Ikenswa St. Park

So, as you can tell we are having a really hard time saying Good-Bye to summer. We decided to take one more trip to Mayfield lake to try for some of these allusive Salmon. we loaded up the camper and the kiddos and left for and weekend, and a bit. We let the kids take a day off of school. It was BEAUTIFUL! The leaves are just starting to turn, and I bet the even now a week later it is more colorful there. This is where Jeff wants to spend our Anniversary- surprise, surprise. I am game if it is not cold. We drove past this waterfall coming out of the mountain and of corse the kids wanted to touch it. "How is it Em?" says Mom. "It's wet," says Em. Hum what a surprise.

Two yucky fish we caught. Lilly couldn't get enough. Why do kids always want to touch the fish- eyeballs, teeth, tongue. It is a mystery to me. YUCK! One of my kids will surely be a scientist or biologist right, after allowing so much exploration, that's what their father says anyway. We had a great time.

Emery's Baptism

Emery along with being eight ,also chose to be baptized. Em has been really excited for this to happen for some time now. It is so amazing to see your kids go from little babies who you cannot imagine what they will think, how they will act, or what they will even look like. Now we can't believe how much personality Emery has, what a sweet spirit she has, and what a beautiful girl she has become. My sis-in-law made this georgeous dress for her. It suits her personality so well, so simple yet sweet. I am so dumb and did not get a pic of her by her self in the dress. DUH MOM Pete, Leah and kiddos came for the event. The cousins had such a great time- mostly before and after the baptism. Can you tell by this pic how thrilled they are?

My Mom and Dad came up from UT. for the event. Wow! Long drive just for a weekend stay. They are so awesome!

Great Grandma and Grandpa along with Ken and Julie also came to support Emery. We have such a wonderful supportive family. Julie spoke at the baptism on the Holy Ghost and she is such a wonderful job. She amazes me.

Emery got her own set of scriptures and is so excited to be doing activity days with the other girls in the ward. How fun!

Happy 8th Birthday Em!

This month is such a special one, it's Birthday time for you! We'd really like to celebrate this happy day with you. Anyone singing? Emery for her 8th b-day got her ears pierced! She is showing them off. She loves dogs so- no she did not get one, but she got a dog cake! (Almost as good... Right?) Had a party with 10 girls. The girls made their own pizza's and then they all did pedicures-kind of. Still a bit too young to handle fingernail polish by themselves so they partnered up. It was o.k. All is well that ends well. Opened gifts.

I noticed that Emery is quite polite. She said Thank you to all of her friends, treated everyone as her best friend, gave great hugs, and was so genuine. It is so awesome to see the good things in your kids. She is a great kid. Love you Em!

"Big Nasty" Hill climb. ID. My lil' bro. and I. Ryan did do well at this climb, we were so glad to be a part of it. It was so neat to see him ride. Ryan on the winners stand. Way to go!

Lilly enjoying some water melon about three times her size.

Lilly bug and Shaylee bug enjoying some fun times. My mom got them matching outfits, different colors- too cute.

O.k. so I rode the bull. Lil' bro. dragged me ever and signed me up. It was fun and really embarrassing. I flew off the front over the horns. I am such a dork.

Lil' bro. getting ready to go up the hill. He is so focused. I certainly don't have the guts!

This year we went to Kennecott Copper Mine while in Ut. If you get the chance take the time to check it out. The kids thought it was so cool. It was educational and totally intriguing. This is one bit tire. The trucks that haul the rock are as big as our house. Hanging out! I only got one day with my best girlfriends while in Ut. The kids had a good time while the Mom's talked it up. Hiking Mt. Rainer "Silver Falls" with 7 kids. What an experience. It was quite beautiful and the kids did better than I anticipated for more than a three mile hike. I need to do way more of this next summer. Pretty

Summer continued

4th of July! FUN! FUN! FUN! watching fireworks, along with swimming, and a B-BQ, what could be better. Anual Trip to Ut. see above slide show. We had a blast! (as usual) Playing with cousins. Sam, savannah, and Wyatt came up to WA. for visit and came to Yakima and stayed the night. Maon and Wyatt had a goo time being boys. All the group went fishing the next day and I think everyone caught a fish or two.

Goodbye to Summer

Well, it is sad to see it go, but alas... all good things must come to an end. Here is a very brief view of what the Yakima Smith's did for fun this summer. I also have to add that I promise to be a better blogger now that it is cold outside and I don't love it.

First trip of the summer:

Lake Riffe,

These kids are getting way too big. Where does time go?

Mom's 31st. B-day Whoa! that's old.

Lilly's 2nd B-day.

Beach Trip Long Beach, Wa.

Love those toes!

Hello everyone! It has been so long. I really can't believe that summer has gone by so fast. We had a wonderful summer, and now I am really going to try hard to catch up on my blog (among other things). I added a recent pic- slideshow of the trips we went on over the past couple of months. More to come on that hope everyone had a wonderful summer. Fall is upon us!

Memorial Day fun

SMITH FAMILY REUNION TIME! What a wonderful weekend we had with our growing Smith side. We were blessed to have wonderful weather- no rain the whole time. (in West WA. not usual). Thanks Mom, Julie, for wonderful planning all around. You are AMAZING! We love you! Little girls on the swings.

How many kids can you fit on a teeter totter?... All fun and games until someone pokes an eye out.

Riding horses. Mason was sporting this smile the whole trip. I think that he didn't quite get his fill of the two other token boy cousins.

Lacey was in heaven riding her favorite animal. I still get the question "Mom, when can I have a horse?" weekly. My answer always the same, "when you get big and move out." (What a mean Mom) Slip-N- slide.

Lilly stuck on the pool edge. Love it!!!

The guys!

12 grand kids

Little boys and their toys.

Big boys and their little toys. What a character.

S'mores anyone? All of the kids had a fantastic setting fire to marshmallows as well as eating a whole bag.

We had such a great time!~ Can't wait to get everyone together again.

Naughty! Naughty! Naughty!

Lilly is officially into everything. As she is approaching TWO she is keeping everyone on their toes. She loves makeup right now. What a stinker. This is eyeliner from MAC it comes in a pot. It goes on wet and then dries like paint. Not easy to get off the face impossible to get out of a brand new shirt. Lacey's makeup is a bit easier to get off.