Visiting the Huffaker's in CT

For spring break we went to CT to visit Brandon's Cousin Kirk and his family. We had such a great time and it was so good to see them again. We hadn't seen them since they left Cleveland 3 years ago. Kirk was a senior when Brandon was a freshman in Dental School at Case Western. As you can tell, Shealee and Paige sure did have a fun time with their cousins!

Our 3 day weekend

Brandon took the day off of school on Friday so we came up with a few things to do.(kind of hard to do here in Cleveland in the winter.)

Friday we went to the Rainforest at the Cleveland zoo for the firs time. We were pretty impressed and the kids loved it!

Saturday we went to the Cleveland Auto show. We've done it the past two years and enjoyed it. Shealee and Paige enjoyed running around. They also got to meet a clown. Paige kept honking her nose and staring at her like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. I was amazed Shealee wasn't scared of her. Usually anything dressed up scares the heck out of her!

On Sunday we went to church and then had Bill, a member from our old ward over for dinner. Shealee and Paige had so much fun dressing him up and playing with him. I think he had a good time as well!

Our sweet Girls- VALENTINES day 2009!!

I know, I'm a little late posting these pictures but I guess, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!!

TWO messes in TWO days!

First was the popcorn seasoning. I bought it once and that was the last time. My kids LOVE it way too much (I don't quite know why). I was wondering what Paige was doing in the kitchen and right when I get up to check on her she comes out like this. And of course, she's still in her sunday clothes.

The next day, Shealee and I were making sugar cookies and Paige was enjoying the powdered sugar. I guess I caught her right before it got too bad. She sure was in heaven, if you couldn't tell... Look at that face!

GRANDPA KIGHT (We LOVE you!!!)

Grandpa Kight passed away Jan 24th 2009. Paige and I (Brittani) were able to attendthe funeral. Brandon and Shealee wish they could have come too but it wasn't possible since we live so far away($ -flight cost) and Brandon has a lot going on with school. We're glad grandpa doesn't have to suffer any more from the cancer but will miss him so much. I have been so blessed to have such a great grandpa. There are so many great memories with him! From trips to the cabin to spending time with him talking about the next piece of jewelery he was going to make. Those moments will be cherished forever. I'm so glad my grandpa and grandma were able to visit our family in Ohio a few years ago. In his last few months he told me he wished he could come again. That has meant so much to me. He loves his family very much and loved spending time with them. He is a great example of how to live a GREAT life! We love you and miss you so much grandpa!

Bed time for Shealee and Paigey

I've been wanting to take a picture of this for quite a while now. Every night when it's time for Shealee and Paige to go to bed Shealee says her prayers, then Brandon reads to them from the children's BOM and then they get to pick one book for him to read. I just love it when they cuddle up next to him. They love their daddy daughter time!

Misc. pictures from Christmas 2008

Shealee and Julieanne, Austin and Paige, Brittani and her sista's (except Beth- wish you were there for the pic.), Shealee and Shauri.

Shealee hugging her cousin Jenna, Paigey riding her cousin Katelyn's scooter, Paigey enjoying the Ipot(as shealee calls it), and Shealee with some of her cousins.

Hoopes Family December 2008

Cousins

Here they are... all the Hoopes cousins! Jenna, Kennedy, Paige, and Shealee. We are proud to say that Jimmy and Beth just announced that they are going to be having a little boy this summer! Yeah!!!!

Christmas Day 2008

The second half of Christmas day we spent in Thatcher with my Grandma and Grandpa Kight. Although I wish grandma and grandpa were in better condition. (health wise) it was so good to be together. It was so hard to leave Grandpa because I knew it could be the last time I saw him. Both Grandma and Grandpa were diagnosed with cancer. Grandma will be okay but Grandpa's has spread too quickly. Grandpa is such a great man with a strong and loving heart. I love him so much!

Christmas Morning

What a crazy and eventful day! We woke up and opened presents with Brandon's family and then we left to be with my family in Thatcher for a couple days.

Christmas EVE

We spent Christmas eve with Brandon's family. We started out the evening with some home made Chinese/Japanese food. (two different dishes of curry and 1 dish of teriyaki chicken.) Then those who got pajamas opened them and the grandchildren opened their presents from grandma and grandpa Arnow. Next we all got in the car and went to see the temple lights. After we got home we ate some "fried" icecream (that was way too good) that Brandon's mom made. We left some milk and cookies out for santa... and then Shealee talked to Santa on the phone. It was so fun to be with everyone!

Winterfest 2008

We've lived here for 3 1/2 years and had no clue this even went on. the winterfest, at Tower city in downtown Cleveland. Every year, the last day in Nov. there is a big carriage parade, the lighting of the Christmas tree, music, and fireworks. The kids loved it all. (except Shealee was a little scared of the fireworks.)

New Family Pictures