You Say You Want a Revolution

For New Year's Eve this year, we layed low and hung out at our house, as we were all recovering from some company and lots of strep=). We watched a kid's movie, played some Rummy-O, snacked, hot tubbed, and the kids all fell asleep, except for Peyton, by 10:30. I couldn't believe our little party animals fell asleep! Maybe it's a sign for a calm, peaceful year to come; yeah, I'm not even holding my breath. So Benson, Peyton and I rang in the new year together! Happy New Year!

We discussed setting our New Year's Resolutions, and they kept saying, "For my revolution, I want to . . . "

So here's a list of Smith Family's New Year's Revolution:


Talie Smith (10): Read my scriptures for 15 minutes every day.

Dallin Smith (8): Don't fight with my sisters, obey my parents, and be more respectful to my parents. (if that happens, we'll be the happiest parents of '09!)

Ashlynn Smith (6): Keep my nose clean. (literally, she's always got something running out of her nose, and sometimes forgets to take care of it).

Good Luck Kiddo's! And here's to another great year!

Christmas '08

Christmas was a BLAST! Filled with fun family members, great food (thanks for all your help!), and many memories! My Sister, Laura and her family, and my Brother Nate, and his family came to spend the holidays with us - thanks guys!
Some highlights:

*Little boys in dress ups - who altered their identities and referred to each other by their alter egos: BUZZ, HULK, and PUPPY (or princess=).

*Ski Trips - Talie & Dallin's 1st time snow skiing. They went with Nate & Katie and had a blast even though it was only 3 degrees outside!

*Acting out the Nativity - Reading the Christmas story from the Bible. But our Mary & Joseph don't always get along.

3 Pink, toddler wise men:*And an angel who declared good tidings of great joy to 2 little shepherds who weren't the best listeners.

*Kennedi's 1st Christmas, at least that she took an active part in. A visit from Santa.



*Yummy Food! Big Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Mexican food and Snacks.

*Hot tub sits, Cold Weather - yet no Snow, Hair Cuts, Fear Factor, Games, Strep throat, 4 Dr. Visits - thank goodness for Antibiotics!

All in All, We had a BLAST! And are glad everyone came! Merry Christmas!!!

Hey Santa!

This year, we got to see Santa at our ward party and discovered a few things. Dallin thinks he is officially too big to sit on Santa's lap, but will shake his hand. And Peyton will accept candy canes from strangers, but doesn't know who that red, hairy guy is and why in the world should he sit on his lap! We also got to see real live reindeer, but discovered that comet isn't as friendly as he looks.

Peyton, taking the candy cane and running.

Talie, happy to tell Santa everything on their list, and Kennedi, just happy to be here.

Ashy, super excited to see Santa!


Dallin, ending his wish list with a gentlemenly handshake.

Introducing . . . John Cabot

Talie wrote a report on John Cabot. Who, for those of us who do not even know who he is, was an Italian explorer who sailed for England and landed on the NE shore of North America. Not much is actually known about the explorer - even by historians, but she worked hard and completed the report, complete with a model boat. The second part of their report was a Live Wax Museum, where parents were invited to come, walk around and look at the models they had created, and listen to the students (dressed up as the explorer) as they shared their life stories and adventures. It was a great idea, and Talie worked hard and succeeded! Go Talie!

Talie's fellow explorers.

My Baby's ONE!

So Wednesday, our baby turned ONE! It's amazing how time flies! She has been so fun! Everyone loves her. Even Peyton asks where she is if her nap goes a little long. Here are her stat.s for the year: She weighs in at 17lbs.4oz. (Now at what age is it no longer ok to list her weight=)? and stands (or lays) @ 29 1/4" tall. This leaves her 3% in weight and 56% in height. She still does her gimp crawl, but her little vocabulary is growing to include: mommy, dadda, baby, Ashy, Talie and Dallin (which sound the same to me), uh-oh, anana (banana), peekaboo, doggy and puppy. So she may not be an athlete, but we can hope for a . . . debater . . . or something. Her favorite things are her binki, giving kisses, the basement, the loft with polly pockets and doll house toys, loud music, dancing, peekaboo, baths, Mom, and pulling absolutely everything out of every cupboard she can get to. I like to call her our little tornado. She just comes in, picks things up, and moves them to new places.

I was all excited for her to blow out her own candle, because we practice blowing on our hot food. But instead of blowing she wanted to go for the candle . . . .

OK., I know what you're thinking, isn't this her 5th? Yes, I should have known better, but none of the others have gone for the candle. And I was busy playing photographer.

Luckily, there were no marks and she quit crying in time to enjoy the cake and get excited about her presents.

She celebrated her 1st Birthday party with her family and Aunt Kim, Uncle Jeff and cousin Morgan. For her 1st Birthday cake, we went more for flavor than appearance - caramel fudge cheesecake. And by the looks of it, we succeeded!