Karaoke Night!!

Last week we went with a few friends and some coaches in the SELP to karaoke night. We had a blast! I actually got up and sang solo, which I haven't done in front of that many people. Sorry about the date on the pics it seems the date got stamped with out trying to let it.

This is me singing "Dancing Queen" by ABBA


Amy a SELP coach singing


Kelly the SELP leader singing


Mikel singing Mana, he was the only one to sing in spanish!


Us girls singing to "Oops I did it again" By Brittany Spears


Gina (a coach) and her hubby


Sophia, a head coach Mikel is the other one


Kelly, the SELP leader and her hubby


Gina singing, this was her first time ever! GO Gina!


Rachel, Shauna and Jeff


Alicia


Our friend Mike


Me all cute!


Doing the line dance the D.J. taught us (he is the one behind the lady in the blue shirt)

Candy Factory

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to Hammond's Candy factory. http://www.hammondscandies.com/ It was so much fun. We took a tour of the factory and saw how they started the candy process. Dillon had so much fun. Everything there is all handmade, which makes it even more special!

This is what they are known for: Candy canes of course all year long!


Lollipops!


Yummy ribbon candy!


And Chocolate!


It was so much fun we even came home with some loot! Granted this is not the cheapest stuff out there but it is still good!

Christmas Fun!

Christmas eve was really entertaining this year. Both Mikel and I had to work that day so, Dillon got to hang out with my family while we worked. Walmart was not as busy as I thought it was going to be. I think people got smart and shopped before the last minute. Anyway the store closed at 8 this year instead of 6, I was only there until 7. While I was there the last hour and a half I hung out at the service desk sorting returns and sending them out to the floor. I was so proud that by the time I left at 7 there was not much left for them to finish. After work Mikel and I went over to my parents house to spend Christmas eve. We ate dinner, played some mindtrap, listened to some christmas stories, and acted out the christmas story. Dillon got to play baby Jesus, although he really liked "riding on the donkey" my brother played the donkey.

Christmas morning we got up and opened our presents. This year Dillon got the jackpot! He got lots of books, puzzles, firefighter kit, 15 hotwheels/matchbox cars, a tool set, more trios, bath toys and foam swords. Now any of you who knows what Highlander is will understand this next comment. Dillon was playing with the swords with his dad and held his up and said "I want to play Highlander k." It was so funny, we didn't realize how much he was paying attention to the show. We had been watching it the past month. We also got several movies and a new Wii game super mario brothers Wii. We are having so much fun with that game! We had a great day hanging out playing and watching movies.

Yesterday was Dillon's last day in nursery! Next week we are excited to say that Dillon will be going into Sunbeams! It is so much fun to watch him grow and see how much he is learning. He loves singing all the song in primary.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! And Happy New Year and 2010!

Merry Christmas to all!!

I didn't have the time to write christmas cards or get pictures. This will have to make up for that. Granted just last night we made goodies to had out to Visiting teaching and home teaching families.

This past year has been very intresting. Mikel had been finishing with Aflac with the first part of the year, doing what he can to keep his contract with them. He then tried to work with other insurances and that didn't work out very well. He put in many applications for a job and to no avail. Then he got an email about a job, called and had an interview that week. 2 weeks later we found out that he got the job. That was such a blessing in our lives. He is also coaching a class called the SELP (self-expression and leadership program). It is a class to help you see how you community listens you. Also helps you have breakthroughs and create possibility in your life. He has been staying pretty busy.

I have been still working at Walmart and it has been a real pain in the butt alot of times. They have done some changes that have really not worked so well. I have been enjoying taking care of Dillon and getting to know him better. Mikel and I have been Ward missionaries this past year as well as on the activities commitee. We have had quite the adventure helping with the halloween party where Mikel won the prize for the best chili, the Christmas play that the kids put on and all the other little activities we have had.

Dillon has really grown to a big boy. He has learned how to talk more. He sings the songs he learns in nursery. His favorites are "Once there was a snow man", "Popcorn Popping" and "I am a Child of God". He loves going in to primary for singing time. He has been going in to get ready for Sunbeams (now CTR 4). I am excited for him to join the other kids in the primary and learn even more! He is talking up a storm and he talks so much it is hard to keep up with him. He loves to learn, knows the numbers from 1-10, but can't count to 10 yet. He also knows most of the alphabet. He can identify Jesus, Joseph Smith and others in pictures he sees in church and home. He loves to pray and talks to Heavenly Father and Jesus. Just a couple days ago he was looking at his scab on his elbow and looked up and said "make it feel better please", then pointed to the scab and said "this one". He knows what Sacrament meeting is and what happens. He loves to watch me or daddy cook. He loves going on walks, loves the library and reading books. I could go on and on. He is a great kid and we are so blessed to have him in our life.

Thank you to all our friends and family for the support you have been for us. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all of us!

The Ropers: Mikel, Shalena, and Dillon

Give thanks

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving I want to list the things that I am thankful for. In no particular order here they are.

• My hubby Mikel
• My son Dillon
• The gospel of Jesus Christ
• A place to live
• A car
• A job for both of us
• Family
• Good Friends
• The Temple
• Miracles
• Our cat Cole
• Food
• Trees
• Mountians
• Ocean
• Eternal marriage
• Love
• Jesus Christ
• Joseph Smith
• Clothes
• The Atonement
• and much more...

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving day!!!

Dillon turned 3!!!

I know this is a week late but here it is. Dillon turned 3 on the 30th of Oct. I still find it hard to believe that he is 3. We had 2 parties for him. One on his birthday at Mikel's parent's house, and the other at my parents house on that Sunday with trick-or-treating in the middle. I only have pics of the first party, we didn't even get pics of him in his costume.

Dillon's cake he got to keep McQueen and Mater


Dillon blowing out his candles!


Opening the legos his Grandma gave him.


Checking out his ABC pop-up flash cards from uncle David as well as a Trio set.


A Trio set he got from Aunt Rachel, he also got some outfits


The tower set that Aunt Rachel gave him


Saturday we went tric-or-treating on mainstreet, where we went from store to store to trick-or-treat. He did so well he may not have always said trick-or-treat, but he did say thank you everytime. People really liked that. There were a lot of people there that day it was crazy and great for the kids. Then we went to Walmart as well. They had trick-or-treating around the store at different departments. Between that and the trunk-or-treat (of which we have no pics) he about filled his pumpkin full of candy.

Sunday evening we went over to my familes house to eat and celebrate Dillon's birthday with them as well. The cake there wasn't as cool. I made it and we put m&m's on top of the cake it looked pretty cool. He got some shoes and a couple outfits as well. It was great to see how much he enjoyed those few days, and fun to have a 3 year old!!

Rachel's wedding!

I know it has been a while so I am finally getting to the pics that I wanted to upload, so that I could show you what has happened when we went up to Lake Dillon for my sister-in-law's wedding. It was so awesome to be up there and spend time with family.

This is where it happened. They got married where the chairs are and in the pavillon was where the reception was.


A view of Lake Dillon


This is how Dillon and my cousin were supposed to go down the asile.


Aren't they cute!


Bonnie, Rachel's sister, filling in for Dad.


The wedding party doing their stuff, The Best man (Brett's dad) was so good with Dillon it was awesome.


And there they go back up.


A sunset by the lake.


Brett helping Dillon with his ring bearer gift. The backpack was filled with coloring books, crayons, fruit snacks and a couple other things.


The next day we went out on the canoe.


This is one way to put a kid to sleep.


When the wind picked up there were alot of sail boats it was so cool.


The officiant, Brett, and the Best man.


This is what happened his cousin got scared and didn't want to walk down the asile, Dillon tried to take her had but she refused so he went on his own.


Dillon making his way down and the Bridesmaid making her way with the Flower girl.


Rachel with her Dad


He was so good.


Look they are ring pops!


What a happy couple!


Ahhh


They went out on the lake as they "left".


The cupcakes!


The topper, so cute!


Getting ready to cupcake feed. They both got frosting on each other.


Their first dance!


Daddy daughter dance.


Rachel's parents


Rachel's grandparents. Mikel said he had never seen them this close before it was so cool to see!


The grandparents with the bride and groom.


Us with the bride and groom.