RELAXING IN THE SUN

The Hoopes family had planned to spend a week together at Rocky Point in Mexico this summer. But due to the unsafe environment across the border, we changed our plans. We all met in Tucson at the La Paloma resort instead. We spent the day relaxing pool side and enjoying each others company. Saturday evening, we dined at the club house and were pampered by Curtis Peralta, a family friend and chef at the resort. The dinner was preceded by delicious appetizers and finished by fabulous desserts!! The kids enjoyed the waterslide and the many pools. They even got to watch a dive-in movie! Thanks to Mom and Dad Hoopes for providing such an enjoyable time. I didn't seem to get pictures of everybody...sorry to those that were missed. Love you all!!

TWO LOST TEETH

It has finally happened!! He had to wait 6 painfully long years, but he finally lost a tooth! Not, just one tooth...but two! You can see the extremely large tooth growing in. Unfortunately, two teeth have to fit in that one little space. Thank goodness for orthodontics in a few years! Everett walked around with those two little teeth hanging on by a thread for about 2 weeks. He was very protective of them! We all tried to "encourage" their removal....but he wouldn't have it! Finally, with much bribing and persuasion, his Daddy was able to pull the first one. He roped it with dental floss and *pop* out it came. The second tooth followed the next night. The tooth fairy was VERY generous!!

Thanksgiving Point--Utah Adventure

One of the many things we wanted to do while in Utah, was to visit the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. My boys love to use the paint brushes to uncover dinosaur skeletons. We were lucky enough to share the experience with cousins!! It was so fun to see the Hudsons & the Cannons! Kamarin was a great help with the little ones!! Dinosaurs, dinosaurs and more dinosaurs! Grandma was along for the ride too. We had a great time!

Linden Park--Utah Adventure

My side of the family had a family reunion in the middle of July. Branden and I drove the boys up to Utah and Kamarin flew up a few days later. Can I just say that Utah is beautiful? I grew up below those gorgeous mountains and took them for granted! Now when I go back to visit, I can't help but stare up at the mountain peaks and sigh! And the weather...(of course this does not apply to winter)! If it is hot during the day, it still cools off in the evening! We are still 105 degrees at midnight here! We found a rather fun place to play with cousins! Linden Park is nestled below the beautiful mountains that I speak of. As you can see from the picture, you can enjoy the scenery and a water slide at the same time. They also have a flow rider!! My kids thought it was GREAT! Especially the boys! You pay $10 for the day and you can go as many times as you want. Park got very good and was performing many tricks. Kamarin swallowed too much water a few times. It kept them entertained for hours! We went twice in the week we were up in Utah. It was a great way to chill with family!

Percy and the Olympians Book Signing

Parker and I love to read together. We pick a series and eat, drink and breathe the books until we are done. Sometimes, we start them all over again, just for fun! This summer we chose Percy and the Olympians. The series has five books in all and as luck would have it...the last book came out this summer. The local Barnes and Noble was having a book signing. The auther Rick Riordan was there signing books and answering questions. We decided that it would be an adventure to attend!! Apparently, there are alot of Olympian fans out there...who knew? We waited 3 hours for our turn. We had a great time! Kamarin wanted to come along for the ride (although she had not and still has not read the books). It was fun to see everyone dressed up as characters from the books. Both kids had the author personalize one of the books to them.