Lake Ray Roberts

The kids had no school on the 21st so the girls and I decided to make it a lake day with some friends. (Thanks Kirstin for the invite!) We had lots of fun enjoying the first day of what felt like summer. It was our first venture to this lake and we loved it. We can't wait to go back!

Field Day!

Cali and I went to to the older girls field day last week. It was really fun to watch the kids participate in the various activities. Ella was especially excited to be part of her first elementary school field day. She loves being a "big kid" now going to "big kid" school:) She had lots of fun and so did Aub. Cali and I stayed for about an hour of it and then I found out that Joey even surprised the kids and came for the last half hour or so. They were thrilled to see their daddy there too! They definitely had a fun day with their school friends.

The wet sponge toss, one of my favorite games. I love Ella's face in this picture!

Tether ball-another playground classic.

Obstacle course time!

Ella hugging the tiger. She was SO proud of herself:)

Cali just chillin on the grass. She was really good and patient. Its hard for a 3 year old to watch and not be part of it, so I took her to a splash pad afterwards with friends. She deserved it!

Aubrey's class playing some kind of dance revolution game.

I even caught Aubrey talking to a boy during soccer. . .:)

Class huddle!

The clothing race that Aubrey rocked.

Great job girlies! Can't believe you only have a few days left of school. I'll have a 3rd grader and 1st grader pretty soon. Yikes.

Happy Birthday to the best Mom ever!

Thank you Mom for being such a wonderful person and an example to me of what a mother and grandmother should be. I love you so so much and hope you have a great birthday. You deserve the best! So, Dad, bring it. I'm not there so you better take good care of her! And lil bros, I'm talking to you too:)

Ella's Spring Dance Recital 2010

Ella's dance recital was last night and I know the grandparents don't want me waiting another day before posting pics:) So here they are! Ella did such a great job(of course!). We were really proud of her. She and her class dance to "You'll always find your way back home" by Hannah Montana. It was a really fun spunky dance(with some pretty fun spunky costumes to match:)...Ella loved it and thats what matters. Her two favorite colors!) Ella was the cutest kid out there, no bias...here she is posing for a few pre-recital pics that Joey took.

This one is my favorite. Lots of 'tude to match the diva-ish costume.

Ella and friends waiting their turn to line up on the stage...Ella looks a little nervous here.
But she warms up fast before heading onstage!

There was no flash photography and videotaping allowed so these are the best shots I could get(And of course we videotaped anyways. Shoot, we are paying for this! Of course I'm videotaping!)

After the show, Joey gave her some pretty roses. Sweet Daddy.

Ella and sisters.

The fam.

Ella and her flowers. I'm pretty original with these captions today:)

And dinner and dessert of her choice. Chick Fil A for chicken strips and playtime. Chili's for molten cake. Good choices Ella!

Our little diva rocked it. Great job Ella! It was a fun Saturday evening for our family.

Two pregster BFFs

Joey took these pictures for us when Laura was visiting. I just love them. They capture the essence of "Laura & Holly" :) Here is Laura, 4th child, due August 14ish, with a baby girl. Me, 4th child, due September 1stish, with a baby boy. Hoping these two kids get married someday :) Enjoy the pics, some are cute, some are pretty, some are downright goofy. But thats how we roll...

Good times with Laura

So my very best friend of almost twenty years came to visit me last week and I'm finally posting our many adventures together. Her husband bought her a plane ticket as a Mother's Day gift(really a gift for both of us!) and we had a blast together. Thanks Peter! Its so fun and refreshing to get some girl time with my best gal pal! She has been a true friend for so long, someone I can count on, someone I can laugh with, someone I trust and someone I can be my crazy weird self with:) I love ya Laura! Thank you for being my best friend. I feel so blessed to have you in my life!

So other than pedicures and going to the movies, most of our fun involved food:) One of the places we ventured to was Sprinkles. I had never been before and always wanted to go. The cupcakes were deeeelightful. My favorite was the Dark Chocolate.

Trying to choose...the most difficult part.
We bought a box of 6. Yes, we were nice and brought Joey and the girls home some too. I surprise myself sometimes...:) Okay, honestly, it was Laura's idea. Good ole Laura.

Lovely Laura striking a pose with her lovely piece of heaven.

Me and Cali girl ready to devour.

Another thing we did was shop around in the historic downtown district of my city. We visited the candy shop, the salsa store, and a few other places. Its such a cute little area that I love to walk around and shop at. Here is a picture of Cali in front of the Little Red Hen shop. Cali said she wanted to "go up there and climb on him." I had to disappoint her and tell her she couldn't. You're right Cali, it would have been a fun ride...sorry.Laura and Cali.
One evening we took Laura out to our favorite deep dish pizza spot for dinner, Rosati's. YUM.
This picture makes the pizza look huge. Well, it is huge. But not that huge. Tricky camera.

One day, while we were in Dallas baby boutique shopping, we stopped at the Dallas temple. Laura and I hadn't been there together since I was married there almost 10 years ago! It was fun to reminisce on that day and be there together again walking on the grounds. A nice trip down memory lane...Well, other than eating bluebell icecream, staying up late, relaxing & talking, that about sums it up! It was a great time! My next post will be of some pictures Joey took of us together. They turned out really cute. That was something I really wanted done when she was here-nice photos of us together, especially since we are both pregnant due within two weeks of each other. She is expecting a girl mid-August and I'm expecting a boy Sept. 1. So awesome to be preggers together! Stay tuned for prego pics!

Remembering

My baptism day, trips to the zoo, "Hi Charlie!" flannel shirts, hugs, your Southern accent, feeding the ducks, Braums Icecream, your witty sense of humor, visiting the Oklahoma City temple together, Poco, the backyard swing, your warm laugh. I miss you and love you Grandpa....

Charles Jr. Smith

July 23, 1932 -May 14, 2010

Beauty in the sky