Hoover Holidays

We all headed up to the Robertson's for a big Hoover Family Photo and then sledding party.

The kids had a fun time sledding behind the 4-wheeler and all the adults had fun visiting.  Everyone was there except the 2 missionaries Kristi and Kayla.  It was SO FUN to see everyone!  We all enjoyed yummy scones, taco soup and deserts after while we played games and talked.  It was a fun party being all together.  Mom said this was her best present!

A group of Hoovers got together for a fun ski day at the Canyons.  Sounded like they had a fun day with a little powder in the trees!


We got together again with all the Hoovers on Christmas Eve.  Lots of us met up for some swimming at the Kamas pool.  There was hardly anyone there so we really had the place to ourselves pretty much.  All the kids had such a fun time swimming with the cousins!

Then we all headed to Grandma Hoover's house where she had prepared a yummy big dinner for us.  We ate, watched video messages I got from the missionaries (I had planned to share a Hoover Christmas Talents Video I had put together but due to some computer errors it just didn't happen in time.  I had to give it to them later but it turned out great with everyone sending me videos of their family to share with Grandma and Grandpa Hoover!  SO FUN! THANK YOU!)

After the yummy dinner Kody surprised the kids with a present game.  They all got to open a present from a pile and were all happy with their new hats!  Then we all opened our presents from Grandma and Grandpa...PAJAMAS!  And then the siblings exchanged gifts.  It was so fun to just hand out and play.  I got the kids doing some limbo, high jump and then stick poll games and by the end even the adults had a chance to stick pull with their siblings.  It was so fun to be all home for the holidays.  It is rare that we are all together and I am so glad the Heather and Scott were able to bring their families home at the same time.  It was a full house for a few days at Grandma's and I think they all loved every min of it. It was really fun for us to see some of the cousins we hadn't ever seen before or who we only see a couple times a year!

We visited Grandma and Grandpa Hansen.  We shared with them something we had gotten for Christmas and then the kids shared their talents with them playing their songs and doing their tricks.  We loved performing and they loved watching!  It was a great day of visiting our grandparents!!

We had Hoovers come and visit us after Christmas as well.  Grandma and Jodie came to help the kids baby sit Blake's and Scott's kids while we all went through a temple session one night.  The girls had fun helping with Ellie and the babies while the boys had a blast playing with Ollie! 

 

We also got together with all the Hoovers to go ice skating at our rec center for FHE.  It was SO FUN skating with all the cousins.  They all shared turns playing with the little walkers, they all took turns skating with each other and making it fun for everyone.  Everyone got fast by the end and there were some very fun racing games! Everyone had a great time and we all enjoyed a few donut holes afterwards for a treat!!

 Then we all caravaned to the SLC Airport where we welcomed Kristi home off the plane.  She's HOME!!  Kristi was very tired but excited to see everyone.  The kids all held up big welcome home signs and everyone got to give her big hugs  When she squatted down to give all the kids a hug the just piles all around her in a big huddle.  They nearly knocked her over and she laughed that they were all like the same size.  Mom and Dad gave her hugs and all the siblings took turns.  When it was my boys turn everyone laughed that they were getting so much bigger, Dominick was almost as tall as Kristi :-)   Kristi says that in Albania you always hug on both sides :-)  We are all looking forward to talking with her more it was a short visit before we headed home to bed but she was sure happy everyone came to greet her as she requested.

 Lots of the cousins got together New Years Eve.  I heard that Blake and Heidi brought poppers for everyone to open, they all played games until late at night and it was a fun time just hanging out together. 

New Years Day we headed up to Heber for a Hoover family soccer game at their rec center.  The kids have been looking forward to this for a LONG time and we all suited up with our cleats on for the big game.  We all had fun warming up for fun together and then when everyone had arrived we seperated the little kids into one field to play games and the big boys played a real game with the aunties and uncles.  I took lots of movies but not photos since I played as well for my first ever soccer game!  Older or younger we all had a great time playing with all the cousins and we all played until they turned off the lights and were closing.  SO FUN!!! Happy New Year 2014!!