Last Pics of 2007

Well friends, these will most definitly be the last Smith pics of 2007. Just to give you a quick update, we have continued to greatly appreciate, our house and its surroundings. The heavy snowfalls have really created a beautiful landscape to enjoy and our home is such a cozy place to come home to. The snow also gave Darin an excuse to buy a four-wheeler, he loves to buzz around shoveling the snow and then plowing into it. The kids of course love it and so does Annie (our dog).

The kids are doing really well, Hayden just turned 2 and right now he is the most fun, yet can totally be the biggest stinker! He loves, loves his sisters, he also loves any kind of ball, and "toot toot" (train). He is so active and has the marks to prove it. Right now he has a bruise on his forehead and chin, a shiner and his bottom tooth got knocked down into his gum. Viv is doing really well, she is in all day pre-school and is really enjoying it especially the social part. She loves her friend Gwenny, and is not allowed to be at the same table with her because they get way too silly. Viv loves to color and especially "cut" she loves to cut anything, paper, string, her stuffed animals fur, her own hair, and she even decided for no reason to cut a hole in her shirt in class. Unfortunatly it all ends up under her bed which ends up looking like a hamster cage with shavings. She is a funny bug.

Julia, is the best big sister, she is a bright little girl too. They just asked her to be in the gifted and talented program at her school. She is also quite social and seems to know someone where ever we go in Tooele. She loves Hanna Montana and Highschool Musical, we got the chance to go see Highschool Musical on Ice and we all had a really fun time. She is really into rock collecting and just got a rock tumbler from grandma and grandpa Bacciocco.

In September I got a chance to visit friends in New York, we had such a fun time visiting and sight seeing. Me and Liz really enjoyed our morning runs to the cloisters and by the river. We all enjoyed our strolls through Harlems side of central park and the Spanish art exhibit that we encountered along the way. We also got to visit an inspiring Rembrant exhibit at the MET. But the best was our random quirky dinning experiences :) and long chats on the subway.

We want to wish you all a very happy and peacful New Year! Love, the Smiths!

The Smiths in Yellowstone!

This summer we spent a week with all the Smiths for a reunion in Island Park. It was great to see everyone. In meeting up with everyone we stayed a night in Idaho Falls, we slept over night in the Ramada Inn, we had a fantastic view of the temple and there was a super great parkway which we took advantage of and strolled down the way to find a yummy snow cone shop located in an old train car. It was a very charming area. When arriving to our final destination, we stayed in a nice big cabin fitting all 34 of us located on Spread Eagle lane. Nice name eh? Anyway, it was so beautiful, forest everywhere, it was full of streams, rivers and lakes. We saw eagels, moose, and tons of buffalo, it is an amazing place, one I hope we go back to visit again. We went on a fun raft ride down the river, drove around to all the geysers and had a great time visiting with all the Smiths. On our way home we stopped at Bear World I would highly recomend it for families with little kids. It was perfect, there was a petting Zoo where the kids were actually petting fawns and deer. We also got to feed bears from a vehicle. They provide the pastries for us to feed the bears (mainly hostess products) and when they handed them to us Hayden helped himself by sampling them all. He is kinda like a little bear cub.

Fun in the Sun!

This summer was busy but one of the most enjoyable activities we did was hang out at the beach near our cabin. The kids had a great time they love the water, Julia is the first to jump in or off the boat. She's a fish. Viv loves the water just a little more timmid right now. And Hayden, he thinks he is just as big as the rest of the kids and will swim all over by himself if he has his floatys on. They love the sand just as much, making animals and sandcastles and rolling all over in it and then running into the lake to wash off. It was extra fun when the cousins came.

Disneyland!

At the beginning of summer a group of Ladies and their kids took a rode trip to Disneyland. We jumped aboard and had a really fun time! The girls had a blast with all their neighborhood friends and it was fun just casually soaking up the whole experience. We of course had to make appointments to Libby lu's in Downtown Disney and get "Glammed" up. We always love to eat at the Blue Bayou, this time it was even better knowing we were seconds away from JACK SPARROW! Ahrg! Though Pirates of the Carribean is my favorite ride, the girls broke away from their traditional favorite the "Dumbo ride" and found new favorites this time. Julia loved Spash Mountain and they thought Peter Pan was really cool, they also felt very grown up when I let them go on the Tea Cups all by themselves with a friend, and finally we gave the new Finding Nemo Sub ride a 2 thumbs up!

The Homestead!

The new home is great, we enjoy every part of it especially the views, we just put grass in as of yesterday and it is heaven. However, somehow Hayden still continues to find the mud and just tracked a whole pile of it up our stairs! He is quite the boy. His favorite word is "NO" even if he really wants to say "yes." He loves all kinds of balls no matter the sport. And for right now he is quite lovable, he shares his kisses and hugs with the girls, and only periodically a hard smack in the head from somthing he is throwing.

Catching Up!

Hi friends,
just want to catch everyone up on the Smiths. First and foremost Viv is doing great we went to Primary's a week ago and the doctor said that the pressure detected on her heart was not showing this time on the eco. We have had an overwhelming sense of peace and relief. We appreciate all your prayers in her behalf. The holidays went well it is always nice to have them over. It was interesting creating Christmas in our little apartment. But it will be one we never forget. Our house is close to being finished they are working on the exterior right now and I will try to post some pics soon. The Kids are great, Hayden is sportin a new haircut courtesy of Barber Darin. He's lookin hot. The girls are great! often there is a little more drama than I can stand to listen to or deal with, but they are so great to help me and each other. The dialog between them is priceless. Julia had a Rockstar party for her birthday it was fun, they had a great time rockin out to High School Musical with friends and cousins. Oh, and one more Smith fact, Julia's reflection entry went to state it was one out of four in all the entrys in Tooele. That was fun! Take care everyone! Love the Smiths