CHRISTMAS 2009!

Here are a few snippets of our Christmas this year...

Smith Family Christmas Talent Show "Silent Night"
"Blue Christmas" (complete with actions)

"Jingle Bells"

On Christmas Eve, the "Christmas Elves" visit grandma's house with new jammies for everyone!

Brynlee is thrilled!

Cousins

A real tough guy with a power tool

Blake got binoculars that take pictures.

Papa MADE this amazing music stand for Marinne!

We always have a nice spread! My diet starts in January, right?

Brynlee didn't make it through the gift opening!

There aren't many pictures of me at Christmas because I'm the one taking them, but I had a good one, and even got a new sewing machine! Thanks Ray and Mom!

I'm so grateful for the real reason for Christmas, and that I have such great family and friends!

Christmas Concerts!

The kids had their annual Christmas concert for school, and did an excellent job! I've said it many times, but I love their school and that they sing about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas!
Blake won the poetry contest for 3rd grade, so he got to recite the poem at the program. He did great in front of such a large crowd!

He received a nice shiny medal.

Brynlee was so cute in her red ruffle shirt, but obviously wasn't up for pictures!

Marinne also played well in her orchestra concert last week!

I've been running non stop trying to get Christmas projects and gifts finished.

I really do love this time of year, though!

My Baby is 1!

Today is Brynlee's first birthday, and the year has flown by! She is so fun, and I am extremely grateful for her! She has developed quite a little personality, and entertains us every day. I love her so much! She is walking all over now, and starting to talk.

Some of the things she says:

Daddy

Mama

doggie

go,go,go!

banana (bababa)

Mostly, she asks, "What is it?" about everything!

She dances and sings and can sign "please". She likes to show us her big lips and makes all kinds of funny faces. I love this stage where they are learning new things every day.

I feel very blessed to be Brynlee's mom!

Great Christmas Gift!

As some of you know, my mom is an amazing artist! She has decided to sell her pencil portraits, and has a new blog with examples and prices, etc. She draws portraits from any photograph, and does a wonderful job! This would make an original and personal Christmas gift, and her prices are VERY reasonable. Go check it out and put your order in soon so she can finish it for Christmas! She can ship to those who are out of state. This sounds like a commercial, but she really is good! Here's the link: http://likenessbylari.blogspot.com/

I will also put a button on my sidebar to link to her blog.

HAMMOND HALLOWEEN 2009

We had a fun Halloween and the kids got too much candy after Trick or Treating

at three different events. We had our annual party with pumpkin bread bowls ,soup, and homemade doughnuts (thanks to Jordan and Karin).

I got in the mood to make costumes this year, and had a lot of fun with them!

Carving pumpkins at Amy's house

My mother, my kids, and a couple cousins

Isn't my nephew cute as Buddy the Elf?

Brynlee as a lady bug

Yes, I know we are nerds, but I made some Settlers of Catan costumes for Ray and I.

If you've never played it, you should!

Marinne was Cruella

Blake sketched a picture of what he wanted his costume to look like, then we headed to SAS to get a bunch of felt!

I also used felt to make a cheeseburger for James' costume.

He told me yesterday that he NEVER, EVER wants to put it on again,

because "it's too sweaty"!

Flower Tote Bag

Q: What do I do when I'm trapped at home?

A: Make stuff out of stuff I already have.

My kids have been sick, so we've spent the entire week of Fall Break at home. Needless to say, we were getting bored! Today I taught Marinne how to make this little bag.

I have seen these material scrap flowers, and thought I'd try them. I rather like them, and think I'll make more for hair clips.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My cute mom had a birthday, so my sisters concocted a "Lari and the Chocolate Factory" party. It included a variety of chocolate desserts, dancing, and pictures of my mom as Willy Wonka (thanks to photoshop and Amy).

Yeah, the Smiths are a little "silly", but life is never boring!

Student of the Month x 2

Marinne was selected as Student of the Month for her class, and Blake was chosen out of the whole school as the P.E. Student of the Month! We are accumulating a nice collection of free kid meal certificates that we need to use!

A Good Reminder

The other night when I couldn't sleep, I came across a talk by Neal A. Maxwell. It was a good reminder of the characteristics we should be developing.

He says,

"We are to be:

• Meek and Humble - those who shine as lights in the world have no need to seek the spotlight! The world's spotlights are not only fleeting, but they employ inferior light!
• Patient- not hectic, hurried, pushy.
• Full of Love - not demanding, dominating manipulative, condescending, or harsh.
• Gentle -not coarse.
• Easily Entreated - not unapproachable, inaccessible, and nonlistening.
• Long-suffering - not impatient, disinterested, curt, easily offended.
• Submissive to God - not resistant to the Spirit, counsel, and life's lessons.
• Temperate - not egoistic, eager for attention and recognition.
• Merciful - not judgemental and unforgiving.
• Gracious - not tactless, easily irritated, ungenerous.
• Holy - not worldly."

I think I should post these words somewhere in the house, so I can remember how I should be!

Copy Cat

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” -Dr. Seuss

A Story About Honesty

Yesterday Mr G.(Blake's teacher) recognized Blake and one other student for being the only two in the class to receive 100% on the math test. He made a big deal over it and gave them each a special award in front of the class. As Blake looked over his test, he realized that he had actually missed one of the problems, but the teacher hadn't marked it wrong. He raised his hand and told the teacher that he really didn't get them all correct.

Mr. G sent a note home telling us how impressed he was with Blake's honesty.

It's a great feeling to know he is choosing the right, even when it's hard! He was also selected as Student of the Month for August!

Marinne for Secretary!!!

Marinne ran for secretary of her school and won! She held up a T.V. frame and gave a cute commercial for her speech. A lot of kids just read their speeches, but she had hers memorized, and did a great job! A few of her good friends were also elected, so they will have fun!
This is the principal congratulating her at flag ceremony.
This will be a good experience for her, and we think she's awesome!

"Funky Lunches"

I came across a website called "Funky Lunches" where they show creative sandwiches such as these:

This goes above and beyond cutting the crust off your kids' bread (which I don't agree with, BTW). Sure, these are cute, but who on earth has time for this? This is the statement on their site:

We hope to produce a book of our Funky Lunches to show you how to create them and how to incorporate new foods into your childs meal by distracting them from what they are actually eating.

Sorry, but I think parents should teach their kids to eat what they are given, even if it doesn't look like the latest cartoon character. Why do children need to be tricked into eating?What happened to the PARENT being in charge? Who's running the house if parents make alternate meals for the child who doesn't like what's for dinner? I guess I'm just venting because I feel strongly about teaching my children to be grateful for what they receive. I don't want my kids to be the ones that say they don't like something before they even try it.

Maybe I'm a "mean" mom, but my kids will continue to get regular shaped sandwiches in their lunches (crust included), vegetables on their plates, and the same meals as mom and dad.

O.K., I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest! All that sparked by a picture of a "Funky Lunch"!