Catching Up...

Hi. It's been awhile. The Shaw household was busy with preparations and visitations. First, I went to Pittsburgh with my son for a week visiting friends from the 'Burgh. We stayed with great friends from RTCS and enjoyed the christmas concert on Dec 14th. I got to guest conduct which was a honor. I was also able to participate in Providence PCA's Messiah on Dec 16th. I sang a solo because one of the choir members was really sick, the day of. We spent the week enjoying friends, making yummy christmas treats and talking. It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
We then drove to my parents house and helped mom get ready for the holidays. We shopped for food and finished gift-wrapping. La's family arrived on christmas eve--excited for our week of surprises! Christmas day was spent opening gifts, and then driving to the Shaw's house for more food and gifts. The next day we came back and the deceiving began...
Thursday and Friday my siblings and I "lied" to our parents about our whereabouts and snuck off to plan the EXTRAVAGANZA for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. I haven't been able to talk about this at all on my blog because my mother reads it. :) We had a great time preparing all the festivities and the party was definitely the highlight of this whole trip. It was amazing seeing all our own friends and it was awesome to see mom and dad's reactions to all of our gifts for them. They loved the slideshow, memory book, and concert. Of course the recorded CD that we had done professionally topped all. Let me know if you want a copy! ;)
After that we opened more gifts the next day and then we headed back to the Shaw's for some concentrated time with them. I also got to see my beloved friends Yvonne, Bethie, and Esther. It was great!
This week we are just hanging out with mom and dad some more before heading home.

Hubby hopes for a second interview with the bank this week... !