I took these pics at Baya's last appt. She is so darling... She is very into sitting and playing and this week started diving and rolling back and forth all over the floor. I predict crawling within the month. She is such a doll... And the chubbiest one we've ever had!
Bryan turned 31 today... I look at it like--- well, I did that last year. But, it is starting to feel kind of older. I like being in the 30's. I'm okay with it. We had a fun gathering at our house tonight w/ family. Aram (to bry's right.. married to sister Karri) turned 31 a few days before so we tend to combine their parties every year for our traditional soup bash. Bryan make clam chowder once a year for his birthday. Abby put a necklace around him to look fancy for his party... it was a good night. ---- Bryan is really such an amazing dad and husband. I appreciate him so much and really enjoy the time we spend together. We have a lot of fun seeing new places and remembering the old places too. Happy Birthday...
Blakely has now lost 6 teeth!!! She pulled it out herself the other night at Grandma's house. Here the girls are in their Valentine dresses! All three of them were helping me make juice for dad's party.
We headed to St. George for a little break over Martin Luther King weekend. Bryan had taken a few days off so we hit the road.. with an extra little girl to make the trip a cousin delight. We took our cute niece w/ us too. The girls couldn't have been happier. We loved staying at G G and pampa Don's as they spoiled us w/ their delicious cooking. We took a stroll in Snow Canyon and ran through the sand dunes. Grandpa served the girls up ice cream every night and the girls were in heaven having what seemed like a sleepover night after night. It wasn't super hot, but we took the sunshine and 50 degree weather with a smile!!! These kids are pretty lucky... how many great grandparents do you know that can go out and hike w/ their grandkids?
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.
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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.
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 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.
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.
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!
