Hoyt Family Party...

This year was another fun and successful Hoyt Family Party. Man does my mom put a lot of work into this party, but it is always fun-delicious-and-hilarious.

Finnley was much more interested in Santa now that she was feeling better, and hopped right up onto his lap and gave that chubby old man a tight squeeze. When asked what she wanted she replied..."presents".

Simple enough.
The Mexican food was to die for - chimi's, taquitos, 7-layer dip - and the desserts, Mmm.

Then the talents. Oh, the talents. A tradition that NEVER gets old. Whether its Jared's hula, the DeHart's family production, or my own little Lady workin' it, the talents are always the funniest part.
Finnley was so excited about her talent.
We practiced - Singing into the mic and enunciating all the words to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
When it was finally her turn did she sing? A little, but mostly she just danced, and worked that stage like no other!
I was cracking up with the rest of the crowd. When it was over, she was soooo pleased with herself. I loved it.
Me and my oldest sister Amy with our boys and or almost-90-year-old grandma! She thinks our boys look like twins. We aren't so sure, but I'm not about to correct her. Thanks for having such a great family Nonnie!

Hoyt Family Reunion - Aspen Grove...

A couple of weeks ago we had our Hoyt family reunion up at Aspen Grove. It was such a BLAST! I have such a great extended family. I am so glad we've been able to stay close over the years through dinners, party's, weddings, and reunions. I think there were over 65 of us up there, and if you know my family you know we aren't a quiet group!

Finnley had such a good time hanging out with all of her cousins. I feel bad that we don't live closer to her cousins - she absolutely loves seeing all of them. She and Jovie and Saylor were the three little Musketeers. They held hands wherever they went, had to eat dinner by each other every night, and if one of them was throwing rocks (or dirt) the others did too.

One thing about being up in the mountains...you get SO DIRTY! I mean this little girls feet and hands were black every night, and HELLO, look at her face! There is nothing better than getting dirty when you are a little kid!

Aspen Grove had all sorts of activities and classes for the adults and kids. Unfortunately, being about nine months pregnant left me on the sidelines as a spectator for most of them. Good thing I had two fabulous cousin-in-laws to join me! Malia was due about a week later and her husband Jared made her wear a whistle around her neck just in case anything happened! Too funny. Stacy is due about four weeks after me.

We always have a talent show at our family reunions. Back when we were little kids, we did this same skit at our reunion in San Diego. Thinking we would be pretty darn hilarious, we decided to do it again! I don't know if anybody else enjoyed it, but we sure had fun working out with our husbands legs to "Let's Get Physical".A special thanks to this great lady! My grandma Nonnie! She helped make sure we all got there, had matching sweatshirts, a family cookbook, and a great time! She is so young at heart, and I'm grateful I have a close relationship with her (as well as Mitch and Finn). I spotted her trucking across the big lawn using her wheel chair as a walker on frontier night. Classic! I had to have my sister take a picture!

The entire Hoyt family! (above)
Nonnie with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren! (below)On our last full day, we put all the kids in their classes and headed up to Stewart Falls. It was the perfect weather for hiking - cool and overcast - and the hike was just the right length, about 4 miles round trip. The falls were GORGEOUS! Below is a group picture of all the hikers. We are all doing our signs from our nightly game of "Signs". (Picture Mitch's head moving back and forth!) Those games were hilarious, and got pretty intense getting us in trouble two nights in a row with the downstairs neighbors! :) Seriously...I may be a little bias, but I think I've got one of the best extended families around! We had so much fun.Stacy fell into some stinging nettle and we discovered that mud helped to ease the itching and the spreading (thank goodness for I-phones!). This, of course, sparked us all to slap on some mud and take a few pictures.
Overall....it was a FABULOUS family reunion. You know its good when your husband enjoys it! He didn't even use me going to be early one night as an excuse to get out of playing a game! Mitch even made the comment that I have a great extended family...I do (and you do to Mitch). Thanks to all of you for being so fun, friendly, and such great examples. I think we should go back to Mission Beach next time and play some sardines by the bay! Love ya ALL!

Hoyt Family Reunion...

We had a BLAST! Much, much more to come...