First Day of School, 2011

First day of school!  First day of school!  Nemo was excited and so were all my kids.  Luke woke up at 5:58 am.  Emma was the first one dressed and ready to go.  At 6:30!  Emma is the child that I have to push and prod to do anything and who slept in until well past 9 all summer long.  They were all ready to walk out the door at 6:45 when I abruptly stopped them and forced them to eat breakfast, and take lots of fun first day pictures.  Luke wanted to go NOW but I tried to explain to him that no one would be there at 6:30 in the morning.  He didn't believe me.  Maybe tomorrow I will let them go early, just so they can see for themselves. 

 Ally 5th grade

 Luke, 1st Grade

 Emma, 3rd Grade

 Clark, will be 3 on Thursday

 Ryan, That's Mr. Hansen to you

 Love the fingers!

 Miss Ehlers, Luke thinks she is cute. 

 Mrs. Westover, Ally also had her for 3rd and Em had her for reading last year.  SO excited to be in her class again.

Miss Wright, brand new teacher this year who loves all things Disney...we already love her!

Big Boy Beds

We have a very small house. There is not a whole lot of room for...well, anything. The boys room has become a catch all for food storage, book shelves, extra pillows and blankets, craft supplies, you name it, it lives in their room. Mostly the closet, but honestly the closet isn't THAT big. It occured to me a few months ago that Luke was turning 6 and he was still sleeping in a toddler bed. In addition to that, Clark has never had a real crib...he has always slept in the pack-n-play. But I have begun to feel pretty strongly that even though there isn't room for it, we need to MAKE room for him to have a real bed.


On Saturday, I was having this very conversation with a good friend who responded with "we have a twin bed matress set just sitting in our basement that we have been meaning to get rid of." So a trip to DI for a bed frame and $10 later Luke has a twin bed! Who knew it was that simple?


We moved Clark into the toddler bed and finally put the pack-n-play away. I had to work that night but when I got home I couldn't resist sneaking in to see them in thier "new room" for the first time. I couldn't find the camera so I used my phone. And I didn't want to turn on the light so they are a little dark.

Clark's first night in a Toddler bed.

Luke sleeping in his full size bed complete with Superman quilt.

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!

San Diego Sunshine

Fun in the Sun