Third time's a Charm?

So some of you may remember some time back (Like TWO YEARS AGO!), I got some glass in my foot. Well, it started to hurt (more than normal) on Saturday. As I have worked with glass all my life, I know what it feels like to be cut, and that was the feeling in my foot again. So I went in (same place and same Doctor), and got x-rays. lo and behold, he had left another piece! All I could do was laugh! I could tell that he was worrying about malpractice...again. I just want it taken care of. So sometime in the next few days I will get it out...hey it has been in there for two years, it isn't going anywhere right?

Aside from the first x-ray with the big arrow, can you find the 'foreign object'?

Pocatello Pump 2009

Hansens, Hopkins & Earls with "Helga the Bus"

Last weekend (12th & 13th) was the Pocatello Pump. I have been going to the Pump for the past 7 or 8 years or so...I think I only missed the year I cut a tendon in my hand. Anyway, it is a climbing competition that the ISU outdoor program puts on at Ross Park. This is their 30th year (or thereabouts)! It is a blast.

Kevin--oh yea...he's still good!

They have a top rope set up on the SunnySide for every climb, and you have an hour and a half to climb as much as you can. Most of the time I am completely burnt out in the first 30-45 min. that I can't climb anything in the remaining time.

Me on #68...I can still TR a 5.10! Wahoo!

I climbed with Milton and Kevin this year, and I think we did pretty good. We never go to compete, mostly because we don't score anywhere near the points the winners do, but mainly because it is just fun to climb a lot in such a short time and not have to set up a rope ourselves. It also gives us a chance to top rope climbs that we wouldn't have the guts to lead. The door prizes make it worthwhile too!

Milton...Yep he's still pullin' them down too!

The climbing is primarily on Saturday morning, and then some lead climbing for the top 10 climbers in each of the upper divisions on Sunday morning.

Ted & TJ digging in the dirt.

There is also a children's division on Sunday, then Sunday evening is when they announce the winners (each 1st place winner gets a hand made mug), and everyones name is pulled from a hat and you get to pick out your door prize...so everyone walks away with something. It is a lot of fun, I have gone home with some really nice stuff (I got a new headlamp this year!).

Topher--he is downclimbing...he climbs great but rapelling/being lowered..not so much.

We used to only go to Pocatello on Saturday, and then drive back down Sunday afternoon for the awards, but for the past few years, Jess and I have taken the kids and camped Friday and Saturday night. I think they really like it, we try to find a church to go to Sacrament meeting (it is nice to have my sister down there--Thanks Julie!) It is a fun little camping trip to look forward to.

TJ--he was doing pretty good...he does not like being lowered either!

Friday night we had a little trouble with the VW, the starter decided that it did not want to turn the engine over...so we resorted to parking on hills and push-starting it (until I had time to troubleshoot and fix the problem-rusty solenoid needed tapped with a hammer). Then after finding a camping spot (the one we wanted was closed for soil conservation stuff) the bus sputtered and died! CRAP! We were way out in the middle of nowhere and it was getting dark. We were able to roll and start the bus, but the only thing keeping the engine running was the wheels turning. Worried, we decided that we would just do all we could to get back down the mountain to town (or close to) no sooner had we decided that we were coming up to a small rise that I knew we could not coast up. I put it in gear, let out the clutch, and she fired up and we have had no problem since. I think that the Lord did not want us camping up on that mountain! We decided to just stay at the KOA, which was very nice to have restrooms and showers (for Sunday) and we were able to split the cost with Kevin and Tammie (who were able to come up from Southern UT).

Our trips to the Pocatello Pump have changed in the past years. As we have had children, we don't seem to go to the Pump to necessarily climb. Yes we climb, and then set up climbing at the ShadySide for the kids, but it is so much more about getting the kids out to play.

Creedance--She finished the climb before I knew she started!

While their dads climbed they played in the dirt mounds on the SunnySide, while we ate lunch on the ShadySide, they scrambled on the boulders and met new friends (we need to keep an eye on their friendliness), and at the campground they loved to chase and play and swing.

Walker (Kevin & Tammie's) & Pearson--our future hippies!

It seems odd to think of how I used to think of climbing and compare it to how I approach it now. I love to climb, I have a blast, but it is such a sidebar to what is really important. Even when we make a trip 'centered' around climbing, it is still not the center of what we are doing. I love to go and do things like this with my wife and kids and our friends. It was so great to visit and hang out with the Hansens, Beasleys & the Earls while we were down there. I am so glad that Tyson had the idea to get the 'van picture' (at the top of the post). From our trip to Little Cottonwood Canyon in 1996 we have always taken a picture of our group in front of the van that got us there...the group of 6 used to fit in said van (Kyle's or Kevin's VWs or my parents Plymouth), now I can barely fit my family of 6 in my bus (the cabinets are going to have to go in lieu of more seating--oh yea I have great plans for the bus!)! It is great to be surrounded by a wonderful family and wonderful friends!

The kids playing at the KOA...I made this swing last year and just keep it in the bus for wherever we set up camp...they love it!

Pearson Dean Hopkins

On July 28th, we had an addition to our family! Our fourth child, Pearson was born. Jess and I went into the hospital around 7 am and Becky (Jess's mom) got us all situated, started Jess on 'Pit' and hooked her up to the monitors and IV. We kind of hung out, then the doctor came in around 8-9-ish and checked everything out...looked good and said that we should be having a baby that afternoon. Next came the epidural and Jess was feeling great! Jessica's brother, Sam, and his wife, Emily, came and visited as they were in town from Virginia. It was a lot of fun to visit with them and just chill while we waited for the contractions to get closer...the contractions that Jess did not feel at all. I think it was nice for them too, as they are having their first baby soon. Around 1 Jess was starting to feel a little pressure, and we knew it was time. The doctor got in just in time. Jess gave two good pushes, and Pearson was in the world! quick and easy! Of course I am not the one that gave birth, I simply held her hand and encouraged. Way to go Jess!

Our other kids have been so happy to have Pearson home! They love to help out and hold the baby, and try to do more than they can. It is very exciting to have another. He is bright-eyed, and seems to have dark hair, which will be fun in our family of toe-heads! Jess is recovering well, and we have gotten help from our families nearby, we cannot thank them enough! There is nothing that can bring more happiness and joy than an new child in your home!

The week before Pearson was born, Jessica's family was going to Redfish Lake. I was planning on taking the 3 kids myself in the VW bus as Jess was so close to delivery. However at her check-up, the doctor said that Jess would be good to go, and that nothing should be happening in the next few days, and besides that we would only be an hour away from the hospital in Ketchum/Hailey. So Jess decided to go too (Her dad had a motel in Stanley already for her). Well, the Bus only made it 20 miles out of town and the fuel filter gave out. We were able to limp most the way back to town, where my dad met us with a new filter, I changed it on the side of the road, and then we drove back home and changed vans. The Bus will have to wait for 2010 to see Redfish! Anyway we made it there eventually, and enjoyed our 2 days there so much, and did not have the baby there, he waited just a few more days.

We love the chance to go to Redfish with the Waddoups each year and appreciate Chris and Becky so much for their great love and effort in this tradition. I know that the children are creating many wonderful memories of time with family there. They will always treasure them.

Floating

Our family at Redfish in 2008...photo by Brant Avondet-Thanks Brant!

The past few months just seem to have just gone by so quickly. Last week I got to go to scout camp with the young men, then also had our Hopkins reunion. It was really good to see my brothers and their families (my sisters' too but they live nearby and we see them often anyway). I have also been working on the basement. I finished the bathroom in the basement(less a mirror, shower curtain and some trim) and have one bedroom about half done. I think we were a little over ambitious in working on the basement. i just planned on doing the bathroom, but we thought, "hey while we are at it we might as well do two bedrooms..." yea, it ballooned! And we learned that bathrooms are quite pricey in and of themselves. I am very happy to have the bathroom done, but I think that the timing was bad as work has been slow all year. Good time to do work on the house...but bad time to work on the house with little cash flow.

TJ got a new foot without a cord tether...he likes that he can put it on and take it off himself now.

We are expecting our 4th child any day now. August 4th is the due date, but Jess has typically been a couple weeks early and this weekend would be a great time to have a baby! The Waddoups family is going to Redfish Lake this coming week and I am planning on going for a couple of days with Christopher, Creedance & TJ. Jess is planning on staying home, but any of that depends on when this baby comes and how Jess is feeling and coping. If she has the baby she may come and camp with us in the bus for a night...but even that is up in the air.

He was very excited about the new foot!

We are very excited for another little one, however are very lost as to what to name the little guy! There are some names that we like, but have too many other relatives with those names. Then there are some that we seem to really like, then we hear someone call for their child with that name and it just sounds a little off...the name works in theory but not in practice. There just doesn't seem to be anything that feels right yet. A bit frustrating.

Slickrock Practice Loop at Moab-Rusty is riding near the bottom.

Life just seems to be moving on as a blur. I do fun things (Moab with Tyson, Rusty, Kevin, Kyle & Dave in May), accomplish challenges (house projects, garden, little on the bus), go to work, and take care of church callings. Life is crazy. I don't really ever slow down. However the last two nights I did sit in the backyard after dinner and watch the shadow of the house grow...and slowly move over the garden and up the fence. That was nice. To sit and watch the garden and grass grow. I worry that while doing this I am missing something else grow, or that I am not growing myself. These weeks, months and years feel (to me) to become a blur. I feel that I need to slow down somehow and absorb what is happening, to be an observer and active participant in my life...whatever that would mean.

Overlooking castle valley along Porcupine Rim.

Nearing the end of Porcupine Rim

Busy weekend

Friday and Saturday were very busy, and very fun. Our Stake had our Father & Son/Priesthood commemoration camp out at Camp Cumorah. I took the boys and we camped in the bus. It was pretty sweet. Saturday morning we walked around a little, watched boys swing on the rope and Topher even swung (a lot) on the rope swing, he didn't even fall into the lake.

On the way home we drove up an old farm road up to the new windmills near Bone. Topher shot his new BB gun at some paper cups and I photographed this old windmill that had fallen down. I thought it was quite interesting. It looks like it was used to pump water from the well. I also shot some with the Holga and 35-year-expired film...I will be surprised if anything comes from those shots, but they could be fun.

Saturday night was the Dance Tech recital at the Colonial Theatre. TJ and Creedance both performed. I was quite impressed with how well they both did. This year has been very good for TJ, I think he had a lot of fun doing it too. I have also noticed an improvement in Creedance.

Having the performance at the Colonial Theatre was a change after years of having it at the Civic Auditorium. I was a bit nervous on it running smoothly. But it seemed to go very well, and Jess said that it went great backstage too. The dancers at the studio seem to get better and better every year. I really enjoyed a lot of the dance numbers...go figure.

Sheetrock!

Closing off the wall really makes the family room take shape.

We have been going pretty strong with the Sheetrock the last week or so. It is nearly done, just a few little pieces left (for the bathroom and one bedroom), and then the fun of perfataping starts. I haven't really done that before, it should be interesting to see how I do at that. I just hope I can get the joints somewhat smooth. As you can see we are still using the rest of the basement to play and watch TV. The kids are great at wreaking havoc downstairs.


The nice little hallway, this would be a great place for elegant sconces and a hall table...but it will most likely be a dumping place for some of the kids' toys.

The bathroom with mold resistant Sheetrock on most of the walls.

Little Bathroom closet...both are very little.

We are insulating the ceiling in hopes to cut down on noise transfer from floor to floor. If it doesn't it will help the heat from dissipating, and keep the boys room (upstairs) warmer. Doubling up the R-13 is just a little more expensive than R-19, and it gives an R-26! I am going to look into sound-blanket R-11 for the rest of the basement...I understand that it is supposed to work better. The family room is where I really want the sound to be cut down.

Topher & TJ's room with walls and a ceiling!

It has been a challenge building these rooms, but a fun challenge. I am really excited to have a bathroom downstairs, and to get the basement moving closer to done. I plan on having the bathroom and this one bedroom done (less carpet I think) by July when family is coming to visit.