Kadenceisms, part II

We've really been pushing family history in our ward as of late. Last year, after attending several inspiring meetings, we decided to start a family journal. Needless to say, after four of five weeks of consistent writing, it has gone by the wayside. That said, we're grateful for this blog, for it's allowing us to record some of our family history (plus, it's pretty fun!).

One thing we have wanted to do is always record the cute things our children say. These are days that will be gone in the blink of an eye, so we're cherishing every moment. Here are some sweet things Kadence has said as of late:

-"wash hands sink." "I want to wash my hands in the sink"
-"scrub scrub scrub... " (as she washes her hands)
-"Play kitchen now." "I want to play with my new kitchen set (especially when it comes time to eat, take a bath, or do something she doesn't want to!)
-"nakanoodles" "noodles"
-"tortorila" "tortillas" (Bajio has become a family favorite)
-"up! up!" "down! down!" (she hasn't mastered this one yet)

Utter Cuteness

Here's Kadence after she got stuck in her new Disney Princess clothes hamper.




Here's baby Tayah sitting on the table (only time she'll ever get to do this!), enjoying some cereal after church.

We sure love our baby girls!

Daddy's Girl

Christmas Day Fun

Here's some Christmas day photos of Kadence opening gifts and helping hand out gifts (not too happy in that one).

Bedtime Routine

5:59 AM- So, for the second consecutive day, Kadence has decided that getting up before 6:00 AM is a good thing (even if it interupts Daddy's scripture study). Suffice it to say, she is on my lap helping me type this entry. In fact, she may include some commentary of her own...who knows?

Quick update: 6:26 AM: Tayah has joined us now. Our early risers!

One of my favorite things in life is putting Kadence down for the night. We have this routine that melts my heart. After getting her dressed and her teeth brushed, she prayerfully chooses a book to read. I say prayerfully because, oft times, it appears as if she's praying about the selection (she already knows how to stall this!). We read the book and then she snuggles in and we say our prayer. She even starts out "Heavn'ly Fader...thank this day." So cute. We then sing a hymn and I rub her back. At the very end, here's our exchange:

"Daddy loves you!"

"Daddy uvs yuu!" (whispered)

"Night-night."

"Nite-nite!"

We then blow air kisses to each other. What a neat experience it is to be a father. The simple things make it so special!

Random Thoughts

First, Elizabeth and I took down the Christmas decorations this morning. There is just something melancholy about the whole thing, but it does get us excited for next year!

Second, our house has been a sick ward this week. All of us, minus Elizabeth, came home with the sniffles and a cough from ID. Then, on New Year's Eve, she came down with a bout of strep throat. That same night, I took Kadence in to the doctor after a very high fever. She has her first ear infection (we've been really lucky). Needless to say, we ushered in the New Year quietly :).

Third, we're thrilled to start 2008. We've set some great goals as a family that we're excited about. Yes, we know that most resolutions last on average 5.6 days, but we feel motivated to make some positive changes.

So as to not make this entry entirely boring, here's a cute photo of little Tayah with Great-Grandma Torgesen:

December Nuts and Bolts

First, here's Kadence playing the part of Mary during our Nativity scripture reading Christmas Eve. She's giving Joseph (her cousin Camden) a little kiss while they rode atop Uncle Russell. Aren't kids great?!

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! We ushered in the new year with a pair of patients...Elizabeth with strep and Kadence, an ear infection. Hope our girls feel better!

Here's December's Nuts and Bolts entry:

Is there seriously a greater month than December? Simply put, the other eleven simply pale in comparison. The Smith family had a magical one, as you now learn.

Let’s start with the Christmas activities for the month. Here’s the run-down: BYU Christmas party (for all employees and their families), First Presidency Christmas devotional, BYU Telefund Christmas banquet, a fun “souper” Christmas party with neighbors, gift-wrapping with the Young Women, Christmas lunch at Tucano’s with my student supervisors, Young Women’s leaders party, ward Christmas brunch, singing in our ward choir’s sacrament program, BYU Annual Giving retreat at our house, all the usual yuletide movies, and countless hours of music. While the gift giving and receiving is wonderful, it’s all the everyday things that makes the season what it is.

We spent the holidays with Elizabeth’s family in Old Town, ID (just on the border of ID and WA). It was wonderful spending time with her parents, two siblings, a niece, a nephew, and Grandma Torgesen. It was nice and relaxing to spend time catching up, playing games, eating, and watching movies. We were blessed with an abundance of snow while we were there, which Kadence took advantage of—her first experience playing in the cold stuff. She was all decked out in her pink snowsuit and went sledding with Mommy. After each run, her enthusiastic reply was always “Again! Again!” We drove the 11-12 hour drive, including a stop to visit her sister and family in Pocatello for a night. The girls did quite well. Tayah’s our best traveler, succumbing to sleep most of the way. We all did come down with some illness (including strep throat for Elizabeth and an ear infection for Kadence), but it was a wonderful holiday vacation.

Christmas day is even better with little ones. Tayah’s one easy customer—she spent most of the time playing with one toy (and then moved on to bows and wrapping paper). Kadence had fun and while she’s still not totally aware of what was going on, it was cute to watch her rip the paper. We won’t bore you with the gifts we each received (all of them were fantastic), but for some reason, Santa forgot to bring us that mini-van, the 60-inch flat screen, or some interior defense for my struggling Utah Jazz!

Tayah’s red hair is not going away anytime soon. It’s especially noticeable in the sunlight. She hit the half-year mark and celebrated by taking several naps, spitting up, and being adorable. Tayah’s gotten much more interactive. For instance, when we playfully shake her from side-to-side, she continues to shake her head after we’ve stopped. What an angel!

Kadence is starting to show the temperament of a soon-to-be-two-year-old (that’s a lot of hyphens). Her fits are prize-winning. It’s a broken record, but she continues to astound us with her increased words and sentences. What fun it is for her to communicate so well.

Elizabeth continues to really enjoy her YW calling. She’s got a stellar group of girls. I can never say it enough—I’m so grateful for all she does for our family. She is one amazing mother to our baby girls!

30 years old. I hit the illustrious mark this month and am not too damaged physically or psychologically. Elizabeth and the girls made it a wonderful day, as did my crew at the Telefund. I was able to conduct December’s sacrament meetings. We also had a giving tree for our ward and it was humbling to see everyone’s generosity.

Sarah’s mother and my dear grandmother passed away on the 12th. We were blessed to be with her a mere hour before she left us. We held her memorial service the following week, where I spoke and Elizabeth and I sang with our siblings. It was my honor to dedicate her grave as well. What a wonderful mother and grandmother. She had a profound influence on my life. We cannot wait to do the temple work for her. We love our Po-Po.

We’d be ungrateful if we didn’t express our gratitude to the Savior. We have truly felt His love during this season. He is the greatest gift in our lives and we love Him immensely. We also love you all, believe it or not!