Family Pictures 2012

We finally got some updated family pictures! I'm always waiting for that moment when I suddenly won't be so chubby, but I really think it's important to have a picture to remember us at that moment, no matter what the case. I'm so pleased with how they turned out and just love, love, love my sweet little boys! They were so good for the session and such cheesers :) We LOVE Fotofly!  This is only a smattering of what we ended up with!

This melts my heart and was Gavin's idea for a pose :)

My very favorite of Gav

I LOVE this one of Max!

Soccer Star

Gavin has started playing soccer this year!  A few of his cousins are really into soccer and my sis in law MaryAnn called to see if we thought Gavin would want to play on Craig's team this year.  He plays on the same team as her daughter Adalie and it has to be about the funniest thing to watch!  They are so cute and I'm pretty impressed with his team...all the kids just get right in there and try hard.  The first team they played was sooooo tiny.  The second team that they played was so funny to watch.  The kids were not really into it at all...there was one kid that just kept running out of the game telling his mom he really didn't want to play!  Gavin really seems to enjoy it and despite his seemingly lack of coordination (LOL I'm sure it will come!) he scored his first goal the 2nd game!  He was so cute, and I was definitely a proud soccer mom!  He has come home from school most days and asked if he could go in the backyard to practice his soccer.  Secretly I really enjoy soccer because it means I get to see Craig, MaryAnn and the kids more often :)  His team is the "Blue Sharks".  I'm sure I'll post another round of pictures eventually, but this one was after their little clinic they had.  Way to go, Gav!

Mother and son Date "Knight"

Our local Chick Fil A was hosting a mother/son date "knight" this past week. I found out about it like the week before and luckily they had 2 reservations left, so I called up my sweet sis in law MaryAnn and booked us some reservations. I had no idea what to expect going into it. There really wasn't a lot about it, they just said it would be a memorable night for you and your son(s). If nothing else, who doesn't love eating their food, LOL. We were pleasantly surprised with the events held. I'm sure it just got a lot of people in to buy their food, but they really did have to spend time planning the event and paying some of the entertainment. They had a little craft area where the kids could make a "fire-breathing" dragon. Another station where they wrote a note to their mom and then tied it up like a scroll. They also had some balloons tied up like swords, a shield to decorate and a magic show. A lot of the stuff was definitely for younger children (so the boys loved it!). I enjoyed the photo thing they did where they dressed the boys up like knights and put me in a crown and robe and took a picture of us together. We haven't received it yet so I'll have to add it when we get it. All in all, it was a fun event and just something different to do. I don't get out enough and do fun things with the kids. I need to be better about being less of a homebody!

Don't my sweet nephew look thrilled?  LOL

Max was terrified of the cows they had dressed up.  Go figure since he was fine at Disneyland LOL

Cakes

Oh cake decorating...I have such a love/hate relationship with it!  I absolutely love the finished product and feeling proud that I accomplished it, but the work...oh the work.  Sometimes I wonder if people realize how much time goes into making a cake.  I'm getting so much faster at it, but it's still a process.  I do enjoy doing it though and I'm happy to do them when people ask.  I feel like I've been better about saying no if I just don't have the time as well.  I can't believe how many I have done late and how many I have scheduled to do.  There are always things when I'm done with a cake that I wish I would have done better, but for the most part, I'm really happy with them when they are finished. Here's what I've been up to!

Ok, not a cake.  But they were cute and enjoying cake :)

And this is what happens when Max sneaks into the freezer in the garage.  I somehow managed to fix it as you can tell from the original picture :)  I was SOOOOOO mad though!  He is lucky he had fallen asleep before I found it!

Smith Family Reunion 2012

This year Keith and I were in charge of the Smith Family Reunion. What a daunting task! I was luckily able to avoid it for about 7 years and then it crept up on me :) I pleased to say were survived and I think people at least partly enjoyed themselves! We started out Thursday night with an adult dinner at Buca di Beppo...the typical place we go for an adult dinner. It is nice to get out without the kids and visit with each other. I don't know that I enjoyed it as much as I could have because I was stressed about the rest of the weekend, but I did enjoy seeing everyone.

Friday night was the Road Rally. Thankfully Amy's family does lots of fun stuff and I was able to copy most of their ideas :) It was a huge help LOL. We split into teams and visited places that were some what meaningful to Keith's family. Everyone seemed to enjoy this. Afterwards we BBQ'd and called it a night.

Saturday afternoon we did a combination of Fear Factor/Survior (another copied idea!), the Price is Right, followed by an Iron Chef competition (again with the copying!). I thought the Iron Chef turned out to be one of the most fun. Each team had to make at least 3 dishes. An appetizer, salad and a side. We had some over achievers who did more dishes. They were judged on taste as well as creativity and presentation. I was so impressed with what the teams came up with! They each had a bag full of the same groceries and they all came up with something different. And yummy! Afterwards we ate the dishes as well as some FANTASTIC smoked pork I had my dad cater. He also did the dessert. This was his and Amy's second year joining us for the Smith Family Reunion LOL. (He did our family pictures the previous year.) Since they were coming to bring the dinner, I had him and Amy judge. If you know the Smith's there must be a clear winner for each game. And I thought I was competitive!

Sunday we had treats and a short FHE where we wrapped it all up and I breathed a humongous sigh of relief.  It was good and I appreciated everyone participating and being cheerful, but I was sure glad it was over.  :)   It was a great year and can't wait for next year when I'm not in charge!

My Road Rally team at the former Big B's

Searching for worms...

She sure looks like she's enjoying that baby food....

Hurry up Pops!

Oh Kevan....

I think she was pleased with her "prize"!

Some of the cutest Iron Chefs...

Really into it....