CELEBRATING WITH FAMILY!!!

Since my big Brother Rand and his family are visiting from Missouri this week my ENTIRE family took advantage of it and celebrated the Independence holiday on the 3rd of July. We literally celebrated all day long and into the night. It was so much fun and so enjoyable. Grandpa & Grandma Smith rented a HUGE water slide for the day. We had their pool too of course and Uncle Brian and Aunt Shanna provided a snow cone machine which was perfect since it was so stinkin HOT! The cousins played non stop and those that didn't wear sunscreen were hurting by the end of the day. I don't think my kids have ever stayed in their swimming suits all day. They would go from the water slide into the pool and then back to the slide and then have a snow cone and then repeat the process over and over and over! There is nothing better then watching your children play with their cousins and enjoy every moment of it. It was a BLAST! That night after dark Uncle Rand broke out the sparklers and some small fireworks that they brought from Missouri where it is still legal to buy and set your own off. The Arizona cousins thought it was the greatest. On Sun the 4th we had a yummy spaghetti dinner hosted by Uncle Brian and Aunt Shanna and then all went to a park by their house for fireworks being done by a church up the street. So we enjoyed every one's company once again while the cousins ran around like crazy and had a good time. The week is just beginning and plans are being made to get as much of the "Missouri" Smith's as we can before they make their long trip back home. It should be a FUN filled week!

"GRANDPA SMITH "

Sunday my dad celebrated his 70th birthday! We (my two sisters.little brother and myself) planned a surprise birthday dinner for him and it was just perfect. My parents get home from church a little after 5pm so we all gathered at their house and when they can home we all jumped out and yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and the look on my dad's face is one I will never forget. He was just so surprised and so delighted. We had prepared a wonderful dinner and after dinner we sang our special family birthday song and enjoyed cake and ice cream while the cousins played and the adults sat and visited with on another. The grandchildren enjoyed it lots when Grandpa broke out his balloons and spent time tying balloon animals for them. It was a day of creating memories with my dad and being able to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday with him was such a special time. He truly is the most incredible dad and we all LOVE him so much!!!


SURPRISE!!!



Let's Eat!





HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



Make A Wish!



Enjoying Birthday Cake & Ice Cream!









Grandpa Making Balloon Animals!








My Dad With All Three Of His Daughters!


To make things even more perfect my older brother Rand and his cute family from Missouri will be here this next Friday for a nice long visit. This only means more cousins to play with and more celebrating with family! Just can't wait!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I can hardly believe today Keaton turned eleven years old! We celebrated on Tuesday since Wednesday he had gum surgery. He hasn't been able to eat or drink for about two days and he is quite miserable. Definitely not a fun way to celebrate. Tuesday we had the Jensen cousins over and Grandma & Grandpa Smith came over to celebrate and share Keaton's favorite, Texas Sheet Cake and ice cream, YUMMY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little guy who isn't so little anymore. I sure love you buddy boy!

FAMILY VACATION 2010

Well, this past weekend we had lots of fun at Disneyland and California Adventure. We had fun seeing Nicole and Dayna (Kev's girls) and catching up with all that they are doing. It was wonderful weather and such a nice break from the Arizona heat. Keaton and Bailey Rose just loved Disneyland as usual. Bailey Rose who is not a roller coaster rider was a trooper until we went on Space Mountain. After that she refused to do anymore roller coasters. I couldn't blame her Space Mountain was almost too much for me too. Both Kev and I mentioned to one another that the older we have gotten the thrill of fast roller coasters was no longer there and they only made us sick. Keaton said his favorite ride was Indiana Jones and Bailey Rose said her favorite was Space Tours. I was not all that impressed with California Adventure and we only spent four hours there and then headed back into Disneyland. I guess when you are born and raised in California all the sights were just a reminder that you have really already been there and done that too many times. I have never missed California since moving to Arizona. A good time was had by all six of us and it was sad to say good bye and go our separate ways at the end of a fun filled weekend with family. the weekend.