Land of the free.......

Because of the Brave!

As I was pondering Memorial day, I had a deep sense of gratitude in my heart for all of those who so bravely have fought/fight, & gave/give EVERYTHING they have....Many have even given their lives for the freedom's we enjoy every day. I just want to say THANK YOU!! To Veterans past and present, but especially to my sweet nephew who gave the ultimate sacrifice....his life!

This Brick is honoring Matthew's service. It sits in Honolulu HI, where he was stationed.

My Nest Is Best

Over the past few weeks we had noticed a few birds hanging around our front door. One day Ashlee saw a mama bird next to the wreath on my front door?!? Wondering what she was doing there, we took a closer look.& noticed that right inside my wreath was a very well constructed bird nest with one egg inside. We think that the bird that built the nest had abandoned it because we had touched it, and well because it was on our FRONT door...not really the most ideal place for a bird to lay her eggs! Another bird must have come and taken her place & her nest, because a couple of days later, there were two more eggs in the nest, but they were obviously different from the first one. Thinking it was cute and wondering if the second mama bird would come back we left it there. The next day we noticed that not only had she not abandoned it she had been sitting on the eggs. I am not sure if they will ever hatch, but it is so cute to see her take care of her eggs!My front door wreath.....

the bird's nest....and.....

her cute little eggs.....

and here she is sitting on her nest......We had to get the picture from the inside, because she won't let anyone close enough to get a great picture. I guess she thinks this is her
Home "Tweet" Home!

A very sick girl

This is the face that I have seen for the last 8 days! Ashlee has been one sick little girl! She hasn't had any spunk this last week. It started out as a strep infection..... After a few days she seemed a little better.....I just kept her rested and hydrated. But on Friday night she started running another fever, so on Saturday morning I asked her "do you need to go to the Dr?" Her response to me was "What for". I decided it was better to be safe than sorry, so we went to the Dr. and it was a good thing we did because she had pneumonia!!! I think after 8 days she is finally on the mend and was very happy to tell me that she can now breathe out of her nose.
Alyssa, One of Ashlee's best friends came by yesterday with a balloon and a box of popsicles! How sweet was that?!? It really made her day !!!

Mother's day at my house!

So, I had an amazing mother's day! My family spoiled me this year! Ashlee made me breakfast in bed which was delicious (and was especially nice since she was sick) and she also gave me a pedicure kit for my feet. James & Jake gave me placemats and made me dinner & Don sent me some beautiful flowers and gave me money! My family is the best!

World's best Mom!

Mom, Whenever I fell you were there, when I bruised my knee you were there, when I got sick you were there. What are you some kind of jinx?!? Just kidding, Happy mother's day!!! We don't know what we would do without you..........

We love you!

Sidenote: I got that little saying from a greeting card....Thanks Tenderthoughts greeting card!

Jake & Ashlee's Piano Recital

Saturday was Ashlee & Jake's Spring piano recital. They have been practicing so hard and they have really come a long way. I know they are not big fan's of practicing, when they could be doing something fun, but all their practice has paid off!!! They did such a good job! After the recital we all went to Dairy Queen for lunch. We always love a reason to go out & celebrate. I love my little pianists:)!

Feet for Fundz!!!

Ashlee's school had a fundraiser that she was soooo excited to participate in! It was called "Feet for Fundz", the kids collected money and then had to run(or walk) around the school as many times as they could. Ashlee was trying to earn herself a water bottle....$30.00 or more! Ashlee met her goal and won her water bottle. YEAH!!!

EASTER!

James, Ashlee and Jake before church


Don, Ashlee and Casey


We had such a wonderful Easter!! Don was home all week from work, we had so much fun Easter shopping, and spending time together as a family. Saturday was filled with extended family and lots of fun! Sunday was a day of reflecting on the real reason for Easter. It was such a beautiful day, and our church meetings were all so great, how grateful we are for the blessing the atonement is in our lives. As I was driving to church I was thinking how appropriate it was that the sun was shining and the birds were singing, on the day that symbolizes the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.... a sign of new life.

Easter Festivities continued!

The finished product! Pretty good for amateurs:)

The girl's and I decorated cupcakes, it was so fun .....we used fondant, you can make the cutest cupcakes and it is so fun to use!

Ashlee frosting cupcakes!

James with his "LOOT"

My kids love getting their Easter baskets....
It's like Christmas in April!

Ashlee's basket was soooo full, seriously nothing else would fit, and it was a BIG basket too!

The gang together!

Jake ate more eggs than he colored................

I'm pretty sure James did too!

Sarah's egg!!

James & Sarah

The kids had so much fun dying eggs together...i love that no matter how old they get they still have fun doing things like that. They got pretty creative with their eggs, using rubber bands to make them look tie dyed!

Grandma Smith's Annual Easter Party & Egg Hunt

Sadie , Samantha, mikayla and Ashlee

Showing off their frosted cookies

Sadie, Ashlee and mikayla

Some of the Smith Cousins!

James, Kyle & Jake having fun teenage style!

Kyler, Ashlee And Kylee coloring eggs!

We are so lucky to have such a wonderful Grandma & Mom! She always amazes me with her generosity to her Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren. Saturday was the Smith Cousins annual Easter party & egg hunt. The kids were able to frost & decorate cookies, color Easter eggs, and then find them. Each child got their own basket filled with candy, eggs & some sidewalk chalk! It is also a great opportunity for the little cousins to play with each other & for them to create and strengthen bonds that are so important!! I know my kids look forward to the wonderful parties hosted by grandma Smith, We are so grateful for our grandma and all that she always does for us!!!

"living Planet Aquarium" Spring break day one!

We had to do this......................

Because of this!!!!

Flashback Friday.....Ashlee

Ashlee is such a sweet little girl. Because she is in a family of teenage boys right now who demand a lot of time and attention.....And because she is a pretty laid back kid and just does what she is supposed to do, I feel like she gets pushed in the background. That really isn't my intent, but you know what they say "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"! Any way I have been thinking about all of the things that make Ashlee so special...So Ashlee, this post is for you. Here are just some of the things that I love about Ashlee!!

1. Ashlee is so sweet to everyone. No one is left out when Ashlee is around.

2. She has lots of friends.

3. She is a GREAT example to her family and friends.

4. Ashlee is always thinking of others. Very tenderhearted.

5. She has a very fun personality.

6. She brings a very special spirit into our home.

7. She is a very talented girl in dance, piano, and she is very artistic & creative.

And most important!!!!

8. She is valiant in her testimony of Jesus Christ!

WE LOVE YOU ASH!!!

Casey & Clifford turn "3"!

Happy Birthday Boys!!

A Special Experience for our Family!

Sunday my family had the opportunity to go to the Draper Temple Dedication! A couple of months ago we did a walk through & it was amazing!! Everyone got their "special"(Golden Tickets) early so we wouldn't miss out on this experience! There was such a wonderful spirit there and it lingered throughout the night. I am so grateful for the knowledge that my family is forever, & that it doesn't end with death. In this world where there is so much turmoil & uncertainty the one thing I am certain of is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me such comfort. President Monson told of a story of a time he went to a funeral of a young mother, as he met the youngest daughter, she looked at him and said "Brother Monson, Don't Cry.... My mom said that we will be with her again and I know it's true, because my mom always told the truth." I know that we have the fullness of the Gospel on the earth today, and I am so glad to be a part of it! I am truly blessed every day in one way or another by having it in my life. What a blessing it is to have had this special experience with my precious family. I am grateful for the Temple in my life

Families can be Together Forever!

5th Grade Science Fair

Ashlee was so nervous, but you couldn't tell! She

did an amazing job on her project. We are so proud

her!

Friday Ashlee had her science fair at school. She has been working so hard on it this past month! As you know, when your child has a project due...so do you! I do have to say that she had very minimal help from us. Have you ever wondered why the tips of the wings on some of the airplanes are bent upwards?!?! Ashlee chose this as her project, they are called "winglets" their purpose is to make the aircraft safer and stablizes it in turbulant winds. & it saves energy too! Anyway, We(Grandma Smith & I) were able to go and see her do her experiment at school! I know she was very nervous, but she did a great job and appeared to be an expert on the subject!! GOOD JOB ASHLEE!!