Back to School
Oh Yes, all good things do come to an end. School started back up for the Boys and it was about time, as Cayden had one of his self proclaimed "most boring days ever" last week~ give me a break! =) These kids have had nothing but straight entertainment all summer long and a couple of down hours equate to the "most boring day ever"! Now that School is back in~ we hope Cayden will be more fully entertained. He is excited and eager to go back, but Brenner on the other hand would take the rest of his life off if it were an option as he is truly a summer lover!

Off to class boys~ The Bell has rung!


~The Final Week of Freedom~
We tried to fill the last week with great stuff and had lots of fun at Stone Mountain, Zoo Atlanta and of course the kids favorite summer spot~ the Pool.

On top of "The Rock".

(Notice Atlanta in the background)Wild Animals at the Zoo
Every thing is "Pink" with Mia lately, and she was crazy over the Pink Flamingos.
Zoo Atlanta is one of the few in the U.S. to have Giant Panda Bears, and even more unique with a new panda baby born this year. Pandas are very cool up close, and are such beautiful animals! I think we have all officially changed our favorite Bear from Polar to Panda, except Mia, she will stick with the Pooh Bear.
Rock Climbing
Whatever Brenner is doing?!?
And one last Jump in the Pool brings with it the end of a great Summer!

Dress-Up

Once upon a time...

Three little girls happened upon some Dress-Up Clothes, and just look what happened!

Other than Halloween, this is Mia's first real encounter with "Dress-Up". I guess with two older brothers, she just has not been exposed to such activities. Notice her eniexpierience with her gown over her purple shirt =), but she did get the pink BLING on her finger to make herself runway ready! Well needless to say, she loves Dress-Up and danced the rest of the night as whoever she thought she was. I guess we need to start collecting some Dress-up items, Yikes!!! Boys are so much easier! I do have to admit that it was very cute to see her dancing with such excitment.

The following picture is included because she is so darn cute but also to make Aunt Tara so very jelous of Mia's footware. Although you can barely see them, YOU know what they are... Bring back any memories? Well, We all know that you still have some just like them in your closet and it is ok if you feel the need to go put them on! =)

Proud to live in the U.S.A!

~ Happy 4th of July ~

BBQ, Homemade Ice Cream, Fire Works, and Red, White and Blue... Sounds like Independence to me!

Mia and some Black Olives- this trick never seems to get old! =)

We also spent some time this weekend doing something with our bathroom on the main floor as it has needed some help for over two years now. We never did like that it was a full bath with the tub that has never been used, so we finally covered it up and now it seems more like the 1/2 bath that we would have rather had all along~ good-bye awkward tub!

Boom Blox 2

Oh the JOY!

As many know of our obsession with the first round of BOOM BLOX, you can only guess, we are ecstatic about the new version! Pick it up~ you won't be disappointed!

Little Girl with Little Toad

~Rib bit and Croak~

These cute little toads seem to be all over our yard this year, and the kids have had lots of fun catching and playing with them (although a bit deranged, Gent has hit several with the lawn mower and Brenner has even feed some of the smallest ones to his turtle!?!). As we don't remember seeing them in year's past, we are wondering if it might be a plague, but are not going to go as far as to call it that until the locusts arrive and the Chattahoochee River turns to blood. But Gent has put some red paint over the front door~ just in case! =)

Princess Mia may just be holding her Prince Charming, but as she would not kiss the toad, we will never know for sure! That would be "disgusting" she said.

More Flags More FUN- SIX FLAGS!

Brenner and Cayden decided it was time to use the Six Flags passes they had both earned for meeting the required # of days in the Six Flags Reading Program over the last year. Although we may have picked one of the hottest days of the Atlanta Summer to go, we had a great time. For some reason, Brenner and Cayden left all their amusement park bravery that we thought they had built up over the last year, at the front gate as we entered. Maybe it has something to do with Cayden's "forced ride" by Gent on the Tornado several weeks back or it could also have been the truly towering "Goliath" roller coaster and it's 200 foot drop that greeted them as they entered the park~ who's to know?!?!

Goliath's Drop from down below (notice the tree line, as it does not end there!)

Mia loved all the Characters and I just kept thinking about how they do it in 95+ degree temps and high humidity with out falling over on their animated faces!?!?

Lots of good fun!
P.S.~ For Tara and Darren- This time we did get on Super Man, and we should have waited two years ago as it is the best coaster in the park, Hands down..... or stretched out in the air in front of you as you pretend to fly! =)

A BIG Fathers Day Hug!

A big hug from the kids for Gent for Fathes Day.

Mia's 3rd Birthday

I don't think that Mia quite knew what to expect when we talked about a Luau for her 3rd birthday, but as soon as she saw the grass skirt and Flower Leis, She never looked back. She is also planning on wearing her new favorite "skirt" and "Necklace" all next week and to church the following Sunday. Oh Boy!

Little Luau's

Mia did not know what to think at first about the pinata and did not want to hit it with a stick, but as soon as she realized that it was full of candy, she forgot all about the pinatas feelings. She smacked that candy filled bird over and over again.

The big luau's

What fun way for our little girl to turn 3, although we still can't believe it!

She promised that she would stay little forever!

Dear Blog,
It has been almost three weeks since my last post and I am sorry for the time away, but as summer is in full swing, we are just trying our best to keep up! As it has been so long, I will try to catch up and bring the Smith Family Blog current~ =)

We spent Memorial Day weekend on Lake Blue Ridge in the north Georgia Mountains and had a great time with a great group of friends. We hiked, kayaked, played board games, ate great food, tubed the Ochoe River and stayed up way too late each night just talking after all the kids were tucked into bed. We had a great time and hope to go back this fall with the Douglas Clan.

Mia Getting a ride on the hike to the waterfalls.

One of the last Drive-in Movie Theatres in Georgia.

Although the kids loved the lake, the hot tub was their favorite spot to get wet.

-

~Happy Birthday twice~

The end of May means Happy Birthday to Gent and I, and another year older for each of us! Yikes!!! (Total Candles on that cake between the two of us are now numbering a disturbing 68!)

-

~Pack Meeting~

Brenner had another Cub Scout Pack Meeting and added several more Belt Loops and Patches to his growing stash.

~The School Year came to an end~
Brenner has loved Ms. Mitchell and she has taught him so much this last year. Her class had the highest class average on the CRCT for the entire school, and Brenner scored in the excellent range on the math portion. We found out that Ms. Mitchell will be moving from 2nd to 3rd grade next year and will be taking all her students with her. This makes Brenner and his classmates very happy.
Brenner at his end of year Pizza Party.

Mr. Hendrix is the teacher of the century in our book, and is truly amazing! Cayden has learned so much from him and is sad to leave kindergarten behind. We can't believe little Cay Cay will be in 1st grade come fall! I think that he is really BIG CAY CAY and we are just not willing to realize it quite yet!

Cayden and some of his friends at his last day Luau.

~Stone Mountain~
Brenner on Sky Hike
Cayden was not too sure about it, but he did it!

Mia on Baby Sky Hike

Miniature Men, Miniature Golfing

~Six Flags White Water~

Hanging out in the water park

Mia on a "FHITTING TURTLE" (spitting Turtle)

Splash Down! Cayden also went on the Tornado (forced against his wishes by Daddy) with Daddy and Brenner. That is one scary water slide even by adult standards! He cried and was mad at Gent for a bit for throwing him onto the tube at the top and not letting him walk back down the steps in shame. =) or =( , I am not sure yet, as Cayden may be traumatized for some time to come.

Brenner engaging in his favorite past time! GETTING WET!

~Cub Scout Day Camp~

This year both Brenner and Cayden attended Cub Scout Camp for a week, What fun!

Brenner Shot BB's each day, and by day five shot 3 out of 5 BB's into the center of the bulls eye with all five hitting the target! Nice Shooting TEX! Cayden on the other hand shoots more like Ralphie, you know, the one who shot his eye out!

Cayden liked hunting Indian style better~ our little Thunder Cub!

But don't mess with Cayden when he is armed with a Marshmallow Shooter! He will get you for sure, if he does not eat all his ammo first!

Lunch time Tiger Cub Style.

Well, I hope that updates the blog and brings the Smith Story current for a few more days as after all, this weekend is Mia's Birthday Luau~ She is turning 3 if you can believe that! I for one can not! Until next time~

A Great Season

~Blue Springs Soccer comes to an end~

Brenner in action!

Brenner has really gotten quite good this year and his games have become so very fun to watch as this is the first year that his team has really "Got It". They understand the rules, know how to pass and play as a team and are having fun playing soccer. Little Cayden's team on the other hand is still running around in a "Pack" and are out only for themselves, but Cayden has done well and enjoys the social side of it all and the game end treats! His friend Kevin from the ward played on his team this year and they had a lot of fun!
Cayden on the line!
The Boys and their end of the Season Medals.
Although it took most of the day to get to the Championship game, it was really fun and very exciting to see Brenner and his team do so well. They lost 1-0 against another very evenly matched team. Just as with the Olympics, I have always thought the Silver Medal is the best looking =). Brenner was very happy with the Silver Medal in his age division out of a 10 team tournament~ he was very excited and so were Mom and Dad!