we decided on going to make fun of people.
22. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?
Just have fun. And for gosh sakes be good.


I tag everyone.

One More Day

So I just found out that blood work has come back for my dad... and there is still cancer. It's been hard for him to deal with. All I know is that I just want him to be happy and healthy.

Tag You're It

Five things I was doing ten years ago...

1. ditching chem class

2. Football Friday

3. at Joy's House

4. learning I was dating the wrong guys (no comments about this one please)

5. taking missionary discussions

Five things on my to do list tomorrow...

1. work

2. Lunch with the boss

3. Pick up dinner for everyone but my family

4. Young women's activity supporting one of the girl's at her playoff games

5. Trying to get home before the kids are in bed

Five snacks I enjoy...

1. fresh pineapple

2. omg nature valley's almond nut bars

3. hot caramel apple cider

4. popcorn

5. chips

Five things I would do if I were a millionaire...

1. get rid of debt

2. pay for keith's school with cash

3. buy a beautiful home

4. spoil my parents

5. open a gallery

Five places I have lived

1. Manhattan, NY

2. Corona, California

3. Manhattan, NY

4. Pleasant Grove, UT

5. Spokane, WA

Five jobs I have had

1. Yearbook Photographer for Lifetouch

2. Picture People Photographer

3. Photo Printer

4. Staffing Specialist/Onsite Manager

5. Customer Advocate

I got boots and didn't wear them.

So to start off MY KIDS ARE OKAY!!!

Thursday was the day we bought our outfits for in the previous post. I was super excited but we knew I needed heels. So on Wednesday on lunch my boss and I went shoe shopping. And I found these boots (don't vomit at the price I didn't pay for them, sick I know, I'm spoiled). Well, I saved them on my desk on Thursday and went to get my new haircut (super short). I walked in and sat down after a hectic day. It looks amazing but not right now, I forgot to put hairspray this morning so it's all flat. Anyway, back to my story... but first the disclaimer THE KIDS ARE OKAY. I walked to my car cause my debit card was not in my purse (also a gift, don't vomit). I saw I had missed calls, and a few "are you done yet?" texts. So I had Alissa trying to call me over and over again. I kept answering "you are going to be so jealous." but heard nothing. So I checked my 1 voicemail and it was Keith telling me the babysitter got sick, so come pick him up so we can get the kids. I drove towards Keith's work and received another call from Alissa with sound this time.
"Your kids are alright."
"Yea, I heard Jay's sick. We're on our way."
"No. I just talked to Shannon. Jay was in an accident."
"Wait, WHAT?"
"Everyone is okay. The kids are fine, the paramedics cannot release the kids to anyone but their parents."
"WHAT? Where ARE THEY?"
"Just go back to the salon we'll pick you up there you can't drive right now."

So I pull a U-Turn on a quadruple yellow. I figured there were no cars and if there were, that was a good thing they could escort us to the accident scene. We weren't able to get a hold of Jay or Shannon (who were on the scene). It wasn't a horrible drive. I was anxious, but thought it wasn't bad because everyone talked it down, so when we drove up the neighborhood I saw tow trucks and police cars blocking the entire road. My friend Cody who was driving parked in the long line of cars waiting to get through. So I jumped out, as he decided maybe we could drive on the other side of the road since it was blocked off. I jumped out of the car, right as Cody decided he could go on the other side of the road, and ran over my foot. I ran up past 12 cars and saw my boss holding both my kids. All they wanted was Keith, but settled for me, until they saw Cody and mistook him for Keith. But they were fine, just ready to leave. Sadly the person who was driving the car that rear ended the Jay and the kids ended up in the hospital. But everyone else was okay, due to the fact that Jay took her mom's Tahoe and not her Saturn. The whole front end of the station wagon was gone. With minimal damage for the Tahoe and the car they were pushed into. It was a relief that Brenden had a field trip to the firehouse, so he couldn't stop telling me how happy he was to meet the fireman and see the firetruck and the policeman and the police car. It was really neat, that he wasn't scared. On the way home they couldn't help but tell me all about Chuck E Cheese's. They asked if they could go back, and Kaleigh kept yelling "YEA" It was pretty cute but after a long crazy afternoon. I was so glad the kids were okay, and not traumatized at all.

so that's our update.