Backyard football

The boys from the neighborhood - they live for football.

Since the racoon/grub problem Johnny was able to convince us to let them play football in the backyard since the grass is already messed up.

Football and cool fall day - for boys it's pure bliss.

MTC

After arriving in Salt Lake the first stop was the temple. We had a wonderful time attending a beautiful session together.

The journey begins - missionaries enter through one door and parents through the other.

Steven brought me his missionary badge and of course I was teary as I put the badge on the fourth Elder Hopkins to serve from our family.

Our last picture together. We're so excited for Steven - as we tearfully bid him farewell he was smiling and anxious to get started. He's going to be a great missionary.

How could I have imagined how wonderful it would be to be the mother of sons? It is such a blessing to see them and thousands of other young men and women like them who love the Lord and want to serve Him with all their might. Hurrah for Israel!!

Cousins and Ice Cream

Tuesday night we met a few cousins at the creamery. We wish everyone could have been there.

Steven was feeling the love!

SNOW!!

The Wasatch front looks beautiful with snow and we were OK with it as long as the roads were clear.

It was freezing cold though - nice place to visit but I'm definately a California girl.

I finished it!!

There were bets placed against it but I completed Steven's mission quilt! The last stitch went in at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday before leaving for the MTC at 11:30 so that's 1 hour and 30 minutes to spare!! A new worlds record!!

Steven kept saying it was OK I could just send it to him but he was happy to be able to take it with him - doesn't he look cozy? There's a lot of love in those stitches.

Expecting week by week #9

We're back in business with the computer up and running - "don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone?" It was torture not being able to blog - I think I'm hooked. Anyway there will be some catching up to do since this has been a big week!

Aren't these little hats cute? They'll be even cuter with JD and Holly in them.

I made Liz strike this pose. She bought her first maternity pants and the pooch has begun. We're so excited!!

sorry

So sorry my blog has been silent... Computer problems and getting ready to take Steven to the MTC. I'll be back soon - I promise - don't give up on me!