Happy Theme!

One thing I have missed since Mike was put in as Stake President is the missionary's coming over for dinners and splits with Mike! Once Mike became bishop and even more as Stake president they've been so cautious not to take up his time that we hardly know the new missiona

ries that have come in the last few months. So I especially appreciated the happy "missionary" theme to my birthday party and our anniversary this year! The missionaries happened to stop to report to Mike for my b-day so we invited them for the barbeque birthday dinner. Then as a very special way to celebrate 15 years together, Mike and I were invited to the mission home to meet with the mission president and his wife, the 4 neighboring stake presidents and their wives and a visiting general authority and his wife from Salt Lake City. It was a precious evening to spend contemplating on our blessings together and rejoicing in our marriage and the work of the Lord! Happy theme for this year's celebrations!

Back to School!

The weekend before the children went back to school, we visited the horses. Emily and Anna were setting out to ride Belle (mama horse) and Mercedes but baby Serendipity would not follow. From where I stood I could see baby horse, but her mama could not so she was nervous, whinnying back, and in a tizzy. Serendipity on the other hand was busy checking out the world around her on her own, not worried about Mama in the least, amazingly beautiful, strong and independent. Just two days later I found myself sending the children off to school. I thought I'd wake early and treat the children to such a special breakfast, but as I finished feeding baby Clara and set off to the kitchen I found a most appetizing breakfast ready on the table by Isaac. The big kids soon yelled, "Bye Mom, love ya!" as they jumped into the car with Dad. What happened to one more look back hugs and hesitant to leave home kisses of last year? On to elementary school. Mikela insisted she get out of the car and start to class so she would NOT be a minute late. Neither of us knew her teacher or classroom yet, but she was a big fifth grader and fine without Mom walking her in. Bye, Mikela! Then I thought to wave bye and hold Kate a minute longer, but when I said Hi to the teacher and turned around, there she was already in her seat, big smile on her face waving me off. Little Esther to preschool next. Oh, she was nervous but dressed to her best and acting as big as she could as she kissed me goodbye, growing up so much in that one moment. I slowly walked to the car holding Zoie's hand. "At least I have my two tiny ones at home with me" I thought as I went to boost Zoie Grace into the car, but she quickly pushed my hands down as she forcefully proclaimed her own independence, "vyfelf!" Like Belle it was hard to let up on being Mom careful and watching every minute, keeping them under my wings, but like Serendipity they are growing gorgeous, strong, independent with vibrant and beautiful spirits that will go on to do great things and "what's a mother to do?" Whinny them back, cry on the first day of school, but know, she'd not have it any other way. Here's to another year of growth!

Amazing weekend!

Life has indeed been busy for all of us! Too busy to write about it! Please forgive. We did have the most amazing weekend though. We had been disappointed we couldn't head up to New Hampshire last weekend due to several schedule conflicts, but it ended up being one of the nicest weekends we've ever had here. I (CaMarie) felt for the first time like we settling into 'home'. Friday and Monday the children had off school. We attended chores then headed up to our new barn to set it up for the new arrivals. Emily and Anna and Mikela posted darling handmade and laminated chore charts and "tack room" signs. They put up a "gallery" in the tack room - darling horse posters they've saved for months for just such a purpose. The barn quickly became their second home. The horses arrived Saturday morning to (I must admit) heaven on earth. Lush green grass, warm, golden sunshine, lots of friends, and the most vibrant colors of autumn filling the mountainside (where our lot sits) behind them. It was among the most beautiful of days ever made, I am certain. The horses basked in it, and showed how comfortable they were in their new home by rolling in the grass, shaking and heaving big, happy sighs. We are SO GLAD to have them closer, relishing the 6 minute drive versus the 25 minute drive. The girls are SURE it will NEVER be hard to wake up at 6 a.m. to check on them and feed them each morning. Mike and I feel grateful that things have worked out as they have. We learned so much from both the barns the horses resided at this past year, and they themselves are vastly better, easy now to manage, than they were a year ago thanks to our mentors Shane, Kim, and Becky. We are more prepared for full responsibility - loving it so far! The girls took a trail ride Tuesday with little Dipity being led behind them. Mike and I could not resist and took our own little get away trail ride Wednesday for a picnic lunch together admist paradise - EXTRAORDINARY! We feel SOOOO BLESSED!!!!

SLEEPOVER

Last night we had a sleepover with our friend Stephanie.We got lots of pictures so you can see how wild we are. Emily was so tired- but that meant more pranks! Anna and Steph broke out the traditional pillowfight after the ketchup. Stephanie kept the action going till 3 in the morning with off and on naps, finally getting to sleep while playing with our new phones. Poor little Missy was in the room we were sleeping in -so she's also sleep deprived this morning.

3 New Phones!

Today Mom and Dad took Anna, Me, and Isaac to a really fancy restaurant for a back-to-school lunch. We had 2 courses when Mom just had to let us open the "little back-to-school gift" she and dad had gotten for each of us. When we were expecting a little thing, we all opened up our own Juke phone!!!!!! They are so cool! I would post pics of them but I have to go! I have red, Anna has Turquoise, and Isaac has Navy Blue! It's GREAT!

-Luv,
Emily

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Isaac and his "long-lost twin" had their family birthday party yesterday. Levi's family came over and we we had a fun Bar-b-Que before going up to our lot to roast marshmallows. We had a fun night all together and afterward Isaac and Levi had slept at the lot in their tent. They also convinced us to leave the four-wheeler with them that night... uh-oh! Two 14-year old boys + a four-wheeler in the woods = NO GOOD!!!!! Oh, well, it's their birhtday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC AND LEVI!!!!!

Handsome Isaac back from Trek

We found some pics of Isaac going off to Trek a couple weeks ago and thought he made a handsome pioneer! It was so neat to have Isaac get a microscopic sampling of the Mormon pioneer experience (small amounts of rather bland food, lots of walking and wagon pushing, chicken catching, killing, and cooking, etc...) before we hit the Mormon trail ourselves.

Fun in the Rain

Peacuful night...Reading Scriptures-in our pajamas and ready for bed...BOOM!FLASH! All the sudden, rain started pouring down like crazy. Dad jumped up and declared with fist in air- LET'S GO PLAY IN THE RAIN! All of us stampeded outside and danced in the rain. Dad started lots more fun by holding each one of the kids under the rain gutter, which was like a raging waterfall. When the kids had laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt Dad shouted through all the rain, "TO THE TRAMP!" With that, they were all gone in a second to the trampoline, which was soaked and slippery. What fun! The funniest part was when Dad and Calton started doing Irish Dancing in the rain! What a sight! Breaking all the rules, we got on the cars and slid down the hoods, denting them just a bit (lol). After doing headstands and a family pyramid in the rain, everyones inside...another round of eight dry pajamas. Into bed. What a great night. Also, there are pics of the girls with all their stuffed animals. We just thought it was kinda cute.

Isaac's New Fourwheeler!!!

Exciting day! Today as the boys (Isaac and Levi) were eating a birthday breakfast, the girls decorated a poster that said "Happy Birthday Isaac!!". We put the new fourwheeler in front of the door to the garage according to our plan. When Isaac and Levi were done eating breakfast Mom gave the cue. All the girls ran into the garage and sat on the fourwheeler, holding the birthday sign. Mom said to Isaac, "I am so sorry to have you do a job on your birthday but I really need this garbage taken to the garage. Then she grabbed the video camera and followed him out. Right as he opened the door the girls yelled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC!" And to his suprise, he saw the fourwheeler and jumped on, already knowing how to drive it. He flew around the yard and the kids have been on it all day. Even little Zoie would scream "fasher, fasher" as we were already going at almost full speed. What a fun birthday suprise!

Fun with Marisa and Puppy!

This week with Marisa has been so much fun! From going to the mall to riding the horses-we've had a blast!

We didn't catch any pictures of the mall, but we got lots at the barn. Marisa was a natural and she was very good at riding! Belle is still very pokey and will only go if someone is leading her- but with Marisa that was different. She got Belle up and moving within 5 seconds after she got on!

We gave Esther and Zoie the chance to ride Belle and they both rode her without anyone leading the horse or holding on to them. They were both very happy to be able to do that. Everyone had so much fun-including mom and dad- who jumped on the horses at the end and rode for a little bit. Serendipity is a BEAUTIFUL little baby and we can tell that she will be an excellent girl when she gets older- as she is right now. After the week with Marisa was over, we drove a 5-hour drive down to Washington, D.C. to pick-up Isaac from his national leadership conference. He'll have to write about that later. We were all so tired from driving that we decided to stop at a water park and get all our energy out. Then we drove 2 hours down to the Maxwells to switch Marisa back for Mikela and Kate. We got up the next morning and drove the 3-hour drive back home- so glad to finally settle down again after all those trips! Today we decided to have a little fun and dress Missy up-she was actually a very cute, furry baby!

Fun with Marisa and Horses!

FUN FAMILY VACATION!

These past 3 weeks have been filled with memories and fun- from driving all the way out to Utah, down to Navoou, Illinois and back to having family reunions on both sides! These weeks have just been packed with adventures! Anna and Emily got the very lucky privilage to fly out to Utah themselves , and a week before everyone else too! They stayed with different cousins and family for a week before the rest of the family drove out to meet them. Isaac participated in TREK, a reenactment of pioneer life as they crossed the plains, three days before leaving to Utah. That made driving the same trail they took (I-80) seem like a piece of cake. We stopped at the Winter Quarters visitor center, the place the pioneers stopped for the winter after it took them 4 1/2 months to travel from Nauvoo, Illinois to Omaha, Nebraska because of mud. We felt such DEEP APPRECIATION for the trials and hardships they faced and for the deep commitment to truth that urged them forward. When we arrived in Utah 3 days after beginning our journey, we were thrilled to BE WITH FAMILY!!! Carla and Jef were GENEROUS hosts for the week, offering swim parties and food to all! Clayton and Emily's wedding was SO WONDERFUL!!! What great joy for all of us! We celebrated our pioneer heritage with the parades and fireworks! Then came the Hoffman Family Reunion! We went to Jordanelle and rented a boat, kneeboard, tube,waterskis, and 2 Jet Skis. We had a blast! On Sunday we went to G&G Hoffman's ward where so many friends are - it was really great! The Hoffman family week was wrapped up with a family fireside. Every Hoffman sibling stood and shared their feelings concerning family, church, and other treasures. Thanks for all!!! Early Monday morning we left for the 20- hour drive down to Nauvoo, Illinois for the Cooper Family Reunion. What a TREASURE to be together in such a life changing place. Our days were packed full, from going to historic brickhouses to playing Pioneer games and dressing up like the pioneers. We saw lots of plays and got to see the wonderful Nauvoo Pageant! The most moving places were Carthage and the Smith cemetary where Joseph, Emma, Hyrum, and Mother and Father Smith are buried. We felt we could not be on more holy ground besides the Savior's birth and death place. Going to Nauvoo for a few days definitely made our testimonies of the gospel strengthen and grow as we learned so much more about the trials our ancestor pioneers faced, all they were willing to give up, for this precious gospel as they kept moving on toward Zion. We came home changed, better! And to continue all the fun, we swapped Mikela and Kate for Marisa, who is our sweet 11-year-old cousin, this week - Emily and Anna are really enjoying that! Don't worry we'd NEVER give them up for long - we'll be switching back Friday, when we go to the Maxwells to play. Happy tidings and we love you all!!

-The Hoffman Family-

New Puppy!!!!!!!

Little Missy

What a precious puppy!

Missy and Tailee meeting for the first time-best friends at first sight!

Emily and Anna holding their little baby!

Yet another new member in the Hoffman home! It's spring - we can't resist! Besides what mother could possibly say no in the face of such faith,hope,and optimism as Emily and Anna, Mikela and Kate had. A Friday the children had off school, Emily and Anna were standing by Mom's bed by 8 am, telling her they'd already searched the morning ads (as they'd done for months) and called and they HAD A FEMALE GOLDEN RETRIEVER! It was even in an area we know not far away. So off we went, AFTER the girls very cooperatively cleaned the play room. The girls said, "We didn't even imagine how cute these puppies could be and when we arrived we were so happy and excited!" Right away, Emily asked to hold a certain lucky puppy and she said "this is the one- I know it!" But then every girl wanted the puppy they were holding. Missy sealed her fate for coming home with us when she instinctively reached up and licked Em's face just as Mom insisted we wanted the nicest, most loving one. The children had brought towels to cushion her and quickly assigned her a seat all her own on the drive home. She's adjusted beautifully and fits in perfectly so far - just seems like one of the gang. The kids might never forget Mike's reaction - he did not know we had set off to buy a dog (with a year's worth of no-candy money!) that day. He rushed in from OR, only to change and rush out to a young single adult fireside with Elder Scot. As he placed his tie and the girls showed up at the door with a dog, he asked, "Where'd that come from?" A bit hesitantly they replied, "It's ours Dad." "No, it's not" Mike thought they were completely kidding. "Where'd it come from?" "It's really ours Dad, we bought it." A little more forcefully now, "No, it's not" Now he was in pure denial, "That's not our dog." Mike looked at me in desperation and when I gave the slight nod to say it was true, he NEARLY stormed past the girls in a rush to the meeting. The girls were so worried all night long as their Aunt Kristi tended that she had imagined the worst. Wasn't she surprised when awoke on the couch to Mike cooing all over Missy, "OH, aren't you the cutest puppy EVER!" Isaac also, who had been in protest about the whole thing, was shot through the heart and loves her, perhaps, most of all. The kids quote, "We had a family Council and decided to name her Little Missy even though she won't be little for long...She is the sweetest puppy in the world and she is learning to be a princess house dog. She is learning to wipe her feet at the door, sit for scriptures and lay for prayer, and get potty trained. She wears a bow everywhere she goes-and she comes a lot of places with us. She and cousin, Tailee (Kristi and Calt's dog) are best friends and really enjoy playing with each other. We all love her to pieces and she is always getting attention. Even the pictures don't do justice!"