Christmas in Star Valley

We made the drive up during our holiday break in Arizona to celebrate Christmas with the family in Star Valley this year. One of my favorite and most special moments was having Grandpa Byron Hoopes reading the Christmas story from the bible while the family acted out the nativity. Grandma Mary and Grandpa were both sitting on the couch together, reading the scriptures. I really began to realize at that moment how important these kinds of moments are. We didn't rehearse, our costumes were last minute, but we were together as a family creating memories.

 Our family gatherings also include Aunt Celeste, Uncle Guy, Sage and Hunter. Aimee was also around for the holidays. We are worried about her, so it was good to spend time with her as well.

Ben and I had just found out a few months ago that we would be expecting a sweet little baby boy in June. Momma Hoopes could not be more excited to be a future Grandma- and so we were given a few new baby items. Such a nervous and exciting time for us and our family! We cannot wait to meet this sweet little boy.

Disneyland with the McWhorter's

We went to Disneyland with our friends, the McWhorter's, and it was so much fun! They have a little three almost 4-year-old and she was barely tall enough to ride the big rides. We took her on splash Mountain it was so funny to see the picture well we were going down the last dive. She looked so scared, but she didn't cry at all, which was nice. The bad thing was I had to miss school and they will drop you from classes if you miss more than three days of school because they take attendance! It is crazy but I sure like school more than working at the preschool.

Things are going well here. Been start school tomorrow and then he will be super busy, but he loves school and I'm grateful for that. The only worry I have right now is my dear grandma Mary hoops. She hasn't been feeling well and has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which is a cancer that is aggressively treated with chemo. I love my grandma hate to be so far away while she isn't feeling well. I just hope and pray she will do well with the treatments and get back to her good all self again.

Ben is reading a Guinness world record book and every once in a while he will read a crazy or amazing record to me.! There are some very interesting people that do some crazy things out there.

Our First Trip to Disneyland!

 

 Our friends Brian and Deanne invited us to go with them to Disneyland for a few days before school started back up. We stayed in the same hotel room to save money and Ben used the military discount for  free tickets into California Adventure and Disneyland Park-hopper pass

 "HEY! I'm looking cute and you are kissing Minnie Mouse? WHAT?!?!" I'm sure Minnie gets it all the time...

 Deanne and I getting soaked on the rapids ride. It was nice to have friends to take turns and watch our little friend Brianna.

 
 
 
 

 

 

Officer Basic Course

Dr. Jones and Dr. Platt get ready with their weapons



Staying in these air-conditioned tents during the hot Texas summer heat!

THE ARMY SONG

First to fight for the right

And to build the nation's might

And THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG

Proud of all we have done,

Fighting till the battle's won,

And THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG

 

The it's hi! hi! hey!

The Army's on it's way

Count off the cadence loud and strong:

For wher'er we go, you will always know

That THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG

   Ben sent a package for my birthday with pictures and gifts. He wrote a poem that made me cry when I read it. It was funny, sweet, and full of love! A perfect gift when you cannot be with your spouse during special holidays.

Picking up my love from the airport! I was so excited to have him back with me after spending 6 weeks working up in Star Valley for Dr. Weston dental assisting and waitressing at a Steak House in the evenings. 

 I LOVE MY BENJAMIN!

A Love Poem

BECKY
I know this poem might seem a bit sappy,
but when I think of how much I love you it makes me happy.
So it case you have forgotten how much I love you,
I thought I would write it down so you could see it too.
I love you- I love you- I LOVE YOU
You are my whole life,
Thank you for loving me and
Becoming my eternal wife!

written and created by-
BENJAMIN

The Newlywed Game

Ben and I are terrible at this game. We tell the correct answers to the question, but it never matches up with what the other will answer to the same question. At the relief society enrichment night we talked about Families and babies, and then we had a funny portion where we played the "Newlywed Game". It was funny because according to the game, I don't know my HUSBAND! There were a few answers where I totally picked the wrong choice and Ben sure let me (and everyone) know it! "That isn't even close" "Completely Wrong"... you get the idea. We took last place, even to a couple that isn't even married yet! It's a good thing we love one another and we are learning more answers about one another every day!
For one of the questions Ben answered I was a natural-born  Mother. ( I said natural-born BLOND)  His answer is true. I am good at telling Ben what to do, making dinner, and keeping the house clean. I sure love my honey!

Happy Valentines Day

I woke up on this beloved holiday to find my dear, sweet husband had tied a piñata to the ceiling fan in our living room. It was my present along with a funny and sweet card. The piñata made me laugh and the card made me cry (because I love my husband so much) SO I went to work and was hoping to get home early but they needed help in the infants room. I was feeding babies and trying to get them to walk. So I got home around 4:00 and Ben had put the piñata in the garage so we could knock all the candy out. It was fun and we were giggling a lot. We then decided to go out to dinner, and our quickest option was IN & OUT Burger. Then we went to the new movie "Dare Devil" with Ben Affleck. After the movie we were asked if we wanted to go to the Valentine's Single Adult Dance and we said sure. I can't believe how rusty I was at dancing, but we had fun just like in the "good ol' days" We didn't get home until after 1:00 a.m.! It was the BEST Valentines Day I've had so far!



The Valentine Pinata (a new tradition) and hand hearts from me.

Working Woman

*Becky's journal
1-22-03
I've started working at my new job at SUNRISE PRESCHOOL. My job is a lunch breaker and helper for only 4 hours a day. Last week I had to cover for a lady for 3 days full time and I got incredibly sick. All those snotty-germ carrier little kids got me! Now I am starting to feel much better.
.... Now I am working full time. There are days when I can go home early, and other times when I cover in the infants room. On some days I will stay later in my 2 year old room.