Tuesday, September 6, 2011

August Nuts and Bolts (The Real Scoop on the Smith Family!)

August was another month full of momentous events, changes, and fun adventures. Here’s out quick run-down:


• Kadence is now a kindergarten and our lives as we know it will never be the same. Gone are the days where we didn’t have to plan around a school schedule. She was so excited as we went about the registering, the open house, and the actual first day. Her teacher is Mrs. Arroyo and she is in the dual immersion Spanish program. She is loving it so far and Mrs. Arroyo says she is sweet and quiet.

• Tayah will also be going to Westside Elementary, for their preschool. We’re excited about this, as she will be going the same time as Kadence and will be playing at the same playground. She is looking forward to it, especially after seeing how much Kadence is loving learning.

• Stockton won’t know what to do without his sisters, but I’m sure he’ll love having alone time with Mommy. It is so fun to watch him add new words to his ever-growing vocab, including the word “Jazz.” I’ve never been prouder. Also says “Taytay” (Tayah), “picy” (spicy) and variations of Jesus, ice cream, outside, inside, and many other adorable things.

• Many, many family outings: three trips to Thanksgiving Point (Farm Country, Thanksgiving Point Gardens, the dinosaur museum), the Cougar Kickoff (where we met some football and volleyball players, as well as the cheerleaders), the Utah County Fair, the annual pilgrimage to Hogle Zoo, the BYU Paleontology Museum, and the BYU Museum of Art for home evening. We also had several dinners out and a pair of Daddy/daughter dates, both to Cold Stone.

• Elizabeth and I managed to have a few date nights. Always nice to just be the two of us.

• While I was on a business trip to BYU—Idaho, the other four had a ball down at Lake Powell for the annual get-together. The girls were pretty adventurous with their water escapades, the weather was nice and hot, the ants were out in full force, and there was plenty to do and eat. The girls talked about it non-stop after returning and Stockton misses Gramps and Granny. If it helps any, the trip to Rexburg was a good one.

• Tayah went to a friend’s birthday party.

• We had a great family dinner up at Danny and Mary Sue’s house to celebrate Mary Sue, Tanya, and Gavin. Choice times together!

• We also thoroughly enjoyed the big Smith FHE at the Lymans’ church.

• Work items: BYU University Conference, a few retreats/summits, the University Breakfast, LDSBC’s President’s workshop, and a leadership seminar with Elder Oaks speaking. While parking is more difficult, it pales in comparison to the excitement of returning students!

• Elizabeth continues to work really hard with her Visiting Teaching coordinator calling. It constitutes many, many hours of work, but she loves it.

• I was sustained as a Gospel Doctrine instructor, as well as counselor in the Sunday School Presidency. And then two weeks later, was released from both callings and called to serve on the stake high council. It’s been a whirlwind of activity, but we are humbled to have this new experience. Part of my calling entails being the stake physical facilities representative over our four buildings, as well as being the liaison for our home ward. It was fun sitting with the family for a few weeks.

Now on to autumn…let it come!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Kadence's First Day of Kindergarten!


Monday was our Kadence's first day of school.  Where, oh where does the time go?  We were just bringing her home from the hospital yesterday. And tomorrow, she goes to college.  Or so it feels.  Parents know exactly what I'm talking about. 


Tayah and Stockton were almost as excited as their big sister!  So far, they've adjusted to her being gone for a few hours each morning quite well. 


The traditional picture by the porch.  Cliche?  Not one bit!


Gotta love these two shots: everyone getting in on...


...the ACTION!  This is one of Stockton's favorite words: packpack.


And here is our intelligent, sweet, gorgeous five-year old right outside the classroom.  We are so proud of you Kadence and we love you so much!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Brimming full of fun!


So, what happens when you get woefully behind on your blog?  You get A LOT of catch-up.  Life has been busy, fun, and full of changes.  Here's just a sampling of our recent family outings.  Above, you see our girls with the BYU cheerleaders at the annual Cougar Kickoff.  We also got some autographs from football and volleyball players, ran a "race" with the track and field team, and saw Bronco.


Another yearly event for us is the pilgrimage to Hogle Zoo.  Again, a wonderful time together.


I must admit that I LOVE this shot.  What a sweetie.


Here the girls are with their Daddy...


Kadence and Tayah decided that they "love dinosaurs!"

Other happenings: taking full advantage of the $2.00 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point, we went three weeks in a row--to the Farm Country, the magnificent gardens, and by popular request, the Dinosaur Museum; we hit the Utah County Fair; also visited the Museums of Paleontology (keeping with the "love the dinosaurs" theme) and Art at BYU.  \

\Above all, it's just being together.  Nothing...and I mean nothing...is more important that just being together as a family.  That is where the true joy in life is found!