Happy Easter!

The annual Easter shot. No Christian as he ditched us for the Festival of Color in Spanish Fork. As infrequently as I update this blog, it is quite interesting to see my kids slowly grow older. Wow.

 This one, she's doesn't get any bigger anymore but it sometimes surprises me how big she actually is.

Happy Easter everyone!

Time to Play Catch Up

Yes, I am more than a bit behind on the blog. Sorry, but when life gets busy, the blog goes by the wayside. I must repent of this in the new year.

So here we go. A quick recap of the last few months in the Shupe household.


Christian finished up an amazing marching band season with American Fork High School. In spite of the tragic accident involving Heather Christensen, the band moved on and won several competitions. They won the Western Regional Competition and then, thanks to the generous support of family, friends and sponsors, they went on to Indianapolis for Nationals. They made the semi finals there and ended up placing 15th out of the 91 bands attending. We were able to watch them perform at nationals via a live satellite feed at the high school. It was a great wrap up to a unique season. Here is a YouTube link if you want to take the 9 minutes or so to watch the performance. It was a tribute to World War II veterans and featured music from Band of Brothers. Christian is the second bass drum from the left if you can spot him. Also note the injured band members in the front by the pit, playing their instruments but unable to march. And hang on for the tribute at the end.




Remember this cute, fluffy little thing? Well, she's grown...


...and grown and grown and grown. Inga loves the snow and it makes for quite a challenge when walking the dogs. Jack prefers to keep to the sidewalk, Inga prefers to romp through the snow off the sidewalk. I think she's pretending she's in the Swiss Alps tracking down a lost traveler. But we love her and she has brought new life into ten year old Jack. They are the best of friends.



And speaking of cute things, have you been to Hogle Zoo yet to see this baby elephant? If you haven't, you really must. We went to see her in October and all I could think was, "I think my dog is that big."



Halloween came and went. It was the year of the pirate. Sidney, Kristina, myself and several friends dressed up as pirates. Even Jack the dog ended up in a pirate costume. Poor thing--he's just too good natured to protest when we do such ridiculous things. Inga had the good sense to have nothing to do with any costume.



And Thanksgiving came and went. We held it at our house this year and stuffed ourselves until we thought we would burst. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? Oh, yes, and the thanks part too.




We took the family to Disneyland for Christmas this year. We spent three days in mid-December at Disneyland. The first day, it poured rain. Never fear. Who's afraid of a little rain? Not us. But apparently, a lot of other people. We spent six hours at the park and walked onto almost every ride.

The next day was perfect. It was overcast so I think that scared people away but there was no rain and again, we rode ride after ride after ride with little if any wait. The kids actually went on Splash Mountain twice in a row and didn't even have to get off in between.


Day three was sunny so we ended up with a busier day but still not crazy. Kristina complained about the ten minute wait for some of the rides. I think we spoiled her with the previous two days.



And Christmas was wonderful. It has been a relaxing and wonderful holiday for all of us. We hope it was the same for you. Life is good, not perfect, but very good. We are blessed.

Back to School

Meet Twila Fehlman reincarnated on her first day of fourth grade.

She's got the attitude for junior high.

And this one just makes life easier for me.

This one is too cool for school, or at least for photos. Anyone else have a high schooler that just won't allow a decent picture to be taken of him, ever?

Here is my motley crue on their first day of school. Yes, we're back to school. Yippee, I think. With one in high school and two in junior high this year, back to school cost a small fortune. And I'm not even including Christian's marching band fees because I paid those in increments over the summer. But so far, everyone seems to be doing well. Spencer and Kristina didn't get lost on their first day at junior high as they thought they might. No, Kristina waited until day five to get lost :-).

And you know, this one is going to school too. Yes, we are on week four of puppy obedience school. And Inga is doing pretty well. She's the youngest and biggest puppy there. I swear she grows over night. She's sprouted legs over the last few weeks so she's now a big fur ball with legs. If you intend to come and see her while she is still relatively small, you'd better hurry. She's not waiting around for anyone.

Puppy Love

Look at this face and melt. That is exactly what Dean and I did today. Meet Inga, a 22 pound, seven week old Saint Bernard puppy. And yes, we brought her home today. Don't ask about the craziness of it all. Don't apply any kind of logic or practical thought. Just look at the face.

This one is in love with her.


So is this one.


And this one is too.


And this one hasn't been this excited about anything in a long time.


This one will get used to her, and probably come to enjoy the companionship.


This one and her sister are really unsure and a little put out that they weren't consulted first.


And to think that the kids had nothing to do with it. Dean and I flipped head over heels and that was that. Never mind that she was the biggest puppy in her litter. Never mind that at seven weeks her head is already as big as my children's heads. Never mind that she has the potential to grow to 160 pounds. Just look at her and melt.