Hooper's

Two weeks ago, I visited with my old friend Mandy Hooper, her husband Matt and their four children. It was a really wonderful time. I haven't seen Matt and Mandy in quite a long time (aside from the wedding, but that was a blur.) And I haven't seen their kids in forever either. The eldest girl, Emily, is very fun for me to be around because I knew her when she was a baby. To know her now, in THIRD GRADE!!, is a real gift. The Hoopers are a wonderful family, and I really love the opportunity to sit down and eat with them if I can. It's just enough craziness to be a bit over the top, Ben is chasing someone with a sword, Emily is reading a book, or writing a dissertation or some other equally no-other-kid-alive-enjoys-doing-that-at-her-age thing, Madelyn is yelling at some imaginary woodblock friend, and two year old Connor is drinking coffee in the corner... and then they break out a chocolate fountain for dipping. I'm pretty much not exaggerating. It's a blast. Then the kids go to bed and we play Taboo until Rachel's throat is hoarse. But the guys win, and Rach and I go home.

Here's pics.