Merry Christmas

Christmas with children is always so magical. Matching PJ's is always a highlight for me. The kids had a great time making up new names to go with their monogrammed letters.

Chloe was thrilled to get her "grown up digital camera". She has to work on holding still while she shoots the picture to cut down on the blurriness factor.

Ryan got a Leapster and was a little excited, but has grown a lot more excited as he has learned how much fun it is to play it!

Callista loves, loves, loves her Dora Scooter. She wanted to take it ourside immediately to give it a whirl.

Santa ate all the cookies and left only a few crumbs. Ryan was a little disappointed because he thought he would be allowed to finish them if Santa didn't. It was a fun Chritsmas in Vegas with both sets of Grandparents to spoil them all!

Happy Birthday Callista

Our Baby is Three. The time has gone much too fast. She had an amazing day getting to celebrate it with both sets of Grandparents and cousins as well. It started out at Grandma and Grandpa Shupe's home with a bowl of "Fruit Loops"....her favorite cereal. ANd then she got to blow out the candles on a cake, but without eating it....it was 8:00 am.

Then onto Papa and Nana Patterson's for a "sprinkled donut". Can anyone say SUGAR? One of her favorite gifs was a Dora umbrella that Ryan got for her. It was a perfect "3" day!

Callista...you have so many around you who love and adore you. May you always be so full of joy (with a hint of feistiness)!

HAWAII

It really was a trip of a lifetime. This place must have been patterned after the "Garden of Eden".

Our first day there just happened to be our 13th Anniversarry. Paul made reservations at "The Hau Tree Lanai". This restaurant is set around a 200 year old tree that acts as the rooftop for this restaurant. The waves were coming up on shore just a few feet from where we ate. It was incredibly beautiful, not to mention romantic!!!

We loved Hanauma Bay where we both snorkeld. The picture is hiedeous. but Paul said no one would believe that I actually snorkeled unless I had proof. The fish were beautiful, but I felt like Darth Vader breathing through my tube.

My favorite place in Hawaii was Waimea Falls. It was 3/4 mile walk through an amazing audobon garden. I never knew so many beatiful flowers existed. It ends at this waterfall that you can swim at the bottom if you choose to. You can guess what I chose!

The Polynesian Culture Center was a fun afternoon. Paul won me a shell necklace with his expert spear throwing. It is comforting to know we would not strave during primitive times. The Luau was entertaining, but the best part was the pineapple smoothie that that we drank. You can see how it is cleverly designed, but it tastes even better than it looks.

It was fantiastic trip filled with plenty of beach, sun, and sightseeing. Thank You Paul!!!

Ryan Turns 5

I can't believe my son is FIVE. He's been talking about "this" event for months and knew exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to go out for lunch and bowling with his 2 "best buddies" Dallin and Elliot. The best part about being friends with Dallin and Elliot is that they all will start school the same year, and they are all "the middle child". They relate well with another, and I have dubbed them "The 3 Musketeers". It was soooo fun to hang out with these 3 guys today.

First stop was Taco Bell (Ryan's Favorite Fast Food Joint)

Then onto the bowling alley where they showed off their compeptitive skills, and kept asking who was winning. Of course....I always said "we are all winners"!

Then onto the cake!

Ryan...we are so proud of you and who you are becoming. We hope you catch a glimmer of the love we have for you. You truly are "Our Little King".

Christmas Recital

The Christmas Recital was an evening to remember. One of the highlights of this Holiday Season for sure!

I am so proud of all my 14 students. They worked so hard for this night.

Chloe is amazing. She claims she doesn't get nervous, and I believe her.

She doesn't show an ounce of sweat when she is up there. I hope she always remains this calm and confident.

Gingerbread Houses

Our tradition is to make Gingerbread Houses on Thanksgiving morning while the Turkey is cooking. We were very lucky to have the help of "Nana" this year.

It was a fun activity that included eating lots of candy, getting frosting in our hair and eyebrows, and even having the icing tube blow up on us.

The trick is getting them to stay standing until Christmas without Paul snitching the candy every time he walks by!

Formal Uniform

The occasion was sad...the passing of Commander Michael Todd Mazurek, MD...Paul's mentor and Naval Hospital Orthopedic Residency Progam Director. But....it did put the fire under Paul to get his uniform up to date since his promotion to Lt. Commander.

Happy Birthday Paul

The BIG 35!!!

It started with a few games of Bowling. Paul got the highest score because we wanted him to feel good on his birthday.

Then we went to dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant on Coronado...Miguel's Cocina.

Then he opened a few presents. Most gifts were things he can wear on our trip to Hawaii.

We didn't want the house to start on fire with 35 candles....so I just put 7 on there...

one to represent every 5 yrs.

(OK, I'll fess up...I really just forgot to buy candles, and so this was all I had!)

We love you Dad, and look forward to another great year!!!

I Love You

"I love you Callista"
"No...Mommy, I love you."
"No, Callista....I love you."
"No, No, No Mommy....you and me LOVE you".

Happy Halloween!!!

We love Halloween at the Shupe House.

It all starts with our tradition of Taco Soup, followed by trick or treating. We had the priveledge of having Paul's sister Becky and her fun family come for a visit this year. Then the Incredible's joined us as well, so our house was bursting at the seams with 11 kids, and 6 adults. It was awesome. Our guests of honor were : Sharpay (from High School Musical), Bumble-Bee the Transformer, Nemo, Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible (A.K.A Elasti-Girl), Violet, Dash, Jack-Jack, A Purple Cow, A Candy Barrel, a Baby, and Two handsome Batman's.

I can't wait to see what next year turns up.