Picnic at Deer Creek

Diana and her awesome kids came to Vegas for two weeks while we were there.  It was so great to see all of them.  We all went for a picnic up to Mt. Charleston's Deer Creek to escape the heat for a day.

 

It was a great way to spend the day with our cousins!

Spring Baseball and Softball

 

The Shupe's LOVE baseball and softball season.  There is something refreshing about the smell of fresh cut grass, grass stains on the pants from sliding, and the hours of outdoor exercise my kids get from being part of it.

 

Ryan was on the "Thunder" this year.  He has had the same coach, Mike Kenney for 2 seasons now.  It has been great having Ryan on his team.  He is full of patience and dedication to these players.

Paul had the privilege of being one of the assistant coaches.

 

 Ryan was awarded with being the "Player of the Year".

He was a little proud, while we were VERY proud.

Of course, even now as I blog he is walking around the house with his glove on, and bouncing a ball against the wall....he is dedicated (and I have a headache).

 

Chloe was on the "Pink Flames".  Her coaches were Megan Lucas (a good friend of ours), and Chris McElvoy who grew up on the same street as Cal Ripken's family and played ball with his sons throughout his childhood.  He would call extra practices just for fun, and was a such a good sport with these 9-11 yr old girls.  He could squeal and scream just like the best of them.

 

 

 

 

YEP!!!!!  That's my girl, right there pitching.  This is a new skill she just picked up this season and was awesome at it. 

 

Here is Coach Chris on the mound giving her a pep talk.  One of her struggles with learning to pitch was not to bend her knees too much....her Coaches would call them her "Pli-a Pitch" because of her dance training.  They would tease her a lot about it, but she eventually caught on.

 

 I am always so sad when baseball/softball season is over!  Great job to both of you!  We are hoping Callista will join in the fun next year!

 

 



Spring Dance Recital

The girls did a beautiful job in their dance recital this year.  Chloe takes 3 dance classes.  Here she is a white swan from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".

 

 

This was Chloe's tap number "Letting Go"......she did not inherit her flexibility from me.





 

The end of her jazz solo for "Please Don't Stop the Music".

 

 

Callista took tap and jazz this Spring as well.  Her dances were "Rio" and "Afro Circus".

 

The funny thing about Callista is that she and her little friend Amanda stared at each other the entire time on stage.  They knew the dances perfectly and were both placed in the center, but never took their eyes off of each other.  I have ten more pictures just like this one. 

 

 I LOVE seeing the final performance after weeks and weeks of learning new steps and perfecting routines.  We will miss Miss Gabrielle!!!

 



Chloe had an awesome opportunity to attend a tour of a Japanese General's home.  She and her friend Gabi Crowther went together  with a group from the hospital.  They loved these two girls, and wasted no time getting them dressed in traditional kimonos.  Notice the cherry blossoms behind her.

 They asked if Chloe happened to play the piano.  She was delighted to say yes and played  a beautiful Minuet by J.S. Bach.

Chloe and Gabi



Tama Zoo

We have been to many zoos throughout our travels and duty stations, but the Tama Zoo is my

 There have a massive butterfly house and that had hundreds of butterflies.  They would land right on your arms, and shoulders....it was spectacular.

 Feeding time for the giraffes.

 This is a bus you can ride into the lion enclosure.  They hang pieces of meat on the outside of the bus, and this is what happens.......

 This lion is licking our window to get at the meat!  That is Callista's hand thinking she might be able to touch it.

 The Amur Tiger enclosure is the best we've ever seen at a zoo.  There were three tigers and we even witnessed a few sparring sessions.

It was an awesome day and we stayed right up until it closed....in fact the zoo keepers were practically chasing us out!



Weekend in Tama

We spent Memorial Day Weekend in Tama, Japan.  The girls had a fantastic time at the stables.

 Callista says she "NEEDS" her own pony now!  "Can Santa bring me one?"  We had a nice discussion about zoning laws and how JAX does not allow horses.  And Santa would never bring something that was against the law.





 

Chloe took a riding lesson and loved it.  Her horses' name was Eve and was a very gentle mannered, patient horse....perfect for Chloe.

 

While the girls were having fun at the stables, here is what the boys were doing!

 



 It was a great day for outdoor fun!

 



Katherine is 38?

I had a FANTASTIC birthday.  It started with a great birthday run (I bought some new itunes to groove with).  After my run, a good friend took me to lunch and to get a manicure.  We went out for mexican food for dinner, and then back home for festivities.  

Ryan gave me the cutest yellow purse.  I will think of him every time I use it.

Callista gave me a neck pillow in the shape of a puppy.  She tries to use it more than me!

Chloe gave me toilet brush?  Oh.....and a "Toto" toilet catalog, with the promise that when we get in our new home I will get a "Toto washlet" toilet seat.  Nothing like a warm toush on a cold winter's day.  Thanks Chloe....that was very original!

I was able to blow out ALL 38 candles on my ice cream pie in one breath.....but maybe not next year!

I pray my next year will be as full of joy and laughter and this last year has been.  Thanks Paul, chloe, Ryan, and Callista for an amazing day!!!