Christmas Eve and Christmas

Abby trying to have Baya be baby Jesus Grandma Mary reporting to Santa Abby checking out the doll house Christmas morning at our house awaiting to see what Santa brought! The grandkids in their new jammies from G and G Ras Having a short play of the nativity Baya enjoys Christmas Eve This year we enjoyed Christmas Eve w/ the Rasmussen Family. We did a gift exchange w/ everyone, opened Christmas jammies, did a nativity, and even had a visit from a Santa... how did we fit it all in? We are so grateful for our wonderful families and all they do to spoil us and especially our kids. We are also grateful for the traditions that strengthen us and keep us going.

Christmas Events

e Every year we have a few traditions that we enjoy. I always get together w/ my highschool friends for a lunch the Saturday before Christmas. It's fun to see everyone and get an update on their lives. We also have a Sheppard/Lawrence family Christmas party usually the first Sat in December. Here the kids see Santa and we catch up w/ distant family that we usually only see a couple times a year. We also have on and off years now w/ our immediate families. This year it was a Sheppard off year, so we did it early. We love Christmas... here the kids pose w/ their cousins and new scarves and hats.

Day 5-- our beach in Puerto Vallarta

We spent the last few days just chilling on our beach at the condo and the pool. This is the pretty sunset from our balcony and the view of banderas bay. Mom went paraselling, and the girls had their hair braided by a lady who does this for money. Baya even enjoyed the sand a little. View from the balcony and Baya taking her usual nap by the pool.

Sea Life Park/ Dolphin day

Sea life Park was a really fun place... it's kind of like a sea world on a smaller scale mixed in w/ a water park. It was practically empty when we were there... and they had a few sea life shows. Waving to the dolphin... we all got to have an encounter w/ a dolphin which was really fun. We got to kiss it, hold on to it's fins and shake it's hands.. and pet it as it swam past a lot. There was a massive kiddie pool and we were the only one's there it seemed... except for the little girl Abby met that didn't really speak english but Abby said she was going to have a sleep over with. A dolphin is kissing Bryan on the cheek.

The Zoo... what an experience

All the animals just were sticking out of the cages waiting for you to feed them If you look close, you will see the hat we left at the PV Zoo. Blakely was feeding the monkey a peanut when he snatched her hat right off her head and took it into his cage to throw around and dip into his little pool... Here is a picture of the thick spider webs that were everywhere (we were in the jungle) Bryan held a baby lion. You can do anything w/ a little money! Puerto Vallarta has an interesting Zoo. If you manage to get there on the road that is completely dirt and torn up w/ a million pot holes and stray dogs... you've done well! The spider webs are crawling all over the trees and walkways as you pass... and some of the animals can be a little aggressive. But, we had a great time.

Scuba and Snorkel day 3 & 4

Bryan and I were excited to get back to scuba diving after nearly 18 months, and tried our hand at Los Arcos. It was fun, and not nearly as intimidating as the ocean dives we did in Hawaii.. but not as colorful either. The next day we returned to the site w/ the group and did a little snorkeling. It was so fun to watch Blakely out there--she's so brave!

Puerto Vallarta Day 1& 2

Blakely at the pool trying to balance on a boogie board The flight there was smooth. Baya keeping dad busy on the 3 1/2 hr flight! We happened upon a celebration of sorts in the main square and their nativity. (lady of guadalupe) out for a stroll on the malecon (walking path along the ocean in pv) Abby purchasing some sea shells from a street vendor. When your kids get awnry and tired, just get them a cold sugar drink, and they are as good as new! Here we took the water taxi from the Nuevo Vallarta marina to the main malecon puerto vallarta marina Our first beach experience when we got to our condo was at low tide and we found so many sand dollars! The kids were thrilled. Checking out the waves, looking for sand dollars Our condo had a great infinity pool that sat above the ocean level looking right out at it. So fun.

Family Christmas Pics

My cousin Katie is getting into photography. We went yesterday and braved the cold to do some Winter pics. Here are a few. They turned out cute. I'm cramming everything in it seems, as we leave tomorrow for Mexico. We are way excited to get some sun!!! Blakely got really cold and grumpy, so she is not her usual smiley self... Thanks Katie... if anyone wants some pictures done, she is the up and coming photographer!