The Boys are Makin' Bread

 We decided it was important to teach our kids how to cook and also let them have a little more appreciation for all the work that goes into putting dinner on the table.  So... in order to accomplish those two goals, the kids take turns helping Laura make dinner.  One of the things that CJ requested that he learned to make was bread!  He was the perfect little student, took his own notes, got down and dirty, and his bread turned out amazing!

Clay was also in the bread making mood and he made some fantastic white bread and white cinnamon apple bread- yes, it was AMAZING!  We sure have amazing bread making skills over here~ watch out. It's sinfully good!

9 month old Detric

Detric, our littlest man, is already 9 months!  When did that happen?  He is such a joy to have around.  We all LOVE him!  We decided to celebrate by introducing the little man to the greatest thing on earth...what do you ask is that?  Why OREOs, of course!!  And he loved them, just like his Mama!

Detric is now standing on his own (has attempted one step, but that is all), but is definitely continuing his expert crawling.  He does the classic arm, knee, leg - coordinated crawl, but when he wants to get somewhere fast, he gets up on his arms and feet - forget those knees (they slow ya down!) and off he zooms doing a monkey walk!

The "Family" Pet

Yeah, usually when you say "Family" pet it means everyone in the family likes it and is on board right?  Well, not in this household!  While Laura was gone, the boys (meaning - Clay, CJ, Preston) and Aparri found a snake in the backyard and decided to keep it as a pet!  HA....the second Laura heard the words, "Hey Mom, we found a snake in the backyard and we want to keep it in a tank in our room.  We even went to the pet store and looked at tanks and everything, but Dad said we had to ask you first."   the mood on the phone changed from "Hey, How are ya..." to WHAT?!!***@##$$$  A snake?  You have got to be kidding me!  There are very few pets that Laura would ever allow or even consider to dwell in her house.... and a snake is definitely NOT one of them!   The answer was a definitive NO and not changing no matter how much begging and pleading happened on the other end of that phone.   Laura got Clay quickly back on the phone and asked, "WHAT??? On earth is going on over there while I am gone?  I sure hope there is not a snake in the house, I will NOT be happy!"  Clay reassured Laura the snake was never in the house, the garage maybe, but not the house!  As calmly as she could, with the thought of snakes on her mind, Laura asked that the whole matter, snake gone and everything, be done by the time she got home. 

The following weekend, after everyone was reunited and back home safe and sound - the snake gone, whew...thank goodness... we started doing yard work.  Laura was in the backyard playing with Detric, CJ was mowing the lawn (new found chore that he enjoys because he gets $5), Preston was helping do this and that, Clay was weed whacking, Aparri was jumping on the trampoline...a happy, normal Saturday morning.  Well, Clay calls Laura over to see something...as she stands next to Clay and asks, "What's up?" He just points....as her eyes focused on the lawn....she saw IT.  She screamed and backed up...THE SNAKE.  "I thought you got rid of it..." Was all she could say.  "We did, we let him go" was the reply. "You let him "go" in the backyard?  You couldn't have gotten a little further away from the house?"  Well, that was the start of the snake discussion.  As we were discussing the kids rush over to see him, were excited and want to keep him.  As we "discuss" what to do ...the snake slithers into the utility cover on the ground, we lift the cover and there he is nice and cozy....  well, Laura eventually lost the battle.  He is OUTSIDE in the utility box, not bothering anyone and now a permanent part of the backyard...as long as he stays in his little box, doesn't come near her - she is fine.  The kids check on him weekly to make sure he is still in there.  They are still debating on a name.  They haven't been able to agree yet!  Heaven help us if that snake gets too close to the house...Laura will die.

 

Clayboy...the FUN sitter!

While Laura and Detric were off gallivanting in Utah, Clayboy was THE BABYSITTER!  And when Dad is in charge, it is Constant FUN!!!!  In 2 short days, they sure did a lot!  They hit several parks, went hiking, caught lots of bugs, went to a corn maize/ outdoor adventure - pedal cars, slides, a chicken show, ate hotdogs, got frozen yogurt, and got a new family pet (more on that later!).  Laura was a little jealous when she heard about all the fun and adventures they were having without her - until she saw the snake!  Yeah, not so jealous anymore!

Becky's Bridal Shower

We had fun at the bridal shower for Becky!  We had fun decorating, frosting cupcakes, seeing a preview of the dress, and just being together as sisters!  Becky was the beautiful bride,  Kathy had the master mind for the wedding dress cupcake dessert - which Kathy does amazing things with cakes/cupcakes - so it turned out amazing, of course!  Nicole had the brilliant idea for the popcorn party favor/treat, Julie brought several fun games to play, everyone helped with the amazing decorations, Mom did the food,  Laura had just enough time to get off the plane, sleep and join the festivities - so she helped and chipped in where she could, Detric & Remy provided the after party entertainment at the window!  They were so cute!

Becky's Endowment

What a wonderful day!  Becky was able to receive her Endowments in the Timpanogos Temple on October 12th.  It was a great experience being in the temple with so many family members and loved ones!  From Left to Right:  Julie, Shane, Nicole, Corey, Brayden, Becky, Brett, Laura, Kathy, Grandma Marian Smith, Stan Smith, Nancy Smith, Kaitlin.

Mom Smith and her 5 Girls.  Julie, Kathy, Becky, Mom, Nicole, Laura

                                                                        Becky and Brayden

Laura & Detric's Weekend Get-A-Way

Detric and Laura drove to Albuquerque, hopped on a plane, made a few stops and landed in SLC, Utah!  We were heading off for a very special weekend.  Becky was going through the temple to receive her endowments on Saturday morning in the Timpanogos temple!  Laura really wanted to be there but wasn't sure if it was all going to work out.  But, when she got the phone call from Clay saying he got the approval from the squadron to have a few days at home so he could watch the other 3 kiddos, Laura made a flight reservation!!  Laura was lucky enough to spend the weekend with all 4 of her sisters, one of her brothers, several brother-in-laws, her parents, several nieces and a nephew.  Laura was thrilled to be there for the bridal shower Saturday afternoon too!  It was a fast and furiously busy weekend, but Laura was soooo glad she was able to go!