Family Pictures...

So you knew this was coming... the whole family ALL together, means family picture time. The plan was to do it outside, but this is Oregon people... it was too rainy. But, i think they turned out great. Memphis is such a ham... she loves the camera. Could she be my daughter? :) I'd say, it's a pretty good lookin' bunch if you ask me.







Anyone can feel free about asking Mike about the yellow shoes he was planning on wearing in these photos... below you will see a past family picture of the Smiths and I tell you some things never change...except now he has a wife and he sometimes actually listens to me!



and despite his RED shoes... i really love this photo! :)

the oregon coast...

ok, so it turns out... i am not so good at keep this blog updated. My previous post was a few pictures from our trip to Oregon in Feb. The whole Smith clan returned to welcome Jesse home from his mission in Las Vegas. We got to go for a whole week, and although we stayed busy-I think we all found it very relaxing.

On Sunday after all the hours of eating way to much food, we thought we would take a walk down the coast and hang out. Walking got veto when Mike told us how far it was. LOL! Austing, kept saying it's so close, but even he opted to jump in the back of the truck. It was a beautiful sunset. I had fun collecting sand dollars, even though I didn't actually bring any home with me.

Here you have Aubree me and Jenna. They are long time friends of the Smith Family... and I am a big fan of more girls! :) They are so much fun, and I am so glad they came out for the party! If either of you ever read this... I wish my hamberger came with a giant nail in it!

This is just us...

and this is austin, very normal austin...

brothers...

and me, enjoying the warm sun.

So pretty!

This was walking back... and I told Mike to stop and take a picture and he looked at me and said, "of what? I don't see it" so i took the camera and caught this... naturally, now "he see's it" :) Oregon is a very beautiful place.

Jesse is HOME!

Mike's brother returned home and we had a great time out in Oregon for a week. I will post more pictures soon! :)

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Memphis LOVES bananas. I usually break off little pieces and she either takes them out of my hand and into her mouth or just chomps down on my fingers when she doesnt want to put forth the effort. This morning, she saw the full banana sitting next to me and just wanted that. So she just munched down until it was all gone. Hence the reason we call her munchy. :)

Happy Happy Memi

Christmas Morning
So these days, Memphis is only at work for the first hour or so... then Mike comes and picks her up. In that hour, she usually sits next to me and emptys the diaper bag and my purse. She makes a big ol' mess, but it keeps her happy and quiet... so really i dont mind.


Offically I had to take out the bassinet to her pack and play... she is just getting so smart. Pulling herself up and eating the side-one of her favorite things to do.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

On Saturday our family got to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. Over 1 million people tried getting tickets and only 81,000 actually got some-we just happen to be 8 of them! I will admit everyone in the family tried, we only got one set, but we were excited to have the opportunity to go. I went once before when i first got home from my mission. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday. It was a cold night, but as always downtown is breath taking a fun to be a part of. The concert was fabulous!

The Girls Visit to Santa

True Passion

So after my work out tonight, Memphis and I stopped by wal-mart... as we passed the TV display, Memphis was glued... her father would be so proud!

Winter Wonderland!

So today Mike and I headed to my mom's house to have oil changes on our cars. (thanks chase) As you can see, for the second weekend in a row we got a good sized snow storm.

Even Uncle Cliff joined in the fun!!!!

Memphis was such a good sport! She loved being outside with everyone... even with her rudolph nose!

Chase and Mike had a good time making fun of how much longer Kristi and I took to roll our balls around the yard.

This picture shows Mr Snowman's heigth. Keep in mind Chase is 6'6" standing on the ground... and Kristi is 5'4"... so here you have a very tall Snowman. People were driving and laughing at us!

Grandma Straw tried hard to keep her warm.

It was a fun afternoon! The hot cocoa afterwards wasnt so bad either!

Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrap… so much more fun!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real…
3. When do you put up the tree? Dec 5-6! This year at least! Last year we didn’t have one. I hope it’s exciting again when the kid(s) are older. Right now… it seems like so much effort.
4. When do you take the tree down? Growing up we usually left for Grandma’s house Christmas day, so it came down ON Christmas day!
5. Do you like egg nog? That is a big fat NO!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Maybe the Barbie pool, my bike (it was blue with a banana seat) or maybe even my scooter.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No. So not Christian huh?
8. Hardest person to buy for? Well I guess Chase and Kristi, since we have them and no gift yet.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Memphis!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Cards, for sure… again the intention is there… just no effort.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A break-up?
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? While you were sleeping.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Ehhh, whenever.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? I don’t think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear… always clear.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh my gosh there are sooo many!
8. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home… well down to Riverton!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yup, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen...& Rudolph ! Harry Connick Jr. taught me well!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Driving in snow… don’t get me wrong, I love snow-just not driving in it!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? So I married into a family which buys out hallmark every year… and it’s great! Love all the hallmark ornaments! This year I am very excited about our Yosemite ornament too! They are little hiking boots cause we are such big hikers. In all fairness we did hike up to Bridal Veil Falls! It was a long hike. (wink wink)
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Turkey again… don’t love ham! Thank you UPS… they give them out every year… mike and my mom both work there… needless to say we have a lot of turkeys! (and not just the meat kind)
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just today I told Mike all I want is a detail job on my car. He details cars and mine looks like crap… why?

Christmas Memories...

So last week I wrote a blog and had every intention of recreating it here... but it would take far too long, so... here is the link to see it!

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=7166494&blogID=332752947

East Football Midgets

We had mikes football banquet. It was a good time... Mike is counting down the months til next years season!!!!

Happy Anniversary to US!

It was 10 years ago that I met Karen, Heather and Jen... so we decided to get a hotel room for the night and girl talk into the wee hours of the morning.





We started the night at Chili's. We even got dessert!






A toast to us and million memories we've made!



Jen and I


Karen and Heather


10 years, really??


We were SHOCKED to wake up to a winter wonderland!!!! We got 6 inches that night. Winter is finally here, I guess!


A special thanks to Christian, Dan, Mike and Heidi for watching the kiddos! We had a great time, and can't wait to do it again next year.