Christmas 2008

These pictures uploaded in reverse order, so we're going to go back in time. This is McKinley's masterpiece on her new easle from Grandma and Grandpa. She drew a tree with birds, flowers, the son, and clouds. It was very well narrated as she drew and the final product demanded a photograph. She loves the easle and all the dry erase markers she got from Grandpa when he was here go with it perfectly. The other side is a chalkboard, so we need to get some chalk so she can explore that medium of art.

This is Evan happily consuming the products of his "donut maker". Evan had requested a true donut maker machine since he first saw the advertisement on TV. Well that little machine is quite expensive and not nearly practical enough for the Smith family. But we had to grant this wish to Evan...so we got a book all about donuts and a deep fryer that we can create all these treats (and other more practical dishes) in.

David waited patiently for his presents. He wasn't very surprised by his gifts as he continued the family tradition of buying his own presents (things he knows he wants) and having me wrap them up. I don't get it, but he's always happy with his gifts!! This year it was a new Blackberry phone and a chin-up bar.

Austin was thrilled with his Salt Lake Real (MLS soccer team) gear. We got this jersey and a ball. He's a true fan who watched each game on the Soccer Channel...the most watch channel on our TV!! He also got a ticket to fly out to Utah and do some skiing with his dad, so he'll be on the loose for a few days in Utah in January.

Ethan should be smiling bigger in this picture after his joyous Christmas. Santa surprised the heck out of him by granting his seemingly impossible wish of an electric scooter. He was overjoyed by the gift and hasn't stopped riding it yet...except when it's out of charge!!

And the princess also got some wheels. After opening her Hello Kitty PJ's on Christmas Eve she was content, but the new pink bike from Santa put her over the top. She has thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and truly loved watching everyone open their presents.

And there is not picture of Nina...but I had a great Christmas too. I loved seeing the joy on the kids faces and bringing them gifts I knew they would love...the fun part of Christmas for any parent. My gifts...a garbage can (a stainless steel one I have been admiring for a while) and a new watch (maybe I'll know what time it is now).

Now it's on to New Years....

Christmas Cuties

Christmas Eve in Texas 2008 was fun. It was a little silly too....we did our tradition of new pj's as a present. I also added a family game and a new movie to make a full tradition. Well, I thought I got a good movie, one of those nastalgic buys...Gremlins. A cute furry movie from the 80's. Not. It is creepy, those Gremlins hatch and they are scarey, and ugly and mean!! We ended up turning that movie off. Luckily the game was a hit. It was called Doodle Dice...a little like Yatzee with pictures. We had a great time with that game. Then it was off to bed so Santa could do his magic...and awaiting Christmas morning!! More about that later...

I'm still here

I'm still here...I just can't seem to think of anything to blog about. My days are busy and I don't find myself boring, but when I think about what to blog it's nothing. This week started with Sharing Time in Primary and Monday I was able to sleep in and read an entire book in bed!! That was such a treat. Today I had work in the morning and then I picked up my dad from the airport and came home to get things in order for Christmas. I think we're all ready now, so I can enjoy tomorrow...do a little pre-Christmas dinner baking and last minute wrapping. I won't have to brave the crowds to pick up anything at the store. I have loved receiving all the Christmas cards that have come in the mail. Look for our card to be a New Years card sometime in early 2009. Merry Christmas to all!!

A cold and cold

It finally got me...the dreaded cold. And it is a double whammy...I've got a horrible, sneezy, itchy, coughy, irritable feeling head cold AND it's cold outside. I mean really cold. Well, really Texas cold I guess. It is not going to get above the freezing point at all today. Boo hoo. So for my cold I can take Sudafed and Benadryl, but what can you do about the cold outsdie? Stay home (not and option), build a fire (a great idea), and drink hot chocolate. I think I'll give it a try once I get off work today. Bundle up, stay warm...inside and out!!

Enjoying Jagg

We've had Jagg now for almost two weeks and it's been a lot of fun. The kids have enjoyed the puppy for the most part and he's learned so much. We found out after we got him that he was sick...he had caught something from the kennel he grew up in. Luckily the lady who sold him to us reimbursed us for all the vet trips and medication and was helpful and concerned about her puppy. So were we. We just felt bad for the poor guy. But he's getting better now and is learning the house rules. Turns out this dog likes to be inside. He whines when he's outside and doesn't like to be out even when the kids are out there. But we're working on that. The idea was that he'd be out when they were and in when we were, so we'll see. I think he's just liking the comforts of home. He's very attached to me (since I work with him the most) and follows me everywhere.

Evan has begun to overcome his fear of dogs. We're not sure where or when he started being very afraid of dogs, but he is/was. He's especially afraid of big dogs. He once got jumped on by a big puppy that scratched his face and I guess that was pretty scarey (it would be!!). But he's learning to be confident and strong around our dog so the dog knows who's above who on the totem pole. I don't want Evan at the bottem once this dog is bigger. So it's been a good experience so far and we're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll still be enjoying Jagg in the years to come. I'm sure we will, they bring so much love to the house.

And we've officially named him:

Sir Jagg von Weimaraner.

That's quite a regal name, don't you think!?!

It's over...for now

We're back home today from Corpus and the Western Districts. What a busy and long day yesterday was. It all started with a 5:30am wake up call and then three long hard games of soccer throughout the day. It was intense and so much fun. The second game at 11am was a successful win 3-1. The final game of the day was not so good...our guys just ran out of steam. The other team was fired up to beat the leaders and they did. They outhustled our boys and "wanted" it more. Luckily our two wins earlier had secured our place as 2nd place and a spot in the semi-finals today. We traveled home late last night and wished the team good luck. Austin doesn't play on Sundays and the coach has always been supportive of that. He does try bribery and threats of kidnapping to allow Austin to stay, but all in jest. Austin's thoughts were with his team all morning as he thought of them having to play the #1 team from the other bracket. It was going to be a really tough game for the team. But we were hopeful they would pull it off. But alas, it was not so. We lost the game 8-3 and that ended our Fall season. Very successful, 4th in Districts, but still disappointing to the boys right now. We'll celebrate another sucessful season sometime this week with a big party.

Part of me in glad that soccer is over. It's such a crazy time for us and the kids. But on the other hand the kids just love it and I'm turning into a crazy soccer mom myself. I love watching and supporting them and I'm actually in awe of their dedication and determination and stamina as I watch them practice and play. It's a proud time for this mom!! But I'll take the break..regroup...reorganize and get ready for the spring season. After all, in Texas the spring season starts practicing the end of January...so I don't have long to wait....

We to go Rangers!! Good job Austin!!

Crushed the Crush!!

Wow...we did it!! We beat the number one team in our district 3-0. We were hoping to score on them (they didn't have anyone score on them the entire season) and we got max points with our 3-0 win. The boys ALL played great and played together so well. It was a huge win for us...mentally and physically. The boys are so proud and excited. We're off to our next game at 11, against a team we have never played, so we hope to have good news to report later. We're checking out of the hotel, so you might have to wait until tonight for more news. Stay tuned.

Wish us luck...

We're off this afternoon to Corpus Christi Texas for Austin's Western Disctrict soccer tournament. His team has worked really hard and earned a spot as the #3 team for Districts. There are going to be some tough teams there...including #1 who we play at 7am tomorrow. Yes, 7am. So that means we have to be at the field at 6:20am. Wish us luck with that.

Austin has 3 games to play...7am...11am...and 3pm. That's a lot of soccer...good thing he lives for it. This is his idea of a perfect weekend I'm sure. We're excited to go and support him and we will be cheering him on. We'll return and report on Sunday....

The Aftermath

Now that Grandma and Grandpa have left I'm alone with my house. The kids are all at school and my house is still. Sad, sad. It's always hard when family leaves...there's such a void to fill. Luckily I have little Jagg here who definitely wont let me waste away. And I've got laundry, floors, bathrooms, bedding, yard work and house projects to get me through. It was a lovely visit and now it's time to get back to the grind. I think I just heard the buzzer on the 3rd load of laundry...I better go fold it!