...and yet ANOTHER camping trip!

Wow!!  Life since school's been out has been absolutely crazy......It seems like the kids have been going to camps, Trek and vacations all Summer long.  Seriously I am exhausted just thinking about it.  Every year Don tries to schedule at least two camping trips for him and the kids to take, usually on Memorial day and the 4th of July.  So this last weekend Don, James, Ashlee and Ashlee's friend, Monique went camping..

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Ashlee and Monique

.Jake decided that he needed a rest from all of his travels and decided to stay home with me, which I loved BTW..

Anyway my family absolutely LOVES to go  camping!! They love it so much that none of them wanted to come home.(I've heard this from at least 3 people since 2:30 this afternoon), interestingly enough only 3 people went...hmmmm... go figure!  They really had a good time playing phase 10, horseshoes, and shotgun shooting.  Spending time with cousins, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows,  and eating good food!  

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Ashlee, Monique and; James  playing a "WICKED" game of "Phase 10" Our family takes this game VERY seriously!!!                                                               

 James playing a good game of "Horseshoes". 

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 AND Ashlee shot a shotgun for the very first time today, and she did awesome and Don was so proud of her:)! 

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It was a nice Holiday weekend , but it sure is nice to have everyone home tonight.  I think this may be the last of our Summer vacations, but we'll see.

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****sidenote:  Don and I are getting really excited to go to the Paul McCartney concert a week from tomorrow.

Happy Birthday AMERICA!!

I have been doing  A LOT of scrap booking lately, which forces me to go through TONS of pictures.  I came across this cute little picture of my kids in 1999 today..  I really can' believe how fast they have grown up.

I sure do love my kids:)!!
James~7, Jake~5 and Ashlee 2

Such a sad story!

Sophie Barton was a young girl who went to Olympus High School with James. Monday afternoon while hiking at girls camp up in Heber she collapsed, (her mom was also there).  Emergency Vehicles were called and responded at around 4:00 p.m and she was taken to the hospital where she passed away @ around 7:00.p.m.  She was such a beautiful and talented girl.  You can read her story here, and her obituary here.  

 

James was so shocked and sad by this, teenagers have a tendency to think that they are invincible, so when something like this happens  to someone that they  know, especially someone their age,  it hits close to home because they can relate to it.  I have to say it breaks my heart also...it has been bothering me since it happened..  You never know when tragedy can strike you or someone you love, which is why it is so important to always let those close to you know how you feel..  As I was reading her obituary I noticed that her dad grew up in the same ward I did.  I can't imagine the pain that their family is going through.  Luckily she was a really good girl and her family has the gospel in their lives....and although it doesn't take away the pain they do have the knowledge that this is just a temporary separation.

"Trek" & "Brighton Camp"!

~TREK~

This last week our Stake had it's pioneer Trek."Be Strong and of good courage" was the theme.   Most of the youth only have the chance to go once, since they only go every 4 years.  James was lucky enough to be able to go twice ...the first time was when he just turned 14, they went to "Martin's Cove.This was Jake's one and only time..I am just grateful that he was able to go at least once.  They started out on Tuesday morning with a devotional and Breakfast at the Stake center.  They actually walked  the same trail as the pioneers did, ending where Brigham Young said "This is the place"!

About 10 minutes into their Journey, because it was SO HARD  they decided that they needed to pray for help, because it was too much for them to do on their own.  So they had a ward prayer...James said it got easier and you could tell a difference.  What an amazing lesson on the power of prayer.

One night the campground was near a hay field. 4 of the kids had allergies.   Luckily  there were 4 Doctors there, because one of the Young Women had hay fever so bad that it aggravated her Asthma, and at one point was having a hard time breathing,  The Dr. gave her medicine and an inhaler and a blessing.  She had the comfort and the peace she needed to finish the Trek.  I am so grateful for all of the wonderful and dedicated leaders who work so hard and sacrifice so much so that my kids can have these life changing experiences!!! 

Here they are with their families...
JAMES

JAKE

~BRIGHTON CAMP~
Ashlee also had her first girls camp.  She  had soooo much fun.  I remember when I went to Camp Oakcrest as a Beehive and how much I LOVED it....the girls are strengthening their testimonies through songs and activities and they don't realize it.  Ashlee was in the same unit as 3 of her close friends.

Ashlee and the new girl in the ward Bree. She is such a good friend to everyone.

 Ashlee, Talia and  Bree

  Her Camp Counselor's name was  Sarah Cate A.K.A "WOLFGANG" she loved her so much,  It was so sweet as soon as she got home she found her on facebook and a new friend was made.  I have to admit that I had so much fun going through her camp songbook.  It brought back so many sweet memories for me.  I really love this Gospel and all of the opportunities it gives me and my family:)!!

I had almost the whole week alone..(even Don was out of town on business).  I got a lot done but I sure missed everyone and I am so glad they all returned to me safe and sound!

Jake was also Ordained to the office of a "Priest"  today.  It was so special  for James, Don and I to be a part of that.  James was also able to stand in the circle..
It has been a very special week for us, we have had many spiritual experiences, our testimonies have grown, and we have become closer to our Heavenly Father.
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~Life is really good...I love it!!

P*A*R*T*Y

Seriously, this month has been CRAZY!!  With our vacation, Pioneer Trek and Brighton girls camp I feel like I have been soo  overwhelmed with things to do to get ready that we didn't really celebrate James and Jake's Birthdays.  So we finally did it!!!  Nothing says " Birthday party" like cake and ice cream!!

James and his "U" cake...he couldn't have been happier.

  Blowing out his candles.{All 18 of them WOW}

And Jake.....

Yes, we made him light his own candles...

BUT, we also let him blow them out :)!

I'm sure all of his wishes will come true,,,Maybe!
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Sidenote: So here is a funny story.....James LOVES chocolate cookie dough ice-cream. The other day when the kids went to get ice cream cones from Baskin Robbins, he decided to by a HUGE container of ice cream for $50.00.  That's my boy!!!

Wow! 18 years.old already....

Well I can't believe that my first born child is turning '18' in just a few short hours! It seems like just yesterday!!  I can still remember the day that chubby little baby was placed in my arms...It was "love at first sight".  He was just so precious then and  I never knew that I could love him any more than I did at that instant, but as he grew ...so did my love for him!.

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Since he was little he has always had a love for life and he really is the friendliest kid around.(it's that yellow personality of his)...he loves everyone!  As with all teenagers there are hard times & it was no different with James,  but he is really growing into a fine young man!!!

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  This last couple of months he has accomplished so much, he  graduated  early from High School and Seminary...He has just finished earning his Eagle and last Sunday he was called to be a Primary teacher for the 11 year old boys in our ward.  One more year and we'll be sending him on his mission:)!  We love you James and we are grateful  you're ours!!

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!