Merry Christmas from Alaska!

I was really beginning to think that we weren't going to get any snow for Christmas. After all, we don't usually get any until after Christmas most of the time. It was driving me crazy, though, that most people in the lower 48 had snow and we didn't. I mean, we live in Alaska! Shouldn't WE be the ones getting snow?? Las Vegas had some, and that was the last straw. I was depressed. Then, yesterday, it started. Snowing, that is. And this morning, on Christmas Eve, as I'm baking, cooking and preparing, my kids are outside sledding and we have a white Christmas. Hope all is well with everyone. We miss you all. Merry Christmas!

Family and Happiness

No pictures today, just some thoughts. They say things happen for a reason, and it's not that I haven't always believed that, it's just been proven to me lately. I got some weird news at the doctor recently, but it brought my mom to visit and we had the best time together (things turned out fine, by the way)! It also has made me appreciate all my friends and family so much more this holiday season. The biggest surprise of all, though, has been my "new" sister-in-law. Kelly and Shanna met when we were Washington visiting for Thanksgiving. It has been so amazing seeing how much they have in common! It's like I can't imagine them ever not knowing each other. But the greatest part of this has been that I have a new friend/sister too. I look forward to talking to her every day! She is so special, and I hope that while she's reading this, she's all teary like I am while I'm writing it! She is so special and I am so thankful that we now have her, Jeremy, Samuel, and Benjamin in our lives! To top it all off, she got me to get on Facebook and I have found some old friends from high school and been chatting with them. And I know that I didn't post anything about our Thanksgiving trip, but I have to throw in how much we loved seeing everyone, and we love and miss you all so much! Ok, sorry about the schmaltzy post...I promise I won't make a habit of it. Love you all and Merry Christmas!

Early Christmas Fun

Talk about fun! Every year we have a early Christmas party with my Mom and Bob because they travel during Christmas. So the kids get to have early Christmas, complete with opening presents and fun food!

One more thing I would like to mention. Family is so important during the holidays (and the rest of the year), and this year we are blessed with even more family. When we went home for Thanksgiving it reminded us how wonderful all of our family is! We also welcomed a new family member to our family (Kelly's sister) and it is like she has always been here! I can't imagine not talking to her every day! Now, here are some silly pictures of our fun day, and hopefully Kelly doesn't get too mad at me for posting them!

Kelly playing the Hannah Montana video game while wearing a Hannah Montana wig!

Mom with her new vase!

Papa Bob with some new hunting accessories!

Jake shooting everyone with his new nerf gun while yelling "say hello to my little friend" (yes, our family is a little crazy)!

Kelly and I. He is going to kill me for putting this picture on here! We miss everyone so much and hope they're having a wonderful holiday season, and please, I lost my address book and need everyone's address so I can send out Christmas cards!

Two for One

This weekend is a two for one. Two postings in one day! I'm trying to be better about posting!! We Smiths love sports, and we can play them and watch them pretty much all the time. Making a ginger bread house? Not so much. We gave it our best effort though, and we had a pretty good time making it! Here's hoping it tastes better than it looks!

                                                                

                                                     

Basketball Weekend!

Saturday was all about basketball! Kaitlyn had a game at 9:00 am, Jake had a game at 10:30 am, and Kelly had a fundraiser for the high school boys team from 6:00 - 8:00. Kaitlyn played so well! She got a little bored, but she played hard. Watching Jake play was amazing also. What a difference a year makes! And let me tell you...Kelly likes to pretend that I'm the one that gets all crazy watching the kids play, but don't let him fool you! Jake's game got close and he was, well, let's just say vocal. Yes, I guess you can say we're a basketball family!

Better Late.....

I have decided that I am terrible at blogging.  I only post once a month or so, but I guess that is better than nothing.  So, better late than never, here is my witch princess and ninja on Halloween.   We had so much fun this year!  The weather was actually decent and we're in a town with actual paved roads to trick or treat! 

One last thing.....I like living in Alaska.  It's beautiful here, and a cool place for kids to grow up.  BUT....there are a few things I miss.  Like road trips.  Family.  Friends.  Shopping, etc.  Well, this coming Friday we get to do all of those things.  We get to see family for Thanksgiving, and we're taking a road trip to La Grande to see family, and a friend that has become family (how cool is that).  I don't want to get too cheesy, but I miss everyone and this trip is much needed.  On that note, see everyone next weekend!!!

P.S.  Here is one more picture of my cuties with their neighbor friend.  That way I won't feel bad for not posting anything for another month.

Pumpkins

Here are my pumpkins, with their pumpkins! 

P.S. The official countdown for our visit to the lower 48 has begun! Woo hoo!!