Some Smith Family Happenings

Sunday Afternoon

Yes, Christmas is in full force at Lowe's. Oy vey. We took Flat Stanley with us and he was happy to have some photos taken. 

Bath time fun =   lights OFF  -   bubbles - glow sticks....

Last Soccer Game of 2011

Fire Safety Week

Cole is in the front row...4th from the left. 

Taking a moment to brag

Today was Parent/Teacher conferences.

Cole has STRAIGHT A's and two A+'s in Social Studies and Science.


We are pretty proud.

Hike to Kelly Canyon

Smart Words from Steve Jobs

An quote from Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford 2005, just fantastic. 

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Cirque Mechanics Boom Town!

A night out at the theater. Cirque Mechanics Boom Town! was presented at the Colonial Theater by my  arts organization, Idaho Falls Arts Council. Cirque Mechanics is an off-shoot of Cirque Du Soleil. Most of the performers rotate in and out of performances with Cirque Du Soleil into the smaller performances...like Boom Town! I am pretty sure they are on rotations to give their bodies some time to rest. They are increadible athletes. So Cole and I enjoyed a night at the theater. Upon dressing Cole and  putting on his shoes Carter decided he wanted to go as well. So he put on his tie....he clipped it onto his tee-shirt. As we left Carter cried and cried in the window. That was sad. When Carter is 5 he can go to the theater too. 

Boom Town! was all about mining and the story revolves around a funny miner that drifts through a old western town. So keeping with that theme....Cole made mining shafts and mining tools much like what we see in Butte, MT when we go to visit. Butte, MT. Land of the most awesome donuts and pasties and pork chop sandwiches. 

Here is what Cole was trying to create. He did a pretty awesome job! 

Inside the theater as we wait for the show to begin. 

Cole's newest favorite pastime. Reading his Harry Potter book on the couch. He reads and laughs and giggles and loves it. It's so awesome to see him reading so well. 

My special trip to Notre Dame.

Flat Stanley is sitting at the Chicago O'Hare airport after landing there on Thursday.  We were waiting for the rest of the Butte crowd to show up.  Nice to be on the ground.

 Here we are outside of the Notre Dame bookstore.  It is just beautiful around campus.  We then went inside and spent a lot of money on some much needed apparel and gifts for my family.

Here is my Grandma Lee Ann lighting a candle and saying a prayer for my Grandpa Gil at the Grotto.  It was a beautiful moment.

We are now in the Cathedral.  Wow this place is very well kept and just sparkling with the murals all over and the stained glass.  I am just glad the place didn't burn down when I stepped in. 

My Grandma and me were able to get a picture near the holy water container thing.  I am not sure what to call it considering it looks like a big bird bath but holy.  Note my nice casual look considering I was in the nicest church I have ever been in.  In my defense, I was not there for mass.

 This moment is definitely one of my favorites of the trip.  We are walking down "The Tunnel."  Yes, the same tunnel as all of the players before they enter the field.  I had a shortness of breath and it felt great.

 Some of the Championship banners.  Sorry for the blurry picture.  I was walking and I probably was shaking from the excitement too.

 We are now on the ground level of the House that Rockne Built.

 Just amazing.  

 Look how perfect that field looks.  I would've loved to run out there but getting tackled by one or more of the security personnel was not on my list to do.  But it might have been worth it.  

 Here we are with Flat Stanley.  He is pretty excited but not excited enough to change his expression.  

Here you can see an usher and a security guy.  I bet I could've outrun them.  Yes I am still thinking of running on the field. 

 We are walking back up to tour more of the campus.

 Touchdown Jesus.  Need I say more?

 Knute Rockne's statue outside of Notre Dame Stadium.  He was the greatest coach in Notre Dame history.  No debate.

Lou Holtz's statue.  One of the greatest coaches ever.

 Trying to make the statue look better.  I was then asked to step away from Lou Holtz....kidding.

 We are at the Friday night pep rally.  It was awesome.  Here the Leprechaun is addressing the crowd and talking about how the Michigan St. team was as puffed up as the mascot.  We loved it.  It was true too.

 Irish players.  I see Manti!

 Brian Kelly talking about the previous 2 games.  Note Ethan Johnson to his left.

 Here the great Ara Parseghian, coach of the National Championship teams of 1966 and 1973 addresses the crowd.  What a nice speech he gave.  The team of 1966 was also there.  Note Condaleeza Rice(former UND alumna) behind Brian Kelly.  She spoke as well.

 The players having a good time.  Michael Floyd with the beanie on.

 Here is one of my favorite pictures of the whole trip.  After the rally we were standing around finishing our beers and I spotted the Leprechaun hanging out taking pictures with other fans.  We went over immediately for this once in a lifetime opportunity.  He was really nice and the picture turned out great.

Another great Irish coach, Frank Leahy. 

 Ara's statue.  "The era of Ara."

 We are here and the players are walking into the stadium.  This is one of the Notre Dame guys.  I was not going to waste my camera memory on the Spartan players.  

 We just entered the stadium on game day.  What a great feeling.

 We had unbelievable seats.  The pictures don't do the moment justice.

 Players warming up.  I think Aaron Lynch (DE) is on the far right.  

 Michael Floyd warming up.

 My Grandma is enjoying her foot long hotdog and took a minute to pose with Flat Stanley.

 Here I am.  I still can't believe I was there.

The players are coming out.  This was just amazing.  After seeing this on tv and now in person, it will always stick with me. 

 The picture says it all.

 This cool to see.  Some of the players come to the end zone and say a prayer.  Today it was answered for sure.

 The Irish offense on the field.  Tommy Rees, the quarterback is number 11.

 Michael Floyd lined up and ready.

 It's all over!  Michigan St. ranked 15th in the nation?  Really?  Not anymore.

 On Sunday we went to Wrigley Field and saw the Cubs play the Astros.  Here we are in the 7th or 8th inning.  The pitcher is former Golden Domer wide receiver Jeff Samardzija.  

 Here we are at the stopping of the game due to rain.  Flat Stanley was safe because we were under the awning.  The game was cool but the best part was seeing Doug and Robin(Bob's sister) Luebcke and Bob's brother Randy.  I was able to go during the 5th inning and sit in the 8th row behind the Cub's dugout with them.  Another fun experience was the singing beer man who gave us our suds.  So cool!

Glad to be home with my boys.  Check out our matching shirts(Catherine got one too).  

I want to say thanks to everyone who made this trip possible.  It meant a lot to my Grandma especially. I think my Grandpa Gil would've been proud.