A Day at SeaWorld Orlando!!!!

Kayla is at the perfect age to be going to all of the Parks that make Orlando famous. Ashlyn is a few years to young, but she gets to hang out anyway. Last Monday, we spent the day checking out the shows and riding the rides....

Kayla, how big is Shamu???

Check out Kayla's big girl bracelet. This is the first time Kayla was tall enough to get on the roller coasters. I was a bit apprehensive not knowing how she would react on the ride. To my surprise, she loves the rides as much as her Daddy!!!! She did great!!!

I'm sure the shoulder harness is more effective than it may look.... I hope.....

I'm still a Seminole and proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!

I made my annual pilgrimage back to Tallahassee to see Florida State play against Maryland. Fortunately, it is one of the games that we played very well in this year. We've had a few disappointing years recently. We end this season way down again. It wouldn't be so bad if FSU wasn't SO good for so long in the 90's. Now I compare every season to that!!!!!

Elisa and I went up for the weekend and met up with our good friends from Atlanta; Jose, Alexandra and the kids. We had a GREAT weekend. It was great to be back. This was the first time Elisa had been to Tallahassee. Last year, Jose and I went to the game on our own.

We were also able to stay at the Governors' Inn. This was the hotel I worked in for a few years while I was going to school.

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!!!!!!!

On Sunday, Kayla had a birthday party at our house. We had a busy house!!!!!!!

The Birthday Gang...

(Cousin Elaine, best friend Christie, the Birthday Girl, Ducky, Roger, Cousin Stephanie, Paola, and Goose) Ducky, Roger, and Goose lovingly nicknamed by Uncle Aaron!!!

La Princessa Kayla.

Sunday was Brian's Birthday, so we celebrated both his and Kayla's.

He looks good as King Brian!!!

Ashlyn joins the fun. Kayla always has time for her baby sister!!!

She's always smiling. What a happy baby!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!

Congratulations to our niece Elaine and the Colts. They came in second place in a Miami Cheeleading Competition. You have to admit that this is a great looking pyramid for 7 year olds!!! Great job Elaine!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Brian!!!!!!!!

Today is our nephew Brian's 15th birthday!!!!!!!! He is now old enough to get his driver's learners permit. Yes, in Florida they start driving at the age of 15. No, he did not have a pink birthday party. This was the most recent picture I could find. That was Elisa's Baby Shower.

The Pink Kitty and the What???

Kayla was a Pink Kitty this year. She had a great Halloween.

This was the first year that she was able to go trick or treating

with her cousin Stephanie and all of her friends. In the past

she had to spend her night with Daddy. She did a great job.

She came home with quite the catch.

Hopefully Ashlyn has a good sense of humor as she gets older.

Otherwise, she's likely to hate us for doing this to her.

We couldn't help it. It was way too funny!!!!

Two peas in a pod !!!

Here's the latest pictures of our two beautiful girls. Kayla and Asha are great together. After picking them up from Mamita Esperanza's Day Care they spend 1/2 hour playing. Kayla sings and dances for Asha. Baby sister coos saying "woo woo" which means "I love you big sister" to Kayla.

Another Seminole!!!!!!!!

Yet another Hoefen Seminole girl....... This post is a little late, but despite a very bad showing in week one verses Clemson, Ashlyn showed up in style with high spirit. Thanks to her cheering, Florida State played an impressive first half and was much improved by game day of week 2. Here's to hoping she can pull off the rest of the season with high doubts working against her!!!!!

A week on Kiawah Island, South Carolina....

We spent the last week vacationing in South Carolina with Mom and Dad. Kiawah Island is approximately 40 minutes southeast of Charleston. We had a great time hanging out on the beach, biking, exploring Charleston and of course eating plenty of seafood.

Here are a few pictures.....

I'm not sure that I even need to add a caption to this one. Thanks, Elisa, for catching this one. I didn't see it coming!!!!!

Kayla's First Day of Dance School....

Last Saturday was Kayla's first day of Dance School. She was SSSSOOOOOO excited. I think we were just as excited for her. We spent two days shopping for the necessities. I had no idea we would have to find so many "Dance Apparel" stores to get all the items.

Kayla plays the balarina part very well. We will keep you posted on her progress. She will work all year on a group routine that they will showcase at an annual recital at the Lakeland Performing Arts Center.

What to do in Orlando when it is over 100 degrees in the summer.....

That's right..... Go to Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elisa, Kayla and I joined Ada, Stephanie and Lily in a trip to Magic Kingdom. The lines were extremely long, it was over 100 degrees and we had a great time. This was Kayla's second visit to Disney, but the first that she will remember. Ashlyn stayed home with Mamita Esperanza.

Here are a few pictures of our adventures.....

The next generation....

With six new additions to the family, we feel it necessary to give them special credit. There is one missing that we were so sad to have missed on this trip. We'll be sure to make a special trip to see you soon Matty!!! There is also a seventh on the way. We will call him Baby Simpson for now as mom and dad to be are being very tight lipped about the name. Remember to hold on until December 27th. That's a perfect day to be born.

The Hoefen Kids (Ashlyn, Kayla, and Evan)

Beautiful Abigail. Thanks for keeping your parents awake.

She's a mirror image of dad.

Landen, dressed in what's sure to be one of many Harley shirts.

I'm jealous of your new scooter.

Congratulations Bret & Shannon!!!!!!!!

We're very happy for you. First dance as Mr. and Mrs. Hoefen.

Welcome to the family officially Shannon.....

"White Gangsta!!!!!" Mom, look at Bret's finger!!!!

That isn't how you taught us to act in public.

The Hoefen family is growing by leaps and bounds.

I may be biased, but I thought the flower girl was a

beauty and did you see her dance????

Daddy's Girls!!!!!

I think this picture clearly captures one PROUD Daddy!!!!!!!!!!! There isn't much I have to say about my girls. What a sweet life..........

An awesome summer visit.....

We had a great summer visit from our Nieces Amanda and Linda. They came to spend a few weeks in Orlando with the family. They have been in California for the past year. It was great to catch up with them.

They were here for Ashlyn's birth and were a huge help.

We miss you girls!!!!!!!! We can't wait to see you again.........

Sunday at the beach...

Kayla and I spent Sunday afternoon at the beach with the cousins. We went to Clearwater Beach outside of Tampa. It was HOT!!!!! We are averaging temperatures around 95 to 98 degrees each afternoon. The only thing that cools us down is the afternoon thunderstorms every other day this time of year. Remeber that the humidity level is around 90% by 9:00 in the morning. But while the north is shoveling snow to find their car, I will be golfing in a mild 50 to 60 degree winter. I'll put up with a few months in the AC or pool for that!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like I have a "Kayla tan-line" on my back. She spent the entire time on my back because she wanted to be in the deep water with me. Kayla has no fear of the beach.

We are looking forward to the day Ashlyn will be able to play with Kayla at the beach. Kayla has been a great sister. She loves to spend time "talking" to the baby. It is clear that they will be great partners in life. We feel like such a complete family. We are blessed.

The long awaited glimps....

Here is the picture everybody has been waiting to see!!!!!!!!!! This is Ashlyn at 2 days old on July 5th, 2007. This was taken in the hospital, but she and mom came home later the same day.

Here's the rest of the exciting story.... After three days in the hospital, we couldn't wait to get home. To relax (nurse free) in our own living room. To sleep in our own bed. Well, we got home Thursday afternoon just to find out that lightening had knocked out our air conditioner. The house was a stifling 88 degrees inside. The garage was the coolest place to be (and that is brutally hot).

We ended up spending the night at Elisa's parents house and returning again today after the repairs were made.

Daddy's Angels................

And the good news...

Ashlyn Elizabeth Hoefen was born this morning, July 3, 2007, at 8:08am. She weighed in at 7lbs. 6oz. Both mom and baby are doing great.

Kayla came over shortly after the birth to see her baby sister. She is such a caring girl. She will take great care of her sister.

Sorry no pictures yet. We are taking plenty, but I am posting from a semi functional hospital terminal. We will be sure to get them up as soon as we get home.

I know this is horrible....

I know this is a horrible video, but it was probably the most entertaining hour and a half I have ever wasted.

This a poor attempt, but it is also a first attempt. It's a little off, but I figured after an hour and a half, what am I going to do with it in the end anyway????

Check out Brian and his moves. He entertains me......

I Think We Have It....

After months and months of searching, we have finally settled on a name for the baby (36 hours before the scheduled birth)......

Her name will be:



Ashlyn Elizabeth Hoefen



Ashlyn - is our changed version of Asha which means hope in Sanskrit. Ashlyn's maternal grandmother's name is Esperanza which means hope in Spanish.

Elizabeth - is a form of Betsy meaning "My God is a Vow." More importantly this is also Ashlyn's paternal grandmother's name.


If all goes as planned, hopefully we won't end up with a son named Ashlyn. If it's a boy, I think we have put all of our eggs in one basket. We don't have a boy name picked out. We will have to think quick on our feet. Knowing that it took nine months to come up with a girl name, we'll see what happens. Who knows, Ashton doesn't sound too bad????