Cannon is 4 years old

HAP- HAP- HAP- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
After telling us for weeks what he wanted for his birthday, we had a fun party up in Star Valley with Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes in Fairview. We even sang the Perry Gripp birthday song 4 times and let the birthday boy blow out his candles 4 (or more) times. We are so happy for Cannon- he is our fun little buddy. He says the cutest things and always makes us smile at his enthusiasm for life.

Cael in Wyoming

Earlier this year we decided it would be a good opportunity for Cael to go back with grandma and grandpa and spend a couple of weeks in Wyoming. We joked around it would be a cowboy internship, or free horse riding lessons with grandpa.

every morning they got up very early to pick up the horses, load them in the trailer, and head up to the mountain to round up cattle. So far the weather has been a combination of sunny days mixed in with some rainy and muddy days as well. They work hard and on some days they get to play hard too!

Grandma and grandpa say it is been a lot of fun to have him around. But we are sure missing him at our house, it is a lot quieter here!

On a weekend Cael went up to Jackson hole with grandpa Platt, Doreen, and Joseph. They went floating down the river, fishing, and out to eat. Joseph and his friend that is a girl dared Cael to drink 10 drops of cholula for some money. He also swam across a freezing river because grandpa hoopes offered him all the money that was in his pocket. I don't know if I should be worried or proud

Grandma Denise Ivory sure loved having Cael around and getting to know him better. See you later wrote a letter telling us all the fun memories that you will now have of Cael.

One of the last things he did this summer was load up the back of a trailer with hay  for the horses with grandpa hoopes and uncle Dusty. I'm pretty sure this was a summer Cael will never forget.

Baptism and Baby Blessing

Tyson Ray Hoopes was baptized on the 2nd of August in Afton, Wyoming by his father Dustin Ray Hoopes at the Afton Stake Center. The baptism and confirmation were very special, I could tell that Dusty had prepared for this moment and the Spirit was very strong on each occasion. Tyson is a good young man and does well in following the rules. He is smart and talented on the piano as well. We were glad to spend so much time with him at Gma/pa Hoopes' house during the summer and get to know him better.

 I was trying to get only a picture of Tyson, but Cael in his typical fashion snuck right in there and stole some of the spotlight. He is such a ham.

The 3 Hoopes Brothers (and Cael) I told my brothers to get ready for a picture and look who jumped right in to be a part of it-- it's Cael of course.

BABY BLESSING for RUBY KATE HOOPES. Also given by Dusty, family, and friends Sunday morning. Ruby's dress was so beautiful, but very slippery. During the blessing she almost dropped to the ground because of the material and strong men in the circle.

THE HOOPES FAMILY- Dusty, Jessica, Ruby, Tyson, and Jack

To show that I was there to show my love and support

The Hoopes grandkids with Grandpa Gordon Bowers after the blessing. We are lucky he, Jan, and Nathan were able to drive up to Star Valley for the family reunion, baptism, and blessing. Grandpa has done some wonderful paintings for me. It is fun to visit his house and see all of his art.

Family Reunion WYOMING ROUND-UP

Grandpa Hoopes puts the squeeze on the boys before they get to work.

This year I helped my mom (who was really stressed out and worried) plan and put together our Bowers family reunion up in Star Valley. Our theme "COWBOY ROUND-UP" was so fun. It was relaxing, we looked at old pictures, shared memories of past reunions, and talked about what it going on in our families. Saturday afternoon Tyson was baptized and after the luncheon with the Challis family, we went back to Star Valley Ranch to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The kids were playing around in the yard as we got our milk can dinner prepared with the carrots, potatoes, corn, and cabbage cleaned, cut up, and put inside the old milk can.

While we waited for our dinner to cook, we began getting dressed up in cowboy and pioneer clothes for our old time photo booth. Each family grabbed whatever they wanted to wear (hats, dresses, vests, boots, and chaps)... and we even had a few guns to hold as well. My boys were especially eager to hold their photo props, especially the weapons. Whom ever was getting their photos taken were asked to keep serious faces because life was hard back in those days and we needed to keep with the times. All the pictures looked really cute on the phones, but I think the final product will be even better!

COWBOY SISTERS- Brenda and Kathi enjoy some time relaxing after the talent show.

After our dinner, each family was asked to prepare a skit, poem, or song for the cowboy talent show. Ryan read a cowboy poem, my kids sang along to "Home on the Range", Derek-Allie sang "I'm a little Cowboy" (to the tune of Little Teapot) Aunt Brenda, Thad, and Jade danced to "Cotton-Eye Joe". Grandpa Bowers, Jan, and Nathan did a poem and sing-a-long to a favorite campfire song "Late last night... cow kicked it over... FIRE FIRE FIRE!" But the most embarrassing/hilarious was the "Cowboy in Paradise" read and acted out by my Dad. We laughed and then started to rope and race the kids as they ran around on their stick horses.


Brielle tries to run away before she is roped by Cowboy Grandpa

Grandpa roped, branded, shot, and marked each of the "steers" as they ran around the yard. Connor loved it!

Another fun game planned was the pioneer game of STICK PULLING. Connor and Brielle had a good match, as well as Grandpa against Nathan. Old Cowboys are tougher than they look--

The Grandkids lined up with their "horses" ready for the barrel races to begin.

Another delicious tradition of homemade root beer was a big hit with Max and Connor. They kept going back for more samples of the yummy drink. This reunion was such a great time. We only get a short time to spend together- once a year for maybe an afternoon- and this was my first reunion in 4 years with this side of the family. It was fun to be together and make new memories.



My handsome cowboys



Pioneer Women and SAGE- I love this picture!



Ryan, Grandpa Bowers, Richard, and Derek get ready to ride.

STAR VALLEY