Christmas Baby...

Christmas day, Chris and Olivia had their beautiful baby girl, Mercedes Marie Smith. I couldn't think of a better present! We all love her to pieces. Of course she is beautiful, I mean, look at both her parents! Love you guys. Congratulations.

Oh December, How We Will Miss you

December always seems to fly by. Every year it seems to go a little faster than the last. This year, we did not bake any cookies or banana bread. I did not make any Christmas candy. My kids did not get to sit on Santa's lap to excitedly tell him what they wanted. There was no snow for the majority of the month, I did not get pictures of my kids in their Sunday best and I did very little shopping for my family. Not a normal December. We did, however, make it down to see the lights at Temple Square, picked out the perfect Christmas tree and decorated it together, read the Christmas story, watched a lot of fun Christmas movies, and spent time with both sides of the family. Even though the majority of the month didn't have the "Christmas feel", we had a wonderful time. We talked a lot about why we actually celebrate the season. My kids picked an Angel from the Angel tree and picked out the one gift that this wonderful child would receive. They appreciated things more, they understood the holiday on a different level than usual. I love my family so much that sometimes I feel as though my heart is going to explode. I am lucky. I am blessed.

So Very Thankful...

I feel like this year has just flown by. Thanksgiving was over in the blink of an eye. We had such an amazing time. It was like an old-time Smith Family Thanksgiving that I remember from when I was young, in the gym of the church and the feeling that there are as many people there that would be at a ward party! It was great. So much food, and great family. I am very blessed. My kids were running around like crazy with there cousins that I didn't get one picture of them....or Ben. Makes me sad! All I can say is that we had a good time! I wouldn't pass up the chaos of our big family for anything!

Happy Halloween...

Ok, I am just going to put it out there...Halloween is not my favorite holiday. One day my kiddos are going to read this and be so sad that those words came out of my mouth. I blame my mother...sad but true! Halloween was never her favorite. When I was little I do remember being so excited to go trick or treating, having the school parade and party, but I also remember having to choose our costumes from a big black garbage bag that hung out in our cold storage year after year. The costumes were less than desirable and never the "cool" costumes. So, each year I was a baby, footed PJ's, painted on freckles (not that I didn't have an ample supply of them on my face) high pigtails and a Binky. I just grew to dislike the holiday!

 I do get excited to see my kids get so excited. I like taking them out trick or treating, and I am trying to make some traditions that hopefully my kiddos will remember. We love having my brother's and sister's and their families over for dinner and fun. The kids get so excited and have a ball with each other. Our neighborhood is like a movie with swarms of kids running around the streets. I love it. I keep forgetting to charge my camera so the pictures are horrible and I failed to get one of all three of my kids together. Next year people...I will try a little harder with this Halloween business!!

Elliott Lyn Johnson...is 3!!!

When I was pregnant with Elliott, I thought for sure she was going to be a boy. Ben was from a family of boys, I already had 2 and that is what I knew. When I found out that we were going to add pink to our sea of blue I wasn't sure how to feel! I was super excited to have a girl but I was a little sad because I had so much fun with my cutie boys! Ben was sure the Dr. was just missing something and asked her to check again! After a couple minutes of these feelings, I was head over heals excited to have my baby girl! When she was born, almost immediately I knew there was going to be a different feeling in our testosterone booming house! I love this girl with all my heart! I just stare at her beautiful face all of the time and smile at her wonderful giggle. Her brother's tease her to pieces but would protect her to the bitter end! We are grateful she is ours!
Happy Birthday my sweet angel.

Preschool!

Cameron started school! He was so excited to go back to Miss Missy's class. It was really hard for him to wait because Noah had started a whole month before he did! It did help out that Dad went back to school the next day. I can't believe that this will be Cam's last year of preschool before Elementary!! He is already so excited.

You see that cute crazy face in this picture?? Well if a picture tells a thousand words...just by looking at that you could tell how this boy is acting these days! HE IS CRAZY!! Love him to pieces and wouldn't trade him for the world...just ready for the boy to sit down for just a minute for me to catch up!! But I will tell you...the loves I get from him are awesome!! hope that never stops!

Sleep Tight My Loves....

When I get home from work at night I head right in to my sleeping kiddos rooms and kiss them good night. Every now and then, depending on how sound they are asleep, I get a smile and a sweet " I love you too Mommy" when I tell them how much I love them. It melts my heart and it deepens my gratitude for these sweet little spirits. When I was pregnant with Noah, a friend at work who raised 2 amazing kids, told me that he talked to his kids when they were asleep. He would tell them how amazing they were and how smart they were on and on he would go. It has kind of stuck with me that somehow these little sweet nothings will help my babies as they start school, hang out with friends, or anything that takes them away from my wing! I am petrified that I am doing nothing more than harm to these 3 on a daily basis.  I do hope that in my crazy hugs, kisses and quiet whispers  while they sleep they will know that their mom is their biggest cheerleader!!