When the Family Gets Together

For the first time in about 3.5 years we had all of the Shaw family members in one house (it was only for Christmas day, but we'll take it)! Between leaving for school and missions, we have not all been together and we even had a brand new addition of Brooklyn Mae Shaw born on the 22nd. We have had so much fun being with the fam and right now it is snowing peacefully which is a perfect Christmas to me. I will post more pictures of Christmas, but this is what makes being home the best.

Winter Wonderland!!!!!

Allie has now officially had her first Snowstorm AND her first visit with Santa, both were quite successful and she enjoyed every minute (much to her Mother's delight)! She is still a little unsure about what to do with snow, she just sticks it in her mouth and then shivers and laughs.

Intently trying to figure this cold stuff out. Mom trying to convince Allie that she likes the snow and cold.

First visit to Santa and no tears. She even seemed to like him.

To GG's House We Go

On our whirlwind trip to St. George to go visit Grandma Meldrum we had the chance to see the St. George Temple lights. Not quite Temple Square, but still delightful and almost as cold. As we drove up to the temple we thought that they had not turned on the lights yet, but as we got closer we saw the bright LED lights around the temple grounds. We sure enjoyed our time visiting GG Meldrum and even kept Allie from attacking her Christmas Village.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Gainesville with Mike's parents.  We played, watched the parade, went on wagon rides, feasted, and enjoyed family.  All the food was amazing and we had enough for about 10 more people, but we love leftovers!  We ended the day making a trip to CVS and I worked the system and got over $100 worth for only $10.41 out of pocket, and it was quality stuff like diapers, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.  

Mike's parents got the scrumptious coat for Allie, I just LOVE it!

Family Pictures!

We have an awesome friend, Brittany, who agreed to take some family pictures for us! We decided to do them on campus since it is our last year in school :). She did an awesome job, thanks Brittany!

I'm Goin' to Disneyworld!

For our birthdays this year, we decided we would save our pennies and go to Disneyworld! We have lived here going on 4 years and I had not been to Disneyworld yet. Well, Mike is on his Rotation break for 6 weeks so we took advantage of the break and Mike's parents who babysat Allie the whole day for us! We meet up with Adam and Andrea, Mike's old roommate and his wife, who are in the musical Finding Nemo at Animal Kingdom. It was beautiful weather (70's) and not too crowded! We had tons of fun and from the looks of it, Allie has some fun with her Grandma and Grandpa too!

We tried to be cheesy, it was our last ride of the day

This roller coaster was AWESOME! It is at Animal Kingdom and was the best of the day

We decided to take pictures AFTER splash mountain...

Trouble Maker

Now that Allie is mobile, I find her in some unique spots. She loves to find a small hole and see if she can fit. She will crawl in-between our legs and the couch, try and squish herself between the wall, stereo and couch, and behind our dining room chairs. One of her favorite spots is the pan-tree and playing with all the food. In the other picture, I was doing the breakfast dishes while Allie was playing by the screen door. I came over to her and her face was totally black. Our back door buts up against a little forest and I guess the screen was filthy. Yum, dirt!

She is a Walkin' Fool!

She has now officially taken her first steps! I especially love the last clip of Allie pulling herself over by her shirt. We sure love our little Allie and the joy that she brings into our life. Ignore the fact that she is dressed like a boy in this, but it was a bit cold today and is wearing a boy shirt and no bow.

Helping with the Laundry

Allie was "helping" me do the laundry this week.  Whenever I would fold something, she would crawl over, pick it up and fling it around her head and they clap and smile..... with everything I tried to fold.  Who needs folded clothes, right?  Then, she came up with a new game with the empty laundry basket.  I think we are going to have our hands full soon.  

Old McMeldrum had a Farm....

Halloween is much more exciting with kids to dress up in costumes, take them trick or treating and eat all their candy:)!  We had a great halloween this year, starting off with the ward's trunk or treat which had all the bells and whistles of a great carnival. I was at the rice crispy frosting station, because rice crispy treats just don't have enough sugar in them.  We had lots of fun and enjoyed dressing up.  There were many a Sister who commented on how impressed they were that Mike would dress up as a pig all in pink, but in reality it was his idea!  

We also wen to Goblins Ghouls and Greeks which is where the Sororities totally deck out their houses and have all the little trick or treaters come and play games and get candy.  Allie was totally adored by the college girls and we probably could have had 20 babysitters if we wanted.  Yea for Halloween!

Starting off Halloween day with pumpkin pancakes

Out cute little Chicken!

Aren't we just a cute little Animal family?

Grazing on the church grass

This was on the way to the activity and I thought she just looked too cute!

4th Annual Davis/Meldrum Pumpkin Carving

This year, the Davis' showed up and went all technical and shaved their pumpkins.  We on the other hand, just carved one of the designs that comes in the little carving books (the middle pumpkin).  We had white boy chili, carved pumpkins, and have boston creme cake to finish off the night.  

Our finished pumpkins.  Logan did the "F", Mike and I did the pumpkin head and Kelsey did the grinner.

Doesn't Mike's face just look guilty?

Allie just sat in her high chair and watched us while "eating" some corn bread

Allie's New Game

Watching Conference is a totally different experience with a little kiddo who needs to be entertained.  This is one of the games that Mike was playing with Allie;  she gets quite a good laugh out of it.  You can also hear part of Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in the background, great talk!

Every Girl Needs a Tutu

We've gone Moblie!

I wonder if they are brothers....

I was watching the news with Mike about the G20 and a picture of Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli President) came up.  He looks so similar to Elder Richard G. Scott!  I wonder if they are related..... I think it is the side smile.

GOOOOO GATORS!

This is the sewing project that I made yesterday.  I think the pictures say it all...