Christmas Village

We went to a Christmas Village in a town about 20 minutes away. They had tiny houses with a big window display in each house. The kids LOVED it!
I love the way Luke & Ashlynn's eyes lit up at each house. These lights were meant to look like lollipops. Luke and Ashlynn took turns licking them to test their authenicity. I wonder how many other kids licked the same spot!
It was freeeeezing-so we had to get all bundled up for the occasion.

One of the tiny houses actually had SANTA waiting inside! Luke and Ashlynn were terrified! We had to hold them there by force...that is until Santa pulled out the candy canes. They suddenly became Santa's best friends.

Ashlynn sporting her new 'Cheesy', Ben and Luke.

Here I am wearing my new coat. Luke asks me to ROAR every time I wear it. He told me he loves my new lion coat. He also says Ashlynn is a pink lion in her coat.

This was a free train ride to another Christmas Village across town.

Our kids loved the train ride.

Pink Lion Ashlynn

Luke's personal favorite in the Christmas Village! The reindeer ghost at the bottom was suspended in air by invisible strings. He was flying around and Luke loved it.

Our personal favorite. The Snowman Cafe. How cute is this?! The snowman in the middle melted because he ate hot soup. The only thing left of him is a carrot nose and coal eyes sitting on the chair. The expression of the other snowmen is cute too.

"Frosting the Snowman"

OK- You have to use your creative juices to figure this one out. This is Luke posing as 'Frosting the Snowman' (that's what Luke calls him). At first I didn't know what Luke was doing and then he explained that his eyes are pieces of coal (2 plastic tops), his 'corn cot' pipe (yellow formula scooper), and stick arms (forks) are suppose to be Frosting the Snowman. Wow, this kid has an imagination!

Jesse James Hideout

We stayed at the Anniversary Inn in Logan this past weekend. Ben's cousin Buffy and Kenny watched our kids and they did a great job. Thanks guys! Here is the Jesse James Hideout. It was a lot of fun. This room is actually in it's own building away from the main house. Each room is themed but this one is their best seller.

Breakfast! They also gave us fresh baked cookies, 2 slices of cheesecake in our little refrigerator, sparkling apple cider and Ben's favorite...IBC Rootbeer chilling in a wooden barrel. There was also a big screen TV. We had a lot of fun.

Notice the winning shot in action??!! I actually won 3 times!

Here is our cool bed.

If some of you wonder where Luke's gets his 'dressing up' craziness- meet the master. This room even had a Jesse James hat to wear! Ben loved it.

Christmas Stuff!

Luke brought a book for Santa to autograph. He refused to sit on Santa's lap but he had fun watching Santa's every move. Notice that Ashlynn is nowhere in sight. She took one look at Santa and ran away as fast as she could. She clung herself to a chair and screamed, "NO, NO, NO!!!" I wish I had a photo of her attached to the chair but I was busy getting this Santa shot.

Here's Luke staying true to himself. He couldn't make a Christmas tree without adding a spider.

Take 10+

This year we tried to save money and take our own family photo. It was not fun as you can tell from Ashlynn's expression. Why is it always so hard to take a family photo?

Take 4.

Take 7.

Take 10... or was that 15? We lost count. By this time, the Daddy was misbehaving and the Mommy had one nerve left.

Getting Along

I had to take a photo because I was in so much shock. There was only one drinkable yogurt left and they asked if they could share it. They shared it with smiles on their faces and no one ran away crying. This was a good day!

Is this really possible? They are actually getting along again. Miracles still exist.

Ashlynn the Helper

There's that cheesy smile again. She is so happy to help Mommy sweep the floor with the fireplace broom.

Ashlynn's new Cheesy Cheese. I love that sweet little face.

G&G Smith

Luke loves Minne...but from the look on Minne's face I am not sure she is loving Luke.

Grandma Marge & Ashlynn

Visit from Grandma & Grandpa Smith (& Minne).

Letters to Santa

After we put up our Christmas decorations, Luke decided he wanted to write Santa a letter.
This is the picture he drew for Santa. How exciting! His drawings are not just scribbles anymore. I can actually see what each drawing is. He is only 3 1/2 years old and I think he did a good job.

This is the letter he told me to write. Please read it...it is hilarious! Luke insisted that he draw a picture of Santa's mommy. She looks rather scary and I think she has a beard too!

Dinosaur Naps

The other day I was doing laundry and noticed my piles were disappearing. I went upstairs to check on Luke and this is what I found...napping dinosaurs! Is that cute or what??? Each one had a blanket and pillow made from underpants, socks or washclothes. I love Luke so much. He is so fun, unique and caring. No one makes me laugh the way he does.

Who knew?

"Mommy, did you know that your stapler has a 'slinky dog' in it?"

(slinky dog= the spring inside the stapler) If you are a fan of Toy Story, you will know what he is talking about. The spring has since disappeared and we now have a useless stapler.

Last Chances

Yep, it is still Halloween at our house.

Luke asked for one last chance to dress up for Halloween before we pulled out the Christmas decorations. He wanted to be a lion and acted out his part quite well.

All the "Fall" decorations are put away except for these pumpkins. Luke cannot part with them. They even get baths every now and then...the pumpkins that is...not our kids:)

Luke grew the green one in his own garden. It was the only pumpkin that grew out of 12 plants!!! If any of you know tips about pumpkin growing...please let us know. We obviously didn't do something right.

Greatly Blessed!

I found this photo the other day while I was updating my profile on a Class of '93 website. I thought it would be fun to post this and have a 'remember when' moment. Ben and I have been greatly blessed since the day of this photo. So many blessings and things to be thankful for-especially during this week of Thanksgiving. What a great holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Leaves!

How fun!!!

This was Luke's idea to pile the leaves at the bottom of the slide. They had so much fun! And, for any of you wondering why our child still has a pumpkin costume on...our Luke Pie loves Halloween and always has. He is in denial about his favorite holiday being over. Every night when it gets dark he says, "OOOOOOoooo it's Halloween time!". Ashlynn Berry looking pretty brave for once!

Yah! She did it!

What a cutie. He had so much fun.

I've been tagged!

As most of you know, I am new to this BLOG thing. A few days ago I was "tagged" by my friend, Mandy, down in Texas. I guess that means it is my turn to write 6 things about myself-or share 6 bad habits. To help me brainstorm, I asked my husband what my bad habits were and he said, "I'm not playing that game!" He proceeded to tell me all the wonderful traits I have instead. Is he good or what? So, I will just share some interesting or random things instead.

1. I have never made a microwave popcorn without burning it. I know, it sounds stupid-but it is true. I always think I can get just a few more pops in before I have to take it out of the microwave. In the Canary Islands (they have higher voltage there), I started a package on fire...it actually had flames shooting out the center! I had to go to a meeting a few minutes later and everyone was asking what the funny smell was in the room. They said it smelled like a campfire. My hair and clothes smelled so bad. My companion and I burst out laughing everytime someone said something about it.

2. Even though I can't remember anything from a movie I just saw 5 minutes ago, I can't stand to watch the same movie twice. I don't know why. It really bugs me. I always feel like I am wasting time and I feel anxious. I know there are people that have their fav's and they watch them over and over again. I married someone just like that and he gets very frustrated that I don't enjoy watching the same part of Starship Troopers where everyone is being blown away by giant bugs. I have never seen that movie, but I always seem to walk by the TV during the same part.

3. One of my biggest pet peeves is when my socks get wet. If I am at home walking around and happen to step in a melted ice cube or a leak from a sippy cup, I get so angry. I have to take them off immediately!

4. I love the smell of the ocean! I remember stepping off the plane in the Canary Islands at night time and smelling the air. I couldn't see the ocean but I knew it was near because the smell was so strong. Some days here in Utah, if there is a strong wind, I can smell the Great Salt Lake too. It has the same smell but not as strong. Everytime I smell it, a flood of memories come with it.

5. I LOVE homemade treats. I hate packaged cookies, cakes, brownies and snacks from the store. I can turn those down with ease...but a homemade chocolate chip cookie???? YUMMY.

6. Ben and I both love to hear our kids chew. I know some of you know what I am talking about. It is so cute to hear their little chomps. It makes me remember they are real little people with needs and wants.

By the way, I tag Jaime, Melissa, Torrey, and Lyndi to list 6 interesting facts about themselves. I know Jaime has already done that before, but if you can come up with more things-that would be great!

Luke-The Photographer

Luke's photography skills quickly turn into...
...some form of sister torture. I don't have any brothers, but I am starting to realize all the ways brothers can torture their sisters. Man, I really missed out!
One more of Luke's shots. He had to include his pumpkin too.

Welcome Rachel!

Hello Rachel Butterfield! She is the third granddaughter for the Smith Family. There are 6 grandsons too. That makes 9 grandchildren so far! Rachel was born on October 26th.
The proud grandmas, Sharon Butterfield and my mom, Marge holding Rachel.
My dad...aka...Grandpa Ed.
My sister,Danielle, holding beautiful Rachel.

My brother-in-law, Michael and Rachel.