Tonight Jackson said- "I'm excited to go to sleep!" Yes it was late, yes we had an active day, but I don't expect to hear that again until he is 25 or 30. Earlier today he picked up his tool box and said, "I'm going to fix mommy's car, its broken." Yes it is broken and I did try briefly to fix it...about a month ago. How does he remember these things? Last Tuesday he walked out of the bedroom and sat down on the couch next to Tim and said "Lets go Heat, Lets go Heat" As if he needed to worm his way into Tims heart even more, way to make Dad proud. And then there was the time when a friend at church asked him what his daddy's name was and he answered very assuredly "Bishop Hoopes" Or when he calls me "Honey" I want milk... or to play... or puzzles. Kids sure are sponges. Other funny phrases we have heard recently : "Sounds good to me" "I like this song, do you like this song?" "I don't want breakfast, I want dinner." (This at 7 in the morning) One more, "I save my money's for my mission. See ya later, I'm going on a mission, bye." As he gets on his toy car and drives to the door and tries to open it.

Playing in his fort or "palace" as he calls it



Notice the underwear...almost completely potty trained! Yea!!




Our little princess Rylie is a crawling machine. Once she decided she wanted to actually go more than one or two little crawls there was no stopping her. She has two teeth and is probably working on two more. She is so sweet and funny. She snuggles and loves to be held. She does this deep laugh that cracks me up everytime. She has grown up so fast, it makes me a little sad. I want to put it on pause for just a month or two to catch up. She has this bright red hair and hazel eyes-definately got some Natter genes in her. She really is our princess, and she is Jackson's "silly goose" (had to throw that one in)




Watching tv...bad habits start early...shame on me



By the way mom, did you know I can crawl?




Pretty girl




As much as I want time to stop I am excited to see them older and playing together more because it is so obvious how much they love each other.




I woke up the other morning to find Jackson had gotten up and decided to climb in with Rylie, how sweet

Drive baby drive

Fort time together

Easter pics!

Some Pictures and Things

A couple months ago we got the chance to go visit the castle. It is this little stone castle/tower thing set on what must be the only hill in South Florida. We had a lot of fun climbing and jumping and hiding, and of course rolling down the hill! Unfortunately we were not quick enough on the camera for that. It was a blast to get out and play though, both Jackson and Rylie had fun.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson!!

Checking out my new bike-see me ride!!!

Opening presents from Aunt Evie- Jackson has to try EVERYTHING on so the process can take awhile

Reading with Shari and playing with his bubble machine from Grandma and Grandpa

Happy Birthday monkey cake and sign all his friends made for him at school

A bunch of random pictures and and update. Jackson and Rylie love to play and wrestle. He is such a good brother and can always make her laugh hysterically.

Rylie just had her six month appt. She is 27 1/2 inches, 16 lbs 8 oz, which is in the 70th percent for weight and 97th for height. Watch out Jackson here she comes! She is a rolling machine, pretty good at scooting backwards, loves toys, babbles dadadadada all day long, and yes she is sleeping (mostly)through the night-or at least until 530 or 600. I love to listen to her laugh.

Jackson is amazing. He continues to grow and astound us with what he knows and can do. He loves school, loves to play on the playground, play tennis, climb, play hide and seek (although when you say "where are you Jackson?" he is quick to answer "hiding...behind the couch") I love it! He can sort of spell his name, he can count, say the alphabet, sing lots of songs, read-as long as he has the book memorized, play basketball, and play football "games". He is hilarious, just the other day as I was feeding Rylie her standard large dinner, Jackson says "Rylie, you a little pig... Oink oink oink." (sorry Rylie) We about died laughing though. Other things he loves, fire trucks, helicopters, cars, dogs, stop signs, water, swimming...the list goes on.

Random Pictures!

Hey everyone, I know I am behind, and I know that I haven't done the main events (Christmas and Jackson's birthday) but here are some teasers until I get around to doing the really good stuff. Plus these are just so stinking cute!

Quick update, school is going great for the kids. Jackson talks all the time about his friends. He counts and knows colors. He is an awesome helper. He is really learning things everyday-sometimes he says words that we have no idea where they came from-but they are really clear. Like exercise, and castle, and Wednesday (he has been telling all that he is going to do, but not now, on Wednesday). And Rylie is just a sweet happy baby. She is rolling pretty good now, smiles and laughs all the time, and (keep your fingers crossed) is finally starting to sleep better through the night. At her last appt. she was 13 lbs (50%), and 26 inches (95%), so she is growing steadily.

Jackson is so sweet and loves to help feed Rylie her bottle

She is so patient to put up with him and all the walloring and "holding" =) It just can't be all that comfortable.

Rylie wearing monster slippers that Michael got her for Christmas

Jackson wearing Rylie's monster slippers

No that is not a third hand

Yummy, my foot tastes so good

Josh reading to Jackson and Stellan- He must be good to get those smiles!

Mr. Potato Jackson

Evie and Jackson snuggling up with a book

Jackson and Rylie holding hands- it doesn't get any better than this

Updates!

So it has been awhile but I am finally updating :)


Rylie is growing fast, she started at 18 inches and at her two month appointment was 23. She weighed almost 11 lbs and I can't believe how big she feels to me after feeling so small compared to Jackson. She is smiling and laughing quite a bit lately and loves to "play" on her mat with her brother. She also loves to go on walks and be outside.


Jackson is a champ. He amazes us everyday with the things he says and does. He definitely knows his mind, what he likes and doesn't like, and is way to smart to be tricked into anything. I love it when he says "Mooommmmyyy" in an "are you serious" voice. He is pretty good at mimicing, whether it is yelling touchdown at appropriate times, shooting basketballs, or trying to pick up and hold Rylie. He is growing up so fast. I love cuddling with him, but it is mostly limited to when he is asleep, when he is awake he is constantly moving. He loves his daddy for sure, spending most the day talking about him, "Daddy's at work, Daddy's at church, I want Daddy, Daddys car, Wheres Dad..." You get the picture. I love it though that they love each other so much.


As for Tim and I, we are doing well. It has been a busy couple of months since Rylie was born as you can imagine. Our families came to town for Rylies blessing and it was great for everyone to meet her and spend time with all of us. The blessing was beautiful too! Jackson loves his Mamas and Papas as he calls them. Grandma and Grandpa Natter came a few days early and got to spend time enjoying the sun at the pool, hiking in some of the local parks and seeing the local renaissance fair. Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes stayed through Thanksgiving so we got to spend lots of time with them. We went to soccer games, to the parks and playgrounds, and going on lots of walks-Jacksons favorite! Tim and his dad even got to go to a Heat game. It was great to have them in town. I am 5 months into my beloved furlough, only 1 month left. I have to say yet again that I love that my job is only half a year. I get to be home with the kids and see them learn and grow, and I also get to do a job I love. I have to admit-sometimes the job is easier! Never as rewarding though as hearing Jackson say "lub you" (I love you), watching Rylie smile, or being home when Tim walks through the door. Well enough updates for now- enjoy the pictures!

Check out the jump shot!

Play time

He managed to get on Daddy's jeans, socks, and working on the shoes


Blessing day

Happy Halloween! Arghh!

Jackson loves to help Rylie play

Pretty girl


Blessing day

Rylie Logan Hoopes!

Little Rylie was born on Sept. 22 at 6:13 pm. She was 7 lbs 9 oz. and 18 inches long. Following Jacksons example she came quick and relatively easy- thank goodness! Everyone is adjusting well and we are excited that she is finally here. Grandma flew in just in time to help, and between her and Aunt Evie, Jackson is taking the changes really well. He is mostly indifferent except when he wants to play with Rylie, or kiss her, or see her, or give her the pacifier, and then he is usually pretty gentle. So far, so good =0) Wasting no more time, here she is...

Our beautiful girl!

Such a good big brother!

More to come later!

Summer so far

Has been pretty busy, but definately fun. I finished work for the year in the beginning of July, and things went from there. Jackson and I headed out to Washington for some time with my family. We spent some time just relaxing and playing with the grandparents, dog, goats, etc. Then Tim joined us for a few days in Seattle before we headed to Leavenworth for the Natter family reunion. We had some action packed days there, visiting the old German town, hiking-Tim climbed the mountain, I hiked along the river, cliff jumping, white water rafting, and enjoying time with family.

From there we hopped a flight to Salt Lake for the Hoopes family reunion. There we got to spend time with the Hoopes brothers and families. We had a great dinner, went jet skiing, spent time in temple square and the conference center, and got to see old friends and catch up. Mostly we got to spend time with Grandpa. Jackson really enjoyed just following him around, and I think grandpa enjoyed following Jackson around.

Since the reunions we have just been everyday busy. We try to get out to the pool everyday-mostly it is easiest to wear Jackson out there so he takes a good nap and I get to relax. This whole being 8 1/2 months pregnant is exhausting. Jackson is getting used to the idea of a baby- I think. The true test will come in a couple of weeks when she shows up. Jackson is learning fast now, saying a ton of words, "helping", jumping, being all around daring, gaining more independence if that is possible. It is fun to see how much he changes everyday.
And now for what you really have been waiting for, the pictures!

They had this cool plane teeter totter toy at the cabin where we stayed in Leavonworth-fun for all ages

Yes, he really is as fast as he looks



Jackson loves basketball, and Tim and Steve got their daily workouts in by lifting him up to dunk for hours on end it seemed.

The cousins- Aliyah, 6 weeks, Heber, 8 months, Jackson 18 months, and Eliza, just turned 3.

Tim and Jackson hiking the river trail

Teeter totter airplane, this is the first thing they ran to and the last thing they played on

We had some time before we caught the light rail in Seattle, plenty of things to keep us busy at the station.

Hurry up and get in so I can drive already.

Maybe I'll drive this instead