Here are the our little ladies showing off their 25% Chinese side and subsequent expertise with chopsticks. They make us so proud!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Panda Express...or Polar Express
One of the girls' favorite places to eat out is Panda Express...only they love calling it Polar Express. So, in the Smith house, we eat at Polar Express, but watch Panda Express at Christmastime!
Here are the our little ladies showing off their 25% Chinese side and subsequent expertise with chopsticks. They make us so proud!
Here are the our little ladies showing off their 25% Chinese side and subsequent expertise with chopsticks. They make us so proud!
Monday, April 5, 2010
March Nuts and Bolts (Family Newsletter entry)
How did March fly by so quickly?! It was an amazing month is so many ways. First of all, we bid farewell to Grandma Nelson on the 24th. Although she was getting up there in age, it was still unexpected. We miss our loving, gentle, kind grandmother, but are so grateful for her life and example she shared with us. We couldn’t ask for a better grandma. It was wonderful to see so much of our Nelson family and the funeral services were very spiritual. We were able to sing two musical numbers and it was an honor to be a pallbearer. She was buried in Paradise, Utah (up past Brigham City).
On the other side of the spectrum, we were able to do the temple work for another grandmother, Sarah’s mother. We spent an afternoon at the Mount Timpanogas Temple with the entire family and we could feel love in the ordinances we did in her behalf. We love our grandparents!
Stockton continues to get cuter and cuter. He is always smiling and loves to play, listen to songs, etc. Like we’ve mentioned, he is the mildest of our three babies, but is the clingiest—he loves being held! He is also the worst in the sleep department…many a rough night. We had a scare when we got quite lethargic and uncheery one day. We took him to the doctor and found out he had RSV . We followed instructions and kept the kids home for two weeks. Thanks heavens it never got ultra serious and that our little one’s health was restored. We could not ask for a better baby!
Tayah and Kadence do everything together. They cook in their kitchen, play dress-up, read books, draw, color, and build forts. They enjoy giving “talks” and having “music time” in their imaginary Primary. Kadence is thoroughly enjoying Sunbeams and going to class instead of Nursery. We just switched to a sacrament meeting-last block and the girls have had some adjustment issues, but all is well. Our girls are so good and sweet, with a few choice moments daily. Bedtime can be a chore and curses be to Benjamin Franklin for the whole Daylight Savings thing.
Elizabeth had a birthday and we celebrated with a few meals out to Red Robin and Tucano’s, presents, and many phone calls, notes, cards, and e-mails from loved ones. She understandably got stir crazy being at home and is relieved for some sense of normalcy. We had a few nice weather days and she took advantage of it, making a few trips to the park. She enjoys play groups and visiting with wonderful neighbors. Elizabeth is a voracious reader and goes through several books each week.
I managed to stay out of trouble in between work, church, and other fun. My highlights: I attended my first caucus meeting, conducted meetings in March (including our ward conference), attended the BYU PLC meetings, conducting a convert baptism and spoke are our ward baptisms, had our annual student and employee giving campaigns at BYU, went on visits with Stake Presidency, attended Carissa’s band concert, participated in our Little Philmont scout training, and went to Cougar Club with Dad.
We also had some fun family outings: Princess and the Frog in the theater, a ward adults’ date night, dinners and shopping trips, and so on. Life is busy and amazing!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Crying Wolf!
Thanks for playing along...especially those who thought we were telling the truth (don't worry...there were several of you!). If you reread the post, you'll see the hidden message. Isn't April Fool's Day wonderful? Well, we certainly love it! Time to start thinking about 2011's version...
We hope you are all enjoying Confererence and your Easter Sunday. What a wonderful weekend! For those not in Utah, here is the scene from our porch...
We hope you are all enjoying Confererence and your Easter Sunday. What a wonderful weekend! For those not in Utah, here is the scene from our porch...
Nothing like a little white stuff to sprucen up our Easter morning!
So far, some of our favorite General Conference talks: Elder Bednar, President Uchtdorf (priesthood session), Elder Aoyagi (from my mission!), President Monson, and the music.
(which are sermons in and of themselves).
And finally, just a cute shot of our little man getting ready for bed. The girls love his "white hair!"
Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Stockton...a Big Brother Already?!
Amazing... it's 5:53 AM and Stockton and I have been having some quality father/son time the past half-hour+. This after waking one of his parents up every 1 1/2 hours. Parenthood...isn't it great?! It's a good thing we love this little boy. And it's a good thing we love all our kids because...
...we're about to add a fourth!
Yes, the Smith family will be growing come Thanksgiving time. Another reason to be thankful! Several weeks back, we told everyone that Stockton had come down with RSV and as a result, Elizabeth and the kids had to stay home for two weeks straight. We did have to keep them homebound, but mostly because Elizabeth wasn't feeling too good. After a few days, we decided to visit the doctor. When he shared the news, I would've loved to have seen my reaction! Obviously the shock has gradually subsided, changing into pure excitement.
Life is amazing, isn't it? It's hard to believe Stockton's going to be a big anything (everyone always says he's such a solid baby...he's still pretty small to us!), especially a big brother. Kadence and Tayah are only 16 1/2 months apart, but the younger two will have them beat...a little more than 14 months apart. Fortunately Tayah will be potty trained by then...don't know if we could afford three kids in diapers--money or sanitywise!
Of course the girls are ecstatic and it's been a chore trying to keep them from spilling the beans at church, while playing with their friends, or at our family gatherings. Tayah is confident that another girl will be joining the fun, while Kadence thinks Heavenly Father will be evening it out with a second brother. Only time will tell.
Loved ones, any advice going forward? Four kids four and under...wish us luck!
Smith Family
...we're about to add a fourth!
Yes, the Smith family will be growing come Thanksgiving time. Another reason to be thankful! Several weeks back, we told everyone that Stockton had come down with RSV and as a result, Elizabeth and the kids had to stay home for two weeks straight. We did have to keep them homebound, but mostly because Elizabeth wasn't feeling too good. After a few days, we decided to visit the doctor. When he shared the news, I would've loved to have seen my reaction! Obviously the shock has gradually subsided, changing into pure excitement.
Life is amazing, isn't it? It's hard to believe Stockton's going to be a big anything (everyone always says he's such a solid baby...he's still pretty small to us!), especially a big brother. Kadence and Tayah are only 16 1/2 months apart, but the younger two will have them beat...a little more than 14 months apart. Fortunately Tayah will be potty trained by then...don't know if we could afford three kids in diapers--money or sanitywise!
Of course the girls are ecstatic and it's been a chore trying to keep them from spilling the beans at church, while playing with their friends, or at our family gatherings. Tayah is confident that another girl will be joining the fun, while Kadence thinks Heavenly Father will be evening it out with a second brother. Only time will tell.
Loved ones, any advice going forward? Four kids four and under...wish us luck!
Smith Family
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
World's Cutest Baby Boy
Here is Stockton helping with the laundry...
Trying some new things...in recent weeks, he's tried rice cereal, bananas, and applesauce.
He's now at 16 lbs, 12 oz. He loves watching his sisters, waking up repeatedly during the night, going on walks, and being held. He has the mildest demeanor of our three babies, but has been the worst in the sleeping department. Perhaps it doesn't help that he has a four-year old and two-year old who are trying to learn the concept of "quiet voices!"
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sickness, St. Patrick's Day, and Elizabeth's Birthday!
First off, in case you're ever wondering, the girls choose our blog background. There, I am officially exonerated. Our girls are exactly that...110% girls!
We apologize for the lack or writing lately. About two weeks ago, little Stockton came down with RSV and we've been playing it safe. The doctor seemed to think that the girls had it too. All in all, it was about four weeks of someone in the family (including Elizabeth and me) being ill. We're happy to say that we are all better now. You don't always know how great health is until you don't have it for a bit.
Our first outing out in many weeks was on St. Patrick's Day, hitting Tucano's for an early birthday lunch for Elizabeth. If you've not been to Tucano's, you must. It's how we'll be dining in the celestial kingdom. Here are a few photos of our adorable kids in their St. Patty's Day green:
Our first outing out in many weeks was on St. Patrick's Day, hitting Tucano's for an early birthday lunch for Elizabeth. If you've not been to Tucano's, you must. It's how we'll be dining in the celestial kingdom. Here are a few photos of our adorable kids in their St. Patty's Day green:
Last, but not least: tomorrow is Elizabeth's birthday! Feel free to leave a comment or two, letting her know why she is so great. We are so grateful to her for all she does. She is one incredible wife and mother.
We love you!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
February Nuts and Bolts
Here's our latest family newsletter post, covering the month of February! Makes it look like we had a busy month or something...
Stockton had the most momentous month of any of us. Let’s see…he learned how to roll over onto his stomach, smile constantly, and loves a good giggle session. Don’t think anyone can top the magnitude of these grand accomplishments! He is a wonderful baby, so sweet and mild-mannered. He has demonstrated more clinginess to his parents, but still lets strangers hold him. Stockton loves lying on his play mat and is ever so patient when his sisters wish to shower him with love. He is always getting compliments, thanks to his high scores on the adorability charts. We’ve heard many a time, “he’s the cutest boy we’ve ever seen.” Because we’re polite, we try not to argue with any such assessments.
Tayah is again, the indomitable red-head in our family. She loves letting her fiery spirit show many times a day. She is so much more stubborn and temperamental than Kadence ever was, but that is why each child is different. Tayah can be very sweet and loving and enjoys keeping her parents company. She showed some potty training interest, but that interest was short-lived. We’ll keep plugging away. She is learning to do different things each day. She adores Kadence and follows her around, imitating all that big sister does—good or bad. She loves her Nursery class and teachers and says great prayers. We love our Tayah.
Kadence is such a sweetie. Not that she doesn’t have her moments, because she does; she just has so many less than child #2. She is so smart and loves letters, numbers, coloring, drawing, creating things, and reading books. She can write family members’ names and enjoys making cards and letters for us. The biggest news for her was turning four. Is that possible? We celebrated with a friends’ mini party, complete with an Aurora cake. We went out to Red Robin and IHOP for her dinners and she received some fun presents. We had a big shindig to celebrate our family’s February birthdays—Kadence, Aubrey, and Dad. She still enjoys preschool and play dates with friends, especially her best pal Maili.
Elizabeth was our basketball all-star this month. She enjoys playing with the ward women’s team. They won nearly every game they played and she was one of the top players. She had a few games of 16 or 18 points and made a game-winning shot in the stake tournament semi-finals. They won the stake tourney and moved on the regional games in March. There were a few testy games, not a surprise in Church ball (David refed a few games and will never do so again…terrible experience! Coaching was much more rewarding.). She is so patient with the little ones, especially a baby who struggled in the sleep category this month. He gets up at least two times each night. She attended both the ward and stake Relief Society meetings (Enrichment). She enjoys getting together with ward friends for various activities. She is always reading a new book, working on little projects around the house, and has been on an exercise kick—working out at home or zumba classes. She helps out with Young Women basketball and had some fun activities with the girls. She went to Emily’s baby shower.
David had a busy month at work, at home and at church. I spent a week out in Laie for BYU-Hawaii’s first official student giving campaign. It’s always wonderful to be out there, as I absolutely love the spirit there. Great students. Did a few fun things while out there, but missed the family (Elizabeth and the kids spent the week up in Pocatello with Elizabeth’s sister Marie and family. They had a wonderful time). I am still enjoying writing for the Jazz, usually submitting two entries a week. It helped that they had a fantastic February! The All-Star weekend was anticlimactic, but covered the three-point shoot-out for the website. I enjoyed a great afternoon with one of my best friends, Patrick Dinsmoor, who was out for work. I conducted a baptism, went on Home Teaching and bishopric visits, and am so grateful to serve in my calling.
Other activities and events: Lost season premiere (yes, we’re addicted), participating in the ward choir, attending stake conference, had a new ward created in our stake (now four units meeting in our stake center, causing us to switch our 9:00 block to sacrament meeting last; should be fun!), celebrating Valentine’s Day (dinner and a Young Ambassadors concert), the Blue and Gold banquet, fun family home evenings and outings for dinner or fun, etc. We are planning a trip this spring to Disneyland and just love being together. There is nothing better than family!
Stockton had the most momentous month of any of us. Let’s see…he learned how to roll over onto his stomach, smile constantly, and loves a good giggle session. Don’t think anyone can top the magnitude of these grand accomplishments! He is a wonderful baby, so sweet and mild-mannered. He has demonstrated more clinginess to his parents, but still lets strangers hold him. Stockton loves lying on his play mat and is ever so patient when his sisters wish to shower him with love. He is always getting compliments, thanks to his high scores on the adorability charts. We’ve heard many a time, “he’s the cutest boy we’ve ever seen.” Because we’re polite, we try not to argue with any such assessments.
Tayah is again, the indomitable red-head in our family. She loves letting her fiery spirit show many times a day. She is so much more stubborn and temperamental than Kadence ever was, but that is why each child is different. Tayah can be very sweet and loving and enjoys keeping her parents company. She showed some potty training interest, but that interest was short-lived. We’ll keep plugging away. She is learning to do different things each day. She adores Kadence and follows her around, imitating all that big sister does—good or bad. She loves her Nursery class and teachers and says great prayers. We love our Tayah.
Kadence is such a sweetie. Not that she doesn’t have her moments, because she does; she just has so many less than child #2. She is so smart and loves letters, numbers, coloring, drawing, creating things, and reading books. She can write family members’ names and enjoys making cards and letters for us. The biggest news for her was turning four. Is that possible? We celebrated with a friends’ mini party, complete with an Aurora cake. We went out to Red Robin and IHOP for her dinners and she received some fun presents. We had a big shindig to celebrate our family’s February birthdays—Kadence, Aubrey, and Dad. She still enjoys preschool and play dates with friends, especially her best pal Maili.
Elizabeth was our basketball all-star this month. She enjoys playing with the ward women’s team. They won nearly every game they played and she was one of the top players. She had a few games of 16 or 18 points and made a game-winning shot in the stake tournament semi-finals. They won the stake tourney and moved on the regional games in March. There were a few testy games, not a surprise in Church ball (David refed a few games and will never do so again…terrible experience! Coaching was much more rewarding.). She is so patient with the little ones, especially a baby who struggled in the sleep category this month. He gets up at least two times each night. She attended both the ward and stake Relief Society meetings (Enrichment). She enjoys getting together with ward friends for various activities. She is always reading a new book, working on little projects around the house, and has been on an exercise kick—working out at home or zumba classes. She helps out with Young Women basketball and had some fun activities with the girls. She went to Emily’s baby shower.
David had a busy month at work, at home and at church. I spent a week out in Laie for BYU-Hawaii’s first official student giving campaign. It’s always wonderful to be out there, as I absolutely love the spirit there. Great students. Did a few fun things while out there, but missed the family (Elizabeth and the kids spent the week up in Pocatello with Elizabeth’s sister Marie and family. They had a wonderful time). I am still enjoying writing for the Jazz, usually submitting two entries a week. It helped that they had a fantastic February! The All-Star weekend was anticlimactic, but covered the three-point shoot-out for the website. I enjoyed a great afternoon with one of my best friends, Patrick Dinsmoor, who was out for work. I conducted a baptism, went on Home Teaching and bishopric visits, and am so grateful to serve in my calling.
Other activities and events: Lost season premiere (yes, we’re addicted), participating in the ward choir, attending stake conference, had a new ward created in our stake (now four units meeting in our stake center, causing us to switch our 9:00 block to sacrament meeting last; should be fun!), celebrating Valentine’s Day (dinner and a Young Ambassadors concert), the Blue and Gold banquet, fun family home evenings and outings for dinner or fun, etc. We are planning a trip this spring to Disneyland and just love being together. There is nothing better than family!
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