Brett my Italian Stallion....

I heard from Brett today by IM and emails and he is safely in Italy. He had an incredible adventure in Moscow for 4 days and will now be traveling through Italy. My brother Dave served his mission in Padava Italy and is being the tour guide. He has spent alot of time planning so I know the boys will have an incredible trip. Brett thanks for your emails with the updates on all the sites you are seeing. To all my faithful blogging friends I apologize if I am posting everyday but I know that Brett wants to hear and see his girls so I will be showing more videos. I love you Brett!

· After settling in – set off to metro – rode train to Red Square and saw the tomb of unknown soldier, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. A raincloud caught us by surprise and we ran for the GYM (pronounced GUM) to find something to eat. We ate at McDonalds and returned to the apartment about 9pm.Thursday, June 5th, 2008 – Woke up at 4:30 am –· Left apt by 7am to go to Victory Park. WWII memorial and Arch celebrating Napoleon’s exit from Moscow· Returned to Red Square to tour Lenin’s tomb· Went on boat tour of Moscow – 2 hour ride –saw Bolshoi Theater, 7 Sisters apartment buildings and Soccer stadium.· Cathedral of Christ our Savior & Peter the Great monument (actually was a gift to USA – was Christopher Columbus, but USA didn’t take it and they replaced heads for Peter)· Returned to apartment for 2 hour nap· Returned to Red Square at night – returned to river crossing at 12:16am to find it closed. Walked to nearest road bridge and crossed it and made it back to apartment at about 1am – equivalent to walking on a freeway. · Walked many miles today and my feet are very sore.Friday, June 6th, 2008 - Woke at 7am – exhausted from previous day.· Left apartment about 9am – went to see Hard Rock Café street and passed KGB building. Many vendors on the street and fun things to see. · Returned to the train station to meet Dima, Neuba, & Pasha (Seth’s host family) @ Noon. Walked with them to Statue Park and looked at all the art and had ice cream with them. · Left around 2pm and returned to Red Square to tour the Kremlin. Toured most the cathedrals inside the Kremlin and returned to Apartment about 5pm. · Called it a day and slept for 2 hours; Watched TV for about 2 hours. Sean and Dave slept for 4 hours. Seth returned to host family’s home to collect luggage and visited with Monica.· About 9pm went out to the street and connected to “Adel’s computer” and sent emails with Dave and Sean til about 11 pm. · Went to Anteka (drug store) for supplies.Saturday, June 7th, 2008 – Woke at 5:00am – updated this journal til 6am.· Went out for souvenirs prior to returning to apartment at noon to check out. I got some fun stuff for you all!!!!· Train and bus to airport for 6pm flight to Italy – nice 3 hour trip via train and bus to airport 50 miles away· Arrive in Italy about 9 pm after 4 hour flight (2 hour time change) – we are now only 8 hours ahead of you. It is now midnight (2am Russia time) and wanted to email you. Observations while in Russia: Many people smoke. During our travels it seems many people express no emotion in relation to each other (do not smile or talk and are not reactionary to each other). At night we finally seemed to see people talking and together. Police cars are mostly Mercedes black cars and seem to travel in groups of 2-3 sometimes more. The metro is very convenient and travel times are frequent. Seth did a great job of getting around Russia. We had fun and I have very sore calf muscles and hips and bottoms of feet are tender from the walking. We will hopefully get used to it just in time for Italy.Sunday, June 8th, 2008 – Italy – going to church and then to the Coliseum and the Roman Forum.

Sabbath in Italia

Thought we would make a post from Italy. We have the most awesome rental van - will send an image later hopefully. We have had an amazing 4 days of the trip so far. One memorable memory is reading this blog while sitting on a cement bench along Prospect Avenue in Russia at 11pm. We tapped into a wireless connection named "Adel's computer" and Sean, David, and I sat down on the street for about 2 hours reading and talking and sending you emails. Russian police with sirens driving down the street and Russians walking by looking over our shoulder to see what we were doing. Thanks Adel for the internet connnection! Another memorable experience was going to Red Square at night. What a beautiful site with everyone at the square and the amazing buildings. Seth - thanks for all your responses to our stupid questions or for ordering our food for us. "Batzeba" (thank you) though I am sure that is not how is spelled, but I don't see any Russian alphabet characters on this keyboard. Take care to all of you reading this.
FYI - we are blessed with hot showers and many other wonderful things in the U.S.

Happy birthday to two wonderful people today!

I am sure there are lots of people celebrating a birthday today but I wanted to recognize Grandma Marshall and Rebecca today. I hope you guys have a great day and that both of you start feeling better. Rebecca has had the flu/cold and Grandma was just released this week from the hospital. Our prayers continue to be with you. We love you guys!

happy birthday Mae!

Today is Grandma Mae's birthday. We wanted to wish you a very happy birthday and to let you know that we love you. We are so grateful for you. We named our little Teagan after you in hopes that she will honor her middle name and carry on the legacy that you have given us all. You have raised a family of 8 children, you are a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother, you went to school and became a nurse and it is been neat to hear your stories as you supported Art in all his softball leagues and the both of you golfed together. You have been faithful in the gospel and we are thankful for your example to us. Have a wonderful day. We are thinking of you.

it's your birthday today beautiful

I have known Rebecca for 10 years now and it feels like yesterday when she came out into the mission field envious of her clothes becuase they were new and she just looked great. I am so glad we have stayed in touch. Your friendship means alot to me. You are so talented and you are willing to share those talents with everyone. It's been great to watch our families grow up together and to live so close to each other is a plus. I hope you start feeling better and yes you can always switch your birthday celebration to another day. Heck, I want to have another birthday this year to get presents but not to turn older. Do something for yourself today. Love your guts! Happy Birthday!

they say absense makes the heart grow fonder

I am not sure I believe this cliche. Shortly after Brett and I knew we were going to get married I left to go study abroad in Israel. There were many times I felt homesick and missed him. People would try to comfort me by telling me "absense makes the heart grow fonder". But let me tell you that while Brett has been away I have a small glimpse of what it feels like to be a single mother and it is only a small glimpse since my family has been around but I have done the yard work, took out the trash and cleaned the family SUV (I should be the one since we are making the mess and Brett hardly drives it). It's not that I don't miss Brett believe me I do!!! and I realize how much I take him for granted when he is around. I know that the things he does for me and our family is out of love which makes me grow fonder of him each day as we are together. Brett's absense just makes me more self reliant and I don't know if that is a good thing for me. We both need each other in our relationship. I am so glad that he has this opportunity to travel. It is not that he is entitled to it but he definately deserves it. So it really isn't that hard for me that he is half way around the world site seeing. I am not bitter at all can you tell. I hope he soaks in every minute of it. And Honey, if you are reading this blog at all this time don't forget the camera on the airplane. I want to see all the pictures you take.

Where in the world is Dad?

girls weekend in cleveland

this past weekend I have had a lot of time to reflect on my mission since I was hanging out with two of my fabulous companions in Cleveland. Not only were they my mission companions but they are my dearest friends. We often tell each other that one of the reasons we went to Peoria, Illinois on a mission was to meet each other. I served with many wonderful companions. They each taught me something. As I was flying home from Atlanta this morning (after missing my connection last night and staying over) I remembered when I came home from my mission and reported to the high council and there was a person who asked me this question, "Do you have any regrets?" This was my reply, "The only regret I would have had is if I hadn't gone on a mission." and of course I got all emotional. There are many reasons why I served a mission. Many things I gained from my mission. I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to serve in Illinois and to share the gospel message, and to bear my testimony to probably hundreds of people but the most important testimony that was born was born to me . As I shared my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of his atonement and the restoration that was accomplished through Joseph Smith I benefited way more then our investigators. I know I made a commitment to Heavenly Father before I came to earth that I woud serve as a missionary. I was fearful of going because of my weaknesses but I did feel angels accompany through my good and bad days. It was a small sacrafice to serve for 18 months but I know this prepared me for things that have happened in the 10 years I have been home and is the foundation I continue to build upon. Leckie and Rawlings thank you for letting me feel the missionary spirit again as we talked and shared stories of our mission and visited Kirtland and the sites out there. And my dear sweet Leckie you don't even know how proud I am of you. As I sat in Releif Society this past sunday watching and listening to you teach as your ward's newly called relief society president I was overcome with so much joy and happiness for you. President Sorensen sent you to me to train but you didn't need any training at all. You trained me and taught me more then you will ever know. You are still teaching me just by how diligent you are in serving and the way you love your sisters. Thank you for your example. I know you and DJ will have a wonderful life and will be blessed not only financially because well DJ is going to be a doctor and you are successful at your job but spiritually with the promptings of the spirit.. And especially after your lesson on prayer and the conversations we had coming home from Niagra Falls that the promptings of the spirit will not be difficult for you to understand and when you pray you will have that strongest feeling if it is right. Thanks for letting me spend most of my post bearing my testimony. Wow it has been along time since I have. I just had so much fun with you girls. Jen you sure know how to host us. Your meals were delicious and your hopitatlity was great I felt at home. Rebecca thanks for bieng my travel companion and I hope you had a nice early birthday staying overnight in Atlanta compliments from me. hee hee. Don't ever travel with a smith all chaos happens. Rebecca you are a spiritual giant to me. You have lots of knowledge and wisdom you share with me and for making me have courage to stand up to those Delta agents even though I don't have it in me to get mad at them. I hope Rebecca and Jen that we always have the fun times we do. Lets plan on the cabin getaway next winter. My turn to host. Love you guys! IPM sistas rule. WHO GOT THE MOST WET ON THE MAID OF MIST? Let's not forget! and Rawlings remember next time when you go to Honolulu where your priorities should be... the beach!!!!

Happy Birthday Jen!!

Happy Birthday to Jen Dagley today - we hope you did something fun with the family. We are thinking of you growing younger and younger every day. Here is a fun photo of you having fun last summer with the fam. Hope you like it.

tagged...

My sister tagged me. I really don't do these things. When I get them in an email I just delete. But here we go ( I should leave all my sister's answers cuz we basically have the same likes).

A. ATTACHED OR SINGLE? I do have a soul mate and happily attached.
B. BEST FRIEND? Today it is Brett.
C. CAKE OR PIE? Angel food cake
D. DAY OF CHOICE? Sunday! Just a nice relaxing day.
E. ESSENTIAL ITEMS? Highspeed Internet, deoderant, gum, running shoes (it use to be contacts but not anymore).
F. FAVORITE COLORS? Blue
G. GUMMY BEARS OR WORMS? neither cant stand the texture
H. HOMETOWN? Anchorage, Ak
I. INDULGENCE? Dr. Pepper, pedicures
J. JANUARY OR JULY? July of course!!! Bring on the heat!
K. KIDS? 3 including Brett.
L. LIFE ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT? The gospel and my family
M. MARRIAGE DATE? Summer of 1999
N. NUMBER OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS? 3 brothers and 2 sisters
O. ORANGES OR APPLES? Apples
P. PHOBIAS OR FEARS? sight of blood or an open wound.
Q. QUOTE? The longer I run the smaller the problems become.
R. REASON TO SMILE? Why look so gloomy. Life is too short
S. SUPERMAN OR WONDER WOMAN? Superman. Brett wears a superman shirt and Teagan loves Superman. She tells everyone Her dad can fik everything. Probably because he is superman in her eyes. She says Fik it.
T. TAG 5 PEOPLE Pay attention! Heather, Rebecca, Jen and One person who really wants to do this..
U. UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: Use to roll down in a tin garbage can on a commercial street with my friends when I was about 6. Loved doing this.
V. VEGETABLES? Green beans, carrotts
W. WORST HABIT? bitting my nails
X-RAY OR ULTRASOUND? Never had an X-ray so Ultrasound.
Y. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Love Sub sandwiches.
Z. ZODIAC SIGN? tauries

jay and josh one year later...

May 29, 2007 Jaimie and Josh were married for time and all erternity in the Bountiful Temple. Her sibilings could not believe that she finally married the guy of her dreams since she was 15. Jay had a crush on Josh for 8 years. It was a beautiful day and Kelty loved Jay's dress. I think Kelty is still on her getting married stage because of this wedding. Jay and Josh moved to Las Vegas 4 days later where Josh is attending UNLV in the physical therapy program. This is good because we may need a physical therapist with all my running and Brett's back. Jay is working full time and attending school part time. I think they have adjusted to the warmer climate because they complain how cold it is here in Utah when they visit. Happy Anniversary and we love you both.

happy, happy birthday Ariel dear!

happy days will come to you all year... Hope you have a fun birthday at work. We will try to make it fun. Sean told me not to out do him. What is he talking about he is taking you to St. George for the weekend to celebrate your birthday. The girls are so excitted for you to open our gift. We have had it for a month now and Kelty keeps asking me if it is your birthday yet and then reminds me she wants the same gift for her birthday. Best wishes! Love the dagley family

Newton, UT

Usually in our household when the weekend approaches or a holiday is coming up we make plans ahead of time partly to keep busy or to stay entertained. There is also that long to do list to start and finish projects around the house. Today was an exception. We had planned to go to Logan to the cemetary around 9am to take flowers to our relatives graves and have a family barbeque. However we woke up to a rain storm which lasted all morning. So instead we were very lazy in the morning. I felt homesick this morning for Alaska. I grew up in Anchorage and the weather we are having this weekend is exactly how summers were for me. I quite enjoyed this morning and smiled as I ran in the rain. After the weather started to clear up Brett's parents called us and asked us if we wanted to come join them in Newton to visit relatives. We all had a wonderful time and the girls had so much fun. Ken and Pat have a horse corral and there was one horse named Dundee. Teagan was fearless when it came to feeding the horse.
The girls ran around the property chasing a cat and looking for fish in the pond. They were having the time of their life. Teagan really belongs out in the country among farm animals. She is so fascinated with horses.
Ken and Pat have such a beautiful place. Thanks for letting us visit and for the cute books you gave the girls.
Later we went and visited Grandma Marshall in the hospital and Grandpa Marshall at Terrace Grove. Our prayers are with you both so that you can soon be back together again.
As we were leaving we left the hospital first and Kelty didn't want to leave without grandma swing but she was talking to family so she stopped in the parking lot and told us she wasn't coming home with us and she was waiting for Grandma. She was pouting but when Brett brought out the camera she started smiling.

Semper Fidelis - Always faithful

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies. Moina Michael

In honor of Memorial Day - I just want to say how grateful I am for the many thousands of brave men and women who have served and are currently serving on behalf of our Nation for our freedom. I honor and respect them. May God Bless each and every one of them. Thank you!

Memorial weekend

Kelty has the pink ball and a castle in the background what princess wouldn't be happy?
Oh so precious. If only they got along every second of the day.
This is how Teagan golfed most of the time. She picked up her ball and threw it in the hole.
Notice the the different expresions! One is happy to be getting a picture next to the castle and the other doesn't want to. Please don't make me suffer mom!
Now look who is happy? Yep running makes her happy especially when she is running away from her parents. It's that word freedom. We ended our night putting up the trampoline and having a bar-b-que. Brett and I aren't very social and hate hosting parties or inviting ourselves to parade on other people's parties so while eating just the two of us and the kids were playing we said why didn't we invite our family or friends over? It turned out to be a really nice evening. So what are y'all doing Monday night? Sean your house? Anyone? Have a fun and safe weekend.

weekend purchase

When asked what Brett and I do for a living I tell people Brett makes the money and I spend it. It's really not that hard for me. When Brett and I were first married I got one of those social security reports (?) and Brett said I only have one question for you. If you have been working for 10 years and making all this money where is it? It was never deposited into a savings account it just went straight into the economy. I really did my part in the 90's to help the economy grow. Being married to an accountant now has settled me. Now I am always checking our savings to watch it building up but every once an awhile I splurge and well while I was out Friday hitting the sales at the outlet malls my husband was out shopping as well but he only purchased one item and it was from an electronic store and well I bought about 6 outfits for each of the girls. So I personally feel like I am justified in my shopping and spending way less then Brett. I am actually really excitted for Brett's purchase. We have been saying we would buy a really nice camera and now that Brett is getting ready for a trip of a lifetime experience it will be fun to see all the photos when he returns. He is even letting me use it. It is amazing already we notice the difference in the picture clarity.

Kelty has been begging us to take her to St. George to go miniature golfing why drive all the way there let's just go to Cherry Hills and do some putting. There was one pink ball left at the counter and she kept eyeing it while standing in line. She finally just walked up to the counter even though people were still paying and grabbed the last pink ball. She was happy the whole time golfing.
Dad took Kelty on a date this afternoon to the Kaysville Theater to watch Spiderwick. I don't get it. She has been watching advertisements and it looked very scary so she said that Dad would take her since I told her the movie would scare me so I didn't want to go and when it finally came out she kept telling her dad he needs to take her. Brett says she did get scared but watched the whole movie. If she comes in our room in the middle of the night I am kicking Brett out to go sleep in her room on the bunkbed.
What a nice dad. He even took her to the movies in our "date truck". Whenever we go out without the kids we take the truck because I tell him I don't want to take the Tahoe since it is a mom's car and sometimes I just don't want to feel like a mom. If you know what I mean? Kelty got the royal treatment, popcorn, sprite and mike and ikes. I hope she always remembers these fun memories.

happy birthday mom

Today is Grandma "Swings" birthday. Kelty wanted to make tinkerbell cupcakes for Grandma with pink frosting and white sprinkles. We drove up to Grandma's and delivered the cupcakes, card and balloons however I think Kelty and Teagan ate 4 out of the 6 cupcakes we took up. We love you Pat. You are a wonderful mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. Thank you for all that you do. A few weeks ago for FHE we talked about mothers and I went around the room and asked everyone something they liked about their mothers and Brett didn't hesitate to say his mother's cooking especially her apple pie. We are looking forward to celebrate your birthday tonight by going out to eat and to the movie, Indianna Jones. We tried ordering warmer weather for you. It's not to late to make a wish. Have a wonderful day!

Oh the places I am still not ready for you to go to just yet

I am just remembering Kelty's first day of pre-school and all of us mom's brought our sweet children to Taylor Tots and all the other mom's were hugging and kissing their child goodbye and Kelty jumped out of the car and ran for the stairs and I told Kelty to wait so I could give her a hug and walk her to her room but she waived and said bye mom and took off running. She was down the stairs, backpack hung and washing her hands at the sink by the time I came in. She was born ready for school and has had a love for learning and reading early in life. Today she was typing everyone's name on the computer for practice. She wasn't just playing games she was typing. All the other mom's were talking and saying, "Oh I am going to cry right now because my baby is growing up and already in pre-school and I said well I'm not crying for that reason I am crying because my daughter didn't even want to kiss me goodbye or let me walk her inside.

Kelty had her first year of pre-school graduation today. I can't believe that the school year is over. Kelty has had a fun teacher and really liked her friends at school. We met at Hess Farm park and had a picnic and both Grandma's came. Kelty's class did a cute singing presentation well everyone else sang except for Kelty. She just stood there and didn't move a bit. Stage fright maybe but I was told she takes after me a little. I won't open presents up in front of people or even go up to get a medal if I placed in a race. When I asked Kelty later today how come she didn't sing today with her class since I have heard her singing the songs and this was her reply, "cuz I said to myself this is not my school this is a park". There you have it.

initiation

It is official Brighton has been initiated into the world of marathon running. This morning we both ran the Ogden marathon. She called me early in the year and asked me to run with her. Thanks for letting me tag along. It was Brighton's first marathon ever and my first time running this marathon. What a beautiful run.
Brett's work volunteered at the start line handing out water and picking up trash. It was cool to have Brett up there and the plus side was we didn't have to ride the busses up to the start and we got to stay in the truck for an hour and a half instead of freezing at the top.
Mile 23 Steph coming around the corner. This race is so cool. Let me tell you about the yummy stations. They were passing out bubble gum, gummy bears, licorice and cinnamon bears and the usual fruit and drinks.
At the end a great big hug from our little Teagan. After this kiss she told me that I needed to take a bath because I stinked. At least she is honest. Oh and those yummy treats at the finish were excellent too. I probably lost 5 pounds running and then gained it back eating great harvest bread, jamba juice and creamies. Did I mention that it was 80 out running!! We did it Brighton! So proud of you. Do you want to run Top of Utah?

happy birthday sis!

today is my sister Steph's 27th birthday! She would appreciate that! Thanks for teaching me how to play racquetball and playing video games with me and letting me tag along with you to play volleyball or golf Oh and ride your three wheeler which almost killed me before my mission. I see how you are. I hope you have a great birthday and do something fun. You are 27 right? Love you sis!