Jeppesen Family Christmas Party

One of the lost sheep that got away(Rylie)!

Some of the Manger Scene acclaimed actors & actresses loving their Grandma!
The Angel (Shelby)!!!
Shepherd (David)

2 Shepherd Boys (Connor & Garrett)

The Star (Allie) shone bright on that night

One of the wise man (Jacob)

Rylie was one of the sheep and Connor and was a shepherd boy

Emma & Rylie playing with her new toy

Connor opening his new toy

Connor

Rylie (9-month-old picture)

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On December 19, 2008 we had 2 Christmas parties at my parents house. The first one was with everyone on my Mom's side of the family. It's always a yummy party because everyone brings a finger food to share. There's a lot of people in the family so there is quite the variety of foods. After we eat we went downstairs to open gifts. Our kids got books (GREAT GIFT) from their Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa. Mike & I got the book, "Broken Things to Mend" by Jeffrey R. Holland, and then we got fun little gifts and treats from my Aunts and Uncles.

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That night we had the Jeppesen Christmas party too. Nearly all my family was able to be there, except for my sis-in-law & niece because of sickness. We missed them! It was a lot of fun! Again, we ate really yummy food! Then, we went downstairs to carry on the tradition of acting out Luke 2 (the manager scene). My Mom has each of the grandkids play a different part each year in acting out the manger scene. This year Connor played one of the shepherds and Rylie was one of the (wandering) sheep with her cousin Emma. It was so funny!!!! The kids really enjoy it! After that we opened presents from my parents. Our kids got AWESOME pajamas (good job picking them out, Dad)! Rylie got a pop-up toy and Connor got this lego-type set that has knights, horses, and swords to put together. My parents gave Mike a dress shirt, me a black skirt (Hallelujah), and also a wheat grinding mill and wheat for our food storage!!!! I love getting together with all of my family!!!! We are always sure to have a good time!

McGinnis Family Christmas Party

On December 18, 2008, we had the McGinnis Family Christmas Party! For dinner had a bunch of yummy dips, sandwiches, yummy desserts, and other goodies. Then, we exchanged gift to and from each other. Connor was so excited! He could hardly contain himself!!! He asked nearly 50 times, "Is it time to open presents?!" or, "Is this one for ME?!" It was so funny to see his reaction to everything!!!!

Catch-Up & Christmas

We have returned from our trip to see my family for Christmas and New Year's. We were gone for 2 weeks so, I have a lot of catching up to on my blog, obviously!!!! So, please check back frequently because every day I will be posting something new from our trip up North!!!! Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Frosty the Snowman!!!

Connor making a snow angel!

Shannon making a snow angel!

Snowball fight!

Frosty the snowman (yes, I'm still in my pj's and flip-flops)!

We woke up to snow all over the ground. Connor woke up really early and wanted to go outside and play in the snow. I hadn't gotten dressed yet so, Shannon & Connor went out and started to make the snowman. I didn't want to go get dressed so I went out in my pj's flip-flops. It's been 3 hours and Connor is still out there playing.

Has Hell Frozen Over?

It's been getting colder and colder in St. George. Has hell frozen over? Ha ha! Anyway, we had a day this week with flurries all day but, nothing really stuck at all. That is, until tonight. It started to snow this afternoon and has really only stopped once. It's been snowing a ton in Vegas and they had to close I-15! They've even gone as far as to close school tomorrow! That NEVER happens here! I love, love, love the snow! I keep going outside and just stare at it. It's so peaceful and the flakes are HUGE! It just makes me so happy! Connor is loving it too. I showed him how he can see his footprint when he walks in it. So, he's been stomping around in it and making snowballs. Looks like we'll have to buy him some snow boots, which they don't even sell here!

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

I've finally gotten around to taking a couple pictures of the Christmas tree we decorated this year! We did it a few weeks ago for FHE. I got home from work and the family had the tree and decorations out to decorate with. Connor enjoyed it so much! It's so fun to see the excitement he has as he gets older and understands it more and more each year!!! Tonight he was talking to Grandma McGinnis about how he was going to drive to Grandma & Grandpa Jeppesen's house soon. He told Grandma McGinnis that she needed to know he would be taking "his tree" with him when we go! She told him that he needed to leave it here. He again reminded her that the tree was his and he would be taking it with him. I love the things kids come up with! On a fun little side note, I've been searching ALL OVER for the perfect ribbon to make the perfect bow to match Rylie's Christmas dress! Today I found it and there was only one spool left of it!!!! Thanks to Alyson, Rylie will also have the perfect matching bracelet to go along with it!

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town!!!!

Today Santa Claus flew into St. George on his helicopter! He landed in the parking lot of "Boulevard Home Furnishings", near our house! Connor was so excited to see Santa Claus so he could ask Santa what he wanted to get for Christmas. When Connor's turn came he marched right up there. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted to ask for. So, he sat there and explained to Santa that he "really needs a new bicycle and a horn to go on his new bike!" Then, he was done. He was pretty proud of himself and what he had asked for. Then came Rylie's turn. As you can see in the picture we had taken, Rylie was not at all excited to be on Santa's lap! I still got a kick out it! After all was said and done, we walked away with Santa knowing exactly what Connor wanted, Santa knowing that Rylie was scared to death of him, getting to eat free pizza and drinks, and getting a free picture of the kids on Santa's lap! Who could ask for a better Saturday afternoon???

Thanksgiving Weekend - Part 1

We spent the Thanksgiving weekend with Mike's family this year! As you can see, Connor was all about helping Grandma make the desserts and salads! Anything that involved tasting yummy food! It was a good time! Mike's brother and all of his family came, too. There was so much yummy food to eat! The best part was the left overs that we have just barrely finished off eating! Mmmmm! We had a great weekend. There are more pictures and stories to come!

The Light At the End of the Tunnel!

Since we've been married (7 yrs.), Mike has been going to school. His goal has been to someday finish and graduate from Law School. Well, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! After today, Mike will be completely finished with his externship!!! What does this mean exactly? It means that he is DONE with school!!!!!! I cannot believe he is done! It's amazing, exciting, scary, and many other emotions, all in one! I'm so proud of what he has done and what he has accomplished! School has been a huge struggle for him but, he overcame it! He's like a pioneer in his family, being the first to graduate from College! I know I couldn't have done what he has done and gone through to get to this point! I hope that he feels so proud of himself and knows that he did an excellent job!!! Now he has to focus on studying to take the Bar exam in February!!!! Let the fun begin! :)

Scattergories & Rylie's New Funny-Face!

It's harder than it looks! Use the 1st Letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things, etc.,Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the Person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
1. Your name: Laura
2. A 4 letter word: Lake
3. A boys name: Larry
4. A girl's name: Leah
5. Occupation: Landscape Architect
6. Color: Lavender
7. Something you wear: Leggings
8. Beverage: Lemon Water
9. Food: Lasagna
10. Something used in a restroom: Lotion

For some reason Rylie has come up with this funny little face. It looks like she's about to cry but she doesn't. She makes the face then breaths in really fast through her mouth. Almost like she's running a race! It's so funny! When we were doing our "family pictures" she kept making the face in a lot of the shots. We get a kick out of her! It's so funny what kids come up with! Oh....forgive the funniness of the bow and the location of it. I was goofing around with what hair she does have and didn't bother changing it up.

I've Been Tagged!

Thanks, Mandi, for tagging me! :)

Rules:
1- Post the rules.
2- Answer the 6 "8" items.
3- Let each person know that they have been tagged.

8 Favorite T.V. Shows(in no particular order):
1- Grey's Anatomy
2- The Office
3- So You Think You Can Dance
4- CSI's (Las Vegas & Miami)
5- Law & Orders (All)
6- The Bachelor
7- The Biggest Loser
8a- America's Next Top Model
8b- Army Wives

8 Things I did yesterday:
1- Had gel nails done on my toes (glittery red with a silver tip)
2- Played basketball with Mike & Connor
3- My AMAZING hubby let me go shopping for Christmas clothes FOR MYSELF!!! I had no children with me! He babysat the whole time!!!
4- Ate yet another turkey sandwich! The turkey is finally all gone!
5- Gave Rylie a bath to get her ready for Sunday.
6- Made a hair bow to match the dress Rylie wore to church.
7- Ran some errands at Wal-Mart, of course, with Mike and the kids!
8- Made secret-shopper calls for Shelley

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1- Durango's
2- Cafe Sabor
3- Juniper Take-Out
4- Applebee's
5- El Sol
6- Old Grist Mill
7- Chuck-A-Rama
8- Village Inn

8 things I am looking forward to:
1- Christmas
2- Mike being all done with school & done taking the Bar!
3- Seeing Nicky this weekend!
4- Being able to live in our own place again
5- Christmas :)
6- Possibly taking the kids to Disneyland in Feb.
7- Rylie sleeping through the night!
8- Seeing the kids face on Christmas! :)

8 things on my wish list:
1- That we could live in our own place again.
2- That Mike could find a job really fast! A job he enjoys!
3- A new computer
4- No debt of any kind!
5- That Rylie would sleep through the night!
6- That Connor would listen and not purposefully disobey us. That we could figure out a way to connect with him and not have to discipline him so much.
7- That we could have another vehicle.
8- That I could go to and finish school!

8 people I tagged:
1- Alyson
2- Rylie
3- Christie
4- Amy
5- Stacey
6- Chelsey
7- Brittany
8- Amber

Lieto

A neighbor/friend I met, while living here, introduced me to a local choir called, "Lieto"(http://lietovoices.com/). It's an audition-only choir and I was interested. Well, my friend invited me to a practice so I could see what it was like and if it was something I would want to do. They announced that try-outs would be the following week. So, I decided to try out last week! It turns out I made it!!! So, will be singing with Lieto as an Alto! Woo Hoo!

Splash Pad in Downtown St. George

One of the perks of living in a warmer climate is being able to do things outside longer into the year. We love to take Connor to the splash pads. While St. George's splash pads don't compare to the one in Michigan, they are still a lot of fun to go to. Our favorite one is downtown. It's not a typical splash pad. Instead, there is a little stream running through and it even has chlorine in it. It's safe and fun for kids, of any age, to play in. Then, they have one right next to it that has actual water shooting up from the middle. Connor's favorite is the stream and enjoys just running back and forth in the water.

8-Months-Old!!!

Check out the shoes!!!!
Our little munchkin is 8-months-old, as of the 17th! I know I always say how fast time if flying but, it really is!!! She is changing right before our very eyes!!! She still army crawls but, she's so fast and just scoots so fast! She loves and adores Connor! Sometimes I'll just sit her in his room while he's playing and they'll play for the longest time, before she makes her way out to find me. Lately she has picked up waving at people and gets so excited when they wave back at her. My favorite moments is when we lay in bed and cuddle, before she falls asleep for her nap. We are enjoying Rylie very, very much!!!

Grandpa's Helper

When we go to visit my parents, one of Connor's favorite things to do is help my Dad mow the lawn. Their yard is pretty big so my Dad bought a cool riding lawn mower. Whenever my Dad pulls it out, or Connor sees him mowing the lawn, Connor runs over and wants to help out!!!! He's my Dad's little helper!

Good Times with the Call's!!!!

Last weekend, Mike had to take the MPRE test in SLC. So, we took advantage of being in SLC and spent a week up north. We stayed up at my parents house for a few days. Then, the morning of the test, we had to be up and gone by 6:30am to get Mike to the UofU on time. So, I dropped him off to take the test then I headed to the Call's house in Holladay (SLC)! We spent the whole day, night, and then slept over at their house! It was GREAT to spend time with them again! We've really missed them and all of our other friends!!! Being in St. George has been nice but, on the other hand, it has been really difficult to transition to not having our friends around. So, it was a blast hanging out like we used to!!!! We first went to Trolley Square for lunch. We lucked out because all of Trolley Square was celebrating it's 100th Anniversary of being around. We went to The Old Spaghetti Factory and their menu items cost the same as it did back in 1908. So, we got a salad, large bowl of pasta, bread, and dessert for only $2.49!!! It was a killer deal!!! Oh, and drinks were included!!!! Then Megan & I shopped while Mike and Justin hung out. Then, we had Papa Murphy's for dinner, played some games, had cookies, while the kids played with each other! The next morning Megan fixed an AMAZING breakfast with eggs, sausage, biscuits, and biscuits & gravy! It was so dang good! It was sad to say goodbye but, we had a great time!!!!

The Attack of the Blue Marker!!!!

When I got home from work tonight, Mike told me to hurry and look at the pictures on the camera. So, I turned on the camera and this is what I saw!!!! I asked Mike what it was and he said it was a Crayola marker that Rylie had found! I automatically panicked and worry she was poisoned! I called the Poison Control line and asked if she was ok. The lady helping me decided to be a brat and said, "If you looked on the marker box it says non-toxic!" I was so mad! Duh! If I had seen that, do you think I would be calling?!?!?!?!? GOSH!!!! We don't even have the box anymore!!!! So, what had happened was a few days ago Connor was coloring with markers. We lost one of them (the blue one) and couldn't find it! Well, it's a good thing Rylie is a scooter and could find it for us! LOL! Look what happens when I leave to go to work! I'm scared to see what happens tomorrow! Hahaha!