Christmas Tree Lane

Last week was Christmas Tree Lane, and Harper was part of the entertainment. Well, it wasn't a solo, but it was great. She didn't miss a shuffle nor a ball change. I was so proud...she nailed it, which is something that I never seemed to do. So here is a little picture of her back stage; she is still sporting that "I did awesome" glow! She danced to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which is why she is wearing antlers. It's not a look I normally encourage, but she's so cute she even makes antlers look good.

Merry Christmas!

We started our season by celebrating in Disneyland. I know that they say Disneyland is the Magical Kingdom, but in Christmas...it was extra magical, extra special, just extra! We were able to see an amazing light display on the "It's a Small World" building. It even snowed on cue, which didn't impress my kids too much...guess it's just a reminder of what they really want--snow, and more than a few flurries, so they can go skiing. Getting back to Disneyland wonder...the castle was fantastic! I had no idea that Christmas lights could be that pretty. Also, the garland, garland, garland that was EVERYWHERE! If you ever need wreath or garland ideas, go to Disneyland. Plus, the gardeners at Disneyland had planted poinsettia in the ground. I have never witnessed such a wonder...poinsettia growing directly from the dirt, in flowerbeds. Gardening in California does give you many more planting options?!

The trip was fantastic for almost everyone; Ryan had a case of food poisoning, so it wasn't quite the magic he was anticipating. But to top our whole trip, Gary Sinse read the Christmas Story while choirs from the area sang Christmas Hymns. It was the perfect last night in Disneyland for 2011. Merry Christmas!

Thankful!

Since, this week is Thanksgiving I would like to say that I am most thankful for my family! I have three great kids and a wonderful husband. Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's the Link

Sorry! I hit publish without the link! Let's cross our fingers and hope that everything works.

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Ellie's Survey

Ellie has to do a survey for science class, and she needs 30 people to take this by October 30th. She has created a survey online using surveymonkey (it is sad when your 11 year old knows how to do things on the computer that make you go, huh?!)

The Play's the Thing! (...especially for Ellie)

This summer that was Ellie's theme. She enjoyed Shakespeare Camp (with a special thank you to our Cedar City family!) and even had the chance to talk through a wall (if you question that statement just think Midsummer's Night Dream). Then she had a "play" birthday party, and then was able to participate in the Missoula Montana Play of Pinocchio. She was cast as Candlewick. "Yo, Pinocchio!"

Harper even got in on some of the play action. She was cast as a Baby Doll in Pinocchio. Unfortunately that has been her nick-name at school this year. However, I think it is cute. I love the cute little yellow dress, and pink cheeks! Next year, Will might even join in (I am not joking!)

Another Summer Birthday

For Ellie's Birthday she wanted to put on a play. So she wrote a play, cast her friends (including little brother, and his friend), and put together her directorial debut. It was quite windy, so our curtains had to be weighted down, and other than that the play went off without a hitch. The parents and siblings of her friends attended the show, with some refreshments to follow. It was a great Birthday!

Summer Birthdays

Harper wanted a Fancy Nancy party this year. It was lots of fun, especially the part where we only invited a few friends! Check out the cute pics of Harper getting "Fancisified." The girls even ate their fancy lunch with their pinkies up. When Harper opened her presents the girls played, "Heavy, heavy hang over..." I had completely forgot about that little saying!

4th of July

I just had to share some pictures from the 4th of July. This is one of my favorite holidays, especially because I live in Richfield. Our small town really knows how to celebrate patriotically. It was extra special this year because our cousins, Bryson and Paisley moved to "our neck of the woods." Their dad is deployed right now with the 222nd. It was hard not to be choked-up during the city's tribute to those men serving. We finished the day by partying at the Taylor's. And, after the city put on a firework spectacle (with some questionable music from the local radio station for accompaniment), Grandpa Taylor put together some of his own firework magic. Of course, the boys ran around them, looking like a bunch of lost boys and Indians from Peter Pan. What a day!

ps. I am still figure out how to get these photos to group together. Also, I should probably mention that the picture of Will in his Scout uniform, is from the kids parade which is held, usually on the third. However, since the third was on a Sunday this year, the kids parade was on Saturday the 2nd. The kids all ride their bikes down main street, and end with a Popsicle in the City Park.

Catching Up

It is sad that blogging keeps such accurate dates. Surely, it hasn't been a whole year since I posted something...right? But computers cannot fudge dates, like my memory can. Well, I will have to post a few pictures, to give a quick synopsis of our year, so far.

Above is Easter 2011. Why is it such work to get a decent photo? In May we went to Disneyland with the whole Smith Family. It was so much fun for the kids to run around with their cousins. Did I mention that Ryan was one of the "kids?" The nieces and nephews said Ryan could come along, and be the adult supervision...really?

...A Long Time

I was just catching up on Jer's Blog, and she so innocently has a list of family blogs (just a note on the right side), and there in italics it says "Tami Smith...9 months ago" meaning the last time I posted something here. It of course has to be a mistake! Nine months! Really? I guess time can fly, thank goodness we have blogs and techno savvy relatives that keep it all straight.