Callista's Dora Adventure

It was the perfect "Dora Adventure".

We started out by coloring pictures of Dora and Boots while we waited for our guests to arrive. Then we read a Dora Birthday Story and then played Dora Bingo. The highlight was when Swiper the Fox (Dallin) came and swiped the ice cream for Callista's cake. We had to go through Blueberry Cave, swim through Crocodile Lake, go through Abuela's House, and cross the Grumpy Old Troll's Bridge to get to Ice Cream Island where Swiper had taken the ice cream.

Then we ate lunch (Callista's Favorite Chicken Nuggets). She opened her presents and was thrilled to get lots of Dora stuff including 3 Dora dolls, PJ's, books, a puzzle, sippy cups, even Dora Panties (she wanted to put them on right away).

The cake was amazing and was made by my good friend Angela. She is sooo talented!

Definitely a Birthday Adventure worth remembering!!!

"Jaxie"

Lisa, Ruby Jane, and Baby Kate

Zil and Giovanna

Miss Lynn (couldn't have done this without her) and Callista

Melanie, Elliot, and Nolan

Angela and Ryan

My Baby and I

New Year's Eve

Out with the Old.....In with the New!

We celebrated like no other with our Friends the Evans'. The kids stayed up late enough to watch the ball drop (although they don't quite understand that 12:00am eastern time is our 9:00 pm pacific) so we totally tricked them into thinking they stayed up until midnight since they got to see the ball drop.

The glasses were designed by Melanie, but assembled and decorated by the kids'.

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.