MY Twelve Days of Christmas

Yes, Yes, I know....it's been a while! And before you all make plans to come egg and TP my apartment, I better get to writing. but I have a very legitimate excuse! I was parading around western NY like there was some sort of.....parade, and then I came home only to have visitors come down the next day for the week. So this little girl has been a very busy bee. I'll explain it all in my version of the 12 Days of Shipman Christmas. Drum roll, please-

On the 12th day of Christmas the Shipman Family-
Got to see 12 very special friends!
And yes- I'll tell you who those friends are: First there was Amy and John, whom we had dinner with, then spent the evening watching Madagascar, and Run's House while calling Becca A MILLION times to see if she was ever going to come home. But the 2 of them are so much fun that we didn't mind at all! Then there was Kurt and Lindsay who came over from Colorado. We hadn't seen Kurt in a year, and it was my first time meeting Lindsay- but Mike already knew her from college. She is a sweetie, and I hope Kurt holds on to this one. We also got to see Missy and Rob Luckey- who also went to school with Mike (Rob he grew up with, so I always can guarantee on good Mike stories). We went over to their place for lunch, but ended up staying through the evening cuz we were having so much fun with them. We also got to see Aaron Rose and his girlfriend, Kvetta (pronounced Key-etta). She is a DOLL- and Mike and I just love her, and we are SO glad that Aaron found someone so awesome. That evening we had a BLAST hanging out with Robbie and Leticia, and Christopher and Jennifer Hopper. We haven't seen them in SOO long, so it was really nice to catch up. So that brings me to the end of the 12 very special friends.

On the 11th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 11 hours playing football on TV.
Well, actually it was only HALF of the Shipman Family that played Playstation...I'm pretty sure you all can guess which half. Becca and I BARELY saw our husbands while we were at our parents house because they were obsessed with playing. Christy was totally right when she told me not to get a playstation for Mike for Christmas. BUT I didn't complain (just whined) because I knew that it was what Mike needed to do on vacation. He worked SO hard at work to get ready for Christmas, and mindless video games is just what he needed. And Denis was more than willing to help him out. Jaime even got into the fun by spending an evening playing with him when Denis and Becca left. She's too good to him!

On the 10th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 10 hours in the car traveling.
But it was totally worth it to see everyone. And we spent that time calling people that we weren't able to see over the holidays- like Mike's family, Christy and Ben, Amy and Shane.... so it was all good.

On the 9th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Had 9 Christmas Eve Services!!!
Yes people- 9 services. It was such a long day, but it was totally worth it because we had almost 2,400 people come, and a lot of people coming to Christ. PTL! Mike totally stepped it up because the main worship leader got sick Christmas Eve morning, and Mike had to lead 6 services instead of 2. I was so proud of him because so many people came up to me telling me that he stepped up the Crossroads services with the music, the decoration, and the flow of the service. It really was an amazing day. God is so good!

On the 8th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Got to spend Christmas with all 8 of us at home
This hasn't happened EVER- and it was so much fun. My parent's house barely fit us all, but we made it work. We played games, went to the movies, had a FABULOUS Christmas dinner, and got to spend time with my brother's girlfriend, Amy Kay. She's such a cutie! Plus she's an Alias Fan, so she's super cool.

On the 7th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
umm....can't think of anything, so moving on...........

On the 6th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
We visited 6 different houses/apartments
1. My parents house for a couple of days
2. Jaime's house to visit and see her new kitchen! Very nice!
3. Becca and Denis's place
4. Amy and John's apartment- and NO, Amy doesn't live there yet. It's the CUTEST apartment ever though.
5. Missy and Rob's new house- so beautiful!
6. The Rose Manor- I'll always love that home, and I don't want them to move out of it!

On the 5th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Did get a golden ring!!!!
I asked mike for ring for my right hand, and boy did he ever!! He got me a ring with 20 diamonds in it, totaled a little over a quarter of a caret. It is SO beautiful, and I couldn't believe that he went so far above and beyond what I was expecting. It was defiantly my favorite present. That and the crocks that Jaime got me- as much as I pick on Jaime for wearing hers- they really are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. And I called it- Mike wore them taking out the trash! He looked so funny in bright pink shoes.

On the 4th day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Four days with the Johnson family!
I think that has been the most time that all four of us hung out. It was so nice to see Becca as much as I did, and Mike I swear has a love affair with Denis, and enjoys every moment with the man.

On the 3rd day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Spent 3 hours in the movies watching King Kong with my family.
It Rocked! Everyone should see it in the theatres- watching it on TV just won't cut it....except for John and his massive TV.

On the 2nd day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Got to spend time with 2 of the most beautiful babies ever! Eva and Robbie Jr. came over to Becca's house Friday night, and I had SO much fun playing with them. I haven't been around babies in SO long, and it gave me baby fever just a little bit. But probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen is watch Denis put Robbie Jr. to sleep (see pic)! I wanted to cry!!! He is going to be such a good dad and uncle.

On the 1st day of Christmas the Shipman family-
Had one of the funnest vacations ever! We got to relax, sleep in, see friends, spend time with family, and not have to worry about anything. We came back to Pittsburgh refreshed and rested. I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did!