Ok, so I turned into what I said I would never be....a blog slacker! It all started back in September, when Steve told me he had to go out of town for work for the week. Well....one week turned into two, which turned into ELEVEN!!!!!! Yes, eleven weeks of being alone Monday thru Friday evening, with a couple of weekends even thrown in the mix! But, I will not complain, and I will be the submissive, loving, and supportive wife....(Yea Right!) But, I did survive single parenthood...(with only one major emotional breakdown!) During this time, I ended up putting in many long hours into my high-paying career, that my blog suffered.
Then, my computer had problems. You see, the boys like to play on it, even though it is sacred to me! I have warned then not to do it, but they keep downloading games. Well, the computer froze up, and Ethan thought it would be a good idea to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start the task manager....and it completely crashed my hard drive.....I cried....But never fear, Ethan is still alive today, cause lets get real...it isn't his fault that I haven't backed anything up for the last one and a half years! All my pictures, all my school work,.... poof into cyberspace! Honestly, I thought I was going to go into a major depression! Sooooo thankful for a husband that bought a super warranty when he purchased my computer, and FRY's was able to recover all my data, and give me a brand new hard drive!
Enough Excuses!!!!
So, I have taken today to try and update all of the family happenings through the last three months!
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The Holiday Season, and especially New Years is a time when people make goals. Sadly, I tend not to do that....(who has time for that?), but I make sure to take the time to reflect on the things I am thankful for! Here are some of them, but not a complete list. If I took time to do that, I would be typing for three days or more!
*Health- my family made it though an entire year without any major medical malfunctions! No MRSA, hospitalizations, broken bones, emergency C-Sections, stays in the NICU...or even stitches for that matter! My only trip to my friendly ER was in December when Wyatt decided he liked the taste of Benadryl, and drank the bottle!
*Weight Loss- ok, here is where I get to brag! Back in July, I saw a picture of myself, and decided that I didn't like what I saw! Since there will be no more babies on the way, it was time to loose the weight. After our trip to Utah in August, where all we did was eat...I decided that I was not going to diet, but change my eating habits! And yes, there is a difference. I was inspired to do this by my brother, and I should be eating a certain way anyhow, because of my fybermalgia! So, I basically cut out all processed sugar and MSG. I try to stick to everything fresh and high proteins. I do go to the gym 4 to 5 days a week also. The result, three months later...no pain in my body, and I am now 32 pounds lighter! I have to say that as much as Ethan hates my new eating plan, cause it doesn't include pizza...lol...I love the transformation! The downside...I have also developed a new love of clothing....not very good for the budget. I would still like to drop some more weight, and I am only about 8 pounds from what I was in high school/college, but lets get real...shooting out five babies in eight years takes a toll on the body! If I can loose those 8 pounds great, but I am very happy and proud of where I am now! Now my new focus is toning!
*Religion- Where would I be without guidance from a living prophet? Where would I be without the true gospel in my life? Where would I be without opportunities, such a paying my tithing?...I don't ever want to find out! So thankful for being able to raise my children with the guidance and principles that I am blessed to be a part of!
*Trials- We are faced with them everyday! They sure are not fun when you are experiencing them, and Steve, Me, and the family have had out share these last couple of years. I am thankful for Steve and my new found philosophy...(there is nothing that happens that is bad enough to tear our Eternal Family apart!...We are too important and love each other too much for that to happen!) So, just grin and bear it...and make sure to leave bruises on your knees! One of my favorite artists, Gary Allan, sings a song, and the lyrics say,"Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride!"...Isn't that the truth??? My family bond has grown so much stronger because we face our challenges together, and even though it isn't always fun, we go to sleep happy at the end of the day!
*Family- My parents,who I still turn to for advice, guidance (especially in the form of child rearing), and support, as I try to navigate through my life. My extended family who I will always love and cherish. Those members of my family who have passed away,and the influence and lessons they brought to my life. My husband....his strength and insights amaze me everyday, and he works so hard, supports me in all I do, and whom I can honestly say that I am still in love with when he walks through the door at the end of the day...exhausted and covered in dust and grime...He's so sexy! Finally, five of the most awesome, inspiring, and special blessings of children that I have been given. It takes only one glance at them to remind me of how much my Father in Heaven loves me!
Luckily, I have never been a very private person....cause everyone now knows my innermost thoughts!...lol
Happy New Years!!!
And, look what he brought home!
His attitude has also changed toward school. He loves to go now and works really hard. I emailed Ms. Kimm after I received his report card to tell her of our excitement, and she replied that he is doing so well, and he is her most improved student this year!
I saw this cake at a scouting dinner, and then made it for Wyatt. 
Just a couple of special things about our "Wild Guy!" * He loves anything that has wheels, especially motorcycles. * He can always find dirt anywhere, and will stay occupied playing in it for hours. * He is lucky he is so cute, because he is such a handful!!!! * He loves to cuddle at bedtime. * Lately he loves to play with toy guns. He especially loves to watch the movie Tremors, where he shoots the monsters on the screen. * He loves to play with Averi, and misses her when she is at school. They play together all afternoon in the backyard. Wyatt has become quite a monkey, and loves to hang from the sewing set. * He has good manners and is always saying please and thank you. Also, he is always the first one to thank me for making dinner every night! 
The last hurdle of the evening was making sure Steve got home from work on time. The weather was not cooperating, and they were expecting to close the Grapevine. I had to give him the..."you were gone for 11 weeks, and I don't ask much, but if you miss this dance, and Averi is left in tears".....speech! As he drove over the Grapevine to get to work, he knew he wouldn't make it home, so he turned around and took the day off!!!...one awesome husband and dad!
Steve and his little princess had a great time, and I worked at the dance, so I got to see them a bit there. So many dad's showed up with their daughters, and the dance was a huge success.
For Christmas, Santa brought tickets for all the Smith boys to go and see the Monster Trucks and Metal Mulisha Team at the Rabbobank Arena. Steve said the seats were great, and there was even a 7 year old driver of one of the monster trucks. The boys had a blast, but Wyatt was especially funny when he got home,and explained to me all animated...."the big trucks crashed into things, and hit their heads on the walls!"
What a special time of year! Spent Family Home Evenings teaching the children about the true meaning of Christmas and giving service to others....and I think all my teaching went out the window at about 7 a.m. on December 25th!!!!!
But, even I have to admit that I get caught up in the excitement of Santa too!
How cute is this little Wild Guy!!!!
Averi was thrilled when Santa brought her Zhu Zhu Pets!
And let me just say that the next time I see Santa, I am going to give him a huge kiss for getting the boys their own laptop!
He wanted to have a party with his friends,and since it has been a couple of years since he has had an actual party, we decided to go ahead and do it!
We came up with a couple of different ideas, like having a sleepover, or going miniature golfing, etc...and then I found what turned out to be the best birthday party idea ever for 10 year old boys!
The Game Store here in town has a party room that turns into an XBOX 360 arcade! Ever child had their own console, with high definition graphics, and they could pick any game they wanted to play!...(as long as the rating wasn't "mature") I know,...sometimes mom's strict rules suck, but the kids still had a blast! Steve had so much fun, that he wanted to go out and buy the XBOX 360 console...(ummmm...sorry honey! but I DON'T THINK SO)
Afterwards, we went for pizza, presents, and cake!
It was such a nice evening, and I love having no cleanup!
So fun to go and watch Averi and her class perform a Christmas program. She shocked me a couple of days ahead of time, while I was listening to Christmas music, she started doing sign language to Silent Night. It was touching to watch all 120+ kids singing it all together. However,I think Averi's favorite part was the fact that she got a new outfit so she could look her Christmas best, complete with sparkly shoes!
Steve performed the baptism at the Stake Center, and on Sunday, Pappa confirmed him during sacrament meeting. Randy, Krystal, and Kyra came up to our ward, and it was nice to have Randy stand in the circle for the confirmation, since him and Krystal are like the kids second parents!
Grandma, me and the kids!
Family Photo before the baptism
Pappa, Steve, and Gavin
Steve and Gavin
Kids are excited to go to Patriot Elementary this year. Ethan will be in forth grade, Gavin in third, and Averi is starting Kindergarten! Hard to believe that I will only have two children at home during the day!
Steve and I often sat back and laughed when the family talked about how hot it was there! It was only in the low 90's and it was wonderful, because I actually got cold in the morning sleeping in the tent! It was the first time in months that I felt cold!
Gavin's actual birthday fell the second day that we were there.
Even though he already had a party, Steve and I surprised him by following the Smith Family tradition.....since he was turning eight, he got a BB gun. The boys all had a chance to drive a few minutes away and shoot it into a mountain...(only in Utah!)
Ryan and Melia and their children joined us all for the camping trip, and Mike and Julie came down with baby Danika for dinner the second day. All together, there were nine cousins (all under the age of nine) running around the campground at all times!
Dad and Todd brought the boat down and we had a blast riding in it around the lake. The boys decided they want a boat. I told them they could have one if they paid for it!
I love this picture of Steve!
I laughed when Todd and Steve were joking around together for the camera. It was nice to see Steve able to relax. He had been putting in so many hours at work and was traveling quite a bit before we left.
We spent some good time down by the lake, and leave it to Wyatt to find the dirt and rocks! I love this picture, because it is so Wyatt....king of the hill!
Wyatt had a hard time keeping shoes on around the campground, and he constantly got stickers in his feet. Todd was about the only one who could get them out!
Averi loved the water!
And so did Gavin! He was so helpful and was always the first on there to help when the boat came in from the water!
Smith boys chatting down by the water!
I was surprised that Wyatt bonded so quickly with Todd! He let his uncle take him out in the water a couple of times. If I tried that, I know what would have clocked me in the face!
Relaxing....
Ethan really liked camping with the Smith family!
Ryan was teaching Raeney how to float on her back.
Beautiful moon coming up over the campground!
Todd was getting a bit tired of getting his picture taken by me, but it is always fun to tease him. I am proud to say that for the first time in fourteen years of knowing Todd, I teased him to the point that left him speechless!
Reagen really enjoyed eating the grass!
She was teething and we learned to give her a cold can of Diet Coke to suck on.
We took a trip up to Cabellas and over to The Natural History Museum at Thanksgiving Point.
The kids especially enjoyed the hands-on exhibits.
They got to play with the water and sand tables to create different weather conditions, such as floods.
And they were able to dig through the sand for dinosaur fossils.
The Saturday before we left for home, we had a nice dinner at a park in Santaquin with Mike and Julie, and their new baby daughter, Danika. She was blessed at church the following day, and it was nice to be able to see that happen and for Steve to stand in the circle during the blessing.
Danika, the newest Smith addition!
Mike and Ryan
The cousins all had one more chance to play together at the park.
Gavin being a monkey!
Wyatt loved anything he could ride on.
The three oldest cousins....Ethan, Gavin, and Lea.
And of course my Wild Guy did a face plant in the one mud hole that he found at the park! We all got a good laugh from that one. Thank goodness my camera was handy.
Grandpa and Reagen
