A dream that you wish--and FORCE me to do--just may actually come true

Gavin is still riding high from his spectacular #1 Smith finish from the Fun Run at school. Ever since then he has been talking about running in the 4th of July Race that his cousin, Bronx ran in a few years ago. The last couple of weeks his requests have turned into anxious reminders and mini quilt trips. "Mom, PLEASE can I run? It's my D R E A M! I really want to. I don't need a trophy--I'll just tell them NO THANKS--I just really want to run in it!"

I promised him I would start training with him. Funny how things are so much simpler in the planning stages. I have been able weasel my way out of going the last couple of days, but today he wasn't taking "I'm too tired and it's like 100 degrees outside!" for an answer.

After walking down to the high school track, I tried to give him a few helpful hints to becoming a great runner, you know, breathing, posture, pacing yourself--that sort of thing. WHATEVER sums up the response I was getting, so I let him learn for himself! "No we are not stopping after 200 meters! Keep running! Run to the water bottle at the starting line!" Every time he would make it back to our waiting water bottle he would need to stop for a second to catch his breath and just chat for a few seconds--anything to postpone the inevitable!

We were both dead coming around the last 200 meters, but I told him we were going to sprint the last 100 meters to the end. Flash backs of track races came flooding back--that same dead leg feeling that is unmistakable. The thought that you may just be peeing your pants and not have any control over it... The metal taste in my mouth. I hated track--but loved it at the same time.

Gavin couldn't help himself when he crossed the finish line just before me (like I didn't LET him!) "I..pant pant...came in first....pant pant...you...pant pant...came in second..." Little stinker. So I said, "Do you want to keep running? We can run another mile! :)" The look on his face said it all, but he summoned up his courage and said "Sure, just let me...pop my knees." I wish I had video of the actual attempt to "pop" his knees!

Slightly athletically challenged but the BEST running partner I could ever ask for--and he kept me laughing and entertained with his "I had chili for lunch" serenade every other step around the track....HILARIOUS! Love this kid.

Fathers Day 2010

To the 3 Fathers in my life:

My own Father: Sure Love you, Dad! I am so lucky to have had such an AMAZING person for a father. I think of you every day and find myself trying to parent the way you & Mom did for us. You are the best. Happy Fathers Day!

My amazing Father-in-law: Mike, thank you for raising a great son. Thank you for all you have done for our family. Thank you for being a great friend to both Brent & Gavin. We will never forget your love, generosity and support when we needed it the most. You are loved!

Finally, My own amazing husband & father to my kids: I am so blessed to have married an amazing man who is also an AMAZING DAD! Brent, thank you for always making the kids the best pancakes ever, singing them songs every night, making me go on walks as a family when I would rather stay home by myself, making life EXCITING, wanting to do what is right, taking the time to actually PLAY with all the kids individually, always putting your family before anything else, and singing at the top of your lungs! I love you!

Recap of our Fathers Day:


Brents favorite breakfast: Grits, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, slightly burnt toast & a Mt. Dew!

Next, GIFTS! Cards from the kids, a new frisbee, the traditional Hand Print T-shirt &...drum roll....A NEW PHONE! No more KSL second hand specials!!
This year we skipped the feet prints and did lots of hand prints on the front, then we did this on the back. Jenna likes to SCREAM it!

Finally, A big family dinner with Grandpa Smith (Grandma was out of town) Joseph (Olivia is still in AZ packing) and Tiffy & Amber. Prime Rib, mashed patatoes & gravy, a yummy salad, fresh fruit and Grandpa Smiths favorite cake in the world. GREAT DAY!Grandpa Smith with his cake!

Happy Father's Day!

If you build it, they will come.

Latest addition to the "Summer of Fun!" Couple of phone calls, everyone bringing something to share, and we had a day to remember!

Before I post more pics, I have to post this pic of me. You see, the BBQ has been giving me some problems lately. The clicker is not igniting--or something techy like that, anywho, Brent told me a little trick that helps him--he said to try letting the gas run for a second or two before you click the clicky thing and it will ignite...are you following? I tried this and it didn't work. So, I thought I would try it again and this time let the gas run 30 seconds or so--all 3 burners this time. It was time to try the clicky thing and as I went to push it I also had the thought that the gas may not be on because I couldn't hear it. Somehow things didn't get communicated to each other up there in my brain and so as I was pushing the clicky thing I was also bending my ear down to the burner to see if I could hear the gas running.....can you say---WA-BOOOOSH! I guess that trick really does work. I like this ugly picture I took of myself--check out the CRAZED look in my eyes--I think I was still in shock! Can you see all the singed hair? Can you just SMELL it??? p.s. Is my hair really this orange? And do I really have jowles?

Ok, if you don't like pics--skip to the end. These are for you Grandma & Grandpa!

The Spread

Julia & HeatherIssac when his mom left to go up & get some food...I was tending & had to get a picture before I consoled him--I'm such a mean aunt!

Beaner--just enjoying

Paige & Kiera

Jenna & Paige

Liz holding Mercedes & Mary

Naomi & Issac

Aaron & Jenna

Megan, Kesley & Kiera

Naomi, Kesley & Megan

Max

Summer = FUN!

Had to start with this hysterical picture of Kesley. This lady is one of the prettiest people on the planet, but she seems to have inherited my RIDICULOUSLY UN PHOTOGENIC gene. I cannot take a good picture even if I try. It's very sad, especially when the Smith side has a "never can take a bad picture even if I try" gene. Seriously, the entire family always looks perfect in every shot. All I can say is, learn to laugh at yourself early, Kesley! We needed something to do today. We decided on a movie and called to see if Heather & Megan wanted to come along. Melissa & Rachel were already there playing, so I left Jenna with the little girls and took all the big kids for a Big kids day out!

We crammed pizza down our throats and made it to the theatre just in the nick of time. I love listening to kids laugh their guts out in a movie--I wish I could take a picture of that.

After the movie we hit up the creamery for some ICE CREAM CONES!--and once again Kesley manages to, well...After ice-cream cones we walked down to our other summer home--the BYU waterfall.

Today was awesome. A spontaneous cousin swap turned into a Day O fun!

Summerfest 2010

Summer officially starts with the Summerfest firework show. I could'nt care less about the stupid carnival or the L A M E parade, but I do not miss the firework show. I love the years when it's been warm summer night weather and all the cousins run around the baseball field with their glow sticks--it's just the BEST! These last two years of cold and rain have really been crampin my style but we still manage to have a great time and make some great memories.

This year I made the mistake of trying a new parking place. After marching some unhappy kids about a mile (but mostly hearing the whining coming from my husband...shh), me & Jenna went to stake out our spot for the firework show while Brent took Gavin & Kesley to watch the parade and try to catch some flying candy.

Me & Beans trying to keep warm...and happy staking out our spot. Easily distracted...but for how long?

The Fam Damily

The whole Clan of cousins during the finale! This year seemed a little empty without everyone there. Stop planning missions and vacations over SUMMERFEST people!!
Thanks for all the great traditions Mom & Dad! We sure missed you guys this year!

Can you handle it?

Computer problems have kept me from updating for a few days, but if things keep going the way they are going I will never catch up! Hang on tight--or just scan the pics!

Girls weekend in Vegas! What was going to be me and Kesley driving to Vegas for a weekend with Bonnie, turned into me and Aunt Amber FLYING to Vegas for a way fun weekend with Bonnie & John. Sorry Kesley, but flying and mom getting some adult time will definetly improve your quality of life--promise.

Because food is such a big part of life--and Vegas, we had to start things off right with the Bellagio Buffet. Can you say, "I think I am going to POP!" Then we went to see the Cirque show "O", which was AWESOME--we were so close we could see the shiny skin wrinkles on the black fan dancer performing in front of us. What would it be like to have ZERO body fat???

Me, Amber & Bonnie watching the Bellagio Water Show

Amber & Bonnie trying on $150 Cirque masks...which they decided not to buy! :)We layed out at the pool, went shopping and I was introduced to a Smith favorite--Gillmore Girls! It was a fun, much needed weekend!

Slip-N-Slide...or not! After being refreshed from my lovely weekend, I decided to try to be a fun summer mom. We went and bought two slip & slides and put them together down our back hill. I thought the kids weren't really slippin fast enough, so I tried sprinkling the slide with vegetable oil....didn't really have the effect I was looking for and the kids kinda smelled like french fries the rest of the day.

FHE in style. We spent Monday evening up South Fork. Grandpa Smith came with Tiffy & Maddy, Amber came with LOTS-O-FOOD & we had a beautiful evening. I don't have any pictures of this except one I stole from Ambers FB page which happens to be me & Beaner in the river--I also happen to be wearing my new favorite dress I got in VEGAS last weekend.

HIKING or WHINING? Tuesday I attempted something I knew would be iffy. I took my kids on a hike to Stewart Falls with Aunt Tiffy & cousin Maddy. We also had Jamison with us because Liz was still at the hospital with Ashton.

Tiffy, Maddy, Gavin, Kesley, Jenna & James

Me & my kiddos at the top.

It was two miles up & two miles back. It worked out to be about one mile uphill & one mile downhill both ways. Gavin & Kesley performed above my expectations, but for Jenna & James the hike proved to be about 3 miles too L O N G! When they were both already crying before we started the return hike, I knew we were in trouble. I sent Tiffy & Maddy on ahead with Gavin & Kesley and Me, Jenna & James took our time. We stopped and looked at bugs, named flowers and tapped on every tree...it was...fun? Both kids were working really hard on trying to be happy. At one point, Jenna stopped and said, "Mom, can we hike to Stewart Falls again next week on my birthday?" I think she was shocked when I said yes--so she quickly added, "Actually I want to have a birthday party--so can we never hike to Stewart Falls again cause I don't like it cause it's too long." I think that summed it up for both of us.