Pics of my haircut

Before

After

So, not too dramatic, just a little off the ends. This cut makes it loads easier to do.

I seriously hope that the secret Christmas present Todd already got for me was what I asked for - photoshop! These pics need some touch ups!

Rain, Rain, come and STAY

I have been loving the rain today! It is just so nice for a little change. This afternoon I was in the front room picking up. The curtains were opened and I could see the beauty of the rain and the dark skies at the same time I saw our Christmas tree. It was a warm and fuzzy moment.

Anyway...it is so sweet of you, Lauren, to notice that I have been MIA. I have been very busy this past week. Thanksgiving was perfect. Everything was beautiful and tasty. The butternut squash was great, and Becky R., I am going to post the recipe at recipe mamas. I am so glad that I had that nice, restful, long weekend, because all of that peace ended Sunday. Not really, I am just being a tad dramatic. However, when you get called to be the Young Women secretary when you are brand new in the ward, it gets a little CRAZY.

This is my third time in the seven years I have been married that I have been in YW. I am excitied, but very intimidated and overwhelmed. Before I was the 2nd counselor and a Mia Maid advisor, and I was always very glad I wasn't the secretary. I guess this is what I get for thinking that! I really don't think that it is going to be too hard, once I get the hang of it. I am also very happy to be serving with the other women called. They are so nice and talented. I have a feeling I am going to be learning a lot from them.

Now onto the hair, Lauren! I will post the pics next post. I was very happy with it, my cousin Steph does an excellent job. I just wish that she, and her husband Chris, could move in with us. You know, so she can do my hair every morning!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish everyone a wonderful holiday, especially Grandma and Grandpa Smith, Uncle Tyson, and Uncle Brennan, who are all on missions! We love you and miss you!

So, for some unknown reason, I volunteered to do Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year. I started panicking about a week ago. This weekend, when my weird lingering illness got really bad, I was really panicking. However, today I am excited and pretty confident. I have handed out assignments, made a list for myself, went shopping, am in the process of defrosting the bird, and have cleaned like a crazy person. Today I am making a few dishes to ease tomorrow's workload. It looks like I am really going to pull this off! Here is the menu:

Turkey
Mashed potatoes
stuffing with sausage
green bean casserole (not what you think, this is a yummy Smith dish)
butternut squash with pecans and blue cheese (this may be too "Martha" for me, but we'll see)
rolls
cranberries
green salad
veggie tray

pies, pies, pies

It looks like a lot, but I have delegated and am not in charge of everything! So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving? What are some of your favorite dishes and traditions?

Shout Out to Todd!!!

OK, this picture was taken three years ago, but it mirrors our life right now. I have been SO sick. I think it should be against the law of nature for a mother to be sick. It seems that once I get over one thing, I get something else - usually from my cute kids. Anyway, Todd has really taken care of me. He has made me stay in bed while he takes care of the kids. He goes about parenting a little differently, and I should probably adapt to his style a little. He isn't all consumed with a strict schedule and cleaning. He is so calm. He is so confident in his abilities. He loves the guitar and so do the kids. He plays it and they sing and dance. The kids have been well taken care of today. Thank you so much Toddy, I love you so much.

Gilbert Days

So yesterday was the annual "Gilbert Days" parade. Even though I am not a Gilbert resident, and haven't been to the parade since elementary school, I went yesterday. I came to support my Dad and Mom who were in it, my Dad's school had a float in the parade. After this experience, I now know how my parents must have felt at every recital, concert, and other special thing I performed at...BORED...until your special someone performs that is. So Mom and Dad, consider this a little payback, and thank you for your support as I was growing up!!!


Here are Mom and Dad
Only Lyssa came, Harrison was sick and Todd took care of him.

Here is Gavin, looking festive.

I do want to add that it was awesome to go to the parade and see so many of my extended family there. I sat with my Nana and Papa, Great Aunt and Uncle, second cousins, Aunt and Uncle, and many first cousins. They were all so proud of my parents and cheered so loud as they walked by. What a tribute. I think that says a lot about how my family feels for my Dad and Mom.

I am very proud of them too. I remember when my Dad went back to school to become a teacher, some jerk expressed this lovely sentiment to my Mom, "How is he going to support your family?" Well, he has supported us very well. Both of my parents are such a good example of teamwork to me. Together they worked to provide for our family. Now, he is a principal, and loves his work. He does such a great job. My Mom is a counselor and also does great work. I had the privelege to witness my parents become succesful doing what they love, because of this, I have always felt that I could become whatever it is I wanted in life. I really feel that if it wasn't for their example, and also the example of Todd's parents, we wouldn't have had the courage to go to law school. I am so grateful we did, because now I am doing just what I always wanted to do in this stage of my life - staying at home with my children.

ZAFU

No, that is not a typo. Have you heard of zafu.com? It is an AWESOME, FREE website that helps you pick out the exact right pair of jeans to wear. You put in some information, such as height, weight, and some other stuff and it gives you a list of jeans that will flater your figure.

It really works. The past few months I have lost weight, which is great, but my pants don't fit anymore. My body is built differently than the majority of women - I am more of an apple shape. So, it is hard to find jeans anyway. BUT - This morning I went to the store and tried on the pair of jeans that Zafu told me too and wow - I have to say I look good. So try it out, if you want - www.zafu.com

Have you ever felt....

older than dirt? This week I had the privelege of judging some cheerleading tryouts at a local junior high. So through conversation, I realized that some of the other judges went to the same high school that I did. They were shocked that they didn't know me. Then they asked when I graduated. When I said '97, you should have seen the looks on their faces! Complete and utter schock. It was like they thought people who graduated in the 1990s were old and grey by now. To top it off, it was my birthday! One year older and wiser too - I love that as I get older, I really do get wiser. I have learned that age is just a number, in fact I feel better as I age.

A Boo-tiful Halloween

In case you weren't sick of seeing my kids all dressed up...Oh and I am Bat Girl! Todd stayed behind to pass out treats. We have a really busy Halloween street and were cleaned right out!

Railroad Park

Have you ever visited McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale? If not, you really should. It has a wonderful train ride and Merry Go Round. It is only $2 for the train and $1 for the Merry Go Round. Plus, their playground is shaded, a real plus for pale people like me and Lyssa. The two of us found ourselves here one morning last week. It was so much fun and good bonding time too. After our visit to the park, we met up with my brother Gavin, who works nearby, for lunch. Everyone at the restaurant made comments about how pretty Lyssa is - even with a fat lip - courtesy of Harrison and a kickball. In fact, almost every time I take this little girl anywhere, I get such comments. I feel so blessed.




Waiting in line for the train...

So excited to be on the train!

Another ride? Too fun!

I had a hard time separating her from this slide!

Here are some pics of the kids

This is for my in-laws in China...I want them to

see little Lyssa in her dress and see how handsome Harrison is.

Hallock Halloween Party

This past week was filled with so many parties and other fun things. On Saturday we had our ward trunk or treat, which was a blast. Then on Sunday my parents hosted a Halloween party for the extended family. My grandparents, aunt and uncle, and a lot of my cousins came. We played a lot and had some yummy chili and cake. Then we had the kids do a model walk down the stairs one at a time where my Dad announced them. After they came down the stairs the kids went trick or treating to us adults - good candy too. I think it may be against the law to have so much fun!!





Lyssa the China Doll - dress courtsey of
Grandma and Grandpa Smith from
Hong Kong

Harrison the Pirate - doesn't he look scary?

Harrison, Papa, Summer, Nana, and Lyssa

The kids loved the parachute!!

Bobbing for apples..... we don't know

how to take turns in my family!!

Here is my Mom, dressing all of the kids up as mummies

Here are Papa and Nana, the only adults who dressed up!

Hopefully this becomes a tradition in our family. I really love my family and don't see my cousins enough!