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.

Thanksgiving 2002

We had a wonderful thanksgiving dinner in Star Valley at my parents home. Grandpa and Grandma Hoopes were there and all my brothers and Aimee, plus new sister-in-laws and even Jessica Challis, Dustin's fiancé. My mom really made a delicious feast, I was so full I could hardly move. After dinner Derek, Dusty and Ben played a game of RISK- and Ben won! Allie, Jessica, my Mom and I worked on fabric trees for a craft.

Derek and Allie are the first ones in line and ready to eat their dinner. They are still living in Laramie while Derek finishes up his degree in Health Sciences at the University of Wyoming.

Ryan and Lindsie made it up to Star Valley after dinner to join the family. We were glad to see them and spend some time together. I think Jessica is taking this picture for us (she's not "officially" allowed to be in the family pictures yet! Ha Ha Ha!)

My Dad got a bull elk that fall and had the antlers mounted. It made a good prop for the MEN to hold above their heads.

Me and Grandpa Hoopes relax on the couch after our Thanksgiving feast!

Later that night, as tradition holds, we went to the old bowling alley in Afton. We had a good time knocking down the pins, laughing and joking around with one another. It was cute to see Dusty and Jessica being so sweet to one another. They are going to get married after Christmas this year and we are excited to be there.

Cute little lovebirds Dusty and Jessica move in close for this cute picture!

My Daddy and Me-- We take a minute for a quick photo! We must both be doing really well to be that happy and smiling at the bowling alley.

Mama Hoopes gets ready to knock them all down. She was in a bowling league when I was a little girl, so she knows what she is doing there.
We had a great time visiting for Thanksgiving, even though the drive is long all the way from Phoenix, we love the chance to be together with the family during the special holidays that happen during the year.

October in Arizona

 

 

 I don't remember if this was how Ben was dressing up for Halloween at school or what. He sure looks cute standing in our empty and clean house. Bare white walls, new carpet and tile! Have a great day at school!

 

*Last night we played softball on our co-ed city league team. The team that we played had shirts and they looked like they might be tough, but after we got over our nerves, we beat them pretty soundly. Ben was a maniac pitcher and did really well. I was the catcher and would cheer my honey on. After our game we met at a park and carved pumpkins in the dark. Ben is great getting the pumpkin all cleaned out and it was fun to spend time with the other med-students/wives/and families. Ben and I carved our FIRST pumpkin together. It looks like an evil demon/elf/pig but I think it is pretty cute. We sure have a great group of people that we can count on for support and good times getting together.

 

Midwestern University White Coat Ceremony

Our First House

We put down our initial deposit to have this home built while we were on our honeymoon in July and it was finally ready for us to move into by the end of September. We had a good stay in the housing on campus, but we were so excited to move into our very own, very first home! Signing all the paper work seemed a little intense, but we got really good at writing our names. I took our first pictures as we walked up to the house with our keys in our hands and the papers fresh in our arms. 

OUR FIRST HOME SWEET HOME - I love how we look so young and innocent. Let's be real... we were!

When the day came to move our few belongings to our house we were lucky when our Dad Eugene brought Garrett's truck to help with the haul. We only had two loads in a pick-up truck. That was it. There is a funny story with our first trip to our house:

As we were loading up for the first time, a powerful wind storm (....word...) started up. We placed our mattress and other supplies in the truck, used a tarp on the top and ropes around the back to ensure nothing flew out. The mattress was stacked on the side going up and down. The boxspring was right against the rail and the mattress next to it. As we were driving down the interstate a powerful gust blew over us, the truck felt like it was shaking and we drove. We looked back and saw the tarp flapping around, but we didn't think much about it.

I'm so happy my Mom and Dad came to visit. We decorated and got to play around town. My Mom always is ready for a party, going out to eat, and watching a movie. Plus she knows how to put together a house that is completely empty :)


Barely able to afford food, somehow we were convinced by the Kirby Salesman to purchase a brand-new vacuum cleaner. We had a payment plan and paid it off over a year-- I still cannot believe we did that right then, but I have to say it is really a fantastic machine and it still works like a beast now 12 years later. I love/hate all the carpet we had in our first house. I loved to vacuum it, hated how dirty it looked after 4 years. All that dust and dirt made such a mess on the carpets.

I love this picture of our first house. My Dad has his arms around us--- he and my mom did co-sign on this mortgage with us. I still can't believe we bought a house right after getting married! You can also see our first vehicles. The trusty purple Taurus 1996 and Ben's Nissan Truck '88 he bought in the Spring when his Subaru died. That was a sad day... The truck would last until Ben decided to take it out in a ditch with his buddies as they climbed up rocky creek bed. One hard rock impacted the "thing" as he was climbing and smashed down hard- it died the next day. We called the number from the commercial to donate to "Cars for the Blind". We felt like we were doing a good thing to be able to donate to them.