Good luck Sarah Palin!

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air"

One Fairy Godmother and ten little princesses!

Once upon a party-time, in the kingdom of kaysville, there lived ten beautiful princesses who came to celebrate Kelty's birthday. They played some games and ate a slice of cake. They were even so lucky to have the fairy godmother attend the party to dance and read stories to them. She also granted them each a wish, that they would all be very beautiful, happy princesses when they returned home.

The girls were so cute with each other. I love the last picture with the princesses walking down the sidewalk. Watch out Prince Charmings!!!

It's another September birthday!

Kelty keeps telling us, "I can't believe I am turning 5". You can't believe it but your parents sure can and we have loved almost every minute of it. Exactly five years ago on the eve before Kelty was born, Brett and I drove up to Snowbasin to enjoy the autumn colors and had a picnic discussing our fears and excitement for our first child to be born. What was it going to be like? Are we ready for this? Do we even know what to expect besides all the things we had been told and seen. We knew there would be big changes and a great deal of learning but how could we really even comprehend and know for ourselves the love or joy our parents and our Heavenly parents have for each of us unless you experience it yourself as a parent. Those fears and anxiety of becoming a parent felt through out my pregnancy seemed to disappear as I held my daughter Kelty in my arms for the first time and kissed her cute button nose. Oh, how we adore our Princess Kelty and how we have treasured these 5 precious years her sweet little spirit has brought into our lives and in to our home. Happy Birthday Kelty-Lyn!

Happy Birthday!

Kelty and Teagan want to wish their Grandma a very Happy Birthday today. We hope you have a wonderful day. Loves and Kisses!

I love you Brett

I also want to tell Brett I love him and Thank him for watching the girls all weekend so I could go off and enjoy a nice weekend with my mom and sisters. Brett you did a fantastic job taking care of the girls. I am sure glad I married you.

weekend surprise

Now that is funny how this picture turned out. The title seems fitting. J/K

Hollywood!

Jay, Shannon and the birthday girl

To celebrate my mom's 60th birthday this week my sisters and I thought we would take my mom on a girls only weekend getaway. We told our mom a few months ago to plan to be out of town for this weekend and to pack her bag for 2 days. I was actually really surprised that she really had no idea what we were going to do. Surprises are very hard to keep in our family for some reason. She thought maybe we were meeting my sister Jaimie in Vegas or St.George for a few days. So on Friday morning my mom was packing and my sister Shannon asked if a certain liquid item would be okay and she said of course so take it with you what is your concern and then Shannon noticed my mom was going to bring all these cases of gatorade and water to take in the car to give to Jaimie and Shannon told her that you can't take all that liquid on the plane. So then she wondered what we were doing. When we got to the airport she found out we were going to LA but was still wondering why and then at the gate area we had her open her Birthday card which had the wicked witch of the west on it saying - "Go ahead and have a Wicked fun Halloween" and we changed the Halloween part to Birthday. She then saw the tickets to Wicked. We had so much fun spending time with our mother. She really doesn't like a big production for her birthday and didn't want one of those big surprise birthday parties so I hope this was okay. It will probably be a memorable birthday for her. Thanks Shannon and Jaimie for a wonderful weekend and Mom we hope you liked your weekend surprise! We want you to know we love you and wish you the most WICKEDEST BIRTHDAY ever!

I am Proud to be an American!

Here is a video that I felt was point on.... Thank you to all those who sacrifice time, talents, and life for the freedoms we enjoy in America and for the freedoms of many throughout the world!

did you happen to see that beautiful sunset tonight?

thank goodness for evening runs and a beautiful sunset to end a crummy day. As soon as brett walked through the door my shoe laces were tied and I was out the door before he could ask how I was doing or what was for dinner. Here are a few other things that brought a smile to me today.

back to school fashion show

for some reason the girls like their pumpkin shirts for halloween.



Teagan only wore two outfits and then she was not interested anymore.



What? Did she just dress herself in that outfit? Are you kidding me?

I am a big girl too!

My baby, Teagan, who by the way tells us she is a big girl now, had her first day of pre-school today. She was a little hesitant to walk through the door to meet her teacher but warmed up after a few minutes. I helped her make her marshmellow tower and then quickly snuck out. I do hope she speaks up and talks to the other kids in her class. We hope pre-school will help her not be so shy. I couldn't stop thinking about how small she looked. In my eyes she is still a baby and always will be but for now I will let her show us what a big girl she is. When I picked her up I asked her how School was and she told me she got a treat and played with dinosaurs and played at the park "swing set in the backyard" and said she was tired now. Who knew pre-school could be so exhausting for the kids? It is probably a very smart move we put her in morning pre-school so she can still nap. The words that keep going through my mind today is when we were at our ward campout last month and we were talking to our Bishop and in our conversation I said,"so you have a senior this year?" and he nodded his head and said, " yes, and next week you will too". Just by looking at his expression and listening to the tone in his voice I understood how fast children grow up and yet you wonder where all those years went? I have also been thinking of my father today and remembering many years ago I had the privilege of serving in Primary as a teacher along with my father and we each took turns doing the lesson. My dad had the lesson this particular sunday and I can not remember what the lesson was about but I can remember his visuals he brought to show these 5 year olds. He had a treasure box and told the class that in this box our some of his most treasured possesions. He had some wood toys his grandfather made for him and some pictures of family and then he pulled out a framed picture of me when I was 5 and I still get emotional thinking about this moment but I knew so strongly that day that my dad treasured and loved each of his children and I sincerely felt his love for me that day. (family - this is not to be translated that he has favorites like my family will probably leave comments saying so). Like my father I do treasure my girls and love each of their personalities. I love them for who they are and what great potential I see inside of them. I love watching them grow and learn about the world around them. They teach me everyday many lessons and I am so thankful that a loving Heavenly Father trusts me with some of his dear children, Teagan and Kelty. May our Heavenly Father watch over the both of you this school year and I pray that you will continue to be healthy and make good choices. And to my baby Teagan, Yes you are a big girl too!

Temples will Dot the Earth

This video was made by my very talented brother, Seth. He spent alot of time making it and our extended family watched it at our family home evening last night. He has posted it to the internet today to share with everyone. You can check out his other videos at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SethAdamSmith

Thanks Seth!!

Summer Summary!

I am so sad that today is the last day of August and that summer is officially over since the weather has dramatically changed. While running this past week outside it has definately felt like Fall. It's even dark in the morning when I woke up at 6:00 am saturday morning to run. There are some things I like about Fall but I really LOVE summer and will miss it till next year. Here were our summer highlights this year....Brett's trip to Russia and Italy. Steph's trip to Cleveland, OH , Niagra Falls and New York City. Running the Ragnar Relay with the Dashing Divas, Family camping trips to South Fork and tubing the river, camping in St. Charles, ID and spending the days at Bear Lake boating. Steph and the girls road trip to Vegas to visit Aunt Jaimie. Spending time at the cabin and riding the alpine slide in Park City. Teagan's 3rd birthday and successfully having Teagan potty trained during the days. Kelty finishing her first summer of swim lessons and enjoying it. She is quite the fish. Cherry Hills and Lagoon, eating sno-cones and ice cream cones, watermelon and sweet corn. Watching the Olympics and fireworks. I am sure going to miss the hot summer days and warm evenings. What a fun summer. I am already having the summer blues!

Park City or Bust!

Last year we started an annual MD conference and at the end of the week we have a big celebration at the Park City MTN Resort with all the MD's and family and friends. It's like having our company Christmas party in August. We had a BBQ, rode the rides and had a raffle drawing. The girls look forward to riding the alpine slide and jumping on the trampoline. This year Brett and Kelty walked away with a few minor wounds from crashing on the Alpine Slide but about 20 minutes later Kelty was back jumping on the trampoline. It was a beautiful day and a nice ending to a very busy week. All the MD's go home this afternoon and there is just the cleaning left at the cabin. I am ready for the weekend.

The girls also got their school haircuts and Teagan did so well sitting still. They both look so grown up. I can hardly believe they are both in pre-school this year.

“Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided… but be diligent unto the end.”

This has been what I have been doing all week. Sitting at the Kitchen counter working on my computer (all two of them) and answering or making phone calls and there still wasn't enough hours in the day.

I haven't quite mastered this counsel by the Lord but trying to be diligent to the end on everything I do. Last week was such a busy and hectic week. At work we have been preparing for a week long conference at the cabin and there has been so much preparation and work put into getting this event ready plus we have another training event going on for two days this week in Salt Lake. We hope it is a very successful event for those attending out of state and internationally. Last year we set a high standard for ourselves and everyone wanted to come back again to the cabin so I hope we kept that same standard. I just have to Thank my family for their support especially my mom and sister watching the girls almost every day and for being so good about it. Thanks to my co-workers, Ariel, Heather and Kim, who have done an amazing job co ordinating flight/shuttle pick ups, Outline of schedule and binder materials, planning and shopping for the food at the cabin and to my brothers who are helping with the driving back and forth to the airport and other activities, and my friends Dani and Mike who did an amazing job deep cleaning the cabin and to my husband, who has not seen me for a week you have been so understanding and supportive. Thanks for all of your help at the Cabin on Saturday and driving yesterday. So now I can go take my girls school shopping and we will get to enjoy the party on Thursday at Park City. Thanks again everyone!!!

After a long day of prep work at the cabin we took a ride to unwind. I just love being in the mountains and enjoying nature. It is so pretty up in Timberlakes right now. Love it!!!

Shout out to my summer roomies at Regency #45

Okay girls and you know who you are! Yesterday after driving partly home from a half marathon I ran in Mapleton I drove through the city of Provo and the provo canyon to get to Heber City and whoa I just had a flood of memmories from the summer of 96. I have forgotten how beautiful this drive was as I drove by Squaw Peak, Bridal veil falls and Stewart falls. I remembered random funny memories like Park City Main Street Pizza and noddles and the Alpine slides and Cathy trying to drive Terry's truck and I think the emergency break was on but we were all wondering if she could drive a stick? or "If my girlfriend is skipping down the street well that is it. I'd break up with her". Hanging out at the swimming pool like every day and I think we all remembered to wear our sunblock right!?! The quote board - Paradise in Provo, He's not Mr Right but he is Mr Right now, It's all good, Must go Faster, So I"ll just throw him and it just blew up or Ho-made bread!! Hey girls if you are reading this blog I love you all and I am so glad I was able to spend the summer with you chiques. If I remember right you all had jobs and were going to school and well I was trying to figure out life but what great examples you were to me. I love hearing you are all married and have children and are mothers now. You girls Rock! I'll have to add a picture later.

"It's not the years, honey, It's the mileage" Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark

Brett and I have traveled 105,540 miles together plus some mileage unaccounted for in the years we have been married. That is 4.25 times around the world and at this rate of 11,726 miles traveled per year it will take us 11.3 years to make it to the moon. No problem! In my eyes you have already taken me there and back. I love you Brett! Happy Anniversary! Where should we go next honey?

Twin Falls, ID to Mantua, UT to Daniel's Summit Lodge near Strawberry Reservoir

This past weekend we drove to Twin Falls, ID and toured the Twin Falls Temple and saw a few sites from my friend Heather's hometown. Thanks for suggesting Shoshone Falls. We loved it. Who says you have to go to New York to see Niagra falls out there when there is the Niagra of the midwest closer in Idaho. They are so beautiful. Then on Friday we headed up to our ward camp out we were in charge of near Mantua, UT. This campground was beautiful. Too bad the roads are a little rough or I think more people would have come maybe. We played board games, kick the can and rodeo golf. We had a nature scavenger hunt for the kids and a pinata which we had trouble with the head staying on. Cory Hicken made a delicious cobbler and of course plenty of food. Thanks to all the families who came and supported us. We appreciated you coming. We hope it was fun for your families. We hurried home to unpack and pack again. My brother Sean and his wife watched our girls for the night. It's our anniversary weekend so we stayed at a cute lodge past Heber City. We had never been on that side of Heber nor had we even seen Strawberry reservoir before. We really felt like we had left Utah and were staying somewhere in Wyoming. It is very gorgeous!!! I think next year we will try camping at the Lodgepole campground there and get our brother in law to go boating at the Reservoir. Now it is time to start getting ready for the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Am I ready for this?