Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday,

Nikki!

We hope you have a great day...

Happy Birthday Little Lady~

How was the Party? If you took some pictures, post 'em!

Family Vacations...

Being stuck in the snow today, I've been thinking of warm places to take our next Smith Family Vacation. If I remember right, I am going to be organizing the family vacation for 2009. Is that right? Here are some of my warm thoughts....

FLORIDA

My kids are all very excited to see the Rockets. So, what about at day at the Kennedy Space Center. I would love to go back to Epcot - maybe even for two days... and a few days relaxing at the pools, and visiting the beach. What else are some good places to visit in Florida?


HAWAII
What about spending a Christmas all together someplace warm and tropical? Seriously, if we can get airfare for everyone and find a trendwest... it wouldn't be too expensive.

CRUISING

Honestly, this is my favorite choice... But the most unlikely for 2009. My family would have to spend a few years saving up for it. Maybe a Disney Cruise in 2013?

Birthday Time

Wow! We sure have had a lot of birthdays lately! Happy Birthday Jaden!

Happy Birthday Dad!

WHITNEY AND SANDY CELEBRATE

Whitney and Sandy share Whitney and Brandon's good news!!!!

Sandy will be an aunt!!

Whitney and Sandy share naptime

Another Birthday

Happy Birthday,

Aiden!

We love you

and hope

you have

a great

2nd birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Natalie and Jackson, Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has always been tradition in the Smith Family to go around the table as we eat our Thanksgiving meal and talk about what we are thankful for. It was ten years ago today that Samson and I last sat at the Smith Family table on Thanksgiving and shared that tradition with my family. I am thankful for mom and dad who have always emphasized the importance of tradition in our family. I am also thankful to my sisters who have tried so hard over the last decade to help me feel included in the family outings... even though we weren't there!

I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing family! I love you!

NYC 2008

Did we ever decide when and where

we were going on our next girls' trip?

How about NYC late May?

Welcome Home

Well, Mom and Dad get home today and I am pretty excited! I have realized that it is so hard not to talk to them for a whole week. There has been so many times where I have just wanted to pick of the phone and give them a call. It's hard going from talking everyday, to not being able to talk for a whole week! Does anyone else feel this way??

Welcome Home Mom and Dad!!!!!

JEALOUS>>>

Does anyone else really wish they crawled into Mom & Dads suitcase this week? I am so jealous. I would love to be crusing with them and enjoy all the benefits. All you can eat whenever you want, sun, sleep, activities, beach....need I say more! I sure hope they are enjoying themselves!

Dinner Groups!

Is there such a thing as a dinner "play date"?

I have gotten myself in some BIG trouble...

Every Monday night I have to make dinner for 3 other families, in return, I get dinner brought to my house 3 other days of the week. We each have assigned days of the week that we cook and deliver our dinner out. This makes it possible to only have to cook one night a week, but get dinner 4 nights. It seems to be going well for the group. I will be substituting for a while...any suggestions?

Monday Memories~

Here is a fun memory to start off your week...Enjoy!

I think this picture was taken right before our wedding and I LOVE it. I don't know what the kids are doing but I think it is so cute that they are all in a circle playing together. We are so lucky to have the great family that we have and the most adorable nieces/nephews/grandkids/children.

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

A throwback from a Halloween in the past...

This was the last Halloween that I spent in Utah

(Do you like my old scrapbook?)

Thanks for the reminder phone call, Whit!

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. Did all the kiddos dress up and go trick-or-treating??

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

People always say that my boys look alike...

What do you think? Which boy is it...

Kid Nation

Has anyone seen this show? It has become one of our favorites and I just wanted to see if anyone else likes it. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It is on on Wednesday nights... It is a good family show that you can watch with your kids.

Frightmares~

Here are some pictures from our trip to frightmares last night. I think the kids all had a great time and it was perfect weather!

I don't think they were too scared of this "monster" it looks like Bryanna is actually shaking his hand.
Apparently Aiden didn't like the monster!
Here are the kids trick-or-treating...
The older girls

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

This was taken the day Morgan was blessed.

... more than five years ago!

Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This has been my FAVORITE recipe to make this fall. I honestly could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is super easy to make and so yummy! Try it out and let me know what you think.

1 14oz. can whole tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans water
14 basil leaves, chopped (1Tbs)
3/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4-1/2 tsp. chipotle Tabasco sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Place tomatoes, sauce, water basil, garlic, and Tabasco sauce in a blender and puree. Pour into crock pot, over medium heat, and stir in half and half and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until butter is melted. Do not boil.

*When I made this last night I added more half and half and less water. I can't wait to go have some more for lunch!!*

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

There isn't a whole lot to say about these pictures,

except for...

"What were we thinking!"

Way to go, Mom!

Congratulations to our Jet Blue Graduate!

We are proud of you for making it through the training...

We know it took hard work and a lot of late nights

and we all appreciate it!

We are surely going to enjoy the flying benefits

when we see you more often in NY...

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

Do you all remember way back at the beginning of the year when we were all so excited and so determined to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year? Is everyone going to make it? Remember Grandma has a little incentive for everyone who finishes!

This will make your day...

Sorry Brandon, I couldn't resist!!

Check this out!
http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=a1fcb69d12e0d3

Britton turns One

The baby of the Smith family turns one today!

Happy Birthday Britton!!!

Who snores?

While we were setting up the beds in the basement, the kids were talking about who wanted to sleep in the basement with Grandpa when he was visiting. Carson said he didn't want to because Grandpa snores... Kailey replied, "No he doesn't, Grandma snores!" This started an intense discussion between my 4 and 7 year olds... Who snores? Grandma or Grandpa? I think these clips answer that question! It looks like we wear them out when they come to visit...

Future Plans???

How does Monday Ocotber 29th sound for our annual Halloween Party? FYI: There is no school on Monday or Tuesday...

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

Another New York Throwback...

Can you tell I want some visitors?

Here is a cute story about Miss Bryanna! Today I had to interview her for a math project. I asked her several random questions and she had to come up with the answer.
I drew a picture of a circle and I told her to pretend it was a cookie. I asked her to divide it so she could share it with a friend...so she did. She cut it directly in half. I drew another circle and told her she was to split the cookie so she could share it with her and two friends. She proceeded and divided it into fourths. I said, "Bryanna you have a piece of the cookie, your two friends have piece of the cookie...but what about this leftover piece?" Bryanna replied... "I'm going to give that piece to my Mom!"
It was totally cute!!! After the comment I smiled and showed Bryanna how to divide a circle or cookie into thirds! What a cutie girl! We love you Bryanna!

Woo-Hoo! I learned how to hyperlink!

Nikki....Carrie...Mom....Why don't you three ever make a post on this page? I feel like it is just me and Natalie...

THROWBACK THURSDAY~

Can you believe this was nearly three years ago?

Does anyone want to visit NYC...

I remember it was pretty cold while we were in NYC -

This guy must have been freezing!

Pickle Juice...

The other day a friend and I

were talking and the conversation

turned a strange corner ~

I began to tell her a funny

little story about pickle juice...

It sure brought back

an interesting memory!

Has it been long enough that

you can now laugh about it?

Fort William Henry

We were so lucky to find that this weekend was a big anniversary celebration at Fort William Henry... I think Samson and Dad both had a great time listening and learning about the history of the Fort. I still can't tell you exactly what it is... except for it had something to do with the French - Indian war.

We live pretty close to the lake, but don't get a chance to come and visit often enough.. It really is a great lake and has a nice public beach. Dad was telling us it was probably in the 80's in Utah today - we were stuck in the mid 50's all day long!

Trouble Makers..

Random Pics...

Summer 2005

Carson, Kailey and Grandma...look how small Kailey is

Carrie and Morgan