It Snowed in Florida!

Woke up to find some little patches

of snow in our back yard.

Haven't seen snow here in Florida

for a long long time!

January 2nd ~ Cliff's 50th Birthday

Turning 50 is a pretty big deal but this year

we weren't able

to have a big 50th birthday party for Cliff. Most everyone was still away for the holidays. Marie was trying to get a party together for him but she got sick and was in bed on his birthday. The rest of the family were afraid to come over in fear they would get what she had! He did have cake and a few presents to open. Maybe

we will just have to have a big 51st party for him!

Holiday Dinner

We had our holiday dinner with Nana and Papa

Share a few days late this Christmas. They were

snowed in at their home in North Carolina for almost a week and 4 of those days they were with out electric! Just glad they were able to get here safely.

Nana and Papa share brought back paper crackers from England and we popped them before our meal and put on these silly hats that come out of them. It has become a tradition in our family to do this.

Brad and Kelly are spending Christmas out west with the rest of the family and

Nicole and Mikey were in Maryland visiting his parents for the holidays. We had our Christmas

with them before they all left.

Christmas Morning 2009

It was a

very quite Christmas for us this year.

Everyone except Marie,

Michael and Colton went away for the holidays.

Bella Blue's 1st Birthday Oct. 2nd 2009

We had a cookout Friday night in honor

of Bella's birthday.

Clayton Bradley's Blessing Day

Clayton's blessing was really nice. Clayton

wore Brad's outfit that he was blessed in almost 29 yrs ago.

He almost didn't fit in it! He is quite a chunk!!

They waited to have him blessed

since Brad has been on a ship for several months off the

coast of Lousiana.

My parents weren't able to attend due to my father

having cateract surgery.

I know they would of been there otherwise .

(My dad is doing well).

Other family members weren't able to be there due

to summer vacations plans and then the other half of my family

lives out west now. We missed you guys!

So these pictures are posted especially

for all those who couldn't be there.

The rest of the day was spent out at Kelly's parents

eating lots of food and having fun.

The Hoki Bunch

Robb and

Amanda

took the

kids

to a

Botanical

Garden.

There are

just so many

beautiful places

to visit out west.

Ryan is a Deacon

Ryan turned 12 and on April 19th

he received the Priesthood and

was ordained

a Deacon in our church.

Wow look how handsome

and grown up he looks.

Wish we could of been

there for his special day.

Robyn's Baptism Day

Robyn was baptized on April 18th .

Wasn't she beautiful!

I believe the dress Robyn wore into the baptismal font was

the one Amanda had been baptized in.

Glad Lauren and Kristen were able to be there and all the Hoki relatives. I am sure it was a special

day for Robyn.

Brad's Graduation

Brad Graduated from Comercial Diving School
in Jacksonville,FL.on March 27th after three
long months of being away from his family.
He now is certified in underwater welding and
other specialities. Congratulations Brad!

Bella loves Tia

Tia has finally given in
and lets Bella sleep
in her bed.
Bella just loves
Tia. Tia tolerates
Bella!

Bella and Tia Swimming!

Clayton 3 Days Old

He gets more beautiful everyday!

Clayton Bradley Ellis

He's Here!

Clayton Bradley Ellis born February 19th at
10 am weighing 7lbs.11 oz. 21 in. long
Kelly and baby doing fine.

My Old House

After the baptism Saturday I took Colton by to show him
my old house in New Port Richey I moved to that house
when I was amost 16 yrs. old.My parents lived there
till 1985 . I didn't care for how they have changed it.
It used to be really rustic and very natural wood looking.
Now it is a light cream color. They also closed in one of
the 4 car garages and madea room out of it you can
notice it to the left where the other garage doors are.
There also used to be a cool landscaping and that is
pretty much gone now.
I guess things do change as the years pass but it
was still neat to go by and see . Colton enjoyed seeing
where I used to live.

Nicole's Surprise Party

Marie had a surprise party
for Nicole Saturday night.
Some of Mikey's family
came over for a cookout
and cake. We think she was
really surprised she thought
they were dropping the kids
off at our house so they could
go out. Mikey took her out
the next day so she wasn't too
disappointed and Marie babysat
for them.

Julie and Sarha's Baptism

Julie & Family
Julie & Sarha
Aunt Mimmi & Me
Aunt Mimmi & Joe

Sarha, Julie & Granparents

We had a nice day with the family
on Saturday. Joe flew in for the baptism's.
Also aunt Mimmi attended (Margaret's sister)
it was so nice to see her again I see so much of
Margaret in her.
Kelly interpreted for Sarha during the service
I know Sarha enjoyed that .
Sarha also signed with another sister in her new ward
a special musical number " How Great thou Art"
it was really touching. Jackie and some
other sisters had prepared a wonderful luncheon afterwards.
A REALLY GOOD DAY!