Christmas 2012

 La Familia all dolled up for the Christmas Eve Service

Keeping with our tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus

Getting the green light from the cake connoisseur

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We had a wonderful visit from Nana this Summer

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Snake Talk

Ava: "Mommy, why do snakes sit so still?"
Mommy: "Well, I suppose they do so they can sneak up on their prey."
Ava: "Do they have to be really quiet?"
Mommy: "Yes. They don't want their prey to see or hear them."
Ava: : "Well  they should learn to tip toe."

This is what happens when your kids live in California

Rain is not only a distraction...

It's the highlight!

Especially when Daddy okays barefoot puddle stomping

Happy 36th Birthday, Mommy!!!

Thank you for making my week unforgettable. I love you, Honey!

Bedtime Double Trouble

It's Party Time!

Here we are sporting our party hats at our friend's Princess Birthday party

Conversations with my Daughter I will treasure dearly in my heart

Ava: "You know what, Mommy?"
Mommy: "What, sweetheart?"
Ava (twirling in the middle of our living room): "When I become a woman, I'm going to get married!"
Mommy: "I bet he will be a special man."
Ava: "He's going to be a man who LOVES God."
Mommy: "Of course, he is. How did you know?"
Ava:  "That's what Daddy said!"

A few moments later...

Ava: "Mommy, when I get married, I want my "married dress" to be strapless like yours."
Mommy: "You will look beautiful in it, my love."
Ava: "I want it to have a loooong train."
Mommy: "Like the one in my wedding pictures?"
Ava: "Yes, and I want you to hold my train like Mima held yours."

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Ava: "Mommy, I don't want to get big?"
Mommy: "What? And why not?"
Ava: "Because then I will be too big for you to hold me."
Mommy: "Oh my love, even when you are 65, I will still hold you."

Who's down for some In N Out???

Count me in!

I am!

Where is your knight, Princess?

Who cares?  I got his pony and more importantly...SUGAR!

This is the response we get when we say, "Mateo, would you like a treat?!?

Dreamy nights

Ava: "Mommy, I didn't have any bad dreams last night!"

Mommy: "Oh good, I'm glad to hear that honey."

Ava (wide-eyed): "I had a good dream last night."

Mommy: "Really. What was your dream about?"

Ava (shrugging her shoulders): "Oh, I don't remember...it was a looong story."

Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance

Daddy took his princess to the ball last night until the stroke of midnight.  She said she will cherish each moment of the night for the rest of her life :)

Make a silly face, Daddy!

Daddy surprised me with flowers!

Can you see the excitement in my face?!?!?

Off to the Old Spaghetti Factory first for a "fancy" dinner :)

Scrumptious!!!

The Boyz kickin back with some grub...

Ava's First Day of Ballet Class

SAHM

I've been asked if I find being a stay- at- home- mom (SAHM) to be sacrificial.  Of course I do.  Is it worth it? Without a DOUBT!

Baby Elly

This is who we get to play with on Mondays!!  We watch her for our friends Lizzy and Mario in our growth group (bible study.)  Ava Marie LOVES her to pieces.

Baby Elly back in the tummy : )

Mateo finds his belly button!

Ava Marie's first big owie. She was very brave :-(

We thought it was a broken wrist, turns out it's a broken arm. Pink Splint on for 24 hours.

Purple cast on for 4 weeks :(

Cinderella Making a Birthday Cake for Jesus

I'm a Big Girl Now!

Look at me, Daddy!

A few more minutes and the cake is done, yum!!

Little Man helping Daddy to put together our new TV!!

Christmas Morning 2011

I know it just doesn't seem right to post something from Christmas in FEBRUARY, because
it's just sooo yesterday :) But I love the excitement on the Mateo's face that I just couldn't resist.

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Words I never thought I would hear come out of my mouth

With a preschooler & toddler in the house, there is never a dull moment. Our job as parents is to love, protect, and of course instruct them. Today in yet another teachable moment, I couldn't finish the sentence without bursting into laughter. Of course, this sent the kids rolling into an all-out hysterical belly laugh also. I thought it would be fun to share with you my favorite of the week.

"Kids, we don't put pom poms between our bum cheeks!!!"

The Stanton Clan stopped by for a visit

We're Back!!

Hello loving family and friends,

Mommy and Daddy no longer have a Facebook account so look for pictures and updates on our blog to keep up with our busy little family. Much love!

The Smith's