Little Piece Of Heaven

The moment I've been waiting for, since being here in AZ, has finally happened! My sister, Karissa, went in early this morning to be induced. This is her 4th (now we're even) and she's having a GIRL! Karissa gave me quite the news a few weeks ago when she was having signs that this baby might be coming early. I was so glad my little niece waited for my arrival. That makes her my favorite!:) Harlow Lee Hopkins was born just after Noon; 6 lbs. 11 oz.; 20 1/2" long. There is nothing in the world like holding a new baby...what a miracle! Harlow is a little piece of Heaven! We all love her so much!

I love this picture...Harlow is so sweet and perfect! She's dolled up in her going home outfit and one of the bows I made...so cute!

Karissa and I before the big moment. I'm proud of you sister...love you!
How gorgeous is she after giving birth!?!
My new niece is a doll!
Harlow kept making the best pout face...it cracked me up!:)
My kids with the Hopkins' cousins - Brigg, Tate, Presley, and now, Harlow.
She is a little peanut!

Proud aunt and cousins

In The N.A.V.Y.

I survived Girls Camp! It was so much fun! I spent all week in the "N.A.V.Y." (Nurture And Value Yourselves). It was such a great theme and our Camp Director did a phenomenal job planning it. We went a few hours North to Bear Lake and camped on property that belongs to a family in our Ward. It was a great place and the view of the gorgeous lake was breathtaking. We had lots of fun swimming, tubing, and jet skiing on the lake! One of my favorite highlights of the week was heading further North to river raft down the Snake River! This was a first for me and I had a blast! My nervousness quickly passed and I got braver with each successful rapid, including "Lunch Counter". I excitedly screamed right along with the girls...what an experience! I truly enjoyed every minute with these sweet girls. Every bruise, bug bite, soar muscle, late night, and bad hair day was worth it! The testimonies and strengths of the young women have inspired me to evaluate my life and make sure that I am letting the "Lighthouse of the Lord" guide and lead me back to my heavenly home. There is nothing like Girls Camp, no matter what age you are!

We all loved our Navy attire...what a cute bunch!

Big Girls Do Cry

My sweet girls left early this morning to head down to AZ with my father-in-law, who is picking up grand kids to bring back to UT for a visit. Many tears were shed while giving hugs and saying goodbye and then as I watched them drive away, my whole world fell apart! I went back inside and cried myself to sleep! I am going to miss them so much! They are staying with my wonderful Mom while I'm at Girls Camp and Matt and Matthew are at Scout Camp next week. THANKS MOM...YOU'RE THE BEST EVER! It is really hard for me to be away from my kids for any amount of time. I take great comfort though in knowing that my girls are in my Mother's care and that Matt will be with Matthew. When we get back, Matthew and I will head down to AZ...YAY! I am already counting the days. I love you girls and can't wait to see you again!

Wish me luck at Girls Camp!

Rio Tinto Stadium

Matt's work put on a Family Night at the Major League Soccer stadium for the REAL (Ree-al) Salt Lake team. This was the best work party! First off, the concessions were a free for all. Let me explain: we could go to any concession, choose anything off the menu, an unlimited amount, and it was all FREE! We got pizzas, fries, nachos, steak sandwich, and drinks! After our yummy dinner, the boys and Karley headed down to the field to test their soccer skills on challenges that were set up. Meanwhile, I took Kynlee and Kenzie to get their faces painted. We met back up at the concessions to take advantage of ice cream, popcorn, and cookies for the movie. After the movie, we stayed and had fun playing a little soccer of our own. It really was the best night!

It was cool to see the stadium that Matt's company sponsors!

Kynlee's flower was so sparkly and beautiful...she loved it! She also scored when she spun a wheel and won a soccer ball!
Kenzie asked for a rainbow star. It turned out so cool!

It was awesome to lay on our blanket and watch "Bolt" on the jumbo screen!

I love this picture! Thanks Dad! We had so much fun!

Camping Trip

We have been promising the kids we'd take them camping, so after hearing about a "cool" spot where Matthew went with the Scouts, we decided to give it a try a couple of weeks ago. We went South about an hour to a place called "Burraston Ponds". It was great! There were quite a few beautiful ponds. The one that we were camped closest to had a fun rope swing that we couldn't wait to try! We also loved hearing the bullfrogs croaking. They sounded more like cows than frogs...it was so funny!:) The kids went on a few bullfrog hunts, but couldn't get close enough to see one. Other than listening to bullfrogs and not so far off trains all night, we had so much fun on this trip. I love having good family time!

The perfect, shady camp spot!

Karley loves to be outdoors...her smile shows she's in heaven!

So cute!

My little monkeys up in a tree by the pond.

Karley loves to collect sticks! What a find...I don't think we'll be bringing this one home!:)

What a pretty view! The kids are up the path a ways, heading back to our campsite.

We enjoyed playing games together.

Kenzie was playing Kynlee's harmonica around the campfire...she's so cute!

Matthew making popcorn!

Matt found a huge log to add to our firewood. He and the kids worked hard to chop it into pieces.

The Girls Team

The Boys Team

Matthew was first on the rope swing. We needed someone to show us how it's done and to get in the cold water first!:)

Matthew made it look so easy!

Kynlee is ready to give it a go!

Kynlee would hold onto the rope and swing back into shore and then drop in where the water was more shallow.

Karley was so nervous she was shivering!

Karley loved it once she tried!

Dad had a blast!

Even Mama tried...it took me a while to have the courage!

Cooking Ramen for lunch!

In this video, Matthew shows how much fun the rope swing is. Unfortunately, his leg gets tangled in the loops at the bottom of the rope on his way into the water. It scared him (and us) and left an instant, nasty bruise, but it didn't stop him from having fun!

Proud To Be An American

Happy 4th of July! I am so thankful to live in this free country! As far as celebrating this holiday, we laid pretty low this year. Matt had to work...yay for holiday pay! I took the kids to see Monsters Vs. Aliens at the dollar theater. It was cute and the kids loved it! Later, we decided to go to Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi, to watch the fireworks. Our good friends, the Yorgesen family, met us there and a little later the Price family found us. We had fun chillin' a couple of hours with them before the show started. The fireworks were awesome! This was the first year that we had no plugged ears, closed eyes, tears, or hiding under the blanket by our girls!:) Way to be brave girls!

Kenzie looking cute!
The kids playing card games to help past the time.
Family Picture

These girls could hardly wait for the fireworks to start. Kynlee couldn't take her eyes off the sky even for a picture!:) Karley constantly checked the time on my phone in anticipation for 10:00!

Snuggled up with my cute, brave girls and ready for the show!

This isn't the greatest firework picture, but I had to show that the full moon was as bright in the sky as any of the fireworks.

Soccer Season

Karley ended a great 2nd year of soccer! She loves the sport! I love watching the enthusiasm and excitement she possesses when she plays. It's amazing to see how much she learned and improved throughout the season. Karley's favorite position she played was forward. She did great on placing herself up the field, ready for a pass. Each and every game she wanted to make a goal, and it wasn't until the very last game that she did. It was the last goal of the season and was so exciting for all of us! I was also very proud of Karley when she willingly volunteered to change sides and help a team who was short players. Way to go Karley!

One of the first games she played goalie. It was rainy and cold, but she survived. There were no points scored on this cute goalie!

Throwing the ball in...good form!
Running to the ball.
Karley had one thing in mind...score!

Get the ball Karley!

Cool action shot!

Run Karley!

The huge smile shows how much fun she had playing!

Go Karley!

Individual Shot

Team Picture - she is dead center on the top row.