John and Barbie Shoemaker

2014 In Review

We have been so bad about sending out Christmas cards for so many years, we are totally out of the habit! We are sharing a few details about our lives with you should anyone care to read. We do appreciate the cards and letters that we receive - thanks so much for the updates!

So you are no doubt behind on a few things. Most importantly our family continues to grow!

William and Sara
(married 9/24/2010) had an incredibly awesome daughter in April - her name is McKenzie Jane.

She is so good natured and loads of fun. She crawls everywhere and is quick to share a smile with you.

William graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Computer IT with certificates in Web Development, Political Science, and Business Management.

He works in the IT department of Fieldwork, a market research firm.

Sara is a great mom and still makes time to have her own business - The Kitschy Stitcher, doing custom hand embroidery.

Kevin and Janis
(married 5/4/2012) is expecting their first child in February. Excited? Very! They bought an awesome new home this year in Mesa. It's big, nice, and now extremely well decorated! Janis keeps busy on her days off making her home beautiful, always with a new project. Kaia, their not-so-small dog, loves having her own backyard! They also bought Kevin's new toy truck!

Kevin graduated from Arizona State with a degree in Business Management with an International Business Certificate.

He works for the Menlo Group, a commercial real estate company.

Janis is still working for Banner Good Samaritan as a Nurse. She has an adventure every day that she works!

She will continue to work until their baby girl is born.

Laura will graduate June of 2015 from BYU with a degree in Human Development. She loves it there and has made a lot of great friends. She works in the Sociology department on campus. She is now submitting applications for a Masters program in Occupational Therapy. She moved into a new apartment this year, and loves the new roommates (misses the old ones) and her new ward.

Laura spent much of the summer in China for a Study Abroad program. In between classes, she had a lot of time to tour with her group.

She came back with lots of stories and pictures! Great times!

Mark worked his Senior year at Fieldwork Phoenix to earn money for his mission. Mark made some really great friends in High School, and made lots of good memories.

He went to State all 4 years with the Swim team.

Mark graduated high school in May this year - here with his buddies Brandon and Preston.

He left in August to serve a 2 year mission in Costa Rica for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He loves it there and is learning Spanish so he can communicate with the people. He's only been there a short time but has already developed a strong love for the Costa Rican people. We had a blast when we got to Skype with him on Christmas - he looked and sounded great!

Barbie is working in the afternoons as a kindergarten aid. She comes home each day with a new story from class about what the kids said and did. Constant laughs! She is also teaching Sunday School with the 15-18 year olds at Church.

John is still working for IBM and loves it. He manages 2 technical teams that supports IBM software partners across the United States. Last year he became the bishop of our ward and is still working hard serving in the Church. John's dad Leo passed away this year, and with that came the sale of the family home, it was bittersweet.

John with all of his siblings at Leo's funeral.

A few of the other things we did in 2014

The Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration was held on March 1st, leading up to the dedication of the Gilbert Temple. The event included the performances of thousands of youth from the Gilbert Temple district - including Mark! Barbie and Will were also involved as youth leaders. The new Temple, along with the newest one in Phoenix, is a great blessing to the valley. Important work is done in these Temples.

Mark having fun at the celebration practice.

Barbie is cheering them on! She loves spending time with the youth!

Will was also a leader - his Stake was set up right next to ours, so Barbie and Mark got to see him a lot during practices.

Laura, Janis, Kevin and Mark right after graduation on a cruise stop in Catalina.

Cruise fun with the family.

Vacation to Lake Powell in August

Absolutely love the views here.

Mark wake boarding - trying out the new board! Kevin and Laura also got a turn on it.

A little friendly family tubing adventures...

Some cliff jumping, and the camp ground.

Family Camping Trip on the rim

We are so thankful for our family and friends. We are grateful for the example and acts of service that we see from each of you. Our wish and prayer is that you will have a great 2015.

Year in Review - 2012

It's been a long time since we've sent Christmas Cards - including this year! We do hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas! As 2013 begins, we want to wish you joy and happiness throughout the year!

For our family, it's been a pretty awesome year, and our family has grown! Among so many, two very exciting things stand out! You will have to continue to read to see what's up!

Mark is a junior in high school and is almost as tall as John. They measure almost every week to see if Mark has surpassed him yet. Mark was part of the high school Swim & Dive team this year, and kicked it in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle and swam at State! He's a very hard working athlete! He was inducted into National Honor Society this year at his High School.

Butterfly!

Mark loves the 100-Backstroke.

Mark got pointers from Gold Medal Olympian Breeja Larson!

Laura is in her second year at BYU in Provo, UT, and is studying Human Development. It's awesome having her home now for the Christmas break! Things will be much quieter when she leaves L She is having a blast in college, and also works in the Sociology office on campus.

Laura at Temple Square for Conference

Laura and roommate Jordan

Laura and Miranda

Kevin returned from his mission in Rio de Janiero, Brazil mid (2011) and got married this year in May! His incredible wife is Janis! She graduated from ASU nursing school in August and starts at Banner Good Samaritan in January. Kevin is still attending ASU, and manages a Chandler city pool in the summer, and works at Fieldwork Phoenix year-round.

Styling!

Yes, they got married in San Diego!

The whole family!

ASU Nursing School Graduation!

Will and Sara moved down from Idaho Falls this year too! This great blessing is a result of BYU-I adding an online option for the last year of his degree - so since he has enough credits he can finish while living back here in Arizona. Sara has a new job at an Optometrists office. They are sooooo grateful to be living here again (especially during the winter months)!

Their awesome Idaho house

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Awwww

Picture from their engagement shoot

We are still living in the same house we've lived in for the past 7-8 years or so - at least, Barbie, John and Mark are living there! Barbie and John were Ma and Pa on a two-Stake Trek during the Summer, which was loads of fun for us and for Mark, who was a participant. Barbie, John, Kevin and Janis took a trip to Nauvoo, IL; then Indiana, and on to Columbus for a friends wedding. It was a great trip! O! H! John lost his mother this year - but knows she is free of the earthly pains.

Our family also took our traditional trip to Lake Powell - all 8 of us! It was so much fun! We love the lake, and look forward to this trip each year.