Me+Holidays=No Blogging

The goodies are delicious though. Ryan and I decided to scale back on the monetary aspect of Christmas and focus more on 1 or 2 significant gifts. Amidst that though, life is still hectic and busy. Here is my 12 days of Christmas list where I have been spending my "spare time."

12-Planning the Applebee's breakfast with Santa for kids elementary school.

11-Planning the Relief Society Christmas brunch and program.

10-Making candy for friends and neighbors.

9-Writing our Christmas Letter.

8-Gathering addresses for Christmas cards.

7-Standing outside in the 8 degree weather at Toys R Us to get the best Black Friday deals for our cousin gifts.

6-Picking up lots of extra shifts at work.

5-Creating a whole new board to work with me at church...reorganization left me with no one.

4-Shuttling children to various recitals and other activities.

3-Packing Christmas gifts to be mailed far away to family we miss TONS!

2-Shopping for those perfect items for the people I love and creating gifts when shopping just won't cut it.

1-Trying to teach my children why we have Christmas in the first place and focusing more on giving rather than receiving. It is not as easy as it sounds. But I know if I try to keep everything Christ centered, it will all work out. We are already seeing the blessings from our efforts and it has been wonderful.

Family Photos

Here are a few more of our favorites. Thanks again to Billie Jo for the great fun we had! I don't love some of them of me, but that is what Photoshop and going to the gym more are for right?

Ally, Age 9

Emma, age 7

Clark, age 2

Luke, age 5 (6 days before he turned 6)

My sweet girls

Geeky engagement pose

I love this backdrop

Potential Christmas Card photo.

A princess, a punk, a ninja and a lion

Halloween has turned into an "event" these past few years. All the Smith cousins travel to get together because any holiday is better with cousins! Not only is there Trick or Treating, there are the Trunk or Treats a plenty to attend, the obligatory random ward party for dinner and of course the donuts, cider and toothbrushes from Grandma and Grandpa D. (He is an orthodontist). This year the festivites started at Maga and Papa's house. Here we are all ready for our evening of fun! Sam, T and A joined us for our first stop.

I spent the week trying to teach Clark to say "Trick or Treat" but of course he just stared at me blankly. As soon as Luke told him to say it though he wouldn't stop. When he first tried our the phrase I told him to say it to Maga and she would give him candy. Shoked and amazed, he said it to her one more time just to be sure, and of cousre it worked again! After that reaction, he was more than happy to say it to anyone who would listen. Anything for candy!

On to the pictures.

Poorly disguised Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman

Gertie with Little Z and her first Halloween, 9 days old.


He really liked having hair, even if it was scratchy and very poorly combed.


Molly and Suby.
We used her house as "homebase" for all our Trick or Treating.
It is in a great neighborhood and close to Grandma's house.



I remember when Papa had thick, black hair. He looked much better than this.

"I'm Harry Carry. How you doin'? You look wonderful!"

Cousin shot on Grandma D's lawn.

G the ladybug, Suby the Care Bear, Ally "the Punk" and Birdie as Athena.

Princess Lu and Princess Emma
(she wanted to wear the wig to church the next day and couldn't understand why that would not be appropriate)

Luke the Ninja ready to attack the cousins.



Clark the Lion all tuckered out after a long day of Trick or Treating,

and probably coming down off a sugar high.

The Party

Luke's Birthday Bash was in Pocatello this year. All he wanted was to have his cousins at his party. How could we not comply? Payne's let us have the party at their house and most of the cousins were able to be there.

Luke and T.

"It's my Birthday!"
(and no he did not pee his pants, even though that would be normal for him. He spilled water on himself at dinner.)

At school right before he passed out his cupcakes to his friends, and right before the costume parade.


"The Tweens"
A small glimpse into our future...or as I like to refer to it, my worst nightmare.

Cousins waiting for cake!

The cake. SMB

"This mushroom makes you turn into a giant," as opposed to the ones that just make you big. Seriously? I got the right colors though! Oh and don't mind the cake showing...the box stuck to the top in transit and of course I did not take a picture before we left.

Luke is 6!

Happy Birthday to Luke! He is six today and he is such a fun and curious little guy. We are so happy to have him in our family.

Here are a few pics over the years.

We love you buddy!

Ally's Close Up

Seriously in love with this girl! She is turning into a "tween" before my very eyes. I thought I had more time. It makes me nostalgic when I realize my babies are not so baby anymore. *sigh* Imagine how I will feel in 10 more years?

New Family Pictures

We had our first really cold day on Saturday, so we decided to have our family pictures taken. Well maybe that isn't really how it was planned, but nevertheless, we were cold and narrowly avoided the rain at the end of the photo shoot. Ry is photoshopping them still and we are deciding on the favs, but here is a sneak peak. And may I say I look pretty hot?

Our California Adventure

Click here to view this photo book larger

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On the way home, we stayed in St. George again with our friends the Adams. For dinner we ordered pizza from a yummy pizza place. The crust is flavored, which is by far the best thing about their pizza. We had the Cajun Crust and the Butter Parmesan Crust. Both were great. The funniest thing though were the pink boxes the pizza came in. Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month indeed! This is for you Hawaiian Shells!

San Diego Sunshine

Fun in the Sun