WELCOME 2011

It is almost unreal that 2011 begins tomorrow. Sometimes it still seems like 1997 and I am a newlywed trying to mesh my life with the life of my new husband and his two little girls. Where did all the time go? Those little girls are now grown adults living on their own. My kiddos are now the exact age they were when Kev and I were married. Boy, the years have flown by! This year brought new experiences and opportunities. Kev got a promotion and I started a new job which I love! We are SO grateful for employment! My kiddos also had wonderful experiences this year and have grown and matured in ways I am loving. I feel like we are ending 2010 on a great note and even though it is hard to believe 2011 is beginning I look forward to what this New Year will bring. I am excited for the new experiences and challenges that await us in this New Year and hope that they are good ones and not crippling ones. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for the constant love of a Heavenly Father who watches over me and my little family and for my elder brother Jesus Christ who made it possible to someday return to that loving Heavenly Father with my family. I hope 2011 is a HAPPY NEW YEAR for everyone!

CHRISTMAS 2010

Well, Christmas 2010 has now come and gone! It was a wonderful Christmas and probably the first Christmas in a long time that I was a bit more stress free and was able to really enjoy every moment of it. The kiddos say it was the best Christmas ever and to hear that is just priceless! They got some wonderful gifts but what made it priceless was knowing that they really appreciated what they got. I wanted to take lots of pictures but I was enjoying it all so much that I only captured Christmas morning.

The kiddos open one gift on Christmas Eve and by tradition it is always PJ's. I always like to do fun looking PJ's. However, this year Keaton told me that he was now 11 and needed something more grown up so I promised him that if he wore his PJ's this year, next year I would get him mature looking PJ's for Christmas Eve. He was a great sport about it!



On Christmas morning the kids were up early and very excited to see the Santa gifts and check out the stockings!













Their BIG present this year was that they each received their own cell phone. Bailey Rose was just BURSTING with joy over it however, Keaton opened his first and she whined which you can hear on the video clip because she was sad over the fact he got what she wanted most. Even though Keaton was surprised and thrilled he was more BURSTING when he open up his new Wii classic controller isn't that is a boy for you!





Grandpa & Grandma Smith and Aunt Deb came for a yummy and traditional Christmas breakfast and then after opening the tree presents and much later we headed to Grandpa & Grandma Smith's house for a DELICIOUS dinner and opened more presents and then while all the cousins played all the adults visited and rested. Chad my little brother and his son entertained us while they played the new Michael Jackson Wii game. So funny to watch them play! It was a very Merry Christmas!

LOOK WHO CAME TO OUR HOUSE LAST NIGHT!

When the dad works for Coca-Cola from time to time he brings home fun things! This Santa came home from work with dad last night. The kids thought it was fun! Bailey Rose had the most fun with it. When Bailey Rose saw it she exclaimed, "Can I keep him in my room?" Keaton said, "Wow Dad, that is cool!" Within a few minutes the excitement of our new addition was over for Keaton. As a little boy he would of dug this. It is funny to think how some things use to be thrilling and exciting to Keaton and now that he is older certain things are not so much anymore. It is much more of a challenge to make things thrilling and exciting for a boy then a girl. At least that is what I have found with my kiddos! It is somewhat of a letdown for parents when you realize your kiddos are getting old enough that you truly have to work at pulling off the "EXCITING"!

SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE CAMP

This last Wed. Keaton and all the 6th graders took off for a few fun filled days at Science Camp in Prescott. Kevan was able to go and chaperon and took pictures so that I could see Keaton's experience. They all had a BLAST! Keaton has since told me all about it and I am so glad he had a wonderful time. He was SOOOO excited to go and he had the best time hanging with friends and having new experiences that I know were so good for him to have!

GETTING READY TO GO!


ON THE BUS WITH BEST BUD NATHAN & READY FOR THE TRIP!


PICKING HIS BUNK!


CLIMBING THE 32 FT. WALL! (Once they were up the wall they zip lined down. Lots of fun and a bit scary too. I wish I had a picture of the zip line).





PLAYING DODGE BALL (They were only allowed to move 3 steps per ball).


THEY TIE DYED T-SHIRTS!


THIS WAS A GAME CALLED "BUILD A BEAST! (Played like the old game "Telephone").


"THE BEAST" (This is the end result).


PICKING APART & EXAMINING OWL PELLETS! (Not Keaton's favorite activity).


PRACTICING FOR THE EVENING SKIT!


THE SKIT!


LEARNING ABOUT THE SUN!


TUG-A-WAR (Boys vs. Girls) Boys won one & Girls won one!


KEATON WITH SOME OF HIS FRIENDS & CABIN BUDDIES ON THE DAY THEY WENT HOME!



Keaton and Kevan were both very glad to get home and to sleep in their own beds last night. However, they have the memories of the last few days and I know that it will not be something Keaton forgets about anytime to soon. I must admit it looks and sounds like lots of fun and I am looking forward to going with Bailey Rose in a year when it is her turn to go!

SINCE THANKSGIVING...

Well, since Thanksgiving we have been decorating the house for Christmas, Christmas shopping, having band concerts, piano recitals and outings with the Girl Scout Troop. This last week has been real busy! Keaton had his band concert and it was so enjoyable! He is playing trumpet for the second year. I love seeing my children develop talents! He also had his first piano recital. He has only been taking piano for a very short time and loves it just as much as trumpet!



I LOVE his cute bow at the end!

Bailey Rose had the opportunity to get all dressed up and attend the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre with her Girl Scout Troop. They had a yummy buffet style dinner before hand and then after they watched the "Annie" musical Production. She had a blast! She has been singing the songs from the musical all day! Just too cute!




This is also the first time that I have had all my Christmas shopping done weeks before Christmas! I love it! Now I can just relax and enjoy the holiday and stay focused on the real meaning of Christmas!

This next week is another busy week! We have 6th Grade Science Camp for three days in Prescott. Kevan will be going with Keaton. I know they will have loads of fun. Bailey Rose and I will be hanging home just the two of us and she has her Dr. Appts. for her ear. It should be busy but fun! Both Kev and I get the chance to spend some one on one with the kids!

BAILEY ROSE'S SURGERY!

Today was a very long day and I am so thankful it is over! Bailey Rose went into surgery at about 1:20pm today and had the left ear drum repair with a skin graph from the back of her ear. She was very nervous but, Daddy gave her a blessing the night before so she was feeling much more sure about the whole ordeal. She was in surgery for 2 hours. That is a little longer then any mom wants but, my dad was with me so that I wasn't alone and it really helped me. Thanks dad for driving us and keeping me company. It took us 7 hours from the time we arrived to the time we left from recovery. She did really well and the Dr. said he feels like she has a real good chance of the surgery being at least 90-95% successful. We will not know for about two months and it takes a total of 4 months for complete healing. We will do it all over again in the spring on the right ear and then we should have whole ears again. That means no more ear plugs for swimming or showering. YEAH!!!

ARRIVNG AT HER SURGICAL DESTINATION!


IN HER GOWN AND READY WITH BLANKIE IN HAND!


WATCHING TV WHILE WAITING!


LEFT EAR HAS BEEN MARKED FOR SURGERY!


SURGICAL CAP ON AND WE ARE ALMOST READY!


SHE IS READY TO LEAVE FOR THE OPERATING ROOM!


ALL DONE!


OPEN YOUR EYES PRETTY GIRL!


TRYING TO COME AROUND BUT SLEEP IS WINNING!


FINALLY READY FOR HOME WITH A NEW FURRY FRIEND IN HAND!


HOME AND IN PJ'S AND SOUND ASLEEP!


She did so good! I am so proud of her! She was starving not having eaten since last night and had grand ideas for what she wanted after the surgery. Instead she feel asleep with a nibbled cheese stick in her hand. Good thing Thanksgiving is tomorrow and she can have all the turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy her little heart desires. I LOVE you sweet baby girl of mine!

THESE ARE MY PEOPLE & THIS IS WHERE I COME FROM

I cannot help but be so thankful for my family. My parents are two of the most giving people I know and they did a great job at raising five kids. They are always so supportive and so there us. When I think of my parents and what they mean to me in my life I feel overcome with emotion because, I love them so much! Even being married and having children of my own I hold on tight to the things they taught me so that my children will have some of the same upbringing I did. In my mind my parents did everything right by us children! I love you Dad and Mom!


Today is also my mom's birthday - Happy Birthday Mom!


I am also so grateful for my brothers and sisters! These guys are my BEST friends! I love that fact that even though we are all grown with lives of our own we make it a point to stay in touch. To know what is happening in each others lives and to always let each other know that we love them. We had so much fun growing up together and when I look back on those memories I can't help but smile and laugh at what a fun we had. Between phone calls and family reunions or just dinners or birthday gatherings for our children we continue to create these wonderful memories. I love you Rand, Shanna, Debra and Chad. I am thankful you are my brothers and my sisters. You are the greatest gift!




I am grateful for a wonderful husband who I love very much and for all the support he gives me and the hard work he puts in to support our family. I think he is a wonderful dad and my sweet kiddos love him to pieces. Thank you Kev for all you do for us and for being my eternal partner!



Now these two kids are my life! Words cannot express how I feel about them. They are the reason I get up everyday and forge forward in life. They inspire me and amaze me and can make me laugh and cry! They are the best part of me and I feel honored and humble to be their mom. I would give my life for them and wish I could do all the hard things in their lives so that they will never feel fear, pain or sorrow. Even though I cannot do that I want them to know how much I love them and how thankful I am that they are a part of my life. I love you Keaton and Bailey Rose! I hope you will always know that I am here for you!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER-HALLOWEEN 2010!

I am so behind in blogging! I know it is November already but, I have not had the time to post pictures from Halloween yet so I figure better late then never. It was a good Halloween. Saturday night we went to our church's Trunk-or-Treat and the kids scored big on the candy! It was enjoyable to see all the little ones dressed up and having such a good time. Kevan was able to visit with friends and enjoyed that since he doesn't get to come to church due to having to work Sundays. On Sunday we all went to grandpa & grandma Smith's house for a dinner which was a Taco bar, SO yummy! Then we all went out and sat on the driveway and enjoyed passing candy out to the kids that were out trick or treating. We enjoyed a portable fire pit that my sister Shanna and her husband Brian brought over and as always we enjoyed each other's company. The cousins dressed up in their costumes and had lots of fun being together.

KEATON WAS WALUIGI!




BAILEY ROSE WAS AN ANGEL!



HALOWEEN 2010



THE CANDY LOOT!

A HAPPY DADDY AFTER IMPOSING HIS "DADDY TAX!"


THE COUSINS AT GRANDPA & GRANDMA SMITH'S


MY SISTER SHANNA & BRIAN AS AN AMISH COUPLE!

KEVAN & I AS OURSELVES!

MY SISTER DEB AS HERSELF BUT, FESTIVE!

MY LITTLE BRO. CHAD & JOLENE AS MICHAEL JACKSON AND A PEASANT WOMAN!

CHAD IN ALL HIS GLORY IMPERSONATING HIS IDOL!

HANGING OUT WITH FAMILY!