Another Smith Law Enforcement Officer

Kirk and I travelled to Salt Lake for Brian's police academy graduation, where Kirk was able to present him with his diploma. Brian was honored as one of the top graduates academically, and he would have been one of the top physically also, since his scores in every area were above 95% —except in flexibility he was only 35% (he can barely touch his toes!). I think we'll start calling him "Stretch." Since he's a really good athlete, it was fun for us to tease him about that! He is glad to be finished with the academy and working at the Utah County Sheriffs Office.

Thanksgiving in Virginia

We loved spending Thanksgiving in Virginia with Kenny and Christan and the kids. The flights were smooth and on time, the weather was beautiful, and the turkey dinner was yummy. Christan even made her traditional "Chicken Noodles" (did I get that right?) and homemade apple pie. The very best thing was just hanging around the house playing with & hugging kids (well, Kirk loved watching football with Kenny and finding 2-million-year-old shark's teeth, too). It was great snuggling Drew - and by the time I left I think I figured out how to get him to sleep (so I guess I'll have to come back to use my new skill). Kirk and I loved making gingerbread houses and trains with Bailey and Corbin. Bailey also sang for us, but I don't know how to upload the video—I'll work on that. The kids took us exploring in their backyard—which is a beautiful forest with lots of trees and a big lake. Kenny said we just missed the famous fall leaves by about 10 days—maybe we'll catch them next year! Thanks Kenny & Christan for being such great hosts!

Bailey put her Dad to sleep.














Grandpa and Corbin and Bailey put more frosting in their mouths than on their gingerbread!


Grandpa loved wrestling with the gang.




backyard paradise.

cool dudes!

Grandkid Time

Kirk and I were able to enjoy some extra grandkid time right before and after the wedding. Bri is amazing — she brought her three boys (by herself) on the plane from D.C. so they could spend a few days with us before the wedding. It was great to hug and snuggle with Zach. Sometimes when I was packing him around, but not really paying attention to him, I would look down and he would be smiling and staring at me, just waiting to catch my eye, and then he'd grin even bigger! So cute! It was great hanging out with Trent and Garret. They loved jumping on my couch (they were shocked I said it was O.K.), picking pomegranetes and grapes, and making grape juice and cookies with Grandma. On the day before the wedding, they hung out with Grandpa Kirk all day at the Dinosaur Tracks Museum and McDonalds, and home watching movies, while Bri helped me get ready for the big day. Then, the week after the wedding, Shellie shocked us by coming up to stay at our house for 3 whole days (24 hrs. is usually her max). She decided to get away from the dusty remodeling going on at her home, so we got the benefit of extra time with the kids. Abby loved playing the piano with Grandma Nonie and snuggling Grandpa Kirk. She looks so much like Shellie did when she was that age. It was great to have more hugging time with Caynen (I sure love rocking babies), and listening to his cooing!