We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

This day we did the famous Delicate Arch hike! The 3 mile hike was labeled "strenuous" in the pamphlet we got from the visitors center, but we being the over zealous people we are thought, "oh we can do it!" With Scott carrying Madelyn in the backpack and me holding Ian in the front pack we set off. Within 5 minutes Rylan was throwing a fit about his hat how he didn't want to wear it or hold it. We second guessed going, but we threatened him, and kept going. We got some encouraging words from people as they saw our crew going up, including: "good for you guys!" "oh we feel your pain" "we have been there!" It was up hill on red rock for most of the way, with a few switchbacks. Rylan cheered up and was soon running ahead of us, Ian fell asleep and Madelyn graced us with her songs about poopy, and hunting for bears, and grumpy old trolls. When we got closer to the top some hikers coming down told us we weren't far from the top,

We had a great night of sleep, Ian even slept for 9 hours! We woke up to Madelyn jumping on us announcing that the sun came up at about 7 a.m. We got ready, made a lunch and headed to Moab's Visitors Center and got some panphlets with information on the area. Then we went five miles to Arches National Park. We took the scenic drive and stopped at our first hike north and south windows. We thought we better eat our lunch before we started since we didn't know how long it would take us. We sat on the back of the pick up to eat. Maddy was very eager and excited. We made her pack her own water in her little Elmo backpack, she loved it and was super excited to climb the "red mountain." Her outfit wasn't complete without her hat, sunglasses and a necklace of course, I think she also started the hike with a ring. She loved waving at people and I think the second we got out of the car she started collecting rocks! She loves rocks, we told her that there would be plenty

I am keeping a log of our events, quotes and pictures of our trip to southern Utah for the enjoyment of my extended family and to keep a journal for our little family as well. I am using Scott's work computer and it won't let me upload any pictures so I will have to add them later. Monday we woke up to snow flurries and thought ahh what a perfect day to get out and head to warm southern Utah! We loaded up the camper did a few errands and cleaned the house (in case any potential buyers want to see it). Just past Price we stopped at a city park to let the kids run around and it was 50 degrees. They were so excited since they haven't been able to play at a park for about 5 months now! Maddy flew down a slide and got her pants all wet, amd Ian needed a diaper change...luckily we had the camper to change in and even go potty in. The kids did great, Ian loves to look at his brother and sister in the back and Rylan can feed him bottles that I pump and read him stories. We pulled i

Ian in action! Like his mowhawk? We raise them big on the Hoogland farm. I am totally being sarcastic, because our kids are little shrimps! Ian had his 2 month appointment yesterday and he weighed 9 lbs 9 oz and get this he is in the 3rd percentile for weight and 5th percentile for height! Just like his brother and sister! Oh well as long as he is gaining then the doctor wasn't worried. He is such a joy to have around, he now cries if he is not in the mood to be cuddled, if you sit him up to see the world he is just fine. He is all smiles too! His little smiles and coos just melt my heart! He loves to try and follow Madelyn around the room, but she is too fast for him to concentrate on, but if he happens to catch a glimpse of her he gets very excited. Chillin in a bath (check out that belly button) Happy Ian Serious Ian This is a typical encounter with Ian, so beware. He either gets over fed, or his little esophagus muscles aren't quite developed yet in his little body, but

This last weekend we had Ian's blessing. We debated on canceling it because poor Ian had been sick but he was a little bit better by Sunday morning thanks to a new humidifer, prayers and a priesthood blessing from his daddy . We have a great support group of family and friends who were there to help us celebrate this beautiful baby. He had just woken up and I could NOT get him to crack a smile, but he is still cute. Madelyn however was all smiles and giggles with her Uncle Ira! My brother Ira took over the grandfather responsibilites since my mom and dad couldn't be there because of illness. Maddy just adores him and laughs and laughs with him. He even has been known to play barbies with her! My SIL Teralyn, isn't she cute? She is quite the aunt too. When Ian was coughing up the junk that was in his chest she patiently patted his back and held him upright and gave him words of encouragement. Want to know what aunt Anna did when he started hacking? Jumped off the couch an

The sickness lingered through our house these past two weeks. There was a lot of temperature taking . . . cuddling . . . popsicles and movies. . . Ugh, it started with Scott, then the next day I got it, then 3 days later Maddy then Rylan. We thought we were over it then our poor little Ian started to cough! He is just about over it finally. But for a couple days there we were misrable and there was a whole lot of coughing going on. But now we are back to smiling again.

Our brother-in-law Chip came for a visit a couple weeks ago. Ian was quite impressed with him and immediately smiled and cooed at him without much effort. Chip is an expert dad, he has twin 9-month old boys! Maddy and Rylan enjoyed him too. Chip is great at playing, he played Starwars Legos and the Wii with Rylan, and he played "rocks" with Madelyn. After Chip left, Maddy got hurt and came upstairs and said that she "needed Chip." She was quite smitten by him. We love you Chip!