Baseball Boy

James played baseball this year. It was great because the practices and games were at the neighborhood park, and I'm all about convenience! This was his first time playing, and he really showed improvement by the end. It got us out of the house, and James had fun!

A New Year

It's time to make resolutions, and I can think of more than a few this year. It can be overwhelming to acknowledge weaknesses and make changes. It might be easier to believe the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", and forget about making goals at all. I believe people CAN change, though, and I'm excited to start a new year!

I read a great article in the Ensign this month by Jeffery R. Holland.

He said, "Believe that people can change and improve. Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future, and the bright future of your family, your friends and your neighbors. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are, and with His help where you are willing to go."

We don't have to make changes on our own because Heavenly Father wants us to improve and He will help us. At the end of the article, he says, "Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow and forever.

That is a New Year's Resolution I ask you to keep."

I also like this quote from David O. McKay:

"No man can sincerely resolve to apply to his daily life the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth without sensing a change in his own nature."

What better way to change than to make Christ a bigger part of daily life?

I think if I can do that, the important things will fall into place, and I will improve in areas that really matter.

Here's to CHANGE and a wonderful new year!

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"!