Easter and more

I know I am so bad at updating this. I see so many others do it and keep telling myself that I need to do it as well, then I don't. So I am finally getting something written here. We have been somewhat busy. We are both working still and whatnot.

We had a pretty good Easter. The Easter bunny came while we went to the first session of conference at the church. Dillon was so excited that he was able to find the plastic eggs with candy in them. Then later that night we went to my family's house for Easter dinner. Dillon really enjoys playing with his uncles. He had so much fun! We talked about different parts of the Easter story and had eggs with items in them that represent parts of the atonement and His last day.

I really enjoyed General Conference this year there were many great things said. I really liked Elder Bednar, Elder Ballard and Sister Beck's talks.

Dillon is finally starting to potty train. I know he is 3 and now we are getting him going. He was just not that interested before. Now he is doing really well. He can go both #1 and #2 in the potty. It is fun to watch how he gets excited when he actually puts something in the potty. He has started to tell us that he needs to go so that is a HUGE improvement! We are so excited for our little man and hopes that he will keep it up!

Sometimes when he is sitting on the potty or just randomly he will sing "I am a Child of God" it is so fun to listen and even though he doesn't have it all the words down he loves to sing it. He loves to learn new song and sing them. Last week a friend of mine was singing "5 little Ducks" and later that week he was singing it with his dad and remembered all the actions. It is so much fun to see how his little mind works.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know it has been a while since I have posted and things really haven't changed too much. Mikel is still working and we are still waiting for them to bring him on from temp to hired on. He is still really enjoying his job and learning all that there is to learn there. I am still at Walmart and things have changed so much that it is a challenge to handle and deal with all the new things home office and our store is doing. Dillon is growing like a weed. We got the Friend last week and I decided to read him a few stories to him from it. He loved it and when he saw a pic of a girl reading the scriptures he told me that he wanted scriptures as well. I then gave him one of our extra copies of the Book of Mormon and showed him the pictures that were in the front and he loved it. Then he opened it up and asked me to read a few scriptures. He may not have any understanding as to what they said but I know that he understands that it is the Lord's words and that they are for us.

Yesterday was quite uneventful, yes it was Valentine's day and unfortunately I was was not feeling well. We didn't do much anyway Mikel and Dillon went to Church, while I slept at home. I was going to get up early and make breakfast, but with me not feeling well I didn't we ended up making breakfast for Dinner, French toast with strawberries and bacon. Mikel got me Tulips on Friday since he wasn't going to have time to get them later than that. They are so beautiful and remind me of spring time. Dillon and I gave Mikel Cards. Dillon picked his out all by him self and put his touch to it. It was so pretty, Mikel really liked it and Dillon was so proud to give that to his daddy.

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!!!