Well the weather outside is frightful....

Another successful Christmas here and gone. Sorry to say, I am glad to have it over, but it was fun while it lasted. I didn't get to bed till 2 am and Dalen talked Kenna into coming in our room at 5 am to see if we were ready to open presents. Being the scrooge that I am, I turned her away and told her I had till 6am when Grandma and Grandpa got here. I laid there and finally decided that in order to have a productive Christmas morning I had better have the coffee ready for Casey and the old folks. So after making the proper morning arrangements and waking Casey and Kenna (Dalen of course was just laying on his bed staring at the door) the festivities began. Of course the stockings were first with Dalen practically throwing everything out on the floor and asking what was next and Kenna savoring every moment, knowing it never lasts long enough. After the presents were opened, Grandma, Kenna, and I retired to the kitchen to fix homemade cinnamon french toast and bacon. The boys were busy playing the new DS games and removing everything from their child (and adult) proof packaging. Grandma and Grandpa headed home to let out Rocco the rat dog and prepare for round 2. So bravely trudging through the horrible weather we made our way next door where we were greeted by puppy licks and a whole new pile of unopened presents. Of course the kids dove in to their stockings (yes they get stockings there too). Then came the "family" gift. The kids began tearing into their parts to find a bunch of Wii games, but we don't have a Wii.......and then began the screaming and jumping. We are now boxing in the living room and moving the furniture to accommodate our new virtual bowling alley. We then packed up our new toys and headed back out into the storm for a little R & R at home. Of course we didn't get any rest with a Wii to play with. So after playing with all the gadgets and some much needed hygiene we headed back out in the snow to visit Aunt Kelli and Uncle Tim and a quick stop at Grandpa Gene and Grandma Chris's before it was back home for dinner. A little more unpackaging and playing then it was finally time to collapse (at 8 pm!!!). Wow do we know how to party or what!!!

Christmas Eve Party at the Hite's...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the dwelling, there was a big framily party raging, and the decibels swelling.

The Hite family household was ready to rock with the sounds of band noises, gossip and talk.

Ma in the garage with Lucy the dog and John in his usual Crown induced fog.

Traci is sure to keep the house running, so all us degenerates have a place to keep coming.

Kids with their new toys, racing round the Christmas tree, and Kathy's cackle infused with sarcasm and glee.

Gordon can be found in the kitchen with the Mikes, and Kristi in conversation with whomever she likes.
The girls with new boyfriends meet us for the first time, find out having fun still isn't a crime.

With white elephant gift giving, hugs, and kisses galore we hope the next year will be as special as this one before.

The Girls

Kaden, Gage, Weston, and Lucy

Kristi with her favorite gift ever!!!

The gangs all here!

Casey and T-roy

Cute kids in love!

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!!!

Fight Night

Joel, Andy, Brent, Tammy, and Casey engrosed in pre-fight coverage

So last night was the long awaited return of Oscar De La Hoya. Yes I know it is a little strange to be a girl and enjoy boxing but I love it. We always make a big deal out of the Pay Per View fights. We also pay $2 and draw rounds. If the fighter wins on the round you drew, then you win all the money that was paid for the rounds. Casey and I bought 5 rounds. Needless to say, with De La Hoya throwing in the towel in the end of the 8th round, Kristi won. Which was fitting since she sacrificed her house for the event. Pacquiao was quicker and proved to be the better man last night. As always we had a great turn out and a great time.

Kristi, Me, and Colleen in our gossip circle

Darrin, Angie, and Stacey enjoying the festivities downstairs.

Kathy and I, saying cheese!

Blue Ribbon Winner

Thursday night, Kenna competed in her first 4-H cooking competition. The kids were required to put together a place setting and cook their favorite food that a judge would be tasting. McKenna made our family favorite, Mexi-tot casserole. She made it all by herself. We picked a western theme place setting since it sort of went with the ethnicity of the casserole. They had a blast. She had several friends there that were also competing. She was up against 16 other contestants. Kenna won a blue ribbon and got 98 out of 100 points. She was only marked down for a lack of eye contact with the judge while she was being questioned. It was a great experience and now she is really loving 4-H.

McKenna's place setting

Talking to the judge.

Aspen setting up for the competition.

Megan's place setting, chocolate torte.

The Hooper Aces.


Mexi-Tot Casserole


1 lb ground beef
1 large can of enchilada sauce
1 small can diced green chilies
4 tsp taco seasoning
1 can black beans
frozen tater tots
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease casserole dish with cooking spray. Line bottom of dish with frozen tater tots. Brown beef in large skillet. Drain grease. Add enchilada sauce, drained beans, taco seasoning, and green chilies. Cook on medium heat till bubbly. Pour over tater tots and top with shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 min.

Halloween Night

Kenna & Dalen

Kenna & Jessica

I forgot to blog about our Halloween night. I made Kenna's costume and of course, she chose to be a chef! Surprise, surprise, surprise! Everyone loved their costumes at our neighborhood Trunk-or-treat. This was the first year Kenna kind of took off on her own with her friends so we only had to worry about taking Dalen around. The Trunk-or-treat was huge and Dalen's bag got so heavy he made me help him carry it. They had a great time and our neighbors are so much fun.

Trick or Treat

Kenna & Aunt Kelli

The Trial of Alice in Wonderland

Aspen, Kenna, and Breanna prior to show time.

Last night was Kenna's performance of her class play, The Trial of Alice in Wonderland. Mrs.Tonioli worked so hard for this. The kids did such a good job. It was fun to watch, because I remember most of these kids since kindergarten. Kenna made a beautiful daisy. She spoke her lines perfect. The costumes were amazing and the set was awesome. There were so many parents and grandparents that helped. Each class did their own play so there was plenty of room for family to come watch. My mom and dad as well as Kenna's step-mom, brothers, and little sister even made the trek to see her. Kenna was so excited she could barely contain herself. I was so proud of all of them.

Such cute costumes!

Braden made a great caterpillar.

Chelsea did awesome as Alice.

Michelle, Presley, Bo, and Rowdy watching their big sis!

Party like a rock star...

So Saturday was our annual Halloween party. It was held at Steve and Ginnett's house in Clinton. I always love to see how creative our friends can be when it comes to dressing up. I thought Dalen's costume took the cake. How many 7 year olds do you know that want to dress up like the band Motley Crew for Halloween? Mine is a unique child. His outfit turned out great though, and if I'd let him wear it to school, he probably would. Casey and his band (still un-named) played and drew quite a crowd. We had great food like Gordons famous (at least with us) pork wings. Dalen's favorite were the mini hot dogs made to look like bloody fingers. Thank you Kristi, now my son can't eat just a normal hot dog ever again. Mike even carved a brain out of a watermelon. Ginnett went all out with her decorations. The room where the bands played was amazing. Then there was the costume contest. Dalen should have won but since the prize was not age appropriate, he was alright with it! Despite a few spills here and there (Kathy!!!) the night was a total blast and complete success. Here are some of the goofy pics of our "framily" in costume.

Kathy, Traci, Casey, and Kristi say cheese!

The un-named band...Troy, Casey, Darrin, and John.

Me and my HOT date!

Even Ozzy (Ken) made an appearance!

Field Trip

Dalen had his first grade field trip to the dinosaur park. Nothing like 92 first graders all crammed on one bus. I was smart and drove myself there. We got to make Utah Raptor masks in the education center.

Then we got to go inside and explore the museum. We watched as some of the archaeologists looked through silt and sand for fossils. We also got to look at all the cool gemstones, fossils, and dinosaur bones. Then we got to watch the automated dinosaurs. I think this was the boys favorite part, of course.

Then we got to explore the park which was decorated for Halloween. The kids loved all the bones hanging from the trees and coffins with "dead" bodies inside. Dalen got to play by the Jack-o-Lanterns with Blake and played dead in the dungeon with Tiernan. The sign on the bars was put there just for them! By then they were ready for some free time on the playground (I think the teachers and I were too). It was a great field trip and we didn't even lose anyone along the way!

Flashback...

So I did a flashback previously about me. Since this is a family blog, I saw it only fair that Casey have his day to shine as well. This is a picture of a band that my husband played with in Denver, Attic Toys. This was a promo poster for a show they were having. He is the Sebastian Bach look-a-like in the upper left hand corner (scarf adorned, blond headed, eye liner wearing....). I love this picture of him. He is such a talented musician and can make the most beautiful guitars. This is certainly not the little cowboy I married! Although he has changed his looks (drastically) he will always be a rock star in my eyes and a rock legend to his kids. Love ya honey!

Mental Note: The couch is far more comfortable to sit on than to sleep on!

Dalen turns 7!

Friday was Dalen's 7th birthday. I took him treats for his class and balloons to school and stayed to eat school lunch with him. We had Chicken fingers and mashed potatoes. That evening grandma and I took him to Chili's for dinner where grandma gave him a Nintendo DS with a Mr.Slimer game. Then we took him over to Target where he got to pick out his present from daddy and I. He picked a huge transformer named Bumblebee, a slinky, and Star Wars figures. Yes, he is very easy to please. Then on Saturday we made cupcakes and went to our friends Kathy and Gordon's for American Idol Karaoke on the Wii. The kids had a blast and did really well with the songs they picked!

My helper

Blogging would be so much easier without all this help!

7 days in paradise!

Well we survived 7 days of fun in the sun! It was heaven. We stayed 7 days and nights in an all inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya 2 hours south of Cancun. We went with my sister-in-law Dawn, brother-in-law Chad, and friend Becca. We had 1 1/2 hr massage at the spa, went on a jungle ATV tour, snorkeled in the cenote, kayaked in the gulf of Mexico, ate the most wonderful food, drank margaritas on the beach, broke toes playing soccer, read a great book, saved several tiny hermit crabs from certain death, watched my husband impersonate David Hasselhoff, found a kitty and named him Jorge, beat everyone in a game of Rummy, and enjoyed every minute of it! Here are just a few of our pictures...