Our California Adventure:)

Last week we took our family to California and Disneyland!!!  We had SO much fun!!!

Monday night we went to a Dodgers baseball game, we met up with the Olsen's and the Smith's which made it much more fun.

The weather was just perfect for Disneyland ...cloudy and overcast with a little wind, the lines weren't very long either, we were able to get on the rides fairly quickly. LOVED every minute that we were there..

We also spent time at the beach and got some good tans.

On Friday we went to Seaport Village in San Diego, it is a cute little place with lots of  souvenir shops. While the kids went shopping, Don and I had lunch at  a cute little restaurant right on the Pier.  They had the best Fish and Chips ever and it was so fun to eat right on the water.

I think I took over 100 pictures so there is no way I can post all of them, but here are a few of the highlights!!

Ashlee was not very happy about leaving....I think her face says it all!

"Sweet 16"

Jake celebrated his 16th birthday in California this year!!  We spent the day on the beach with family. Since it was kind of a crazy week,we will have his party next week.....We  love you Jake and hope that you had a great day! I am so glad you're part of our family:)!

Ashlee's year end Dance Recital

Ashlee and her friends from our Ward...Samantha Sheets (who is also a Smith cousin...She is Andrea Sheets daughter who is Bud Smiths daughter) and Olivia Wilde

 Ashlee had her yearly dance recital last night....She did both a Jazz dance and a Ballet dance and she was AMAZING in both!! The theme for the recital was CELEBRATE...So since  there was a  coupon for a free yogurt on every program to a little yogurt place in Holladay  called "TOP IT" where you build your own frozen yogurt with toppings. We went there afterward. to celebrate!! Love ya Ash!!  You're Awesome:)!

Thank You!

Matthew Reed Smith 

8~8~80----1~26~05

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent"
            ~ Thomas Jefferson

 

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Thank you to all of those who fight for our freedom and some who have sacrificed ALL so that we can live in a free Country!!  My nephew Cpl Matthew Smith paid the ultimate price when he was killed in Iraq.  We love you Matt and think of you always!

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sidenote: Photo Courtesy of Cory Smith:)

Ashlee's 6th Grade Lagoon day!

Wednesday Ashlee's 6th grade had the chance to go to Lagoon for one last 'end of school' fun day.  She had a really good time with all of her friends....I'm pretty sure she'll be begging to go back soon!! 

 

Even standing in line for a ride is fun when you're with your best friends:)!

Talia Visconti, Ashlee and Monique Paigne

 Ashlee and her friends

Monique Paigne, Ashlee, Alyssa Henderson, Emily Stowers & Talia Visconti

Seminary Graduation... Class of '2010'

Last night was James' Seminary graduation!!  I just can't tell you how proud we are of him. He has come such a long way and  has grown up SO  much in the last year.  Since he graduated from  High School in April,  he has been going to early morning Seminary....this means he has to get up at 5:30 every morning so he can be there at 6:15 ( he is getting ready to serve a mission more and more everyday).  He has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and is a good example to all of us.  We had a small celebration before the graduation with dinner and cake.  I am grateful for the wonderful leaders in our ward and our wonderful Bishop who have always had such  a positive inpact on him.......I have realized lately that it really does take a village to raise a child!  If it weren't for the Church we don't know how we could do it...REALLY!!!!

 The graduating class of '2010' from the Valley View 2nd Ward!!

James, Collin Whitmore, Sarah Howard, Aubrie Colton and Marci Castillo

I know that Heavenly father is very pleased with James and  his accomplishments....And so are we.

We love you James!!! 

The BEST mother in the world!

~Grandma and Grandpa~

So what can I say about the woman who brought me into this world?   For that alone I owe her "MY life"!!  I really feel like I have the BEST mother in the whole world.... in fact, I think that I may have written  that in a card that I gave her when I was six:)!   But seriously, she is such an amazing woman and a good example of what a daughter of god is.  I know that our Heavenly Father  and her sweet husband are so proud of her. I am grateful that I was blessed to be  her daughter.

 ~Me and my mom~

I remember when I was in 1st grade,  for mother's day I made her a ceramic cameo (painted with gold paint).   Probably not something you would display in your home, but it hung in her living room for many years.  A while ago...I noticed it is still hanging in her bedroom. Now  that  is a mother's love!!!!

 ~Grandma and James....after his very first bath~

~James and Jake playing in the sandbox with Grandma~

~Grandma reading a story to Ashlee~

**Happy Mother's day Mom/Grandma...We love you and we're sure lucky to have you!**

The Countdown is ON!!

In exactly one month from today, we will be in California, soaking up some sun on the beach and getting ready to go to  Disneyland!!  We are really looking forward to the time away.  This trip will be especially fun, because we will be in California the same time as Paul and Kathy and their family. . .Which means the Olsen cousins, who my kids love spending time with.  

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Oh yeah, and the U2 concert is coming up too!  I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!

James' Eagle Project..

*Troop 484*

Today was the day for James to do his Eagle Project.  For his project he chose to plant some trees at the Creekside park.  The boys and leaders worked really hard and were a great support for him.  I'm sure that he is happy that the hardest job is done....

 The boys and their leaders played a HUGE role in gettin' it done!

 Way to go James!

Warm Fuzzies. . .

As parents  it is our responsibility  to make sure that our kids understand the importance of service and helping those who are in need, among MANY other things..  Don is always trying to give the kids incentives for good behavior.  Even though they should do good without being rewarded it gets them thinking in the right direction.

We came up with the idea to give them opportunities to earn warm fuzzies ( actually we didn't come up with it, we just copied it),  the  idea was inspired by the birthday gift that President Monson got from some primary children...click here to read the story...to earn . a warm fuzzy, each member of our family has to do a  kind, helpful deed , basically  just going the extra mile. Everyone has a specific color  of pom pom (A.K.A warm fuzzy)... so when they serve someone, they are able to  drop a warm fuzzy into the jar!  When the jar is filled up WE as a family  get a special reward.
 Kids in general are very self centered so this gets them thinking of others instead of themselves,..Besides, we can all use little reminders...right?
   It's amazing how helpful and happy my kids are. I think they are learning that we love those we serve!


I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need made me blind;
But I never have yet       
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

Our new "Puppy Love"

Ever since Max passed away,  the kids have really wanted to get another dog.  I have to admit I have  really wanted one too.  We already have Casey, but he only likes Don and doesn't like it when the kids try to love him...he likes attention and love on his terms..  Whenever the subject came up Don would just tell me that if we were supposed to have another dog it would find us.  Well, our neighbor's dog has been known to get out of her fence....one morning last week, he followed Ashlee home (right into our house)from school.  She said to me,  "mom, I sure wish we could keep him"   I informed her that he was ALREADY someone's dog.  Anyway, I took him home and we learned that she (the neighbor) was just fostering him and that she had been praying that she could find him a "forever home"  before she moved at the end of April!  So the Hulet's have another addition to their family!  His name is Benji (the name he came with) and he is just the funnest, sweetest, cuddliest little fellow EVER.  Casey even likes him a little:) .

I think one of the reasons why Don was so easily convinced, was that  he bares such a strong resemblance to Don's precious dog.  They do sort of  look like brothers.

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But the real reason that we decided to keep him was
  the fact that he found us!!  We sure love our Benji:)!

Conference/Easter Sunday

It was so fun having Easter on Conference weekend.  What better way to celebrate the life and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  A few weeks ago our Bishop had  four extra tickets to conference and he asked Don if he would like them...Don absolutely said YES!  The kids, (all 3 of them) never having been to a session of General Conference were SOO excited!! I wasn't able to go because I didn't have a ticket, but I was so happy that they were able to go. 

Ashlee...I can't believe she is getting so big. 

* * Doesn't she know she is still my baby?* *

*Jake and Ashlee*

Ready to go to Conference. . .James being a teenager wasn't really ready in time for pictures, but he did his duty and posed for a quick one.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

 John 13:14 -

Easter festivities part 2

We have had such a busy weekend that it was hard to squeeze everything in!  So while the boys and Don went  to the Priesthood session of conference & then to in-n-out burger for dinner,   Ashlee invited a friend over and they had a little girls night .  They had burgers from Wendy's and then they dyed all of our Easter eggs. 

For every Holiday, we like to do a kitchen craft that  I usually let Ashlee be in charge of.

So this year we made rice krispie treats and then used our cute spring cookie cutters to make our "spring treats".  The girls used skittles and other candy to decorate them.  

I think they had a fun night:)! 

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

Saturday, Grandma Smith had her annual Easter egg hunt and party.  Basically since all of the grandkids (except for my kids)are grown and have children of  their own....it is really for the great grandkids.  This has been a tradition for a long time, and now it starts with another generation. It is so fun to get together and for the little kids to get to know their cousins.

* * *

  We had sloppy joes and pizza for lunch, and then the kids colored easter eggs & decorated cookies.  Then, all of the kids  searched for  eggs.  It is so nice for grandma, we know it takes alot of time energy and T.LC..to put a party like this together.  But she does it because she loves us :)!  We love her so much! !

Some of the girls....

Lora, Marsha, Paula, Leah, Mikayla, Sadie & Ashlee

* *Halle, Mikayla, Ashlee & Sadie* *

Just a few pictures of the fun day!

"April Fool's" & a "Birthday boy"!

 Ashlee and I love April fool's day and playing tricks. For weeks she has been looking on the internet for ideas for pranks that she can play on us.  Well, she found one and pulled it off by herself.   She made grilled cheese sandwiches out of toasted  pound cake and orange frosting.  They looked so cute, and were yummy too!

  Can you tell which ones are the real deal?

Jake and Don...being "fooled" and Ashlee playing along...Wow!  Jake even gave it a 2 thumbs up! 

it also made a fun dessert:)

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AND.......

We also celebrated Casey's 4th Birthday.  Wow I can't believe we have had him for 4 years!!!  He got a little birthday surprise....

Yep,  his very own real grilled cheese sandwich with a candle on it!!!

Look how patient he is...he wanted it sooo bad:)!

FINALLY!!!! what a lucky dog!

sidenote:  Clifford also had a birthday today ...Happy Birthday to the cutest redheads around...CASEY AND CLIFFORD!!