boredom = long. read at your own risk.

sometimes i think you 4 {?} faithful paper moon readers forget that i got married 40 days ago.


did you forget?
well, let me remind you then.

i got married 40 days ago

to

steven.

and we're so in love. and i think we're cute together. like really cute. and, i also think, like mary poppins practically perfect in every way, that we, steven and heidi, as a couple, the hoppers, are practically perfect in every way.

we are. steven's perfect for me. sometimes we disagree but we are so good at finding a good solution for us {not compromising but finding a better solution}.

i like to make steven amazing dinners. and, sorry to toot my own horn, but i think they are like restaurant quality sometimes. always fresh ingredients! okay, except for the frozen chicken. but it's not in a can so that's all that matters. not a can fan.

tonight we are having mango salsa chicken and corn on the cob and a fab salad with peaches, raspberries, and apples in it. steven is excited. so am i. and within the next week: my recreation of stonefire's bbq chopped salad, bruschetta {steven loves it}, fajitas, and tacos/taco salad.

and sunday's father's day dinner with the hoppers was beautiful. parma chicken, whole wheat linguine with alfredo, rosemary and olive oil red potatoes and fresh green beans, and a homemade {crust and all} peach pie with whipped cream. {confession: the whipped cream came in a can from costco. that is one can of goodness i do indulge in. it is an indulgence.}

i'm pretty lonely today. steven works 9 - 7. and i work 0 - 0. that means not at all today. at least when school starts up and i am working 7.30 - 5 it won't be as bad, because i'll be so busy. or in a few years {repeat: a few years} when we have a little junior, i'll be busy with being a mom. but until then, i am just lonely.

but steven's dad and i ran a bunch of errands. this condo is pretty awesome. can we say new flat screen plasma on its way? yes, thank you ma and pa hopper. and for the bbq. i'm thinking we need to make some married friends and have a little party over here.

just in case you didn't know this, steven is like a pretty awesome tennis player. and after not playing for like 3 years {mission, school} he's finally back. he played with his younger brother last weekend and now he is teaching me lessons. remember when he tried to teach me when he was in california for new years? that was a trial run. steven taught tennis lessons for like 6 years, and he is mighty good at it. so, naturally, i'm going to be like really super awesome good. but, also, i was so frustrated yesterday. tennnis isn't a sport you can just pick up. he told me it'd take me like a year for me to feel "good" at it. great. that's not how i roll. patience is a virtue. and i had a lot of fun yesterday even though i was frustrated.  and good thing i have 3 workout skirts. they're my favorite.

other news in the hopper home:

we're still in love. like a lot.
i'm still making this blog better, but haven't worked on it.
the hoppers are still in town and we love it.
i have a headache and need to lie down.
it is like 90 + degrees and i think i am dying.

normally i pop out of bed, but i don't anymore because i see steven lying there and just want him to hold me in his arms all day. 

i need to buy my husband some bread at costco, and get a watermelon for dinner, and get the smaller barstools at target, and straighten the apartment, and check the mail {wedding pictures please be there!!!}

adieu.

tribute to dad {a day late}

a little tribute to paparupa.

[mom didn't get one this year.  but only because my wedding was in 6 days--things were a little crazy on both ends.  but just so you know how wonderful she is...2 weddings 5 weeks apart {plus a trip to az for a reception}, plus a side job, and now taking care of my grandparents. she hasn't had a break. she is pretty much amazing.]

homecoming.

surprise! 50th bday!

he pretends to play the piano. instead, he just earned the money so the rest of us could. thanks dad!

bear grills. our guide.

Add caption

mr. fix it / playhouse builder / room addition builder / let me just do everything because i am so handy.

little did you know, he's a rockstar.

how did he end up with 5 beautiful women?  he is so lucky!

especially this woman!  ow ow!

handsome.
{photo credits: mike cunningham at erin and mike's wedding}

sometimes he put his glasses on bucky.

and sometimes he would smile funny. 

crazy in love? yeah.

caught.

sometimes he would pretend to get sucked up in Air Force One's propeller.

this is what he looks like in the mornings when we are camping.

#1 supporter! {and my mom}.  he was there for my soccer games, cross country/track meets , drove 800ish miles for my marathon and graduation. he rocks.

our family is a tad bit odd. we blame dad.

remember when dana started to drive? oy vey!

most importantly--we have a celestial family. and he keeps it that way.

we love you dad!!! happy father's day!!!

foooooood.

i have a few updates for you:

one

our apartment is all painted and the carpets have finally been cleaned.  we hung a big, beautiful picture of the newport beach temple on the wall above the couch. we'll be hanging the rest of our frames next week.

two

i am still working on making this little blog a little bit cooler, not that anyone actually reads it or cares. i still am.

three

steven and i have been married for 1 month as of yesterday.

1 month!!! to celebrate, we went to the temple late in the morning, then to a benefits meeting so we could figure out what insurance we should sign up for {that was not really a celebration}, then we went to la jolla groves in provo. steven took me there for my bday and we loved it. very nice place with exceptional food. and good rolls. 

[but they didn't make their good pesto or sundried tomato rolls yesterday, so we were stuck with the whole wheat, which was still fabulous, but really i was looking forward to those other rolls all day!]

four

for our date last week, we went to cafe paesan.  i've been wanting to go forever!  it's the italian version of cafe rio. same owners. there's only one though, in orem.  right next to target. win, win. it was very good. instead of mexican burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. like cafe rio has, there are pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads.  now, of course, i got a salad.  and you may think, well wouldn't it be just like going to cafe rio?  NO.  they put a piece of flatbread {and they make whole wheat, win!} on the bottom, then load up all of the lettuce and veggies in a bowl and mix it, with the dressing if you'd like, then they put it on your flatbread and then they put the meat on top. i got their apple braised pork. which was so good. cafe rio's pork barbacoa {which is marinated in coca cola} is so good, but i never get it because i'm not much of a porker. but, i was feeling a little crazy/porky on saturday, so i got it. no regrets. and, instead of pico de gallo they put basil tomatoes.  and, instead of tortilla strips on top, they but little thin strips of baked yams/sweet potatoes.  healthier option. and so good. i highly recommend it. come to provo so you can go.

five

lauren hopper is coming tomorrow.  steven and i will pick up my freshly cleaned wedding dress in bountiful, return a bathing suit to j.crew that i had ordered for our honeymoon but never wore because i bought another one i liked better, and then stop at the airport to pick up lauren, byu's newest recruit!  we are so excited!!!!!

six

i've been watching so you think you can dance via hulu, since we haven't hooked up the cable yet. i love that show. so much. so much talent. they are announcing the top 20 tomorrow, but since i watch it via hulu, i have to wait until monday. but, they already have the top 20 with their bios on the website, so that is weird.

seven

the hopper fam is coming on friday. we are so excited. and my family, please come visit asap.

eight

lunch hour is over.  i must clean this apartment!

nine

i'm done.

we're under construction

over here at paper moon.
the blog is receiving a bit of an extreme makeover.
okay, maybe it's not really an "extreme" makeover,
nevertheless, it is a makeover.
{can you tell it's sunday and i'm ready for church? i just used the word "nevertheless," i think i've only read that in the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and other pre-21st/late 20th century works}


steven is tying his tie.
it's time for church.
and whoops, i haven't made our bed...yet.


stay tuned. it's sunday. i'll be working on the blog later.

little letters with a few pictures.

dear erin and mike,

your wedding pictures look amazing.

steven and i are so excited to get ours soon.

love,

your sister / sister in law

p.s. we miss you. come visit us.

the new mr. & mrs. santiago

dear anthropologie,

thank you for the fat merchandise store credit. and thank you for having extra 25% off sale so i could get even more with it. now, please send me my new clothes. i'm anxious.

love,

an anxious customer

the bridesmaids and groomsmen with the new mr. & mrs. santiago

dear sisters {that includes you, sara},

remember when we were bridesmaids at erin and mike's wedding? and then remember when you were bridesmaids + lauren & andi when steven and i got married nearly 4 weeks ago? that was fun. let's do it again. steven and i will volunteer to be the bride and groom. i pick up my dry cleaned dress next week, so it's perfect.

love,

heidi hopper

dear steph,

i don't know if you even read this anymore, but luke is so dang cute. thanks for coming to both mine and erin's weddings.

love,

your {favorite} cousin

cousin stephanie with her husband paul and little luke!

dear parents,

i'm excited to see you in about 6 weeks. it'll be the first time we are home to visit, and not get married, or go to a wedding, or get engaged, or anything. okay, i lied. we are coming home for a wedding--katie & kyle's, and we will be involved, but it won't be as crazy since it's not our family. we love you. we miss you.

love,

your favorite daughter

dear waffle mania,

we had you on sunday. mmm, berries and whipped cream! it was so fun using our double flippy waffle maker for our 1st sunday of the month "waffle mania" tradition. a new tradition, since it was our first 1st sunday of the month together. and thanks em and blake for sharing it with us. we'll do it again? in a month? great.

love,

waffle lover

dear dinners,

umm, pardon me for tooting my own horn, but i've been making some so good dinners lately.  like that recreation of stonefire grill's bbq chopped chicken salad? yeah, i just need their exact bbq sauce and it's pretty much the same.  or how bout that mango salsa chicken last week? or the asian stir fry? or that rustic tuscan chicken with the fresh tomato and zucchini spaghetti squash i somehow made up? steven's really loving you. so am i.

love,

happy, healthy, hungry hoppers

dear gym,

it is so good to be back. regularly. we've had some tough, busy months this year, but we are back on track.

love,

gym rat {okay, not really a gym rat, per se}




dear apartment,

i'm sorry it has taken us so long to get you organized. i finally did my clothes. and you are all painted. and today i'll do all the "stuff."  and we'll get the pictures hung in a few days.  and the kitchen will be organized as soon as the bulk of our gifts arrive with the hoppers next week. hang in there.
love,
the hoppers

dear lauren,

we are SO excited for you to come next week!! you'll love it here! 

love,

your favorite {and only} sister in law

dear students,

i miss you. it's been 2 weeks already! i hope you remember everything i taught you. and i hope you remember that i'll always love you and think about you and pray for you. come visit me at color me mine. i'll give you a discount.

love,

miss kendrick / mrs. hopper {no, you can't call me mrs. kendrick}

p.s. none of you will read this.

dear body,

get out of bed. you read. you studied. you prayed. you checked your email. and you need to be done blogging. run to the gym. now.

love,

heidi hopper

we be paintin'

in the bahamas, we be jammin' 

{they be jammin' in jamaica and the bahamas}

but...

in the provo, we be paintin'

we already did the living room. now we be doin' the bedroom.

please excuse the foul pictures.

they are taken on my photo booth,

with my arms a little crooked.

and photo booth is a mirror image,

so it is actually opposite.

i hate cake...or do i?

if you know me, you know i pretty much HATE cake.  
i'm sure you have a question or two about that.


Q. did i have a wedding cake?  
A. yes. chocolate with raspberry filling. fondant with swiss dots and real cascading flowers {from our lovely florist.}
{photos of that beautiful thing will come in the mail soon from our lovely photographer.}


Q. did i eat any of it?
A.  yes/no.  yes--we "cut the cake" and i had my first bite of cake as mrs. hopper while steven had his.  no--that's the only bite i had.


Q. did you enjoy it?
A.  yes. my bite was a little cake and a lot of filling, so it was nice and moist and good.


Q. so, what did you eat if you didn't have cake?
A. we had a bunch of different kinds of cheesecakes at the reception. i had raspberry.


Q. why do you hate cake?
A. i hate the "cakiness" of it. and i hate frosting. and it's just not good enough for me to eat.


Q. but, haven't you been to the sweet tooth fairy and had a cupcake there?  and enjoyed it?
A. yes. i have. and yes. i enjoyed it. but, it wasn't really a cupcake. {remember? see here.} but, as previously explained, there's really only one kind of cake i like, and that is carrot cake. because it is so super moist and dense that it is like bread. carrot raisin bread is even better {like at mimi's cafe. yum.} so, at the sweet tooth fairy, they have pumpkin cupcakes in the fall. but it's just a pumpkin muffin or pumpkin bread in a cupcake tin with frosting on it.  they also have other flavors like it that are a bread or muffin with frosting on it. in fact, i called them out on it {me: isn't this just a muffin...with frosting on it?} and they said that a cupcake has frosting, a muffin doesn't.  hmm, alright. i'll take it. and their frosting is so good. not normal crisco/shortening/buttercream/canned {sick} frosting, but real cream cheese frosting. yum.


Q. alright, so you like some of the sweet tooth fairy's cupcakes because they are actually just muffins/bread with really good frosting on them. so what's up with the picture up there, huh? what's up with the bundt cake?
A.  okay, okay. at our arizona reception, steven's mom ordered a million little bundt cakes, called bundtinis, from nothing bundt cakes. {arizona, california, and utah locations--no fear. we're covered in all three "homes."}  pretty much a bundtini is a mini bundt cake, or a cupcake.  but here's the thing with bundt cakes--they are suuuuuper moist, and not cakey at all.  i never really eat bundt cake, just because it's never really there for me to eat and i never make 'em.  but at our reception, i think i had 6 of those little bundtinis.  a bunch of different flavors.  red velvet was so good. so cool and moist. and the cream cheese frosting--delicious. i highly recommend it.


Q. you're crazy, h.hopp.  are you going to eat cake now?
A. no. i still hate it.  but i'll have a super moist bundtini from nothing bundt cakes if the occasion arises. or a muffin/bread "cupcake" from the sweet tooth fairy.


confession: steven and i were buying paint at home depot on monday, which is conveniently located catty corner from the sweet tooth fairy.  we stopped at the mcdonald's in front of it to pick up a red box and i said, oh look there's the sweet tooth fairy.  he suggested we try it out.  so we did.  and i didn't get a muffin/bread one.  i got chocolate peanut butter. and it was good. but it was too cakey for me.  so, again, i say it was good, but i didn't really enjoy it.  
oh and confession 2: one of the 2nd grade teachers on my team got me a sweet tooth fairy cupcake as an end of school little thank you/i'll miss you over summer treat. strawberry. with real strawberries in the frosting and a chocolate dipped strawberry slice on top.  i ate it at lunch with the rest of my team.  same thing. it was good, but just too cakey. so i mixed it all up with the frosting to moisten it up and it was better. pretty good. but in the words of steven, "not my favorite."


this is long. as usual. and steven has been at work for 3 hours and still has 2 left.  and i am just writing thank yous and watching "so you think you can dance" on hulu. love that show. we need to hook up our cable before 7pm tomorrow!

and just in case you forgot what we looked like on our wedding day...

here you go.

sometimes when steven is gone, i just look at all of our pictures together, and engagement photos, and wedding photos, and honeymoon photos. just because he is so handsome. and he loves me so much. i think i love him more.