Lucky Me

So traditionally I am not one who is fortunate enough to enter into a random drawing and actually win anything. In fact, I tend to be cynical in regards to throwing my money away into a few tickets to be tossed into hundreds that then gets randomly pulled out...and as lessons have been learned...I do not EVER WIN ( I leave the luck up to Big J)!!! That is until I attended the annual Snowflake/Taylor Business Expo-Preparedness Fair and was convinced to donate my $5 into a drawing. Big J already had the stench of victory all over him after a big win on a Kurt Warner Cardinals jersey. So, a little eager for the 'wife' to gamble on a picture of Christ, he urged me to put all my tickets in to attempt to win this beautifully framed piece of art. My tickets were dropped into the jar, regretfully, and the drawing was made....I didn't believe it at first (probably because they were not pronouncing my name correctly) until fingers were all pointing at me. I was elated!!! My 1st REAL big win!!! Luck was on my side...finally!!!

Sonic Bandit

The Plan: take the rebels to the park to celebrate our 1st days back to school. The Story: we arrive at the park, early evening, along with many other families that seemed to have the same plan as us. Kids ran around laughing, playing, and recognizing one another from classes, to the playground, to bus rides home. All is well, that is until Dun...Dun...dun...I catch a glimpse of my son, Trip, eyeing a near by picnic table loaded with an innocent families dinner from Sonic. I think nothing of it other than hmmm...we should pick up dinner after we leave. I do a double take as I hear laughter coming from Trip's recent location...our little rebel had sprinted towards the table, taken it upon himself to climb into the middle of their table to feast on their leftovers!!! Humiliated (and killing from laughter inside) I run over to table apologizing...thank goodness the victims were more than welcoming to invite the "Crasher" to dinner with them. So next time you bring your meal from Sonic to the park...beware of the "Sonic Bandit" that may be stalking the playground!!!

Kindergarten's Here!

Well, the day has come. The tears have been shed (All by me, of course. Didn't you know, "Kindergartner's don't cry when they go to school."), his shoes tied tight, back-pack strapped on, and the much anticipated day of attending Kindergarten has arrived. Our little boy (excuse me, Big Boy) is off on a new adventure...new school, new friends to meet, new things to learn. What Fun! Almost makes me want to go back to Kindergarten...almost, I said ;) I can't wait to hear the stories of his 1st day of school!!!

New Church Calling

2+ years walking through the halls of church, enjoying Relief Society, chatting it up with the ladies in the lounge, and now the day has come when I have yet again been assigned a "Calling." Always a little nervous when the Bishop calls you into his office not knowing what he will ask of you....BUT, I couldn't have been more excited when he uttered the words Primary. I love the primary kids and was assigned to teach the 7-8year olds (such a fun age and always fun to celebrate and witness their baptisms). I am thrilled to take on the new challenge of 13+ boys and girls to teach in primary.

Retirement

After 40+ years (43 to be exact) of doing "A big ol' pile of shift work" Pop's actually retired (to many peoples surprise) from the Paper Mill in Snowflake. The fam threw him a surprise retirement party in red, white, and blue...in celebration of his "Sweet Freedom" from work. There were over a hundred people who showed up to support him and celebrate his retirement. I think we all laughed and cried at the stories that MANY felt "inspired" to tell about our Dad and his selfless service he has provided throughout his life thus far. We expect him to start making the rounds to see his grand kids. NO MORE: Work seven to three - Three to eleven - Eleven to seven - A big ol' pile of shift work! Congrats Dad.

Church Talk

Future missionary Mr. JCrew gave his 1st church talk in primary on Sunday. Lots of practice repeating the 2min. story was spent between BIG J, the "Man", and I all week so he could have his speech in his head and ready for his debut. Sunday morning came, his shoes were shined up, tie on straight, talk in hand, and come time for primary delivered his talk with enthusiasm (along with a little help from mom, as his assistant, holding up pics). Congratulations Crew, we are so proud of you and hope that your enthusiasm for talking in church continues throughout life.

St. Johns Pioneer Days 2009

St. Johns Pioneer Days 2009 (short n sweet) = the fam, campfire cirlce, Corky's, a little service work, late night games, and enjoying the parade - the laughs of cousins playing together - and the "Stations" crushed ice.

Snowflake Pioneer Days 2009

Snowflake Pioneer Days 2009 (in a "nut-shell") = family, food, parades, church softball championships, remembering our heritage, and of course wrapping up loose ends with a rodeo & fireworks show.

SHOTS

The most dreaded words in our little rebel 5 year old's vocabulary is...Back to School Shots! A right of passage that we all (or most) get the dreaded opportunity to endure through before entering the long awaited journey into Kindergarten. I prepped our rebel in on the big talk of "all 'Tough Guy's' get Shots for Kindergarten speech" before heading out for the dramatic experience which was about to occur. A little paper work, a little distraction, and a quick pinch, sting, and tears later we both survived the most unfortunate duties of our back to school check list. The worst of it is over...know he's off to Kindergarten in a few short weeks!!!

Independence Day

Fireworks, picnics, parades, barbecues, and rodeos are only a few of the many fun traditions tied to the 4th of July. Bright and early Independence morning a great Feast was dished at Papa & Nana Smithies house. Decorated with flags, streamers, and everything red, white, and blue, all the grand kids (and adults) were feeling the holiday spirit. The remainder of the day was spent roaming the mountain enjoying the festivities. And of course we ended the night in the best All American Spirit... BBQing with extended family, lighting off a few fireworks of our own (shhhh...), and listening to the ooh & ahhhs of the kids under the firework show. What better way to celebrate our independence than with family.