Smith Family Reunion 2011 @ Park City!

We spent the Fourth of July weekend at our annual Smith family reunion.  This consists of my side of the family (parents, siblings, nieces, nephews).  It is something we look forward to each year!  2011 saw us renting a big condo for our entire family at Bear Hallow Village.  Great time was had by all.  Here are the kids putting on a play from the Friend magazine.

Stockton has taken to our camera and camcorder and was "helping" me film the talent show!

Taking a bow at the end of their epic performance.  So cute!

Kadence, reading a book she wrote and made.  And Stockton "helping" again!

Now a new helper in Tayah!

The girls singing the ABCs in French.  Yep...we have prodigies :).  They loved being accompanied by Grandpa Sarah on the violin.

Kadence with her oldest cousin on this side, Elayna (who she absolutely adores) and her youngest, Sierra.  She and Tayah loved holding and playing with this sweet little baby.

Enjoying the hot tub on the deck, all but the babies!  Unfortunately, after we all got back, almost everyone of the children came down with a case of folliculitis.  Still worth it, methinks!

Poppers on the Fourth of July!

Enjoying a popsicle with Grandma Donna.

Other activities not documented in these photos: Cars 2 in the theater, lunch for the Fourth (at a Chinese restaurant, no less!), lots of games, food, movies, church on Sunday, and above all, FAMILY!  We love you guys so much.  Thanks for the memorable time (and for putting up with a fit or two or ten)!

Recent Girlisms and Tayah's Now Four!

David: "Time is just going by too quickly.  Stop growing up so fast!"
Tayah: "Oh, we have to Daddy.  But don't worry...we'll visit you."

Kadence: "If I see a popsicle, I will want one."

Kadence: "I'm the biggest!"
Tayah: "I'm the mediumist!"
Stockton: "Uhhh!"

Our impetuous, feisty, sweet, adorable, mischievious, loving Tayah is now four.  She had a fun time celebrating at the Chuck E Cheese (which we can handle but once annually) and loved all theshe received from family. 

Here she is with Uncle Danny (my older brother), our June birthdays.  We celebrated them at our family reunion...more on that later.

We love you so much Tayah and are so grateful to have you in our families (daily tantrums notwithstanding :)!

Honesty: You Better Believe It! - Video Contest Winner

Just a fun shot!

Here are our three, enjoying a break from shopping by sitting on massage chairs.  So much fun!

Praise to the Man Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The Smith Family Agrees, "This is the Place!"

 Yesterday was our annual trip to the This is the Place State Park, something we always look forward to.  Unfortunately, we chose one of the hotter days of the years.  We had a great time!

Here are the kids playing some pioneer games and checking out the farm animals.

 The little movie star girls decided that donning their sunglasses the whole day was the cool thing to do.  Stockton decided that donning his "cheesy smile" in our photos was the cool thing to do.  His parents agreed!

Elizabeth doing some woodwork in the carpentry shop. 

Kadence also got in on the action, as did...

...our little man!

Taking a quick break for a train ride.

 Kadence riding the pony.  We remember fondly (or not fondly) a few years ago when she was so frightened to get on and cried and cried until we took her off.  This is much better!

Tayah was a wonderful big sister to let her baby brother ride with her.  She held on to him the whole time, making sure he was okay.  Afterwards, she asked "Daddy, did I do a good job?"  That has been her catch phrase lately!

We did a lot of other things that we inexplicably didn't photograph: rode the mini train, panned for gold, had the town charlatan Dr. Quackenbush try to sell us some magical elixirs, attended class in the one-room school house, had a picnic, listened to some fiddling music, and had shaved ice.  We paid the consequences later when it was time for three cranky kids to go to bed, but it was worth it.  Things have been so busy and hectic lately (as usual) that to have this family day together was a true blessing. 

Art City Days 2011

As usual, we enjoyed the sights and sounds of Art City Days.  First, the three kids enjoyed being in the kids parade and the art activity at the Museum afterwards. 


Saturday, we took in the fireman's breakfast, where the kids were able to sit in an old time fire truck.  We also saw the hot air balloons. 

Kadence and Tayah were also able to ride in the parade with the other cheerleaders. 

People can say what they want, but there's just something fun about these festivals and parade--lots of people having a wonderful time, bands, dancers, music, food...so enjoyable!