Audrey's Fun Day!

Today was Audrey's last day of preschool... :( And it was Fun Day! I signed up to help out and Audrey was so thrilled to have me there. I was assigned to the sandbox, which is where kids got to dig for treasures. Before I took over my post I had a few minutes to find Audrey and see what she was up to. She was sooooo excited to show me that she had already had her hair colored pink, glitter put on her face, her face painted, and her nails painted. She was LOVING it! She had spent most of the first hour indoors, once she saw I was working outdoors she stayed pretty close to me. It was fun to see her have fun and to help out.

Enjoying a otter pop:

Searching for treasure:

Audrey's treasures:

We are so grateful for the Methodist Day School and how much Audrey has enjoyed this past school year. It's sad to see it come to an end...but I'm sure she'll enjoy kindergarten.

A Good Sunday

Sundays are my very favorite day of the week for many reasons. But right now in my life, the biggest reason is just to be able to spend time all together as a family. It's the one day that Andy doesn't go into work (hopefully yesterday was his last Saturday for awhile). And I love having all of us together. First church, then naps, and then just family time. We rarely eat dinner with Andy, but on Sundays we always do. Today was a great Sunday! Andy had meetings before church, so as usual I got everybody up and ready for church. Ian gets dressed last and he insisted on wearing his new yellow bow tie to church, so he did... Once we got to church, Andy commented on how well coordinated Ian and I were. Too funny! So, after church, we took a picture:

 

We've been really spoiled this Spring with nice weather (meaning it's not already 90 degrees with 90% humidity). So after our naps, we went for a walk. While the kids were ahead of us on the path, I couldn't pass up the opportunity of snapping this picture:

And then after dinner, some good, old-fashioned fun:

I LOVE SUNDAYS! I'm so grateful for a day to recharge as a family. It's the best!

Fishing

This morning I took the kids fishing, all by myself. I'm pretty proud of myself! The Sugar Land Parks & Rec department hosted a fishing event at a local park. Supposedly they had put lots of fish in the lake to catch, but we only heard of 3 fish actually being caught. They supplied fishing poles and bait. When I had to string the worms on the hook, I was really wishing Andy was with us... We ran into some friends while we were there, friends from church and friends from school, so that was fun. Rachel was the most willing to fish. It was too boring for Audrey, so she mostly played on the playground. And Ian was pretty content in his stroller.

After fishing unsuccessfully for about 30 minutes we decided to go play some of the little carnival games they had. The kids enjoyed doing that and the little prizes they won. It was awfully warm, so I caved and bought icees for everyone, then they were really happy...

Although Ian was more concerned about the ice that got spilled on the bench:

After our attempt at fishing we are now enjoying a quiet afternoon at home. Andy's still working away and we're looking forward to having him all to ourselves tomorrow. Sunday is the favorite day around here!!!

Field Day

It was Rachel's Field Day today and I got to go help out. It's so nice to live so close to so many friends, especially friends who have their children at different schools. We're then able to easily swap babysitting to help each other out. It was fun to spend the morning with Rachel. I was in charge of an insane game with a parachute. The kids really got bored of it really quickly, but I improvised. The kids were just full of energy! It made me grateful for those who have the energy and patience to be teachers. And even more grateful that I'm retired from teaching and get to enjoy days like this with my kids...

Papa and Grandma Smith's Visit

Papa and Grandma Smith's visit flew by! Luckily we know we'll get to see them again in a few weeks for Nate's wedding and then again in July for the arrival of Natalie's baby girl. But the week they were here just whizzed by! We had fun celebrating all the different events. Between different school schedules, swim lessons, and life just going on, we kept busy. We were able to fit in some time to just have fun and play though. 

I love this picture of Papa trying to keep Ian warm at swim lessons. It was cold for us, so imagine those poor swimmers!!!! Never again will I do swim lessons in May. Ian sure does love his papa!!!

 

One afternoon while Natalie was at an OB check-up, Papa and Grandma treated all the kids to an ice cream at McDonald's. They thought it was the greatest and they also enjoyed playing:

  

Monday morning after our weekend of celebrating we met up at a park for the kids to play. We had a fun morning at the park!

I love when these two get a chance to play together. Oftentimes when Rachel is around, Chase gravitates towards her and Audrey just does her own thing. It's fun to see these two play together.

 

 

Our local Chick fil-A hosts some fun nights every once awhile. Monday night, after Mother's Day, Elsa was going to be there, so we all went to meet Elsa and Natalie and I were off the hook yet again to have to cook!

One last pic of Ian playing with Papa the night before they left:

We definitely enjoy when Papa and Grandma visit from Utah. We're excited for this upcoming summer and all the time we'll get to spend with them!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was another enjoyable day. We just partied for 3 days straight! It was neat to be able to spend Mother's Day with so many amazing mothers, but especially my mom. We went to church in the morning. Rachel, as tradition is in our ward, sat up on the stand with the bishopric since she was baptized the day before. After church we ate some lunch and then the kids got to play with one another for a bit. The Michaelson side had to leave around 2:00, since they each had a 5 hour drive ahead of them.

Here's Grandma Michaelson with most of her grandkids:

That evening we got together with the Smith side for dinner. Natalie and I had put the men in charge of dinner and they did a good job. My only regret is not getting a picture with Natalie and Sherry. But it was definitely an enjoyable day spending it with so many mothers that I look up to!

My Birthday

My birthday this year was definitely busy, but very special. We started off the morning great with Rachel's baptism. That afternoon we went to the pool. And then Andy had Mexican food catered into our home to feed everyone. It's probably the birthday that I've had the most family to celebrate with. After dinner we had some more of the super yummy birthday cake that we had from Rachel's birthday. And then Andy surprised me with a gift I wasn't expecting, a kindle. I love to read and I also enjoy wasting time on the Internet...ok, maybe it's not always wasting time. But anyhow, I'm excited about my new kindle. Overall, it was a great birthday!!! 34 is looking good!

Rachel's Baptism

Rachel was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on May 10, 2014. Here's the invitation that was sent out to invite family and friends:

We had gone back and forth quite a bit trying to figure out a day for her baptism. Once we finally decided on my birthday, we had everything set in stone. Family made travel plans and we reserved the church. About a month before her baptism an email was sent out to the men saying there was going to be a volleyball tournament that same day. Well, this mama bear insisted on them rescheduling and they did... But boy did I make some people unhappy. Such is life! And in my opinion, a saving ordinance is much more important than a volleyball tournament. :) So, on May 10th at 10 am, our sweet girl had her baptismal service. Before the service began we took a few pictures:

 

 The program:

Baptismal Service

Conducting:                         Brian Hintze

Chorister:                              Dora Powell

Pianist:                        Cristy Michaelson

Opening Song:       When I Am Baptized

Opening Prayer:                Sherry Smith

Talk on Baptism:         Natalie Mackay

Special Musical Number

Baptism of Rachel Mikayla Smith

Baptismal Ordinance by: Andrew Smith

Witnesses: David Smith &
Mike Michaelson

Talk on Holy Ghost:    Vicki Michaelson

Confirmation of 
Rachel Mikayla Smith

Confirmed by: Andrew Smith

Introduction to Faith in God:  
Primary Presidency

                                                                                     

Welcome to the Ward: Brian Hintze

Closing Song:  

               Families Can Be Together Forever            

      Closing Prayer:  Paul Michaelson

Rachel and her daddy walking down the hallway to the baptismal font:

Rachel had to be immersed twice. She was a bit worried about that happening, but luckily it was explained to her that if she did need to be immersed twice it was because Daddy made a mistake... :) She was fine with it. It was a pretty awesome experience to get to wrap a towel around Rachel and give her a big hug right after she was baptized. We're so pleased with her and her decision to enter into the Baptismal Covenant with her Heavenly Father. I know her life will be blessed because of the decision she has made. Especially as she continues to make those correct choices and remembers the promises she's made.

Rachel with some of her friends who came to support her, the Justensen girls and both Nicoles:

Can't forget about the food!

 

We then took pictures of Rachel with the family members who were able to come and support her. The Michaelson family who traveled down from Dallas:

Cute girls! By coincidence, Cristy and I purchased the same Easter dresses for our girls. So, Audrey and Ashlyn coordinated. 

Our family:

The Mackay family with Rachel:

Papa and Grandma Smith who traveled down from Utah:

Papa and Grandma Michaelson who traveled down from Northeast Texas:

After Rachel's baptismal service we headed home and Rachel was very anxious to open her baptism presents. She was spoiled and loved by so many... There were many presents that were made with love and Rachel's a very blessed girl to have so many who love her.