Ring a bell?

So.... check out this photo? Can you tell me what is familiar about the table setting anyone? Well, its been a long time, but the runner consists of 2 wraps from our wedding.... yes, as much as I'm not a blue person now, I guess I was then (it really just matched the Martha Stewart picture I was in love with so I rolled with it). Anyhow, the wraps were 2 wrap shawls that my bridesmaids wore (these were probably Shena's and Melissa's).... they've been unused for 9+ years and finally they came out as a last minute runner for our dinner group this weekend. Sometimes the most impromptu settings turn out the best... simple, easy, and reminiscent of our wedding. Had to share!

Kent' final backpacking trip for this year!

Kent has hiked 3 weekends in a row, first an overnighter with Chloe and our neighbor dad and daughter.... then a 5 day trip with his dad, then a 3 day trip with his college and childhood buddies Darren Bennett and Scott Brase (they were both in our wedding too). Hopefully you can get these pics, so here is the link to the album Darren put together. He did a great job!
http://albums.phanfare.com/bennettdarren/2766083 Once you go to the link, then you have to login I think and get approved by Darren... just mention you're on the Hoepfinger's approved veiwing list and he'll let you on. Good luck!

Take a Break? No....

Blake has quite the set up these days- he BEGS to go out and play in the dirt with his "big Bobs" which translate into the big digger, dump truck, etc.... they're all his cousins' leftovers, but he adores them! Anyhow, he goes down to the lower yard, and there's the remnants of some herb plants that got ripped out (too many buggies that I couldn't handle them anymore) and a LOT of dirt just at his waist level. He had me bring down the umbrella because he was too hot the other day... he even gets lazy and lays on the stones of the raised bed while he plays.... The best part about it, is that he does this by HIMSELF! I can see him 100% of the time when I'm in the kitchen window, he's happy, I'm happy, we're all happy.

So cute though when the urge gets him and he has to take a potty break.... God forbid he came inside to the real potty to releive himself.... he's a boy! The joys of potty training a little boy.... the great outdoors are a wonderous place! He loves to pee in the middle of the bean tee-pee that we have in full bean production right now.... he thinks it is his little private place in our lower yard to take a break from playing and pee. Very funny. He'll kill me later in his life for posting this, but its too adorable.

First soccer game, some sailing, cute kids... what more could you ask for in a weekend?

Chloe had her first soccer game (2nd game for her team, but she was backpacking with Kent that weekend). She was really GREAT! She got knocked down about 2-3 times, but she always quickly picked herself up, brushed it off while running, and away she went. She never complained, she always rooted her teammates on, she was excited from beginning to end. It was such a delight to watch! Then, there was Blake- he was in heaven because Nana came to the game and sat with him through the entire thing entertaining him. He was so well-behaved too!

After the first game, then Blake, Chloe and I went sailing with Nonny and Poppy for the rest of the afternoon into the late evening (we pushed the dark really). We had a really nice time having dinner on Blake Island (yes, "Blake" Island is a real island just out past my in-laws house between Vashon and Bainbridge Island). Blake was in heaven knowing that he has an island of his own (that's what he thinks) and once again my kids were GREAT! (Kent was gone hiking in the Enchantments outside of Leavenworth, WA with his dad for 5 days- Birthday Boy trip for both).

Did I mention that Blake LOVES to rope in anyone that will play in the dirt, play in the sand, play in rocks, play in muc- as long as someone will pretend to be Bob the Builder or Wendy and "dig" with his trucks he's happy as a clam. Mom had gaurenteed him some play time, so they found the tiniest little patch of sand to play in (really, it truly was not more than about as big as they are sitting in it) and he was thrilled for more than 30 minutes! Chloe on the other hand loves to climb on rocks, logs, and such and so does Poppy- so they went off onto this HUGE log that sticks out into the water- she was timid at first to go out by herself, but when Poppy went out with her, she thought it was the coolest place to be. She continued to be drawn there. The city in the background is West Seattle (where her Aunty She-She is going to get married this summer-http://www.mywedding.com/jonathanshena/).

It was a really fun weekend... after that full Saturday, we went to the zoo the next day- sorry no pics- I forgot the camera! Bad mommy award for me! Oh well, they had a blast and Blake earned the trip with 100 tickets, so we all got a reward from his hard work!

Sunday we christened the start of our new house church- it was fun and emotional at the same time. Chloe really doesn't want to go off to our new house church because she won't have Greta any longer (our pastor's daughter and one of her buddies) to play with on our house church nights (her guaranteed play date with Greta).... we are sad to leave the small group, but excited to brand off into a new one. We've got some great families joining us, and we're not doing it alone. We've partnered with Jon and Jen Nelson to share the planning, the cleaning up, the organizing, blah, blah, blah.... which we're equally thrilled to do too (we both adore Jen and Jon and couldn't think of a better couple to do this with). With all that said, Kent missed the most hilarious of "christening ceremonies"... we're not a church of candles and quiet meditation and such.... NO .... we are a church of champagne, toasts, and of course we had to smash a sparkling cider bottle on the back of Jon's truck that had all of us new house church members in the back of it.... (you can laugh now). I'll post pics when I get them. It was funny!

All in all when Kent was gone, we had a great time, kept REALLY busy (but when do we not do that keeping busy thing?)! We missed him though and were so thrilled to be able to celebrate his birthday with him when he got home. Happy Belated Birthday Kent!

Well I'm tired- need to stop blah---de---blah----blogging and go to bed!

The new "do"!

So I've confused a lot of people.... Melissa has had short hair for quite awhile, and I've had long (we'd always say Heather = hair to help people remember the difference). Anyhow, we don't like to look alike, b/c we are so different, and its nice to have our own identities.... to make this story short- my hair got chopped off!!! I went to the same gal Melissa goes to and I said, "I don't want to look like my sister, but I need a change and want my hair to be shoulder length". Well, I don't look exactly like her, but I look as similar as I've looked in probably over 10 years, my hair touches my shoulders when I tip it sideways and tug on it, but it is a change! As Kent has said, "It will grow!". I've gotten a lot of compliments though, so at least I'm getting used to it. I still think it was funny though when I confused my own daughter the first day- she thought Aunty Lissa was doing laundry in our laundry room- very funny!

First days all around.

Chloe had her first day of 2nd grade last Wednesday, September 3rd with Mrs. Collins at Poulsbo Elementary. She is sad that ALL of her little girlfriends are ALL in another class, but she is dealing for now. When she gets a new table assignment and gets to sit with some of her old classmates from last year, she'll probably be happier. For now, she loves her teacher, and I've enjoyed my contact with her too. Here's an adorable pic of Chloe in her 1 dress that she picked out for school clothes this year- she wore this on the first day! She looks so grown up!!

This week was Blake's first week of preschool on T/Th mornings. He has already been in class with Ms. Allison and Ms. Susan this summer when he did 2 sessions of M-Th Summer Magic programs.... but he is now officially a preschooler! He is my kid that doesn't need me at all... he dismissed me before I was even in the room- I literally had to fight him on taking his picture on his spot on the mat and then he said, "are you done? Can you leave?". You would think I embarrassed him or something, but I think he is just Mr. Independent! BTW- he likes to perform for the camera... so these are all of his cheesy poses.... funny little dude! After school, we met Nonny (my mom) for lunch in town and then went to Waterfront Park- he thought he was Mr. Cool!

Let's take a hike...

Molly and Chloe posing for one of their first shots on this hike- can you see Mt. Rainier in the back- isn't it majestic!
Mt. Rainier- perfect!
Kent managed to get the wildflowers, the snow, and the mountain. He's very proud of this pic.
I guess this waterfall was a ton of fun for the girls to play in and you could even camp on the ridge right above it... really unique.
Chloe posing- she loves to pose!

Chloe and Kent took their very first backpacking overnighter hike with our good friends (and neighbors) Molly and Mike Hickam. They went somewhere up at Mt. Rainier and had a FABULOUS time! The girls had a blast and the dads didn't get burnt out. Both are pluses in my book. They hiked a total of a little over 10 miles in 2 days. They only stayed for one night, which meant they had to leave at 6 am on Saturday morning- they stopped for donuts to make it up to the girls.

The twins.... the scar... the end of summer

So Melissa, Kent, and I went to our friend's wedding.... the first really small,intimate wedding we've all been to before. It was absolutely lovely! Anyhow, the neat thing is the photographer got a shot of us together.... I think this might be the first pic of the 2 of us together (without kids, friends, etc in the picture too) in a really long time. I thought you'd enjoy!

A lot of you have been asking how my healing has gone and I appreciate the questions... the scar looks "great" I am told by just about everyone I see. Here's my updated pic.... I'm getting used to putting Mederma sunscreen on 2-3 times a day.... on the hunt for necklaces the right length- anyone have some chokerish (a little lower than choker and a little higher then normal) necklaces! I'm done with scarves though- way too itchy and bothersome- not me!
Switching gears completely- we had our last summer adventure and our first official camping trip this Labor Day weekend.... we fit in multiple dinners with friends, camping, cleaning out the house, the yard, filling the freezer with meals.... etc., etc., but we managed to fit in the much needed and much promised camping trip. We ended up going to Rainbow Group Camp with our church- about 7 families in all (part of the Olympic National Forest system) and you reserve the entire campground. Pit toilets- but the bushes were good.... no water- but we knew it ahead and brought plenty of our own from home.... the kids loved it, the adults loved it b/c we knew our kids were safe at EVERY campsite, we hiked, we played, we ate, we drank and were merry.... great fun.

I found some adorable pics of Blake too.... check out these cute ones... one is absolutely hilarious of him just being him, another he's cooking with mommy (he absolutely loves wearing his apron when he is in the kitchen and who wouldn't love licking the spoon of cookie dough?), and the last is one that Chloe took of him when they were goofing around in the other room with the camera- I think she capture him though! Blake has his first meet and greet at preschool on Thursday- he is SO EXCITED... I hope to remember to take pics of my baby growing up. He wishes he could be bigger like his sister, but I wish he could know that he's got it good the way he is now! He's hard to convince though- you should see him ask for "my homework" when Chloe is reading or working on school stuff.

Here are a few of just Chloe too.... she loves to take pictures and pose for pics. There's one at camp when she was swimming and one on our hike (she had fallen into some water when we crawled over some rocks across a stream, thus the warming up pose). Tomorrow I'll hopefully remember to take some "first day of 2nd Grade" pics.... but I'm never good at that! She did get her haircut today though, so stay tuned, it goes short!

Well, I feel like I'm rambling. I promise to post more after school starts!