Precious Moments in Life

On April 17, our daughter Robyn entered the hospital to have her and Matt's second child. She was already in labor when she arrived at the hospital and with the help of pitocin she had less than 4 hours of labor before Samantha Jane was born. A big baby: 9 lbs 6 oz and 21 1/4" long!

We can all see now why Robyn was all baby while pregnant. Lots of family came to welcome this sweet little girl into our family. Of course most important was her immediate family.

Holly and I were there to witness the birth.

Holly

Robyn lives near Holly and lots of nieces came to share in the excitement: Kayla

Sienna

Kristina

Danielle

Capri

Grandpa Shipley drove 10 hours just to hold Baby Samantha.

We were all blessed to have Robyn deliver a healthy baby girl and that Robyn came through the experience so well. Her doctor told her she was born to have babies!

Life truly is beautiful!

Early Spring Means a Trip to the Cabin

Spring arrived early in Utah and that meant we could actually get into the cabin in April! Steve and I went up one of the first weekends in April to put things in order for Scott's family who were to arrive for a few days during their Easter break. It was a good thing for when we turned the water on several pipes in the garage had been damaged and water sprayed everywhere. Fortunately we were able to get them fixed and also put in a new toilet which was badly needed. By the time they arrived things were in good shape. We spent one day and one night with them. We took the boys and Scott golfing the day they arrived and had so much fun. It was the first time golfing for Preston and David. Sam had had some lessons and we were amazed at how well all of them did. At night we roasted marshmallows around the campfire and made smores...so good! The next morning we took off and left the cabin for Scott's family to enjoy.

The Opening of City Creek Shopping Center

City Creek Shopping Center opened the first part of April. After the conference crowd had left the state, my sister-in-law, Marolynn, and I decided to check it out. It truly is beautiful with the city creek running all through the shopping area. Lots of trees, waterfalls, fish in the stream, fountains, wonderful restaurants including the Cheese Cake Factory, Kneaders, and in the food court the Red Iguana! We enjoyed wandering in the stores and just looking. If the weather is bad glass panels in the roof close off the sky so you don't get wet

and yet you have the light of the day. It was a fun day but we decided it was still way to crowded to patronize a restaurant - they were all so crowded with lines of people waiting. Instead we got in our car and drove to Market Street Grill. It was a fun day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For a long, long, time it has been a family tradition among the Shipleys to have a green dinner on St. Patrick's Day. Since I was in the same area as 3 of our children this year we decided at the last minute to pull off a green dinner tonight. It was great fun. We all pot lucked it. We had green rolls, a yummy green float, green fruit skewers, artichoke and spinach did with chips and celery, green salad, broccoli, and green chicken fettucini and then to top it off mint brownies with mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. We had a great time eating, talking, and then playing a game together. I love getting together with our family. It is just the best!! However we did miss Dad, Steve Johnson, and Jon who were at March Madness...and Jessica who was home sick in bed. :<(...and of course Beckham, Ira, and Ruby.

Melissa, Scott, David, Robyn, Katie, Me, Preston. In Front: Sarah, Presley, and Sam

Sarah and Presley

Heather's Cute House

It's Tradition! The NCAA Playoffs

Every year come March the guys in our family take off for a "guys retreat" to a March Madness NCAA tournament venue.

This year it was Portland. They missed having Scott and Steve Casos with them this year. But the others, Steve Johnson, my Steve, Matt and Jon boarded planes for Portland on Wednesday. They never buy their tickets to the games ahead of time. It always seems to work out to get them at the door.

They usually have a day to play. Looks like they enjoyed a good hike this year.

Although they are in Portland this year, in the past they've been to Denver, New Orleans, and Louisville. They look forward to their 'guys getaway' all year long. It's tradition!

The Farm at Thanksgiving Point

Robyn came to visit in March - just weeks before she would give birth. I was a little nervous about her driving by herself so I flew to Boise and drove to Provo with her and little Matthew. One day while she was here we met Heather at Thanksgiving Point. The Farm is always a hit with the kids - seeing cows, horses, feeding goats, chickens, llamas, and an ostrich. Here are some pictures of our grandchildren enjoying the outing.

Brooklyn riding a pony

Presley on her pony.

Brooklyn feeding the goats.

Presley saying hello to the cow

And Matthew showing how strong he is!

A Birdie, I Got a Birdie

Steve and I were finally feeling like we were nearly back to normal - I've been sick with a cold or something for two weeks! So we decided to go golfing. Golfing here in St. George is delightful. The air is not too cold, not too hot this time of year - absolutely perfect. We golfed only 9 holes today (10-18). On hole 16 I hit a great drive, taking my 3 wood I hit the second shot close to the green but in the middle of a flock of coots - big black duck like birds with white beaks and big long toes not separated like a duck. We were surprised that the ball landing near them didn't seem to phase them. They just continued on - no squawking, no jumping around, or flying - they just moved a tiny bit. When I went up to see where my ball landed so I could hit it on the green, there laid a dead coot!