We DO Blue in Arizona! GO BYU~

Rise all Loyal cougars... So... all fellow BYU FANS gathered at the Hoggard household on Saturday (11/22) Eve

to cheer on the cougs against Utah. It was an important game for us when it came to bowl placement, and even though we lost...we certainly were not too BLUE!
well..maybe some of the men (Big Bad John) were bummed!

You certainly could not be wearing enough blue that evening!

Uncle John even had the garb all the way down to the flip flops, pants, shirt and hat...think he is excessive? Dacie was in awe...ha ha

We certainly start em' young!

It was a bring your own beef BBQ--with some sides and desserts--it made the night complete!

While the parents were cheering the kids did their thing(meaning pulling every toy the Hoggards owned out).

Thanks to the Hoggards for being brave and making the game more fun to watch--since we miss the good ol' BYU game days in person.

Twilight!

OF Course, I read the books (ALL of them) and OF COURSE I went to the movie.

IF I spent hours late into the eve pouring over the pages to get my coveted reading time....I certainly could "sacrifice" to get in some of the movie time.

I was a twilight gal LONG before it became a rage and there was talk of the movie. I have to give my babysitter/YW/friends (Jentry Taylor, and the Westover twins) credit for opening the door of curiosity.

I was looking for something new to read and they recommended the Twilight series. I was a little skeptical hearing the story line, BUT I thought the books were great. Not to mention it has come in handy to be well versed w/ this knowledge for my new calling in stake Young Women's!

I am typically not a vampire werewolf gory kind of fan AT ALL, but I felt the writing was well done and mature so that this story was not "cheesy" and I was drawn in. I did feel in the 2nd book there started to be too much killing and I began to question my devotion...but I continued reading and was content.

There are adult themes talked about in them, but I feel like the author is careful and also mature in her writing of these topics (after all she IS LDS).

I have been excited to see it in a movie!!! ...

(Waiting in line..we got the best seats in the house due to covert operations of my fellow friends!)
I went with some die hard fans and it made it all the more fun. I can safely say I am a Twilight fan,

As in most cases the movie is NEVER as good as the book--
I felt like we were laughing when it was suppose to be serious. It was hard to get pulled in through the movie. As one of my friends (Kelli Bargar) put it put it... I thought-- oh!, this movie is good and then I would think oh!, it's OK a few minutes later.
AND I was pleasantly surprised by most of the casting even if that was not who I would have chosen originally! Not gonna lie...EDWARD was HOT!
It was still a SUPER FUN night!

(Don't we make great vampire mommas?...ha ha)
Nights don't get much more fun than this...when you get a group of FUN moms and friends together, Go to dinner at the Outback AND be teens together, just for the night!
Stories and laughter don't get much better than this. Especially when you have people running around the theatre in vampire capes and boy friends out front of the theatre picketing w/ signs that say "Boyfriends against vampires!" ha ha ha
There is time to laugh...
(Like I said, a securely married woman certainly can be a teen for the eve!)
Here is to FUN GIRL NIGHTS!

Govnm't Stimulus Check + Much Needed Family Vacation= San Diego!!!!!!

Getting off later than anticipated and sadly missing Saturday conference sessions...we battled the elements driving to San Diego. We went through a severe sand storm at the sand dunes (that covered all visibility to the road) and entered fog that we fought the rest of the way (with people pulling over on the side of the road). However we met the most friendly people ever at the nicest McDonalds (leather recliners, computers, and lounge) we have ever stopped at-- as we were coming into San Diego! They were even playing a Republican based news channel (life does not get much better than that)--

We arrived!!! late Saturday evening--only to the view (above), most evenings, the sun setting from our back deck window! It was WORTH IT!
THE CONDO- sat right on the boardwalk just off a pier at Mission beach. We went to sleep listening to the waves every evening! There is no air conditioning in most homes--so you rely on screens and wind!
We all got dressed Sunday and went to the chapel to listen to conference...only to find that we were TOTALLY locked out! We had no Internet access to find a stake center, so we could not find another chapel in time. We decided to visit the temple instead..only to find that the gates are locked on Sunday. It seemed as if "the cards were stacked against us", and we were wondering if bad luck was going to follow us all vacation....luckily it did NOT!
Instead we "took in" our surroundings....starting with our back deck, for all the condos we were staying in !

Then we took a walk on the pier (more pictures to follow) --this is a shot (above) taken from the pier looking back at our condo.
This would be our 2 back decks (above on 2nd story)

One of the kids favorite memories was getting a glow stick! They all "whimped out" taking the sticks to the beach, because they were too cold!
We attempted the beach (above at the elevators to go down) before the kids verdict of too cold came in. This had to be the ALL-TIME Favorite thing to do was reach the elevators and beat mom and dad on...so they could ride down all by themselves and do who knows what else!

That was only second to the pure bliss the got from dumping ANY form of trash down the chute located in our condo hall--they would have spent hours there if we let them!

There was allot of R&R- with reading (I finished an entire novel - Fabelhaven (thanks Julie) and coloring-- as we had NO video games and Internet! Everyone was ALL mine!
Of course there were the movies and treats since we all had a TV to ourselves (below)!
We all had plenty of comfy room to sleep--
It was just what the doctor ordered!!!

SunDaY is a Special DaY!

Gma's camp landed conveniently on the weekend of my brothers court of honor BUT, also, my cousins mission farewell as well. My cousin Scott Hutchings got his call to serve in Madrid Spain and was reporting to the MTC that Wednesday. My entire immediate family got to attend their ward and hear him speak. It was DACIE'S 1st DAY IN NURSERY too (that is a HUGE milestone for us), and she did well!Afterward we got to go hang out at my cousins home for an open house...and my Uncle owns a landscaping business, so he has some cool things in his backyard-like a fish pond.
We could barely get Ryland to leave the fish pond to get some food. He loved it!
It was great to catch up with some extended family as well. I got to re-connect w/ one of my favorite cousins who I went to BYU and hung out with quite a bit in my college days-Maty Hoss!
Afterward we went back to my sisters home (who lives down the street from my uncle and is in their ward too) and had a dinner, and played games.Sterling started getting sick at this point (his cousins had a flu/fever thing during grandma's camp), and got medicine and layed down for a bit. Since my family is weird, it ended with one of my brothers (Shaun) getting baby formula dumped on his head somehow! If they only realized how much money that amt. of formula was worth on his head--they would be adding water and collecting it in a bottle! ha ha ha

GIRLS CAMP 2008-WAHOO!!!

GiRLs CaMp-2008

Heroes of the HEart

June 28-July 2

Camp LaMiA (West Camp)The whole camp battling it out with the shaving cream!

All right- I was BoRn to go to Girls Camp! I have WAY too much fun (even as a leader).

It was held at church-owned cabin sites up in the white mountains in Pine, AZ. We had the smallest camp available (about 50 girls went, not including the leaders) and it was on some good hills! I got a serious workout (it is too bad they fed us so good). I have had to go through some withdrawals coming home-they fed me, loved me, and the spirit was there! My kids cried having to leave the babysitter (I am not sure that says much about me!) I was one of the four leaders over the YCL's (the 5&6 year camp girls(their last years)-who are leaders in training so to speak). We had the largest group of girls there and they are PHENOMENAL spirits. They helped camp go without a hitch!
Here are some givens about camp:
1. I have RARELY been so DIRTY in my life. After an obstacle course/race gone bad (b/c the leaders WON)--we ended up in a SERIOUS shaving cream FIGHT! With a game of capture the flag (Nephites vs. Lamanites) on a mountain SIDE immediately following (I just let the shaving cream dry in my ears). Add in the constant sweat from walking the Hillsides to our cabins and some sun, as well as shower stalls that only come to your shoulders, and muddy floors. Throw a five mile (5 hour) hike and some repelling in there, and PoOF! You got one dirty momma! But as our girls said-it makes you appreciate your shower so MUCH more when you get home!

Janae Gordon helping "cinch" the win in the obstacle course against the girls!


For the obstacle course-We had to quick step it through some tires, jump over a bed of a truck, run through a parachute, shave a balloon and pop it (which turned into push ups)- only to run all the way back through the same way you came! Despite our competitive and athletic Girls (since the leaders aren't-ha ha)-the leaders pulled through with the WIN! Old hurt knees, bad backs and all!
Tandy Taylor (Camp Director) scaling the truck
Her partner in crime-Natalie Taylor (asst. camp director -and the family whom I answer phones for) showing she's still got it after 6 kids and over 40-wahoo!
The high council rep-Charlie Backus- pulling through for the team!
Sister Nickle in the blue shirt (the Gazelle) Leaping over the truck-I don't think she even touched the bed of it!

The girls certifying in the Ramada-passing off requirements for each of their years-- involving first aid, wilderness survival, etc.
My YCL's and I were in charge of getting the 2nd years passed off-we did it!


2. You are never too old to strengthen friendships at camp! It is a given that the girls bond in a way that they really can't anywhere else (unless they get to serve a mission w/ their friends) being with them 24-7 does something to your friendship. Of course, an added bonus to camp for me, was having 2 of my friends (Janae and Nicole Gordon) there as well. I can safely say I feel like our friendships were strengthened at camp somewhere between the 5 mile hike, skits, laughing until we cried, sharing towels (by accident), dancing, taking pictures, playing games w/ the girls, getting NO sleep..... it happens!

Janae, Nicole, and I on the five mile hike
The whole hiking crew


The five mile hike took allot longer than anticipated (5 hours). I have yet to go on a hike at girls camp that did not. I got to be one of the 'sweepers'-helping the girls that were towards the end of the group. I was so proud of them for making it, when some of them were VERY sure that they could not do it! I am not gonna lie... it was a good mountain climbing hike, and I was grateful some of them took it slow.We found this awesome butterfly bush (covered in butterflies), and I think sang this hiking song(Janae taught us) at LEAST 40 times! Left , Left , Left, Right, Left--I left my husband and 42 kids at the brink of starvation without gingerbread...I thought it was right, right-You get MY DRIFT!

The beloved butterfly bush with our little 'pack of characters' we hiked back most of the way with!
3. Young Women are amazing! Like I said, I was over the YCL's and they never ceased to amaze me with their acts of kindness. Each one was assigned a girl at camp that they were suppose to 'keep an eye on' b/c we had so many YCL's, this was easily done. I cannot begin to tell you the kind acts of service I saw these YCL girls do w/ no prompting from us. Nor hear their devotionals, testimonies, and love for one another. The future is in good hands with these girls being the next leaders and mom's. I was in LOVE with them!

Our YCL's performing Zero to Hero from Hercules (with the words changed) for skit night

4. Last but certainly not least, I have rarely laughed so hard or been so tired. I do have to say skits are one of my favorites because I get to 'bust a move' and let loose. I am afraid I did. When we played a game later that evening where the girls were mimicking me-I realized I could be mistaken for a genuine psycho-but as I said, "I can be crazy b/c my kids aren't here!" One day I will be able to embarrass my kids--just not yet!
And since we had 24 girls and leaders in one cabin (that was NOT made for that many) the leaders slept out on the deck under the stars (so pretty!)--however, that was the only place to hang out-so we could not pull out our beds until the hanging out was done. I averaged about 2-4 hours of sleep a night, and I wonder why I still feel like I need naps a week later.

Singing one of our camp songs together w/ the Bishops for Bishops night!
Nacho Libre and Incredi Girl making their appearance at skit night


Girls camp involved so many more programs and devotionals than I have mentioned. It was like every creative and fun idea I have heard of was wrapped up into a few days at camp. The spirit was there. I smile every time I think of camp. I am glad I took my "mom off" vacation days for this-worth iT!

Just a side note: Dan got a bad case of strep throat while I was gone. His mom rescued him and then our friend covered the rest. I was so grateful for his willingness to still go it alone, and others sacrifice w/ the care of my children. It kept damage control to a minimum when I returned to being a mom of 4!!!

HuTcHiNgS HoLd Em' ReUnIoN- Day 2

Sunday is a Special Day!

After church, family photos, lunch, naps, western crafts and dinner...we headed up to the meeting house for an evening of FuN!(Dan, Shaun, Mom H, Colton, Kelby)

We each adopted a kid and split up into 4 groups for 'stations'

(Ryland, Booboo, Amber-Rose, Kayden, Mindy & Grandpa H dead on the floor)

Station #1 is to put on western make-up (fake eyelashes, glitter, eyeliner pencils, RED lipstick, blue eyeshadow) and bust out the boas and bowler hats-- to take B/W photos

(Dacie, Alicia, Brendon, Beth, Cara-Sterling in front)

Sterling putting on Uncle Brendon's mustache
Aunt Mara putting on My (Alicia) lovely 'saloon gal' make-up, while Dacie learns a thing or two
Dan's going to DIE!!! My brothers talked him into this-- Dan and Shaun showing off their pretty lips!!
Cousin Kayden the hard core card player!

Station #2-Included some card games (go fish, old maid, life size Yahtzee -compliments of the Krandar family) and some country western children's books to read

Station #3- Was making wanted posters for each nuclear family within our family-Drawing pictures of them and writing why they are wanted in our family (i.e.- wanted for having the the kindest heart)

Station #4- Come up with a skit from a bag full of props to perform at the end

At each station there was a family video/pictures playing of photos since the last reunion--

it took longer than anticipated and started turning into a late evening!

Let the shows begin!...

Indiana Jones (shaun) and Afro man (kelby) fighting over Colton
Momma Shark attacking!
Uncle Chad and Aunt Breanna having a conversation about losing weight for the reunion-- on the jump rope telephone!
More of the slow motion fight scene (they actually did it in slow motion)

After returning to camp and getting the little babies in bed, the camp fire was lit and games were plentiful each evening. Bedtimes were forgotten and treats busted out!
Grandpa playing domino's with "Da Boy" cousins!!