1 Smart Family

AN ATTEMPT AT AN UPDATE.....

2009-06-18T18:27:00.002-07:00

Ranch life has been so great, considering I have spent every Monday through THursday in the valley, shopping, swimming, and canning! Josh just finished in Sierra Vista TODAY! He took Kallie this week, and she has been having a good time, the first night was sushi and the book store, to buy the sequal to her book Ivy and Bean. Next was swimming and Golden Corral, and last night was Texas Road House. She was so exited to go!
Here is a brief update on our Summer: I have no pic's because I can't connect my camera to this computer SO SORRY~~

Josh: SIERRA VISTA...HAYSTACK RANCH...and absolutely nothing else, sooo boring and tiring but we are so happy he is finally done down there!

Misty: Valley canning chicken and apricots from our apricot tree at the ranch. Swimming, PLA (Pacific Livestock Auction) hanging out watching our cows sell for $1.10 per lb!! While all the other cattle were going for $0.65 to about $0.88 cents! Hanging out at the ranch, moving cows, going to the river, loving it!! I wish I could put some pic's on here! I left my suburban at the ranch because we had to bring a load of cows down to sell, and so I am a dodge 1 ton flatbed driver. I got it detailed, and I'm good to go. I don't want to drive my suburban in and out of the ranch all of the time, and this part semi truck dodge thing I've been driving gets 23 miles to the gallon! I think I love it!! Except that my left leg is going to be extremely buffer than my right from pushing in the clutch!

Colton: Is Working for Clint Lilly, a cutting horse trainer and a good friend of Josh's. He works from 5 am to 1pm everyday. He is in absolute HEAVEN! It is the only thing that makes being in the valley worth while to him. He got his Bear at Scout Camp a few weeks ago, We are so proud of him. We made a Summer goal Chart for family night a few weeks ago, Coltons goal was to break his colt "Surprise" over the summer. And read 5 chapter books...the book thing was more moms idea

Kallie: Kallie has had some fun play dates with cousins, and friends, she is going to a play on TUesday night, and has been at work with Josh in Sierra Vista this week. She wanted to cut her hair, but dad said HECK NO, so we didn't. Her goal was (on her own) to read 10 chapter books, 3 down...7 to go! THis little girl loves to read, and it makes us so happy. She will be sitting there laughing so hard, reading or she will get really sad, I am so glad she has a love for books.

Cade: Is making his mother pull her hair out. Seriously, this kid is out of control. Nana came home today and he said "nana i've been missing you all the day, I love you....will you ake me some cookie dough?"...Now he is sitting at the counter on his like 3rd BOWL of Cookie dough. At this point I'm jut going to let him keep going, in hopes he just pukes and gets it over with!! He is loving being here with Ashley and Lindsay and Matt! He has a new love...his name is Doug Alvey, Cade calls him Duck Alvey. Doug made all of us these cool belts, and Cade goies NOWHERE without his on, he wears it with a night shirt, and he wears it naked. I have pictures, but can't download them, they are hilarious.

Birdie: Playing paper rock scissors, intsy wintsy spider and climbing out of her play pen everytime it's time to sleep, also waking up at 5 am.

We miss everyone so much, but luckily have had lots of visitors at the ranch! I think this ranch life fits us just fine!!

THE SMARTS ARE O U T!!!

2009-05-21T04:30:00.002-07:00

We are all packed up. We have only to take our expensive fire alarms off the wall and load up our 25 chickens, and head for home. Haystack Ranch!! This is so bittersweet for us. We are SO exited to be together and so exited about the next 2 years adventures that I'm sure will come our way. We have 2 years worth of work PAYING work, down there, and a great homeschool program. Hopefully, Globe 1st ward is mind blowingly fun and entertaining!

We are so thankful for all of our friends here. We have been so thankful everyday for all you have done to help us move. Help me move since Josh has been working on a Big Long job in Sierra Vista!! We love everyone and will miss you so much!! I will get the internet there in July, and until then, I will update our blog in the valley where I plan on spending the summer by the pool, and with Kallie at Skateland! Call me and come visit us anytime!! We LOVE company. We also changed our email, it is smartfamily06@gmail.com. So take note of that and keep in touch!!

SUE LA RUE IS THE BIG 07!!

2009-05-15T10:19:00.004-07:00

Kallie Happy Birthday. We love you so much!! I remember May 15th 7 years ago, just like it was yesterday. First Daddy and I went to the hospital. Mom got hooked up to all the silly monitors that make sure you were doing ok inside my belly, and they put me on some medicine that made you want to come and meet us really bad, and really fast!! Granny, and your great great grandma OEO were there for you to come. They helped daddy get through it, because Daddy does NOT like hospitals!!There was a bad fire happening in California, and the Doctor just watched TV while I had you, then I had the nurses check to see if you were tongue tied..(because COlton was when he was born)...YEP you were, so they clipped it, and you were ready to come to us!! We love you so much!! WHen you were just about 6 weeks old, we had to evacuate for this REALLY scarry fire that was in Linden. We had such a great time!! Kallie, we love you so much!! Here are our 7 favorite things about you:

1 you are so sweet to your family. You always try to make everyone feel good

2 You have the best handwriting of any 7 year old I know!! Mrs. DeWitt thinks so too!

3 you are very good and reverent in church

4 you are so into shopping and having perfectly manicured nails and toes, and cute clothes, and picking out a cute outfit everyday,,,, BUT you also love to ride your pony and help your dad at the ranch. You don't mind ripping your cute clothes to run under a tree on snowballs!! You are well rounded

5 You are so considerate of people's feelings, at school you always try to be nice to everyone, and you are very sad when people are mean to you. You have a tenderheart

6 You are really funny! You say words like for HEAP sakes..and funny stuff like that.

7 You are a Daughter of Heavenly Father, you are so good at saying your prayers, and remembering EVERYONE and EVERYTHING!! You take time to think of what is important to you and you Choose the right!!

This pic has a funny story...Aunt Alli bought you this feather boa for one of your bdays, you LOVED it!! You wanted to take it to church soooo bad and we wouldn't let you. We got to church, and you opened this little purse you brought and out fell/flew a million pink feathers. You plucked all the feathers off and put them in your purse, since we wouldn't let you take it around your neck!! You Are a smart little girl!!

WE LOVE YOUR GUTTS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!!!

2009-05-07T10:32:00.005-07:00

Today May 8th is Josh's Birthday!! The picture shown above is probably going to be his favorite present that he recieves from me. WHY?? you say, Well because this is pretty much Josh's favorite picture of me. WHY??? you say, because I am wearing yellow rockies, and as if that isn't already the most wonderful thing in the world (in his eyes) they are also a size 0, and I am 6weeks pregnant with Colton.After I had Colton, about 3 days later Josh asked if I could start wearing them again. I said I didn't think I'd EVER be able to fit into them (trying to make an excuse to never have to wear the hidious things again)...well since I am married to such a sweet man, he brought home a brand new pair in a size 3 to make me feel better! O man these things were BAD!! O'well. I jut wanted him to know that if they still made Rockies, (and if they made them in now a size 5, and 4 kids later)...I would gladly take one for the team and wear them all day long today for his birthday!!

Josh is a wonderful man, this is on October 18,2003...after we went through the temple!! I am so thankful for him, and for his testimony. (Sorry for the crooked scanned in pictures)

These are some pictures of Josh in his younger days. He loves his dogs and was always out in the woods. Here is a picture of Josh at the ranch, he still loves his dogs and now loves being in the high desert. With a bunch of cows and horses.

We love you Josh!! You are the greatest daddy and "love guy"!! We are so exited you were born today!! Thank You so much for all of the wonderful things you do for our little family!

WOMENS CONFERENCE

2009-05-05T14:56:00.002-07:00

I was totally going to post about womens conference. Then I went HERE and realize I didn't have to, because the work has been done for me!!

OH MY FUNNY (or maybe mentally challenged) Children!!

2009-04-21T20:30:00.004-07:00

COLTON- calls an ambilical cord "ambilican cord" and he calls the announcers stand at the rodeo the "ansibuh" stand

KALLIE- says for HEAP sakes instead of for Petes sakes, she calls the hair pin curve at the ranch, the red man curve. AND yesterday we drove up to the house, ya know the one we have lived in for over a year now)...and said sooo exitedly "MAMA HOW DO WE GET UP TO THOSE ROOMS?" pointing to the 2 FAKE dormers on the house!

CADE- where do I begin? he said yesterday that he was shy. I asked him what is shy? He said "shy is when you ride the heck out a broncs and go to kindergarden when you are 5" Ya I don't know about him...Our 2 neighbor boys names are Utah, and Riggin. He calls both of them RIGTAH... His favorite song at the moment, because he is 3 and should have a favorite song .....i guess is "CHicken Fried", it is the second song on my play list, and that is the only reason it is on my play list... He went for a 4wheeler ride with our Bishop and his kids yesterday, and all I could hear him saying is "you guys know my faroite song?..A little bit of chicky fry, a cold coke (beer but we make him say coke) on a Friday night...he was singing CHICKY FRY the whole way!!

BIRDIE- Has started to be an escapee...Yesterday, she was headed out almost to Ann's wearing her PJ's a purse on each arm, a purple head band and a beanie I have to lock the doors to keep her from getting out. Yesterday again she made it all the way over there!...I told Cade to run and get her this morning because she was headed out!! She wouldn't come, so he DRUG her all the way, screaming and fighting. Also, she has started to say tainte ew for thank you, anc CACA when she poops, CACA for Colton, and CACA for Kallie.

Here she is standing on the dishwasher, to see what is going on up on the counter. She can open it, and pull the drawers out. She gets so mad if there are dishes in it, because it makes her ladder not so functional.

She also enjoys hanging from her car in the front yard, instead of driving it. Try to take it down and see what happens...it is not pretty!!

She also LOVE LOVE LOVES baby dolls. SHe carries them everywhere!!

We are raising some fun kids!! We are loving our new 25 chickens! Trying to keep their lives in tact with Cade around, it's pretty hard!

HAPPY EASTER!!

2009-04-13T18:04:00.010-07:00

We left for the valley on Friday about noon. We got there, saw Adrainne and Gabe...Josh's sister and our nephew that are for 1 month from Argentina! Then Josh took me shopping for my bday, just a quick trip to the mall, nothing too great. It was nice to be alone with Josh for the first time in 3 weeks. This is Adrianne and baby Gabe.. We went back to Josh's parents and did pedicures on eachother, and went to bed. Saturday morning we went to AJHS for coltons wrestling tournament. He did good. He won 2 and lost 2. It was really close, he lost by just a couple of points. Good Job!! He was NOT in a good mood. He hadn't lost a match until then, so he was a little on the bad mood side! But it was nothing a bunch of Easter Egg coloring with Aunt Ash couldn't fix!!!

We had a good night, we went for yogurt and watched MAMA MIA!! Then we got up and got ready for church. I told Josh that we were going to take some Easter Pictures, and for 3 days prior, I had been coaxing him, and begging him to PLEASE smile and look at the camera! He NEVER does. Well take a look at the pictures I saw when I down loaded my camera!!

This is a nice picture of Birdie!

OH this is a nice smile, and he is looking right at the camera! Nice of Colton to be doing so good also!

Oh Josh you are really trying to make your sweet wife so happy!! You are so Photogenic!

Seriously, this is the best picture I found in the oh maybe 100 we took. If you look past the part where he is grabbing himself I think it is a great picture!!! COME ON JOSH!! I was so completely Pi$$@# when I saw these ...o'well. I called him fuming mad, and he said"wo wo babe, i clearly remember you telling me over what seemed like 200 times, to SMILE and LOOK AT THE CAMERA...I did everything you asked of me sweetie." AHHHH what a punk!

From the looks of these pictures, it seems Joshua has recieved his photogenic genes from his father...see below!

Here are some other pictures they kids were so cute for easter...thanks to Ashley, Annette, and The Children's Place!

We had easter dinner, and an easter egg hunt:

Then we had an adult egg toss. It was going great until Josh dropped our egg and then he just stole another contestants agg out of her hands and started chucking eggs at everyone. It turned into a major egg fight. Lindsay and Matt's car got the worst of it, I have a welt and so does ashley. THEN josh turned on the hose and wouldn't let us get close enough to egg him, so he drenched all of us!! It was fun!

before

during

if you can double click this and enlarge it................ Josh is laughing sooo hard it is hilarious!

AFTER...

We love you guys! Thanks for the great and crazy Easter. We love NANA for planning all the wonderful meals, activities, and being a great baby watcher while I went out! Thanks so much you and Dave are the best! Also, a big shout out to Dave my father in law, for feeding at the ranch this week so I don't have to YOU ARE THE GREATEST EVER!! I totally take back all the bad things I've ever said about you! (just kiddin)

3rd Annual General Conference Weekend PARTY!!!

2009-04-07T09:47:00.007-07:00

SO every conference weekend since we have had the ranch we have the Peters and Wyatt's over for conference weekend. It is always so fun. This weekend started out with Spagettii salad and bread for dinner, then we hung out and watched TV. Josh was the entertainment for the evening, trying on VAN'S suit. It is actually a suit we found when we cleaned out the back room. We were going to burn it, and then Van tried it on and it fit perfectly. Van is extremely smaller than Josh. But here he is:

Saturday morning the Wyatts made yummy whole wheat pancakes with homemade boysenberry, peach, and maple syrup. And Bacon. It was so good, then we watched some conference, and they guys and bigger kiddos went to check the cows. Us women and small children got ready and went out in the jeep over a very bad road, to meet them for a picnic at Bronson (a pasture where the cows are). The Peters provided a great lunch of hamburgers hot dogs WITH CHEESE fruit and pudding salad, chips and dip, and drinks. It was sooo good. For this meal, Brady provided the entertainment by putting the pony Snowballs in check, he was having some attitude problems. I have the video, but it is sooooo long it would take all day to down load. It was funny.

We went home and had ADOBADA and watched a movie that night. We were all really tired.

SUNDAY, we had biscuits and gravy for breakfast, watched conference (it was soooo good) then for half time entertainment we had a mean game of woofle ball. It got a little intense. But all Cade would do is hold on to Brady's legs as he pitched, and tackle people. I have no pictures of Jessica, it is because she was either nursing a baby, changing a baby, or rocking a baby (they have 2 months old twins!!). She did come out and play woofle ball and may I just say that she was VERY good!! LoraLeigh was also great, she is so fun. Me...ya I was just more out there for a good time, I didn't really help my team at all. I was too busy trying not to pee my pants because I was laughing at Vinnie, Josh, and Brady playing tackle woofle ball.

THEN, we went in and watched the afternoon session, got uplifted, ate pork tenderloin, good salad, roasted red potatoes, and a yummy desert that LoraLeigh made. We cleaned up and headed out. THanks for coming and helping, and entertaining us it was a blast. See ya all in October..and you better come because by then I might be loosing my mind from living alone in the middle of nowhere!!

Spring Break 2009

2009-03-31T09:21:00.002-07:00

Was so fun and exiting! Why do I only have 1 picture?? We went to the ranch Friday. Our friends Brady and Jessica, along with Waylon and Whitley their 2.5 month old twins came. Josh,Brady,Clint, and Brigham participated in the 2nd annual river rafting sdventure on Saturday from the bottom of the canyon at the bridge, they floated all the way to Gleasons Flat (the ranch). Also, our friends the Alvey's came it was so fun! We were there alone Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon, then the CLuff's came. We had fun, we had a mama cow die, and this is the dogie calf we get to keep and feed!! WOO HOO! Actually, the Cluff's took her home to feed.

Then, we went ot the valley, shopped, hung out while Josh started a job in Sierra Vista. We came back to the ranch Thursday. Frank and Van came. We worked on our catch pens, and rode the cows. We also put up our shelves and unloaded/organized all of our Year supply!! I just love looking at it all!!

Now, we are getting packed up AGAIN for our 3rd annual COnference at the Ranch! We have a few families come and we watch conference in October and April. I'm exited

AHHHH It's Wrestling Season again!

2009-03-13T16:31:00.007-07:00

OK I love wrestling season, I might love it more than COlton. I get crazy. I get a stomache ache, and I think I get Terrets (SP?) Something takes over my mind and body and it is definately NOT normal!! Colton did so good yesterday There is a video of one of his matches below. He is the one in the blue singlet I couldn't put them all on this one took about 1 hr to down load...but you can see this one!!He won all 3 of his matches and took 1st place at Blue Ridge yesterday!! He wrestles 72's. I'm so exited this kid is absolutely ALL AMERICAN!! Last summer he won the calf riding in the rodeos, he's a great wrestler, He loves scouts, he loves his Heavenly Father, and he is a great Big Brother. He was having a really hard time deciding whether to wrestle this Saturday, or Pinewood Derby, to a 9 year old american male that is like life or death! He is so sweet, he asked Josh for a blessing. He decided to do his Pinewood Derby at scouts! I guess that'll be ok. One good thing is that it is going to be a way better day on my heart and blood Pressure!! GOOD JOB SMOKER!!

I made a new post..........

2009-03-11T14:31:00.001-07:00

But somehow it ended up at the end of the page and I can't fix it...So scroll down to the bottom It is called "I'll bet you didn't know"...

MORE ON CADE...

2009-03-04T11:50:00.003-07:00

I forgot some funny stuff on my last post about cade like:
On Valentine's Day he woke up. He was sleeping with Ashley.He said I'm gunna get up now. Ashely said ok...oh look Nana got me a Valentine. He said Oh Look I got one too!! It's Valentines Day, Get out the Christmas tree!!! YEAH!!!
Cade has some new and not real friends. One is Miss Bailee, his school teacher who always gives him candy and treats and tells him he knows all of his colors. The others are Mikey and Ben. Mikey has a real cranky grandma that sometimes calls and makes him go home. Ben is strictly here for fun. Ben causes all the messes and anything related to trouble. It kinda reminds me of Kallie. SHe had 2 imanginary friends for a long time. Tree and Corn. Is it just me or is this not normal...???

SERIOUSLY.... Cade is the funniest kid EVER made. Or quite possibly the weirdest....

2009-03-03T17:09:00.005-07:00

We just had dinner delivered by Karrie tonight. She made Beef enchiladas and refried beans. As Cade took a bite he very seriously said.."this is so good, who shot it?" OH man he cracks me up!! Then I told him Karrie just made it she didn't shoot it. His reply was "well Cowboys could eat hot stuff!!" We raise some real weirdo's around here. Maybe we do belong in the middle of nowhere on a ranch!!

This is what we did today. We went with Josh to Vernon to the church to pour some concrete....Cade was soooo exited to help. Obveoulsy..... First he started out dressed normal. Then he was assigned the task of washing off the tools. He soaked himself with the hose. And since I am always well prepared (ANNETTE) I had a whole extra change of clothes with me. Except they were Birdie's... so he has spent the rest of the day in this nice shiny heart shirt...At least it's blue...

WHY WHY WHY?

2009-03-02T09:51:00.003-07:00

Why when you think you know what you are going to do, do you try to fast about it AGAIN? We are moving to the ranch, I think. But then we decided to fast yesterday, because we realllly want to make sure it is what we should do. GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

The ward boundaries got realigned- which means ALL of our old, wonderful, BEST, amazing , GENUINE, friends are now back in our ward, or we are in theirs..whatever.

But almost better than that LOOK AT OUR NEW BISHOP....STEVE WILLIAMS, like Beau and Gracie and Joshee's dad. Like ANN's husband. This guy is the most amazing person you will ever know. We knew that from the moment we met them, when they moved in next to us. We knew that they were so cool, we knew he was the sweetest husband and father, we knew that he was a spiritual giant, we knew he was the funniest person in the world. But dang now I wish I would have been on better behavior around him!!

SO...here's the question. SHOULD WE REALLY MOVE?? We are so confused!! We really love it here! But we really miss being together. What should we do?

CALF FRIES ANYONE? this may be graffic for kids.and maybe some adults.

2009-02-25T16:24:00.009-07:00

So, when we went to Dallas last month we had "calf fries", aka Rocky mountain oysters, aka Calf nuts. I didn't try them, but Brady and Josh ate them all gone!! Well, last weekend, we had this crazy bull he is 2. He mucked out Josh and his horse, he mucked out Christian, and he was just absolutely crazy. He is kind of trashy and small, so Josh decided to show him a little lesson, he castrated him. Now he is a 2 year old steer. This was just amazing. These things were really weird. We disected one, because the dog stole the other one and ate it whole, then he stole this one TOO!! I thought we would cut it open and there would be just a bunch of liquid that squirted out but look what it it!! This is actually very educational...

Frank and the nuts

K this is definately innapropriate for people of ALL ages....

This is just a nice, sweet, innocent picture to end on a good note, and maybe convince you to come look at our blog again..

I'll Bet You Didn't Know.....

2009-02-25T10:39:00.007-07:00

That the Smart's were soooo Atheletic. Here we are at a friends house in the valley a few weeks ago. We didn't know what avid bikers we were until we rode the rough off this bike of hers....

OK SO I MOSTLY POSED IN DUMB POSES......

We are also great basketball players.....

White River rafters..

Skooter riders, even on the wrong side of the road in the Bahamas..

Schuffle Boarders....

Cliff Jumpers...

Also, we excel in ping pong-however I have no pic's!!

I was just looking through our pictures and thought these were all funny! Josh complains that I only blog about the ranch. People probably just think we excel in cowboying and steer wrestling....But little did you know we are very well rounded.

I'm Cade, Tud, Tuddy Boy, Bubba SMart and I'm "free" now ...(3)

2009-02-25T10:14:00.007-07:00

My Birthday was really on February 10th, but my family tricked me into thinking it was on Saturday Feb. 14th. That is when I had my AWESOME party!!I was so exited allll day. My nana had this really cool cake made for me with trucks and tractors.

The night before my cool party, my aunt alli and uncle "shimmy" (Jimmy) took me on my own special date. First my mom tricked me and dropped me off at Alli's work, and she cut my hair, then we went to the San Tan mall and I couldn't hold it, so I peed a little, and they bought me some cool new undees and clothes, my mom thinks that is a really funny trick for her kids to play on aunties and nana's. You pee and then you get some cute new clothes!!After that, we ate at Jimmy Rockets. THEN....we went to build a bear, and I made this...MC BETTY!! He is a great dog.

ALL of my cool friends came..Van and Ashley....Frank....Raygan....and lots of fun cousins. I had a blast!! I am so happy to be "Free"

This is my AUNT Lindsay and my Uncle Matt. They think I'm wierd, but they play with me and always take me to have fun times. They are sooo fun during the summer, we have lots of swim parties.

This is my Cousin or my mom's cousin NICOLE she is the best person to EVER invite to your bday party, because she made this really cool book all about me. COWBOY CADE. It had lots of fun picutres of me. I think she is so nice. I wish my mom made me cool stuff like that. O'well at least I have Nicloe. She hooks me up!! The little girl is one of her daughters Kylee. She is fun and soo cute!!

Thank You so much for coming to my party!! Thanks for helping with my party!! Sorry my mom took so long to put this on her computer!!

LOVE, CADE EMMETT SMART

THIS POST IS ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT I AM CATCHING UP

2009-02-03T12:27:00.009-07:00

JOSH BROUGHT A HUGE LOAD OF HAY IN A FEW WEEKS AGO. I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 180 BAILS. HERE SOME PIC'S I TOOK WHILE THEY ALL UNLOADED IT....

THIS IS FRANCIS. OR PAPA CLOUDT (CLEWT) AS THE KIDS CALL HIM. HE HAS BEEN THERE ALL WINTER LION HUNTING.

HERE THEY ARE UNLOADING THERE IS CHRISTIAN CLOUDT, FRANCIS, BRADY, AND JOSH. JOHN WAS THERE TOO, BUT I THINK HE WAS HAVING A FULL BLOWN ASTHMA ATTACK AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

HERE IS BRADY....

OH, HERE HE IS AGAIN....

THEN WE HAD TO GO RESCUE THIS BABY STEER. HE WAS LYING ON A ROCK AND HADN'T MOVED ALL NIGHT. WE LOADED HIM IN THE RANGER AND WE HAVE BEEN NURSING HIM BACK TO HEALTH. HE IS DOING JUST GREAT. HE COULDN'T WALK FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS.

OK. HERE IS ME THIS WEEKEND. JOSH BROUGHT THIS HORSE DUNNY UP TO THE HOUSE, HE HAD PUT MY NEW SADDLE ON HIM AND TOLD ME TO RIDE HIM. I WAS NERVOUS BECAUSE THIS HORSE HADN'T BEEN RIDDEN IN LIKE 8 WEEKS, AND WE HAVE BEEN FEEDING HIM THIS CRAZY EQUINE FOOD SO HE WILL PUT ON A BUNCH OF WEIGHT. SO I FIGURED HE WAS REALLY "HOT" WHICH MEANS REALLY HYPER FROM THE GRAIN. JOSH SAID OH NO HE'S FINE. SO I RODE HIM AROUND. THEN CADE WANTED ON SO I RODE HIM AROUND AGAIN. THEN HE BLEW UP AND STARTED BUCKING WITH US. I HELD ON AND PULLED HIS HEAD TO THE SIDE REALLY HARD, AND JOSH CAME RUNNING TO THE RESCUE. WE WERE OK. AND CADE THINKS I AM THE GREATEST BUCKING HORSE RIDING MOM IN THE WHOLE WORLD!! HE SAID LIKE 30 MINUTES LATER. "BUT MAMA YOU DID GOOD, ONLY YOU FORGOT TO PUT YOUR HAND IN THE AIR AND SAY OK I'M READY BOYS, I'M READY BOYS!" SO FUNNY!!

YESTERDAY, I CAME HOME AND THIS WAS ON THE FRONT DOOR FROM KALLIE... (SHE'S REALLY INTO VALENTINES DAY)....

TRANSLATION: (HEART)TINES DAY IS FUN. YOU GET ALONG FOR (HEART)TINES DAY. DON'T BE MEAN TO ANYONE.

AND HERE IS KID ROCK AND HER DAD......SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE KID ROCK WITH HER RAG A MUFFIN HAIR WHEN IT ISN'T DONE!

HERE IS THE COW WE RESCUED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. JOSH WAS WORKING WITH HIS PUPPIES TRAINING THEM TO BE COW DOGS, AND COLTON DECIDED TO RIDE IT. I THOUGHT I RECORDED IT, BUT I NEVER PRESSED THE BUTTON. IT WAS GREAT!! HE DID SO GOOD!!

OK THIS IS MY WEIRD KID COLTON. HE PUT IS ALMOST NEW $40 DOLLAR CINCH PANTS ON THE FIRE PLACE TO WARM THEM UP BEFORE HE WORE THEM LAST WEEK. THEN WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL HE HAD A MAJOR KNEE BLOW OUT. HE SAID HE JUST KNEELED DOWN AND THEY BLEW OUT, WELL AFTER SOME CLOSE INVESTIGATION, HE HAD SCORCHED THEM AND BASICALLY BURNT THEM. SO HE CUT THEM INTO SHORTS WHILE THEY WERE STILL ON HIS BODY. HE CUT THEM SO SHORT THE POCKETS HANG OUT. WE TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY, BRADY HAS SEVERAL PAIRS OF WRANGLERS LIKE THIS, HE THOUGHT THAT WAS A TYPICAL LENGTH OF CUT OFF SWIMMING SHORTS. AND DON'T ASK ME ABOUT THE ROPE ON HIS ANKLE I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.....BUT HE HAS ALL OF THE CUT OFF PARTS HE SAYS HE'S SAVING THEM FOR NANA TO SEW IT ALL BACK TOGETHER..

BIRDIE HAS AN OBSESSION WITH MY HAND CREAM...NEED I SAY MORE....

OK........I think I can do this!!

2009-01-30T13:42:00.002-07:00

Thanks to this BIG BROWN truck, and a really super nice driver (I hope)...I CAN do this!!! I stopped our UPS man today to ask him if UPS would deliver to me way out in the middle of nowhere on our Ranch. He said that they deliver ANYWHERE!!! So I can still shop online, and still have my wonderful mother in law send me huge packages of everything we left there over the weekend! It is all Good! I am moving!

Crossroads

2009-01-26T10:45:00.010-07:00

If you know us very well, you know that we always have a few tricks up our sleeves. We are at a crossraod in our lives once again!...

A few years ago, We moved from Linden to Vernon. We bought 30 acres sold 10, kept 20 and lived in this house...........

THEN..we sold that house. We had just finished a spec home in Linden so we moved here......................

In the mean time, we bought The Haystack Ranch, and the ecomomy went from bad to worse. So now, we are going to move here................

Eventhough we have mad alot of life changing decisions in the past 4 years, one thing has always been constant. It is the fact that with each move or decision we have made, we have fasted, prayed and attended the Temple, as we were making these choices for our family. We have been very comfortable with the answers we have recieved and in one way or another the peices have fallen into place or the doors have been opened or shut...About 9 months ago we were praying and fasting about moving to Florence. We thought we had it all figured out. In our minds we thought it was a great idea. We even had some people that wanted to buy our house in Linden. At the LAST and I mean LAST minute, that fell through and we felt so much peace and relief. We knew we should stay in Linden. Lately, we have been missing our daddy way to much. We have been away from Josh for long enough.

We have been so blessed to have the ranch. It has been such a blessing to our family. We have made wonderful friends. Friends that have always been our friends that come and see us and support us. And New friends!!

We have been blessed with work..Not like we are a custom to, and not in Show Low, but we have been thankful for what work we have had. We are so exited to be together as a family. If Josh has a job in the valley, we can all pile in and go with him. The kids are so happy about it, and we feel good. We have to make an addtition to the main house at the ranch and make a big pantry, get satelite internet to make it possible for us to home school, among a few other things. But we are so exited. It will be an adventure, it will make us so close, it will keep our family together, and we will always have the memories. It isn't forever. Unless it is forever? We don't know. We think it will be for a couple of years.

Besides, who wouldn't want to do this everyday???

We have realized that a big fancy house doesn't do it, money doesn't do it, what people think of you isn't important because they really don't have a clue. They just want to think someone's life is worse than their's. But what does do it, is a supportive family, good, true , friends. And most the relationship you have and foster with Heavenly Father. We know these things have happened for a reason. We are so happy that we have eachother. So come visit us it's an open invitation. My kids are going to need LOTS of social interaction, so they aren't weird home schooled kids. Just be aware that what used to be this........May now be looking more like this.......

SO....If you know anyone who wants to rent or lease a nice 2500 sq ft home in Linden, AZ just let us know!!!

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT....

2009-01-09T09:47:00.004-07:00

Where do I begin? First of all I haven't blogged for so long because wehave been gone since the 18th. Also, I lost my camera. Washed my camera in my jacket pocket. Found my camera. AND IT STILL WORKS!! Only buy Kodak if you are mildly retarded like me and don't check your pockets before washing stuff!!

So we left the Thursday before Christmas break, it was a snow day so we just decided get out of town a little early. We spent Thursday through Monday at the Ranch, then Kallie, Khloe, Cade and I went to the valley. Josh and Cade came down Christmas Eve. We had a great Christmas. (see below):

For Christmas, Josh had me a new saddle built. This is a big deal for Josh-because usually Josh goes to Buckle ,Tilly's, and Tiffany's on Christmas Eve, drops like $1500 and has his sisters wrap everything. VERY nice and thoughtful, but nothing like him actually planning ahead, and putting alot of thought into it. He even smuggled/embesseled money slowly and over a long period of time so I wouldn't notice. It is so awesome. Rick Pearce built it. It has a full Ostrich Quill seat and the prettiest stamping with tons of flowers and it is sooo beautiful Thank you so much babe!!

Colton got Plammers (a ranch/cowboy tool), plammer holder for his saddle, a leather working kit, and a new camera, and his favorite thing...the day before Christmas he was there to see his first lion. This is the second lion taken since Thanksgiving!! Anytime one of these Beef eaters gets caught it is great for us!!

Another big highlight on Christmas Eve was BB GUNS FOR EVERYONE!! Even Cade. Aunt Alli came home and showed Uncle Jimmy these nice cute books she had bought the kids for Christmas. He said "return those that is the gayest present I have ever seen." Uncle Jimmy then proceeded to go to the nearest Bass Pro Shop and came home with a sawed off red rider for Cade, a full size big BB gun for Colton, and a Pink BB gun for Kallie. The funniest thing was what Cade said he opened up the gun and was so surprised he said "HOLY CRAP I FREAKIN LOVE THIS PRESENT!!!" They have been having so much fun killing birds at the ranch. And we were late to school today because Colton had to shoot a bird he saw on the power line. We are so hillbilly.

Kallie- got a barbie house and kitchen, some really cute new boots and lots of fun other stuff. But Kallie's CHristmas highlight was to be able to stay with her Aunt Ashley, and Nana, and Aunt Alli for the week after Christmas when we went to the ranch. She got so much new stuff, she went to my Cousin Nicole's house and made tons of new hair bows, a bird house and had a blast. She got to go to my Aunt Marilyn's and get in on some of her "best pantry for grandkids" action. She has 3 shelves stocked with totes labeled and full of every snack/treat imaginable to a person under the age of 12. It blew her little mind and she is still talking about it. She had so much fun going with aunt Alli to As You Wish and spending the night with her and Jimmy. She had fun making me a butter dish and she also made her dog Jewels a bone. I haven't seen it yet, but she said she made her a ceramic bone. I asked how she spelled Jewels, because I didn't know if she knew how. She said "yes I do I spelled in J O O L S" so cute. Our friends Brady and Jessica also had their twins on New Years Day. Kallie enjoyed visiting Jessica before and after the babies.

Cade got this backhoe he has wanted for like 6 months. I am so happy to not have to print a picture out every morning of this backhoe any more. He had a great time for Christmas and lots of fun on his pony "snickers" at the ranch.

Birdie got a new pony and some realllly cute clothes!!

We had such a fun Christmas and New Years was so fun. We went to John Griffins (the ranch below us) and we ate and danced and had so much fun. Then we came back to out ranch at about 11:30 and danced and then ate some chicken and potatoes and squash at 3 in the morning. It was so fun, but I am wayyyy to on=ld for that crap. I took 2 naps the next day. We hope everyone had a great holiday!! Hopefully, I won't take a month to post again.

I LOVE MY DINNER GROUP!! And other stuff...

2008-12-11T18:22:00.009-07:00

About 3 months ago myself , and 3 friends started a dinner group. One of us makes dinner one night a week-Monday thru Thursday. My day is Monday. I make dinner and deliver it to the 3 other families, and I am done for the week. In return, I get a nice, hot, wonderful meal with a side dish, and sometimes a dessert-brought in the rest of the week. At first we all were a little sceptical. We figured we would just give it a shot. WE ALL LOVE IT!! It is also WAY cheaper for groceries. I only have to buy dinner for one night of groceries, and Sunday when I shop. (Friday is date night, Saturday is leftovers or something easy) We also have a ton of left overs for lunches the next day or the weekend. We love it, and everything has been really good. I get 4 meals emailed to me by the 25th of the month and I make up a calender/menu so that we aren't having a week with 4 nights of enchiladas or something crazy like that. I organize the menu so that it flows well and email it back to everyone. It is great and it has really simplified my life. So get a few friends together and try it out!!

P.S.....

Josh and I just got back on Sunday night from Vegas. We went to the NFR (National Finals Rodeo). We also went to the cowboy Christmas and 2 other HUGE shopping shows. It was soo fun. The NFR was so cool in real life. We danced til 2AM, slept in, shopped, ate, and went to the NFR at night. SO fun it will definitely be a new tradition (sorry Tracy, and my in-laws) But thanks so much for bbsitting and loving my kids!! I took my camera, but it I only took about 4 pictures. (Amazing the lack of interest in photo taking when I don't have any of my 4 cute kids around!) And in all 4 Josh isn't looking AT ALL!!

You can't see very well but this is the arena during the opening act on Saturday night. REBA was there and sang the National Anthem. It was great!

When I got home, I found these Clay pot soldiers!! My mother in law watched all 4 kids, didn't sleep at all both nights, but still managed to make these from scratch-with the help of all the kids!! I was so exited. She has a set and I just love them. THANKS SO MUCH NANA!!

Birdie Smart is ONE!!!

2008-11-20T13:21:00.006-07:00

November 18th Tuesday was my bday. My mom and dad were going to have a party in the valley this weekend at my NANA's house, but they decided not to go. I was so sad. My mom took me shopping on my birthday. She bought me lunch, a new phone, and new cute red shoes and a new outfit. It was fun eventhough I still like her phone more than the new play elmo one she bought me. Well, I was VERY sad, because I wanted to see all my aunties and my nana and grandpa. but then THIS package came from that man that drives the big brown truck and brings my mommy new stuff. THis time the package said Happy birthday Birdie!!!! Here is what I got...

My brother helped me open some of the presents, and he thought he was soooo funny because he put my new hair bow in too.

My moms says thanks so much for the new church dress and shoes, the new pj's so I don't look like a boy in my brother's old jamas, and the 2 new outfits. I think my moms friend Ann (our neighbor) will be so happy the next time she comes over to dress me because I have new clothes!! I will try not to be filthy dirty and poopy next time sorry Ann!! Talk to my mom about that.

OH WHAT A CRAZY WEEK!!

2008-11-12T15:03:00.007-07:00

We were supposed to be in Idaho with the kids for our cousins wedding in Idaho, but we had too much stuff not done at the ranch, so the two big kids came with us to the ranch since they were scheduled to miss school anyway, and the two little ones stayed here with a sitter. Steve and John Fire came for a day too. We branded, ear tagged, moved 110 cows, and drove around on the ranger- checking stuff out. We had a blast. We found a bunch of pinons (pine nuts)..Kallie kept saying "I just love these impenios, they are great" We also brought our 2 new ponies SNICKERS and SNOWBALL or SNOWBALLS as Kallie calls him. We were all able to ride and help even Kallie!! She was also in charge of the tally book, writing down and keeping track of the new cows.

Then on Friday, Josh and I flew to Idaho. We had a great time. We went to the wedding visited with all of his family, and Sunday we went to Jackson. It was a blast.

Happy Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T07:40:00.006-07:00

COLTON TURNED 9!! but keep scrolling down because I posted some other stuff too...

2008-10-30T15:48:00.012-07:00

For Colton's bday, he wanted a huge party at the ranch, and that is exactly what he got. GUS, the Wyatt's dog who we were watching, The DeWitt's, JACKSON, Van and Ashley, Frank and Bailee, Dave, Annette, Ashley, my parents, and my cousin Nicole and her CUTE family all came to celebrate with us.

Here is Colton, Jackson, and Gus on the way down to the ranch. Gus wouldn't sit anywhere else, until he got sick and puked on Cade and all over my rug that I just had to throw out the window, because I didn't know what else to do with it..By the look on Cloton's face, he wasn't having too much fun yet..

First, Van, Chip,and Josh drug this 10,000 gallon water tank to the pasture where we are working on our EQUIP project. I might look like no big deal, but they pulled this on a trailer on Josh's truck, being drug in by a backhoe, to get this here. We are so exited because we are so close to getting this project done!!

Here is Ashley, Van, Ashley Smart, ME, and Bailee

Then with FRANK

Frank, Bailee, Van and Ashely, went out to get firewood, and this is what they came back with..

My way to serious son

Jackson
BEN-JAmin DeWitt. The toughest friend any 9 or 29 year old could have!!
Moving cows on Saturday

Colton working Buttercup -his unruly mule..

Cade riding the pony all by himself....

Colton, Jackson, and Kallie riding to find Dad and Van and Chip..

Cade, as he always does, checking for lion tracks on the way in there

Chris, and EmmaWe had a great weekend, until everyone got sick and puked for 2 days, but it was fun. THANK YOU everyone, for coming and supporting us, and loving Colton!!

THEN- we went to the sale. This was Cade and Birdie's first trip to the auction, and it was very humerous. Colton thinks it's child abuse that we didn't have a ranch when he wasn't in school yet, because cade gets to have all sorts of fun while they are at school..

A WAY OVER DUE UPDATE!!!

2008-10-30T14:33:00.009-07:00

I know I have said this before, but we have the greatest NEIGHBORS...some examples below:

Our lovely neighbor Steve playing a neighborly game of baseball with all of the kids.

These are of Cade yesterday at Lisa our other great neighbors, her sons are (as Cade calls them) RIGTAH short for Riggin and Utah. It is ok, because Riggin calls him Ted, and Lisa calls him Tug. Here he is playing with their PLETHERA (sp) of cowboy stuff...

Now is where the really good stuff starts..last Thursday, I painted all of the trim on the outside of the house, then I decided I wanted to make shutters and paint the front door. SO...Lisa came over last Friday, and helped me MAKE, PAINT and HANG shutters on our house. I haven't had any ambition to do anything to this house since we moved from my wonderful house in Vernon, and because I know this house isn't permanent for us. But as I realized that we have lived in this house LONGER now than we lived in our VERNON house, I figured that I should at least make an attempt to jazz the place up. Plus who knows how long we will stay here. We kinda like the neighbors..

FINISHED PRODUCT.....

It is just becoming so cute I might actually someday love it as much as I did this house...

Ok probably not, but the neighbors make it all worth the difference in the houses. Plus, in my old house having this many kids over all the time might have thrown me over the edge, but here it is just perfect..

Colton wanted this to be pt on the blog...

2008-10-26T11:43:00.002-07:00

Our friend Jessica sent this today. Colton watched it and when I looked over he had tears running down his cheecks, and he asked if I would post it on the blog. Just click HERE to watch it.

Crazy Days!!

2008-10-24T19:58:00.006-07:00

We have been so busy!! We had a great weekend at the ranch for Colton's bday. I haven't posted the pictures, because our camera is Missing. Also this week, Colton became a Bear. He got all of his things done, and he graduated from a Wolf to a Bear in scouts. Also, we got school pic's back. I have made butter, salsa, bottled the salsa, painted all the trim on my house, made shutters, painted the doors, I will do a whole post on it soon!!! We have had a full week. I am so thankful for good kids, who are so fun to have..especially since Josh has been at the Ranch ALLLLL WEEK!! My bed has been the only one that has needed to be made in the mornings, because we have all slept in it. I will post more soon..

Happy Birthday Colton

2008-10-13T13:55:00.013-07:00

9 years ago, October 11, 1999. Colton Joshua Smart was born!! We love him so much. As you can see, from the time he was just little, he has loved horses and hound dogs. We had a really fun weekend to celebrate his birthday. We love you Colton, and we are very proud of what a great brother, son, and cowboy you are. We know you love Heavenly Father-because you always try to do what is right, and you are always kind to others. We are so lucky to have you for a son. We hope you had a great day. Also below is a slide show that Bailee made.

UPDATE!!!

2008-10-08T09:43:00.006-07:00

We have been very busy this week and last, and alot more "busy- ness" is in store for the weekend. Saturday is Colton's 9th birthday, and he wants to party down at the ranch. We are having about 45 guests so it should be fun!! last weekend we had the Wyatt's, the Bogg's and the Peter's at the ranch. It was so fun. We had dinner Friday night and stayed up late talking, then Saturday the men went out and gathered cows, while the women watched conference, and got pedicures. Then the guys came back and we all helped take care of the cattle. We watched conference on Sunday. I t was so fun. We had lots of good food , LOTS and LOTS of good laughs and fun. Thanks everyone, for coming and for all of the help!!

here is josh with blood all over his face. they cut the horns off of the steers and he got sprayed.

working with the cows- josh josh boggs vinnie brady and the kids

leaving to ride

Josh and Kaylene Boggs, and MASON he is sooo cute!!

Doing pedicures during conference

SO....we have a really fun neighborhood!! The kids have used our wood pile for their fort, they have a sign that has our brand and the REED boy's brand, along with the help of Beau and Gracie,. Kamrielle, and Cade mostly destroying stuff. The Reed boy's names are UTAH and RIGGIN..they go by RIGTAH here at the Smart home, thanks to Cade. I think he started calling them that because he didn't know which one was which, but now he calls them both RIGTAH.. He is so funny.

Gracie, Kallie, and Kamrielle playing in LoraLeighs old dresses. They look like little house on the prarie girls!!

MEET JUANITA. We had to go to Dewey and Flagstaff on Monday. We stopped outside Winslow, for Josh to talk to some guy about a horse, and we found Juanita. Cade calles her NITA, Kallie calls her Rinowa, and Colton was telling Cade a goodnight story last night, and I kept hearing him refer to her as Plunia. Whatever her name is, she was a funny little burro.

FALL MEANS PEACHES AND APPLES....

Yesterday my nice, beautiful, should be a model neighbor, came over and she endured the crazyness, so taht we could bottle apple pie filling and we also made peach jam, and syrup..and apple pies, and a nice lunch. It was crazy, but rewarding!! I hope she will come back over, because now my house is clean and there isn't a crazy baby running around with peaches..Josh helped a little too. (thanks babe)

Happy Happy Birthday Brady Dear!!!

2008-09-30T21:02:00.011-07:00

Today Is October 1st. October 1st is a very significant day because it is BRADY PETERS birthday. Brady has been Josh's friend since 8th grade or so. Brady is important enough to blog about because he is very talented. We have some examples to share below..

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a great trumpet player and spent a great deal of time sharing that talent with friends, family members, and school bands. Also, boy scout morning roll call probably was really thankful for BP's fine tuned trumpet playing skills...

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a great father. Here is about 9 years ago with his daughter Daisy. He and his wife are also expecting twins. (A boy and girl) in January. They are really lucky to have BP as a daddy. He is fun and loving, and very exiting!

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a great hunter, his house is loaded down with great trophy's.

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a great,loyal,friend.

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is an awesome and excelled scooter manuverer, even in a foreign country...

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is an avid snorkler.

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a "FINELY TUNED ATHELETE" and especially excels at fooseball (sp)?

BRADY IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:

He is a great, fun, considerate, amuzing, wonderful husband.

I asked Josh if there was ANYTHING Brady was NOT good at, he mentioned one weakness that BP had. He said it was SCHUFFLE BOARD. Apparently, they had a schuffle board competition and Josh clearly recalls Brady taking a bad loss.

We hope you have a great Birthday Brady!! Thanks for all you do. You are great. We love ya!!

Love, The Smarts

2008-09-29T09:09:00.007-07:00

On Saturday, I went to the church for a stake activity. We had 4 mini classes. Marriage, Spiritual Strength, Knowledge, and Being Industrious. They were all so great. Then we ate an awesome dinner, and watched the General Relief Society Broadcast. The spirit was so strong, and through out the broadcast, I kept thinking how grateful that I am to belong to this church. I am grateful for Joseph Smith and for the sacrifices he went through and endured for me. I am grateful for Jesus Christ. I know that he died for me. I know that because of him, we can repent and live again with him, and our families forever. I am grateful for this gospel, for this church I belong to and for the blessings that are poured out on my family because of a husband who is always obidient, strong, and willing to serve. I am so grateful to him that he lives the gospel everyday. I am thankful for his example to me. I love waking up and seeing him in his chair reading the scriptures. It makes me a better person to be married to him. I have never born my testimony at church. Just the thought of making myself walk up to the stand makes me almost pass out. But I do have a testimony. I love being surrounded by strong, honest people. I am thankful for my Savior.
I was looking online and came across this. Please click on the link, and watch this. No matter who you are or what religion you are, it is bound to uplift you today. In a world and time of such upheavil, anyone could use a little uplifting...RIGHT? CLICK HERE

CRAZY DAYS!!

2008-09-25T17:38:00.003-07:00

For the whole story on this picture go HERE

For the whole story on my pregnant friend who just found out she is having a boy and a girl!!! HERE

(this isn't her, but isn't this a crazy pic?)

For the whole story on this pic...go Here

Traditions

2008-09-22T11:30:00.002-07:00

I LOVE September!! It is just about the last month before we are in for the LONG winter. It is nice weather and I like it better than spring, because there is no wind. I love living up here for many reasons, but one is for the change of seasons. I think winter lasts way too long, but when it first gets here I am exited. I was thinking about some traditions we have, that I look forward to. Especially, with the holidays coming upon us so soon. I have been thinking about family traditions in General. I was looking on the internet and found this:

Meaningful family traditions provide parents with an invaluable tool for carrying out their divine responsibility to rear children in love and righteousness. As families establish and follow traditions, each family member is strengthened and the family as a whole can grow in unity and love.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that wholesome family recreation is important in building successful families. By creating traditions that bring the family closer to God, parents can strengthen the bond between family members, fortify commitment to religion, and teach important principles they want their children to understand and live by.

I think it would be fun to find out what others family traditions are. If you would PLEASE, even if you don't usually comment- Please leave a comment of some of your family traditions. Perhaps, together, we can all get new ideas to incorporate into our own families and help eachother attain the items listed above and create memories to last a life time. I will then post a list of them- along with some of ours. Thanks in advance!!

JOURNALING THE "SMART" ANIMALS OF 2008

2008-09-16T15:23:00.011-07:00

OK HERE WE GO....so if you know us, you know we go through amimals like underwear. I have been thinking back over all the dogs this year. It started out with a fun trip to Texas where we bought- for $500, 2 catahoula puppies. PETE and Junior. (not pictured) these dogs must have been bred way to tight, because they were seriously retarded. You couldn't come within 10 feet of them, ever. Pete wound up missing when we came from the valley one weekend, and Junior stayed with our old house because we couldn't catch him. Tell was also a nice border collie that stayed with the Vernon house. Also not pictured were the hounds that didn't make it through 2008-..Punkin a great lion dog, got killed by a lion this year. Ellish was killed by a bear, Poe hung himself, Naturita died having puppies, Shack Nasty died of old age, Cobb got killed by a snake, and Bones a bear dog: was traded for Belle -a lion dog..

Then I bought Josh 2 nice cow dogs for his Birthday, Miss B and Tap He really liked them, until someone told him they thought their mama was a chow, then he gave them away.

Next, we got Ben from David, one of Josh's moms neighbors, he is a cow dog see below. We had him until last week. He really annoys the neighborhood, so Josh took him to the ranch. 2 days after that we got a call from a lady who found him at SENECA!! He was headed home..she has him and said she will return him next week when she comes back this way. She lives in Tucson

Then there was Black Betty Bilamdilam. Finally, Kallie got her own dog. She loved black betty. According to Kallie was the best dog ever!! Until I ran her over on accident -taking the babysitter home one night. The next day at church she gave me this note:

Translation: it is all right (are rit) that you run over my dog. Love you

This is Milo #1. We found him at the ranch, and told Cade that if he would not have any accidents, he could take him home-which is a major stretch for me because I HATE CATS!! He had about 5 accidents that weekend, so we didn't bring Milo #1 home, and the next time we went to the ranch, he was no where to be found.

This is OTIS he is a Black Mouth Curr that came from the church ranch in Florida. As far as I know to date, this dog is alive and well, at the ranch with Josh for the week. The dog in the background is Chewy, our main cow dog at the ranch.

EVERYONE KNOWS ROXY... she has been our dog for almost 8 years. Allison gave her to Colton his first Christmas. About 2 weeks ago, she came up missing. We are so sad. She was the best dog. We think she has either been hit by a car, or got in a fight with a coyote. She wouldn't go or stay with a stranger. We love her. SHe always made us feel so safe and protected. And she was a freak about finding and killing mice. But she hated Cats more than me.

Since Roxy is gone, 2 things happened.. Colton got a new dog named Sammy a girl, she is the same kind of dog that Pate was- he was our dog for along time, about 9 years. Josh had him from just a puppy-a girl gave him the dog to ask him to prom, and he died about 4 years ago, from kidney failure. When he was a puppy, he got parvo, Josh's dad gave him a blessing and he lived. He went everywhere with Josh. One time he stole the mexican workers lunch at the job. The guy freaked out, and Pate came back having convulsions. Josh took him to the vet and he had to get his stomach pumped, because he had swallowed over an ounce of cocaine that the guy had in his lunch bag!! He would make his way from Josh's house (lindsay and warner) to Brady's house (greenfield and elliot) everytime Josh left him at home, and didn't take him. anyway- he was 1/2 queensland heeler and 1/2 austrailian shepard, and that is what Sammy is

I got a free cat at Kmart last week for Kallie to make up for killing Black Betty, hehis name is Milo #2 and hopefully he will kill the mice since Roxy is gone.

2 of my favorite things to see Josh do........

2008-09-11T17:25:00.008-07:00

I watched him do this week..........

Monday we got a babysitter (thanks Kaylyn) and we left all 4 kids and went to the ranch!! We were so exited because this is the first time in 10 months we have been alone!! We have been talking about being able to ride (for more than just a couple of hours), since we got the ranch. So we were really exited. And I figured it was as good a time as any to wean KHLOE... (WroNG!!) We got there Monday, things were great. We got up really early Tuesday and rode. One of my favorite things to see Josh do... RIDE

He got all the fences, it was so nice!! See it was finally getting light. By this time I was NOT glad I had left Birdie at home. My boobs felt like they were going to explode, and I cried twice because I missed her. BUT IT WAS FUN!!

So it is now Thursday, I am feeling a little bit better! Birdie slept all night in her crib, and I was taking Josh some water this morning, and realized that I love watching Josh
pour concrete... I know I am really wierd...but I always try to time it to be there when he is pouring out, because he gets all pumped up when the truck comes, and starts acting funny. I know it probably doesn't make sense to anyone else, but I just thought about it today when I saw him. I am so glad to have a nice husband who works hard, loves and honors his family, and wants to be with us more than anyone else in the world !!(Also, he is gone to the ranch for the rest of the week, and he won't know that I did this post about him, or he might not love me so much any more for embarrassing him!!)

MAYBE WE ARE TOO ALL AMERICAN.......

2008-09-07T08:49:00.006-07:00

SATURDAY

Was so fun. FIRST....We got up, got the house cleaned, went to Colton's Football game, then went to Brady and Jessicas(i forgot my camera for both of those events). But we got pizza, did the zip line, caught crawdads, castrated 2 bull calves, Colton rode a calf, Brady got everyone turkey feathers from his turkeys. And Cade got to keep the 1 egg of the day from the chickens. I took pictures with Jessicas camera, so when she sends them to me I will post them.. It was a blast!!

SECOND.....We headed over to the Watson's for Pauls birthday party. He wanted to have a pig ride and cake. AND that is exactly what went down. Here is Colton, Ben, Paul, Daisy, and Kallie riding or watching the festivities!!

NEXT... we showered and headed out to this pretty girls wedding reception....

We ate a great bbq dinner, and then we DANCED, and DANCED,

AND DANCED ......

AND DANCED .......

AND DANCED.....

AND DANCED .......

AND DANCED SOME MORE ....

Notice that Cade is missing in most of these pictures?? WELL.. Josh was over talking to this guy. They were having a great conversation, and the guy pointed to Cade (not knowing he was Josh's kid) and said "Hey you see this kid?- This dude has jacked like 40 cups of lemonade and has been pouring them in this pile of dirt until now he has a huge lemonade mud puddle, and then he's been playing in it"!! he was totally laughing. THEN Josh said "are you serious? Thats MY kid!!" This guy started DYING laughing!!! Look at the pictures of his hands the next morning and his shirt from the party below!!

THEN we went to Brady's- watched the last of the UFC fight

LAST we drove home and this is what was found in the back of the suburban when we pulled in the driveway.

These are what fingers look like after a hard night of lemonade mud pie making....

OCD????

2008-09-05T15:39:00.007-07:00

OK- So anyone who knows me knows I am kind of border line OCD- but only on some issues*, I have my clothes color cordinated in my closet, I try to have the laundry done always-I get my car cleaned, or clean it myself every Monday, and I am a LIST MAKER. I make a list for everything. This may seem annoying to some people, but it comes in really handy-especially for meals. First of all I HATE CEREAL FOR BREAKFAST. My kids hardly ever have cereal for breakfast- When they do get to have it, they think it's great!! I make my menu and make the shopping list. I only go to the store once. It saves so much time and money. And I need to save time these days-especially when I have 2 kids that take up one whole shopping cart. I try to go when Josh can babysit. Shopping trips alone are like GOLD to me, so i try to only do it once..So this is what I do...

(you may have to double click to see it)

After awhile, you will have a few months of planned meals to rotate., along with the shopping list!!But after a year, you will have a whole years worth. I still add new recipes. I have a folder of planned meals which makes it easy to shop and plan ahead..

* i am however really easy going about letting my kids play in the dirt, helping me in the kitchen, and making play messes IF THEY ARE CLEANED UP DIRECTLY!!

HERE IS BIRDIE ENJOYING DINNER LAST NIGHT!!!

Better Late THan Never....

2008-09-02T22:02:00.003-07:00

We were out of town on our anniversary. We were at the Ranch. ....It sounds lame, but I was a good sport because I thought about all the things we did last year without a nursing baby...we went to Portland for 4 days, Mexico for 5 days, Cruised the Carribean, Cruised the Bahamas, and went to Georgia - So I pretty much knew that I wouldn't be going to Womens's Conference and my Anniversary was going to be low key this year due to a cute little nursing baby girl. ANYWAY we were gone and I don't want to miss this post for my book, so I am making up for it now.

HAPPY 9th ANNIVERSARY TO US.....

Josh and I were married on July 10, 1999. We had the funnest wedding ever!! So many friends, so much fun, so much DANCING in the RAIN!!

On October 18,2003- We were sealed in the temple.

We've been married for 9 years this year. We have a great life. We are so thankful for the fun times we have had, the memories we have made together, and the children we have been lucky enough to have. We are so thankful for the gospel in our lives. We LOVE our family and we are so thankful we are together FOREVER!!!

ALL AMERICAN BOY....AND WEEKEND

2008-09-02T09:36:00.006-07:00

This weekend started out with no school Friday. It was great!! We got the house done early. NANA and Grandpa Smart came up on Friday. We went to Colton's FOOTBALL game on Saturday. They won- but I think it was more stressful for JOSH than Colton. Isn't he soo cute. I can't believe how big he is. Chip and Hallie came also. It was fun.

THEN we headed for the ranch-of course. Our friend Dave Kriser came with 2 of his 4 kids, his wife was having a spa weekend with some friends- WAY to go DAVE.. you have it figured out. And I think Dave was probably suggesting that Josh do that for me after I yelled at them both yesterday...ps SORRY DAVE!!

Here they are wrestling and playing around. Noah and Jacob were such nice boys and they were VERY funny. Noah was playing a card game with my mother in law who he called grandma- she was singing songs. She asked Noah if his favorite song was I Hope They Call Me On A Mission, and she started to sing it. He stopped her and said "NO WAY...my favorite song is (and he sang) DON"T YOU WISH YOUR GIRLFRIEND WAS HOT LIKE ME" SO funny!!! He also survived getting attacked by yellow jackets that morning.

Then Monday we ended the weekend with the Watson's, Ashley, and Mindy coming up. Josh bucked and bucked Colton's little mule buttercup who hasn't been ridden in a year, and then Colton got on him. We all watched like it was a rodeo, and had a great barbeque!!! Here is a video of Colton working the mule after Josh did...

JOSH IS AVAILABLE TO BABYSIT!!!

2008-08-28T15:36:00.010-07:00

MY husband is so awesome. Monday, came in and said "Hey, I'll watch Cade if you want to go to lunch with Jessica". Jessica is my friend she is so awesome, and should be an arm model (see below). YOU SHOULD CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT SOME REALLY EXITING NEWS ABOUT HER!!So I thought heck ya, and I was out in about 3 minutes. Things went great I was gone for about 3 hours, Cade was asleep when I got home and I had a lovely time.

THEN on Tuesday, I had to go to a meeting so thought this will be great!! I left Josh and Cade, when I left they were working on the "Bobcap" building a fence. WHen I came back our sweet little neighbor girl was over to play and this is what I found......

They had gotten into the hair Gel, fingernail polish and makeup, and they were headed for the Rodeo.. He doesn't think that by holding a puppy over his peepee he is exposing himself to her.

I am sorry to my nice neighbor for the condition her daughter came home in that day!! But look how awesome my yard and fence looks- you might have to double click the pic to see it better!! So if anyone needs a babysitter call Josh, they might not be clean and you will probably need new carpet but it's FREE and they will be sure to have FUN!!

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO VAN...........

2008-08-25T10:52:00.004-07:00

What you see here is a new hand made branding pot. Along with 2 new brands, and running irons. All custom made by Van. We were so exited when he offered to make us one, since the old one went with Joe. But when we saw what he had made we were amazed. Thank you so much Van. We are so thankful that you did this for us. And we are even more thankful that you still come up to the ranch. We are so happy we know you. (don't worry Frank, I have a tribute to you below) haha. I don't have any pic's of John. But he is Van's little brother and he is so great also. And I don't have any pictures of Ashley, and she is Van's hot mama. Thanks soooo much. Now below, you will see Van on the big blue mule, and below that you will see Colton on it. He rode him home from the drinker and he thought he was BIG TIME.. because it is more like riding an elephant than a mule. Below that, you will see Kallie's new dog. Her first name is Black Betty. Her middle name is Bamdilamdilam, and her last name is Smart (of course). Van, Colton, and Bailee went to check on the concrete drinker, and Van sang Black betty the whole way, so when Kallie went to name her new girl puppy, she decided on that name. All the neighbor kids have come over today wanting to play with "Black Betty"..

Mom and Birdie..

This my friends........., is Frank Johnson. Pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to the Smart family.. He is Bailee's dad. Even if he didn't want to be friends with us after Joe left, he pretty much didn't have a choice. We LOVE him and Bailee, and we are so thankful for them too...Here he is with Khloe.

Kallie had a good ride on K.D. she is getting to be be a better rider every time we go. Good job Sue !!!!!

We had such a good time. We are thankful for good friends. I am so thankful that we were able to get the ranch. It has been such a blessing in our family. We couldn't imagine our lives or our kids lives without it. It is such hard work, and sometimes a sacrifice, but very well worth it. We are so grateful for the people we have met and become good friends with because of the opportunity we have had to get the ranch.. If anyone wants to come up and visit, you are more than welcome anytime.. I am sure everyone is sick of the ranch posts. I will try to change it up...but it is so fun....

FRIDAY MORNING...

2008-08-22T11:12:00.005-07:00

This morning I got the kids up, made wheat and oatmeal pancakes (sounds yucky, but they are sooo good). While I was making them, Colton requested them to be BLUE. So, I made the next ones blue. Cade would have nothing to do with them, he was absolutely grossed out with blue pancakes. Then I got the kids off to school, hoping that they will both get 100% on their spelling because we have practiced ALOT... I made banana bars, candied walnuts (for a salad) packed all the groceries for the ranch. Put a load of laundry away, mopped, dusted, showered, and WHILE I WAS GETTING READY..

Cade..this guy...

Was talking about his horses saying that when he gets to the ranch today, he is going to saddle up skipper boy and go and if he doesn't go he is going to spur him and punk him out, whatever that means..THEN he said" S***, mom can my say that if skipper won't run berry good?" I said NO you know that is a bad word, please don't say that or I will have to give you soap again... he sat there and said "but mom is it ok to say D*** IT?" NO it isn't he was so funny he said "ok mom my sure won't say that then".. he ran out and the next thing I know he was in here...

JUMPING ON THE BED IN KHLOE"S CRIB. I hope I make it through today..

I am sure I will though, because I have a NEW RIDE!!!! I have a really nice friend who GAVE me FOR KEEPS this awesome VAN. This things will rock your world until you get out of first gear, but she gets 30MPG... I am so exited. I have been cruising her around all week on a mere $40 bucks... In first gear it kind of feels like you are going over a really bad cattle guard for about 10 seconds. And I only use the A/C when I am on the road, because the belt is squeaking sooo bad that I am afraid I will startle drivers next to me.. I have waived and honked at my neighbor a couple times passing through town, (no names mentioned but his innitials are VW) and Josh. For some reason neither one of them will even look at me...I hope Josh really appreciates my frougalness (sp)... I can buy so much better stuff than Gas with all the money I am saving.. here she is...

I am really exited because my Suburban has been on full for 6 days now. I am glad I can not put the miles on it... but let me tell ya, when I woke up today the first thing I thought was, I am so glad I am going to the ranch today, because I can drive my suburban..

I will blog about this weekend at the ranch on Monday....

KALLIE RAE DOODLEBUG SMART...

2008-08-19T09:05:00.005-07:00

THE TORTURE...

I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, THAT I HELD KALLIE DOWN TO PULL HER TOOTH LAST WEEK. I ALSO MENTIONED THAT I STOPPED BECAUSE SHE WAS SCREAMING "YOUR KILLING ME" SO LOUD THAT I THOUGHT MY NEIGHBORS WERE GOING TO, (IF THEY HADN'T ALREADY)... CALL CPS FOR CHILD ABUSE...HENCE, I QUIT. BUT SATURDAY, I COULD TAKE IT NO LONGER. THE TOOTH WAS JUST HANGING THERE, CROOKED AND HALF FALLEN OUT. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NIGHT TO PULL IT, BUT SHE WOKE UP EVERYTIME. THEN I STARTED TO FEEL BAD WHEN SHE SLEPT WITH ME ON THURSDAY NIGHT. SHE SLEPT WITH ME, BECAUSE JOSH WAS OUT OF TOWN WORKING. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING, SHE WOKE UP CRYING AND FREAKING OUT. I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD A BAD DREAM. SHE SAID "YES I DREAMED THAT COLTON WAS TRYING TO PULL MY TOOTH OUT WHILE I WAS ASLEEP." SO I TOTALLY BACKED OFF ...UNTIL SATURDAY MORNING DURING CHORES. I TOLD COLTON AND CADE TO STOP CHORES FOR A MINUTE AND COME HELP ME. WE ALL HELD KALLIE DOWN IN HER ROOM AND I JUST FLICKED HER TOOTH WITH MY FINGERNAIL AND IT CAME OUT. SHE SAID THANKS AND THE TOOTH FAIRY CAME, LEFT HER 5 BUCKS SHE PAID HER TITHING THE NEXT DAY AND NOW IS DYING TO GO TO TOWN TO SPEND IT. AS YOU CAN TELL BY THIS PICTURE, THE BIG TOOTH IS ALREADY 1/2 WAY IN...

LAST NIGHT WE GOT THE PICTURE BOX OUT..KALLIE WAS SO HAPPY, SHE THANKED ME FOR LETTING THEM LOOK THROUGHT THE PICTURES ABOUT 15 TIMES, AND SAID "THIS IS MAKING ME FEEL ALL LIKE MEMORABLE, LIKE SO MANY MEMORIES"..

(SORRY ABOUT THE SIZE ANE QUALITY OF THESE PICTURES, I SCANNED THEM)

THIS IS OF HER AND JOSH AT HER 2ND BDAY PARTY...

THIS IS A BOA SHE GOT FOR HER BIRTHDAY ONE YEAR. SHE WANTED TO TAKE IT TO CHURCH AND WE WOULDN'T LET HER. WHEN WE GOT TO CHURCH, SHE HAD A LITTLE PURSE/BAG SHE HAD BROUGHT. WE SAT DOWN, AND AFTER SACRAMENT SHE GOT IT OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT TO PLAY WITH HER STUFF AND OUT EXPLODED THE WHOLE PINK FEATHER BOA,FEATHERS ONLY..SHE HAD PLUCKED EVERY SINGLE PINK FEATHER OFF THAT THING AND STUFFED THEM INTO HER PURSE...

"S" Word Update..

2008-08-15T22:39:00.003-07:00

In the last post I talked about Cade saying the "S" word. Well, after that he said it 3 more times. The first time I put some vinegar on his tongue...5 minutes later something happened and he dropped the "S" bomb again. So I put soap in his mouth (see below). He said it one more time, and I put soap again. It now has been over 24 hours with no cussing in the Smart home. I told Josh that HE should have had to get soap when Cade did...(and Kallie said Nana should too)...hehe. SOmehow I managed to escape any blame of being a cusser. Nana and Josh got it all... Go down and Pause the music before you watch this, because he is funny.

Cade is "BASSACKWARDS"

2008-08-13T16:19:00.007-07:00

We are potty training...sort of. We need to be more serious about it. But this Cade with his shirt on backwards, sitting on the potty backwards. Is this a sign of a problem child? I hope not. I finally told him today (while changing a poopy diaper) that I don't want him to ever go potty on the toilet. I want him to go to school and have the teacher call home when he poops his pants. I don't ever want him to be a big boy. He looked at me and said "WHY YOU SAY ME AT?" "MOM DON"T SAY ME AT!!" Which needs not only 1 but 2 translations- don't say me that, which means don't say that to me. We are right now trying to break him of the S word. I thought it was going good he hasn't said it for a few days, but we were at lunch with my mom today and he dropped his sour cream, and yelled "aw S*&^!!! My freakin stuff fawled...aw man gosh dangit "But he is really sweet. I was folding Josh's pants last night and he said "aw my daddy grill's (girls) pants aw i miss my daddy grill my want to call him and say come home daddy grill"

BIRDIE got stuck and was soooo mad....until I came and then she thought it was a big funny joke.....

No pictures, but when I went to check on the kids last night before I went to bed. COlton had the ipod on and ear phones blaring out Seven Spanish Angels (notice I chose to play it, what 8 year old listens to that stuff, also the Buckaroo Man...hilarious..But hey we don't own a playstation or have TV...so he only gets his influence from Josh...SCARRY. Colton is in Football and LOVES it.. The breakfast table conversation these days consists of Josh saying "Do you know when you're doing a good job?? When your coach is screaming SMART.... STOP ....LAY OFF THE POOR KIDS, THATS ENOUGH, and also when the kids you are up against are dropping like flies to quit" ...CRAZY.

Kallie likes school, she is a cheerleader for Colton's team. She has a tooth so loose that is is basically hanging there, but won't let anyone pull it. I tried Friday night, and she was screaming so loud I thought the neighbors were going to call the police, so I quit.

Sorry this is such a boring post, mostly journaling for the cool book I am going to have done with our blog. We decided we are going to do a book, and get one made for us and each of the kids every year. SO MUCH BETTER THAN SCRAPBOOKING!!!

I DON"T THINK I CAN BE DONE HAVING BABIES......

2008-08-08T10:44:00.002-07:00

I think I thought I was done having kids...I have 2 boys and 2 girls I have 2 older and 2 babies it seems just perfect. In 3 years my life will completely easy. But today Birdie stood up and I don't think I can stand it. How can I not have a baby at my feet, how can I not have a snuggling baby, a nursing baby, a cheesy no teeth grin, a funny 2 year old telling me he's mad and going to be giving me a knuckle sandwich for my birthday??!! I don't know if I can be done for that reason. I always want a 2 year old, simply for the humor in my life.. Well hopefully this will pass and I will feel a for sure sense of "we are done" but if not look for me bare foot and pregnant...

ALWAYS A GOOD TIME AT THE RANCH........

2008-08-07T15:41:00.004-07:00

This weekend at the Ranch was so much work, but so fun too.
First we got there on Thursday night at about 7 pm. By 1:30AM, we had stripped all the carpet, pad, and tack strip. Picked all the staples out of the carpet, taped off everything and painted. We went to sleep and woke up. By Friday morning at 11, we had put wood floor in and moved our furniture in........

On Saturday the guys went out and got the cows out of the bull pasture and brought them to the house. We ran them through and got all the numbers, vaccinated them, and re ear tagged them. Here is Josh, Justin, Chip

Here is my friend Kim she is wearing Josh's hat. I think she should be a hat model..

After all the hard work was done we took off to the river...

First it was cliff jumping..or rock jumping and you probably have to double click it to see it up close..

Then we had chicken fights...Josh and I won. I think it was all due to my skills. We had a great time and I am so thankful for fun times and friends to be with.....

Here is Justin jumping and Kallie Rae and Hallie Rae (Chip and Kim's little girl)...

MY BABIES ARE GETTING TOOOO BIG...

2008-08-06T11:02:00.007-07:00

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL....

We sold our beautiful, favorite, last house ever, house in Vernon in February.

(This is a picture from the back of our meadow of the barn and the back of the house...)

We moved into a spec house we had just finished that hadn't sold yet in Linden. There are great things about the move. And the greatest thing is that Linden School is the greatest school. AND it is about a 2 minute walk from the house...that means no packing up all 4 kids to drive to town. That means no trying to keep the 2 little ones awake on the way home. That means not going through $150 worth of fuel every 4 days!!! That means not spending 2-3 hours of my day on the road!! I love my life right now. (but I miss my great house) O'well it's all worth it, and we are young. We have at least one more house to build left in us. Here are Colton and Kallie this morning ready for school. That is why I chose this song to play on the blog. I can't believe they are getting so big. Josh and I were talking about Colton graduationg in 10 years last night and we were both so sad. I wish I could trap them and keep them little forever...

PS we had a great time at the ranch this weekend ..go here for a few details and I will post about it soon....

THE RODEO.......

2008-07-28T16:01:00.005-07:00

We had such a great July 24th... Colton was entered up in the St. Johns Rodeo on Thursday..There is a video below of his Steer ride. He took 2nd place!! And he won $60 dollars. He is so exited. After that we headed to the ranch.

Here is Kallie she spent all day on the pony riding around. She didn't want to enter in the barrels, but after we got there she was so sorry she didn't so she might do Eager days soon..

Cade spent most of the day roping this "girl bull" She was a little girl who I think might have been dropped off at the rodeo by her parents and left, she played with Cade all day, We bought her food and drinks when she asked, and I didn't see her with an adult at all, o'well. She put up with Cade all day. Cade also told us on the way to the rodoe that morning at 7am that he had a sucker in his nose. We didn't pay any attention to him he was in the back of the suburban and who knows what he was thinking. BUT... at 7PM he sneezed and out came a snotty puffy 1/2 inch long sucker stick. Go figure...He had that thing up his nose all day. He was happy roping his girl bull and drinking coke all day, so I guess the sucker stick didn't bother him.

Here is Colton before he rode...

Here is the video...watch the whole thing it is so funny...

WHAT A 2 YEAR OLD WILL DO FOR A COKE......

2008-07-18T20:48:00.003-07:00

Last weekend we told Cade that we would give him a coke, his own coke, all to himself. IF he let Josh shave his head. At first he wasn't sure about it.

But then he felt it and really thought it was funny. We think he has a real future as a Rodeo Clown..

And now it was all worth it....1 whole coca cola classic to myself!!!!

This is Milo a new really nice cat at the ranch. He spent the whole day in the back of a horse trailer being pulled around by a toy truck.

Look Out for Joshua D on the Pro Rodeo Circuit...

2008-07-06T21:50:00.003-07:00

The Wild Horse Race was the event. If you don't know what this event intales, look on you tube under wild horse race, you will see. But I will give you a brief description:

FIRST...You have a 3 man team...I prefer to highlight number 170...He is looking great and ready for the action, out side the Prescott 4th of July Rodeo. He is entered up in the event for the first time, in what just happens to be one of the most popular rodeos of the year. And he drove his rodeo truck...

NEXT...there are 8 teams of 3. Each team has 1 wild bronc horse. The team has 3 jobs. man #1-holds onto the rope on the broncs halter. man #2 is called MUGGER...(Josh). man #3 has to saddle the horse while the mugger holds/contains the horse by trying to hold him still with his bare hands. Then the rider has to get on the bronc, and ride him to the other end of the arena, trying to "steer: the bucking hourse in between the fence and a barrel. All 8 teams and their broncs are let out at the same time, so it is basically mass confusion...Here they are getting ready...

Here is the action...Josh held the horse like it was no body's business...then the rider went to the end, the horse was bucking so hard that the rider couldn't get him on the correct side of the barrel. They took 2nd, because of that, but they were by far the fastest...Josh is the one holding the horses head.

He had a great time, and has had many offers to be on others teams, they were all so impressed that it was his first time, they didn't even believe him...I think he really has a future... Look for the 3 man team of Clint Lilly, Brady Peters, and Josh Smart, at the upcoming summer rodeos. THey will be an UNSTOPPABLE team...

Josh's Crazy Nicknames For Us...

2008-07-02T15:45:00.005-07:00

This subject has come up alot lately, and since my camera has been broken, I thought I would blog about it, using some older pic's...

OUR NICKNAMES... We will start with me since I was the one named first, my name was MISTY DAWN NEAL, but....when Josh and I started dating 12 years ago, for no apparent reason he started calling me LaRae and I have been Larae ever since. I have looked into this extensively, and there is no ryme or reason for the name. No ex-girlfriends were named LaRae or anything, but this is what I am called. Now, some friends call me that and if you ask my 2 year old what my real name is he will say "LALAY". I think it's cute.

Next is COLTON JOSHUA SMART... he got the nickname Smoker, I don't even remember why, except his little friend Daisy Peters always called him "Moksers" and somehow from that Josh called him Smoker... He now answeres to Smoke and Smoker Joe...GO figure.

Next, there is the light of my life..KALLIE RAE SMART. Josh called her SUE, or SISTER SUE, since the day we brought her home...I call her Sue La Rue.

This guy is a whole other story.
His name is CADE EMMETT SMART. From about 3 weeks old, Josh started calling him TUD. It has stuck. I rememner when we moved into the Vernon Ward about a year ago, he was always playing or getting babysat at the Hunsakers, another family in the ward. There was a little girl named Holly, about 4 then. I came to pick up Tuddy one day and she said "oh man Sister Smart...does Ted have to leave so soon?" It was so funny. We have had friends over and I have told Colton to go find Cade and they have said "who's Cade?" We just explain that Tud is just a nickname for Cade.. The name TOTALLY fits him.

Our newest addition now 7 1/2 months is
KHLOE LARAE SMART...(notice the middle name, Josh insisted on it) This is BIRDIE. Looked just like a little baby Bird, she was soo skinny with the skinny, just born baby legs, and would look like a bird trying to get the worm from her mama when she would get ready to nurse. Cade calls her "Birdie Girl". Except when he's mad. Then he says..."aww man birds, why you mess with my stuff ike at"... Yesterday we had our neighbors over for dinner, and she called Khloe Birdie. Cade quickly said her name is K H L O E.

We love Josh and we are so thankful to have such a great daddy and honey. We all love our nicknames and think it is fun to have them. Josh is in Prescott right now at the rodeo being a contestant...I'll blog as soon as I get the pictures back...

SO SORRY THE CAMERA IS BROKEN.....

2008-06-23T15:12:00.003-07:00

We are so sorry for not updating our blog. THe camera broke after josh's 30th surprise bday party....and school has been out for the summer. We have been having a splendid summer...Swimming and staying at Dave and Annettes. Ranching, Maddie died. A mountain Lion ate her. If you want the details, you'll have to ask Cade and he'll explain the whole story.
We are now landscaping our yard, and hanging out. Ibought a new camera but haven't been home long enough to hook it up. I'll do it next week. look at Lindsay and Matts blog, and scroll down to see Colton cliff jumping and this cool video we made for my nephew in Argentina (baby Gabe)... it was all my idea. But... Matt and Lindsay executed it (you can get there from my blog)

Maddie and More.......

2008-05-07T08:08:00.005-07:00

A few weekends ago, at the Ranch, Kallie and Nana found this birds nest. Kallie has been hauling it around with a real egg from the fridge for about 3 weeks, changing the egg about every 3 days. I finally just threw it away while she was at school. She hasn't noticed yet. It's been 2 days. Keep your fingers crossed that it will be out of sight out of mind.

Nana and Colton doing a puzzle at the Ranch.
Grandpa and Cade playing in the horseshoe pit that Cade thinks is a sandbox.

Kallie ready for church, in her second outfit-her first got dirty when she decided to go call the boys in to get ready. She came back 30 minutes later, and muddy.

This is Colton pulling Cade around in the double stroller. It was going great until they hit a bump and Cade fell over and was hanging upside down in it buckled in...

And THIS is Maddie. Our new dogie calf. Her mom dropped the ball, and couldn't nurse her. So thank goodness for Colton. He has slept with her, taken her to the neighbors, and arranged with papa and granny, to take her to the valley this weekend when we go and he has made her reservations at Granny and Papas. Annette will be happy to hear that Colton feels her backyard isn't safe for a cow because of the pool. Lucky for her, she and Dave got off this time, becuase between Josh and Colton, an animal is somehow always brought UN INVITED.

Birdie Girl.....

Josh and Cade picking up the front yard Monday. Cade is wearing undees, and undershirt, and boots. We are trying to potty train. I thought it was going pretty good, until Tracy took him to the park yesterday. She said he came up to her about 2 minutes after she asked him if he needed to go potty. He said "you mad Tracy?" she said "no why?" "cuz my pooped in my unnnnerwear." so hopefully it will go better today.

All that can be done while nursing.....

2008-04-15T11:25:00.004-07:00

Here I am nursing last night at 5:00, all the while......(Khloe just saw the flash and had to look up)

Making cookie dough....

Then letting my kids play with the left over flour in the bag, the front yard.

Making dinner. I put this picture in so my mother in law Annette will see that I do attempt to set the table for dinner. She will however, have a heart attack that I didn't use a table cloth that fit the table ...it's the thought that counts.

I did a load of laundry. Just picture, I had to put all thelaundry in, start it Etc,. with one hand and a baby in the other..NURSING.

We had a great Monday night. We had dinner, and family night. It was hilarious. Cade had the opening prayer... he whispered it because Josh was whispering it in his ear. When Josh told him to say it loud he screamed "Say It Loud!!"

Colton: had the song and he stood on the coffee table and led the music.
Kallie: had the activity. She was playing teacher she handed out paper and pens. She instructed us to draw a picture of Jesus or what we are thankful Jesus did for us. (pretty good huh). Then she made us turn them in with our names on it. Josh forgot his name and got his handed back to be corrected. She walked around like a teacher monitoring our work. (she liked all of them but she kept saying Clolton's is kind of messed up but it's still good. Then she showed them to class.. and said they were great and she liked our work, EXCEPT for colton's she said again it is good except it's kinda messed up...then Colton said "IT ISN"T MESSED UP IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY!!"
Mom: had the lesson, sacrament, and Keeping the Sabbath day holy. and then (thanks to Annette) a great game of Mormon Go Fish.

Dad: had the closing prayer, copied the whole time by Cade.

We are so thankful for the church we belong to and for the opportunity we have to be togther forever. We love you!!!! We miss our vampire boy Gabe.

A GREAT WEEKEND

2008-04-09T10:02:00.006-07:00

We had a great weekend... First of all Josh, Brady, and Clint kiaked down the rapids of the Salt River. Jessica (brady's wife) dropped them off at the bridge and they got off the river where it passes the ranch. They had so much fun..Josh almost died (seriously). And Clint had a few rough times, but they were all alright. Very tired. But alive. Here is a picture of Josh and Clint afterwards. Brady must have been out and about, as he wasn't so tired, because HE ONLY FELL OUT TWICE...

Here is Daisy, Brady, Kallie, Josh , and Colton having a turkey shoot. The had a target down the way and had a shooting contest.

This is Me, Kallie, Klhoe, and Cade. We were watching Josh work with a horse in the round pen.

About a month ago, Josh dug out a pond/swimming hole with the backhoe. It has been filling up with water from the house spring. The kids went on the kiaks into the pond, Cade didn't want to go, but he did want to wear the helment. Also, he is so into Kallies old pink hat.........

brady duct taping their life jackets on...

Colton, Daisy, and Kallie in the pond...Josh was throwing big rocks right by them and getting them drenched. About one minute after this, Colton and Daisy were just swimming and Kallie was kiaking all by herself... she didn't want to swim. They spent the rest of the afternoon catching gold fish from the water troughs and transporting them to the pond. Well I should say transporting a goldfish to the pond. Like most Smart fishing trips, they only caught one.

Van made this new hitching post at the barn. It is really cool and I thought Joe would like to see a picture of it, since he hasn't seen it yet. Double click on the picture and you can enlarge it.

. The kids. Somehow I didn't get one single picture of Brady's beautiful wife...so I'll just tell you all about her. She is so pretty and nice. She could be an arm model, her arms are so great, and they are even greater after lugging Khloe around all weekend.... she is the most organized person I've ever met, she is a great mom to Daisy, a great wife (she has to be to put up with B.P.) I could go on and on. (I'll bet she is just wishing I would have taken her picture by now, so I wouldn't have to have spotlighted her.)

Everyone playing horseshoes............................

Kids

2008-03-14T13:09:00.001-07:00

TRYING NOT TO BLOG ABOUT CADE.....

2008-02-28T18:05:00.005-07:00

Today was the first actually nice, able to play outside day we have had in about 4 months...I looked out the back door of this "no yarded" new but not so cool house, and here was Colton. He is so cute just playing with himself, in the dirt and mud with his horses. I decided to blog about him and Khloe because they haven't really gotten much blog time.....

This is "Birdie Khloe" isn't she so cute and peaceful and chubby. She is getting so fun. I can't believe she is already three months old. She is such a sweet baby and she makes us so happy.

This is our clean toy room. Since we have moved in this house over a month ago, it has been completely trashed up there. I haven't even gone up there. So I cleaned it on Wednesday and took several pictures at all different angles and I have them posted up there. WHen I ask if the cleaned up and they say yep. I say like the pictures look,,they say nope and go back up. I think it is great.

This is Roxy...I'm really trying to give everyone some blog time, She was having major anxiety today trying to patrol and watch all the kids,,Colton was out back, Cade was out front and Kallie was at the neighbors. This literally threw Roxy into a state of confusion. She went from front to back to the neighbors about 200 times. She is the greatest dog ever, she is so protective. Usually only one of them is out of the house at a time, or they are all at the neighbors. When they are at the neighbors she paces on their front porch until the kids are ready to come home and then she walks them home.

SO...I was trying to make this all about everyone except cade, but...I came in from taking Coltons picture and this picture of cade earlier ...and he was screaming "mama got a burger for you" I came to see and he was just so exited that he had a "burger " from out of his nose and onto the glass of the door. He said"see my got it for you mama". Then I took the camera with me tonight to Colton's wrestling practice to take some pictures to blog about. I was talking with Shawn Hunsaker our old branch President, and all of a sudden he took off running from me and I looked over and Cade was at the top (about 15 feet) of the folded up bleachers. So he had crawled up them like a ladder or a rock wall. I just prayed while it seemed like slow motion for Shawn to get to him...please don't let him fall please don't let go..please no one scream at him and scare him..He got him and he was fine. I, however wasn't and I totally forgot to take any pictures, I was just so thankful he was ok. Please keep me in your prayers daily that I can raise this little boy and keep up with him enough to keep him and the people around him safe.

THE RANCH

2008-02-27T12:27:00.003-07:00

Cade on Skipper or "IPPERT" as he calls him...

double click the picture andlook at
Cades face...everyone else
is soo cute also, but this picture
is just perfect to show his personallity

Tuddy with his "eggins" aka leggings

Cade playing with his new backhoe that nana got him for his birthday. Today Josh left for the valley and he was going to take Cade with him. He asked Cade if he wanted to go, and he said "yep my birthday at nanas"

We took alot of other pictures, but somehow I didn't get any of Joe or Frank, the real people that the new stuffed animals and stick horse at our house are named after.. and Junior is a bull at the ranch. Joe is the owner of the ranch, and Frank is his good friend, and Bailees dad. THey are so fun, and they even put up with us when we all come visit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TUDDY!!!

2008-02-27T12:02:00.005-07:00

CADE EATING HIS CAKE..IT WAS A THIS IS OUR FRIEND BAILEE
HORSE/BACKHOE CAKE...THANKS TO
NANA GOING TO EVERY WALMART IN
THE VALLEY..

CADE RIDING IS NEW STICK HORSE "JOE".... HE ALSO GOT A NEW
STUFFED ANIMAL HORSE "FRANK" AND A COW "JUNIOR"..

PS CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN TO MR HOW TO CHANGE THE BACKGROUND ON MY BLOG?

Kallie is a Fluzie and Cade is a Baker......

2008-02-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today is Saturday...Josh and Colton are at the Ranch and we decided to make bread and make haw Jelly, clean the house, do make up and nails, and play. Kallie is all decked out...She looks like she is from the 80's with her big crimped hair, and purple polka dotted nails. Cade wanted to make a cake and go to Tinas last week, so wek made a cake, but stayed home... He is so exited for his birthday!!!

Our crazy Monday

2007-12-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Cade isn't (as you know) the most normal run of the mill almost 2 year old. He will not have anything to do with cartoons. He will, however sit and watch this lame homemade video of an old man training cattle dogs (on vhs so I have to rewind it every hour). So this is what yesterday consisted of watching cow dog training videos then.....

Snacking on oranges,popcorn, and coke... after that (not pictured) it was way too quiet for way too long, and I found him totally dressed in his bathtub with the mules and horses in ice cold water and the whole bottle of bubbles spilt.

When everyone got home they played rodeo.
We love you guys and we are so exited to see everyone at Christmas. Just to let you know our Christmas tree is dead ..dead as a doornail. The ornaments are falling off because the limbs are sagging so bad. But it will still be fun. I can't wait to see Gabe. I hope he can stand all the craziness.

This week...

2007-12-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is COlton, today as he was playing playdough
and Josh and I were sitting in front of him, and he says
"hey Mom, in the summer when you are skinny again
and Khloe is older, are you going to wear wranglers
and go to the ranch?" That wasn't the funny part though
the funny part was Josh laughing and shaking his head
saying over and over "well answer the boy"!! After we
were laughing Colton kept saying "I wasn't making fun of you
mom, I was just wondering".

THis was Friday, Kallie was all ready for her Christmas
program, I tried to down load a vidoe of the songs but I can't
seem to do it. So this is all I have.

Oh and we all know this character, he is eating
granola bars, standing on his trike.

Today (SUnday) playing playdough

Josh and Khloe

SNOW DAY!!!

2007-12-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Colton and his snowman he made by himself, because Cade was too cold, and all Kallie could think about was the hot Cocoa- she hardly even wanted to stay outside since the minute I told them when they were done I'd have hot cocoa waiting.

Cade got mad because his hands were too "eeezing"

Cade and Kallie

Also today, I asked Cade if he had been upstairs playing with his neigh neighs, and he said very loudly."no no mine muuuuuules" like I was retarded for not knowing the difference.

Khloe is trying to survive...

2007-12-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

This is Khloe. I have her on top of the washer because she is in hiding. I spend a great part of the day finding hiding spots for her. Because Cade can't stay away from her. Today I was doing laundry and I thought Cade was upstairs playing, until he came and got me and said" otion...her" then he pulled me into my room where Khloe was in her swing covered with lotion. Cade was so proud of himself and thought I'd be so happy, so I told him thank you and hid the lotion.

Here he is again palying in his jew cowboy hat..

Christmas....and more Cade

2007-12-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is our Christmas tree. Everyone took a picture by it. It was so fun to decorate it, and the kids love it. However, you won't be spotting any presents under this beautiful tree this year until probably Christmas Eve Day, THANKS TO CADE. I'm not even going to attempt it, I know that they will be opened, I know I will lose my temper, and I know he will be spanked, and yelled at. So being the great mom I am (haha) I'm choosing to pick my battles and this is not one I have the time or energy for. So I guess we'll wait until Christmas Eve Day, when all of all of our family will arrive - which means lots of eyes to watch him.

This is cade playing, I don't know if he is a jew or a cowboy...But he LOVES this hat, or what is left of this cowboy hat. Also he loves pink nail polish, which is what is on his face, and ny bathroom floor, and his legs, and Coltons favorite horse shirt that Cade was wearing declaring"mine"-"neigh neigh" everytime you asked him why he was wearing Coltons shirt.

Cade Cade Cade.... I know you know the staying in bed delima, so this was last Thursday. I have started tying his door shut so he doesn't get out. Only until his crib tent gets here thanks to Ashelys friend Dabrielle. So he was loud for awhile and then when he quiets down, I go and check on him this is what I found. A wet floor, an emptied closet, an emptied dresser, and a naked baby sprawled out on the bed. Enlarge the picture so you can see his hands behind his head.

TUD SMART

2007-11-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

THIS IS CADE SMART AKA TUD TUDDILY TUDDY TUDALICIOUS, AND YOU LITTLE SH**. THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT HIS DAY CONSISTS OF, I'M WRITING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I THINK HE HAS A GREAT LIFE AND I WISH I COULD HAVE HAD THIS MUCH CONTROL OVER MY WHOLE ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING INLAWS AND EXTENDED FAMILY AT THE AGE OF 22 MONTHS, OR 2 IF YOU ASK HIM HIS AGE.
HE STARTS OUT BY HAVING COLTON DRESS HIM IN COWBOY -CLOTHES, THEY EAT BREAKFAST AND THEN HE BEGS COLTON TO TALE HIM OUT TO THE NEIGH NEIGH'S UNTIL COLTON FINALLY DOES (IN THE 20 DEGREE WEATHER). THEN COLTON AND KALLIE GO TO SCHOOL. WE COME HOME AND HE STARTS IN WITH THE PANTRY. HE BRINGS ME THINGS OUT OF THE PANTRY FOR THE MOST PART OF THE DAY, I GIVE THEM TO HIM BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO DO OFFICE WORK OR TALK ON THE PHONE TO SOMEONE WHO WOULDN'T APPRECIATE HIS SCREAMING. THEN HE BEGS FOR SUCKERS, YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE, 2 SUCKER STICKS STICKING OUT OF HIS MOUTH. THIS IS BECAUSE I GAVE HIM 2 BECAUSE I KNEW HE WOULD CHOMP THE FIRST ONE AND COME ASK ME FOR ANOTHER BEFORE I COULD EVEN SIT BACK AT THE COMPUTER, NO HE PUT BOTH IN HIS MOUTH AND THEN SAT AT MY FEET AND DROOLED SUCKER SPIT ALL OVER ME. USUALLY THEN THE KIDS GET HOME AND HE DOES GREAT THEY TAKE HIM OUTSIDE AND PLAY, YESTERDAY THEY WENT TO THE HORSES, AND THEY WERE GONE FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. THEY FINALLY CAME IN, THEY HAD 2 EMPTY DOG FOOD BAGS FILLED WITH TREASURES. BB GUNS AND PELLET GUNS THEY HAD WANDERED UP ON THAT WERE LEFT OUT. ROPES, ETC. BUT THERE TREASURE HUNTING WAS STOPPED SHORT BECAUSE THEY TOOK A BREAK IN ONE OF THE DOG HOUSES TO GET WARM AND TUD GOT STUNG BY A BEE. HE WAS MAD, NOT SO MUCH HURT, BUT JUST FLAT OUT PISSED AT THE "BUG". THEY CAME IN ATE DINNER, TOOK A SHOWER, AND WERE WATCHING A MOVIE. I THINK THE BENADRYL MADE CADE CRANKY BECAUSE I WALKED IN AND HE WAS ATTACKING KALLIE IN THE FACE. I DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR BED.

AMONG ALL THE OTHER WONDERFUL THINGS ANNETTE DID FOR ME WHILE I HAD THE BABY, SHE ALSO TRAINED CADE TO SLEEP ALONE IN A BIG BED. SHE DID THIS BECAUSE SHE THINKS THE MONKEY CAGE I HAD SET UP WAS CRUEL AND IT ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT OK WITH HER. SO SHE TRAINED HIM...WELL IT HAS SO FAR WORKED 2 DAYS FOR NAPS, BUT NOT SO LUCKY AT NIGHT. THE FIRST NIGHT HE TRIED IT AND WOULDN'T STAY IN BED, SO HE GOT PUT IN THE CAGE. LAST NIGHT HE DID THE SAME HE GOT PUT IN THE CAGE. BUT HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL SCREAMING MAD BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WAS GOING TO BED. I HAD JOSH GO UP AND PUT HIM BACK IN BED BECAUSE SOMEHOW HE HAD GOTTEN OUT. HE FOUND THE MATTRESS THAT WAS ON TOP OF HIS CRIB ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM BY THE DRESSER. CADE HAD SOMEHOW PUSHED IT OFF, AND ESCAPED. JOSH JUST PUT HIM BACK IN THE CRIB WITHOUT THE MATRESS ON AND SAID "TUDDY YOU STAY HERE"!! i WENT TO CHECK ON HIM ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER BECAUSE IT WAS QUIET AND I WAS NERVOUS, AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND, HE HAD GOTTEN STUFFED ANIMALS AND THE SHEET OFF OF HIS BED AND MADE HIS OWN BED ON THE FLOOR. WE DIDN'T SEE HIM UNTIL 7 THIS MORNING.

EVERYTHING IS OK WITH KHLOE. SHE IS DOING FINE. IT WAS SO SCARRY. THANKYOU FORYOUR PRAYERS, THEY REALLY HELPED. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOU GUYS. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

MY INLAWS

2007-11-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I just want to bear my tesitmony about my inlaws!!! Incase no one has heard, which I'm sure you have, I have the best inlaws in the world.. not just a good mother in law, or sister in law, but the whole bunch of them. Every single one is so amazing. Ashely, Dave, and Annette came for the birth. Dave and Ashely stayed at home with the kids, and Annette came to the hospital. Then Annette and Dave stayed until Wednesday, helped me decorate for Christmas, cleaned, did all of my laundry, made great comfort food meals, went grocery shopping...not to mention took care of all the kids. I know she was really worn out, but then... She took them with her to the valley. Ashley took Kallie and they had a great time. She spent the night there and went to Mindy's and had lots of fun. Annette went shopping all day on Friday, so Aunt Alli took Kallie and Cade to the new mall, played, saw Santa, built reindeer at build a bear, went to the movies, ate dinner, and Cade got to drink as many sippie cups as he wanted. I'll put pictures up when they get home.

I just want to tell you guys how much I appreciate you and love you. You don't know how much you are helping me I am able to rest and all I'm worried about is how I'm going to do it on my own when Monday comes, so pray for me... or for the kids.

Colton's Baptism October 20, 2007

2007-11-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

Since we didn't have a blog when Colton got baptized last month, I wanted to post it now, so Adrianne and Ashley could see some pictures. Since they were both in Argentina when he was baptized. So here they are. It was so neat. I wish you could have been there. Jason talked and Lindsay, they were so good. From the pictures, you can see Colton chose to wear his bolo tie from my great grandpa. He has a collection of them from him and is very proud of them. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

More Khloe

2007-11-20T12:06:00.001-07:00

2007-11-20T12:00:00.001-07:00

Khloe LaRae Smart is here!!!

2007-11-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

This Is Khloe. She was born on November 18, 2007. Sh was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. She was our only baby that wasn't born with her tongue tied. She is doing great and is somehow surviving her brothers and sister who love her. We picked the kids up from school yesterday and they were about to have an anxiety attack because I made them wait to touch her until we got home to touch her. When we got about half way home Colton said "I can't stand it"!! He's great and so is Kallie. Cade is great too but he definately can NOT be around her insupervised. He calls her "my babt doie". I;ll keep you posted. But this is my first time attempting to blog on my own, so these posts will probably be coming slowly...but surely.

Virgin Blogger

2007-11-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

So, the inevitable has happened. I finally have a blog so that I can showcase my kids (occasionally I might post something about the mom & dad, but let's face it, my children are much more entertaining that my husband or I.) Thanks to my favorite sister-in-law Ashley she has hooked me up and now I am in the land of the blogging. I'm headed to the hospital in the morning to welcome our new baby girl Khloe, so I may be absent for a few days, but I promise to post pictures of the new addition as soon as possible.

Kallie & Cade

Colton @ his birthday part w/ his little brother Cade