Promised Pictures

This is my boy Tyce playing basketball for the first time. He's getting the hang of it, because in this game he made 2 shots, and his team won 40-4! WaHoo!

Paige is the one shooting. She also made 2 baskets at her last game, and I of course missed them because I had to hurry and run Ali to her game. I'm sad about missing them, but sure proud of her.

Finally, with all the kids getting some spotlight blog time for basketball, I figured Danica needed a post too. This is her today, in her very cute outfit that only someone so cute could get away with. Sure love this crazy girl!

That's it for now! Jo and I are off to Cancun this weekend, so next post will be all about Fun and Sun!

Look close.......

Look close, and you will see some great defense going on in the middle of the picture! Kaden has been a lot of fun to watch this year, and is getting to be a great ball player.Look close, and you will see #14 who is the girl who was high scorer in their last ball game. They won 8 to 6, and she had 4 of their 8 points! She is a great ball player too, and I have loved watching her learn sooo much this year!

Look close, and you will see many elk on the hill behind our house. Once in awhile the big herd that lives around here will come into view, and it's always fun when they do!

I am still working on getting pictures of Paige and Tyce playing ball, but I'm hoping to remember my camera this weekend, and post some before Jo and I leave for Cancun next weekend. So.............keep looking for those!

Christmas 2011

Christmas with the Shumway's 2011

Christmas was lots of fun for us this year. We celebrated with parties and activities most of the month of December, and Loved It! We of course started the season off by decorating the Christmas Tree.

At our annual ward party, the primary did the manger scene and sang some songs. Ali was Mary, Paige is behind her as an angel, and Tyce is way over on the right in the blue as a shepherd. They all looked so cute!

Then of course there is Christmas morning. This is Tyce loving his new art kit from Santa.

Kaden's expression is funny, but he's waited a long time for this 22, and it was a surprise to him to get it for Christmas!

This picture is because I LOVE it! Right before I took this, Danica put her little arms around both her sisters. SO CUTE! They got cute hats, and had put some of Danica's dolls hair clips in their hair. Sure love these girls.

Christmas was lots of fun. We have finally got it put away now for one more year. We spent a lot of the break painting the girls rooms, and enjoying watching Kaden play some b-ball. Now we are on to a new year, with new goals of family unity in mind, and hoping for only great things for all of our family and friends! We love you all!

Picture Update

I thought I would finally post some pictures that went along with the last post. This first one is just one shot of Kaden's eagle project with Kaden, his dad, and his grandpa all in the picture. This is Tyce's 7th birthday. He had a great day, as you can tell by the smile on his face!

This is my cute little halloween bunch. (minus Kaden, who thinks he's too big to dress up, and was outside hunting pheasants) Tyce - Vampire, Paige - An old man, Ali - Devil, and Danica - Princess.

This last picture is a family shot with Jody's mom Linda on her last visit in November. I can't believe how big my kids are getting.

That's that! More to follow soon! (hopefully).

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!

I am So EXCITED for the Holidays! I LOVE this time of year, because it's just such a happy-Everybody Get Along- time of year. I'm looking forward to time with my kids, my family, and Jo's family. All things I treasure!

I thought I better update everyone on the craziness that has been our lives for the past 2 months. Kaden finished up soccer with an undefeated season! WAHOO! just in time to try out for the school Basketball team. After a little concern...........HE MADE IT! We are super excited about it. I know it adds to my things to do list, but I love to watch my children do the things they love. He also completed his eagle project, and now needs to do all the paper work and Thank you cards. I'm super proud of him! Now when he turns 14 in January, he can just enjoy his time as a teacher, and not feel stressed that he's got too much to do! He's doing great in the 8th grade, and showing lots of responsibility. He has just about caught up to me in heighth, and that's been a little tough for me to take. Sure do LOVE the big guy!

Ali will soon be starting her duet clogging, but in the meantime, she has been ever so busy with her friends and parties, and just growing up. Even her Uncle Matt told me the other day that she was becoming quite a young woman. Ali has a wonderful personality that draws people in. She has lots of good friends, and is looking forward to going into YW in February. She also signed up for Basketball which will be starting pretty soon. She has adjusted well to being in the Jr. High, although it took a little time with some teachers. At PTC all of her teachers adored her, and one even asked me if they could CLONE her! haha funny teacher. Ali keeps me guessing, and I LOVE her for it!

Paige has been loving clogging. She clogs just about everywhere she goes. She had a Christmas performance the other day, and did great, but she sure looked nervous. Maybe now with the 1st one down, she won't be so worried. She's doing great in school too. She loves her teacher, and so do I. She really looks at each child, and makes sure to keep them on track. I love teachers that really care about our kids! Paige decided to play Basketball again this year too, so we are excited to watch both girls play. Paige is a huge help to me, and I LOVE her tons too!

Tyce is my little perfectionist. He cried for 20 minutes one day because he got a 98% on a test. This quality can be both good and bad. Crying about an A was not one of the good moments. His teacher had only fabulous things to say about him as well. Tyce also, is going to play Basketball this year. Preston does not start them until 3rd grade, but a cousin of Jody's asked if we would sign him up in Smithfield so they could get a Preston team together, and be able to practice here. I was VERY hesitant on this one, because 1st grade is SO YOUNG, but Tyce is so excited about it, why not I guess. He's a good boy who also keeps me on my toes, and I LOVE him too.

Danica is my constant shadow. We still coupon shop every Tuesday, and she's not so sure that couponing is her favorite, but she's a trooper. She told Jody the other day that she was a 15 OLD GIRL! I truly believe she thinks that too. Sure LOVE the sassy little woman!

Jody now officially has his Masters! So proud of him. We love having him around more, and he loves that there's less things to stress about. To celebrate, we have decided to go to Cancun again this year with our friends. It may be the last trip to Mexico for awhile because the kids are getting so involved in things, so we are SUPER EXCITED to go! With 4 kids playing ball this year it will be interesting to see if we can handle it all. The good thing is, I think Kaden will be done before the girls start, and I think they will be half way done when Tyce starts. Wish us Luck!

We also recently enjoyed a WONDERFUL visit from Linda and her friend Sue. We love being able to see her when ever we can, and although this was a short visit, we loved having them both, and enjoyed every minute.

The last month has been a little more difficult than the whole 1st year was for me as a RS President. I've seen too much saddness going on in our ward, and I feel a little like I just don't know what to do for people. Thank goodness it is the Holiday season, and hopefully SOME of the joy I feel about the Savior's birth will rub off on the people I associate with. I can't think of a better reason to celebrate! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!

She's 3, and He's growing UP

I know it's hard to believe, but it's true! My BABY is 3! We had a great day with her. We ALL woke up early to open presents, because Jody had to be at school that night, so that makes this picture even more amazing, to know that this smile is happening SO early in the morning! I love SO many things about Danica. She can make anyone smile. She enjoys everything about life. She's got her whole family wrapped around her finger, and therefore is quite spoiled.

She can pout, dance, sing, and carry a conversation better than most adults, and she's the cutest 3 year old I know! Happy Birthday you beautiful baby girl!

I love this picture of Kaden, because he's smirking at his leader, and this is what he looks like a lot at our house as he is always teasing someone! Last night he had a court of honor, and was awarded 11 merit badges. He now has only 2 to finish up, and his eagle project to complete next month, and the next court of honor we attend will be to give him his eagle. I'm proud of this great big boy. He's working very hard, and loves everything about scouts. He's a great leader to the deacons, and we sure love him!

In other news, Jody has No school this weekend for conference, but then he only has 2 WEEKS left before we are completely done with the masters program! HURRAY for him and all of us for making it the 2 years. Great job sweetie! We're ALL so Proud of You!

Worst Mom Ever!

Aren't they cute? They were born the day before we left to our vacation in Yellowstone. They are quite a bit bigger now then they were in these pictures, so they have now taken over the garage. We can't park in there because one will get ran over, and they have started to use the bathroom EVERYWHERE. I personally have had enough and broke the news to my children that this weekend they are to go and make them a home in the barn.

Paige's reaction was to snap at me about predators eating them, and go to the garage and pout for about 30 minutes. How could a mom be SO awful as to suggest such a thing when they bring your children this much joy................

Come on kids........the barn is the safest place for them. At least there isn't the threat of being ran over out there! Can anyone back me up on this?