A Camping They Will Go

It was time for the Annual Father & Son's Ward Campout.

This year Brian made the cut.

He cried the whole way home b/c he loved it so much. I tell you this boy is a peace when he is outdoors. When life gets tough I send him outside. It works wonders!!!

 

 

 

My Smith Boys

 

I was glad to have a girl night in with Ki and El while the boys were gone.

They came home dirty and tired but over all they had a great time!

12 Years Later

We have been married for 12 years and I am not sure how it has been that long already? Although it seems much longer at the same time.

Life has been very interesting since that redheaded Smith boy asked me to stay home from my mission and marry him, pronto. (He'll tell you a very different story!)

I am thankful for all that we have experienced and look forward to many more days of joy as we raise our children together.

 

 

 

Not the best picture but still- this is us 12 years into being Mr. & Mrs, Smith.

 

That's my Girl

My brown eyed girl keeps amazing me. Not that the Blue eyed girl isn't amazing either, but Ki has more opportunities to shine as she is getting older.

The other day Ki was saying how all the kids in Art class got their drawing back but she didn't get hers. I said well maybe your teacher lost in somewhere?

A few days later a letter came home that said that Ki would have a picture she drew in the upcoming  Dysart District Art Show. I asked her what she drew? She said it was the assignment, poinsettias. Then a few more days passed and El came running home and said that Ki's name was mentioned in the morning announcements at school. Apparently this was embarrassing to Ki.

It turns out that only 2 kids from each grade in the district were chosen to have their art in the district art show. My sweet Ki was chosen and we were excited to go to the art show and see all the amazing art from the school's in our district.

 

 

This is kind of a big deal to me, I don't even think Ki realizes that art is in her blood. Steve is amazingly talented as are many of his siblings. Steve is very shy about this, but seriously he is very creative and talented! I am a very creative person, very different from my ever talented siblings who can draw, paint, and several are potters. My talents are more of the paper and glass variety. Some of my best memories are from my high school days down the art hallway. Growing up in a very art influenced area of Colorado, we had the most amazing Art Department in our high school. The ever talented  Mrs. Annie Brooks channeled the art talent of the Stott kids and we are all so grateful for her!!!! 

So Ki this is pretty cool!

I know there is a lot more to come from the Smith kids in the fine arts and I look forward to it.

 

There's a Tortoise In Our House

Once upon a time Ki started asking us for a pet. We went through a list of reasons why we would not or could not have certain pets. She came up with a great pet for us, a desert tortoise. So one day at work Steve was talking to a co-worker who said that his mom had some baby tortoises and that we could get one from her if we could wait a few weeks.

 The girls where ecstatic when Steve brought a little tortoise home. We are assuming it's a she but you aren't supposed to be able to tell gender until they are like 15 years old.

The girls named her Zdee. She is about 7 months old and super cute!

 

The real test is will we be able to keep her safe from Brian?

3rd Quater Principal's List

Just the other day I was telling someone that Ki is amazing. And I mentioned that she is just such a good girl and that I am sure that I am messing her up in some way, so it is good that she is so awesome on her own account. She takes her schooling very seriously and has again made the "Principal's List" for 3rd quarter.

 

 

Way to go Ki!!

 

A Little March Madness of Our Own

 

 

 

Was I not just saying that Brian is a crazy boy? His new thing is to ride on top of the truck.

How can this be seen as naughty???

 

 

 

We were so excited to plant potatoes this year-our first attempt and it looks like it's going well so far. They should be ready to harvest in May.

 

Ok, a moment of not being a naughty boy, just chill'n on the couch with his toes in his mouth.

He is so crazy!!!

Random pictures in 2013

Not a lot has happened but I have managed to take a few pictures in the past few months.




Brian "drives" his truck
 

He is happiest when he is outside. He likes to sample the dirt every time he is out back
 

The girls were ridding their scooters

Brian loves the slide-a bit of a dare devil

all 3 of them together

A few years ago a friend gave me this truck  and I am so glad b/c it is a favorite around back.
 

He insisted on wearing his beanie and the tiger hat while he snacked on his raisins.
 

Brian's Half Birthday

Yes, we do celebrate the half birthday's in this family.

 Even at 18 months Brian has exhibited a strong taste for video games, he has his special controller and sits down next to Steve when he's playing. And when we go hang out with cousins, Brian heads straight for their room and comes out with two Nerf dart guns that he can barely carry.

He likes to be out with Steve in the garage and help him work on one of his bikes. Brian is pure Boy, and sometimes that makes me think he is naughty. My mom-wise mother to 5 boys, is quick to remind me that he is just a boy, not naughty.

 

Sporting a new haircut too.

 

He got his very own dart gun, which he holds up to his face, as if taking aim,

 and makes a shooting noise.

So I must remind myself several times a day that he's just a boy and roll with it-that's hard for me.

We are very thankful to have this crazy little man in our family and love him to pieces!

Happy Half Birthday Dude!

Ki's been busy

Ki has been working really hard to get straight A's again this quarter. She also received Character Counts. She reads for hours on end and loves to learn. We are so proud of Ki.

 

 

Way to go Ki

 

Character of Responsibility

 

Keep up the good work Ki!

 

Mrs. Wegner nominated Ki "for being a person of character for the pillar of Responsibility. Ki always makes good choices, and is very reliable. I can always count on Ki to do the right thing. I am so honored to have the privilege of working with such an outstanding young lady this year."

 

Way to go Ki!