Mother's Day

I had a really wonderful Mother's Day this year although it probably sounds a little sad after reading this but I really do love this special day. It started out with breakfast in bed, which I love. The kids and Cody made me french toast and they took care of everything all day long. They are so good to me and I wonder what I did to deserve them. I'm also surrounded by such wonderful women and mothers and I'm very blessed to be a mom to some pretty wonderful kids. What a great day and I usually really try to focus on the terrific women and mothers in my life and as me as the mom, but I had a pretty hard time this year with missing my mom. I think of her every day but some days it hurts a little more. I have some pretty great friends who were there during church and I appreciate them being there with their arms open. There are just times in life when you need a mom and I miss that. I've learned to live with it, but it'll never get better. I'm very blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life who take such good care of us. I know Heavenly Father watches out for me through others and I know there are people in my life who help to fill this void. My mom was such an incredible mom and I wonder what my life would be like with her still here. I've learned not to dwell on these things because it makes me crazy but sometimes I can't help but wonder. I'm so blessed to have had her for my mom! What an example and what a sweet, caring and loving person she was to everyone. I hope that I can be like her "when I grow up." :) Thanks, mom! I love you!

Grandpa Smart

My Grandpa Smart passed away in May. He was almost 90 years old and he had a wonderful life. I stole this cute collage and picture from my cousins because it says so much about him. My grandma has Alzheimer's and he took care of her right up until he passed away at their house. They were the sweetest couple and you never saw one without the other. My grandma is lost without him and still believes he's just "away at meetings" and she's waiting for him to come back. They raised 8 wonderful children in a small, 3 bedroom house that they built together and there was so much love inside that tiny house. We all felt it growing up and we all felt special even though there were 36 of us grandchildren. We had many fun times with them bowling, which they loved, playing with our cousins at their house for family parties and eventually at the church because there were so many of us and especially at our annual Family Camp in Fairview Canyon. Those are probably the best memories for me because we had grandma and grandpa all week to ride horses with, share dinner with and eat grandma's cookies and pancakes. What fun memories for me as both a child and as an adult....they were a big part of my life and to have them for so long was a blessing for not only me, but for my kids as we spent time with them. He only seemed to age the last couple of years and I'll always be grateful for the example he was for me and for the testimony that he shared with all of us. I was able to fly home for his funeral and 34 of our 36 cousins were there as well as many of their children which says a lot about him and my grandma. What a wonderful life and a wonderful legacy he left for all of us! I love you, Grandpa!

Elmer B. Smart
Elmer B. Smart "A True Gentleman" Elmer B. Smart, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away at his home May 11, 2009 after overseeing the planting of his vegetable garden; his last labor of love for his family.Born November 24, 1919 in Union, Utah to Franklin Arley and Harriett Flowers Smart. He grew up on the family farm where he learned the principle of hard work and his love for the creations of his Heavenly Father. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1937. He served an LDS mission to the Eastern States, and later with his wife in the Riverside, California mission. He married his childhood sweetheart Marian Holt on June 16, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. He served faithfully in the LDS church his entire life. He held many callings including Bishop. He especially enjoyed 15 wonderful years serving with his wife as ordinance workers at the Jordan River Temple. He loved farming, gardening and was an expert horseman, riding his horses well into his 80's. He enjoyed bowling in his later years and was adored as the permanent substitute on an all-women's bowling league. We will truly miss his kind disposition and his thoughtful words of wisdom. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years; his eight children and spouses, Phil (Debbie), Glen (Carol), Neil (Shawna), Gloria (Steve) Allen, Ray (Sherri), Eileen (Mikel) Christensen, David (Brenda), Susan (Mike) Whittenburg; 38 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, one great- great-granddaughter. Preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Frank, Ralph and Irvin Smart; his sisters, Ethel Simmons, and Martha Sheppick; daughter-in-law, Janis Smart; and grandson, Glen Weston Smart. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12 Noon, at the Sandy Utah Midvalley Stake Center, 1106 East 8055 South, Sandy. Friends may call at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State, Midvale from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 or Friday at the Church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment at Larkin's Sunset Gardens. The family would like to thank all those who have helped with the tender care of our dear father and mother.

Closing Day - Softball 2009

They had such a fun closing day for softball. They ended the way they began, with a lot of fun blow-up waterslides and games and entertainment. Bailey's team actually took 1st in their division, which was awesome. They had the best little pitcher who trained with a pitching coach and was absolutely amazing. She had a few no-hitters and at 10 years old, she has a very bright future. She loved her team, her coaches were great and it was so fun to have Danielle on her team as well. She had quite a few good hits and walked quite a bit because the pitcher had a hard time finding her strike zone (go figure) :) We all had a great time and what a way to end the season.

Brittany had such a cute team. They combined the 11-14 year olds because they didn't have enough girls so there was a huge range for the girls. She was one of the youngest and smallest but was able to hold her own. Her team did great and they all got along wonderfully and they didn't win a game all season. :) I take that back, one night the team they were supposed to play didn't show up so they played the parents and they did win that game. :) It was really great to watch them all progress though and they improved so much from their first game to their last and they almost beat the best team in their division which was a really fun game. Winning or losing, they both had a great time and that's what was important. Brit had a team party and they gave out their statistics...she had 23walks (same goes for her with the strike zone), she scored 17 times and got 7 hits that put her on base. The parents called her "wheels" because she was so fast and could steal so quickly. She was 1st on her team for walks and 2nd for scores so that was great! It'll be fun to see how she does in her own age division next year.

Carson took such good care of Avery that I had to include these pictures....I love what cute little friends these two are and how loving and caring he is with her. We had fun from start to finish and I really appreciate the people who take so much time out of their lives to help these kids learn and play the game. We were really lucky to have the coaches that we did and they really made it fun for all the girls! I'm already looking forward to next year!!

Softball 2009

The girl's both had really wonderful coaches who helped them have a wonderful season with softball this year! We're so glad we were able to get them back into it and watch them progress and improve every game. We spent a lot of time at the softball park but I loved every minute! I think Carson and Avery did too...you can't believe how many times I told them to get off the bars, but you can see how effective that was. I think we made a lot of people nervous, but we made it! No more teeth knocked out, very few bumps and bruises and no one fell off backwards, which was my fear. I hope next year they forget the bars and will sit on their cute little chairs that we brought to every single game and I ended up sitting in....I can hope right?

Opening Day of Softball

We were so excited to get Brittany & Bailey back into softball this year. We played in Utah before we moved and they absolutely loved it....and so did we!! I love everything about it; the cute uniforms, sitting with the other parents and getting to know them and their daughters, nachos, popcorn, cotton candy, sunflower seeds...(hmmm, I wonder why I gained weight during the season) :) watching them get better and better with every game and start to play as a team even though they started out as strangers.

They both had really wonderful coaches and they learned so much from them right from the start. Bailey was on the same team with Danielle Mattsson so that was really fun for them and for us. Opening day was so fun because they had the big blow-up slides and activities for the kids so we stayed at the softball field for most the day. Bailey had 1 game and Brittany had 2 games so we just kicked back, hung out and enjoyed being out in the sun watching our cute girls play a really fun game.

(If someone can help me to make these collages bigger, let me know)

Pinewood Derby....Girl Style

Isn't this the cutest car? Okay, so it was our first experience making a pinewood derby car and I have to say that I think our car was the cutest.....was it the fastest? No, but it IS pretty cute. :) The Activity Day girls had the opportunity to participate in the Pinewood Derby at the Date Festival this year. The girls wanted to give it a try and Cody, being the good dad that he is, decided to give it a try too. He never did the Pinewood Derby as a kid so we didn't know there was so much to do and so much to learn. I guess you can't just buy a kit and throw it together the day before the race and tape quarters underneath for weight and expect it to go. Note to self....remember that for next year! But did I mention that it was really cute? Anyway, the girls came in last but the cutest thing was that Brit called me and was really excited and said, "Mom, guess what place we came in?" and I, thinking maybe their 1 day of hard work paid off, got a little excited and asked, "What place?" and she said, "dead last." and just started laughing. It was fun to see that they really had a good time and it was all about spending time with Cody and doing the project together and cheering on the other girls! One of the girls from their group won the whole thing and they were competing against the boys....Girl Power! It was a good experience and they have such a great dad....you really are their hero! Thanks for building such a cute car! :)
This is our car.....

I guess they were supposed to race this close.....who knew?

It was so fun to watch them and they did put a lot of time into sanding it and painting it! Good job guys! It looked great! We'll get 'em next year!

Avery's 2nd Birthday!!

Avery's birthday was in January as well....it was Christmas all over again at our house. :) She was so cute and loved everything about it! She loved the gifts but didn't go crazy or anything. She got some dress-up shoes and absolutely loved them and she's really into anything she can carry, wear or take care of. She is a total girl and I'm loving this stage that she's in. She's not at a "terrible 2" stage and she's really funny, smiles all the time and is a joy to be around. We all talk about how we're so glad she chose our family. We're so blessed and like Carson, she was a special surprise. We weren't sure a 4th child was in the plan, but here she is. It's amazing how things turn out the way they do and how the timing is always right!

Avery, we love you so much! The kids still run up the stairs when they know you're awake in the morning and they love to give you kisses before you go to bed. You're so very loved and a light in our lives. You're such a good girl...I keep waiting for things to get hard and so far, so good...(knock on wood). We've always called you "stealth baby" (thanks, Alysa) because of how quietly you go about your business. You've always been so active and you never stop moving, but you're not getting into things....you're just very busy. Sometimes a nap would be nice, but I'll take you as you are. You're a sweet girl and we love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Avery loved her cake and I just have to say "thanks" to the girl at Target because she put it together in under an hour. Another mother-of-the-year moment, going to Target the day of her birthday, I was actually just going to get a boxed cake and went over just to see what the bakery had and the girl was so cute and said she would do anything for me if she had it. What a sweetheart. I love people that actually go out of their way to help....it's hard to find.

Carson's 5th Birthday!!

Carson's 5th birthday was January 14th....better late than never, right? He had a Spiderman birthday this year and absolutely loved his cake! All he wanted were spidey masks....such an easy going kid. He actually got sick on his birthday so we had a family party the next day. He is such a fun kid and our family wouldn't be the same without him. He makes us laugh every day and he's always been my sweet boy and Cody's buddy. He hangs out with me and then runs to the door when Cody gets home and I love that. He is very good to his sisters, especially Avery. He watches out for her and always has. I hope it stays that way as they're growing up because their relationship is so cute and sweet.

I don't know where the last 5 years have gone, but Carson, you've been a blessing to our family from the very beginning. You were a very sweet surprise and we love that we have a darling little boy in our lives. You add so much fun, laughter, activity, happiness and love to our lives! I love the things that you say and how you say them. I love your cute little toothless smile and I love that you're all boy (hence the toothless smile)! I love that you sit next to me to read books and hold my hand as you snuggle up to me. I love that you love your sisters, even though you can push their buttons like no one else. :) We love you so much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Birthday Boy!

Avery was totally into the birthday thing...can you tell?

This was the hit of the night....we had a major spy shooter shoot-out for Carson's birthday! We were all laughing so hard as we pelted each other with nerf discs. It was a great way to end the day!

Love those kids!

District Spelling Bee 2009

Bailey went to the District Spelling Bee and did very well! They have 4th grade to 8th grade students there so she was pretty nervous. She was one of the youngest kids there but she held her own! She made it to the 7th round, which is wonderful and she did her very best! We are so proud of her and hope she'll give it another shot next year!

We took a chance to get a little extra studying in by taking her out of school early and spending the afternoon at Red Robin to study over lunch! It was fun mom & daughter time and I love taking advantage of moments like these. Even though she was a little disappointed, I hope she always remembers that we love her no matter what!

When we got home, Brittany went upstairs and got her trophy and name badge from last year and of course Avery had to get in on the action. It was a fun night and we're proud of our kids!

2009 Spelling Bee!!

Bailey was chosen to participate in the school Spelling Bee this year! Well, she did really well and ended up winning the Spelling Bee! It was such a fun day and it was also fun because Brittany had won the spelling bee the year before so it stayed in the family. :)

My Little Smarty-Pants

Just one of the boys.... :)

We're so proud of her and we love her so much!

More Winter Pics...

We had such a wonderful time in Utah, I had to include these pictures! I love the pictures of the kids in their warm, puffy jackets and hats. I love that we got to spend so much time with our family and we appreciate this time more and more with each visit because we know we have to pack a lot of memories in while we're there. The kids loved riding the snowmobiles around the pasture at Grandpa's house. We spent New Year's at Jessica & Joe's house in Erda and it was so fun. Carson fell asleep before midnight but the kids went and got him so he didn't miss lighting fireworks and sparklers to bring in the New Year. Everyone sat outside in the cold until every last sparkler was lit. We saw our sweet friends, spent a lot of quality time with grandmas & grandpas, brothers & sisters, cousins, etc....the kids will never forget our crazy but wonderful trip and neither will we.

Happy Birthday, Cody!

I feel like Cody kind of got the shaft this year. We didn't do much for each other for Christmas and he kept insisting that I not get him anything for his birthday either. His birthday is the 26th. We had a few expenses right before Christmas so we decided that we'd go easy this year. Well, I always try really hard to make his birthday very separate from Christmas because a birthday the day after Christmas is not very fun. This year, I really didn't do much and I'm going to have to make up for that for Father's Day or something. He has wanted Rosetta Stone for a while, so that's what me and the kids gave him. When he learns to speak Spanish, he said that will be his gift to me. (that's an inside joke, which some of you will understand) :) Happy Birthday, Cody! We love you so much!

Avery loved the cake! Thanks Grandma Debbie

It snowed quite a bit on Cody's birthday and the kids all stood and watched Grandpa snowblow outside. The snow was beautiful and it was so fun to see the kids so excited....our California kids aren't used to a white Christmas! So glad we made the trip!

More Christmas....in May!

I wanted to finish up Christmas so I could move on with 2009. Here is our Family Christmas party in California before we went to Utah. We had such a great time with Grandma Vera and Jack, Bryce & Lisa & kids, Polly and Sierra and we don't know what we'd do without them down here. My favorite picture is Avery in her winter boots eating an Otter Pop.....that's kind of how we roll.

Christmas....finally

Well, it's April so I figured, why not do a Christmas post? :) I know, many have probably given up on us and I don't blame you. It's been a wild few months, but I'm determined to keep this family journal going so I can get that fun book all printed up and put on my shelf for my family. It's going to take time to catch up and to check in on all of you, but here we go....

The pictures are all mixed up...but if I start over now, I probably won't get back to it. Here are some fun pictures of Christmas in Utah. Our trip was quite eventful....I stayed up all night working on our accounting for the company because we had an appt with our CPA in Utah and getting things finished up and filed for work but figured I could sleep all the way to Utah so no problem. I went to bed at 6:00 and got back up at 7:30 and started packing us up and kept working as I did so but knowing that once we got on the road, I could relax. Well, Cody was getting us loaded and was working on getting us a cargo carrier and came home and his face was just chalk white. He said he didn't feel good and went upstairs to laid down for a second and then threw up. He had this horrible flu that had been going around and it was absolutely perfect timing. So, I promptly took the energy drink out of the fridge that I had gotten for him and put it in the cupholder in the car and we headed out....about 4 hours later than we had planned. We decided to go the back way to take off some time since we were already late and of course, I was driving and drinking my energy drink. Well, Cody told me to watch out for a couple of landmarks as we went through the beautiful scenic route of Yucca Valley and told me the towns to watch for. Yeah, I missed one of them and when Cody woke up, he asked where we were and we were almost to Sussex?? I was just driving along and he had forgotten to mention how tiny the sign was that I was watching for. Yeah, missed it! We drove about 45 min to an hour out of our way so we headed back and finally caught back up to the right road and kept going.

Well, we got to Primm and I bought another energy drink and started on that. We were going straight through so I figured I'd need a little somethin', somethin'. We stopped in Mesquite because Avery was starting to freak out and stand up in her carseat. We got her out for a minute and took a little break and then forced her back in her carseat while she was screaming and went on our merry way. It was raining pretty hard but I was wide awake and ready to go. We got just outside of Cedar City and Avery had been crying in some form or another since Mesquite and Cody had been miserable all day as he struggled to get comfortable with a fever and aches and that wasn't happening and as we drove into snow, cars were sliding off the road and we were down to around 30 mph, Cody says, "let's just stop." I look at him with my big, wide artificially energized eyes and said, "I'm good to keep going, let's keep going" and Cody looks at everyone else and they all kind of nod and he says, "let's stop." Our poor cousin, Brock was with us and had been sitting by Avery all this time and I don't know how loud his IPod was at this point, but he looked a little weary too. We stopped in Cedar City and got a hotel and I laid and looked at the ceiling until 4:30 in the morning because I was prepared to drive straight through with my energy drinks.

We got up the next morning at 7:00 and got ready to go and headed out again. I drove for a while until Cody thought he could finally take over when we were 2 hours from home. After 4 hours of sleep in 2 days, I still couldn't relax but when we finally made it to my dad's house...I couldn't have been happier. It's a good thing it was worth it when we got there, which of course we knew it would be, but it was quite a trip! There's actually more to the story, but I won't take the time to write it down right now.....let's just say HO, HO, HO. :)

My niece made these antlers....aren't they funny?

Grandpa and Grandma took such good care of us. This is Christmas morning and we had a delicious breakfast and had such a fun day! It was great to be around family and cousins for Christmas in the snow. I am getting used to lights on palm trees, but not quite the same as a white Christmas.

She loves her babies and carried them around all morning.

Carson's new bike

This has to be my ultimate favorite picture of the holidays. You can totally tell how excited Bailey was that Brittany got a cell phone. Her expression is priceless!! "But that's not fair" was not far behind this expression, but it was so funny to look back on the camera and see this picture. Brittany was happy! :)

Christmas Morning! Carson is still yawning....

I love this picture....we had our family party on Christmas Eve this year and all of the grandkids gathered around my dad while he read about Jesus' birth from The Bible. They all sat down and listened....it was so sweet the way they looked up at him. We do this at our house too, but it's totally different coming from Grandpa.

Love this! No one had a baby this year, so we had to use the Fisher Price newborn. It did the job and I love how serious Carson was about his role.

Money! I do the same thing.... :)

We always have homemade soups with bread bowls and munchies....I love this dinner. It's perfect for the cold outside and I love my sister's Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with homemade noodles. I tried to make it once, wasn't the same.

Bailey loved this gift! It's an earring holder that my niece made for her.

Brit & Jacey are inseparable when we're in Utah. They're only a few months apart and are so cute together. They got matching blankets and slippers....my kids really miss their cousins.

Avery had a really fun Christmas. I love the fact that she just loves whatever she gets and even if we wrapped up her sippy cup, she would love it and carry it around. She got the hang of unwrapping and loved everything she got.

These are Carson's buddies....cousins Braden and Ty. He can't get enough of either one of them and they are so cute together.

Avery has never been in the snow so this was a whole new thing for her. We had Carson's old coat and we bundled her up and she loved it!

Grandpa Phil & Grandma Debbie give all of the grandkids pajamas and it was so fun to be together this year. I love this picture. They take one every year and I'm so glad we got to be in it. We missed Jerry & Kim, Taylor & Hayden so it's missing 2 of the kids, but what a cute group of kids!