As we pray.

So lately the kids have been saying the family prayers.

Brenden typically prays for(in order): mom, dad, Kaleigh, grandpa, nana, all the animals by name, his teachers (by name), video games, the prophet, Joseph Smith, girls in his class by name, movies, cars, Lightning Mc Queen, monkeys and birds... then mumbles til he closes.

Kaleigh's prayers usually consist of being thankful for: mommy, daddy, Brenden, nana, and granpa, the puppies, horses, ponies, Brenden, daddy, mommy, ponies, and princesses, and ponies, and candy...

So as you know most of our nightly prayers last forever. But it's my favorite part of every day.

I'm going...

to Girl's Camp this summer.

yea, that's about the only news I've had to share for the last few weeks. Other than that... not much just going about normal days. Oh and some strep thrown in for me. Back to the Dr's tomorrow.

The second Sledding adventure.

Here we are at our normal hill. However, this picture was taken last week before our rain storm. So all of this is now ice.

For some reason we decided to go sledding again anyway.

Well, on a trip with my dad Kaleigh and him flipped. Since she was okay and we took her a few more times. Til Keith flipped with her. She got a little banged up but she just went home with daddy and nursed her owie. While Brenden, Nana, G'Pop and I stayed out a little longer. Brenden enjoyed a few runs alone and a few runs with all of us in our "boat"...


A few runs later he decided he wanted to become a luge expert. Well, it was his first time feet first fully lying down. Unfortunately he hit a bump and flipped the sled. I had before pictures, but decided these were better to post, as he had a chance for all the redness to go down. He's our resident tough guy. He never screamed, only whimpered a little and begged me to clean his nose out. Yes he also had a bloody nose which stopped pretty quickly. He was pretty tough wants to go out again soon. I told him he can go after the next snowfall.
But this was them just a few hours later playing their favorite game. Hit Brenden in the head and laugh. If you notice the background we are watching hockey. My dad says Brenden is just getting prepared for the start of his hockey career.

See they are still my favorite kids just with some bumps and bruises. Thank goodness we saw their school director today and explained where it all came from. Lucky for us she had already guessed as their primary president. I hate explaining where all the scrapes and bruises come from. So who's coming to visit us and join us sledding?

Sledding

Here's some pictures of us sledding last week. Pictures of yesterday are to come.



Here's Brenden after conquering the slope all by himself. He had a great time going all alone. He felt like the big boy he is.

Here's Kaleigh after a run with dad. Can you tell it took a lot out of her? She loves the snow. But we have no idea why she prefers to lie face down in it.



Here they are ready for another run. It's a pretty nice view.

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!