Family Pictures...

Posted by Eloise Smith

So I have been super swamped with photography sessions over the last few weeks because of the holidays. And I am loving it! However, the whole reason we invested in our camera was so we could get quality pictures of our family. So we decided that we were going to get ready and head out to do our own session. With that comes it's own difficulties. Joshua decided to sleep longer than normal and had to be woken up so we could make it before it was too dark so he was a little grouchy (as you can see in the pictures), but we made it work. Cody got really creative and found was to get Josh to look at the camera like throwing rocks at it. It's a good thing he's got a good aim. It became a game, we would count to 3, Cody would throw it, and we would snap some shots. On top of a grouchy boy, we left later than we had planned which left us with only a half hour of time to get shots before it was too late. The light was not the best, but the pictures are still special to me. A special thanks to Grammy Talley for Joshua's handsome Christmas outfit! Enjoy taking a look at our adventure.

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Coloring...

Posted by Eloise Smith

Joshua has recently developed a love for coloring. We color at least once a day and it is so funny to watch him to pretend to color. Anything that resembles a coloring utensil will be used to pretend to color with. Well, Josh has been attempting to color in regular books. He doesn't realize the difference yet or maybe he's just good at pretending like he doesn't. Well, apparently he likes to color on doors as well. Sunday as we were getting ready for church we realized that Josh was being awfully quiet. We found him with one of Cody's caricature markers coloring on the back side of our door. I was a little frustrated, but he was so proud of his drawing it was hard to stay mad. Here is the newest piece of art we have displayed in our bedroom. At least it's on the back of the door which is almost always open. I'm sue I will look back on it and smile. It was even hard not to when it happened. Look at that face, who could stay mad!?

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Apple Annie's and the Pumpkin Patch

Posted by Eloise Smith

Writing this post has reminded me that I have had this blog for a full year now. When I first started the blog I thought it would fizzle out and I would eventually loose interest. I am so glad I haven't. This has been a great place to journal for my family and record some of the precious memories we have created together. Thanks for sharing and enjoying our journey with us.

Every year since I was a very little girl, my family traveled to Willcox to attend the pumpkin patch and visit Apple Annie's. Over the years ownership has changed and the experience is not exactly as it was when I was a child, but the feeling I get when I 'm there is still the same. I love it! I was so excited to find that Cody's family had adopted the same tradition a few years after they moved to Tucson. This tradition has become even more special as we have welcomed our little Joshua and he has joined us in the fun. He went last year when he was just 2 1/2 months old, but I think it's fair to say that he had a lot more fun this year. You can tell by the dirt on his face in the pictures below. Unfortunately, my side of the family was not able to find a date that worked for everyone this year. But Cody's family were still able to all go except for his brother that lives up in Utah. I was so happy that my mom made the trip over to Willcox to join us. Thanks Mom! So because a picture is worth so many more words than I have to offer, enjoy the story below.

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Halloween!

Posted by Eloise Smith

This year Halloween was a lot of fun. We decided last year that Joshua would make the perfect Dopey for Disney's Snow White. And we were right! I made Joshua's costume but my mom was such a huge help in the whole thing! Thanks Mom! It was so funny because after our Ward party on Friday we ran to a few stores and we couldn't get anything done because people would stop us to talk to Josh. Some were even taking pictures with their cell phones. It was hilarious! We have an annual Halloween party with friends and family that we started the year we got married and it was super fun this year as always. We did miss Cody's sister Lindsey and her family, but hopefully we can have them there next year. Here are a few pictures from the night's festivities. Enjoy!

This kid is constantly moving these days, so it made it kinda hard to get a great picture of him. Here he is coming in the back door which he at least has to slow down for.

This is our little family as Prince Charming, Dopey, and Snow White.

Josh with his Daddy out trick-or-treating.

Josh and his mama hanging out at the party. When I first came down he wouldn't let me hold him. Guess he wasn't a fan of my dark hair.

Here is Joshua with his Grammy reading after the party.

This is my brother Richard and sister-in-law Kara. They were Robin Hood and Maid Marian. We though their costumes were awesome! They designed and made them themselves. They really are so talented.

These are all the kiddos that were there except for our friend's little guy Hunter. He was the cutest lion.

Uncle Richard and Joshua

Joshua getting prize candy from Grammy's spooky treasure chest. It creaked when you opened it. It was a big hit with all of the kids.

And here is our sweet niece Holly taking a shot at the ghost target. My mom made that and some other really awesome games for us to use each year at our party. What would I do without her?

We had a great Halloween despite all of the chaos of getting the costumes made and preparing food and decorations for the party. My mother-in-law made the best chili, my mom picked up dessert and punch, and everyone pitched in where they could. Thanks to everyone who helped! Especially to my mom who basically finished a costume for me that was only 1/4 of the way complete. She pretty much pinned me into it. Thanks mom! I love you!

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Cartooooooons!!

Posted by Eloise Smith

Cody's dad is a Bishop up in the Countryside ward here in Tucson. He is involved in the scouting program and decided to attend Woodbadge this year which is basically scout camp for grown ups. He belonged to the bear patrol and each day they would do different things to promote their patrol and encourage spirit. Last night Cody drew this for his dad and then digitally colorized it. I thought it was awesome and wanted to share it on our blog. This is the first cartoon he's done and I was very impressed with the finished product. Way to go Code!!

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1 year and growing!

Posted by Eloise Smith

Our little guy turned one in August and we finally were able to get his 1 year pictures taken! We had a really fun day and were so happy with the picture. It's great that they show his personality and the funny guy that he is. He is such a blessing to us! There were SO many to choose from it was hard to decide! Enjoy the picture overload!

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It's time for an update...

Posted by Eloise Smith

So life at the Smith house has been pretty chaotic the last month or so. It seems like we are always running somewhere. I thought I should just give a quick update as I still have not gotten around to posting pictures from Josh's party. I don't want to get too far behind. Here is what our life has been over the last few weeks in a nutshell.

Joshua has been growing and developing in leaps and bounds. He has been walking and talking for quite a while but it seems as though he has had a developmental and physical growth sput all in one. He is basically running around. He signs more, eat, and all done very well but he will also say eat, mo (more), Gam-pa, Momma, Daddy, addy (maddie our dog), doggie, nigh-nigh, uh-oh, baloo (balloon), and our favorite Let's Go! He has had 2 more teeth cut. Unfortunately for mom and dad it was his molars. He's been a good sport about it for the most part. He is soo funny and keeps us laughing constantly. He blows kisses, he gives loves (hugs and kisses), dances like a pro (he will even shake his booty if you tell him to), and is a great listener. We are lucky because even at 13 1/2 months he follows directions really well. He is a constant explorer, always wanting to find new and exciting things he shouldn't be into. We love him so much and each day we are blessed to have him our love grows more and more.

I have been staying busy working on our food storage. I have now canned peaches, pears, raspberry jam, apple butter, apple pie filling, apple sauce, and potatoes. We had a great day where two of my sister in laws and my mother in law came over and we canned together. It was a lot of fun to spend the day together but we also learned a lot along the way. Other than that I have been working on school work and photography stuff when I have time.

Cody has been working hard as always. Unfortunately his company along with the rest of the country is not doing as well as it would hope. They made cut backs and all hourly employees will be cut back to 32 hours a week and salary employees will take a 5% pay cut. It was a bit of a blow. However, we had a chance to take a trip up to the temple the evening they broke the news and we were very comforted that everything will be ok. Hopefully it will only be for the 4th quarter. In the meantime, he will be doing side work with netcomm (the company he previously worked for) on Fridays. And when that's not keeping him busy we will be trying to get some exra projects around the house done.

All in all, we have so much to be grateful for. Even with these tough time, I am so thankful for a healthy family and for the many ammenities I can enjoy. I just hope I will keep this perspective as long as I need to. I love having the blessing of the church in my life and the reassurance that it all happens for a reason. I am SO excited for fall and the upcoming holiday season. Fall is my favorite time of year. We will be kicking off our 2009 holiday season with our 3rd Annual Halloween Party!! I am really looking forward to the fun and festive few months ahead of us!

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