McBride Family Reunion

Please see the video presentation I made for Ramon Mcbride 80th Bday/McBride Family Reunion/Hoggan Family below....ENJOY!
P.S: The lighting was horrible, so forgive me if some pics didn't look so flattering ...

The Hoggan Family decided that while in Idaho for the McBride Family Reunion we would go to the Twin Falls Temple. On the way to the Temple, Daren & I stopped at Hansen Bridge and Shoshone Falls, what an amazing places, breath taking views.
Please be advised that the quality of the photos needed to be reduced in order to fit here...sadly.

Here is a photo presentation for you!

General Conference Weekend

April 2nd, 2009 (Thursday)
We had George Robert & Rosemary Hoggan (my dear parents-in-law) staying with us for a few days. I am always so happy to see them, especially this weekend as I was feeling down, missing my family so badly. Sometimes I see some of my friends going through hard times with their parents-in-law and I feel so lucky to have such wonderful parents-in-law. Bob & Rosie are the best, it’s so comforting to know that we can always count on them; their support, love and example have kept us on track so many times.
Bob & Rosie are always are like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

We love you, Mom & Dad Hoggan!

April 3rd, 2009 (Friday)
The house got a little fuller today as our nephew Thomas Hoggan and his friend (Shalis) came to stay with us for a few days as they were planning to attend the General Conference.
Tom is a sweet, smart, wonderful son/grandkid/nephew/friend and we know he will have tons of girls line up waiting for him when he comes back from his mission, and besides that he is a hunk (I guess it runs in the family)… hahahaha…

Shalis, Tom, Rosie & Bob

April 4th, 2009 (Saturday)
We spent the day watching General Conference today, isn’t it amazing that they always know what to say to make us feel better and that bright days are ahead?
We went as a family to the Distribution center as Mom & Dad Hoggan, after a long discussion, convinced us that they would be offended if we wouldn’t accept their gifts of Temple bags as they received the same gift from their parents. The good part was that as first-timers, we received 50% discount. Cool, huh?
In the evening we had the Matavaos (Liae, Roseanne, Tapá, Krae & Kalea) joining the rest of the family at home for dinner and a movie. Roseanne is Daren’s sister and her little daughter (Kalea) was so cute the whole night dancing for us, but don’t take my word on that, check out the video we made of her below….
You will love the video GRAND FINALE…. (and you neck will hurt as I made the mistake to take the video on vertical mode, instead of horizontal... ops! I will try to fix it, but I don't know if it will work...hahahahaha)

Kalea Matavao (adorable as always)

April 5th, 2009 (Sunday)
Today we watched the 2nd part of the Gen. Conference and enjoyed some good food together. Pot roast and chicken pot pie was the perfect complement to our weekend. Tom & Shalis drove back to Idaho.

April 6th, 2009 (Monday)
Mom & Dad Hoggan left to go to Idaho today and we already miss them, however we will survive as we will see them again next week at the McBride Family Reunion.
Daren is back to work and me back to doing taxes….yack!

Date weekend 03.27 to 29, 2009

March 27th, 2009

Tonight my sweet/adorable/amazing/lovely/cute/romantic hubby took me Provo for a two day date. Oh, I needed it so bad. We were so stressed out with so many things going on in our lives lately that a break from all of that sounds like a blessing from heaven. Daren used his travel agent connection and we were treated like royalty at the Provo Marriott, including breakfast and ski passes… Ok, all of you that know me well know too that I have never skied before, so I knew I was up for a big surprise.

March 28th, 2009
Here is me refusing to get out of our warm bed after looking out the window…brrrrr….

The whole weekend of cuddle time at the hotel with my hubby was worth the trip and who would have ever thought I would be able to trick my hubby to not go skiing for 10 years (yes, I am that tricky…) I couldn’t find a way to convince Daren that skiing wasn’t necessary, he was so excited for me and was thinking that he would get a ski partner out of the deal… So equipped with our Spider ski outfits and looking like US ski team members, we were off to Sundance Resort.
Daren was the best ski teacher ever, patient and very instructional and according to him I did very well.
So my ski adventure started this way…..

This is the video my hubby did for me so I wouldn’t feel left out on the higher runs…

Isn’t he the best?

And ended this way….

Summary: I hated skiing, so cold, too white and not so interactive. I will stick with tennis, running, swimming and martial arts.
On the way back to Provo we stopped to see cousin Shelly and her husband Dave Freeman at their new home. Cool house, by the way, couz!

Daren & Shelly

The cute Sophie Freeman

The Freeman's crib

Daren surprised me with a sushi dinner at our hotel room and some romantic set-up.

Lucky girl, huh?

March 29th, 2009

Sadly everything was done by Sunday afternoon when we came back home and besides the good memories of our romantic weekend, Daren brought a flu back home with him...poor baby...