FHE

An idea for a FHE had been stirring around in my head for weeks. I knew it would take a while, probably longer than a usual FHE, so when the kids had a Monday off of school we decided to do it.

When borrowing Karen's Cricut a while back, I cut each person's name out of colored cardstock. I also gathered a box full of magazines, glue and scissors and then we got to work.

We ripped, snipped and glued anything that we loved or represented us in some way.

My plan was to have a lesson about us being individual and unique children of God, but we ended up just sharing our posters and talking about why we chose what we chose. It was more fun, than spiritual, but still worth the time and effort.

We also noticed that the placement of our pictures kinda matched our personalities as well... random and scattered or lined up and planned out. 

Jason and I shared a posterboard...we had to be creative and edit quite a bit to make everything fit.

I'd like to have a follow up FHE or do something with our posters. Any suggestions?

Love at Home

After hearing our Stake President speak in Stake Conference, we had a family council about what we would do with his challenge. He challenged us to let go of a favorite sin and/or completely change one thing in our lives.

Our family focused on how we could have more harmony/love in our home. We brainstormed and eventually settled on this..

A Family Service jar. We each listed 12 services we would like to have done for us. Then we cut, folded and put them in a jar. Our plan is to draw a service out once a week and do it.

We hope it creates more love and harmony in our home.

Christmas Morning

Gooood Morning!

The kids spent the night in the family room upstairs together.
Jason and I prepared breakfast and brought it up to eat.

We ate our (new) traditional crockpot breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls and orange juice. Yum!

Before we go see what Santa brought, my kids LOVE it when I ask them to line up youngest-to-oldest... not.
But I make them do it any way, because it's tradition!

Everyone headed to their couch or corner.

Jason had been wanting a dashboard holder for his phone. I guess he was on Santa's "nice" list and found one by his stocking.

We each received cereal by our stockings. I got Craklin Oat Bran...yum!

Piggy bakingware with cake mix, frosting and sprinkles...Abree's "gift of learning".

"The Boy Doodle Book" for Treyson's "gift of learning".

Taylee was crossing her fingers, and hoping to receive the book on her wish list, "The Mark of Athena--The Heroes of Olympus book 3". Wish granted..happy Taylee.

Abree's face says it all...

she was excited about getting a new doll (American Girl type). Her name is Ayla and she has beautiful red hair.

Treyson opened pet bedding as a clue to his "want gift".... 

2 turtles!

He named them Scooter and Lucy.

Taylee said she was confident that she would get her "want gift" off her wish list... an i-pod!

She was right.

For Rylee's "want gift" received a charger/radio/speaker unit for her i-pod and some i-tunes gift cards.

Jason gave me a new quilt set for our bed. I appreciate the thought and care he put into coming up with something that he thought I would really like. Thanks Honey!

Each year, as we continue our "3 gift rule", I find myself wondering if it's going to be ENOUGH.

Will the kids be disappointed? Will they focus on scarcity, rather than abundance? Am I scaring them for life? Will they "get it"...and eventually appreciate it?

This year was no exception...I worried, then was once again reminded that it was ENOUGH. The kids were excited and happy. We played together and enjoyed one another's company all morning long.

It was a joyful Christmas morning.

Game Day

Each season, Dan (a carwash chemical vendor friend) treats Jason to a BSU game of his choice.

Dad (Jesse)-Jason-J.C.-Jared

Jeff

When Jeff expressed interest in coming from Texas to Boise, to see BSU play, Jason chose the BSU vs. BYU game. Dan generously paid for 4 tickets (allowing Jason to invite Jeff and J.C.).

Another generous carwash customer, Ron Leise, provided 2 more tickets. Then Jason was able to invite Dad and Jared to come too. Along with the extra tickets, Ron invited them to tailgate at the game...stuffing them full of bounteous Mexican food. :)

Normally when BSU plays, Dad and Jared are interested and will root for them. BUT when BSU is playing against BYU..that's another story. Dad and Jared wore BYU t-shirts under their BSU sweatshirts, interchanging as the situation suited them. Like when BSU tailgating (eating BSU fan food) they wore BSU, but in the stands they peeled off their sweatshirts and rooted for BYU.

Dan ended up not being able to come, so Jason had another ticket. When my Dad didn't answer his phone, Dean became the lucky recipient of the ticket...as long as Candice wasn't having a baby that day.

Short story, long... BSU was victorious. Not a pretty game I am told, but still a WIN.

Mom, Teresa and Lynley tagged along for the weekend too. It was fun to hang out with them and go shopping.

Everyone left Saturday morning, to start heading back to Utah, but not without detouring at Dietrich to visit J.C. and Julia's newest arrival, Savannah Nicole (sp?).

Jeff came back Sunday evening to spend one more night, before flying back to Texas.

Fun week end!

Happy Birthday Treyson!

Treyson requested a PIZZA party for his 11th birthday.

He wanted pizza for dinner and pizza for cake.

He was very specific about what kind of pizza he wanted for dinner... Idaho Pizza Company.

Jason and I didn't know of one close to us, but Treyson said he knew of one. He described the location the best he could..and we found it.

This boy LOVES his food!

We invited Grandpa Waite and Grandma McKinley over to celebrate too.

Earlier in the week Treyson was talking about his birthday... wondering what he might get for gifts. We talked about how turning 11 is getting older and how maybe he doesn't need as many toys. Like maybe clothes might be nice. (Just trying to prepare him a little.)

He LOVED the mp3 player Rylee passed along to him.

He was perfectly happy with the clothes he received (jeans, t-shirt, jacket, shoes). He also appreciated the Zhu Zhu Pet house Abree made him, the candy and book from Grandma, money from Grandpa and a model car too.

Pizza Cake; white cake "crust", strawberry jam "sauce", grated white chocolate "cheese" and fruit roll-up "pepperoni" and "green peppers". Sounds kind of strange, but it was actually good...sweet, but good.

Grandpa Waite helped Treyson put together his model car... a Ford Mustang. Treyson has a thing for Mustangs. :)

Happy Birthday Treyson!!!

Smullin Cousin Party 2012-Sharks and Mermaids

This year's cousin party was hosted by J.C. and Julia, in Dietrich.

We gathered Friday night. After setting up our tents and getting situated, we played, talked and hung out.

The next morning, Grandpa Smullin had his video camera out. We each took turns being recorded as we answered his questions.

Right before Jason and I got in front of the camera I asked, "How is my hair? (worried about bed-head, cuz I hadn't looked in the mirror yet). 

He said, "It's fine. You're beautiful." 

Later I looked in the mirror and my hair was NOT fine..I had a "wing" on my left side! Great.. my bed-head had now been documented on video for posterity. 

Grandma Smullin & Rylee

Cameron-Emma-Joshua-Adam

David

Lynley

JC and Julia's awesome backyard. Julia built most of the play equipment by herself! She's one handy-woman.

As each person woke up, they ate breakfast at their leisure; fruit, sweet rolls and juice...yum!

Jordyn & Taylee

Christian

We played and visited throughout the morning, until it was time to go to the park and pool.

Jak

Abree

Joshua & Treyson

Emma-Abree-Lynley-Jordyn

Treyson-Christian-Adam

Sydney

Bob

Sarah

Ethel

Emma & Lynley

Brandon & Jared

Dexter the Dog

Joshua & Taylee

 Rockstar!

Jordyn

We caravanned over to the park/pool in Shoshone and set up lunch.

Sleepy Christian and J.C.

Jason

We had a build-your-own Mexican style bar;  nachos, tacos, burritos, taco salad..or your own creation.

Jak-Brandon-Sydney

Sarah-David

Julia-Grandma Smullin

Jared..check out that beard!

After lunch was over, we had a friendly (salt dough) sand castle building contest, between families. 

Each one was so different!

Can you guess which family built this one? 

Bet you can.

After sand castles, it was time to go swimming!

Not 10 minutes after we got there, J.C. looked like this!

On the second or third dive off the board, J.C.'s eye/nose caught the pennant banner strung across the pool. He felt it when he hit, but didn't know how serious it was until getting out he saw blood dripping. Aunt Cathy's medical supplies to the rescue...and an Otter Pop from the pool staff for swelling. 

Ouch!

He teased later that he could come up with some GOOD stories when someone asked about his eye... 

"You should see the other guy!"

"My wife was upset and..."

Melissa

Jason hammed it up for the crowd. Showing off his diving skills...or lack thereof. :)

Major splash!

Treyson

David

Abree catching some shade?

After swimming yummy snacks; Jello popcorn, frozen grape kabobs, gummy fish/sharks and Goldfish crackers.

Next it was time for some ice excavating. The kids hammered, banged, picked and sawed into the colored ice to retrieve the prizes inside.

Jessica

Rylee

Julia and I set up a "photo booth" for each cousin to get their photo taken by Grandpa Smullin. 

Abree

They could choose the Mermaid grotto...

Treyson

or Surfer, with a close call, Shark bite.

California girl, Taylee

Julia had made shark fins and hats for the boys and shell crowns for the girls. 

So cute!

Cathy pregnant with # 7 and Julia pregnant with # 6... both due in September.

Baby Bellies!

Up next, crafts.

Rylee & Jade

Colton

Do you hear the "Jaws" theme playing???

Treyson

Jared

Lynley 

Going to work?

So cute.

JC-Julia

Our wonderful Cousin Party hosts.

Melissa made this "Angry Birds" game.. that Jeremiah thoroughly enjoyed.

Aren't they cute?

Nate-JC

BBQ for dinner

Ethel-Cathy

Jessica-Catie Jo-Ethel

Jak

After a long, wonderful day, this is probably how many felt.

This little sharky was T-I-R-E-D.

But the party didn't end there. We loaded up the vans/cars and headed back to JC and Julia's for more food, family and fun. Some started for home, while others spent a second night..being promised yummy bacon in the morning. :)

Thank you JC and Julia!