Once Upon a Time . . .

. . . in a kingdom not to far away, a boy named Travis met a girl named Jenni.

Travis could not resist asking her on a date two weeks after they met. From that time on they have been together.

After seven months of dating, laughing, talking, and becoming best friends, Sir Travis asked Lady Jennifer to be his bride. She agreed and on December 29th, 2004 they were married for time and all eternity.

A year passed and they added to their family a man child to continue the noble name of Hogman (also insuring that Jenni would not be beheaded). He was named Kyler.

Two years after that they added another man child to the family. They called him Eldon.

The 29th of December commorated the four year anniversary of such a blessed union. And a blessed union it indeed is.

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you . . .

a Very, Very Merry Christmas . . .

and Happy Holidays!

From the Hogmans!

Sacrament Meeting Mishap

This is Travis.

It is because of him that we have this story. On Sunday Travis was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Therefore his wife, we will call her Jenni, had the two boys by herself. Not a problem she thought. As she sat down where she would be sitting during the meeting she realized in horror that she had left both binkie and bottle at home! Fear was replaced by determination as the meeting began. Half way through the meeting the youngest of their children began to cry. Jenni calmly took the hand of the two year old and with baby in arm went out into the hall. Immediately baby stopped crying and the two year old rushed to the drinking fountian. It was then that Jenni noticed her two year old doing a very familiar dance. So she started to walk down the hall in the direction of the bathroom. Half way there she announced her intentions. This resulted in a "No Potty Mama!" and the two year old turned around and walked the other way. Jenni having read parenting books did not chase after him but instead started counting . . . her son barely glanced at her as he walked through the door back into the chapel. Jenni was appalled! She walked swiftly (for you do not run in the church) to the door and watched her two year old walking up the aisle and waving at everyone he was passing. She was hissing "Get back here . . .One, two, three". Two year old just looked back and flashed a smile and went to where they had been sitting. Jenni thinking that this must mean that he is going to sit down, followed him to their seats. On seeing his mother approaching, two year old kept walking to the aisle on the other side and then proceeding walking out the other door. Jenni sat down trying to think what the parenting books would recommend to do. On upon looking up to the stand to make eye contact with her other half, noticed that he and his second counselor trying hard not to laugh. So Jenni thought "When two year old doesn't see me following him, he'll come back." Well minutes passed and he did not return. She cautiously looked behind her to find everyone looking at her and shrugging their shoulders. So she again stood up with baby in arm and went out the door. A man sitting out on a chair just silently pointed to up stairs. So Jenni went up the stairs and cornered the two year old in a classroom. It is best that we leave the story here but know that after which the two year old kept his arms folded and obeyed his mother.

A Quick Thanks

There are times in your life when things happen and you get a small glimpse of the workings of the Lord. There are people that are in your life that just seem to know those times when you need them the most. You don't have to tell them you are struggling, you don't have to tell them that you need someone, you don't have to let them know what they need to do . . . they just know. It is for those tender mercies I am extremely thankful and make me hope that I listen to the spirit and know when I can be the tender mercy for others. So thank you to those who were my tender mercies this week.

Our Trip!!

So sorry to have taken so long to get some pictures of our trip up but we had some technical difficulty with our internet. But here they finally are . . .and there are a lot of them! Also they are not in any particular order, but they do show a little bit of what we did while we were there.

Kyler getting ready to fly. Both the boys did great on both flights. Kyler loved the whole experience!

We always love to go to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). It is the most amazing place ever where they kids can go play and explore. It's even fun for us adults. As you can see Travis is organizing the toys in the water area- what a blast!

Another place we must go to when we visit is the Portland Zoo!! Best zoo ever. It was great because so many of us got to go and so the kids just ran around and had a blast. It is such a neat zoo. And they were getting the lights ready for the Christmas season so we got a small preview.

We hiked to the top of Multnomah Falls this time. This is us at the bottom so you can see what we hiked . . .well I just noticed it doesn't show the whole Falls, but it's taller then that and we hiked it!! It was gorgeous! Oh such a fun day with family. The kids were climbing up trees on the trails and just having a great time.

On Travis' birthday we went up to Camp Baldwin where he was a Scout Leader. It was fun to hike around and actually see the places that he talks about.

This is Eldon and Keaton. They are a month a part . . . Eldon is older and smaller. But I think they're going to be friends.

We were able to go to each of the sister's home and spend some time with them. With the Martinson's we played Solarquest . . . it's like an Outer Space Monopoly. Goran and Travis were loving it, Ingela and I well we enjoyed the company!

Great Grandma Wheeler, my mother-in-laws mom. We got to spend some time with her and Kyler just adored her.

Kayla, Kyler, and Alana were all born in 2006.

We went to the Raceway in Portland were they do lights that cars can drive through. Kyler loved watching from the sun roof.

Thanksgiving dinner (Kyler was at the kids table . . .we didn't forget him at home or anything).

We went out to the beach and spent two days. You can't see it but behind us is the lighthouse that Travis and I got engaged. Also while we were there we were able to watch some seals enjoying the waves, it's amazing to see them out of the zoo and enjoying life in the wild.

The night before we left all the kids did the Nativity. It was a great way to end the trip. Kyler was in inn keeper and Eldon was a wise man.

We had so much fun with family, oh man it was so great to be there and the time went so fast! Thanks Hogmans, you really know how to party!

Off on an Adventure

Well my friends we are off. Tomorrow evening we are getting on a plane bound for an adventurous two weeks in the lovely state of Washington. We are so excited to be able to go and spend Thanksgiving and Travis' birthday with his side of the family. Kyler is very excited yet he keeps praying at night for the "helicopter" that wil take him to "Grama and Grampa Hoggieman" house. It is going to be sad when he realizes the truth and that it is really an airplane. So I guess what I am saying is that it might be awhile before there is a post on our site. Though I will try to do one to document our adventures I don't know if time will allow.

So here we go, with two boys and a lot of luggage, going through security, at a time they would normally going to bed, getting on the airplane that isn't a helicopter, to fly for two hours to see family we love . . . . bring it on!!

This Saturday through Wednesday we got to go back to where the romance started, Rexburg!! Travis had a few days that he could take and we ran up to go see Tavia, David, Brennan, and Junior, friends, and all the places we remember so very well! We love Rexburg! So here are a few pictures of our adventures there.

Uncle David works with the fire Department for an internship. So he gave us the grand tour and we got to sit in the firetrucks and everything.

Kyler and Eldon wanted to try on some of the gear . . . I think it'll be a few years before they will actually fit!

While there it was Jr.'s birthday! So for his present we took him to Blast Off in Idaho Falls and then out to lunch. Seriously it was so much fun! Even Travis, Tavia, and I couldn't resist playing in the balls, sliding down the slides, and going through the tunnels! It was so much fun! I recommend it to any one with two year olds!

The Birthday Boy! David Ammon Ivey Junior

Brennan belly floppin' into the balls!

Eldon chose to play on the bigger balls and not waste his time on the small ones.

Kyler being propelled by his Papa into the ball pit. We also got to hang out with some of our Best Buds of all time! Schad and Kyler are still the best of friends and we wish the they lived closer to us so that they could help run each other out more often.

Schad and Kyler hanging out by the garbage can.

Schad and Kyler playing cars . . .Kyler really liked the one he was playing with.

Travis and I also got to go the temple there. We were still around when they had started to build it but not finish it. So it was great to see it and go through it. Afterwards we were able to go around and visit some teachers and employers that are still around! It was great to see them and catch up!

It's it gorgeous!

We had such a good time with the Ivey's! They were great hosts. It was so fun to watch the cousins play together and have such a fun time. Kyler will definately miss the playmates, I'm just not as fun as Jr. and Brennan! Thanks we had a blast and go BYU-Idaho Vikings!

Kyler really isn't strangling Jr., it really is a hug.

An apology

I am so sorry to all those who read my blog and who have blogs of their own. I have found that I don't have the time to read blogs or update mine like I used to. And if I do get time to read yours I seldom have the time to comment. So I am sorry! For those of you who have decided to go private that I missed I would still like to view your blog! For those of you who might decide to go private in the future, I would still like to view your blog! So you are aware I love reading your blogs and wish I had more time to comment on them and read them more regularly. I appreciate those that read ours and take time out of their day to keep up with our family. We understand the value of friendship and we value yours. So thank you and again I am sorry for being neglectful!

Happy Haunting

We've had quite the week this week! We started things off with a Murder Mystery dinner with our friends here. We had so much fun! Oh my heck there is nothing like getting all dressed up and acting like you are someone else. Ryan and Chad in the back, Travis, Devin, and Bekah sitting down, and Me, Kim, and Niel on the floor.

At our Preschool we had a fabulous party! Here are all the kids and Kim and I dressed up.


Then later that night we carved pumpkins at Kim's house. We loved it, especially the caramel apples!

The face was my contribution, Travis was great to do the actual hard, neat looking ones.

And yesterday was Halloween! My Superman and Kryptonite had a fun day going to the library, trick-or-treating around town, going to our ward party, and running around at a friend's house.

Kyler in his Superman outfit!

Eldon as Kryptonite.

Kyler bobbing for apples.

Travis and Brother Holmes had a race to see who could bob the fastest. Travis got his apple in two seconds, Brother Holmes got a bite of his in three.

We love Halloween!

Carrots, Cookies, and Sibling Fear

Many months ago as I sat here and read about all the marvelous gardens being put into effect at your homes, I had the gardening urge myself. I live in an apartment with just a litte piece of rocky dirt infront. Well I de-rocked the area and planted flowers and some carrots and green onions. Mind you I was eight months pregnant when I got this brillant idea but recently have been able to reap the rewards . . . so it was my first gardening experience and I learned a whole heap. For instance you need to thin carrots out or they can't grow very big and you get a whole bunch of little funny looking baby carrots! Despite my mistakes I'm very proud of my first attempt and hope to enjoy many years of veggies!!

My parents were able to come up a little bit ago and we made some Halloween sugar cookies. We love it when they come up!!

And yes today my baby is four months old, where does the time go?? He is rolling, smiling, and laughing a lot! We love it. His fear for Kyler has also increased. Now Kyler just has to approach for Eldon to burst out into tears . . . I hope that he gets over it or it's going to make growing up a little awkward since Kyler isn't going any where.

Ready for church in the sweater my Father wore when he was a baby.

Enjoying his first rice cereal . . .maybe "enjoying" isn't the right word based on his facial expression.

How Blessed is Sleep

One of the things that I love about newborns is how they sleep! It can be anywhere, any time, and the best in any position. Here are some of Eldon's sleeping positions. Also just a happy side note, Eldon sleeps through the night!! Yahoo!! Man Kyler didn't even start completely sleeping through the night until he was six months. So it is pretty great! He sleeps from 10:30 to 7:30.

Whenever asleep on the floor or my bed he always sleeps with arms up and legs out!

Falling asleep with Papa.

Falling asleep during scripture study. Nasty habit!

Already falling asleep when his parents are trying to talk to him. Travis put him in that outfit!

Eldon sleeping in Kylers bed, the Spiderman pillow was just tooo tempting!