Family Photo Time!

I don't know why family photo time is so stressful for me?? I guess I just make it that way. Maybe it is because I have to find outfits for everyone that have coordinating colors, I have to pick a time when the "kiddos" are going to be happy, and have to make sure my hair and my daughters bow look "just so". Not to mention getting the kids to look at the camera! All I can say is...thank goodness for digital technology! How did anyone survive without digital? Maybe that is why our early ancestors always looked so grumpy in their family pictures!
Although I do get a little crazy before family pictures, I am so thankful that I can have at least one photo that I can treasure for a lifetime.

Say Cheese!

Jared was able to borrow a neighbor's props to take pictures of Reagan last week. Reagan had her 2nd photo shoot with Dad, (the first one being in the hospital). These are the most precious pictures of yet!

She's Here! Reagan Alivia Shupe

Our beautiful little girl Reagan was born on April 12th at 8:23am. She weighed 8 lbs. 6.6 oz. and was 20 inches long. Reagan was also born with a wonderful thick head of hair which we all love! It looks as though she walked out of a salon with light brown hair and blond highlights. We are so blessed to have her in our home. Babies always bring a little bit of "heaven" with them, and we have no doubt that the veil is very thin in their eyes.

Some of you have already seen some pictures that Jared sent on Monday night, but just in case you haven't seen any, here are a few...

36 weeks and counting....

I know that I might be a little too excited about this pregnancy countdown, but I am so thrilled that I only have 3 more weeks (and one day) before my c-section! I really love being pregnant, but I am READY to see what this little girl looks like! Jared thinks she will be blond like Tanner was...and I think she will have lots of dark hair like our Rylee. Either way, I am soooooo excited to meet this precious little person!

Almost 6 lbs.....and 6 weeks to go!

We are counting down the weeks that our little girl will arrive. I had an ultrasound on Friday and found out that our little bundle of joy is actually pretty big... almost 6 lbs already! Now, I was almost 9 lbs. when I was born, so I guess she must be taking after me since Jared was only about 6 lbs. at birth.

Although Jared and I are super excited about having another baby, we are coming to the realization that we only have 6 short weeks before our 6 years of good sleep will end. Yes, we love our sleep... and we have had it really good since Tanner has been such a great sleeper and doesn't wake us anymore when he arises at 6:30 am on Saturdays. It will definitely be a BIG change, but a WONDERFUL one!

I'm back!...I think.

OK, I have never been good at keeping journals, writing to friends, or even keeping up with facebook on my own computer. I don't know what it is that keeps me from doing these things, but here I am once again trying to keep you informed of what our family is up to. (One of these days, I will make it a habit!)

As you may, or may not know, we are expecting a little girl in April. This has probably been the most exciting and wonderful thing that has been on our minds in the past few months. We have also had a few trials in the last few months that have really helped us recognize what we value most in life...our family and the knowledge that we are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us.

We had a lot of fun during the holidays, and were amazed at how fast they came and were gone! We also have had many family birthday parties, along with planning our first Shupe Family vacation for June with all of Jared's siblings (with families) and parents!

Tanner is doing very well in school and is in his own reading group (if you can call it that with just one person???). His teacher has been sending chapter books home to read on a weekly basis, and he loves it! He is definitely in a "league of his own" when it comes to reading. His teacher has put him at a 3rd/4th grade level, and could go higher once he is doing better with comprehension at that level.

Jared is working hard for our family, and I love him for it! It allows me to stay home and take the time to care for our home and spend quality time with Tanner's education. We have been very blessed these past few months, and are glad to have each other and wonderful family and neighbors around us!

Birthday Surprises in September

I know this is a little overdue, but I wanted to share with you some details about Tanner's 6th birthday in September! We started out with a fantastic friend party on September 19th in which there were 9 friends, games, a sports bounce house and yummy cake and icecream! The kids had a blast with the bounce house and it was well worth the money for lots of entertainment. Not only did we get to use the bounce house for his "friend" party, but we were able to keep it the whole weekend for the price of 1 day! Jared's family came over the evening of the 19th, and we had another birthday celebration for Tanner. His cousins were able to play basketball and jump in the bounce house to their hearts' content! Needless to say, by the time Monday the 21st came (Tanner's actual birthday), he was not ready to give up the bounce house until he saw the Mario Kart game for the Wii that he had requested from us. The rest of the day consisted of Mario Kart, McDonalds for lunch, and Chili's for dinner. (I think we went a little over our budget this year, but it was well worth it to see all the smiles:)

On Friday the 25th, we had a BBQ with my family for Tanner's birthday, and then on Sunday Tanner wore his new blue pinstriped suit to church. He had asked for a suit because he wanted to look like the bishop. I think he succeeded! He was so handsome in his suit.