Shelby's Big Bash

Create Your Own

Shelby's party went very well. She was such a good little girl and showed how much of a social butterfly she is. It looked like everyone had a very good time. The food was amazing and we had just enough. Heather and Patty made the most beautiful cake and it was so delicious. We had enough food to feed about 80 people. We cleared 15lbs of pulled pork, a 8lb honey ham and at least 5-30 packs of beer. Thanks boys! All the family and the friends came over to play. Swimming, Pinata and Sand Pail Goody Buckets made the night fun. The only thing I would re-do is having time to mingle with my friends. We had a lot of people from out of town and I always find it hard to get around to everyone when I am trying to get everything done. But I hope everyone understands.

Thank you to everyone who helped us get ready for the party over the last few weeks. Yard work, baking and decorating; we could not have done it without you guys. Also a big thanks to everyone who came out to celabrate Shelby' s big 1yr. We love all of our friends and family and are so blessed to have all of you in our lives. And man do you guys bring kick ass gifts. Shelby made out like a bandit. Thank you!

Create Your Own

Weekend in Laughlin

This weekend was a milestone for Shawn and I. We left Shelby with or parents and headed to Laughlin for some good old Jet Skiing, Drinking and Gambling. This was the first time we have both been gone together. We had a really good time. From what it sounds like Shelby had a really good time too. No horror stories to come home to. She behaved herself.
We stayed at the Pioneer so we could be right on the water. Our rooms overlooked the private beach and we just dragged our chairs and coolers down every morning. Well, let me re-phrase that, about lunch-time. LOL! We hit the river on Friday and Saturday and went to Lake Mohave on Sunday. I am a fan of the lake because it is bigger, the water is nicer and better beach area. But the river is more convenient. The girls floated on our big huge blow up raft or on our beach chairs and the boys hung at shore, we all went on our rides and then . . .drank, drank, drank.


The night life is pretty fun and the boys are freaking crazy. Either it was asking the locals what their drug of choice is or pretending to pee in public.(Yes, pretending) We sure had our hands full. The girls just found ourselves walking a little faster so we didn't look affiliated with them. But they are "ours" and eventually we claimed them. And it seemed that my orange terri cloth cover-up was a hit. Shawn and Eric both put it on! Now it is pretty stretched out but it was only $10 at the local Walmart so I don't really care to much. The pictures and laughs were well worth it!
Getting together with great friends is how we LOVE to spend our weekends. Since Shelby, it has really been our goal to not let her schedule rule our life, but to show her how she fits into ours. There is no need to stop doing what makes us happy, then we would just be grumpy, miserable parents. Rules w/ purpose incorporated with a lot of fun. That's how we do it!
We did miss her TONS! It might be awhile before we leave her again.

We have been extremely busy this summer. Over the last few weeks it has been hard to keep my head on straight. We went to San Diego for our Cousin's High School Grad Party. Shawn made Ryan a really cool custom chopped bike for his grad present. Here is a picture of Shawn's dad, Mike, riding it. I think he wants one of his own. LOL! We were lucky enough to get the family together and spend a day at the beach. We had a really good time.


The following weekend we cruised up to Sholoh, AZ for Memere's 80th Birthday. All of Shawn's Aunts & Uncles and cousins stayed at the B&B. It was an absolutely beautiful weekend. The weather was great and the food was amazing. We were even able to get a family picture with EVERYONE! That is soooo hard to do. I don't have a copy of it yet. Sorry.

This last weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday and her recent promotion. Jessica, Phil and Luke came up from Tucson and we had a BBQ at our house. We were able to relax and watch the kids play with each other and also took a dip in the pool. Shelby was a little rough with Luke. Either she is going to be a Brute or she still doesn't understand the word, "Gentle". Maybe even both, she is a big kid. But she did give him some hugs too. I made a really yummy Chocolate cake with a Cherry filling in the middle and a Hershey Kiss on top. There was only one piece left. I got to eat it! Ha ha ha.

Shelby's party is coming up so fast and we cant wait! We spent all day Sunday working on the new fence and the new entertainment wall. Things are definitely coming together. It is going to be a mad house but I am very excited with all the family and friends RSVP'ing. As long as a Monsoon isn't in the forecast we are gonna be A-OK.

We are also getting ready for Jenni's wedding in October. Vegas is going to be soooo much fun! We got our dresses and hell froze over when I fit in a size 6! Never in my life have I wore a 6. I am pretty sure there is a lady in China or the Philippines who needs to brush up on her math or get glasses. But I will take a victory where ever it may come. I have been hitting the gym and Bikram Yoga.

The Summer has started

When the temp hit 100 Phoenicians go swimming, or run to the closest air conditioning they can find. Shelby and I have been finding ourselves catching some rays and taking a swim every afternoon this week. The pool is just right and my tan is getting there. Shelby on the other hand Shelby is wearing SPF 50, but my little butterball is turning a golden color. I try to put hats on her but she rips them off as soon as I get it on.

This summer Amanda and I have decided to work our buns off. We have started hiking and hitting the gym. The Bikram Yoga 3 times a week will start next week. We are staying very active and by the end of the summer I will proudly swim without my board shorts. Which, may I add, are very cute!

We just went to a really kick butt birthday party for our friend Eric. I hope to get pics soon. Although some of them might be pretty crazy since the blender was non-stop with Margaritas and Daiquiris all day long. It was a fun day for most who attended. Some people had to leave early, but it looked they were having a good time. :) It is always nice to hang out with old friends and enjoy each other's company. My sister in-law Heather made an awesome Birthday cake.

Shawn has been very busy in the backyard this week. The Tikki hut is done and now he is laying the paver's around the pool. We recently decided to put a rock waterfall in the other corner of our pool area. My dad is going to help us, we are really excited. We just figured why go anywhere when we can make paradise in our own backyard. The pool fencing is done and is crazy. Shawn is so creative it blows my mind. Lets just say it is not your typical pool fence. To everyone who is invited to Shelby's birthday Luau, you will see what I mean. Speaking of her party, I just ordered a boatload from Oriental Trading Co. Everything is going to be all decked out. Definitely the best party we have had to date. Invites will be going out soon. So keep an eye for it in your mail boxes.

In a few weeks we will take Shelby's one year picture. Should be really cute.

Cabin trip up north

We had a great time up north this weekend. The cabin was better than we had imagined. We fished, took afternoon naps, played Wii bowling, cards and made some kick butt Smores! It was so nice to get away from home and the heat. Phoenix hit the hundreds this weekend. Yuck! It was about a 4hr drive but it went by pretty fast. And Shelby did great like always. She loves car rides.



We went fishing at a nearby lake and took the boat out. Caden even caught his first fish. He was so excited. He watches "Man Vs. Wild" and all he wanted to do was "stab" the fish the way that Bear does in the show. Once we got the fish back to the cabin we let him. It was so funny. It freaked him out! He didn't know fish had blood and he thought it felt gross. After that we said he wasn't to interested in stabbing things anymore. Ha ha ha.


Shelby decided to start walking this weekend. It was too cute. Her face lights up. She loves being able to get around without being picked up. We also noticed that she does know how to crawl, she just refuses. She will pick right up and crawl across the living room if there something she wants bad enough. What a turd.

My Birthday Vacation has officially started!

My "Birthday Weekend of Fun" started tonight with a Diamondbacks baseball game, followed by fireworks. Yes, you heard me, fireworks. We had a pretty big group, 18 of my closest friends and family come along for the night. Shelby had a blast and enjoyed spending time with her grandparents. She really loved the music that would play between batters. She would even start dancing.

The Diamondbacks have a GREAT promotion right now called Family Fridays. I believe it runs through the end of the summer. For $15 you get your ticket, hot dog, drink, fireworks and a free pass to the zoo. We figured that the ballpark actually lost $ on us tonight. I really recommend going to a game. The teams home page is where I found the tickets and they make it really easy to buy your tickets online.

The roof was open and so were the side doors. We were able to see a kick ass sunset. You can see a little of it behind my mom and dad. Aren't they cute. I think they had a good time. My dad loves his team. Even though he was born and raised in Detroit, MI he routed for his D-Backs tonight. Family in MI were bummed that the Tigers haven't been playing well this year.






Shelby was aw-struck by the fireworks! She wouldn't take her eyes of the sky. The noise was a little loud but only the really big ones bothered her. She even started pointing up at the sky as it lit up. Tonight held a lot of firsts for her. First baseball game, first D-Backs shirt and fireworks. She had only had one nap today so I was a little worried, but she did great. She was out like a light about 5 mins into the ride home.






Jenni and Roger came along. Roger is such a fan that he was listening to the game with a headset to hear the commentary. Now that is a dedicated fan folks. The D-Backs beat the Detroit Tigers and it was a really good game. These two are always down for a good time.








Here is the group of us getting ready to watch the fireworks. I have a great group of friends and family. I had a wonderful time with them tonight and it was a great start to a good week.







We leave for camping up north in the morning. We are staying at a cabin up by Sunrise Sky Resort until Monday. It should be beautiful up there this time of year. I cant wait!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was amazing. It was my first year understanding what it means to be a slave to my little one. At her beck and call every moment of the day. Juggling her, my husband and my carrier along with all the other daily household duties.

It also allowed me to reflect on all of the hard work and love my mom put into my sister and I for so many years. And we turned out to be good wifes and mothers. So my parents definitely did it right. My at goes off to all the Snider, Potts Hennessy and Monette women.



I would also like to say that I married into the most wonderful
group of ladies a girl could ask for. Memmere, Patty, Vicki and my sister in-laws Heather and Jenna are so much fun to be around. Everyday is better with them in my lives.






It was not only for the mommy's. Grandpa Snider had a blast with Shelby.