Steve and Kalina came to visit!

Back in August, Tyler's buddy Steve and his wife Kalina came to visit us. Here are a few fun pics from our fun filled weekend! BTW, Madison totally thinks that Kalina is a princess, and referred to her as such all weekend! It all stems from seeing her on her wedding day in her pretty princess wedding dress. I think it is adorable that she thinks all brides are princesses.
Tyler and Steve doing a little cliff diving!

Madison pretending to drive the boat.

Madison with Princess Kalina

Madison dancing around at the District!

Madison in her cute dance uniform w/ Kalina. They were dancing together.

Madison and Kalina reading together while Steve watches TV intently.

We had a fun weekend with Steve and Kalina, and hope they come back someday!

Madison's grateful for...

Madison is feeling a little sick this morning, so I kept her home from pre-school. I called to let her teacher know that she would not be there this morning, and she said she would save her projects so she could do them later. She told me that she is planning to have them make a thankful tree, and that Madison made a list with her on Tuesday of things that she is thankful for. So, after I got off the phone with Miss Tammy, I asked Madison what she was thankful for, and she just started listing. I grabbed a pen and paper and started writing it all down.

This is her list:
I'm grateful for...
my family
my friends
my mom and dad
my cousins
my aunts and uncles (she proceeded to name them all)
my grandma and grandpa, and my other grandma and grandpa
school
airplanes
helicopters
bus
shows (TV)
my feet and toes
my face
my shoulders
my tummy
my hair
things that are right
pictures
plants, flowers, and palm trees
food like rice, carrots, apples, chicken, and steak
drinks like milk, juice, and water
the farm and all the animals
fishes and doggies (we go to the pet store regularly)
my Christmas tree
the doctor
my house
my toys
cups, plates
projects
dress up
car seats and buckles
letters so I can write
fingers so I can wiggle them
chairs
books
Heavenly Father, Joseph Sniff (Smith), and Jesus
refrigerator
my neck
my sick go away (trying to say, good health)
spaghetti
mac and cheese
the whole world
Disneyland
Princesses
eyes so I can see
nose so I can smell
ears so I can hear
mouth so I can talk and eat
my teeth
my body so can be healthy and strong

Then she said, "that's it!" Wow, I was so impressed with her list. She was on a role, and I didn't have to help her think up anything that she was grateful for. She came up with this whole list all on her own. Madison is so smart and funny, and I'm so grateful that I get to be her mom! She is such a great example to me. Now I need to start working on my list!

P.S. we are headed to San Diego next week for Thanksgiving with my family. I am excited! I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!!

PRO-CRAS-TI-NA-TION

I am so behind on posts, that now I am just ignoring and nelecting my blog. I really do want to post, but then I think about how long it is going to take to go through all my pictures and organize them into neat little posts...ugh! So, my goal this week is to post at least 2 adventures a day! Wow, and I really do have a lot to post!

Look for...in the coming days...posts like...
*Laguna Beach w/ the Starleys
*Lake Powell w/ the whole gang
*The Killer's concert
*Disneyland part ONE
*Disneyland part TWO
*Parker (Lake Havasu)
*U2 concert
*A full week of Halloween
*Last boating adventure of 2009
*Birthday, Baby shower, and a baptism

Phew! Ok, so not that any of you really care, but I thought this post might motivate me! I love that blogging helps me keep a journal of all our adventures...now all I have to do is STOP PROCRASTINATING!!

Stand A Little Taller

I just wanted to share a little scripture and quote from the book Stand A Little Taller, written by President Gordon B. Hinkley (a prophet of the LDS church). I was reading through this book tonight, and I came across a page entitled, INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE.

Remember the worth of the souls is great in the sight of God.
-Doctrine and Covenants 18:10

President Hinkley gave his interpretation of this scripture with the following words:
"You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, with great strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the church."

I love what President Hinkley wrote about going forward with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face. True happiness comes from within! :)

Sunset in Parker AZ

PARKER SUNSET!

Last week we ventured to Parker, AZ near Lake Havasu with our friends Andrea and Zach. I just wanted to share this cool pic. I will post more pics of our trip soon! I got some fun pics of Tyler and Zach catching some serious air!

And bless mom that she can have a....

baby!!

Madison's prayer tonight: "bless mom that she can study hard, and bless her that she can have a baby. Say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Madison to me after her prayer: "You will get pregnant after you have your immitations!"

Oh my gosh, I laughed so hard!! Immitations instead of immunizations! We have put trying for another baby on hold while I finish my immunization process for nursing. Poor girl just wants a sibling so darn bad!! My heart breaks that we haven't been able to give her one yet. She is going to be the best big sis EVER...when it happens!! I definitely thought we would have had another baby by this point, but it just wasn't in the cards for us. It's all in the Lord's time...I just have to remember that!! :)

Pre-school is brought to you by the letter A!

Madison had her first day of pre-school today, and she learned how to write the letter "A"! I got her a crayon, and she drew it for me. Then, she proceeded to write the letters H,I,L,O,C, and she attempted a W. She didn't even learn about these other letters at school. I guess her teacher just gave her the proper tools to write. Wow, I was so impressed with her! She has known her letters for quite some time, but I didn't think she knew how to write them! She seems to be off to a great start! Thanks Miss Tammy!!
Tyler got her ready for school, because I started school this week as well. I must admit I was a little nervous about him getting her ready, but I think he did a great job! I tried to keep the hair simple! :) He also took these pics, which I thought was cute, because normally he does not like to take pics!

Did you notice the bruise on her nose?! She had a little run in with a coffee table last week - I will post about that one later. Just wanted to cure your curiosity, just in case, you were in fact, curious!! :)

Laguna and Lake Mead in July

Tyler jumping around while boarding out at Mead! I can only dream about jumping like this!
Tyler throwing a back roll!

Madison playing on the surf board with Grandma Sue and her daddy!

Grandma and Grandpa playing with Madison on the surf board!

Our weekend trip to Laguna and San Diego to see family!

Madison playing on the boogie board! She didn't LOVE it, but Tyler is trying to warm her up to the idea of being more adventurous!

Tyler, Ashley, and Madison playing in the water.

Alexa and Tyler!

Madison playing in the sand. This is her idea of adventure!

Grandma, Aunt Melissa, Ashley, and Madison soaking up the sun at Laguna Beach!

4th of July in Utah

I know this post is WAY late, but better late than never!!

Madison at Stadium of Fire dancing to the Jonas Brothers!
Our patriotic Madison joining with the Pledge of Allegiance!

Celebrating Madison's b-day on her actual birthday in Utah (June 29).

Fun at the petting zoo!

How cute is this pic?! The pigs are cuddling!

Alexa, Chad, and Madison feeding the animals.

Daddy and Madison

Grandma and Madison

Grandpa and Madison

Culdesac of fire at Aunt Patty's house!

Grandma and grandpa with their grandchildren!

Madison, Ryan, and Alexa checkin' out Ryan's laptop games.

Madison did NOT like the culdesac of fire, and she was NOT shy about letting us know she didn't like it! Look at that grumpy face...what a stinker!!

Above: We got up early to watch the hot air balloons in Provo with Brook and Chad!

At the park celebrating everyone's b-days! Madison is a June baby, Chad and Bode are July babies, and Alexa is an August baby, so we lumped them all together and had a big celebration with everyone! Happy Birthday!

All the kids blowing out the candles on their cakes!

Madison at the Smoot house in Provo after the parade on the 4th!

I love this pic, I just wish the lighting turned out better! This is a pic of the kids playing near the golf course at the Provo house on the 4th!

Walking to Stadium of Fire to see the Jonas Brothers!

Here's a picture of the gang at Stadium of Fire: Grandpa, Chad, Brook, Trevor, Jeff, and Bethany.

Madison dancing around and eating a snow cone at Stadium of Fire!

Pics that bring a smile to my face

I was looking through some old pics, and I came across these. Wow, how quickly the time passes!

Madison at 16 months of age sleeping on her little bear!
Madison playing in my suitcase!

If the suit fits...wear it!!

Madison at 15 months! I love her smile in this pic! I just want to shrink her back down to this size!! :)

Where's my diaper? Here is a pic of the stone face she used to give so often. We used to call her our expressionless baby...lol!!

I hope they brought a smile to your face as well!! :)