Hello Again!

It has been some time since I last updated. It was on my brain but just never got to the top of the list. I was looking at some of our pics to see what I missed showing everyone and there were lot's of snow shots and it feels like a long time ago that we had enough snow to build snowmen already. I am not complaining it just feels like time is racing by.

When spring comes at our house out come the bikes. This year Abby's got a makeover by Daddy. I think it looks pretty spiffy and Abby is pretty proud to ride it all over the neighborhood.

Natalie got her first tricycle this spring and rides it amazingly far at least in my opinion. She loves that she has her own "bike" and will ride as far as Abby will ride.

For Easter weekend we were able to head out to Regina to the temple. It is so fun to go out as a family. Our kids were so excited to go. Abby couldn't wait to stay in a hotel and go swimming. The next day we woke up to a blizzard and our nice walk and talk around the temple turned into run and touch it then get back in the van. Abby conveniently had to use the washroom and was so excited that she got to enter the temple. It was a sweet family experience to share and be able to share our testimony about the temple and why it is so important to us! Now I realize that it looks like Natalie is very upset she just had cold, wet feet by this point but hey it's our temple pic!! We also have an extra girl with us in this pic. We were watching her so her parents could attend a session.

Easter came and went. We were lucky to be able to color Easter Eggs for Family Home Evening on the Monday then travel to the temple on Good Friday. Easter Sunday brought the Easter Bunny, reflection, Easter Egg Hunt, and Yummy Easter Dinner. I can't seem to get any of the Easter dresses pics up so this is the girls from Easter morning. The Easter Bunny always leaves chocoalate carrots at our house which is what Natalie is holding. They also got some ears for the egg hunt later on. I love Easter and thinking about the many blessings we have to know that our Savior lived and died for us and that through him we can all be ressurected and live with our families forever!!!

Of course the pics of Jared are all on the other camera but I will post some better ones soon. Here he is on the road trip trying to see everything that was going on. He kept trying to crank his neck so he could watch the movie on the DVD player. It was pretty cute. He is almost 7 months eating lot's of veggies, fruit, and cereal. He loves to sit up, jump in his exersaucer, and jolly jumper. He loves his sisters and always has big smiles for them. He is still his father's son in personality for sure. Nothing phases this guy too much.
We are all getting excited for more spring and summer. I can't wait to start getting into my new garden space and seeing what I can do. We also can't wait for all the fun summer stuff... the beach, holidays, and yummy fresh fruit and veggies.

Manic Monday!

Not really a manic Monday but I love that song and in my head it was a manic Monday. We have been sick at our house for the past week. It started with Abby, a little bit of Daddy, Mommy, and tonight Natalie started coughing and sniffling. Not so fun!! By the way I think it should be illegal to get sick as a Mom.
Being sick and not getting enough sleep is truly exhausting but I love my job and wouldn't trade it for those 2am snuggles and cries of Mom!!
Well today I registered Abby for kindergarten. We are putting her in French Immersion and the school is pretty close a little bit of a walk over this lovely bridge. She is so excited to start school it is really a blessing to have her enthusiasm in our family. When I went to register her the morning classes were already full which was pretty surprising since registration started on Friday? Anyway I guess everyone is super eager. I was feeling bummed because I was hoping for morning and she said well Mom I guess we will never be late. Seriously she overhears everything I say. I was talking to Ryan about how getting their on time with all three for 8:30am will be a bit tricky and I hate being late. Here she tells me not to worry if we have afternoon kindergarten we have all morning to get there. What a cutie!
Natalie had a bit of a rough day and took a fall in the library parking lot. She hit her chin on the cement pad and cut her lip. Nothing like walking into a public place with a screaming bleeding child. Luckily I was prepared and cleaned her up and we sat down for a couple of minutes before she realized it hurt and the tears started rolling and we quickly exited.
I am pretty sure Jared just laughs at all of us girls and all the tears and emotions. I am sure when he is older it won't be so funny but for now I think secretly inside he laughs and laughs.
Anyway we made it home safely after all our adventures and Abby gave her FHE lesson. Daddy did the activity. We talked about Nephi building a boat and Daddy brought out all the toilet paper we had just bought and we spent a lot of time  building our own boats and other such things.
Happy Monday!!!

January- Where did you go?

I just looked at my blog and realized wow it has been a long time since I did an entry. You would laugh to know that in my daytimer it is marked on one particular evening as a task to do and never gets done. Anyway a whole month of 2012 has gone. I have done really well on some of my ambitious goals and have had to restart some again. Such is life.

Mostly I have these three to thank for the lack of blogging. Aren't they cute? We have been soaking up every minute of this awesome winter.We get outside daily doing something. Sometimes I am too ambitious and we come home with three crying children but I like to think that someday they will thank me for giving them a love of outdoors and being motivated to accomplish things.

Ryan and I went on a date. We went skating at the forks it was so fun. It was one of our Christmas gifts to each other to plan a date each month. This month was his and he didn't disappoint. My feet were sore at the end but it was fun to be just the two of us for a few hours.

I have been baking a lot. We had fun making these CTR pretzels from the January

Friend magazine. Mind you this baking really isn't helping my whole physical health goal but fun.

Jared is four months old already. He is trying to roll over. During tummy time he bends up those knees and lifts his head up and tries to move. He loves to make lot's of noises and is constantly telling me stories. He sleeps like a dream (knock on wood) and is really great. I love going and getting him in the morning with his big smile.

If I could describe Abby in one word lately it is motivated. She learned how to set goals in her preschool and came home and accomplished her goal in one day. Her new goal is to learn to read and she is working really hard at it. She is growing up so fast and last week I picked up a kindergarten registration package and have been silently freaking out about it. Well not so silently to my husband. Anyway I can't believe she is old enough to go to school already. We found this bear on the sidewalk and she went and knocked on the lady's door to see if it was hers. She is always trying to help and do the right thing.

Natalie completely surprised us just over a week ago and went potty all by herself. She has been in big girl panties ever since and it has been really great (knock on wood). I can't believe how fast she has caught on. She is still her cute little mischievous self and has forced me to put a lock on my fridge and freezer. Now don't be alarmed but this girl will pull anything and everything out and hide under the kitchen table and start eating it. She keeps me on my toes but when she pulls out her big hearty laugh you can't help but smile and enjoy one of her big bear hugs!!

Lastly I had a birthday. I can't believe I am 34 years old already. I am starting to understand now when people say they feel like they are in their 20's still. I was totally spoiled by husband and family and had a great weekend. Loved these beautiful flowers from my hubby.

Hope everyone had a great January!!

Happy New Year!

So a few days into the new year and there was a water main leak on our street and we have been without running water for two days. Today we finally have water to drink and flush the toilet but there is still problems. Tomorrow I may have to run over to Mom and Dad's and shower seriously you would think I lived in a third world country!! See the little trailer on the right side of the picture that was the water supply for the street thankfully we have a water supply in our storage room and I didn't have to run out there to get water.

Besides that little obstacle I love this time of year. I love setting goals and trying harder to be better. I love trying to make lemons out of lemonade. For instance yesterday I was super frustrated about the water situation but today we just hung out, played games, and enjoyed living simply??

Natalie was giving kisses to her dinosaurs because they were sad they didn't have water!! Yeah that was the story Abby and her were telling. Do you think I might have been focused a little too much on that the past two days???

Jared is growing like crazy and puking like crazy. Seriously this kid spits up so much I can't believe he is even getting any milk but he obviously is. He smiles and laughs and is pretty easy going. He has been trying to take cat naps the last two days and is totally messing up any sort of schedule I might have had him on. Already three months old yikes does time go faster the more kids you have?? I sure feel like it does!

Christmas Fun

I can't believe how fast the Christmas holidays went. It seemed we were so busy preparing and making things that it zoomed by. Here are some of the fun things we did this year!

Decorating the Gingerbread House. Always so much fun for Abby and this year Natalie got into it. Mostly they both got excited about when do we get to eat it Mom? Here it is in all it's glory!

Santa's elves were very busy this year and the girls got a puppet theatre. It turned out so cute and we have been having some amazing puppet shows from the girls. They also got some sock puppet kits from Aunt Beth and had a blast making their own puppets. Abby has been teaching me all sorts of things about marriage, honesty, and forest animals. I know a random list you never know what will come out when she says,"Mom hurry I have a puppet show for you"

You can see Jared's clothes hanging on the theater. He pretty much got spoiled with clothes this year.

Here is a picture of one of my projects that I think turned out super cute! Abby is addicted to crafts and we are slowly getting her craft area all set up. She makes at least 5 cards a day for people so I wanted to give her a place to hang them up on. Natalie also got one to match and so far has nothing on it but I am sure she will eventually catch on to the fun of crafts especially if Abby has anything to do with it.

All in all we had a great magical Christmas even though Jared looks as if he didn't enjoy it at this particular moment. We loved having Daddy home for over a week. We played lot's of games and watched lot's of movies since Santa brought us the projector for our theatre room. It has been Ryan's project pretty much since we moved in. I will have to take a pic soon .Still doing some painting and such but it is pretty sweet!

Since it has been so mild we enjoyed lot's of time at LaBarrier Park. One of our favorites and there was actually a hill that had enough snow on it to sled down. I shouldn't say hill more like a slope. Abby discovered trees and climbing on them and almost got a branch in the eye. Luckily disaster was averted and it just hit the eyelid.

We enjoyed our usual fondue with Ryan's family a favorite tradition for everyone. This year for Mom's birthday we planned a big lobster dinner well to be fair Dad did most of the planning but we participated and it was so fun. Abby is not a big seafood fan we found out and Natalie loved it and kept asking Grandma for more!!! Abby did enjoy putting the lobsters to sleep before we cooked them.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Smith Family Christmas Letter 2011

2011 was a year of fun

We renovated our house then moved to a new one.

Two trips to Alberta brought a lot of joy.

Now everyone is anticipating all the Christmas joy.

Abby is our busy girl who turned four this year.

She loves being in joyschool and shows no fear.

She took soccer and swimming had all sorts of fun.

Mostly she loves doing arts and crafts a ton.

Her first presentation in primary was a hit.

She said her memorized scripture without a fit.

Natalie turned two and loves to climb.

She is always on the go wasting no time.

Her baby brother is her new favorite toy.

Giving everyone hugs and kisses brings her joy.

She loves to sing and dance,

Banging on the piano whenever she has a chance.

Jared was slow in coming to earth

Mom had an induction and a slow birth.

He loves to smile and make a lot of sound.

His sisters love having him around

He loves to sleep which Mom adores

He’s growing like crazy and never a bore.

Ryan has been really busy this year.

Doing  our renovations with no fear.

Many wood projects and house projects too.

Serving in young men’s and ward mission leader too.

Being a Dad brings him great joy.

Playing with the kids and making them toys.

Jessica has become a mother of three.

And often runs around like a busy bee.

Making our house into  a home.

Taking the time to write this poem.

Serving in the Primary and Relief Society too.

Trying to balance life as we all do.

Family visitors came for special days.

Away from ICU with maternity pay.

Thanks for reading about our year.

Hope it wasn’t too much to hear.

Merry Christmas to you and all those you hold dear.

We wish you the best in the coming year!!

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas time is here!!!

As usual I am behind in the blog but here as some of the fun things we have been doing to get ready for Christmas!! Making snow angels in the front yard and decorating with colored water in the backyard!

 We went and chopped down our own tree again this year. It was so much fun. You don't get the perfect tree but the experience is well worth it!
We also are doing the 12 Days of Christmas this year which has been so much fun. The kids get really excited to run, ring the doorbell, and watch as the people open the door!
We went carolling on Monday for FHE to a few houses and Abby was so excited she sang jingle bells all night long both in and out of the car!

 Jared is mostly taking in all the girls excitement, screaming, giggles you know.

Only two more sleeps and then hopefully Mommy will be able to get some sleep!!

Merry Christmas!!