2June2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
I have decided that I need some goals for this summer. I know if I write it down it’s more likely to be achieved. I have some family goals that I would like to see achieved this summer.
Family Goals:
Family Prayer (2x daily minimum requirement)
Family Scripture Study
Walk the dogs (minimum 3x weekly)
Weekly Family Book Reviews (Everyone reads a book during the week and tells the rest of the family about the book)
Journal Family experiences
Tend the Garden together
Water Fruit Trees together
Visit Arizona Science Center
Visit Monument Valley or Yellowstone
Finish my Craft Room by 6/10/2011
Paint Jason’s Office
These are my goals for our family for this summer. We can add more later if needed….
27May2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
So today I had to travel from Cottonwood to Flagstaff for our End-Of-The-Year Meeting. I picked up a co-worker and we traveled together to the meeting. It started as a beautiful day. Clear skies, nice company, and open roads.
That was until we got to the McGuireville Rest Stop exit. There was a enormous Motor Home that apparently thought it could climb the mountains as fast as the cars. He was driving in the slow lane. I was in the fast lane and I saw a car pulling onto the highway from the Rest Area. I next saw a car in the slow lane with it’s brake lights on so I proceeded to slow down because there was a vehicle in front of me blocking my view of why the car was stopping in the slow lane. Next I saw the big Motor Home braking hard and moving left into my lane of traffic. I was about midway of passing him when he did this.
Hello idiot!!! You can’t come into this lane if I am already here….
He moved back to the right a bit and I thought he was just going to slow down behind the two other cars. Was I wrong….he again proceeded to move into my lane of traffic (I was in about three quarters of the way passing the Motor Home) this time pushing me to the edge of the shoulder on the left side of the road. Laying on my horn I punched the gas as I decided I wasn’t going to get pushed off the road because of a stupid flatlander!!!!
Then as I was driving up the “Rim” a car going 65 in a 75 pulled into the fast lane to pass a semi. I didn’t have anyone behind me why didn’t you wait two seconds until I passed you to move into the fast lane?
I understand you have plans for the Holiday weekend, but guess what I have plans for my life! You will not run me off the road with your monster size vehicle!!! Please people remember you are not the only one on the road! Other people have plans too and mine didn’t include vacationing!!!
25May2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
Since last week (Wednesday or Thursday) we have seen way too many doctors.
Last Week - Nikki (ear infections)
Monday – Lizzi (swollen tonsils aka: kissing tonsils)
Tuesday – Lizzi to ENT (must have tonsils removed)
Wednesday – Nikki (reaction to Amoxicillin) Don’t take it again…
So I am officially done with seeing doctors this year…oh wait Lizzi has to have her tonsils out. So I guess one more….
12April2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
I walked into the Parlor to find my oldest in rare form….
To most this is not a big deal or perhaps you are used to this. I however am NOT! She’s not even 10 yet (or wasn’t at the time of this picture. 4 days before her birthday.) I wasn’t expecting to find my oldest texting (on my phone), with sunglasses on her head, legs crossed, and her snow boots on. I had a dose of what’s about to come…soon enough.
She’s beginning to look and act so grown up!
12April2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
So a few days after Lizzi’s baptism I realized I didn’t get any good pictures of her in her dress….
Being the person that I am I curled her hair, got her dressed, and took some more pictures of her in her most beautiful princess dress. Now you can see all the details that make her dress gorgeous.
She had a small cluster of flowers on the front…
A huge bow on the back….
Single flowers randomly on the front where the dress was gathered….
Her hair was so bouncy and cute….
She had so much fun while I took pictures of her….
I had a fun time taking photos of the princess Lizzi!!!
5March2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 Was a busy and exciting day in our house. I awoke early to prepare for Lizzi’s Baptism. I went outside to get something out of the car and took this picture….
I fixed her hair and dress for her. While her Daddy finished printing the program for her Baptism. At 9 a.m. we drove to the church to get Lizzi’s baptism clothes picked out.
We took a few pictures before the baptism started.
We were so happy to have so many friends and family members there with us. Lizzi passed out her program to each of her guests. Then it was time for the baptism to start. We started with a song and an opening prayer. I gave a talk on Baptism.
Lizzi was then baptized by her Daddy. What an incredible moment. As I watched my baby be baptized by her daddy I realize how special each covenant that we make with our Heavenly Father is in our progression. I also realized just how quickly my little girls are growing up…
Both my girls still only have eyes for their Daddy, I know that will be changing soon. I can only hope that I teach them what they need to know for the future. I hope they realize how lucky they are to have two parents that love them so much!
While Grammy and I got Lizzi out of her wet clothes and into her special Baptism dress. It was incredible to share those few moments with not only my Mom, but also my daughter.
After we finished dressing Lizzi we curled her hair and then quickly back into the room to finish her baptism program.
Grammy spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost. After Grammy’s talk Lizzi was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We ended her baptism with another song and a prayer given by Lizzi’s sister Nikki! We are so lucky to have so many friends and family who support us in all that we do.
Thank you to each of you who came to Lizzi’s baptism and for all of you who couldn’t make it, yet expressed so many kind words of encouragement and support!
We are grateful for our church leaders who willing give of their time and energy to be there for special events and even everyday life. Words cannot express how thankful we are to: Cara Higley for playing the piano, Amberlynn Hutchings for leading the music, Mike Gordon for giving the opening prayer, Jared Anderson for being a witness, and especially Darren Sparks for Leading and Conducting Lizzi’s Baptism. We know how busy each of you are and thank you for giving of your time and talents so willingly!
Afterward, we went for ice cream at A Scoop Above. A Hoover family tradition continues on…
We all enjoyed our ice cream and one another. Lizzi wore my blue coat over her white dress so she didn’t have to change again.
To end the day was another incredible sky created by God! It was incredible to see how this day played out. An amazing day!
5March2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
For the 2010 and 2011 School Year Lizzi has been extremely busy.
First, she was invited to be part of the After School Music Appreciation Class. The class lasted for 8 weeks where they learned about the different kinds of musical instruments. While Lizzi loved all of the types of instruments one of her favorites was percussion. She liked how they all sounded loud and different. Somewhere I have a picture, but I have to find it….
Next, she was part of the recycle team. She loved getting to reuse things rather then throwing them away.
Most recently she has been on the Sport Stacking Team. She was invited to be part of the after school Sport Stacking Team after being part of the Cup Stacking Club last year. She loves being part of the team and involved in this sport.
Lizzi has had a busy year for after school activities. We are so glad that she loves being involved in many activities.
19February2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
Our little community has a Christmas Parade every year. This year we enjoyed watching especially since our little Nikki was in the parade. Her Jammin’ Jumpers team from school was participating in the parade so she volunteered her Mommy to make bows for the team. I managed to make enough for each girl to have two and the boys to have bows for their shoes. There are about 30 kids on the team which means I made about 60 bows! They turned out super cute and I really enjoyed talking with Nikki about the style and things we could do to make them pop.
I had to have Nikki at the fair grounds by 9am on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Since it was a Christmas Parade they were asked to wear red and green with their purple uniforms. We did the best we could to add color and stay with the theme.
She was so excited to be participating in the parade all she kept doing was smiling. I thought between 8 and 9 she was going to drive me crazy asking again and again if it was time to go. I completely love her excitement and enthusiasm.
We could see the parade coming, but it seemed to take a long time to get to us. It’s so wonderful that even in a small town we had over 120 groups participate in the parade. The only problem with that was….we didn’t know when Nikki’s Jammin’ Jumpers Team would come through. I was under the impression that they were near the middle, but in reality they were near the back. I would love to post all of the pictures but I took several hundred, so I will post some of my favorites.
I think one of the best things was we knew so many people in the parade….
Now what we have all been waiting for….
Here come the Jammin’ Jumpers!!! We start cheering as soon as we see their sign. We are so excited!!!
Nikki was all smiles. I’m so glad she had this incredible experience. Our little girl was so cute! We are so proud of you Nikki!!!
I love that she never stopped to wave she just kept right on jumping.
There goes the Jammin’ Jumpers Team…
Shortly after passing us the Jammin’ Jumpers stopped again so I got another picture of them. I think this is when they were on the local cable channel.
Nearing the end of the parade was a horse drawn sleigh….
SANTA!!!
Merry Christmas to all in Cottonwood!!! I love my small town parade!
Sorry for the duplicates. I don’t know why it added all of the pictures to my gallery.
19January2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
Jason asked me to help him make a scavenger hunt for the girls to find their new books. So last night I made one invitation card and 8 clue cards. Today the girls got to seek out the treasure….
As you can see Nikki isn’t feeling up to waiting for me to get pictures taken. The invitation reads:
The girls agreed to do the scavenger hunt. I handed them the first clue….
Clue #1
Lizzi immediately started looking up in the sky. I reread it and Nikki said, “There’s only one place I can think of that is up. That’s the playhouse.” Through the house they went to find the clue. Through the backyard and Lizzi saw the clue first.
Nikki got to read the clue as they were standing under the playhouse.
Clue #2
My personal favorites of the clues. Lizzi took off running as soon as Nikki figured out the clue.
She was in such a hurry that she overlooked the clue several times. The rest of us got there to take pictures and help out.
Clue #3
This clue was a little harder for the girls to figure out, but finally Nikki realized it was talking about the rose bushes.
It was Nikki’s turn to read the clue.
Clue #4
They knew they needed to look in Daddy’s office…
They didn’t understand that they were suppose to look near the mouse so Jason and I read the clue again.
Clue #5
This one they understood immediately! Off they went to find the next clue….
They finally found it the clue under the box of shoes.
Clue # 6
Nikki reading clue #6 to Lizzi
Lizzi got there first and tried to break the rule, by taking the clue without making the shot.
So we read the clue again and she realized she had to shoot the ball. Since the ball was flat she thought she wouldn’t have to shot it, but I said you don’t need to bounce it to shoot it. She took the shot and….
she made it on the first shot. Lucky for Nikki, because she wasn’t feeling up to shooting a basket. Now Lizzi can read the next clue.
Clue #7
I think by this clue Nikki was really worn out, because after walking into the house she sat down on the couch. She knew it had something to do with Jesus, but couldn’t figure the friend part out. After a few minutes of sitting she figured it out.
(In our Church the children have a magazine called “The Friend” so I hid the clue inside the cover of one of the magazines.)
Nikki got to read the final clue
Clue #8
This was a little bit harder clue for them. Mostly because they didn’t always pay attention to the important things in the clues…like underlines or special wording. As soon as they realized they needed to rhyme with head, they shot down the hall to look under their bed.
Luckily we only have two beds to really check under or the girls might have given up. Lizzi was the first to think of checking under our bed.
It was hard to get it out so they both worked together pulling.
Finally, they got it out. It needed to be open so they both started tugging and pulling at the tape.
We are so excited to have our new books….
Afterward Nikki looked really tired so Jason asked her, “Did you have fun? Are you okay?”
She replied, “Have you ever tried to hunt for treasure when you are sick?”
He laughed, “I have done a lot of things when I’m sick.”
A fun afternoon was had by all even the sickly girl. At least she got some sunlight and a little exercise today. I think everyone had a fun time preparing and having a Scavenger Hunt!
19January2011
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized.
After months of hard work and waiting once the final picture was colored and last words were written. The second graders at DDB received their publishing party!
Lizzi wrote her first book titled “The Best Friends.” It’s a cute story about a scorpion, coyote, roadrunner, and tarantula’s. If you are ever at our house you should ask her to read her story!
Congratulations to our own author Elizabeth Shultz!
I tried to get several pictures of her smiling while showing off her book, but she was tired so the one above is the best I could get….
Here is our own Author…
