Owen and April Hoyt

Big Decisions

2012-02-11T11:57:00.001-07:00

Change is a comin' for the Hoyts!!

Goodbye to January plus Mitt Romney

2012-02-02T17:31:00.001-07:00

updates updates updates

2012-01-21T14:18:00.001-07:00

just the same old stuff.

new posts

2012-01-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

see here

Christmas Weekend In Review

2011-12-29T15:35:00.001-07:00

see here

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T13:34:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas

New posts

2011-12-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

.........

Check out our new pictures!!

2011-12-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

HERE!

Thanksgiving weekend

2011-12-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

..................

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2011-11-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

See our first real tree!!

Baby Luke

2011-11-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

Photos

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

2011-11-04T21:20:00.000-06:00

Halloween Time.

Pre-Halloween

2011-10-29T21:48:00.001-06:00

Pre Halloween

Luke's Birth Story

2011-10-25T14:34:00.000-06:00

see here

Baby Boy Hoyt

2011-10-21T11:33:00.004-06:00

Luke Tyler Hoyt

10/18/2011

7:09pm

7 pounds 11 ounces

19.5 inches

Keeping Busy

2011-10-15T16:30:00.001-06:00

see how?

37 weeks

2011-10-06T16:02:00.000-06:00

12 days to go people!

Birthday party and project

2011-10-03T20:05:00.000-06:00

seen here.

35 weeks

2011-09-21T13:05:00.001-06:00

and counting....

Potty Training

2011-09-20T12:50:00.002-06:00

swimming and fair

2011-09-07T13:54:00.001-06:00

see here

New Posts to see

2011-08-26T14:41:00.001-06:00

HERE

Updates

2011-08-17T15:12:00.001-06:00

camping and reunion

New Toys

2011-08-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

.......................

24th of July

2011-08-01T11:11:00.001-06:00

see here

California!

2011-07-27T19:59:00.001-06:00

4 days of california are up!

EdDiE

2011-07-20T14:51:00.001-06:00

---------

Independence Day

2011-07-07T15:17:00.001-06:00

was awesome!

Oh what do you do in the summertime?

2011-06-30T10:42:00.000-06:00

...........................

3 new.....

2011-06-22T11:49:00.000-06:00

kanarraville falls, fathers day and family time!

Nick and Janci's Wedding

2011-06-15T10:18:00.001-06:00

lots of pics to see here!

New posts!!

2011-05-27T13:38:00.001-06:00

click here

A weekend away

2011-05-13T15:28:00.001-06:00

...................

15 weeks

2011-05-05T15:22:00.000-06:00

First prego pic.

Just keep swimming!!

2011-05-03T14:48:00.000-06:00

and swimming and swimming!

Easter

2011-04-27T14:01:00.000-06:00

18 months

2011-04-23T10:28:00.000-06:00

-----------

I've been tagged!

2011-04-20T13:46:00.001-06:00

See here

News you'll wanna read!

2011-04-12T15:41:00.001-06:00

For Real!!!!!

Spring please be here!

2011-04-04T11:19:00.001-06:00

Spring

Sick!

2011-03-22T21:37:00.001-06:00

SICK of being sick!

Jacob & Kourtney's Wedding

2011-03-14T15:54:00.001-06:00

pictures galore!!!

catching up!

2011-03-10T10:11:00.001-07:00

new posts

AHHHHHH!

2011-02-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

............

Bella devours a pear...

2011-02-22T16:02:00.001-07:00

see here

Valentines Day

2011-02-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Photoshttp://hoythappenings.blogspot.com

I Love....

2011-02-14T13:15:00.001-07:00

...................

Can you say Superbowl Sundayyyyy!

2011-02-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

............

New post

2011-02-03T12:57:00.001-07:00

right heeeereeeeeeeee

See our latest sledding trip here.

2011-01-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

See our latest sledding trip here.

Happy Birthday Owen!

2011-01-16T20:09:00.001-07:00

click here to see how old Owen is now.

Holy Cow updates!

2011-01-06T16:31:00.001-07:00

Click here to see them all!

What we've been up to in December

2010-12-27T20:32:00.002-07:00

Click here to see more.

New Posts

2010-12-11T11:42:00.001-07:00

---------------------------------

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

GO HERE

Mostly Bella, Tyler's farwell and a little more....

2010-11-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

..................................

Whats new with the Hoyts???

2010-11-11T09:39:00.001-07:00

HERE

Halloween Birthday Party

2010-11-03T13:35:00.000-06:00

click here

Family Photos 2010

2010-10-27T18:25:00.001-06:00

click here

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-27T16:48:00.000-06:00

Click here to see our pumpkins

Time Out For Women

2010-10-25T11:46:00.001-06:00

Click here

Tinkerbell

2010-10-21T14:18:00.001-06:00

Click here to see the Tinkerbell.

1 year!!!

2010-10-19T13:29:00.001-06:00

Click here to read more.

Weddings, Salt Lake, and Three Peaks

2010-10-17T20:57:00.002-06:00

Click right about here to see more.

Cuteness 100 times over!

2010-10-02T15:19:00.000-06:00

Click here to see!

An average everyday update on our lives

2010-09-29T10:48:00.001-06:00

Click here to see this average everyday update on our lives.

Labor Day Weekend

2010-09-11T20:42:00.003-06:00

Click here to view new post.

House Update and 24 on the 24th

2010-08-30T18:17:00.001-06:00

Click here to view our new post.

House Updatee

2010-08-20T10:09:00.001-06:00

Click here for our update.

Steven and Hilary's Wedding

2010-08-18T09:03:00.000-06:00

Click here to see new post!!

Bella Rose

2010-08-10T15:00:00.001-06:00

Click here to see this post.

Sand Hollow 7-26-10

2010-08-05T17:22:00.001-06:00

Click here to view new post!

Baby B is here!

2009-11-04T17:31:00.003-07:00

We finally have our little princess here! We are so happy and love being parents! She is such a sweetheart! If you didn't catch on when I went private earlier this year, leave a comment with your email address and I will invite you to our private blog at www.hoythappenings.blogspot.com

Owen and April Hoyt

2009-05-12T16:25:00.003-06:00

Hi Everyone! We have changed our blog address and now have a private blog. If you would like to see more about our lives you can visit our private blog at http://www.hoythappenings.blogspot.com/ If you would like to receive an invite, please leave us a comment here with your email address and we'll invite you.

Good Weekend

2009-05-11T15:17:00.006-06:00

We had another exciting weekend. We drove up to SLC to go to Courtney who was my best friend in high schools wedding. They got married in the Salt Lake temple so Owen and I got up there early and walked around temple square. I am always shocked how beautiful the temple grounds are and I am always searching for just one weed---just one. Her reception was beautiful and we had a great time.

We then drove back Saturday evening to make it back for Mother's Day. It's always nice that we can spend holidays with both of our families since they are both in Orderville. I am so grateful for my mom and everything she is constantly doing for us. I am also so grateful for a wonderful mother-in-law. It is so great to have such great examples in my life.

Us with our parents--didn't have one with only moms-- at our wedding

We were also able to talk to both of our brothers who are on missions right now. It was nice to talk to them and to hear more about their lives. We love them and are so proud of them. I can't believe how fast their time is going. Nick has 5 months left and Jacob has 10 more months. Nick's release date is October 8th and our baby is due October 9th. So the countdown is on. I am hoping I win this race...

Crazy Hoyt boys-sending Nick off at the MTC

Weird Jacob. In Hawaii right before he left

2009-05-06T00:44:00.001-06:00

Last weekend we went up to Salt Lake to Cayson our nephews 1st birthday. It was a quick trip but as always nice to get away and spend time with family.

Birthday Boy!

Playing dress up

The new lawn mower. Cute sleepy Newman in his dog house.

Taking the new scooter for a drive.

This last weekend Owen had to work so I went down to a family reunion by Mesquite with my Mom and Tyler. We had a good time it was at Warm Springs so we got to be in nice weather and spend time in the pool and warm river. Some how I volunteered to be the President over the next reunion. I am still unsure why this all happened but it will be fun I guess.

Just got out of the river. And a very unattractive picture of me....just showing that my belly is getting fat and its freakin me out!

We have been so busy these last few weeks. We have been driving back and forth to Orderville a lot to get all the windows done at the resort by Memorial Day so I feel like we haven't had two seconds to relax. Hopefully things will start to slow down for us but I think that it is just the beginning of a very busy but fun summer. But I welcome the busy summer....its the best time of year!

Spring is in the air...this week anyway

2009-04-24T09:52:00.007-06:00

I love the warmth in the air right now, all I want to do is be outside!! Every time I say this out loud to my mom she laughs and says, "you poor girl you are going to be so miserable this summer". It's like she is jinxing me to have the worst, big, fat, hot, and miserable summer possible. Eish!

Anyway we have been working on our yard a lot this week. I have been obsessed with pulling weeds all week. I love pulling weeds its like therapy for me. Owen has been obsessed with getting the grass back to the green color it should be. We bought our first lawn mower--we were of course way to cheap to buy a real one, so we went with the hand held pushing kind. And the dogs have been obsessed with continually digging holes in the wet grass-and we love it-NOT!

Last Sunday after church we decided to go for a walk up in a canyon where the dogs could run around. It was really nice, a fun little nook we found. We went back up Sunday night and built a fire and had some yummy tinfoil dinners. It was really fun to just go together and let the dogs run around. Owen is just dying to get me to go camping up there with him. I am still just a little freaked out about camping out in the mountains like that. Thinking of all the animals out there just gives me the willies.

Of course Owen trying to find a way he can climb up

Going private...

2009-04-17T11:55:00.003-06:00

Okay everyone I am thinking of going private with my blog in the next little while so if you would like to be invited please let me know. You can either leave your email address in the comments or if you would like to email me at apesrose@yahoo.com I will add you. I know its kind of annoying, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right.

Hike to Red Caves

2009-04-14T13:41:00.017-06:00

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We went to Orderville and had a great time spending time with family and friends. On Sunday after dinner we decided to go on a little hike to Red Caves with my family. We loaded up all the dogs and drove as far on the road as we could and set off on our adventure. We had a really good time. I will post a picture below of the boys trying to lift Max (my parent's dog) up some of the rocks. It didn't work out so well. So my mom, me and Tyler decided to stay behind with Max. It was fun to just relax in nice weather. Owen of course had to be all daring and try to climb every cliff he can find. I swear that kid, I wouldn't be surprised if that is how he dies someday.

The truck ride over to Red Caves

Newman loving the wind in his face and Kosmo planning an escape

Getting started...

Inside red caves

Trying to lift Max up

Crazy boys...

We also started washing windows again for the summer on Monday. We had a good successful day and will now be busy doing this for the next couple months. Its funny when you do things like this because it is something that you do for everyone else and something that has never been done at our own house??

It was also Courtney one of my best friends from high schools shower/reception. We had a fun time at that and I am so excited for her!

On another note, I had another Dr. appointment today and things are good, great, and I guess wonderful too. I have been feeling soooo much better this week which has really been nice. So I will be 15 weeks on Friday. Yahoo!

Memorable March

2009-03-27T12:55:00.014-06:00

This was the first summer we started "going out" Have we even changed at all?

March is somewhat of a memorable month for Owen and I. This March about 2 weeks ago makes 9 years together. It seems so crazy!! 9 years ago this month was when Owen and I were sitting at the State basketball tournaments in Cedar City, he was in 9th grade I was in 8th, and he pulled the bunny trick on me. He told me a story about how a bunny was lost and he was trasing my fingers saying it was lost this way and this way but when he went this way (holding my hand) he wasn't lost anymore. So cheezy!! I am laughing thinking about how cheezy he was! Anyway we ended up holding hands that day and then we just sorta kept holding hands for the last 9 years (minus the two he was on his mission).

Year 2002 and 2003

Prom 2003

Owens mom always says that some people may not know what they are really getting when they get married but we knew everything! Owen and I were always known in high school for fighting. We fought a lot and honestly we still do but its like a healthy fight. I know it doesn't make sense but that is just how we are. We are both very spoken and well we are good for each other. If either of us had different "more nice" personalities I think we would rip the other to shreds.

This was the night before Owen left on his mission.

Anyways this month is also memorable because we were engaged in March. I think it was the 14th, 2006. Honestly I am not positive on all the dates because I was in such a state of la la land. Owen got home from his mission on the 2nd of March and it was a very stressful time for me. Things just weren't looking on the bright side for us, but they progressed very quickly. After the first few days of Owen being home we worked through our issues and we both knew we were going to get married but we didn't really say when. We soon talked him into going on a cruise with my family. I honestly don't know how it happened but we had looked at rings sometime when we were in St. George before we left for the cruise. My mom was going down to St. George the day before we left to get some last minute things and Owen calls her and asks if she can pick something up for him. She was thinking, flip flops, shorts something like that, but no he asked her to pick up a ring for me.

1 day back from the mission and back at the State Tournie

We went on the cruise, had a great time and on the night where you "meet the captain" he decided was the night. After the formal dinner we went and changed and were going to go to the arcade with my brothers. While we were changing Owen ran down and talked to my parents about it and then we headed to the arcade. All of a sudden my brothers were gone, they just ran off. So Owen and I decided to walk outside on the balcony. We went to the back of the ship and were just talking and all of a sudden I look over at him and he was on his knee. I was in complete shock!! I knew it was coming at some point but seriously not this soon---he was only home for 12 days! I was freaking out and pretty much all I did was scream over and over. Finally he got me to shut up and of course I said yes. We went and found my family and then re-inacted the scene for pictures.

One of our engagement pics.

So, this post is to mark 9 years together. So many years together....and so many to come!

Getting ready for the Bambino

2009-03-20T11:32:00.001-06:00

Well we have been sort of getting ready to bring a baby into our lives.

#1 is we are kicking our dogs outside!! I am so sick of their hair I could scream! I realize during the winter months its not going to be so easy but when its warm outside they are out. The only problem now is that the dumb dogs keep digging out of our fence. Now that they have learned it they do it constently. Owen is in the process of building a rock wall around the whole area so they can't get out. But he has also built them a nice little dog house that is really quite big, has a doggy door, and is insulated. He did a pretty good job. He still needs to paint the sides red and he wants to make a little sign on the front that has their names--such a creative fellow he is.

My cute little doggies. I do still love em' I just want them outside.

#2- I am a physco about baby clothes and have been for quite some time. Well my aunt Pam who had quadruplets was having a garage sale with all her stuff last week so I went down to St. George and well pretty much I went crazy!! I bought tons of clothes. Most are in pretty good condition and I feel like I got a good selection of boys and girls. They were only a dollar a piece so I couldn't pass that up. I got stuff from baby to age 3 so I am stoked, and a little crazy too.

#3- On Tuesday we got rid of my baby. My cute little Corolla. I am still really sad about it and I am going to miss my car so much! I wasn't really ready to say good-bye to it but I did. I told Owen a few months ago that I liked the Ford Edges and that I would consider getting one. Well he just dug right in to that and has been non-stop looking at them. I have been pretty nonchalant about it. He found a really good deal last week and well we went for it. The biggest thing that got me to do it this soon was because we can put the dogs in the very back and they won't be jumping all over the baby and the All Wheel Drive of course.

My baby

The new Edge.

I really do like it its just going to take some getting used to. It's not my sporty little car. It just feels like so much car to me. But I am happy with it. We also got a scooter with our purchase, which is pretty cool. We weren't able to bring it down because it wouldn't fit in the car but we will be getting it. Its just like the one below except ours will be silver. So that's exciting eh.

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego???

2009-03-18T10:21:00.007-06:00

Where have I been? Its been so long since I blogged I can't believe it! But I do have somewhat of a reason. That reason was because I was trying to keep the fact that WE ARE PREGGERS on the down low. But I know now how well that doesn't work so it's out there. It's been quite the couple of months for us.

To start from the beginning...

Okay, many of you probably know that Owen and I have been trying to get pregnant for sometime now and we were kind of stressing about what we really wanted to do as far as fertility and such. We knew we wanted a baby soon but we didn't know what measures to take quite yet. Anyway to make a long story short the month of January was different for us. It was crazy because I just felt like 'okay it is going to happen this month', there were just so many things that kept falling into place for us. Personally I set my spiritual goals higher and was really trying to do "my part". Kinda crazy thing too was that when I talked to Nick at Christmas (Owen's brother on a mission) he just kept saying, "April you have to get pregnant this month then you can be my countdown for when I get home (as he gets home in Oct.). Just weird things kept happening.

So then the time of the month came (Feb 4th) and Owen was getting all excited and kept saying maybe I was pregnant and such and I just didn't want to get his hopes up because I was trying to not get my own hopes up but I decided to take a pregnancy test and as I was about ready to toss it in the garbage because I just thought it would be another let down I saw the plus sign and about died. But of course I didn't believe it. So I went to Walmart got another one, took it, it was positive decided to tell Owen but still didn't know if I really believed I was pregnant. Then I made Owen buy another test and it was positive. So I called my Dr. and told her the situation but that I really didn't think I was pregnant and she confirmed that I was.

We couldn't keep our mouth shut too long so we decided to tell immediate family and then wait a couple weeks and tell others. When we told my parents I decided to take a family picture for Jacob (my brother on a mission) so we set up the tri-pod and timer and right before it took the picture Owen said, "Hey you guys by the way, April is pregnant" everyone kinda giggled and kept smiling for the camera so I had to really tell them we were serious and my Dad and Justin still didn't believe us but you can see what Tyler and my Mom were thinking. We then wrote a little poem to tell Owen's parents. Jann was flipping out!

Since that time, the news has pretty much trickled out to everyone which made me really stressed out because I was really worried about if I was really pregnant and if I was going to stay that way.

I have been pretty sick, throw up a couple times everyday, feel like crap and so on and so forth but forward we go and hopefully it starts getting better. My Dr. gave me so medication to help but I am too freaked out to take it, I decided I would suffer through the sickness. Yesterday March 17th, we had our first Dr. appointment--which I could not wait for. We heard our little baby's heart beat and then they played around on a really old ultrasound machine with us. It was so crazy to see it moving around in there. We could see its heart beating and his little arms moving around. It was really cute and I was pretty much in shock. There is a picture of our little baby bean. I know you can't really see it but its proof that there is actually a baby in there. (the head is on the right side and if you look really hard you can see its arm sticking up). Anyway so we are super excited!! As of today we are a little over 10 weeks. We will be 11 weeks on Friday! Yahooo!!! Oh and the baby is due the day after Nick (Owen's brother) gets home from his mission. So we are now his countdown. October 9th!

Shrute Army of Champions

2009-02-10T11:23:00.008-07:00

Well Shrute Army are officially champions! They won the championship game last night. They were pretty excited, it was their high school basketball championship they never got. This isn't the entire team as some weren't able to make it but here are some. All the guys are from Valley (except Jana's hubby Tate-but they didn't have a problem accepting him as one of their own). Owen has a blast getting together with everyone and playing basketball. Us girls like it too because we get to catch up on everyone and of course watch the boys play ball.

This other pic. is from highschool when they won their region tournie. Not everyone is the same age group but here are a few of the boys back in their high school days.

Grandpa's Letter

2009-02-04T20:35:00.004-07:00

So it was my Grandpa Gary's birthday today so I decided to write him a little letter. I will share it below.

Today is February 4, 2009,
Today is my Grandpa’s birthday which makes him 75
Today I am remembering the many memories I have had with him
Today I am going to write about some of these memories

One of the best memories I have of my grandpa is reading Horton Hatches the Egg
What joy this used to bring me as a child as I would sit in amazement and wonder
“How can Grandpa sound just like Mazy and Horton?” Grandpa was the best entertainment.
I don’t think anyone will ever read Horton Hatches the Egg better than Grandpa.

I used to love to go Grandpa’s house and go “exploring”.
Oh the things we could find between, the backyard, the garage, the basement, and Lisa’s old bedroom.
It was always an adventure there and there was always a good place to hide.
We never got bored at Grandpa’s house!

If however we did get bored, that meant it was time to wrestle in the living room.
What joy it brought me to have Uncle Mark pull my underwear clear past my head!!! J
Then Grandpa would come in and say “I swear if you break one thing in here….”
It always ended in us crying and my mom threatening Mark about what she would do to his kids one day.

I have so many memories with Grandma and Grandpa, so many I will never forget.
But there are some memories that I don’t necessarily remember, but that I have been reminded of
Like the time I told Grandpa that I wasn’t going to say “F---ER S--T no more”.
Or the time Hilary said “I don’t like Grandma Gethel but Apey does”

Some of my most memorable times were when we went to Australia,
I loved every minute of that trip, except when Grandpa was infuriated with me
All because we were at the “best seafood restaurant EVER” and all I would try was a burger and fries.
It was all I could do to put my sunglasses on and let the tears stream down.

The time we went to Holland was absolutely unforgettable
Becoming boaters, seeing the Neeleman windmill, Amsterdam and the red light district
When we went to Keunkenhof- the tulip festival, Grandpa wasn’t going to take a rest
He would walk the entire place with Hilary and me.

Of course Brazil was another trip I will never forget.
Paraty-the celebration of the Holy Ghost, Uruguay-best deals ever, Argentina-best steak,
In Brazil eating Jewish food at somebody’s home and wanting to die because I couldn’t be my picky self
Many memories, but mostly seeing my Grandpa in a place that he loves was a special experience for me.

Going to the ranch and the cabin were always the best of trips!
Always stopping at the Texaco to get frozen ice-cream
Always shucking corn, playing games, catching lizards, going to the big rock, exploring, and building forts
Always being free to roam the world!

There are many things we count on our Grandpa’s to do or to be
And these are some of the things we count on our Grandpa to do or to be
We can always count on Grandpa to keep the family together through thick and thin
We can always count on Grandpa to have a trip planned or to call us from some far off country

We can always count on Grandpa to sit on the couch with us and tickle our hands
We can always count on Grandpa to fall asleep but only claim to be resting his eyes
We can always count on Grandpa to give us a talking to and a few threats if we need it
We can always count on Grandpa to have a story or a joke to tell

We can always count on Grandpa to brag about his family wherever he goes
We can always count on Grandpa to have an opinion and not be afraid to voice it
We can always count on Grandpa to make a funny face, start speaking pig latin, or show off his pompous look
We can always count on Grandpa to be holding Grandma’s hand

We can always count on Grandpa to have an idea when we need a job, a paper, or something done.
We can always count on Grandpa to be our bestest friend
We can always count on Grandpa no matter what it is, he is there.
WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON GRANDPA!

There are so many areas of my life that involve my Grandpa and my Grandma
As time moves on and we don’t see each other as often, I do know some things
I do know that I have been very blessed to have my Grandparents in my life
And I do know that I want Owen and me to be the kind of Grandparents that they have been to me

I do know that I have the best of memories with my Grandparents; I wouldn’t trade them for anybody’s.
I am so grateful they have started traditions that will carry on for many generations
I am grateful they have kept this family close, and for who they are and what they stand for
I am grateful that they are they and I am I!

Superbowl and Shrute Army

2009-02-03T11:02:00.004-07:00

I decided I needed to write a little bit on this weekend because honestly I do not remember one thing about last year's Superbowl and Owen keeps telling me all about it and honestly I think I must have blacked out or something or I just have really bad memory.
Anyway this year for the Superbowl we went to Jeff and Erica's and we had good food and of course good entertainment. I actually was really into the game and I thought that Arizona put up a good fight although the Steelers had some awesome plays!! I think my favorite commercials would have to be the Doritos and the Pepsi commercials. The best part though by far was the after show of The Office. Loved it! It was a good one!
Yesterday Owen played in his city league game with all the Valley boys and really this is the highlight of his weeks. He loves basketball and I think he still has dreams of being in the NBA with Kit right by his side. Boys! Anyway last night they played their first game in their tournament against a bunch of the Kanab boys and well we pretty much had a sweet victory! It felt good for some reason, don't know why, but better than other games. Maybe it was Kanab, maybe it was because I actually paid attention, maybe because it was a 'tournament', or maybe because Owen got a Technical for saying to the ref "that was a damn foul" with 2 minutes to go. If they win tonight then they get to play in the championship game. Yahoo! Go Shrute Army of Champions!
On another note Owen and I decided last night that we would wake up at 5:45am and go to Denny's to enjoy the free Grand Slam breakfast. Surprisingly or not so surprisingly we listened to the alarm go off until 7:00am. We finally got up and drove to Denny's. By then the line was all the way out the door and wrapping around the building. Yay we didn't care that much about free food, but we didn't get up that early for nothing. So we hit Ihop instead. We both determined that it was good and all but we would both would rather have our sleep.
That's all folks!!!

Vi Va Las Vegas!

2009-01-26T18:30:00.018-07:00

Owen and I went to Vegas this weekend to celebrate his birthday. We had a great time! It was kind of weird not being with one of our families because it didn't take us FOREVER to do everything. We stayed at the Excalibur, got a good price and then we were upgraded when we got there, so overall we were satisfied with our stay.

The first night we walked up the strip and hit a few casinos we have never been inside and watched the fountains at Belligio--I don't think you can ever see this too many times. We went inside Ceasers Palace and I loved the staircase they have-- the rounded escaladers.

We then went on a whim and decided to buy Jay Leno tickets and go see his comedy show. It was really hilarious and we had a good time.

The next day we took it easy and hung around the hotel, went shopping at the outlet malls, visited M&M & Coca Cola world and went and watched Paul Blart at the movies. After the movie we decided to play Risk and sadly Owen, once again dominated me. I know depressing! I am still really upset about that but I will win next time! Overall we had a great time it was nice to get away but not so nice to come home to a winter-wonderland.

Happy Birffday O.T.

2009-01-15T09:09:00.013-07:00

Birthday Boy!

Two next biggest losers (mom and Tyler)

The whole group

It was Owen's Birthday yesterday so we must blog about that. My family decided to come over and spend the evening with us so we went bowling and went out to eat. We had a fun time bowling. I mostly had a grrreat time because I think I am on a role with this winning streak. I beat Owen and Tyler both games we played. I'm pretty much never going to let Owen win at anything ever again! :) After bowling we went and ate at Ninja. We had never been there and we have been wanting to try it. It was pretty expensive, but by far the best restaurant in Cedar City for me. And the night ended with singing Happy Birthday to Owen in three different languages (English, Portuguese, and German). It was a fun time indeed. Thanks mom and dad! Instead of getting Owen any presents I decided that we would go on a little trip to Vegas for a weekend. Take a break and have fun time. So we are going to go next weekend and I am super stoked about that!

A defining moment...

2009-01-10T22:13:00.004-07:00

I have had a defining moment in my life today! Let me just give you a little bit of background, Owen and I have been playing games ever since we have started dating. We play quite often, all different games between Nintendo to board games to card games. There is only one game that I can win Owen at consistently and that is Speed (the card game), which he has literally refused to play with me for years. I am always saying that one day, one day I will find a game that I win him at. Our biggest competition though has always been Risk. We have spent many nights staying up playing this game. I hate losing more than anything! Really I think I hate losing more than him and I turn into a bit of a physco when I lose but somehow someway I always loose. We played Risk a couple nights ago and I got the closest I ever have gotten to winning him, but of course he won in the end. But tonight, the defining moment was I finally for the first time ever won Owen at Risk! I am a poor winner too because I won't leave him alone about it but it just feels so good after all these years to finally sweep him of the board!! He says it is the first and the last time but I know it is the first of many to go. I am ready for round two but I think he is a little afraid of my rolling technique. Yahoooo!

I'm Stoked About....

2009-01-09T19:39:00.003-07:00

1. Newman is finally house trained!! Yay! He hasn't had an accident since Sunday! I thought he was never going to get it, since it only took Kosmo a week and he had it down.
2. My new job--I am working once again for the Ponderosa. I thought I was really going to miss the Preschool and I was so sad to leave but to be honest my first week back (taking calls) was great and I am glad I chose to do this.
3. Our trip to Vegas! We are going to take a fun little jaunt to Vegas for Owen's birthday and I can't wait!
4. I finally wrote down my New Year's Resolution's yesterday and I pretty much passed with flying colors on keeping them--today anyway, tomorrow will be different but today= A+.
5. Getting the Donkey Kong game I ordered from ebay. It's for our Nintendo 64 (that I decided my parent's really didn't need anymore)...can't wait to play, it was one of my all time favorite games.

And Not Stoked About...
1. Owen always has to win the game Risk. I mean seriously I want to punch his lights out because of this. Even when he tries to loose I still can't win. So irritating!
2. Teaching my next Relief Society lesson, its gonna be difficult one. Just read through it and eeeeish!
3. All the laundry I should be folding right now.Bla! I guess I better get to it so we can sleep in our bed tonight.

Got Chicken Blood???

2009-01-05T13:16:00.004-07:00

...funny story...okay actually disgusting story... yesterday we were in Orderville just leaving to go to Church and we look out the window and there is Max (my parent's dog) running around with a chicken in his mouth with my dogs and the whole neighborhood dogs chasing him. My dad goes out there and the flippin' chicken is still alive so he takes it over to the home where Max decided to steal the chicken from and leaves it on the door step. He said it wasn't really moving much but it was still living...poor chicken. We tie up all the dogs come back from church get home and there on the back porch are like all the freakin' innards of the chicken. (The neighbor dogs must have gotten to it). All gooey and blood everywhere! The sickest thing ever!! Justin decides to clean it up so, takes it to the wood pile and covers it with wood. Duh!!! Don't know why he put it there~~ Newman goes over there eats the damn thing. Comes in the house chewing a piece of bark, I was like hey what are you chewing on and I grab it (not thinking where it came from) throw it in the garbage look at my hand and yes chicken fetchin' blood on my hand!!! I freaked out. In the mean time Newman had barfed up a bunch of blood in the laundry room and was in licking it up. It was eventful indeed. And probably one of the sickest things I have seen. The joys of having dogs...

Neeleman Family Christmas Party

2009-01-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

After Christmas we went to SLC and spent some time with family. We were pampered by Kori and Carson, went to the Neeleman family party, went to the movies, and welp had a great time.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-03T18:03:00.002-07:00

We had a great Christmas this year. It was our third Christmas together since being married. It's crazy how time flies!! Technically this was our year to have Christmas at the Hoyt's but since our parents live four houses away from each other, we get the luxery of doing both families. Owen was very mad at the end of opening presents when he realized that I didn't get him the shoes he wanted. He just kept telling me "I just can't believe you didn't get them, they are the only thing I asked for". Well I did get them I just disguised them. I couldn't believe he was being so rude though. He was very happy when he finally got to them. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I am kind of sad that it is all over, but on we will go to 2009!

Snow Igloo's and Sledding

2009-01-02T15:30:00.019-07:00

We had a great time sledding on Christmas Eve and Owen and Justin made a snow igloo. The dogs loved running down the hill as we would go down. We also had Max carry all our sleds for us. Owen finally got me to go in the snow igloo and after crawling my way in there I went ahead and stood up...didn't work out so well. (It wasn't that tall).

We also went to the Christmas Eve Nativity program at the church...had to skip out early to talk to Elder Hoyt, Newman had to get his ears taped together, went to Grandma and Grandpa Hoyt's had great entertainment from McCoy and Stetson :), opened some presents with my family, played Trivia Pursuit with the Hoyt's and of course Jim and Jann kicked all our butts! More to come from Christmas Day...

Quads turn the big QUAD!

2008-12-23T15:47:00.006-07:00

The Clark Quads turned four on December 21st! I can't believe it has been four years! They had a Ho-down at their new house and Owen and I made the trek over to their party. It was a fun night between the entertaining, the food, the dancing, the pinata, opening presents, etc etc. It was fun...just like birthday party's should be. I know that it's been an eventful four years for them and their parents. I think back to that first day I saw them in the hospital and I know that it is a miracle that they are here. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to help out with them and watch them grow, I have learned so much.

Photos: in hospital and our favorite thing... sitting them in bouncy chairs with baby Einstein. It was the only way we could keep them all happy at the same time.

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-16T15:44:00.005-07:00

Holy snow storm this week eh?...just wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. My mom needed a pic of Owen and me so I decided I would post our Christmas picture. Merry Christmas!
We tried to take a picture with the dogs...didn't work out so well. You can see that Kosmo is watching Newman's every move and ready to pounce at any moment, and Newman is trying to run for his life.

Early Christmas Present...

2008-12-07T18:50:00.006-07:00

NewmanYes, we decided to get another dog. He is a Beagle and really cute! Some may think we are crazy but whatev. We needed a friend for Kosmo. This way we won't feel bad leaving Kosmo and really it will make our life easier. We decided to name him Newman. If you watch Seinfield you will understand. Kosmo comes from Kramer (its Kramer's first name in the show). And Newman is the fat mailman pal of Kramer's.

Why am I feeling so picked on?

2008-12-03T22:20:00.004-07:00

I am driving myself crazy! It really irritates me when I feel like this, but I can't get out of the slump I have been in all week. Because a few things in my life aren't going just as I want them to I am feeling all picked on and that life isn't fair. So what, Right!! I know its life. I don't usually do this because I don't express how I feel too well but I just wanted to write down a few things that I am grateful for and get me thinking of all the reasons why I am not picked on.

Owen- He really has been working so hard and I am really crazy sometimes and he does do a lot! a) He started the laundry for me (because I was going on a "refuse to do it trip" b) He cleaned up after dinner c) He makes me laugh d) He makes me cry e) He wants me to be a better person f) When I got really mad because he didn't park in the closest parking space to the door to Payless yesterday he had moved to the closest spot by the time I got out of the store. Lots of other things I know but the list could go on and Owen hates when people brag about the husbands, but in defense I am not bragging I am just remembering the things I love about him today.
My mommy- I am so glad I have her to call at anytime of the day. She is my bestest friend! Poor Owen would never have anything to eat if not for her...since I have to call my mom about every other day asking her how to cook something. She is the best listener. She listens to me have my screaming fits and then she listens to me cry my eyes out. She always has a better attitude then me and is always looking on the brighter side of things. I know there is nothing my mom wouldn't do for me and even though I might act put out, I know there is nothing I wouldn't do for her.
The fact that we do have "enough" money. When things get tight and the Amex gets high I get super stressed! But somehow we are able to pay everything off and still get the things needed.
The two missionaries in our families: My brother Jacob and my brother in-law Nick. Jacob is serving in Texas and Nick in Canada. They are a strength to me. I read their emails and their letters and it makes me want to be better and to really strive to center everything I do around the gospel. I see their strength and I am in awe by it. I wish I could be more like them and I strive to have more missionary moments in my life.
Gas Prices!! Need I say more? We are at $1.47 today at Maverick!
Christmas! I am so excited for Christmas and the whole spirit of Christmas. I love the Christmas shows the lights, the decor, the nativity scene, the excitement, the snow, the everything!
The gospel! What a blessing! It really is a comfort. I have a new calling as a Relief Society teacher and I am so grateful to be learning more about the life of Joseph Smith. I am grateful to know that my prayers are heard and that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, for me. For the scriptures, for blessings and for everything else we are given!
Kosmo: I know he is a dog, I know I know. But it is so much fun when I come home from work and he is going a million miles an hour because he is so excited to see me. To be honest I wish Owen would act half as excited as Kosmo to see me.
Health: I really am grateful for the good health I have. I work with many children that have severe health problems and it makes me so grateful for mine and my families health.
Technology etc. Wow, I think of the pioneers and I don't know if I could have done what they did. I do know that the people that would have traveled with me would want to die because they wouldn't want to hear me complain anymore. Owen always tells me that I am never comfortable...too hot, too cold, too stuffed, too hungry...you get the point. But really I am so grateful for cars, refrigerators, vacuums, computers, t.v., phones, all that jazz!
Families! I have been so blessed with my immediate family as well as all my extended family and then even more blessed with a great in-law family! I couldn't ask for anything better. I cherish each of these relationships, what they have taught and done for me and for being great examples! I can't name everyone but to name a few...

Dad: Always teaching me patience (by testing mine). He has been a great example in my life, he doesn't seem to think so but I love him for who he is, all his faults and all. I have seen my dad hold back tears watching his children succeed, I have seen him feel the spirit and start those deep breaths (controlling his tears). He is like me in a lot of ways and I am proud to be his daughter. Like me, he is hard as rock on the outside but once the shell breaks just a little he's all nice and soft.

Colette: Always worrying about others and always asking and listening.

Aaron: For always finding a way to make the family laugh.

Jill: Always there to be a friend. I can talk with her about all areas of life.

Tyler: For doing anything I please. He looks for things he can do for me. He always is rubbing my shoulders and texting me just to talk. I am jealous that he is in drama--sure wish I would have done it in High School.

Stephen and Christine: I look at both of them and I really do think they are some of the greatest parents! They are a great example to both Owen and me.

Kinley: Such a sweet spirit. I loved it this weekend at the Turkey Tourney when she ran up to me and gave me hug!

Erica: For always thinking of me and asking me to go on a walk and talk or to come have dinner.

Grandma Rose: Gave me the love of jewelery! She is also one of the most giving people I know and for always supporting and loving my Grandpa 100%.

Grandpa Gary: Having a mind of his own. Not letting anyone budge his views. Always tickling hands and always showing his pompous look. Also him and Grandma always teaching us the importance of family and keeping close to them.

Marvin: For bugging me to death until I break down and have to say I love him and give him a hug even when I don't want to.

Uncle Mark: For teasing me when I was little and helping me get the back bone I have now.

Grandpa Norman: Being the best example of a supporting husband and the most selfless person.

Grandma Leola (Idaho): Teaching me patience and how to deal with her son. Her love for the gospel is amazing and her homemaking skills...sure wish I had more of em'.

Lisa: Teaching me the ways of life. Being blunt, practical, and passionate. Holy cow being super mom...sports, dance, babies, food, Mike, etc.

Jann: Another super mom... Really everything she does, she can deal with these Hoyt boys better than me! Hopefully after 35 years I can be as good as her at this...cooking, cleaning, sewing, dealing, and supporting. I love the way she gets ralled up over sports at Valley high, the way she is supportive but she has her own thoughts too, and she isn't afraid to show those feelings.

Pani: Teaching me how to juggle (not literally). Giving me the opportunity to help with the quads, and always being ready to talk. I remember visiting her in California and watching her kneel in prayer for LONG amounts of time. She was an example to me of how important the gospel is in our lives. Have Faith!!

Kori: Miracles do happen! For thinking of me...you are such a sweetheart! Always being easy to talk to. I remember two conversations I had with Kori when Owen and I were dating that made me feel welcome with the Hoyt's and I always knew I had a friend in her.

Easton: For always calling me aunt April...still weird to me. And for always being animated! Holy cow!

Hilary: For being the sister I never had. For always pushing me to my limits to be better and to always letting us just be us. Laughing so hard we cried.

Jim: Being smart and technical and protective of your garage. Laughing out loud at the Office and making me laugh harder. And mostly for teaching hard work and dedication!

Justin: For literally bugging the hell out of me, but in the end still loving me and trying more to not being the annoying little brother. He thinks he doesn't like Kosmo more than Max but I know the truth. For always asking if I am going to be to his baseball or basketball games and really caring if I go.

Jani: For the walk and the sassy attitude--no body can stop me.

Okay well I know there is so many other people that I love and am so grateful for who I didn't mention here but seriously I could be here for hours...but moral of the story is that I do feel better and really I am not picked on and I know that, I am so blessed! It's just been one of those weeks ya know. Up with you chiny chin chin up! Lookin' on the bright side!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-12-01T16:35:00.019-07:00

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend although on our way home from Salt Lake last night Owen and I both agreed that it had been an EXTREMELY long weekend for us both. Since blogging is now my journal, sorry for the wordiness.

We started our weekend out by going to go see Twilight on Wednesday for the second time. We both liked the movie (okay, really I loved it) the first time but we wanted to see it again without the laughing girls.

Thursday we drove on over to O-town. The mountain was pretty snowy and Owen was stoked to try out the 4-wheel drive in his truck for the first time. He was very proud of his little truck! This year we ate Thanksgiving Dinner up at the Ponderosa. It was a feast indeed! They had big shrimp bowls (not for me of course), prime rib and just everything else. It was good! The two things I missed out on though were the usual jello/pretzel salad our family makes and then having leftover turkey on fresh rolls. I don't think Owen even ate turkey because he was enjoying the prime rib so much.

Owen, Dad, Tyler, and Me preparing for the feast

Justin, Katie, Lauren and Tyler

Carter and Owie

Owen played in the Valley Alumni Turkey Tournie later on Thursday. He was pretty put out though because he hurt his wrist a couple months ago and then again earlier in the week playing basketball. He wanted to play desperately and wasn't going to not give it a try. He played pretty good considering... except for the fact that he bricked all his foul shots. His team ended up losing both games on Thursday and Friday. This is the first time Owen has ever lost a game while playing in the Turkey Tournie and he was pretty upset about that. Better luck next year eh?

Marv, Aaron and Owie

Jeff and my uncle Stephen

I went up to SLC with my mom on Friday morning and we had a fun filled day of shopping with my aunt Lisa. I got all my Christmas shopping pretty much done and I am stoked about that. Owie came up Saturday with my daddy-o and we had a Brazilian Churrascaria (Feast/Party) at my Grandparents house with all the Neeleman bunch. We had all Brazilian food- my favorite being the Pao de Queijo's (Cheese Bread) so good!! Grandma Rose and serving at her Brazilian Feast

Mom and I enjoying the party

On Sunday my newest cousin Sophia Rose was blessed. And we had yet another delicious meal at Mike and Lisa's. We also made it up to visit Kori, Carson and little bubby Cayson. He is so cute and getting so big!

Grandpa Gary and Mom

Wilson Family

Holy cow! Long weekend! Way too much food! But fun times and good memories. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for right now in my life --too much to list but especially my hubby and families that put up with my psychoness. Love you all!

Family Time

2008-11-11T17:45:00.006-07:00

Owen and I have had a good couple of weekends. Last weekend we went over to Orderville on Saturday to go to Tyler's High School play, Suessical the Musical. It was a good play and brought back so many memories of reading the Dr. Suess books as a kid. One of my favorite memories is of my Grandpa Gary reading us "Horton Hatches the Egg" and How the Grinch Stole Christmas" every year on Christmas Eve.

Tyler was Horton the elephant and then the people in yellow are all the Who's in Whoville.

Court and I supporting our bro's at the play and Grams and Gramps Idaho

We then had my family over for Sunday dinner and we were privileged to also have my Grandma and Grandpa Idaho (my dad's mom and step dad) spend the night with us. Ever since I was little we have always called my Grandma "Grandma Idaho" because that is where she lived. I guess it was easier for us to determine which Grandma was which??? I always tell my parents that when I have kids she and my dad will be known as Grandma and Grandpa Zion. We had a great dinner and afterwards played board games and had a Dance Dance Revolution competition --which between Tyler, Owen and I can get pretty intense. It was a fun night!

The weekend before we also had an eventful Sunday afternoon. We decided to have all of the Hoyt family over for dinner. I was nervous about cooking dinner for that many people but we had a great time! I cooked Cafe Rio food and it was just delicious. The whole family was at our house minus Nick and Gerry it was fun to have everyone here! We also ended this night with the competition of Dance Dance Revolution. Thank you to both our families to coming to our little house, we love spending time with you all!

Arrrrgh!

2008-11-03T15:55:00.008-07:00

We indeed had a Happy Halloween. We decided to go to Orderville after Owen got off work on Friday. We dressed up in our pirate attire and had a lot of fun going trick-or-treating with the Hoyt family. The pirate family...we lost Kosmo's hat which I am so mad about!

Up at Grandma and Grandpa Greats

Kinley, Jill, and Cayson

Trying to be serious...or just weird I guess

Marvin and Owen decided to get in gorilla suits and go up to the high school dance. We had a pretty good laugh at them, and they had a fun time going to people's houses and trying to scare them. I don't know if these boys will ever grow up!