Time to play catch-up

Ward Halloween Party

2011 Smith Family Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza

This...

turned into this.

This...

turned into this.

This...

will turn into this.

And this...

will one day carve a pumpkin like this.

CUTE!!

 Ready for the big night. 

Here's a little background for those unfortunate few not blessed to have followed my blog from it's inception.  I join ranks with my friend Whitney (http://whitneydibble.blogspot.com/) in declaring that I am NOT "a holiday mom".  Halloween gives me great anxiety every year, although I have to say I am getting a little less stressed as the years pass with this year being the best yet, so yay me. 

My girl Kay knows how I feel about Halloween costumes, so she took it upon herself to take over for me this year.  What a sweetheart.  She picked hers out when we were back to school shopping at the discount store - woohoo!  Thinking ahead - I love it!  (Actually, she knew she would get stuck in a pioneer dress from her dress up bin if she didn't grab the goods while the gettin' was good, so there ya go.  Nevertheless, that was one down, two to go.  She also took care of Aaron's costume for me by declaring he could wear the fireman costume from the YMCA number he was in at Tribute to the Oldies (see previous post).  Two down, one to go.  No ideas for Bekah.  I resort to my usual tactic of rading the thrift store a few days before halloween and hoping they'll have something in her size, but this year I just couldn't bring myself to go.  So she got Minnie Mouse ears cut out of black construction paper taped on a black headband.  With a red shirt.  You can't see her pants in the picture, but they had little mini mouses all over them I swear.  :)   Another year down, 5 more pounds gained (thank you kind neighbors) and 11 months till I have to do it all over again.  Anyone want to trade costumes?!

Tribute to the Oldies

Well, it's that time of year again!  Corpus Christi 1st Ward's annual Tribute to the Oldies.  Always a good time, and this year was no exception.   Here are a few of the many highlights.   Enjoy!

 

Kaylee

First Day of 4th Grade!!

Sitting at her new desk for the first time.

She loves to bake!  She made this cake completely by herself.  I did nothing!!

First day of homework.  She couldn't wait to get started.  I hope that lasts through 12th grade.  :)

Rebekah

Precious thing learned how to crawl with her arms today!  She's been doing the army crawl for a while now.

And lest you think she never cracks a smile check out these two...the latter was about a month ago when she really go into splashing in the tub.

Aaron

Aaron and I do school time while Rebekah takes her morning nap. 

He loves it and I love to see him learn.

First Rainfall

Have you ever been this excited to see rainclouds? 

I was.

Don't be fooled by the deceptively green, lush, gorgeous lawn.  My husband knows what he's doing.  Look at the lawn across the street for comparison's sake.  This is what most of the vacant yards around Corpus look like these days.

Here's why.

Please note the small print in yellow at the top of this one.  HELLO!  33 days IN A ROW! of 96 or higher!  And that doesn't include the heat index!!

Yeah, it has been one long, hot, dry summer.  And the dog days are still here and I imagine will be for a good portion, if not the whole month of September.

That's why this heavenly sound was so beautiful last week.  We all went out and celebrated.  It was like New Years.  :)

 

That's Aaron in the background telling Grandma on the phone that the rain came from Heavenly Father and Jesus.  What a lover.  :)

Fun Ward Activity

We had such a fun Ward Activity last week.  It was a belated Pioneer Day activity.  There was a watermelon eating contest and a corn eating contest! 

Aaron had no problem participating in both. :)

 Check out my girl's new do!!  Isn't she a cutie?!

Speaking of cuties, here's another patootie...

Someone can sit up all by herself now!!

Summer Happenings

4th of July found us at Cole Park this year.  Well, what's left of Cole Park.  They are renovating it and we are way excited about the new play equipment and floor they are putting in. 
Notice the Princess' expression:  HELP ME!!  :)

Kaylee's 4th of July do.  Wish I was creative enough to come up with this myself, but I'm not.  Stole it from a friend on facebook.  Turned out way cute!

The weather was perfect that night and after mommy getting over the fact that our city somehow thinks a fireworks show is a fireworks show without music, we had a great time.

The next weekend found us at the temple while these cute kids played with my cute friend Sarah at the park.

What a brave woman in the 100 degree heat.  Love her and love that she loves my kids!

Insert funny caption here.

My handsome hunk of a husband and me at my most favorite place on earth.

More Aaron singing videos...the first one is the "Fathers" song from the children's songbook...he's singing the chorus.  The second is for mom...a local favorite at the library storytimes here.  I play these videos often to remind myself that terror child really can be a little angel.  :)

I find this next clip hilarious.  I was out in the yard with the kids enjoying the shade and the water yesterday afternoon.  While reading my book my attention was distracted by this little girl and her incredibly active and creative imagination.  Influences for this piece of creative play come from 2 current movie favorites:  The Princess and the Frog, and  The King and I.  I love how she brings Aaron in on the act.  This really is priceless and something I'm so glad I caught.

Isn't she a beauty?!  I love her!

P.S.  The recipe is a new one that schweets found recently - key lime pie - I know, you're thinking with Ritz crackers?!  Trust me, TO DIE FOR!

www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/07/10-minute-lime-cracker-pie-recipe.html

 

Everyone needs a good laugh now and then...

Fun Birthday Weekend

This past week we got to celebrate the little man turning 3.  His birthday was Thursday so we gave him his family presents after he woke up from his nap.

He was really excited about his new basketball and hoop from G&G Wadley...thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We went to the mall that night for dinner and some fun kids activities they had going on.

Free train ride!  It normally costs 5 BUCKS a PERSON, so, yeah, we've never gone on it before, but we were all over it Thursday night.  :)

We had a few of Aaron's friends over on Friday night for a BBQ in the backyard to continue the celebration. 

I love this picture.

and this video.  :)

Aaron fills our house with energy and love and more energy.  :)  He is a lover and I love him!  Happy Birthday Aaron!