Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents home where Jason, and Shelly had just arrived the night before.  Nana and Emily are busy getting food ready for our dinner.

 Jason and my Dad are busy meandering in and out of the kitchen looking for something to sample.

 The kids table......I guess I didn't take one of the grown-ups table.

 As usual, Eli, our elf,  made his stop with goofy gifts at the front door.  The boys got some laser pointers that attach to their fingers like rings.

 And let's not forget about the light up sunglasses!

 The girls got these very feminine light up necklaces.....

 ...beautiful antler headbands.

 As my Christmas Gift to everyone, I bought us all matching Christmas pajamas (which was no easy feat finding the right sizes for 13 people).

 Ashton and Nana

 Jason and Shelly

 Emily and Papa

 Ryan and Nate

 Callista and Papa

After reading the Christmas Story from Luke Chapter 2, it was time to get back the Shupe's and to bed to await the arrival of Santa.  May sweet dreams of sugar plums fill all our heads tonight.

A Few Fun Days Before Christmas

Since my parents were at our house for Thanksgiving, they got to experience how we decorate our tree.  How my kids loathe that their ornaments don't get to go on our tree, and have to go on their own tree that I have just for them.....they're sooo lucky, they just don't know it yet.  My Mom immediately stepped into Grandma mode and explained that when they come to her house they can decorate her tree any way they like with no restrictions, or exclamations about where the ornaments must be placed.  So keeping to her word....the first day we arrived in Vegas, she and Callista decorated her tree, and Callista got to put those ornaments anywhere she liked.

 My parents' Ward....The San Miguel Ward received a grant from Clark County and an Elderly Care Center donated the land for their use so they could start a Community Garden.  It's beautiful!!!

In fact....my Dad did the wood for the sign, and someone else did the lettering, but he did all the cutting, staining, drilling, etc.

 The kids loved going over there to gather the chicken eggs.  We even made scrambled eggs out of them one day.

 I also got to share one of my favorite Holiday Traditions when living in Las Vegas and that was going to the Magical Forest put on by Opportunity Village.  It gets more magical every time I go.

It was a great few days leading up to Christmas!

Shupe Reunion

 What an amazing day it was to have all 27 of us together.  It's been a  few years since that was able to happen. 

 

We started the day off with hot dogs and smores over the fire-pit.  DELICIOUS!!!

 

 

   

In case the s'mored weren't enough...Emily whipped us up some carmel apples.

 

 

 Then we headed off for the park for some fun, football, and pictures.

It was a great day together.  It was neat to see how all the cousins had grown, and how much fun they have together.  Let's do it again sometime!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

It was a Star Wars Explosion at our house on Ryan's birthday.  With Star Wars wrapping paper to wrap Star Wars Trouble, Star Wars Books,  Star Wars Wii Game, and an F-18 (not really Star Wars but still flies) model.

 

 He didn't want a cake, just his favorite chocolate with white chocolate chips cookies.

 He didn't want a birthday party either.  Instead he wanted a round of golf with his Dad.  They played the Fleming Island Plantation course the Saturday following his birthday.

May you be blessed with another year full of smiles, lots of baseball, and the knowledge that your family loves you.

FORTY!!!

It's hard to believe my man is 40.  He had a stellar birthday.  It was a not so quiet Sunday that he had to teach 5th Sunday RS/Priesthood, then there was choir practice at the house, and then finally......we got to celebrate.  What did he get though?

A date with Callista to Sweet Frogs frozen yogurt...

 A round of golf at Eagle Harbor Golf Club with Ryan...

 AND...a date with Chloe to see the Hobbit Part 3.

Valerie had sent him a box of stuff that all equaled 40.  For example - 40 M and M's, 40 pieces of gum, 40 erasers, etc.....and 40 candles bundled together.  I decided to put it on his "Baked Alaska" all bundled together.  WOW... It was more like a torch!  It was awesome, and he even blew them out in one breath...way to go honey!

 My Dad and Mom were there to help celebrate but mostly there to help out with my gift to him which was.....

A trip to Marco Island, FL.  Paul had gone there once for a conference back in 2009 and had always told me he wanted to take me there, so I thought I'd surprise him and take him instead.  It was gorgeous!

 

We enjoyed every morning out on the beautiful white marshmallow sand.  One of the days we got a couples massage....super relaxing.  One of the days we went on a 3 hour wave runner tour through the everglades and saw dolphins playing right in front of us. It was spectacular!

 We enjoyed walks on the beach at every sunset.

On our way back up to Fleming Island we stopped in St. Augustine to see the beautiful lights.  We stayed at the cutest little Bed and Breakfast, a non-haunted one, by the way.  I checked before we made our reservation!

 We rode the Holly Jolly Train around the Historical City and just soaked up the Christmas Spirit.  It was a beautiful Florida night....about 70 degrees.

 I look forward to many more Happy Birthdays with my best friend, confidante, and most handsome guy ever.