Birthday Business!

We celebrated Ridge's and Gabe's birthdays this month. Dad's schedule changed and so he was able to be home on their birthdays for the first time in years. We went bowling at the infamous Pop N' Pins lanes and then opened presents and had cupcakes. It was a good time even though Tyson is extrememly competitive and took great pride in beating the kids and me. (Good thing we had bumper lanes!) Gabe was thrilled to death with the night vision goggles Raygen and Ridge gave him. And Ridge loves the bath toys and bath crayons he got. So it was a very good day. On the 24th we had a big combined birthday party for Ridge, Gabe, Kadrian, and Brianne. It was tons of fun and always good to be able to spend time with family!
Another thing that happened this month is---Bracken and Lindsey had their baby! We got to babysit Auriana for a few days while they were in the hospital. They named their cute little boy Benton Max Smith after their fathers. He looks just like Bracken! Hopefully Auri will get use to sharing her parents. We really enjoyed having her. She is such a cutie!

My Brother, My Friend . . .

My big brother,Brian Gamble Smith, passed away December 24, 2008. He was not only my brother but one of my best friends. I love him very much and will miss him deeply. It is hard to think that I won't hear his voice or see his big smile anymore in this life. He taught me so much that I will continue to use throughout my life. He also gave me an amazing sister-in-law, four wonderful nephews, and one beautiful niece that I will cherish forever! I hope he finds the peace he so desperately needed and I know the Savior will take care of him until we meet again. Until that day--I love you, Brian, my brother, my friend, and my hero!

Crazy Cousins!

Raygen and Brooklynn got to spend a lot of time together this week. They had SO much fun! They giggled their heads off. They say they are each other's sister since they don't have a "real" one. It was so cute. Here is a song they made up.

First Big Snow!

The kids love the snow! We had a lot of fun riding on the sled behind the 4 wheeler. Cash came out and chased us around the field and only got run over once. We played and played and were completely frozen by the time we came in. But it was nothing a nice cup of hot chocolate couldn't fix. Enough snow fell that I even got to use my snowblower! I love that thing!! It sounds like we better get use to the white stuff because more is on it's way. Just in time for Christmas--Hooray!

Move Over Martha!

How I let myself get roped into things, I'll never know. I really need to practice that elusive word. . . .what is it again? Oh yeah, "NO!" The "Young Women" are in charge of the center pieces for the ward Christmas party tomorrow night, so guess who made them all. Yup--I'm a sucker. Good thing I like crafting. It is actually a lot of fun---when the kids aren't around, especially my little Tazmanian devil, Ridge. But they got done and I think they turned out cute. Besides, now I have something to give the neighbors for Christmas. Blessings in disguise, right?

Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Ok so we still have a couple of weeks before Christmas right? We finally got our tree up and decorated. I wanted to keep the tradition of going up in the hills and cutting our own tree, but got tired of waiting so we just bought one this year. The kids always have a lot of fun putting the decorations on. I put on the lights and then turned them lose and I think they did a really good job! And as Raygen said, "All that is left is putting the presents under it!"

Happy Anniversary to My Dear Husband!!

Thanks for tens years of memories! I love you more each day!