1 of 5: December with the Hoges

 We popped the popcorn, made hot chocolate and loaded up in the car. It was time to go and see some Christmas lights. We had a blast. The best house on our tour was The Trees. They live in our old ward. They did a very nice job. We look forward to seeing their house every year now.  Arlee wasn't having the light show at first, but then warmed up to the idea and embraced not having her movie on. Lydia had the best reactions. She just kept talking in the back (still can't really understand her, but we are getting there.) We know she loved it. Arlee loved it after about ten minutes... stubborn little girl.



I didn't not even try to look at the camera since the flash would just make my eyes close. This is me and Hans acting really excited!

This was the Trees house that I mentioned earlier. Amazing job!

Another pretty cool looking house. We had a lot of fun and look forward to next year.

Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

We did it!

Tonight Arlee and I made the first fire in the wood burning stove. There is something called a flue that you are supposed to open. I wasn't sure which way was open, until the smoke came pouring out. I ran for the fire extinguisher in hopes that I could put out the fire to get less smoke in my house. Then I realized I didn't know how to use it and I could probably just fix it by messing with the flue. Well I stopped the smoke, but then it put out the fire. (no extinguisher needed lol)
I tried several ways of doing the flue, shutting the door, opening the door, lighting again and again and again, etc. Finally, I gave up called my parents and asked them what I was doing wrong. Puzzled my mom quickly- she gave me to my dad. Talk to him for awhile. Sent him a few pictures of what I was talking about. Then finally i figured it out... with his help on trial and error. WAAA-LAAAA! We have FIRE that stays  and no smoke in my house.
After Arlee and I gave each other High-Fives, clapped and cheered. The two chicks did it, before Hans got home and figured it out really quick. WE DID IT! OH YEAH!
Totally feel accomplished. Now I just need a shower, one that doesn't involve smoke, please.

We have moved....

In the previous post, I mentioned that we would be moving. Now we are here and settled. It is so nice having a place of our own. What a great time to buy for us too. The girls have transitioned well. Arlee was a lot better after we found the missing night light. Haha.
I really wanted to get the painting done before moving anything in, but we were all sick the two weeks before moving day. I was really bad too. I got a sinus infection. I was probably dealing with it for a couple days, but finally got an appointment with my doctor on Black Friday. He opened the clinic just for me. I love going to him for that, but I don't want to take the girls there. (I would rather a pediatrician. I know some people would say that there isn't a difference, but I have a peace of mind taking them to one.)
Anyway, he gave me a prescription and I was feeling so much better the next day, which was moving day. Thank goodness too. I don't know how I would have handled it all otherwise. Probably not very well. We feel so grateful for all the people that came and helped us move. (MOVE not PACK and MOVE.) We had about 15 guys there, a free truck (gave them the microwave for the truck. It was their idea too), a few baby sitters for the girls, and a lot of man power. Get in and get it done is my motto.
Hans and I had everything pretty well organized. It was all in boxes and nicely stacked. I was wrapping up furniture when the guys got to our place. By the time they moved out the boxes and stuff I was ready for the wrapped furniture to be taken out. Talk about smooth. They met us over to the new house and we... they unloaded. Hans started putting things together and I was directing traffic. I felt pretty dumb pointing my finger while everyone else did the lifting, but something that I got over quick. We took 2 hours from start to finish. It was crazy fast. I have to say it was out best move yet.
Someone even mentioned that it was well organized and compliments to whoever organized it. YAY!!!!!! We are getting so good at this moving thing. I am hoping we don't do it again for a long time. I know that is not what people in Utah would say, but hey. I can't help wanting to be settled. I love planting roots.
We just barely went to the new ward and they were very welcoming to us. I think they like that we have little girls. They seem to fit right in with all the rest of the girls there too. Arlee did miss her buddy, Zoey though. I am just glad that we live close enough to get together. They still have preschool together too.
Lydia just hated going during nap time. No worries for her though. We will be switching back to 9am church again in Jan. My favorite church time for sure- with kids.

Pictures to come... Maybe tomorrow. Fingers Crossed.

The Verdict is in!!!!!!!

After about four months of starting, looking, praying, packing, lender changes, two trips to Utah, what seems like millions of phone calls and billions of hours on the phone between all of us. We signed our papers today!
We will get the keys tomorrow and start with the painting, cleaning more packing, moving and unpacking.
Then it will be CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry CHRISTMAS HANSEL... We bought a house!

Pictures to come when I have more time than right now. Got to get to packing. Moving day is in T minus 4 days!

Until next time-When we are in our house!

The Hoges

A BABY'S BLESSING

The main reason we went to Utah was to attend Leili Ann Sloan's baby blessing. It was a beautiful blessing given to her by her father, my brother-in-law, Shawn. This is my little sister, Kali's baby. Man she is cute. When we were there I would hold her and she would start screaming at the top of her lungs. She hated me for some reason. The only thing I can think of is that I was wearing a black shirt and a light weight jacket that was black and my hair is rather dark (almost black). I figure it is because I only look like a face starring at her instead of a person. Not sure if that makes sense, but needless to say that day I didn't hold her much at all.

ISN'T SHE CUTE???????????

 The happy family.

 This day she let me hold her and not the orange shirt. No more black with this girl. She doesn't like it at all.

 Kind of dark, but you get the picture- blessing day!

We are so happy that we could attend her blessing. We are going to be missing Hans' two brother's baby's blessing though. We can't make the drive this time of year. DARN IT! I am sure they will be beautiful as well.

Until next time,

The Hoges

November in UTAH!

I know it seems like we just went to Utah not too long ago and that is because we did. Seems like we have been down a lot this year. Right now it might not sound like I am too excited about it, but with everything going on it was great to get away. We are in the final steps to buying our first house. I will be posting pictures  on here as soon as we get it. It isn't anything fancy. It is our first house though and we can't be more thrilled to have something that is ours... and the banks for now.

So while we were going through all the crazy steps to buying the house we decided to go down one last time to Utah. We mainly went for Kali's baby's blessing, but it is the last time that we will be down until after March. We can't afford to fly and driving is a little risky! This time was no exception. Pure craziness. The roads in the passes were not great. One pass had a snow storm. There were trucks chaining up and too many cars having problems for my liking. Luckily, we made it back safely. Hans and I decided that from Nov. to March we will be staying in Washington. No going to Utah unless we fly.

Arlee had a lot of fun playing in the leaves.

Hans was playing fetch with the dog.

About the week before we were supposed to head to Utah, I got a call. My sister, Abbie asked me, "How much do you like soccer?" I was just thinking that is a weird question, she should already know the answer to this. Well turns out that she got some playoff tickets! Problem being, we wouldn't be getting in until the day of the game. I had to switch cleaning around and cancel babysitting for my friend, but it all worked out. We were able to go down the day before and go to the game with Abbie and Matt. It was a blast.

 Calm before the storm....

 Matt and Abbie before the game.

I was pretty excited about the game getting closer. Matt, Abbie and Hans were too!

The storm of streamers at kick off. There is a little video before the game that says please don't throw anything on the field, but it doesn't seem to phase anyone.

They even have plenty of staff ready to clean it up. I think they must be expecting it. What do you think?

 After we got back to my parents after the game we went to bed. My mom had the girls already in bed; which was so nice. (THANK YOU MOM!) Then when we woke up. This was outside. I never felt more cold! I guess I am used to the cold now, but the snow just makes it seem all that much more cold. It was horrible. During our visit it easily snowed 10 inches. The first day Arlee was hot in long sleeves. The rest of the time we were freezing in anything.

 Since it was snowing and yucky outside we decided to go and ride the Ferris Wheel at Scheels (kind of like Cabella's) with Hans' family. The kids enjoyed the ride, but were a little bored with the wait.

Kiddos looking up at the Ferris Wheel.

 FINALLY!!!!! We made it. We had a turn and the kids enjoyed it.

 Every kid, but Lydia. She had to wait. Amy wasn't up for the ride (being prego and all). She stayed with her.
Lydia also decided that it would be a good idea to start the teething process when we got to Utah, so she wasn't all that happy.

 Since we went down the day before, Abbie agreed to do the reveal party while we were there. Rather than when they got into their new house. The picture with my dashing husband looking so aware of me is when everyone was trying to figure out what they were having.
Matt and Abbie had fortune cookies and cupcakes. They said that one thing on the table revealed what they were having. So everyone was trying to figure it out.

After about 10 long minutes and me cutting through a cupcake and thinking about finishing all the rest with a cut and breaking all the cookies. Matt's brother grabbed this cute bear by the head and put it down. Then Hans grabbed it by its arm- Matt then grabbed it from him and told everyone to sit down. Matt and Abbie got up together and started this little spill about why they did what they did.... blah blah blah.... Just kidding.

The picture with them holding the bear together is right before they told us. They built it at the Build A Bear Workshop. It had a voice thing in it that said what they were having.

They had Arlee push it for them. When she did it said, "IT A.........................................GIRL!!!! Arlee started crying and said, "I don't want a baby sister!" She ran over to me and sat on the floor crying. Abbie was recording her at this point. 'Arlee what is the matter?' 'I don't want a baby sister!' She said. 'I want a baby brother!' Once I told her that it was Abbie and Matt's baby she was okay. I guess she thought that even though we were there for Abbie and Matt that I was the one having the baby.
I have to say that this made me a little bit nervous for the next baby. I hope Arlee isn't as set on having a baby brother when the time comes. If we have a girl again. I am sure she will get over it, but it was pretty funny.
Arlee always tells me that she wants a baby brother Landon. We have 3 families that we are close with that have a little brother, Landon in them. Oddly enough they are the 2nd child in all of them. I am sure that is where she gets it from.
We are so excited for Abbie and Matt. Girls are so much fun. I think they might require a little bit more hair styling and pink things, but either is fine for me.

Until next time.

The Hoges