Our last zoo day of the year

We had a great day at the zoo today it was so much fun. We couldn't of asked for better weather. We knew that it was suppose to be 65 degree's so we didn't take jackets and then when we pulled into the zoo we noticed that everyone else had jackets. At first we were like oh no! But then we started unloading the stroller/bags/kids and it was plenty warm. We had a blanket in the van that we took with us just in case. Thankfully we didn't really need it I only used it to cover Caden when He feel asleep. I can't remember the last time I went to the zoo it's been a while so although I had to pack the kids lunches because of their food allergies I got my taco salad it was so good. I love taco salad's well I love the stuff in the middle I never eat the shell for some reason the stuffin' is just too yummy I guess. We took the kids to see a whole lot of animals but the coolest I thought was the new red panda's I have never seen them there before so I am assuming they are new. They were so cute climbing on their tree playground :) The kids also loved riding on the kids train and carousel with Anthony and I and we enjoyed it also. We ended the zoo trip with the kids playing on the playground a perfect way in all our opinions to end. Then home for naps. . .great day :)
I am so thankful for the time I have gotten to spend with my husband this last week and a half. Maybe because the kids are getting a little older and it is easier to actually spend time together and talk. I have got to say that the time we have spent together has been the most amazing time for our whole family. I don't think we have ever spent so much time together in one period really being a family ever. I know that is partly because the kids are getting older making it fun to play games, watch movies and do other activities together. I also know that we are just making family time more of a priority as parents because as we look at our children they are growing up way too fast!
On another note our little puppy is doing great. I am hoping that she is fully house broken very very soon. But she is healthy and happy and oh so cute! I started working on getting her to sit last night and then tonight when I did it she was sitting by herself for the treats. I think we have a pretty smart puppy on our hands :)
Well I am going to close for now. I hope you all have a happy new year. Please take a minute to check out my slide show from the zoo today and my short little video of Caden saying "wow!" as he walked at the zoo.

Bubba saying wow. . .

Blessings overflowing

Feeling really blessed this Christmas. . .I love this man and I love our kids. Anthony hasn't been to work since last Monday and won't return until Jan 5. He was suppose to work on Tues. but his best friend Rob died so his funeral was Tues. Although it was a really hard day for him he was able to ride down to Duncan were Rob was buried with Rob's parents and I think it was good for him. I went to the funeral and then came back home for the kids. Patsy kept them for us so that was a blessing.

We had a lot going on since then on Christmas eve we went to my mom's the kids had Birthday cake for Jesus' birthday (Caylea wants to know how old Jesus is). They also opened their toy present and their stocking that Memaw made for them. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and visiting with Memaw and Papa.

We had a great morning on Christmas morning the kids made out pretty well :) The excitement was wonderful and exciting. I loved it. Caylea's favorite present was her cupcake maker. We actually used it today and it works great and is especially great for her b/c of her food allergies if we go to a birthday party she can be excited and feel proud of making her own cupcake and taking it with her.



About mid morning we went to my in-laws to open gifts with them and have Christmas lunch. It was really nice and the kids had a lot of fun playing with their cousins. The lunch was awesome and it was so good not to have to worry about the kids and their food allergies. My mother in law took care of all the label checking and made EVERYTHING safe how awesome is that! I LOVED not having to stress or worry that one of my kids were going to end up eating something that they shouldn't. I was able just to relax and enjoy myself and family.


After we left the in-laws we came home gave the kids naps, got up played with new toys and then Bubba helped daddy make lasagna for dinner :) It was great Caden is becoming quite the daddy's boy since he has been home everyday. I have got to say that I enjoy daddy being home everyday also not only because he helps with keeping everything clean and taking care of the kids but also because we get LOTS of time to talk and reconnect. It's been so great for us and I am so excited that he has another week off :) I think though we are not going to be able to pry Caden off of Anthony in a few more days. :)
Friday we had an appointment for Angel to get her first puppy shots. I felt horrible for her she whined and cried for a bit right after the shot but she was also very tender for at least the next 24 hours so much so that I didn't let the kids touch her in fear they would hurt her and she would bite them. Thankfully she is all better now until we go back on Jan. 17 for her second set.



Friday evening we had Christmas with my mom and dad, sisters, brother and Grandma Elaine. After we ate dinner which once again everything was safe for my kids (except a cake but no one opened it) so no worrying on for thier safety on my part :), we opened presents and the kids played and ran around like crazy like they always do. The adults then played dirty santa I was so excited that I got what I wanted :)

A high point in the evening was when we gave my mom and dad their photo album. It took me several hours to go thru all of my pictures for the last year to pick out pic's for the album but my sister Amanda spent many, many hours putting the thing together and it turned out AWESOME! Oh how I love scrap books.

I hope you all had as great of a Christmas as my family did. I can not think of a Christmas that has been more enjoyable to me since I was a very small child. I am loving each and everyday that God gives me and each and every moment that I have with my children and husband. They are such sweet blessings from the Lord in my life and I am so very grateful for the love that I am able to give and receive from them.
Today was a very relaxing day Anthony packed away the Christmas tree, made lunch and cleaned up the house all I did this morning was play with our kids, try to keep them out of his hair and put away a ton of laundry. I am going to be enjoying the rest of Anthony's vacation as much as he does I think :)
Goodnight my friends talk with you again soon :)

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas from our home to yours. I took this picture this morning before we went to the in-laws I then left my camera there so I will post more pictures soon. We had a very blessed wonderful day. I have got to say really probably the best Christmas I have had since I was a little kid and it was all magical. I hope and pray that it was as magical for my kids as it was for me when I was growing up. Sweet dreams my friends. . . Good night.

Birthday party for Jesus and a Children's Christmas Play

Sunday morning in Sunday school we had a Birthday party for Jesus we talked about why we have Christmas and what it's all about. I made a Birthday cake with 10 oz. of coke and a boxed cake mix. It was great all the kids loved it.
Well first I made cupcakes but they fell apart when I took them out of the pan. So I froze the cake before I iced it and it went well. I think without the egg the cake is just really crumbly.





Then in the evening we had the kids Christmas play Bethlehem Gulch it was great all the kids did a wonderful job on their songs and parts. It was so cute. I really enjoyed it and appreciated all the work that the Teachers and Kids put into it.












Here is a video of the opening song you can see my little one's there in the back singing along :)
Caylea and Carolina singing in the Christmas play


Caylea has 2 more days of school for us to get done we may do it tomorrow or it maybe done later but she has almost 2 weeks "off". So as long as we get it done before "school" starts again we are good. We are planning on reading everyday also just to keep her practiced. She does so well with her reading she is reading stage 3 books which are 2nd and 3rd grade level books. I am so proud of her she really loves school and all of her subjects. She is even doing good at her cursive it was a struggle to begin with but she is enjoying it more now.
We went to a funeral this morning for Rob Dressler he was my husbands best friend. They have been best friends for about 13 years. I haven't hung out with Rob much in the last few years but he was over at our house all the time with his daughter Katie. Katie is 6 years old. If you can keep his daughter Katie, his wife Liz, his parents and family in your prayers. I would appreciate it and I know they would also. My husband is missing his friend dearly right now. He keeps telling me he is sorry that he is so upset and I keep telling him that if my best friend died I wouldn't be able to function for days/weeks. So I totally understand.
If I don't post again before Christmas I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and remember the reason for the season. I read "What Jesus wants for Christmas" to my kids tonight they loved opening their little presents and learning what each was for. It was very cute to watch.

Name that picture

I love this picture not sure who is getting back at whom. . .please help me give it a name :)

Lucky girls

My girls are just so lucky to have their Aunt Patsy in their lives. If you remember last month Caylea went over to her house and made Christmas cards and had a blast hanging out with Patsy and Taylor. Saturday morning into the after noon Caylea and Carolina got to go over there and make Christmas cookies with Patsy, Taylor and Ryan. I think they all had fun my first clue was when I walked in the front door the kids were running circles thru the house chasing each other it's so good to see them playing together a few years ago my kids didn't know how to play anything that an older child wanted to play. Now they can play fun games and it appeared to me Carolina was keeping up without a problem despite only being 3. My next clue was the pictures Patsy showed me that she took. How could all of that now be fun. They made cookies and then snow out of this powder stuff that they added water to and it expanded. Pretty cool huh? Then they played a game of spelling bee and in one of the pictures you can see Caylea's excitement as she won that game. Oh and I heard about lunch Caylea was so excited apparently Mac and Cheese tastes good with peas mixed in it and Aunt Patsy obliged the children and mixed peas in for them and they all loved it.

Our Family at The Festival of Light

Here is a video of the dancing lights and of my kids watching them

Dancing Lights


and here is it's amazing mommy!!! by Carolina

It's Amazing mommy




We drove to Chickasha with my sister Amanda, her husband Aaron and my nephew Sam. It was so much fun. Well the drive or waiting in line wasn't all that fun. But let me tell you Carolina's excitement was well worth the drive to this mommy! I loved how much she loved all of it! I can't wait to go back next year when they are all another year older. We are definatly making this a new family tradition for the Smiths!