Shayla’s blog

I know it seems like Christmas and New Years were forever ago, but my computer hasn't been working well enough to upload any pictures until now. I hope everyone had a good holiday. It was a fantastic Christmas with Xander around this year. It's too bad that he's so far away, but thanks to this website I get to see an update almost daily. Here's a few pictures from our wonderful Christmas & New Years. Here's to a great 2008!

Christmas 2007 047

Christmas 2007 031

Christmas 2007 061

New Year's 2007 Lakeside, MT 006

Despite the extensive list my sister has for getting a fake tree, I still have a real one. I'm sure within a week I'll have forgotten to water it and there will be needles all over my house, but it was still fun going to get it. Mike & I went up behind my parents house to pick out our tree. It was less than 10 degrees out, but we bundled up and went on our search. It only took about 15 minutes and we found a perfect tree. It wasn't until we put it up today that we realized it was a little too big for my tiny little house, but we made it work. We hung lights outside, decorated the tree, and managed to make it through with minimal crabbiness. I needed another strand of lights for the tree though. It gets a little sparse at the top. Oh well. It's done and it looks pretty good. Mike was a good sport and we took some pictures to share.

tree 001

tree 002

tree 003

1 comment

Look Jessica, Mike's putting Humphrey on the tree. :)

tree 004

I'm the type of person who gets every Christmas present wrapped and under the tree by December 1st. I know, I'm a freak; but this year I was kind of freaking out because I had hardly starting my shopping as of two days ago. Last night I found the solution to the Christmas shopping nightmare. Usually I spend a couple weekends in a row fighting the crowds and cursing every crazy driver in the over-flowing parking lots, but this year was different. My mom and I went shopping last night after work. We went at about 6:00 and by 9:00 we were done. I went armed with a well-organized list of every person I needed to shop for and exactly what I wanted to buy. It only took two stops and 90% of my shopping is done! There weren't very many people and there wasn't a wait at the register to check out. If history repeats itself they'll all be wrapped and under the tree when we put it up on Sunday. Happy Shopping!

It's only been a week now since I got home from vacation, but I wish I could go back!!! I had so much fun with my nephew I could hardly stand leaving him. He's so sweet and perfect. I have never felt so much love for one person. It was a great trip filled with shopping, laughing, cuddling, and many diaper changes. I loved every minute of it. Plus I was able to go on a long awaited trip to the zoo. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Portland Trip 11-07 035

Portland Trip 11-07 058

Portland Trip 11-07 073

Portland Trip 11-07 085

Since I grew up outside of town, I never got the full "trick-or-treating" experience. This year I had enough to make up for my first 23 Halloween's. I now live in a new neighborhood inside the city limits that has a lot of families, plus I'm pretty sure a lot of people that don't live here came for trick or treating. Mike & I took turns handing out treats to all of the adorable little kids, but by the end of the night we were digging in every cupboard to find a few more pieces of candy. I thought I had plenty to begin the night, but I think Mike was very generous to all the little munchkins. I'm glad most of the candy is gone though! I've decided I have no will power when it comes to candy. Here's a few pictures of our low-key Halloween.

Halloween 2007 006

2 comments

Halloween 2007 004

Are you a registered organ donor?  Why or why not? 
Submitted by jacolily.

I know I marked yes when I got my drivers license, but I don't think that means I'm officially a registered organ donor. I do want my organs donated if the situation arises. I would definitely want to help someone else have a longer life if I wasn't able to have a long life myself. 

The long awaited day finally arrived! My sister had Alexander Wyatt on September 29th. From all that I've heard; Mom, Dad, & baby are all doing great. I can't wait to hold the little munchkin, but for now I'm just obsessively checking my sister's blog to see more pictures of Xander. He is absolutely adorable and even though I haven't officially met him, I love him to pieces. The 7 weeks until I get to visit him are going to be hard to stand. It was a lot easier to wait until November to be in Portland when he was still on the inside, but now it's hard! I know my sis & Jason are going to be fantastic parents and that I am going to spoil my little nephew rotten. That is if his Grandma doesn't buy him everything in the world first.

Xander

Mike & I went to Polebridge, MT on Saturday for a wedding. The town's concept is one of the "good ole' times." I'm not a huge fan. No running water, no indoor plumbing, no sanity! Mike thought it was great, even though I know after a few days he would have been as tired of it as I was. It is pretty cool to be in the middle of no where, but one afternoon was enough for me. We went to one of Mike's friends weddings; well the reception at least. We had plans of going to the wedding, we were even in Polebridge for a couple hours before the wedding, but the ceremony was at a lake a few miles away and we got lost. :( It made a long, bumpy road even longer & bumpier. We had to car pool to the ceremony due to lack of parking and the people with us supposedly knew where the turn was. We found out later that they didn't remember the road as well as we had been told. It was too bad that we didn't get to see the ceremony, but the reception was a lot of fun. We danced, had great food, and listened to the groom's family play music. I had a good time, but I have no intension of ever spending a long time in a place without an indoor bathroom.

Shayla_Mike 9-8-07

Mike & I went hiking in Glacier National Park yesterday. We took the going to the sun road and then hiked in to Hidden Lake. The first half of the hike was super easy, but in order to get down to the lake we had to take a narrow, switch-back filled, rock trail. It was completely worth it. The lake was gorgeous and crystal clear. Mike watched the fish he caught come right up to his line (it was catch & release fishing only, so we had to put it back). We saw two families of mountain goats and were able to get incredibly close. The hike out was tough and we decided working out needs to get moved closer to the top of our priority lists. I always think I'm in good shape until I have to do something like hike up the side of a mountain! I was really happy with all of the things we were able to see on our hike and was surprised with one more picture worthy sighting right next to the truck when we went to leave.

I'm a Montana native that just can't seem to move away. I live in the same town I grew up in and for now that is completely satisfying. I graduated from the University of Montana a little over two years ago and am on my second job out of college. I am a disability and retirement caseworker and most days I love my job. I work in an agency that is ridiculously understaffed, but it makes the days fly by. When I'm not at work I like to work out, take pictures, read, golf, and spend time with my family and friends. I'm a huge football fanatic and I love the Seattle Seahawks.

Shayla's Pictures 049