Christmas 2009



We were blessed with a wonderful Christmas this year. The Smith family started a new tradition this year of getting away for the weekend to a gorgeous cabin in the woods to celebrate Christmas much like what my mom's side of the family does each year. There's something a little magical about these weekends where we do a little bit of nothing aside from playing games late into the night, eat hordes of delicious meals and treats, and open packaged treasures with the people we love the most. And now that I get to share this with my wee one, it's all the more happier!



Grandpa playing with Millie- so sweet!

Our whole Smith Clan!

Millie with Aunt Leslie & Uncle Aaron

Charis loves Santa's gifts!

Playing Charades with Nini

Tan with his GF Grace


Oh, yeah. Late night frozen laser tag!

Cole's pretty good at dominoes.

Give Thanks!




We spent Thanksgiving with Mom's side of the family at Debbie's house. It was beyond delicious, of course, and the whole family was there. Tanner even brought his girlfriend Grace who fits right in and is very cool. After dinner we came back to the cabin and played "Scat" all together into the night. It was a great day and Millie LOVED having Mema Clifta's grub. The next day we went over to Mema Morrell's were we devoured even more food and spent time with Mema & Pepa. I'm so thankful for my family who is free of large amounts of drama and always accepting and loving. I'm blessed beyond belief.

This is my Mema Clifta, Mom, Uncle Clay, & Aunt Nic (Nicole). I really love this picture of them. They all get better looking with age!



You GO, Mema!!!



All of my cousins/Mema's grandkids. We have quite the range in ages from 29 (me!) to Caleb (7).

Heck yea I think I can dance!

Bre and I took a super fun trip to Kansas City to see the So You Think You Can Dance tour show in early November. We had such a blast. Our hubbies kept the kids so it was a true sister girl's trip. Generally, Bryan always asks me if I have fun any time Bre and I are together. Every time he asks this question I say "Yep. We always do." And this couldn't be more true. We started our trip with an early morning drive and made a stop at Ozarkland. This store is a souvenir shop/interesting crap extravaganza. We both have always wanted to go. We spent so long looking around at the curiosities from statues of funny little Grannies to bull whips to light catchers to sea shell decorative hangers. It. Was. Crazy. We finally picked out some pumpkin fudge and a massive amount of mix-n-match salt water taffy. Stopping in the tiniest town we could find, we looked and looked for some hole-in-the-wall diner where we could get lunch. We finally found a place to have a great burger and came out smelling like a couple of ashtrays. 'Out of place' is a bold understatement. We then made it to the Plaza in KC for some light window shopping and afternoon coffee. Then it was to the hotel where we got all dolled up and fancy with high hopes of meeting up with the SYTYCD dancers after the show to display our sweet moves for them. We caught a free ride on the public transit bus and made it to the Sprint Center in perfect time for the show after stopping across the street for a slice of pizza. The show was so, so, so fun complete with corny jokes and beautiful dancing. Our favorite dancer won so we cheered and cheered for Jeanine any time she was on stage. The whole show was almost 3 hrs long so it was very worth the money. Afterwards we found the line of people (er... pre-teens) waiting for the dancers to come out to greet their fans and waited for like 30 minutes. We gave up on our high hopes of asking them to go dancing with us as we figured they were all danced out and it was a Sunday night and all... On our way home we stopped by for a visit to her high school friend Cherith's to see her newborn baby girl. The trip was topped off with our own choreography season to a Black Eyed Peas song. I have to admit- we gave those SYTYCD professionals a run for their money. Car choreography is very difficult to attempt. We had such a great time and I was so thankful for my lovely sis for going. She's so fun and gorgeous and just great to be around and I'm so happy I have her for a sister and a best friend.

Happy Birthday, Millie!

Dear Baby Millie... Cuddle Bear... (now) Big Girl,

It's been a whole year that you've been in the world! Happy Birthday! Your Daddy and I are in wonder of every single thing that you do. We love watching your new tricks and new discoveries. Lately you've been up to making new faces and sounds, throwing your ball, eating so much, growing teeth, giggling when we tickle you, smiling when we make funny animal noises, dancing when you hear any sort of music, getting into every cabinet you can, watching Sid and PraiseBaby, and having lots and lots of fun. Since you're still so new to us, everything you do is probably the cutest thing we've ever seen. This morning you were even playing peek-a-boo with yourself in your crib. So clever! Thanks for the fun year and we look forward to more and more! We are so in awe of how God has blessed us, and we pray that he will take care of you for all of your years.

For your birthday we had a fall themed costume party and invited some of your friends and family. Lots of people dressed up, we did some fun crafts, had a visit from Winnie the Pooh (courtesy of Grandpa Smith) and we all enjoyed delicious BBQ and carrot cupcakes. It was a beautiful day with bright sunlight and lots of fun.

My Favorite Artist

It seems that every year when the weather turns and the leaves start to change I am reminded at how talented God is. Sometimes I forget this attribute of his. I think of him as a place to turn for help, as my personal guidance counselor, my friend when I'm lonely, or someone to calm me when I'm afraid, but I leave out just how admirable and breathtaking his gifts are to us. These are my "God moments." They act like little light bulbs that go off or little smacks to your conciousness to remind you that he's here and he's really good.

This morning Millie and I were about to leave my my parents to return home and I literally had my breath taken away when I walked outside. I then left the babe with mom and grabbed the camera. Here's some of God's artwork. :o)

Doesn't everyone love a wedding?

On September 5th, my last single college girlfriend Elizabeth married the fabulously fun Jason Opie in Oklahoma City. It was such a gorgeous wedding and fabulous time. Elizabeth was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen. She was classic and timeless! My three favorite moments are as follows: 1) Watching Liz step out of a 1950's Jaguar. It was perfect. 2) Listening to her friend Jen and her sister sing a homemade song to Jason & Liz after wiping tears post-Heidi poetry reading 3) Singing "Livin' on a Prayer" at the bar post reception with about 75 other people courtesy of the piano man. There are really so many other perfect moments. I so enjoy every time I get together with my girls. I miss them so much as they all live far from me! Here are a few of my pics from the event! To see more pics, browse through "Weddings" on this website from Liz's photographer who was so, so good! http://www.frannieandcakephotography.com/.

This is one of my favorite pictures that I've ever taken. This is in the elevator of the museum where Elizabeth was married. The model? Mother of two and sexy housewife Paula Dowler! Oh yeah!

And cue some Bon Jovi!

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Our Visit to the Mission

As summer is slipping into fall, I have realized that I'm ridiculously behind on blog posts, so I'm just going to back it up a little and update about my major adventures of the summer a post at a time...

On August 12th we departed for an excellent vacation- Millie's first vacation to be exact- to see our very good friends Russ, Jamie, & Amelia Collins in Albuquerque, NM for a week. It was nothing short of a fabulous time full of laughs, playing catch-up, loving each others' little girls, sightseeing, relaxing, eating delicious NM fare, relishing the perfect dry heat days and cool mornings, and soaking up every precious moment with our friends who we miss and love so much! Here's the play-by-play followed by a slideshow of tons of pics:

Day 1- Flying to Albuquerque with the little one. Well, turns out that she was an excellent flyer. We packed lots of toys and treats and we couldn't have asked for a smoother time. We arrived in Albuquerque that evening around 8:00. Perfect timing to go to the house, have some delicious NM take-out and put our tired traveller to bed.

Day 2- The Rio Grande Zoo. The girls had such a great time. There's a whole slew of pictures in the slideshow! Millie & Amelia's favorites were the polar bears, big cats, & monkeys.

Day 3- The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Millie had a bit of a meltdown at this museum, but we were able to learn a thing or two. There were some interesting and informative Native American dancing demonstrations. That night we had a delicious dinner cooked by me & Jamie and took some goofy pics.

Day 4- Old Town for shopping. We hit some of the touristy stops in this area and bought some pink moccasins for Millie. It just so happened that the Salsa Festival was going on in the square, so there were lots of people and street vendors plus live music. We stopped in several small art galleries and sat a spell by a fountain to watch a native woman weave a blanket while an old man played a Dobro in the background. It was like a movie! Perfection. We wrapped up with a lunch in the garden of a nearby restaurant. Perfect day? I say probably yes.

Day 5- The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Museum. Albuquerque is home to the nation's largest hot air balloon festival in October. I imagine the next time we go out for a visit, we'll be going for this event. We visited the museum to learn a little hot air balloon history. Millie made her own history as she gave us her wildest it's-my-naptime-and-I'll-scream-if-I-want-to fit of all time. We followed up the museum visit with a nap in the car on the way to a picnic lunch at a park.

Day 6- Date Night for the Smiths. We had a delicious belated anniversary dinner by taking the trolley to the top of the Sandia Mountains (2 miles above sea level) to have dinner at a restaurant overlooking the whole city. The night was nothing short of magical. I fell in love with my husband all over again. The pictures say everything!

Day 7- The Natural History Museum- We took a very quick afternoon (post-nap finally) visit to see some fossil records and other bits of space and earth history at this museum. We all three loved the dinosaurs, and my personal favorite were the dozens of natural gems/rocks from the southwest. I loved all that bling-o-nature.

Day 8- Home Sweet NWA. Millie travelled pretty well on the way back thanks to Praise Baby on the lap top.

About their house: The Collins' live in a gorgeous historical house which is the home to their new college ministry on the University of New Mexico campus. If you are reading this and you like to talk to Jesus, please ask for His blessings upon their ministry. These people have beautiful servants' hearts and there is a need for their gifts exactly were God has placed them. It was such a need part of being there... knowing that God is working in that place. He's so cool like that. I love the stories of how God has met their needs perfectly and miraculously. I'm excited to hear of how God is using Russ, Jamie, and Amelia to reach His UNM kids. :0)

Enter slideshow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Milestones

Amillia is now 9 months old and quite the little character. As she was making puckered lipped faces at me and smashing her face into mine last night I realized that I haven't written about the milestones that she's hit.

• Moving- You would think that the kid could win some sort of fast crawling baby contest. She gets around really well. Pulling up on the furniture, the toy box, and her activity center are also ways she likes to show off. She even will hold on with one hand and flap her other hand wildly in the air to be really fancy.
• Talking- "Ma-ma" and "Da-da" are some favorite words and I think she might be working on "Ni-Ni" but right now it's coming out "Na-na." Lately a lot of the sounds leaving her mouth are whines as I think she's hitting a teething phase. No biters yet, but she sure acts like they hurt.
• Eating- I love that she will eat anything I give her now, no more stank face when I give her the fresh green beans. She loves to eat and will down about 3-4 sippy cups full of water/juice a day. I love to watch her kick it back and guzzle.
• Sleeping/Schedule- Amillia is still on a four hour schedule, taking two naps a day around 1-1 1/2 hours a day. She goes to bed around 7:00 now and wakes right at 7:00. I love her being on a schedule. It's so helpful and she wakes happy which is the best part!
• Entertainment- When other kids are around she is at her happiest. She loves watching Charis and Cole run around and she gives kisses to her BFF Riley. Her favorite toys are her books that she likes to eat and flip through while chattering, her activity center- still, the rattle that we brought back from St. Croix when she was still growing inside me, Princess Sophie (and her other Lamaze brand toys). She really plays fairly well, but lately wants to explore and make messes like pulling out the entire contents of her diaper bags or my purse.

That's about all for now, but we'll see what happens this week! Time is going by too fast!

Everything must be tasted!

Shake it! Shake it!... Shake it!

Watching Praise Baby and contemplating pulling out every one of those DVDs...

Little Miss Personality!

The Walker Way

One of my favorite families besides my own stems around a very special former student of mine who has become my good friend. When I taught high school drama got to know this student very well as she got me through a tough time or two. This girl is a go-getter if I've ever known one. Evan was successful through high school and now continues to grow into a lovely young women as a college student. I got to know her parents also while still teaching and we still keep in touch. I live vicariously through Evan's college adventures and get some pretty good parenting and life lessons from her parents who both Bryan and I adore. Evan's grandmother comes to visit from Mexico quite often and we always try to get by to visit her and devour some of her amazing cooking. Her food is some of the best I've ever had... ever. Of course, Bryan is her favorite as she's always sending home leftovers "for Bryan." I always manage to eat most of them while Bryan's working. One of my favorite things about this family is their closeness. They all love each other so thoroughly and equally. They "make it work" and that's somethng I really look up to. In June, Millie and I went to visit Wela (Evan's grandmother) and Evan to learn how to make tortillas from scratch. It's an art form for sure and I loved spending time with her. My favorite part is listening to her talk to Millie. They have a mutual admiration for each other which is so precious. Millie just watches her mouth move with her quick speaking Spanish and I know Wela loves and is very protective of Millie. These pics are from our tortilla making lesson. A great time was had by all!