Peyton turns TWO!

I can't believe it, but on the 22nd Peyton turned 2! He is starting to talk like crazy and is such a little man! Of course we think that everything that comes out of his mouth is adorable. Peyton has a pet name for everyone, "Lally, Do-Do, Ashy, and Baby Nenni. So now, of course, we have adopted those names as well. He has started saying prayers by himself, and it is the cutest thing ever. He starts on his own, "Heavny Faudeh" and then
continues saying family names over and over again, until someone jumps in to help him. He squeezes his eyes shut tight, peaking at us every once in awhile, or sneaking little morsels of food from his dinner plate. We have also taught him answers to common questions. He knows his name, age, birthday, and of course, his best friend, "Mama" -(can you tell who's teaching him the answers =). My 2nd personal favorite, is when you ask him, "Where were you born?" And he replies with a perfect little accent, "Carolina."

We had a small, family birthday party with, of course, a ball cake! Peyton already can identify and name every type of ball you can hand him - and throw it as well.

Ashy's Graduation!

Today was Ashy's pre-school graduation. Peyton, Kennedi, and I went to watch her walk, receive her "diploma", and switch her tassel. They sang some cute little songs, ate cake, and watched a cute video presentation of pictures from the school year put to music. Each child was able to bring a copy of the dvd home, and Ashy excitedly exclaimed, "I can't believe it, I'm famous! I'm in a movie. I'm not sure it'll open in the box office, but it sure is a hit at our house!

Ashlynn also just mastered the riding of a two-wheeler. She has always been one of our most brave and daring children, but somehow this feat was quite the obstacle for her - And now she is a PRO! Yay Ashy!

She is definitely growing up! In fact, on the way home from the graduation, she laid back in the seat with her arms folded behind her head and sighed, "I feel like I'm graduating from High School. I'm sitting in the front seat, I can ride a two wheeler, and I'm in a movie."

Daily Life with the Smiths

Weeks go by without any major event occurring, yet somehow we feel very busy doing important things, and when we look back on the week, we can't remember what we did. So here are some trivial things from the Smiths that fill our days with joy and laughter.

Talie has been working hard at gymnastics; it's rare to go five minutes without seeing her upside down. Well, all that work has paid off and she has moved up to intermediate gymnastics.Yay Talie! She also has been going to choir practice before school in the mornings and just performed in her first choir concert at Saddle Ranch Elementary - Look out American Idol!

Dallin has just finished his first season of soccer - It was fun towatch. Although he is still learning the fundamentals, he loves to be goalie and has a powerful kick! The other team has a hard time scoring a goal with him there. Good thing he doesn't take after his Mom in that area, I prefer to run and duck.

Ashlynn went on her kindergarten tour to get ready for next year and saw four friends she already knew. And Friday she has her Pre-School graduation. My little Ashy Poo Hoo is growing up.

Peyton likes to take something with him to the store while He, Kennedi and I go shopping. Well, usually it's a bag of treats, a ball, or a truck, but today he found a roll of pink streamers. At first, I tried to trade him for another toy, but he just couldn't part with it - so off we went shopping with my boy and his pink streamers=). It did the trick, he was great the whole time.
Kennedi is 5 1/2 months already - I can't believe it! We took her for a check up and she is in the 16th percentile -only 13lbs6oz. That's rare for our babies! So she is our tiny little thing. She has started eating rice cereal, hasn't really started doing cartwheels, or reciting poems, but we still are entertained by her every smile and giggle.

Fun with Family

The kids and I just got back from a trip to Idaho and Utah to visit friends and family. We started out on Monday and drove to Mapleton, UT to visit Bart and Holly. Then Tuesday we drove to Idaho Falls and visited old friends; we got to see an adorable new baby and a beautiful new house! That night we stayed in Sugar City with Benson's parents and got to see the breathtaking new Rexburg temple. Wednesday, Talie and Dallin went to 2nd grade with Grandma Smith and Laura, London, and baby Miles came to play while Ashy threw up in the corner. That night, Anthony and Daniel also came over for dinner and we played the "sign"game and finished the night with yummy cinnamon rolls and a gymnastics movie, which Peyton was very in to (And Grandpa Smith and Scott even stayed up to finish=). Thursday, Talie and Dallin did one more morning of school and on the way to Pocatello, Grandpa Smith drove us to Wendy's in his very own school bus! Then we headed down to Pocatello to hang out with Matt and Lindsay and the kiddos. There, we had fun at the pet store/zoo (which Ashy wanted to move back to Idaho for), at the park and learning how to whip-stick. Then Friday, Grandma Walker and great Aunt Susie came up to add to the fun. That night, Matt, Lindsay, Daniel and I stayed up 'till 3 in the morning laughing over childhood memories. Saturday, I realized I'm not as young as I used to be as the morning came very early. We had a blast at rock climbing and said our goodbyes Sunday morning as we drove home. The trip was GREAT, but we missed DAD and the warmer Denver climate! So after ten hours of stuffing my face to try to stay awake driving, numerous potty, food, gas, and Kennedi stops - we made it home! But the next morning, both Dallin and I woke up throwing up and we were glad we were home to throw up in our toilets. Now we are all well, the Mt. Everest of laundry has been conquered, and we look back at the trip with great fondness - thanks everyone for taking such good care of us while we came to visit!