Jacob comes to visit

We had a great time with our old friend Jacob - we haven't seen him in over 2 years. Like all good friends it feels like no time has passed.

We laughed and chatted over lunch. He's happy to be in shorts and though it's foggy and a little cold to us, after 2+ years in the frozen north he is toasty warm.

Having Jacob here made me miss his family even more than usual....thank goodness for blogging, it seems to make the miles dissappear.

sleepovers

A favorite Christmas vacation activity is the sleepover.

Why boys prefer the hard ground to perfectly good beds upstairs is beyond me. Could it be playing video games into the wee hours...

Expecting week by week #17

No doubt about it there are a couple of babies in there!

Liz and I found this darling dress and sweater in Pottery Barn - we were drawn to it from across the room.

It was on sale and we had to have it. Won't Holly look so cute? It even has a little slip and diaper cover.

Happy Birthday Dave!!

Dave was born the day after Christmas. The most repeated birthday phrase of his childhood was, "This is for Christmas and your birthday!"

Dave doesn't really like birthday parties much. I planned a surprise party for his 40th birthday - he was not pleased - he was relaxing in grungy, unshoweredness and here come all his friends. His request, No more surprise parties please.

So yesterday it was Dave's choice - whatever he wanted to do, we did. So we got in the shiny silver mustang and drove to the coast. His plan - drive till there's a half tank of gas and then drive back.

It was a beautiful day on the Mendocino coast. We went to Bodega Bay and on up to Fort Ross. This is a very cool place with a Russian Fort - we even saw a Russian Orthodox priest!

Johnny was not thrilled to join us but another day of video games was out of the question for him so he came along. Being the baby is a little lonely but he made the best of it.

We love to visit the coast - since we grew up in Half Moon Bay/Pacifica these pictures feel like home.

After a day of driving it was out to a birthday dinner/meat fest at Back Forty BBQ.

How I love this guy. Life just keeps getting better.

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Catch-up

Here are some of my favorite things about Christmas. Our friend luncheon - Kelly and I have had the same 10 friends over for a Christmas lunch for over 20 years. Some have moved away but these 10 have been together for all that time.

Note Normas crown - she is my diva friend! Below is the annual gingerbread decorating party. What fun having everyone home (except Steven who's freezing in Montana but loving missionary work).

This year I taught Marianne and Krissy how to make rolls. Sadly they're moving away (maybe not Marianne - please stay...). They're now expert zombie bakers.

One of our favorite traditions is the annual reading of the Cajun Night before Christmas with Santa in Muscrat fur with gators pulling the sleigh.

How did the month go so fast. I've loved every minute of it but it all seems to have taken a toll as I've lost my voice and can't tell where to find it....hopefully it will come back soon. Every month should be filled with friends, family and fun.

missionary monday

It was funny yesterday we were at a members house eating lunch after district meeting. There were six of us Elders and the member brought to our attention how different we are from other boys our age. We were talking about cool ties that we wanted to get and also how we could get stickers for the back of our nametags. I laughed a little. I love it though.Here's our traditional "before the mission" family picture (minus Doug and Cate who were in Rexburg)

We thought we'd point at the missionary in case we forgot who was going - we miss Steven's crazy sense of humor.

Here's something from his last letter: " It was funny yesterday we were at a members house eating lunch after district meeting. There were six of us Elders and the member brought to our attention how different we are from other boys our age. We were talking about cool ties that we wanted to get and also how we could get stickers for the back of our nametags. I laughed a little. I love it though."

"We had team ups with the zone elders so that was way sweet and I learned a lot, it is crazy how much you learn just from hearing others teach because the spirit is able to teach you new things from all kinds of people cause we all think differently."

We love that Elder Hopkins!

Expecting week by week #16

Some little shorts for JD. Jim is overjoyed!!

Liz thinks she felt a kick or two. Very exciting times - no doubt about it, no more zip up pants for awhile.

The Hoptwins are happy and healthy!

Dave

Here's Dave doing what he does best. He manages the Pleasanton office of the Architectural firm he's been with for 13 years. He puts out fires all day and enjoys his co-workers.

The family

We need a new family picture - Cate is missing from this one.

Caroling

A favorite Christmas tradition is come along caroling. We go caroling and then invite the families to come with us - picking up as we go. Then back to our house for cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa. Some families who usually come along have moved away and some were sick so it ended up being the Capsons and us.

Our families are shrinking but we had fun.

Johnny's concert

Here's the tuxedo -

Here's the kids at the concert. We miss Steven, hopefully he hasn't frozen into a popcycle...

Johnny did a great job - he looked all grown up there on the stage. After the concert Doug wanted It's It's (if you don't know what these are - an "it's it" is ice cream between two oatmeal cookies, covered with chocolate). He told me, "After you go to bed dad will give me money and I'll go get some." Well they didn't even wait until I was in bed. Doug mentioned it - Dave pulled out his wallet and the rest is history. That Dougy really knows his daddy. Great memories!

31 years ago today

Here's our engagement picture - we were babies. Dave was studly - he had that mustache forever. When he shaved it off Jimmy wouldn't go near him.

Today is out 31st anniversary. Below is our wedding picture. The nice ladies in my ward made my flower headpiece for the veil. I expected a few daisies - it was in the 70's after all. What I got was a dozen carnations which we plastered to my head with a million bobby pins. I didn't care - it was balanced by the funeral spray of 2 dozen red roses that was my bouquet. Fun memories.

Dave even wore a pink ruffled shirt for me. What a guy! I never could have dreamed that life would be so wonderful when it all started so long ago. I look forward to many anniversaries to come with my sweet Davey.

Missionary Monday

Here's a little snippet of Steven letter last week. He mentioned the cold in his first letter but not this second one so I guess he's getting used to it.
"The teaching is good we usually just teach whatever they need to here but so far it has usually been the first lesson. The whole time at zone Conference President was talking about how much Conrad (My area) is flourishing. How we are teaching 5 families so that was good to hear.


I am reading the BOM cause President asked us to before the end of the year. I am in Alma 9. I love the story of Alma and Amulek because it is all about member missionary work. They wouldn't listen to Alma but because Amulek was one of them they began to listen. Alma is a total rebuking prophet, it is great, especially Alma 7 you should read it it's good I loved it and then I tried to change cause I could only imagine what Alma would have said to me."

Here's Steven with his mission president - the other pictures are from the MTC. I just love having a missionary son.

Expecting week by week #15

Here's a little lamb - it's soft and cuddly.

Liz hasn't been really happy with the pictures so not glasses. Now everyone is watching her belly but she couldn't look bad if she tried.

Happy babies...

Haircuts

Long years ago I attended a mini-class at Relief Society about hair cutting. Little did I know what it would lead to.

I have cut Dave and the boys hair forever. Who knows how much money we have saved. They often whine that I didn't do it just right. I was never good at flat tops when they were in style and there have been times when a buzz has cleaned up a trial of a new do. Occasionally they'll decide to go to a barber but find the style is about the same and they have less money so mom is a good backup. (sorry for the random hair in the razor case - I wonder who it belonged to??)

I don't sweep up hair - I cut - they sweep. I don't have a before on Matt - This is another after - handsome boy!

I don't know why he's holding a football but that will have to be a future post - What's the number one rule? No balls in the house... I wonder who wins this, one mom or 6 boys??

Expecting week by week #14

Here's the cute JD outfit - it has a little doggy on it that looks like Mac - so cute...

She's popping out now. Johnny's comment when he saw her - WOW!! Liz is feeling good.

She's the cutest pregnant lady ever!