Christmas Card of Sorts

This is what Scotty and I woke up to yesterday morning. It was the perfect thing to get us into the Christmas spirit, if we weren't there already! We have been listening to Christmas music since, well, before Thanksgiving! I have been collecting ornaments since July (pathetic I know, but you can't pass up Christmas in July sales!) preparing for our first Christmas together. Finally, with the snow, it's beginning to feel like Christmas!

A couple of weeks ago, Scotty and I got all dressed up to double with some friends and before we left, I decided we should take a cliche Christmas Card picture in front of our tree. I rather enjoy doing cliche married couple things. Marriage is such a new and fun experience, and to fully appreciate it, I think you need to be a little cliche at times!

We were going to send Christmas cards out but time got the better of us, as it does for many during the holiday season! Between finals, work, and trying to secretly gather presents for each other without the other knowing, there has left little time for much else!

So, this our online Christmas Card. If you view this, consider this post to be just for you!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and all the happiness life has to offer this next year!

Scotty and I are so grateful for our family, friends, the savior, and each other. We have been so blessed this year and are excited to see what the next one has in store for us!

Past to Present

3 years ago to the day, Scott left on his mission. In fact, right now, three years ago, we were just saying our goodbyes. In almost funny to look back on that night. ALMOST. Its funny because its three years later and Scott and I are together again. That night, however, my world came to a stop. It was a pretty sad and pathetic few weeks after Scott left.

Scott served for two years in California and had some of the best experiences of his life. The people he met and helped continue to be our friends to this day. We have been to California to visit three times since he has been home. It's been so fun to meet all of his friends and to watch them as they come together again.

And don't worry, I had plenty of adventure while he was gone!

Two years flew by (I can say that now that its over)! I was so worried that things would be different, I would be different, he would be different. Things were different, but in such a great way. I came to love and admire the changes as well as treasure the similarities.

Who would have thought we would end up here. Ok lets be honest, a lot of people. I'm not usually the predictable type, but in the case, it was pretty obvious that this was the right choice.

Life Lately

I know, I know I am a horrible blogger! Scott and I are both busy with work, school, and our family! Nonetheless, we will be married six months next week and I felt that I should catch everyone up on our life since then! The past six months have been full of fun, laughing, mistakes, more laughing at those mistakes, and lots of learning! Here's what we've been up to...

1: Honeymoon to Cancun

At the Base of a pyramid at Coba. This is one of the

last pyramids you can climb ! Being the historian that I am,

I absolutely ate this tour up.

Tulum! The best part about this spot was obviously the ocean and the view! Even though we saw more of people's bodies then we EVER wanted to see, it was still way fun! Second best part about this spot? When the bust driver told us that if we took the wrong road back, we might get kidnapped.

True? Maybe

Scared? YES!

Scott was actually sick the first few days of our Honeymoon, but after taking some Mexican Parasite Eliminator pills, he was good to go. I honestly can say that I have no idea what the pills

contained or what Scott was even sick with but after taking those, he was much better. In other circumstances, I would never allow ANYONE to take random parasite drugs, but hey, it was our Honeymoon! And now it makes a great story! After Scotty was feeling better, we went on a little Kayaking trip! Scott posing as an Abercrombie and Fitch model. Its an irresistible pose for Scott with an ore so easily accessible!

2: 1st Apartment

We moved into our first apartment at good old Raintree,

lucky number seven!

3: Boys Trip

I tagged along on the boys trip! Normally, there is a no girls allowed policy but one of Scott's families from his mission were going to the temple for the first time, so I broke the rules and tagged along! I must say, we had a blast! We mostly went to baseball games and ate. But lets be honest, what are vacations good for but eating?

Scotty and me at the Padres game!

About everywhere we went, I had a churro. For some reason, I was obsessed and couldn't

get enough of them! What a great trip!

4: Cardonas Temple Sealing

Here is the wonderful Cardonas Family! It was so great to see them again and to experience this special day with them. Hermana Cardona was so beautiful and even bought a wedding dress to celebrate this special day! We love you guys and were so happy to be apart

of your day!

5: Roomie Renunion

Had all my old roomies over for dinner! It was so great to get together with all of them again! Ali, Lo and I were engaged within months of each other and were married within a month of each other. There was a lot of wedding planning going in our apartment! I sure miss these girls and am so proud of all they have done! Nicole just got engaged! CONGRATS! Natalie is off to a mission in Romania in February! I am so grateful I got to spend my college years with them!

6: 22 Birthday

It's true, I am now 22... its so weird to think, especially because it feels like

I just graduated high school. However, I love being 22 so far! Scott surprised me and for my birthday we flew to Switzerland! Just kidding! But it seriously looks like it. I came home from work and he told me to pack my bags, we were leaving! We spend the night in Midway, near the homestead. It was the perfect getaway! It literally looked like a chunk of Austria was dropped in the middle of western Utah. The fall colors were beautiful. The next day we shopped in Park City and ate at Cafe Rio!

Also, if you'll notice of my cake, we have, in the place of candles, matches. We didn't have candles but I still wanted to blow something out so I could have a wish! We therefore put two matches in my cake, lit them, and Scott hurriedly sang happy birthday to me while the matches quickly burnt. Sad but true!

7: Dinner with Scott's Mission Companion

Elder Woolley was Scott's first trainer when he was transferred to spanish speaking. They have been great friends since then and it was great to have him and his "friend" over for dinner! Thanks for a great night!

8: Run for Cancer

Scott's job sponsored us to run in this 5-K a couple weeks ago! This was our first race as a married couple so of course we had to take a picture to remember it by! We finished in great time and were so glad we helped support a great cause.

9: Austin's Blessing

This little guy is Clint and Angie's new trouble maker! He is so sweet and little, as all new babies are. We traveled up to Logan for his blessing. It was great to have all the family together and to celebrate Austin's birth! So happy for you guys!

10: Currently

Scotty and myself at BYU's last home football game. Cold but fun!

Scott is working.

So am I.

Scott never has homework.

I am trying to stay on top of my homework.

Scott is busy creating apps (and looking good, Scott adds).

I am trying to write a paper for the National Conference of Undergraduate Research.

Registering for classes.

Scott has 25.

I have 4.

And of course, finding time for fun, family, and friends.

So happy with the first six months and can't wait to see what happens in the next!

Wedding Weekend!

Well, the pictures have arrived! Enjoy

The new (officially) family

My Dad's side of the family! SO glad they could make it!

Another set of parents! I have about four... yeah... I'm pretty lucky!

My mom, her boyfriend Ernie, and my little sister, Lauren. Especially grateful they could make it!

The Hoopes girls and boy ha hopefully our skills with children won't turn into a trend or there is no hope for Scotty and I.

Leah, Easton and Carter... thought holding the truck would make him happy.... guess I thought wrong

Cute little Hali bug... too bad that half the children at the wedding had a mysterious flu bug and had spent the majority of the day throwing up! At least they looked good!

Favorite Wedding Memory #1 Having all the little kids running around, however sick! Couldn't resist putting this photo up! Darling little Emily with her big blue eyes! So cute! And if you will take a look in the right hand corner... the blue flower was made especially for the wedding! Thanks to Angie for putting them together! It was the perfect touch!

Favorite Wedding Memory #2 Scotty being sick all day... its true... he spent the night before throwing up and most of the next day... so this pictures is what was behind us in the line... sprite and pepto!

Favorite Wedding Memory #3 Having my little sister come to my wedding! I didn't know if she would be able to make it or not and am so glad that she did! It meant so much to me that she could make it! Love ya Lauren!

Favorite Wedding Memory #4 Having My best friend as my Maid of Honor! She was such a wonderful support and looked so beautiful. Thanks for all your help along the way Megs!

Favorite Wedding Memory #5 Having Megan's new husband play some smooth music on his guitar! He is amazing and we are so grateful he could come and play for us on our special night!

Favorite Wedding Memory #6 Having a Wedding Planner.... Saved my life more times than I can count and made the wedding into the beautiful event that it was! Check out her website at www.middleaisle.com.

Favorite Wedding Memory #7 Having a professional photographer... Alisha was the best choice by far for us plus, an added bonus, she's in the family! Thanks girl, you captured a lot of great memories! Check out her website at www.onememoryatatime.com/blog/

Favorite Wedding Memory #8 Having family photographers... love this moment with my uncle Bruce... After we had finished out family pictures my uncle stole Scotty and I away to do some photography of his own... if you know my uncle, you would know that this is so him.... loved it! Also, Clint and his wonderful pictures! Thanks guys, for the pics!

Favorite Wedding Memory #9 Cutting the cake, deciding TOGETHER that we wouldn't shove the cake into each others faces, and then doing it anyways

Favorite Wedding Memory #10 Throwing my bouquet! I threw it, of course not looking, and it hit my new sister in law, Lisha, smack in the forehead... Whoops! sorry Lisha!

Stephanie Abraham was the lucky girl who caught the bouquet! Keep your eye on her and see if the tradition really comes true!

Favorite Wedding Memory #11 Marrying my best friend.

Thanks to my Aunt Char and Uncle Rob for their support through my life. Don't know where I would be without them.

Favorite Wedding Memory #12 Tyler and the Rice Krispie Treat... If you know Scotty you know that when it comes to Rice Krispie Treats, anything goes. Scott will hoard, hide and save Rice Krispie Treats no matter the circumstances. He'll deny it, but we all know it's true!

Favorite Wedding Memory # 13 Travis... there are often tears of joy shed at weddings... Travis's were not an exception. However... Travis didn't cry at his OWN wedding so his tears at our wedding... pretty much put him in the dog house! Ok, maybe not that extreme, his wife, Lindsey is pretty understanding, but it will at least give us all something to tease him about!

As many of you know, Scotty was the pitcher of our high school baseball team. He became a State Champion our Junior year. Baseball is kind of a big deal in the Hoopes' Family and the whole family signed a baseball letting us know they were our biggest fans.

Favorite Wedding Memory #14 Matching Capes. As a child Scotty was only found in a cape and underwear... so his family thought it only fitting that we both have super capes to help us throughout the rest of our marriage... Scotty's S is for Super Scott and mine... nothing but a pink flamingo.

Scotty and I have been together for over five years... depending on whose counting

Ever since High School. He has been the most fun loving, sports playing, treat eating, hard working, person I know. I am so glad to have him by my side throughout the rest of my life...

And Eternity

Here's to the next step in our life together