Sheffield Family Christmas

At the Sheffield side of the family we all draw names and open presents in order from youngest to oldest. Spencer really enjoys being third in line to open his present. He got some great DVDs.
Here is Melissa looking ever photogenic. She loves gift cards! Devin looks pretty happy about something too.

Here is a group shot starting from left to right--Kaylyn, John (her special friend), my mom, Cheryl & Neil (they are engaged), and Lacie with her golden earnings.

Is Amber good at the reactions or what? You would think she had never seen baby lotion before, or maybe it is just a precious commodity.
Rustin is excitedly opening his presents with a little help from mom and dad. I think he loves the book.

Here is Matt opening his present from Grandma Sheffield. It has been a long standing tradition for her to give items of clothing and in particular socks. Matt was the lucky recipient of not only socks, but a blank video tape for all of those future Smallville episodes.

Last, but not least Grandma Sheffield opening her presents. We really appreciate Grandma Sheffield having lots of events in her home so we can all get together. We also really appreciate the cinnamon rolls :). Well that's it for the Christmas posting. Here comes the new year.

The Christmas Photo Montage

Happy Christmas everyone! Nothing says Christmas morning like a nine year old with his new guitar. Never mind the new skateboard ramp in the background. I thought for Christmas I would post a massive amount of pictures because I took so many. This time I beat out Matt in recording the happy events of the day. I will have to follow up with another post because there are just too many to do in one sitting.
Melissa has a perfect pose for the camera. I think the happiness must be bursting out of her because she got the new "Sliver" cell phone.
Devin tries to escape the camera, but alas my trigger finger is much to quick.
Why is Matt in the corner? I think he wants to hide from the pictures just like Devin. That's unfortunate because my camera sees all.
My dad loves to document everything with the new video camera. I can't decide if he really likes to record everything or he just likes to play with the video camera.
What a classic Kodak moment. Here is Kaylyn with her new iron. College teaches you a lot of things like how many clothes you have that need to be ironed.
It's a good thing Devin has sisters. We taught him to shop for at least some clothes to wear out on the town. Now he has an official date shirt. Lookin' good Dev.
Good morning crazy hair. For those of you who don't remember what I look like in the morning here is just a little reminder. Matt has some pretty awesome hair al la Flock of Seagulls but the picture doesn't do it justice.

At my house we have to wait and go into to see our presents all together (Santa doesn't wrap his presents). We have to get in order from youngest to oldest. Spencer is here waiting for everyone to get in line so we can go in.
My parents with their presents from Santa. My mom loves the Gilmore Girls and my dad thinks that he is a gangster with his new beanie. This isn't just any beanie it wicks away the moisture. Is it me or is it a little strange to have head moisture.
Spencer received a guitar that plugs into the computer and you can play songs. Here is my dad trying to figure it out. At least there is no assembly required.
Spencer loves building and he got quite the collection of Legos. Who knew that there was a monster pack of Sponge Bob Legos?

Melissa looks very chipper for staying up so late on Christmas Eve.
Devin opening his Incubus cd.
Kaylyn loves gift cards, you can tell by the big cheesy grin. She definitely has the Sheffield mouth.
Here is Matt actually smiling for the camera with a game we got from Kaylyn. It is one of my favorite pictures of the day. Doesn't he look happy?
This is my mom displaying her gift from her sister. It is the family study guide for the New Testament.
My dad opening up a present.
Michelle and I exchanged some fun gifts this year. She got me a subscription to a food magazine with lots of easy recipes (for the kitchen impaired like me). I got her a lamp that you can plug your Ipod into. I think I might be turning into a gadget geek.
James and his mom (Michelle's sister) on Christmas morning 2006. I think this shot was a little unexpected.

Here is James Pope staring curiously at Matt taking his picture. Apparently he hasn't yet grasped the concept of smile for the camera or Matt is much to intriguing. Anyway, he is still cute as a button. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Our First Christmas Tree

This is our first tree together as couple. Sorry to all those real tree devotees, but we had to go with the artifical tree. I also wanted to give a special thanks to Deena (my co-worker) who downsized her tree and gave us her old one for us to enjoy. It looks fabulous in the living room/office/dining room.
This picture is brought to you by my little brother Spencer (maybe he is a budding photographer at the age of nine). Everyone just imagine that we sent you this photo with a Christmas card because it isn't going to happen this year. Both of us do want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hopes that you will feel the true spirit of the season with your families!

USU--Devin's How Old?

So a couple of weeks ago we had the chance to go and visit Devin up at Utah State University. Let me just say Logan is the frozen tundra and there is a reason that I did not go to school there.

Aside from the bitter cold we had a great time. We got to meet Devin's girlfriend and reminisce about our college days and living in the crowded dorms. We especially enjoyed Devin's stories about the kitchen fires that occur on a regular basis. (They have kitchens on each level of this building like DT). Suffice it to say the fire department knows their way around his building.

Devin is doing great and enjoying being on a full ride scholarship. He is thinking about majoring in education. We are excited for him to have the college experience!






Here's another shot of Devin and his girlfriend Kaari. I know this looks almost exactly like the other one, but if you look closely the lighting is slightly different and changes the quality of the picture. J/K :)









Last but not least, here are Matt and I in Devin's dorm room. We have to squish together because we barely fit in that space. All I can say is at least the walls aren't cinder blocks.

Halloween Party

Happy Halloween! Here is the adorable James Pope mingling with the guests or trying to steal something off the table at the Michelle Brown and Andrea Pope Halloween party. Matt and I enjoyed some great food and some "thrilling" rounds of Bingo.
Mmmm Good. Here we are as the happy M&M couple. Thanks to Reed and Sarah for lending us the great costumes.
ARGHH! Pierce and Michelle as the pirate couple. It is a good thing they each have one good eye.
What do you get when you cross an M& M and a pirate?
Introducing the world famous paddle ball champions Krys and Julianne Johnson. Please note the fierce intensity in their faces.
Avast me hearties: Here are Shaun and Andrea Pope with their pint size pirate James.

All I can say about this is be careful when you play Bingo at the Brown's house. One would think "winner" is a great title, but look at all the fabulous prizes Matt and I won. I'm not sure we want to win anymore.

Thanks for the great Halloween party Michelle and Andrea!

Wedding Wonderland (Part 2)

Welcome to installment two of the Tyra and Josh Wedding Story. I wish this first shot would have turned out better. This is the country club where the ring ceremony was. Everyone try to imagine Josh and Tyra standing under the archway. Now try to imagine that you can see clearly out the huge windows and see the fog slowly coming in across the water. Here again you can also see the beautiful white swags and white Christmas lights. The whole thing was so gorgeous and frankly you could not pay for ambiance like that.

These next pictures are from the reception. Look at the doting Grandpa and Grandma Leeman. Lauren was so well behaved. She enjoyed the food and the party and dancing with her dad.
This is just a quick shot of the Wheadon family. Here they are all alert which turns into quite a different story later on in the evening.
Here is the lower part of the centerpiece at our table. The colors went so well together and the whole room smelled like the stargazer lilies that were in the centerpieces. I hope this is what heaven smells like.
I have to say that I love the camera that Matt gave me for the birthday. It has this flip out screen which allows us to take pictures of ourselves.
This is the picture that we had as one of the decorations on our table. Matt took a picture of a picture and it turned out pretty well.
This is my best shot of the gorgeous reception. I wish that a photo could do it justice. The ceiling had beautiful white swags with white Christmas lights in them. You can also see Tyra singing "Someone Like You" to Josh. She did a fabulous job. It was very touching. True confessions Meghan Frost and I cried all over the table while she was singing. At least someone else is as sentimental as I am.
Tyra and Josh like to ride in style in this classic Rolls Royce complete with driver. Talk about an exit!
These last pictures are from the airport. Here is Ava chomping down on her all "natural" cheese cracker. Yummy! She looks like she is enjoying it. Maybe she should share some with her dad?
Here is Morgan looking for her new pathway to run. Morgan is a very mobile woman. I think she should be nicknamed "The Dart." If you set this girl down on the floor she is off and running full speed ahead. She certaintly kept her mom busy this weekend, but who could resist a face like that. Thanks Tyra, Josh and Sampson family for a great weekend. We can't wait to get together again soon.