Ringing in the New Year!

The last several hours of 2008 we spent eating great food and Launching off a nice show of illegal fireworks that were brought over the state line by the Kippers- thanks guys! The high flying big booms and roman candles were a big hit, but the best show of the night had to be the fountain that lit the backyard grass on fire and watching Daddy run for the water hose, what fun!

The kids made New Years noise with some noise makers and horns, as if a group of seven kids don't make enough noise all by themselves. Good-bye 2008 and welcome 2009!!!

The Herren's come to Georgia

This month seemed to be the month that kept on giving. First with Brenner's Baptism and the corresponding Christmas visit from Gram's and Pa, then all the fun with family and friends that comes in the weeks before Christmas, and finally on the night of the 25th- Stacy, Michael and Maddie came from Utah to visit for the weekend. We had so much fun catching up with them over the last several days and their visit just put the perfect ending to this year of great fun and memories. Wow ~ it is 2009 in just a couple days~ thanks for all the great memories 2008!!!

Santa Delivered!

Oh yes- Santa stopped by! The kids must have been very good this year as Santa seemed to have delivered on all their requests. They look so great in those Christmas Eve Homemade pajamas- Thanks Bing!

And as you can see from the morning light out the windows, they did not get up to early, something Mom and Dad really appreciated. After the unwrapping of gifts and the traditional Christmas Breakfast, we found the time to construct a Lego castle, help a very small family move into a pink doll house and loosen up our wrists with Boom Blocks on the Wii. Christmas Dinner was at Patrick and Stephanie's this year and was wonderful, What a Christmas!

What do you want for Christmas?

Sitting on Santa's lap

Oh to be a child again, to be able to simply ask a jolly old man in a red suit for all that your heart desires, and then to truly believe that he will deliver your requests- I Believe, I Believe!!!

Brenner was first and asked Santa for Wii Games, an R/C Boat and something called Martian Matter. Our little creative builder Cayden asked the old man in red for what else- LEGOS, Lincoln Logs and also a R/C Boat so as not to be out done by the older brother. Little Mia at first was not to crazy about the whole thing, but then she saw the free candy canes!!! She sat right down in that bearded strangers lap and spilled out her list- Doll House, Baby Stroller, a new Baby and what else... More Candy, Just like her Daddy! Then it was Daddy's turn, he sat down and asked Santa for a Red Ridder BB Gun to which Santa looked him in the eyes and replied: "you'll shoot your eye out kid"!

We hope everyone gets their wishes this year for Christmas, whatever they may be! -Merry Christmas to all our Friends and Family-

Slide Show of Grams, Pa, and Justins visit!!

Brenner's Baptism

-Brenner and Daddy on his Baptism day-

Brenner has been so excited about getting baptized, he has learned so much over the last several years and the time had finally come. Grams, Pa and Uncle Justin came out for the weekend to attend and all his Georgia family and many of his friends came out to support him too. He is ready for this very important step in his life and his Mom and Dad are so proud of him and the good choices he makes everyday..... well almost everyday- but that is what repentance is for, right? =) We love you Brenner!

Brenner sitting with Mommy right before his big dunk and splash.

So Very Thankful

We truly have so very much to be thankful for this year, as a family we are so very blessed!
Thanksgiving was at our home and it could not have been more perfect.

Mia and her bad hair day on the tramp. She loves to Jump. Anyone for a Static Shock?

Birthday party again!

Instead of making two cakes, I just split one down the middle and made half a cake for Brenner and half a cake for Abby. And what a hit it was!

Brenner was lucky and got two parties in one weekend. We had a combo party for Brenner and Abby since their Birthdays are within two weeks of each other. Yes we had pizza again, but this time we made our own, it was fun. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENNER AND ABBY!!

Brenner's 8th birthday

We had Brenner's favorite meal PIZZA!! If he could he would eat pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can't believe that my little baby is eight years old- time is just flying by. This is a very exciting year because Brenner will be getting Baptized. We waited until the first weekend in December because Grams and Pa are coming out for the Baptism.



It is so sad that Brenner is getting to old for his mom to have the cute little parties she loves to organize. This year all he wanted to do was have friends over and play video games. So, yes we gave in and let him have two friends Brett and Weston, and we surprised him with a Wii for his birthday. He was so excited! This boy is obsessed when it comes to video gaming and that is all he needed- another video game system! But you know the saying all work and no play makes for a dull boy .... and Brenner does work very hard in school to earn his Video game time. Play away Brenner!!!

Smith Family Fall 2006

Smith Family Fall 2008

We recently updated our Family Picture. Wow the Boys have grown up into little men, and look at little Mia! She has changed so much from two years ago! Our last Chipmunk is getting so very big. If they could only stay little forever!

Sing, Sing a song.

Mia is my little singer. Her first song that she sang was twinkle twinkle little star. We would sing it to her before bed and one night she just started singing it with us. American Idol- watch out!

Halloween!

We had mummy dogs, chilli, and of course the smoking rootbeer. We had plenty of dry ice because I have never bought dry ice before and didn't realize that they could cut up the ice in pieces so I bought the whole ten pound block. Needless to say we had lots of ice leftover for smoking pots for the front porch, and with the rest Daddy taught the boys how to make dry ice bombs.

The more kids you have in a picture the harder it is to get a good picture, but of course we always try.

How cute, little Tinker Bell and Cinderella

Doughnut on a string

Just try and guess who won the doughnut on a string contest? Yes, Brenner won and he didn't even use his hands. Cayden got very fustrated and grabbed the doughnut and started eating it.

Our church Halloween party!!

Gentry made a cute bean bag toss for one of the activites and it was a big hit.

Cayden with his friends Tanner, Nathan, and Garrett. What handsome little boys. Brenner hanging out with Brett, don't they look like they are up to no good.

Mommy's little Princess

Doesn't she make apretty little Princess. It was not hard to know what Mia wanted to be for Halloween. She loves everything that has to do with the Princess.

Brenner loves the candy corns. He thought he was a candy corn vampire.
Cayden was so proud of his marshmellow that he wanted me to take a picture of it.

Hanging out and cooking smores before the laser show.

Aren't the three little piggies so cute.

Halloween at Stone Mountain

After our chores we went to Stone Mountain with Mitchell, Abby, and Lindsey. We had lots of fun, we went to the pumpkin patch, roasted marshmellow, and watched the laser show.The boys found a cool tree to climb.

They had lots of cool decorations. They had pumpkin people. Mia loved the mermaid one.

Surprise from Grams and Pa

On Saturday after our chores and before our trip to Stone Moutain we got a very cool Halloween package from Grams and Pa. It was a cute tin full of candy and popcorn. Thank you Grams and Pa!!

Saturday Morning chores

Brenner's favorite chore is sweeping the stairs. I am glad he likes doing that because I don't. Cayden likes to use the swifter and clean the hardwood floors. So, now I just need to get them to love to clean the toilets and fold my laundry and I will be set.

It is about time for the boys to earn there keep around here. I taught them how to clean windows, and they thought it was great fun.

Trading Costumes

When our costumes came in the mail Mia wanted to try on the boys costumes. Isn't she a cute Astronaut and the cutest Indiana Jones ever.

Hanging out in our graveyard

The kids saw these pumpkins at the store and had to have them, so we got them to match- one big, one medium, and one small.

Grams, are you glad to see that your Grandkids names are no longer on the tombstones. Gentry hopes you can now sleep better at night. =)