Monkey Boys

 Our backyard is the size of a postage stamp, and there is not a whole lot to do in the backyard. Recently, my boys have found their entertainment in walking the fence. Matthew is a natural fence walker. It took Jacob a little while to get the hang of it. Matthew has even gone a few houses down the street on the fence. One day, Jacob and Matthew were walking the fence in someone else yard and a lady came out with broom to shoo them away. I know they shouldn't be trespassing in other people's yards, but it makes me smile to picture a lady shoo them with a broom.

One day one of our neighbors invited the kids over to play with their dogs. They, of course, didn't go through the front door. They climbed over the fence into the neighbor's yard. Madison was left out because she has yet to be bite by the radioactive spider :) She was upset and came inside crying. Through her tears, she said that she wants to be a boy when she goes up. I guess in her mind only boys can climb fences. 

Celebrate Good Times

Matthew turned five in February. He decided on a Ben 10 party. Gabby made his birthday cake using Ben 10 cake toppers. I think it turned out at least as good as a store bought cake.

The next celebration was Easter. Matthew and Madison participated in an Easter egg hunt at Matthew's preschool. As you can see, they did pretty well.

The children's biggest haul came Easter morning. It was nice to be home and see their reactions first hand.

After opening their presents and eating some chocolate, of course, it was time to clean up for church. I would say they clean up quite nicely.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season began with Matthew's Christmas program. For some reason, the audio/visual people decided he needed a microphone right in front of him.



At Matthew's school, they also had a Christmas tree set up during the Christmas program, so we took advantage of it with a photo op with Matthew and Jacob. We had visitors during the Christmas season so we did not set up a Christmas tree.



After Matthew's Christmas program, he had his Christmas party. As part of the party, they decorated cookies, but obviously the best part was eating it.



Jacob then had his Christmas party. They built and decorated gingerbread houses.



Every Christmas season, the children get new outfits. They wore them the Sunday before Christmas. This is the best photo that we got with them in their Christmas outfits. They were not very cooperative.

Then, Christmas morning came. We spent Christmas eve at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's. It was so much fun.

All Hallows Eve

For Halloween, Jacob was Darth Vader, Matthew was Captain America, and Madison was a ladybug. Halloween was extra fun this year because Friday was a carnival and Trunk-or-Treat at the church and Saturday was a Fall Festival at Matthew's school.

Then one weekend, we decided to take the kids to the temple. They had a good time.

Fallen Behind, Part 2

Are you ready? Here we go. In May, my little Jackie turned seven. Next year, he will be baptisted. I just got real old real fast.

At the end of the school year, Matthew had a party at his school. Down here in the South, we start early training them for NASCAR.

As soon as school got out, Jacob and Matthew took swimming lessons. They both received certificates of completion. I thought that after swimming lesson they knew how to swim. No need for floaties. That is not the case.

At the end of the summer, we took a mini vacation with the boys to Galveston. While we were there we went to the beach, of course. We just forgot to put them in their swimming suits. If you can't tell, they are both soaking wet. They had a blast. I think Jacob found a teasure.

Since vacations are kind of expensive, the boys and I work a day on an off-shore oil rig. We managed to not blow the rig up. :)

Every good thing must come to an end. In August, the boys returned to school. Here they are on the first day of school. I think Matthew is pleading not to have to go.

Not to be left out, Madison had her picture taken too. It is best to end on a good note, and there is nothing more cute in my opinion then my little Sassy.

Fallen Behind, Part 1

Time flies when you are having fun. It has been awhile since we last posted. Here are the kids in their Christmas outfits.

Soon after Christmas is Matthew's birthday. They grow up fast. He is already four. Here he is blowing out his birthday candle, scraps and all. Boys are always hurting themselves.

After Matthew's birthday comes Easter. Here are the kids in their Easter outfits. Is it too much to ask to have the kids look at the camera? :) That reminds me I still need to get through April's General Conference talks before October's General Conference.

Of course with Easter comes egg hunting. Lilly also participated in the festivities.

We have made it to April. Only five more months to cover. Stay tuned as we relive 2010 at an alarming rate.

Snowy Hallows

Madison decided to grow some fangs for Halloween, so we decided to dress her up as a vampire fairy. Jacob and Matthew were Stars Wars clone troopers.




This year for Halloween we decided to do something different. We went to a Fall Festival at Matthew's school. They had pony rides, an inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable bouncer, a hay ride, snow cones, cotton candy, and chili dogs. The kids had a great time. Gabby and I enjoyed ourselves too. As long as Matthew go to this school, we may continue going to the Fall Festival for Halloween.





At the beginning of December, we got snow. As a result, the boys got a Snow Day. Jacob built a snowman. It had pepperonies for eyes and a piece of asparugus for a nose.





Matthew and Madison also enjoyed the snow.