Home for the Holidays! What a great place to be...

Christmas was great this year. I love being home and being able to do all the traditions that brings my family together. I feel so blessed to have a home, family, friends and children that bring back the magic back to Christmas. It is so fun to be a parent and relive the memories that you had as a child through your own. This year was really fun because both of my little ones really got it this year. They were into the whole Santa thing, but most importantly they understood why we celebrate Christmas. I really tried to emphasize Christ this year and start the tradition of doing more service projects to highlight Christ. I hope I can continue to teach that throughout the year. It is something that you have the earnest desire, but I really have to think about it to make it happen. I do love giving gifts to my children though. This year I stressed about not being able to give more to them, but I am starting to realize that they have such simple pleasures. Santa gave Elijah a bike, but honestly he was way more excited about this flying monkey that flew and made a monkey sound as he went soaring. I tell you, you can never predict what they are going to be more happy about. It was fun to see them open every gift and see the happiness in their faces. Ahhh, Christmas is so great with kids.

Elijah's Big Boy Bike! He is a little short still, but he can ride it like no one's business.

His superhero monkey that he was way more into.

Julianna and her favorite princess movie. It is a sing along which is so cute to see her do.
With her singing, all of a sudden she turned into a princess. The magic that goes with those fairy tales.


The kids big present was a mini bounce house that I can put in the front room. I thought this was a good way to get the winter wiggles out and so Mommy can get dinner ready house. It has been a great treat for friends that have come over. I love it.

We had our good friends the Nielsen's and McDonald's over for dinner. We had all the fixings and had a great time with their kids. We had a little present exchange with them and it was so much fun. We also went and saw a movie. It was a great Christmas!




Abella 2 , Julianna 3, Kylee 2 and Elijah 4! Great Friends!

Pajama Polar Express Christmas Eve

Oh, how I love Pajama Polar Express Christmas Eve. It is the same movie, but the magic that occurs when you see your children drinking their Hot Coco with wonder in their faces, there is nothing like it. Besides the pajamas are always a new thing every year. This year was difficult to find a boy/girl matching pj set. I finally found a really cute set at Gap online, but they were a little pricey. Since I had no luck anywhere else, I bought them. They stole my heart. They looked so adorable in them and they were genuinely excited about their new digs. We had a great night watching a movie that reminds us to believe in things that we don't always see. I think it is such a great message to teach our children. Believing is not always about seeing. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Is it time for bed yet?

Merry Christmas Eve in Placerville!

Opening up a gift that Aunt Susie gave to all the grandkids. It was a piggy bank which all the kids loved. Julianna takes it everywhere she goes. I don't know if it the sound of money that does that to her or what, but it makes me a little nervous. Money, Money, Money!

Bella, Naomi and Heather reinacting the Nativity. Bella was Mary, Naomi was the Angel and I think Heather was a camel or a sheep.

This was a priceless moment when Issac put his arms around Teddy and Orion. Issac has to be the happiest kid on the Smith block. He always has a big beaming smile. It is something else.

My sis in law Stephanie and Issac striking a pose.

Amy and I catching up. I love her!

Christmas Eve was spent at my in-laws house in Placerville. There is always action surrounding this home when there is a lot of people considering Sean is one of 13! So, we had Sean's sister that lives in Utah, Amy and her family there which is always a treat. We had a great time with each other catching up. I love Christmas. It always brings people together and makes me realize how lucky I am that I love my in-laws. I feel out of my side of the family, I got lucky with my in-laws. They have all accepted me as their own and I never feel out of place. They are truly the most kind hearted people I have ever come across in all my life.

My New Christmas Frock!

Santa Baby, hurry down the chimney tonight!

My Birthday/Christmas Dress!

Every year I have made a tradition of giving her a Christmas Dress for her Birthday present. Since tomorrow is her birthday and today was the last Sunday before Christmas, I had her open it this morning. I got the Santa dress from a friend which was a hand me down. I gave her the choice which one she wanted to wear today at church and she chose this one. I always knew she had good taste. She looked so beautiful. Truly Angelic. Can she just be my angel on top of the tree.

My Golly, She is THREE!

In May when we had Elijah's birthday party at Bouncetown, Julianna could not wait for her day to arrive. After a long tedious six month wait, her time finally arrived. We couldn't do a Bouncetown birthday like she desired, but I tried to give her a party she could feel like the princess she so deserves to be. I mean, it is her birthday. Who doesn't want to spoil her child on their birthday. Well, we decided to do a small gathering after her friday Music Makers class since most of the kids that were on the guest list were at Music Makers. We went the pizza party route because we wanted to support the Payne's in their Little Caesar's franchise. We had a Christmas theme because come on, there is so much you can do with that theme. You got to soak up the holiday theme for as long as she is small and doesn't care about being born next to the biggest holiday there is. So, we had holiday tunes with gingerbread plates and cups. It was cute. I was thrilled with Oriental Express for that is where I had too much fun picking out all the good stuff that went with Christmas. We had a Santa craft where the glue was not too much the fun part, but they turned out really cute. Cookie decorating was a blast but very chaotic with sprinkles turning into mountains on top of the cookies. Julianna made out pretty good with 2 dolls that will prepare her for big sister and a great kitchen set that goes great with her kitchen. She really has great friends that spoiled her with thier toys and love.
Decorating Christmas cookies!


Kylee and Mommy stealing a quick photo op!




Santa craft with Liam and Mommy!



My partner in Crime. Yummy Cupcake maker, Jasmine!
Cousin Beth ( This isn't really our cousin, but Julianna likes to call her cousin Beth) & Will. Such supportive friends.

Brianna giving Jules a birthday hug.

With friends like these, how can you not have a smile on your face.


I am amazed that she is going to be three in 2 days. It is so fun to see her grow and with each and every day, I learn more about being patient and loving. She is full of energy and does not give up easily. She is my little daredevil. She is into everything that I sometimes wonder if I can get through another day without glitter landing on my floor or if another egg won't escape the fridge unscathed. She is one of a kind and I am so happy about that in so many ways. There is noone who makes me laugh as much as she does. She has spunk that only belongs to her. I love her hugs and kisses. She makes me feel like the most important person in the world and I love her so much for what she has brought into my life.
I love you my little cooking buddy. I hope you know that you are my sweet girl and I can't wait to see you grow with each and every year.

Dovewood Tradition! AHHH, There is nothing like it...

I love the Holidays. I love that there is always things that you do with your family that screams Christmas. Dovewood Court is that tradition that we have done every year since Elijah was little. It is a place where all the homes are decked out with holiday cheer. Each house has it's own theme and some change every year where others are the classic lights that you just count on to be there. I am always amazed on how great they look. Also, how glad I am that I don't live on this court or anywhere near it because of the constant traffic it attracts. I do love coming on my 20 minute drive to add to that lovely holiday cheer. There is nothing like seeing your kids eyes twinkle with delight as they travel from house to house. I love this tradition and know that we will do this every year for the rest of my life. It can't be missed.





Mickey Mouse and friends was one of Elijah's favorites. They are obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.


This is one of the first houses that have a tiki theme. It makes me want to fly away on vacation.



Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

What a difference a day makes...

For all those who showed concern about my back, I deeply appreciate it. I especially want to say thank you to Will. He picked up Elijah from school because I could not get out of bed and took Jules and Elijah to lunch at their favorite place. Ol' McDonalds. I have such great friends right now in my life. I feel so lucky and it makes me feel at times, "Do I deserve this goodness?" Well, for the first time in my life, I feel like I do. Everyone does. I think friends are what make happiness. I have never been happier despite the craziness the world continues to dish out.
On that note, a huge blessing came into my life today and I wanted to share it because it was something that meant the world to me and I know there will be a day that I will make a book out of the blog entries I create, so I did not want to forget this day. This is the day that all the things that I ever heard about tithing and the blessings that come from it really showed itself to me. I always knew tithing was a true and real principle because the way things always seem to work out financially. I don't even know of the other blessings yet in my life from paying it, but today I know. Heavenly Father knew when we need a life preserver and he threw me one today.
Not to get too personal, but like everyone, we were on pretty tight budget. If you can even call it that. We were strapped to the point of uncomfortable and some major big bills were coming our way. I try really hard to be optismistic, but when you have no idea how you are going to pay for some bills that you have to pay, then things look pretty bleak. Well, today my mom called and asked me if I have checked the mail. I hadn't in the last couple days, but after she said that I practically ran to my mailbox, not really knowing what was in store for me. Well, it was a letter from my Aunt. There was also enclosed a letter from my 92 year old Grandmother wishing me a Merry Christmas. There was a very nice check enclosed which was more than we usually get from her. I was instantly stoked. Well, that was not all. There was another letter from my aunt. While I opened it, a check spilled onto the floor. Instantly my eyes drew to the amount and I was floored. It was a hefty amount that will pretty much take all the stresses of my financial life. Tears streamed down my face as I could not believe that this was happening at this very moment. As I am writing this, I can relive that moment and how at the single moment is when I knew, Heavenly Father knows me. He knows of my struggles and takes care of them when he sees that we have done all we can do. It isn't a fix forever, but at this moment, it feels like forever is way more doable and I can feel like I am not being swallowed alive by the effects of this uncertain economy. I know the sacrifice of my grandparents was pivitol and they made very smart decisions that are blessing the lives of their posterity. I am so thankful for that. My grandfather and I were very close . He passed away a while ago and right now, I wish I can just give him a big hug and tell him thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so smart with his money. I hope that I can learn from this as I raise my family and treat money with respect. It can work for you but it can also work against you. I know both and I hope that I can continue to grow from all of the struggles I have endured so far.
So, I have been truley blessed in my life and feel great about my current situtation. I know Heavenly Father loves me. I feel it when I look at the family I was born into and the family I am making. I have a huge testimony of tithing and know of it's power in our life. It is something I have always known, but today I was an example of the blessings that come from living that principle.