Fun in Liberty with the Smith's

Wednesday, July 1st
Day 1:

On July 1st My cute little family headed out to spend a week in a half in some cooler weather. We had an excellent time and spend Lots of time with LOTS of family! On our ride up we told Brayd to go to sleep.
He Did....

Just like this. Ry used to sleep just like this
So Cute.

Grandma has lots of random, different animals hanging out at her house. Right now she has 26 chickens, 2 cats and 1 dog. The kids always have a good time lovin' on her patient animals. Porter is jammin' out to Taylor's ipod here and Madison and Brayd just love the kittens.

While Ry is helping to keep Veljia cool with the umbrella.

Thursday, July 2nd
Day 2:
This day we headed down to a water park in North Ogden. My little family-minus Aaron-Grandma Smith, Taylor, Ashley, Kara and her two boys, Alex and Parker all went swimming at this fun little place. We had a great time and the kids got in some good swimming..

Porter was the first to go down the tube. He was very sad when they said he couldn't go down anymore because he was seriously like a hair too short. But, he got over it and found other fun things to do.

Madison can never let Porter out-do her so she took a turn. She didn't lay down, but still had a good ride.

Ry learned to love swimming in the deep end without the help of others at Lake Powell this year. The only help he needs is his life jacket. I am so very proud of him for that accomplishment.
Ry loves his Uncle Tay.

Brayd loved the shallow part of the pool. He wouldn't come over and sit with us. He just wanted to stay in the water, even though we weren't there.
After I took the picture I did go play with him. When we were leaving I couldn't find his flip-flops. I finally found them at the entrance. He was so excited, he just kicked them off!

Brayd slowly started relaxing and would let me pull him around the deep end on his back. Then he just started floating.

After Porter got kicked off the slide he discovered the diving boards. First he tried the low dive.

It wasn't exciting enough, so he tried the high dive.
This was exciting but still he wanted more......

So, he did a front flip. I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty amazing! I really do love that Porter is such a boy!

Brayd and Ry cheered him on as he went again and again and again!

Check out the air Porter catches.

He's not scared.

So, there is always an exciting point in pretty much every activity we do.
Here is this one:
I started heading over to where everyone else was so I asked Taylor to stay with Porter and Ry. Well, Ry started heading over so Tay followed him and told Porter to come over after he went off the diving board one more time. Just when I heard whistles blowing and lifeguards running I knew it was Porter. So, I started heading over to where Porter was and saw a lifeguard in the water with Porter. After Porter got out of the water and started walking towards me he lifted up his arms and said, "what mom, I wasn't drowning. " Apparently Porter jumped off the low dive then turned to watch someone go off the high dive so the lifeguard thought he was drowning. Obviously everything turned out fine and if anything we learned that the lifeguards at that pool are very aware of what is going on.

The sun is in Ryan's eyes, but Porter is laying here relaxing after his "incident."0
Some say that Porter pretended like he was drowning so he could get a little mouth to mouth from the cute lifeguard:)

Friday, July 3rd
Day 3:
We were debating what to do on this day. Taylor and Ashley wanted to go out on the boat because they never get to do that. However, Porter and Madison never get to go to Lagoon so they wanted to do that. We ended up on the lake and had a lot of fun!
Before we headed out to the lake Grandma needed to clean her little pond. So, Porter and Ryan helped.

Grandma has a beautiful backyard and she is so nice to let the kids play in her pond, even after she vacuum's it out.

Brayd thought Veilja was a horsey.

Ry, Alex and Brayd are all pretty close in age and play so cute together!

We finally made it to the Lake.
Madison, Ashley and Porter were the first to jump on the tube. Porter was a bit ornery and not very excited.

That didn't stop Ashley and Madison from showing off their skills.

I guess Porter decided just sitting in the tube wasn't THAT fun!

CUTE BOYS!
Just watching their Brother and Sister.

Brayd had finally had enough and took a rest while cute Uncle Taylor tickled him.

Turns out Aaron got a little crazy and a big wave ended up swallowing the tube, but one lone girl was still standing, or sitting, the other two were in the water behind the tube.

Ashley was very cute to find Porter and hold onto him so he didn't get too freaked out.

And the lone ranger!

After that crazy ride Grandma warmed up Madison....
Aunt Brianne is so cute!

Then Porter. We never doubt that Grandma Smith loves us!

Just Baby Brayd and his momma!

Now it's Daddy's and Ry's turn in the tube with Ashley and Madison
At one point during this very choppy ride, Ry turns to Aaron and says, "There are lots of rocks in this ocean dad!"

Madison always wanting to go slower.

While Ry was wanting to go faster!

Brayd really sleeping this time, not just resting

Brayd still snoozin' away with his little bum in the air.

Alot of the gang!

Just Ry soakin' up some sun!

When the fun on the boat was dying down Aaron thought a tug-a-war would be fun.
As you can tell by his face he is having a good time!

He held his own for awhile until Taylor joined in. Too bad Aaron didn't end up in the water, that would have been pretty funny!

The day at Pineview Reservoir was a good one, but it was eventually time to get home. When everything had settled down and it was a little quiet I went outside to see what my boys were doing.

Ry was busy relaxing on the hammock.

Porter was becoming a pro at the pogo stick.

And Brayd chose the relaxing also.

I debated, but chose the safer of the two sports. I can barely walk when the ground isn't moving.

Brayd got bored.

That night we went over to the church so the guys could play a little Basketball.

Aaron is such a good daddy to take the time to play with Porter.

And with Brayd.

I love that every time we are together Madison just loves to sit with Chase.

As the game got underway here are the cheerleaders. Poor Chase did something to his knee so he couldn't play. He was not happy about that. However, I'm sure he loved cuddling with Madison.

Sometimes Aaron forgets he's not playing soccer:).

Madison and I got a little bored so we went in to check out the organ. Madison really enjoyed playing it, she didn't want to leave. I am very excited for her to learn and be an excellent organist. I'm sure Her teacher Heather West will do an awesome job at teaching her. Right Heather????

Grandpa loves his grand kids just as much as Grandma! I think the 4-wheeler made it to where it was going.

Well, maybe not!

Saturday, July 4th
Day 4:

Liberty always has lots of fun stuff going on at the park all day long on Independence Day. One of the first things is the parade. Brayd and I didn't make it to the parade because Brayd was having his week-in-a-half later fever, from his shots. The poor boy was up a lot during the night and was so, so sleepy. The rest of the family was able to make it and Grandma Smith got some cute pictures of them.

Madison, Chloe and Ry got to ride in the Mule.

Aubrey, Kennedy, Ashley and Porter got the 4-wheeler.

Aaron, Josh and Taylor, always seeming to get lucky and not have any kids.

After the parade was breakfast. I showed up about then. We played around in the park for a bit and took some pictures.

Brayd loves to be held and Porter loves to be active...
Perfect picture of the two!

And Ry just loves to be wherever his dad is!

Our family with Josh and Aubrey's dog.

All of the grandkids on the Smith side.

Our CRAZY kids!

I don't think I have ever seen Aaron run this fast in his life-or Ry. They went to get some ham for the puppy. When we saw them running back we thought that they had stolen it by how fast they were running.

Budderball was good to do tricks for his ham.

The kids found some cute little kittens that they played with for a lot of the morning.

Brayd loves soft furry things.

The kids have made it a tradition to get tattoos at the park on the 4th. I usually walk over and monitor what and where they get them, but I figured they were old enough to get them by themselves this year.

Apparently I was wrong!
Madison didn't do too bad. She loved the kitty also.

This is the lawnmower train, it is something they do every year also.

See Ya!

Most of the day consisted of playing sports for some and just hanging out for others while the kids played at the playground and with each other. Isn't that what the 4th of July is all about anyway?

As long as I can remember Aaron's family has played in a Volleyball tournament. This year was no exception and they didn't do TOO bad.

I kept telling Aaron not to do this little move because he looks like a girl, but he wouldn't stop!

Brayd must be his daddy's son. He loves a snow cone.

We went home for about an hour in between Volleyball and Soccer. I took a little nap and Aaron watched the kids for a minute. Then it was time to go back for the REAL sport! Aaron, Aubrey, Ashley and Taylor were on a team for the most part. They ended up doing really well. It was double elimination and they only lost one game but ended up taking because of the way everything worked out. They did do excellent though and I was a proud wife, and sister-in-law.

Aaron loves to tease his opponents.

Then he makes his break!

And passes off to his sister.

Ry loved this potato gun. He would get little pieces of potato in the gun then shoot it at people. It was great! I'm sure Aubrey would appreciate this shot of her:).

After soccer we had some dinner in the park, danced a little then ran back to the house to get our sweatshirts to watch the fireworks-I know weird. Remember though that we are in the Mountains in good 'ol Liberty Utah.

Chase is so cute with his neices and nephews and they all love him SO much. I think he needs a woman!

Grandma and Grandpa Smith bought these glowy necklaces and the kids loved them! Good job Grandma and Grandpa!

Ry and Porter opted for hoola hooping with them.

While Aaron and I watched our cute kids.
With Aubrey.

Aaron busted out the sparklers and the kids had a good time with them.

Madison concentrating....

Ry did a very god job handling TWO!!

Aaron is so proud.

Porter and Madison were in very silly moods so they started dancing.

And the fireworks begin......

Madison and Porter stood.

Ry sat with Daddy. Surprised?

And Brayd sat with his momma. Surprised Again?
That really is Brayd, he just liked the blanket over his head. He was awake the whole time but wouldn't let me take his blanky off.

Madison and Porter ended up on the grass next to Kris and her friend Stacey. Kris loves her nieces and nephews also! Most of the time:)

We had a busy, fun 4th of July this year. It is so nice to go to Liberty because they still have the small town feeling where everyone knows everyone and talks to everyone. Not to mention it's like 20 degrees cooler up there than in St. George.
My favorite part of the day is for sure when they sing the National Anthem and as they are ending the fireworks start to go off. We sure do live in an amazing Country and it's so nice to know we are safe and protected.
Thank you to those men and women that sacrifice so much to keep our Country free!
Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Smith for always having a fun, entertaining day.
We Love You!

Sunday, July 5th
Day 5:

Grandma always packs so much in to days that sometimes there isn't enough time in one day to do everything she planned. Well, the 4th was no exception. So, she had lots of fun surprises left over for the kids.

Everyone lining up so excited to get a piece of what grandma has in her special bucket!
It was so cute that they all lined up in order.

Grandma giving directions as the kids run to claim their prizes.

The Stragglers.

And Parker.

One of Ry's surprises was squirt gun camera. Ry probably would have been able to get a good squirt on his dad, but he told him it was a squirt gun. Madison wasn't very happy about that.

We had great time over the 4th of July weekend!

Is This a Sign?

So, here's the story..............

Once upon a time there was this girl. She was an active member of the LDS church, which she attended every Sunday. She was the chorister in her ward. She loved her calling very much and enjoyed the part she played in Sacrament Meeting. One of her favorite parts about her calling was that her VERY good friend (Heather West) played the organ. So, she loved the company she had on the stand every week.

OCCASIONALLY Heather, or this girl would mess up and they would look at each other and smile:). After being in this calling for almost 2 years there had never been any major mishaps, maybe a little mess-up here or there, but nothing major-oh, I take that back.....Once we started Sacrament Meeting on our own.....that's another story for another time. Well, this girl's luck ended when it was time for the Sacrament Hymn during Ward Conference-The Stake Presidency was in front of this girl on the right while the Bishopric was on the left. Heather starts to play the organ while this girl stands to lead, she puts her foot on the music stand to lift it up like always and her high heel slips off and she falls into the organ, right when she thinks she has caught her balance she falls again. She finally gains control of herself just in time to start leading. All the while poor Heather can barely contain her rolls of laughter. There had to have been some help from up above to play the song, through her tears, tears of laughter. After the song, one of the counselors in the Stake Presidency turns and mouths, "are you o.k.? All they heard is a couple of "thumps" It is a good thing this girl doesn't get too embarrassed. Happy to get through the day she goes home and is glad the day is over.
About one month later this girl has completely recovered from her mis-hap and has moved on while most have forgotten what happened. After an intermediate hymn-which her husband wasn't very happy she had to go up and lead- because her 4 kids were a little crazy that day, she is rounding the organ to walk down the 2 stairs next to where the Bishop and his counselors sit. The speaker starts speaking another language because he just got off his mission and her skirt is doing funny things in the front. So, not paying much attention she doesn't hold on the railing while walking down the stairs and the next thing she knows, she is on the ground! She looks up to see people looking at her with big eyes. The poor thing landed on her knees, but recovers quickly and stands right up. The first person she sees as she stands up is her husband. His face is RED! Then the organist, who is walking in front of her turns and says, "are you o.k.?" She is fine and sacrament meeting goes on with only a FEW people asking about it later.

So, you ask, who is this girl?

Of course it's ME!
Who else would that happen to?
So, I ask AGAIN, is this a sign that it is time to be released?

My Climbing Monkeys!

I don't know why boys have to climb so much! Madison was never one to climb. However, Porter, Ryan and Brayden are pros at it. I'm sure Porter would have been the highest in this picture if I wouldn't have threatened him with his life last time he tried climbing the railing.

I couldn't let them see me take this picture, that is why they weren't looking. Aaron was yelling at them to get down while I was taking a picture.
Whoops!