Home for real!

Well folks we are home for the first time in what seems like forever. We have been go go going for almost a month with weddings, trips, receptions and reunions. It has been a blast, but we are very happy to be home!We were lucky enough to go to Three Peaks Lodge in Idaho for our Shepherd Family reunion. What an amazing experience that was. Unfortunately everyone was not able to make it, but for those who did it was a fun time. Shane and I count ourselves blessed to have such an amazing family. You see my dad is the 2nd of 7. I am the oldest of 30 cousins on the Shepherd side and my two girls make up the first great-grandchildren. Unlike some families this size we spend a lot of time together and are extremely close. I believe most of this is thanks to my wonderful grandparents. They, along with the siblings, have worked hard to keep this family together through the years. Whether it was our yearly trips to San Diego or our reunions in Utah we have tried to see each other at least once or twice each year, if not more. Three Peaks Lodge is a big house with 8 bedrooms, a huge bunk room with 20+ bunk beds for the kids, an enclosed garage full of balls, toys and bikes of all sizes, a rock wall, tennis court, softball field, volleyball net, small pool and jacuzzi. So basically for a large family its a perfect place to be together, have fun and still have your own space.

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

We enjoyed TOO much wonderful food together, some intense games of softball, volleyball and kickball, and what would a Shepherd Family Reunion be without a talent show :) Kaylee never stopped. She would wake up early to play with her "cousens," skip nap, tell me "I'm good, I want to play," at lunch time and pass out every night. Kennady was passed around and kissed more than humanly possible and still was such an angel. Shane loved playing basketball and reading... :) Don't worry honey I won't tell everyone I got you to finally read Twilight and you loved it! haha And I enjoyed games of Quirkle and being with everybody.

Her house

We were lucky enough to have two of my cousins make a family video with pictures and video from throughout the years. We have one from 1992 that we watch all the time that my Uncle Jared made of the fam back then and since my sister, who is cousin #6 was born at the end of that video we were indeed ready for a new one! So G and Mark the videos were fantastic! Thanks!



































Thank you to everyone who was there, and even those who couldn't make it. We feel so blessed to have such an amazing family. We love you all so much and can't wait for the next one.

Shane and I were also able to go through Rexburg on our way home. It was strange being back and it honestly made us miss it there. We have some great memories from living there. We walked around campus and were blown away by the renovation and construction going on. Some of it was overwhelming but it was also so awesome to see the potential and growth BYU-I is making. BYU-Idaho and Rexburg will always have a special place in our hearts. Luckily we were able to see some familiar places and faces...right before our kids went crazy!
So as we were making the relatively short 4 hour drive from Rexburg to home and our kids were taking turns screaming, with an occasional duet from time to time, Shane and I reaffirmed in our minds that even though driving through the night is hard we would gladly take our sanity over sleep ANY DAY!!

Holler!

What?!? Why am I so excited you ask? Well after two kids and almost 5 years I fit into my wedding dress. Yes that's right. I tried it on and it fit. Maybe it was all this wedding madness we've had the last few weeks with Kylie and Katie getting married that gave me the cooky idea....or maybe I just wanted to, BUT I did and it fit so Bo-Ya! So I took a few "Bridals" since I never did before I got married :) haha I know I am a nerd oh well.
Also Shane, the girls and I were able to come to Sac for Katie and Mikey's reception and it was so wonderful. My superMOM did such a fantastic job with the cake and the reception. You are awesome Mom! We had family and great friends there and it was a blast. Congrats again Mikey & Katie. We love you!And what would one of my posts be without cute pics of my kids right :)


ALSO...
Happy Birthday Kylie Sue! We hope you had a great birthday! We love you tons!
Congrats to Halie & Ryan, soon to be The Stewarts! They will be getting married August 21 in the Mt Timpanogas Temple. Great month guys. We're so happy for you!

I'm Back!

Wow! It has been a crazy few weeks here at the Pack Casa. Weddings, birthdays, trips etc. So of course I fell behind, BUT I am back! (At least until it gets crazy again!) So update:
1. Kylie & Daniel got married May 22 in the Salt Lake Temple!! It was a beautiful day, the Bride and Groom looked HOT and the reception turned out fantastic.2. We went on a mini vacay to San Diego. My Shepherd family goes every year in May since I can remember. It was a small crowd this year and the weather was a little lame, but we still had fun. We hung out with family, saw some good friends, ate some yummy food and Kaylee LOVED the "hot water" aka jacuzzi! She however was NOT a fan of the beach. The sand made her feet "durty." 3. Kennady turned 5 months old! She is jabbering up a storm and has rolled from her tummy to back. We missed the rolling over thanks to Grandpa Shep!
Dad: "Hey Shara, so has Kennady rolled over yet?"
Me: "No"
Dad: "Oh well she just did like two times"
Thanks Dad :) She has also found her tongue and loves to show it to us! Other than that she is just becoming cuter and happier every day. We couldn't be more blessed with such a wonderful, sweet little girl!
4. Katie & Mikey got Married June 6 in the Salt Lake Temple! The little girls were peach puffs and it was such a fun day. They got sealed in the morning, we had 68 people in the sealing room which is A LOT, 12 being his siblings alone :) Then we took some pics, went and had a lovely luncheon and then had a blast at the reception. The weather tried to get us down but we trucked on and danced the night, and wind, away!

A few Cute Pics

Happy Birthday Kaylee Pack!

Kaylee Christine Pack, I cannot believe you are 2 years old today. Time has just flown by with you and your sister. You have filled our life with such joy over the past two years. We're not sure what we ever did without you. We love you so much. Continue to grow smart, continue to grow strong and know that your family loves you very much! Happy Birthday!

Today was Princess Pack's 2nd Birthday. I stayed up to the wee hours improving her princess dress Aunt Katie got her and lil baker Shane made yummy cupcakes and frosting from scratch! Then in the morning after a improv up do and some "sparky" shoes the Queen was ready for the day!
We had a lovely party in the park, Princess party of course although we did call it a "Royal Tea Party" to trick the little boys :) It was so nice to have such good friends and family there to help us celebrate! Kaylee got a little impatient about waiting to open the presents, but other than that she was great. She had all her "frens" there, treats and presents- so to her it was the best day ever! Thanks again to all that helped us celebrate!!HIGHLIGHTS
*We hear "oh my gosh" a lot! Its so funny!
*She is independent. Forget about what I want her to do or wear or anything...it is up to her now! She has opinions and knows exactly what she wants now.
*She thinks she is SO old. She calls people by their nicknames and talks on the phone.
*She is persuasive. Try telling her no thanks. Its impossible. Example:
K: mom you want some.
S: no thanks
K: mom want some (with eager head nod)
S: No I'm ok Kaylee
K: mom want some (even more eager head nod) yea, shur."
S: ok
*She is so smart. She says new things we didn't even know she knew about and surprises us daily!

4 months old!

Wow its a little late, sorry second child, but what the heck right. Kennady Lynn is 4 months old!
Highlights
*Poor thing is STILL all congested. I hate winter time. Never again.What a start to life huh!
*She is on the verge of rolling over...its just hard to give her tummy time when she can't breath that well :)
* She smiles and talks up a storm.
*She loves big sister Kaylee and the feeling is totally mutual! Kaylee talks and Kennady beams! Its so sweet.
*She is CONSTANTLY moving and wiggling.
*She grunts. Its quite the little sound. A little scary but funny too.

Sisters matchy matchy squared

Make new friends, but keep the old

One is Silver and the other is Gold! haha Whatever that means. However in the spirit of that weird little song we would like to say bon voyage to our beloved Cristina and Houston! You guys will be missed so much!

Stina you are an amazing friend and I am so glad we got the chance to get to know each other and become such wonderful friends. I love you!

Then to our dear Sibby who came to visit us last weekend after forever! It was great seeing you. It made me miss the good ol' BYU-I days. Sibby it has been too long, but you will always be one of my favs!

So to all "new" friends and "old" friends, and all other sorts of friends, thanks! We are grateful for the blessing you are in our lives.