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.

The Wrestling Machine

William has been wrestling these last few weeks. In the beginning he got pummeled, thrown, body slammed, ate mat, and literal sat on, and that was all in his first match. Horrible event to watch as a mother. But! He practiced, played, and gave animal names to wrestling moves, and suddenly he transformed into a great wrestling machine. These are pictures from his final match on Friday. He won the first match, but lost the last two. Although he lost, he held his own, earned points, and showed those other wrestlers you can't keep a good shark down (if lost on this reference just check-out those Valentine's boxes below). My Mr. Will Buddy!

Reflections!

Ellie won the Ribbon of Excellence in the area of drama for this year's reflections contest, "Beauty is..." It is too bad that my technology skills are still developing because I would love to post her great video. She wrote a play, and then enlisted two of her friends to act. It was a story about a poor girl, who still cared for those "girls" even though they teased her. She entitled her play "Inner Beauty." I am so proud, and from her smile, it is evident that she is too.

Big Snow Ball

This is the big snow ball Ellie (with some help from William and Harper...in the beginning) was determined to make. In the end she had to recruit her dad's muscles for the final push. This occured Valentine's weekend. An ode for those who love the snow...Ryan, Ellie, William and Harper, not to name any names though.

Spring Ahead!

The "time" might have changed today, which was the only thing that changed, because this morning the weather still declared it is winter! Only a couple new inches of snow. William had a great wrestling night on Friday (pictures to appear soon...I'll just blame it on losing an hour this weekend). Happy Spring!