Our Trip to Sequim

We decided after all this snow that we all needed a little break from our house. So we went on a little trip up to Sequim to stay in a hotel over night. My sister works at a hotel and was able to get us a great deal on a room.

We made it there in early afternoon and went to our favorite store Costco for some snacks. Then up to the the hotel where we went into the pool. This is the main reason we came is to go swimming. At first Belle did not want to go far into the pool but in the end she decided it was okay. They all had a great time in the pool. I opted with this huge stomach to spare people the beached whale look. It was fun to watch them play and just relax.

On our way home from Sequim we stopped in Poulsbo and saw the movie Bedtime Stories. Well, everyone that is except Lydia and I she just was to loud. So we ended up wondering the hall for about 45 min. The good thing is the manager gave us tickets to come back and see a movie another day. So guess what it's date night for us.

After the movie we decided to stop by and visit our friends the Chandlers that live in Poulsbo. They are also in the all girls club with 4 girls. We had a great visit.

 

Friends Come Over To Play in Snow!

Our friends walked to our house a few days ago. While the kids John and Kyle played outside in the snow. While Laura, Evy(their Baby) and I stayed in the warm house and watched from the window. They all played for along time. John was such a good sport to keep helping the kids with the sleds. I am sure he was tired of walking up and down our hill.

When the kids were all done we had Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Chips and Salsa. A strange combo I know. It was still very yummy! We had such a great time. We have to do it again soon.

Mom Song

My sister in law sent this to me and I thought you all might enjoy it.
It is all the things a Mom might say in 24 hours put into a song.







Remember to turn off my playlist first so you can hear it.

Merry Chistmas!!!

Merry Christmas from the Hoisingtons!!!

More Snow Fun

Fun in the Snow!!

Today was our first no school day for snow. We all had such a fun time playing in the snow. It snowed all morning and we have about 6 inches. Our back yard is great for sledding. The only thing is we have to be careful not to run into the house. The neighbor girls came over and played in it with us.

Kyle even decided to get the snow cone flavoring out and they made snow cones or just put the flavoring in the snow and ate it.

I even went sledding down the hill with Lydia. This is the first year where Lydia actually wanted to play in the snow and stayed out side for a long time. She even went exploring by herself in the woods.

We then came in and had hot chocolate and then watched the new Narnia movie. The girls really liked it. I think they are just about ready to go back out and play.

It has been a fun day.



This is a picture of our Living Room while drying all the snow stuff.

Tree Decorating

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago we got our tree out of storage. When Kyle went to get the tree he found in the box with the tree a mouse nest. There weren't any mice in the nest. Just to be safe when he decided to leave the tree on the porch overnight. We brought the tree in and decided this year we would put it in our living room. I really like it in there. Each of the girls have their own box of ornaments so they put them up. Poor Lydia only had 2 since she is only 2. We let them pick out an ornament every year.

It's all pink and nothing else at the Hoisington's

Well, we finally had our ultrasound and the new baby is all pink. We are having a Girl! We are extremly excited to be having another girl to add to our family. No looking for ties or cub scout uniforms. It will be all dresses, barbies, hormones and eventually wedding dresses. We have several all girl families in our ward and glad to still be a part of that group! Thanks to everyone who was rooting for a boy but I guess that isn't what the lord has planned for us.

Halloween

We love the great pumpkin!


My little Horse,Queen Bee, Cinderella and Witch.


I have to confess I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted something. Please forgive me. So here is our Halloween pictures. It was the last night for our family to see Carlee and Spencer before they left for sunny San Diego until Feb. We have been missing them a lot. The good news it was the day that My Dad came home from San Diego. So We had a family dinner in honor of him returning and Carlee leaving. It was a lot of fun.

We then went to our annual Trunk or Treat! The kids loved it. We were then off to Grandma Hoisington's for the Great Pumpkin. This tradition has been going on since Gabby was about 2. All the grand kids come over and search in the dark with flashlights for their bag of goodies. They all had a lot of fun!

Fun Treat

Last night during family home evening. We heard a knock at the door. Gabby opened the door and this is what we found.



Isn't this cute the brownies are little bats, little witch's hats, skeletons and even a ghost.

Who ever dropped off these treats thank you!

Belle's Chucky Cheese Birthday

Belle's Birthday since it is an odd year we decided on a family party to Chucky Cheese. They had a great time.

Picture Tag

Tag!
Open picture folder. Go to 6th folder and the 6th picture and post to your blog.




This picture is from Gabby's sinkhole project. This is the Port Orchard sinkhole. Last year during a major rainstorm we had 13 inches of rain in one day. Causing major damage to many roads, bridges, homes, and businesses.

Announcing New Baby to Arrive in April

Just to let everyone know we expecting baby number 5 in April. We are really excited and the girls can't wait. I am hoping that this nausea lets up soon. We are all doing well. We hope to find out what he or she is around Thanksgiving. So I will keep you all posted.

Kyle for President

Check out this news!
Please click on the link.

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=46832&altf=Lzmf&altl=Ipjtjohupo

Yes on Prop. 8

Some friends of ours posted this on their blog and encouraged everyone to do the same. Please cut/paste this on your blog and/or email it to friends and family. We can make a difference on this critical issue. Vote YES on Prop 8!

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children.
If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches.
The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs. Including adoption agencies.

A YES vote will not hurt gays.
In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.
For your information:On Friday, October 10th, 2008 a first-grade class took a field trip to witness a lesbian wedding in California. Click Here for the article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

A father in Massachusetts was frustrated when his twin kindergartners were taught about homosexuality at school by the teachers. He insisted he be notified in the future before such things were discussed so he could pull his boys out of school.He was taken to jail. Click Here for the story.

A Catholic adoption agency In the UK closed their doors because of the Government's new homosexual equality laws. The Equality Act forbids discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was forced through Parliament last year despite past Prime Minister Tony Blair's recommendation that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the rules. Click Here for more info.

Earlier this month judges in Conneticut overturned the state law (just as the judges in California did) to legalized gay marriage. This is not just an issue in California. We voted years ago to keep traditional marriage as the only marriage recognized in the state of California, 4 judges overturned our vote…and we need to fight back. That is what this Proposition is about. This is happening everywhere and the leaders of the church and others have warned that the outcome of California’s vote will affect the way the other states vote. So PLEASE…even if you don’t live in California, put this on your blog or email this on. The internet knows no state line. You know contacts in California that I don’t…and so do your friends. Please pass this on as it could eventually have an effect on everyone!

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, "You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven't time to be concerned for others." Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord." --Thomas S. Monson

Click Here for excerpts from the Broadcast given by Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton.

Another good resource mentioned in the broadcast: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/
October 20th: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot if voting out of state. Click Here to get one.

October 27th: Last day to apply for “Vote by Mail” Click Here for info.

November 4th: Election day. Polls close at 8:00pm. Vote by mail must be received by this time and can be hand delivered if necessary.


YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...
Here's what you do: In the broadcast we were asked to "go viral on our blogs, etc" by Elder Ballard. This is my way of going viral. If you feel this is an important issue I ask that you copy and paste this post...and post it on your blog. PLEASE keep it at the top of your blog through November 4th. which you can adjust each time you post under the "edit post" option. The internet knows NO STATE LINE. You know contacts in California that I do not...as do your friends and their friends...and so on. Please do this. If not for your own children and the effect it could have on them some day...for mine! After you have posted this...email this to your contacts and TAG all your blogging buddies to do the same. THANK YOU!

Happy Birthday Belle

Happy 5th Birthday! We love you!

Field Trip to Fire Station!

On Monday Belle's preschool class had their first field trip. It was so cute for all the kids to sit in the engine and learn about what the fire fighters do. Belle's favorite part was when they showed them how they get the ladders off the truck. They also put on their mask and showed them what a fire fighter looks like if they were going to come into your house during a fire. So the kids would know not to be afraid.
Belle had a great time.

The Beach Boys Concert!

Last Tuesday we surprised the three oldest girls by taking them to the Beach Boys concert. The girls had no idea. I picked the girls up from school early. Why are you picking me up they said. It's a surprise I said. We walked on the 3:00 ferry and had a nice ferry ride. It was so fun to just relax in the sun and enjoy the ferry ride.
We made it to Seattle and walked along the water front. We went to one of the girls favorite shops The Curiosity Shop. They love to go and see the Mummies and all the interesting stuff they have there. We then took the girls to Red Robin on the water front for dinner. It was Awesome! Kyle had the girls convinced that we came to Seattle to pick blackberries for the blackberry festival. We started our walk up to Safeco Field. The girls are still trying to figure out where we are going. The walk is tiring for the girls. Are we almost there. We get to Qwest Stadium and Gabby Says are we going to a Mariners game. We said no they are not playing today. Gabby says are we going to the Beach Boys concert. We said yes! She said she heard about it on the radio and saw the commercial on the TV. We went into the concert and found out it really didn't start until 7:30. So we hung out at Safeco Field for an hour and 1/2. Before the concert started there was a benefit for Seattle Childrens. The kids were a little bored.

The concert was fantastic once it started. By the time the concert started Belle fell asleep and slept the whole concert. I think she heard only one song. Gabby and Belle loved it. I forgot to mention that Carlee and Spencer came to the concert also. Spencer surprised Carlee for their anniversary. They had seats on the floor. They moved up right by the stage and danced the whole concert. We saw them on the big screen a few times. We sang and danced in our seats through the whole concert. It was so much fun. I recommend going to their next concert. If they have anymore they are getting so old. It was worth all the hassle. We were planning on walking back to the ferry with the girls. By the time the concert was over it was so dark and so late. Carlee and Spencer took are sweet little girls home in their car. So they slept the whole drive home. Then Carlee brought the girls home to my house and put them in bed.

We walked to the ferry and decided to stop by Ivars for clam chowder and then to Mcdonalds at the ferry for ice cream. We had to wait for the ferry which wasn't until 10:30. We didn't get home until 11:45. Carlee was already here and my kids were sound asleep in their beds. Thanks Carlee!

It was a lot of fun!

Gabby's Feild Trip

 

Today Gabby went on a field trip to a park in Gorst. They were able to see salmon going up stream and also able to watch a guy dissect one. Gabby's favorite part was when guy touched the fishes nerve and it made it flop. There were some fire fighters there also. They weren't your normal city fire fighters they were the ones who fight forest fires. It was really interesting. I was able to chaperon at the last minute (Gabby's teacher asked just yesterday after school). Thank You Tina for watching Belle and Carlee for watching Lydia. We had a great time. I will repay the favor to both of you soon!

The First Day of School!

The first day of school was a couple weeks ago. Here is some pictures I took.

Kitsap County fair

 

We went to the fair with another all girl family and my Sister Carlee and her two kids. It was so much fun! We saw a Zebra and a Zeedonk which is a 1/2 Zebra and 1/2 donkey. Of course I didn't take a picture of that. There was a petting farm and tons of other animals the kids loved to see. We watched Elisabeth and Cowboy buck show too. The little kids liked it but I think the older kids thought it was a little boring. We had a great time.

Cape Disappointment

This light house Kyle and the 3 oldest girls went and hiked up to it. I stayed in the van with slumbering Lydia. I read while they played. It was a short hike up to the light house. Gabby and Miley walked up to the top of the light house with Kyle. While Belle stayed and helped watched the store. She was too little to climb up there. It was a beautiful sight. Gabby took quite a few of these pictures. After I saw the pictures I wish I would of went with them.

Ft Stevens Bunkers

We spent the morning at the Ft Stevens Bunkers. The girls had a great time exploring and I was able to get some pictures of the girls in the same places we took some about 3 years ago. So every year we go back I hope to take the same pictures.

We also found this strange looking beetle and the girls were fascinated with it so they all took turns holding it and looking at it. Kyle liked it so well that he brought it home to animate it. It was dead already when we found it.

It was fun just exploring and being together as a family.

Seaside Fun!

 

The girls really wanted to go to Seaside and go in all the shops and go to the Arcade. So we went by ourselves to Seaside while the rest of the group went to Cannon Beach. We went on the bumper cars some of the girls liked it and some did not like it. We had a great trip.

The Getty and the Columbia River

The next day a couple more families joined us for the rest of the Trip. So we all went down to the Getty. Had a wonderful walk along the beach and down to the water.

We then went down to the side where the Columbia meets the Pacific Ocean. It was really warm there and the kids decided to go in and to play in the warm sand. It was really fun.

Fun at the Beach at Ft Stevens

We made it to the Oregon Coast and met up with some of our friends. They stayed at Ft Stevens while we stayed at the KOA just down the road. Our first day there was quite the adventure. Lance one of our friends from Manchester Ward has some friends that live in Oregon. They have horses and were willing to bring them down to the beach for us to ride. It was so much fun. The horses were a little freaked out at first but most of them settled down soon and we were able to ride them.

As you can see it was pretty overcast but by the end of the afternoon it cleared up and was pretty nice. The kids had a blast playing in the sand flying kites. Swimming in the water with all of their clothes on. Then they decided to cover themselves in the sand. They were quite the mess. We found sand everywhere. That is what happens when you are on the beach. We stayed the whole day.

Tillamook Cheese Factory

 

We left Dan and Harmony's and headed on our way to the Oregon Coast. On our way we listened to a story on CD by Jack Weyland called Nicole. It was pretty good and the girls seemed to like it.
We made it to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It was interesting to see how the cheese was made. We were able to sample all the different types which was nice. The girls seemed to like them all. I think the cheese curds were there least favorite. Kyle likes to call them squeaky cheese. When you eat it the cheese squeaks on your teeth. We then had Ice Cream Cones. It was all really yummy and very messy. They had a whole lot more flavors then they do in the stores at home. Just to warn you their Bubble Gum ice cream wasn't that great. The girls were a little disappointed.

To our cousins for Fun!

After the Ape caves we made our way down to Corvallis Oregon.My cousin who is 4 years older than me has a wonderful place down in Corvallis. Not to mention two wonderful children that happen to Miley and Belle's ages. The kids were so anxious to get there to see them. We try and get together at least one to two times a year. So we made plans to visit and we had so much fun.

The other wonderful part about visiting Harmony and Dan is Harmony is a horse trainer. They have a fabulous barn with 50 stales and many horses to ride. Along with a lot of other girls there just taking care of their own horses. My girls love it. They all rode this year even Lydia. I was even able to go for a trail ride on their 40 acres with my Dad's baby sister Erin. It was fantastic.

The kids swam in their pool. Played hide and seek in the tall grass in the dark. Rode on a golf cart, which my 1st cousin once removed Tanner drove all over the property with my girls. They will always remember that. It was working pretty slow so don't worry. They watched movies, played dress up, rode bikes, picked berries and just had fun. When the kids picked the berries we thought we would all share the berries by making shakes with them. The kids were so mad that we had used the berries they said those were for us and they were plotting to get revenge. In the end Kyle went with them and picked more berries. They all had the shakes they were SO wanting. It was pretty funny!

When we were there it was also my Cousin Amber's 15th Birthday. We all went out to Panda's Express her favorite place to eat. Then we came back and had Cake and Ice Cream and the kids made her some pretty cute cards. Amber we had so much fun.

I also learned how to play this really fun Board game called Ticket to Ride. It was so much fun. I also learned how to play a game called James Bond. It was all really fun and I loved it. Since Kyle doesn't like board games that much it was nice to have someone to play with.

In the end we had a great time with my Cousins and Aunt. We love to visit with our family. We are looking forward to next time we can all get together. We sure love you all.

Ape Caves

We left the Horse camp early and made our way up the mountain to the Ape Caves. These Caves were made by a lava flow that was flowing so fast that the out side cooled and formed the cave. This is our second visit to the caves. Last time we went Kyle took us to one spot were it was flat and very dark. This time Kyle decided to take us on a part that was more difficult. It was pitch black and all we had was a lantern some flashlight and head lamps. At first it wasn't to bad then there was this huge mound of rocks and boulders. We finished that one and there was another one. All the while Kyle carried the lantern had Lydia on his back and was helping Belle swing from one rock to another. There were spots were we had to take Lydia off his back and he had to pass her to me. It was pretty tight. I banged my head a few times. The girls were troopers they just kept going and none of them complained. About three quarters of the way through there was an 8ft lava fall. We had to climb lucky for us there was some other people who helped us get the kids and my self up the lava fall. After that we reached a point where there was a sky light. The kids thought that was great. We soon reached the end we had to climb up a small ladder and squeeze on out having to take Lydia off Kyle's back again. We then had to walk back the 1.5 miles back to the van. It was really fun. I suggest if you have little kids to go for the easy route. For all you adventurers the hard way was a lot more fun.

Horse Camp Camping

Starting the 1st of August we left on our Family Vacation to the Oregon Coast with stop in Corvallis to see some cousins. On our way down we decided to stay our first night near Mt. Saint Helens. We kind of left a little late so we ended up camping near the bottom of the mountain at a horse camp. There was horses camped all around us. I was a little worried about the horses being to loud. I think it ended up our kids being the loud ones.


Kyle and girls at our Campsite



We went on a small hike at the horse camp and we found this water fall.

Hannah Montana 3-D Concert

At the end of July the Disney Channel had a Special Hannah Montana 3-D Concert. We picked up the 3-d glasses at Walmart. I asked my Neighbor if they would let us watch the concert on their projector. She said Yes, and it was a go. We decided to make popcorn and have soda. The girls were so excited to see Miley so big. The concert was good and the Jonas Brothers performed too. My neighbors boys liked it for a while and then were bored. By going all out for this concert I am hoping to avoid having to actually take them to her real concert. The girls had a great time!

Dance Festival 2008

 

At the end of July the Young Men and Young Women in our ward and 10 other stakes performed in a The 2008 Dance Festival. So what a dance festival? It is when the youth spend at least 6mo. or more learning different kinds of dances. In the end they ended up performing at the Tacoma Dome. Each Stake learned a different kind of dance. This dance festival included all the youth 12-18. The dances performed starting with old time square dancing, waltz, swing, ballroom, 50's style with poodle skirts,Mexican, 70's and ending with all the dancers together dancing to High School Musical "Were all in this together". The kids had a great time and enjoyed themselves. They were even able to have a youth conference on Thursday. The speakers were Kenneth Kope, Brad Wilcox and the General Young Women's President. They performed Friday night and Saturday matinee and Saturday night.

Fun in Water

 

We just put up a pool that my parents gave to us a few years ago. They decided they did not want it because of the cost of water and how many gallons it took. We are on a well so we are not charged.

So we decided this year to put is up. We had to buy some more parts and buy it a new liner. So it feels like it is new. So Kyle and the kids decided to swim on the first day it was filled which was Saturday. As you can see they really just floated on top of the water because it was so cold. I have tested it with my hand since then and the sun has warmed it up some. I am hoping that it will get warm again so we can start to use it. What happened to our summer.

A visit to Great Grandma

 

On Sunday after Church we decided to go visit Kyle's Grandma. She lives just here in town. We had a nice visit with her. The girls love to play in her yard because that is where their Dad played as a kid. She loves to see the girls. We need to visit more often. We just get so busy with our little family I forget about her sometimes. So we are now setting a goal to at least visit her once a month. Great Grandma Edwards We Love You!

Happy Birthday Ashlee and Connor!

 

 

Happy 3rd Birthday Ashlee and 8th Birthday Connor. We love you both and hope your day was filled with fun!

Happy Birthday Grandma Diane

We just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you on such special Day. Happy Birthday!! We love you Diane!!!

Ahoy, Smith Maties

Saturday the last day of our reunion was the Pirate Day. They must of spent hours upon hours putting it together. It was by far the best treasure hunt I have been on yet. It all started with our dear Cousin Doug starting out our hunt with a story of Captain one Eye Smith the following is his story




The Legend of Captain “One Eye” Smith’s Treasure

Long ago, around the 17th century, King Phillip II of Spain was in the waging war against France. King Phillip had lost one of his strong holds, and now the advancing French army was threatening his treasury at San Sebastian on the shore of the Bay of Biscay. King Phillip ordered that his treasure be loaded on a ship and moved to his Southern command of Lisboan. As the ship set sail it was spotted and trailed by a man who did not care for the war but only the prospect of lining his pockets with Loot.. It was the Famous Captain “One Eye” Smith. Captain Smith knew the ship must have a valuable cargo since it was leaving the treasury, and by the depth it sat in the water. Captain Smith ordered his crew to follow the ship from a safe distance. Later in the dark of night and in the blinding thick fog Captain Smiths’ crew attacked and boarded the King Phillip’s vessel. It was a fierce battle but captain smiths’ crew came away with the king’s treasure. They set sail for their hideout while the king was informed that his treasure had been stolen. The king was so furious that he sent an armada after the pirates. The pirates narrowly escaped their hideout and were being chased by the king’s ships. They sailed for months but the king’s ships were always visible on the horizon. Then one night there was a violent storm. When the sun came up in the morning land was visible on the horizon and the king’s ships were nowhere to be found. Captain Smith knew it would not be long before the king’s ships were hot on his tail so he found an inlet and sailed his ship up a river, which is now the Snake River. They sailed up river for two days until they came to modern day Melba, Idaho. They then went inland about ten miles and buried their treasure on the top of a hill. The captain mapped out the exact location. The crew then made its way back to the ship, and set sail for the ocean. As they were about to exit the mouth of the Snake River, there was a huge explosion and debris from the ship flew into the air. The king’s army had found them and they were sitting ducks. The ship was being blown to pieces. Captain smith flipped his ship around and sailed back up the river. But the King’s navy was gaining ground on the wounded ship. As they were about back to the Melba area, the king’s ships had closed the gap and were now fire ring the cannons at will. It was too much for captain Smith’s ship to handle. The only hope of escape was for the pirates to abandon the ship. They all jumped and swam for shore; even the captain with his treasure map in hand. The king’s navies had launched their dinghies and were in hot pursuit.. As the pirates made it to the beach, musket balls filled the air. As the pirates were about to make it to the safety of the trees the captain was hit numerous times. He fell to the ground and was finished. Two pirates saw the captain fall and grabbed the map from the captain’s bloody hand, and ran for the trees to hide. They were now the only two survivors. Because they did not trust each other they decided to rip the treasure map in two pieces and bury them in separate spots. They also left clues to find the map pieces.
After they buried there map and clues they decided to try and escape. When nightfall came they swam out to one of the king’s anchored ships and took control and sailed away into the night. The pirates never came back, as they were too busy visiting every pub they could, spreading the legend of Captain “One Eyed” Smith.


Tug of War for who was to walk the Plank!


Walking the plank!


The pole vault to get to the next clue!



Then there was a walk in the muck to look for the ducks.



Then to another Clue!



We finally found the map and put it together. Then we had to follow the coordinates with a compass to find the treasure.




Digging for Treasure.


I think we found something!





We made it to the treasure and now we had to dig it up. The kids started digging but it was to tiring for them so the adults helped. It was so big that it probably took at least 20 minutes.(They used a bulldozer to bury the treasure) They finally get it out and it is filled with treasures indeed. (necklaces, rings, pirate swords and eye patches and much more) We all thought it was great! It was a lot of fun! Thanks Dustin and Judy and everyone else for all your hard work.