Back to School!

 Here she is!  My big 3rd Grader!  Nani is such a good little student... always in the top of her class.  This year she is in Ms. Stilson's class, where you get to sit on stability balls and every child has a computer!  Nani loves Art, math, and has made a few very good friends who make her happy.  :)

 Nani and Nicky (our sweet neighbor boy) and Nani head off to the bus together. 

2 weeks later Kea joined the big kids as she headed off to kindergarten.  Her teacher's name is Mrs. Jepson, and Kea thinks she is great!  She loves Art, PE, and playing with her friends... and she has already made quite a few.  She does miss mom though, and loves her days off.  :)

The 975 S. 250 W. kids (the 4 in the middle) waiting together for the bus.

Nani is Baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Nani was very excited to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She met with her dad the bishop, and was baptized on September 10th, 2011.  

"Mom, I feel real good inside" - Nani, after being baptized.

I had the chance to tell a bit about Nani and shared how she has such a strong knowledge of the gospel, and that she truly desires to do what is right.  I am proud of her for setting such a good example for her younger sisters. 

Nani was very lucky to have a room full of people who love her and wanted to support her.  Grammy and Papa Crippen even came up from California with cousin Leneah in tow. 

Nani sure loves her granparents.  :)

Baptism Picnic

Pretty Nani

The Crippen family came to show their love...

The Hopoate family came to show their support...

The ward friends also came...

We ate, played, and enjoyed good company and weather.  It was a great day.

It's great to be 8!

Nani turned 8 and we celebrated by heading over to the Crippen's for cake, and Piano practice.  :)  We knew we would be celebrating in a BIG way on her baptism day, so it was a sweet and simple day.

Nani's 8 cake... or is it monster googly eyes???

The whole family came and stole Nani away from the school cafeteria for a hamburger/french fries lunch... complete with cheesecake!

 What is it!!!  I love how excited the others are for Nani... Aren't gifts great.

Nani was happy to get her very own beta fish who she named Pumpkin Patch because he was orange and black.  After a few months he decided to 'take the porcelain plunge' and so now nani has a beautiful purple fish named Periwinkle.  :) 

Hopoate Family Reunion 2011... and a baby!

We decided to get together and hold a 2 day reunion with the Hopoate family that was here in Utah.  we went to Yuba lake and had a GREAT time.  It is nice to get away from it all... of course, that didn't happen with the Hopoates.  (We still had a freezer, fans, and tv/dvd)  :)

Glen relaxing in the lake.

Samara scouting out the campground.

Tino and Kea sleeping after spending the day out in the water.

S'more fun.

Tino and I found out we were expecting a baby and decided to let the girls in on the secret.  We 'celebrated' with juice in fancy plastic glasses.

Here's to a new little Hopoate in March 2012!

Independence Day... more than a one day celebration when you live in Utah!

In Utah, they LOVE the 4th of July.  Between fireworks, parades, and festivals, it lasts for a few days!

Watching the fireworks just outside of the stadium of fire with Louis and his family, the Crippen kids, and Cody and Jessica.

Not our best shot... but proof that we were there!

Little Aubree knocked out on her Uncle Cody.

Uncle Louis brought glow necklaces for everyone.

We woke up early and went to the balloon festival in Provo, and then head over to the parade.

There were awesome balloons there... piggy banks, and even a Darth Vadar one!

It was all so beautiful until a gust of wind started blowing and caused the balloons to not be able to take off.  Major bummer.  :(

The Crippens and our friend Scott joined us to watch the parade.

Little posers! (hey byuh peeps, recognize the face of the man in the background?  Small-small  world.)

Kea marching along to the music.

The Hopoate family loves the USA!

Tino and Samara got a little tired and sought out the shade.

When we got hoe from the parade... we were HOT.  Tino quickly fixed that problem by pulling out the house and getting us all a little wet.  :)  he and Louis added that house and faucet down in our garage... and we love having access to water outside.

The freedom fun continued as we headed over to the Crippen's for a BBQ, slip n slide, and firework fun.

Nani

Ryan

Samara

Keandra

Tino in his natural habitat.  :) 

Freedom flag and firework cupcakes!

Watching their Big Cousins light up the fireworks.

Playing with Sparklers... in our matching outfits.  :)  Nancy made both Samara and I clothes for our birthday... She and her 2 boys also have matching outfits.

It was a busy, fun-filled celebration.  Thanks to all those who fought to allow us our freedoms!