My flower garden

THis summer Troy and I
made us a little built-up
flower garden. My mom
helped pick out the flowers, and bought
some of them.







Troy's brother, Adam, helped
Troy with the dirt from Bench mark.

Thank you everyone!!!



This is Daeson's flower Grandma Cindy
bought him. It was so pretty. I thought
the flowers were not going to make it becuase
it took me a couple of weeks to get them planted.
But they all rooted and they were so pretty. I am
so glad I took these pics...it snowed the next day!!!





I thought I better take this picture for two reasons:
1. I needed to know what I planted so I don't
weed it next year and pull the flowers.
2. I needed to remember through the winter months
what I have to look forward to this spring and summer!!!
I am already cold!!!! It is only October!!! :)

Cake class

I have been taking a cake class on Monday nights from 7-9.

It is a lot of fun and I am enjoying it. I am learing a whole

lot, too!!! We have learned borders, flowers, sugar molds,

writing and next week we are working with Royal frosting.

I only have a couple classes left in the beginners course,

then I will do the advanced and then fondant. It has been

great. I just wish I had more time to practice what I have

learned!!!

These are the flowers I did.

Then we had to practice all the
borders around the cupcakes.
We did sweet peas, roses, wild flowers
and the drop flowers. Then we had to do
the buds. I didn't like the buds as well as the
other flowers!

















I liked the wild flowers the best.
I think it is the only flower I can make well!
But it was so neat to learn to make them!!

Daeson's first soccer practice/game

Daeson has started soccer and is pretty good at it.
I think he is one of the best on the team...but I am
his mom!!!! Here are some pictures...he has had
three games and we have three left. Next fun thing?
I think I will put him in swimming lessons to prepare
for next year's swimming season. I would put Tev in too,
but I really don't want to do the class with him.






Here is Daeson with
the ball during practice








This is Daeson trying to
get a goal during practice









More practice
He is definatley the fastest
one on the team.
he really hustles








Here is his special cake.
Every night after his game we
come home to have cake or some
other treat. This was the first
night, the second game night
we had a cake from WalMart's
bakery...Italiam Creme Cake.
That was so stinking good!!! I think I might have eaten the
entire thing myself!!! The third night I made a cake from
my cake class. It was fun! The kids liked that cake because
of the pure sugar decorations!!! Great job on soccer, Daeson!!!
We are so proud of you!!!! Loves and hugs!

Happy Birthday, TROY! #31

Happy birthday, babe! Today is Troy's birthday...numero 31! He had to work today, but as soon as he got home, the boys bombarded him with gifts and song! It was so sweet to hear them sing their own version of "Happy Birthday" to Troy...several times! Daeson gave Troy a watch, Tev gave Troy a UnderArmor shirt and three pair of SmartWool socks and I gave him some new work shoes. Then we later suprised him with an hour massage. He is now upstairs taking a nap...good thing it is his BDAY! Because he is 31, I would like to list 31 things we all love about TROY:

1. Loyal.

2. Hardworking.

3. Loves our boys.

4. Supports me in my endeavors.

5. Smart.

6. Trust worthy.

7. Honest.

8. Fun.

9. Out doorsie.

10. Handy man...or tries really hard to figure things out :).

11. Likes to watch The Office with me (HOORAAYY for the season!).

12. Puts up with the crap everyone gives him.

13. Helps others in need even when he is busy.

14. Wrestles with the boys...makes them laugh.

15. Makes me laugh.

16. Never pretends to be something he is not.

17. Talks at night with me when I cannot sleep...even when he has work at 4 am.

18. Would do anything for me.

19. Has done everything for me.

20. He gives good scalp massages :).

21. He is ticklish on his feet...it is a great wake-up call.

22. He lets me nap when I am really stressed out.

23. He would rather go without than the boys or I.

24. He bites his tounge when he knows people have said things about him...ususally untrue.

25. Every night before bed he makes sure the boys are covered and comfortable.

26. Every night before bed he makes sure I am covered and comfy.

27. He supports my crazy food-storage fetsish.

28. He once let me paint a room pink for my barbies!

29. He never hesitates when it comes to our safety.

30. He makes me feel special at least once everyday.

31. The biggest thing I love about Troy is that he never says anything bad about anyone! He gets a lot of grief from my family about not going to church...but he is the best "Mormon" I have ever met. He never talks behind people's backs and he is never pretending to be something he isn't. He would give the shirt off his back if someone needs it...he has before. Every day he tells me he loves me, even when I am not deserving of his love. He is my rock and I love him so much!

Have a happy day, babe! We all love you very much!

Boise Birthdays

The boys and i went to Boise for
Bray and Kayla's bday party.
we had a great tiem! Thanks Harley
and Kelly!










The boys painted dinosaurs and the
girls made princess tiaras.






There were two pinatas. The kids had a great time.

I made Bray a sports apron and Kayla

a Fancy Nancy apron. I figured they needed

a craft apron to go with their

paints and markers we gave them.

I hope they liked it! I had a great time

making them and i was so suprised at

how they turned out! As soon as we got the

party cleaned up, we made our way home.

It was a big day for all of us and we all slept well

that night!!!!

Happy birthday Bray and Kayla!!!!

Christmas Lists!

Tis the season to start thinking about Christmas! I am so excited this year...the boys are both getting older and Daeson is so thrilled that Santa comes in about 104 (give or take a few). So for my family members...here are the lists:

Smith side:
Justin: Jandy
Hailey: Jesse
Jaxon: Brooke
Troy: Justin
Jandy: Hailey
Daeson: Jaxon
Tevan: Carson
Jesse: Troy
Carlie: Jaden
Brooke: Tevan
Carson: Daeson
Jaden: Carlie
There is a $20.00 limit on gifts this year :)

Grover side:
Adam's family has Kaden
Troy's family has Heidi and Brad
Danielle's family has Troy's family
Heidi and Brad have Danielle's family
Kaden has Adam's family
There is a $40.00 per family limit this year :)

Daeson's first day of PRE-SCHOOL!

I guess it had to come sooner or later...but I sent Daeson off to pre-school today! It was a very exciting day for all of us. He attends Miss Janet's pre-school from 9-11 MWF. So, I get to run errands and do things around the house with just one kid...so nice! Daes is very excited and he learns something new everyday. He has the BEST teacher ever!!!!

All in a day's work!!!

This year I bought 10 boxes of peaches and 7 boxes of pears. I was feeling a bit stressed, as I had beats, plums and tomatoes to bottle as well as the peaches and pears. So, with the help of my friend and neighbor, Heather, I was able to get it all done, minus the pears. They are not quite ripe. She came over initially to re-show me how to work my pressure cooker...I didn't want to blow the house up:). But, I think she could see that I was completely overwhelmed and offered to help me finishe everything! I was so grateful for her help I ended up giving her a box of peaches. The pears will be done, eventually...I hope on Monday. Thank you for your help, Heather! I really appreciate it! She has also hepled me with pj bottoms and other sewing projects lately! What a neat lady to visit with and to get to know. I really appreciate all her help. There is no way I could have done it myself!!!!!

I got 53 quarts of peaches, 24 c peach jam, (Troy's cousin bought 2 boxes of peaches from me), 11 pints tomatoes, 12 pints beets, and 30is half-pints plum jam. I got the plums off my brother's tree (THANK YOU)! They made wonderful jam! I feel pretty good about my storage...I almost have enough to not worry about it. I cannot wait until I have a year's worth! It was my goal to have it by the end of the year...I am not quite there, but close!

The Fair!!!

Daeson and I went to the fair with my mom and Dad on Monday. Troy was so great to keep Tevie for me! It was a late night! But, we had a great time!

Grammpa showing Daeson

how to tie a lasso

Daeson givin' it a try

Grammpa and Daeson ropin'

There was a stuffed horse

that Daeson learned to saddle.

Milkin' the cow (it was fake, too)

THe cutest little tractor trike...

I loved it! Daeson did too!

Daeson got to go on a

few rides...this is the

roller coaster

We had a great time at the fair. Daeson and Grammpa shared a tiger's ear and Gramma shared her caramel apple. I shared a funnel cake...but I can't stomach it like I used to. I was sick in my tummy after I ate it!!!! One of the great things about getting older!!!!

Jaxon Blessing

We went to Jaxon's blessing on Sunday...it was a great event. Some of Hailey's family was there and all of Justin's immediate family. We had several on my mom's side there, and Grandma Tom from my dad's. It was great to see everyone!

This is our four-generation picture. Grandma Tom, my Dad, my boys and me. I love my Gram...she truly is a blessing in my life! I am so lucky my boys have the opportunity to know her. I am grateful that both my parents are alive an healthy, too.

This is a very small photo, however, it is most of my family...everyone who was there Sunday. I will try to name them all: Grandpa and Grandma L, Heidi and her soon-to-come-baby boy, Aunt Lindy and Uncle Ron, Tater, Allyson, Shane, Dax and Addi, Hailey, Justin, Jaxon, Dad, Mom, Jaden, Jess, Carlie, Brooke, Carson, Grandma Tom, Me, Troy, Daeson and Tevan. We were missing Uncle Dirk and his family who live in Boise and could not come, Heidi's husband, Tyler, and my Dad's brothers and sisters. I am thankful for my family. Several of them bore testimony to the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the testimony of eternal families. It is not often we are all together and it is less often than that we are all together on a fast and testimony meeting. I love my family and I am blessed to have each of them in my life. I am stuck up here by myself while the others all live in the same city, so we miss A LOT of things, and that makes me a bit sad. But I cherish the times we are together. Thanks for the great day, Just and Hailey and all those who made it possible. It was a happy occassion! We love our new nephew, Jaxon, too! It is so fun to have all the new babies in my family!!!!!

Ahoy, Me Hardee's!

So what did I do tonight instead of going on a date? I made my boys aprons...and I think they turned out stinkin' cute!!! They haven't seen them yet, they were in bed before I finished them!

Whadda ya think?

This is Daeson's

This is Tev's

And the back looks like this on both of them.

I didn't have a pattern, I just cut them out and I had no idea how to make an apron. I wanted to do pockets, but I didn't want to take away from the cute fabric. My neighbor, Heather, helped me figure out the strings and how to attach them...THANK YOU...but I was pretty much on my own with this project. I am so excited to show the boys!!!

Virginia City, MT with Gram Tom

We took Gram Tom to Virgina
City and Nevada City. She had
never been there and it is one of my
fave places to visit. I love it there. It is
so nostalgic of the old west.

September 2 2009






Everything is behind windows...dirty
windows. But this is the way you used to
buy spices.















Tevan loved the horses.











Daeson would not get
as close as tevan.











Easy walking????
Are you crazy????







This is a home store.
You could buy photos,
ribbon, sewing stuff, ect.

I wish shops were so quaint
and simple!!!








Wow.
Glove fitting, even!!

Maybe that is how they all
looked so small in the good

ol' days!
















Daeson got to ride up front on
the tour. Until he started to fall asleep,
he had a great time!












Tevan and Troy in the back











My Great Grandma Wilma used to grow
Hollyhocks. They are my very fave flowers!
She used to make Hollyhock dollies for me.


I reall really miss her. She was so amazing!!!







The highlight for the boys is the
train ride. We all loved it!










Before we left
for Nevada City







On our way, all aboard!!

Here's a little blurb about
the train line

Here is a list of movies made in Nevada City

This is an old cabin. Wow

Here is the other side of the room

Kinda Cool!

Books in the oldest school in MT

This is the classroom. Very different
from now-a-days!!

Canned goods, anyone?

The old post office

The Saddlery

We had a great time! I am so glad Gram went with us!!

I hope she had as fun of a time as did we. I love taking her places

wtih us. She hasn't traveled a whole lot, so I am glad we can

share our trips with her!!! I am grateful my kids can be with her

and get to know her. I was so lucky to know all of my great granparents.

Most didn't die until I was past the age of 12. I feel lucky to have known

them. They were all very special people and a big part of who I am.