Where the Hopkins Family Shares Stuff
This past Sunday was family dinner day. My whole family enjoyed lunch at my parent’s house and plenty of play time. Uncle Matt enjoyed playing with all 3 babies at once. The kids are growing so fast and always have new things to share with us. But most of all they all really really really love their Uncle Matt and Uncle Matt really really REALLY loves them!
Matt and I had a solid gold Saturday night this past week. His mom was honored with the Family Time Women of Achievement award and we were blessed with the opportunity to attend the Gala to celebrate. The Gala honored the 12 women who were awarded the Women of Achievement award and also served as a fundraiser for The Door, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. We had a terrific dinner, enjoyed wonderful conversation and had the opportunity to catch up with some old friends. We are so proud of Carla and her accomplishments.
Watch out Bobby Flay, I’m lookin’ for a Throwdown! Believe it or not, I’m working on becoming an even more independent woman! I had the urge to make a terrific grilled veggie & chicken pasta while Matt was out of town but didn’t have a clue how to use the grill, much less turn it on! So, I decided to step out and learn something new. I started my Sunday night adventure with a call to my dad (Matt wasn’t available for consult) to learn how to turn the grill on – kinda important! After getting a briefing on the ins and outs of grilling I was off to create my masterpiece. I’m pleased to say that the chicken came out perfectly cooked and juicy, the veggies were excellent and I only singed the hair off the back of my hands…who needs that anyways? I’m happy to say that I can now add grilling to my methods of cooking.
So, I started taking down our Christmas tree, late I know and I got distracted working on something else in the living room. The next thing I know I hear a scratching noise coming from the dining room, I’m thinking what in the world…. Well, Gig em had decided that today she would cross off one of the things she wants to do before she dies, climb the Christmas tree! That little cat has climbed inside the tree up to the top and was quickly working on climbing down as I came across the room. I’m thankful the tree didn’t have any decorations left on it for that sneaky cat!
I decided to spend the first week of 2008 with Matt in Ft. Worth while he worked in the new year! We drove up north on Sunday afternoon after a stop by Granny & Pops for an amazing lunch and some football watching. We had the opportunity to spend the week with my friend Courtney at her house and also were able to spend New Year’s eve with her and her finance Craig. We had a great time getting to know their friends and ring in the new year.
On New Years Day I drove over to Dallas and got to spend time with my college roommate Roxane. We had a wonderful first day of the year! We enjoyed a champagne brunch, shopping, coffee and movie watching! It was a terrific way to catch up and spend a relaxing first day of the year.
Matt and I enjoyed our time in Ft. Worth and getting to spend the week together. I won’t be able to go to work with him again any time soon but it was nice to see where he is working and meet the people he works with.
Here’s to a great New Year!!!
A little something from us to you our friends and family.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
2008 is here! Matt and I are eagerly looking into the new year with excitement and anticipation of great things. We already have some wonderful big events on the calendar and know that the rest will quickly fill up.
2007 was a terrific year. Matt and I started the year in California and continued to experience all the state had to offer including an earthquake! We traveled to Southern California in April for a wonderful trip to Disney, LA, and to visit Matt’s cousins. We also made several trips to Napa, and the cities surrounding the Bay Area and one trip to Indianapolis, Indiana to see Matt’s cousins Ryan and Kiley get married. Traveling near and far was a highlight of 2007 that we hope to continue in 2008.
Matt was blessed with many great opportunities through Expression to showcase his work this past year and even win a couple of amazing awards. In addition, we were thrilled to see his work on the big screen when it appeared on MTV, VH1 and now on the NBC network. Matt is now freelancing in Fort Worth, TX with Artworks, an NBC company which creates graphics for NBC affiliate stations and other NBC owned companies.
I also had the opportunity to change my career slightly this past year. When I returned to Texas I shifted from working as a special education teacher to working as a school counselor at the same middle school I attended! It’s great to work with 11-14 year olds; they bring new challenges each day! I will begin my final semester of grad school this spring and plan to graduate in May. Matt and I are looking forward to a time when neither of us are students!
Half way through 2007 Matt and I also celebrated with my family the birth of our nephew and Godson, Logan. We have had a blast this year watching Morgan, Logan and Emma grow and change. We have enjoyed every minute of 2007 spent with them. In addition, Matt and I celebrated our 1st anniversary in June of 2007. We couldn’t believe we had already been married a year!
So, we close the chapter of 2007 with great memories and look forward to 2008. Of course we have made our resolutions and have grand goals for the New Year but most of all we’re looking forward to all the excitement it’s going to bring. You know we’ll be sharing it all with you here, so keep reading! Until then…
Oh, and if you didn’t click on the link at the top of the post, make sure you do before you leave.