Golfing and 3 other posts! (I'm trying to catch up before the big event!)

Yesterday(for Father's Day) Maddie and Brad took Ron golfing...to the driving range. They went early in the morning to escape the heat and had such a great time together. Brad was also able to try out his new driver. We didn't think Maddie would be able to use his driver, since he's left-handed, but she never ceases to amaze us in her athletic abilities and seems to swing great with both hands! (she writes left, but swings right...or so we thought) I'd be scared to be THAT ball! He's got a mean swing!

Loving life doing what he does best- a sport. Doesn't matter what kind, he can handle anything. He's been begging us to play hockey lately...in Vegas??? Grandpa Smith, Uncle Tyler, we're flying him up to Canada so you can teach him :)

What a cutie! Pretty soon she's gonna be able to golf better than me- wait, she probably already does. This is NOT a sport I can say I particularly enjoy (because I'm not good at it). Maybe someday. Ron comes from a golfing family...all of them. His parents golf all summer long and as long as there's no snow on the greens, you can still find them on the course. I think it's the cutest thing that they golf together!

Flag Football '09

Football has been over now for a few weeks, but here is our little flagfootball player. He absolutely LOVED playing on the Patriots this season. He had great coaches and great friends to play with. He scored (we think) 6 touchdowns and was great at pulling flags. I was secretly hoping that he wouldn't love it so much- he'll have to hang up the flags sooner or later in exchange for pads...I'd rather he stuck with shinguards and played soccer for the rest of his life. :)

Look at the smirk on his face! He's having the time of his life!
We're proud of our little man- all 6 years of him (sometimes I can't believe he's only 6. He acts sooo much older)

Earth Day/ Activity Days

I found my camera after 1 1/2 months of being MIA! I'm so happy that I can finally post some pics now. So the story is...I have a habit of misplacing my tiny little camera. I lost it over spring break/Easter when we went to California (borrowed mom's) and then "found" it on the way home in my purse...seriously I checked my purse a million times! Then I lost it again and have no pics of end of school festivities, Zach's swim lessons, and more random stuff. So I finally broke down and went to Costco to get another camera (we need one for baby!)
So the other night when R and I were on a date I was, yes, rummaging through my purse...and there it was! I couldn't stop laughing! Ron knew right away too- he's like, "you found your camera didn't you!" Personally, I think a little elf takes it away, hides it, makes me think I've lost my mind and then puts it right back where I thought it was all along.
That being said, here are some pictures of the kids planting our new Peach Tree, Lemon Tree, and Pomegranate Tree. It was a lot of fun and Zach had the best part- watering them.

Ron and Maddie on their way to a Daddy/Daughter activity last week themed "1950's Sock Hop". They had so much fun hula-hooping, learning 3 dances, bubble-blowing contests, and enjoying rootbeer floats. Thanks Dad!

Maddie has had some great activities for Activity Days. This was a Mother/Daughter night and all the mom's brought their wedding albums and memorabilia and then got to talk to the girls about how special their wedding day was and how important it is to marry in the temple. It was a beautiful night.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Ron and I were married 11 years ago...can't believe how fast time flies! We're glad we celebrated in Mexico last year and not this year :) We had a blast and have NO pictures to show. Our camera broke the day before we left and had to use a disposable camera. We didn't get ONE decent picture! I couldn't believe it. I just figured we'd have to go back and do it all again.
But really, we've accomplished a lot in 11 years- Graduation from BYU, a baby girl, a baby boy, 3 years of PT school in Omaha NE, 9 months of rotations in 3 different areas, moving 9 times, moving to Las Vegas which I hated the first 2 years, another baby boy, a billion roadtrips to Canada (some in complete silence due to my stubborness and anxiety of driving), moving into our first home, and another baby boy in 8 weeks...this will be the true test!
We have truly been blessed our entired married life...there's not one thing to complain about. I married the best husband in the whole world. He spoils me rotten and still treats me like his new bride. He will do anything and everything for me and always puts my needs before his. I don't know what I ever did to deserve him, but I know I would be lost without him. Here's to an infinity more happy years together!!!

My Baby Girl

Madelyn Rae was born 9 years ago! I was the proudest mother on earth the day she was born. I never in a million years knew that I could love someone soooo much. She was absolutely the easiest baby too. I remember thinking how easy motherhood was and didn't understand why other mom's complained. She really was THAT good. (then we had Brad and I understood)

We lived in Provo, UT when she was born. I worked at a little children's boutique called Mom & Me at the time, so we had LOTS of fun playing dress up :) Really, I used to put 3 outfits on her a day! It was so fun!

Fortunately for me, she really doesn't care about what she wears now. She still asks me every morning what I want her to wear. Let's hope that lasts through high school!

She has truly been a blessing in our lives. She loves her family and although wouldn't admit it, LOVES her brothers to death.

I realized the other day that she and I have to stick together and have lots of "girl time" with all these boys in the house. I took her to get her first pedicure last week (i thought she'd hate it) and she LOVED it!!! I got teary sitting there with her, both getting our toes painted, realizing how grown up she is. I don't think I'm ready! I love Maddie sooo much and I'm so glad that she is a part of this family.

BIRTHDAY PARTY IN CALIFORNIA

Thanks for helping Uncle Billy. How old are you?

Maddie loves Monopoly and totally beat us the first time we played! And she was the banker the whole time!

Easter and it's still April

Easter in Lodi Zachary finding his first egg!

More Easter

Grandpa and Zach checkin' out the goods. As a tradition, the "Easter Bunny" always wears overalls on Easter- I can't ever remember my dad NOT wearing overalls while hiding easter eggs. Picture with the California Cousins! We sure love them and miss them!

Look ma! Eggs!

Maddie finding an egg amidst the grapevines. This is the backyard I grew up with...love all the space!!! My kids couldn't even stay inside when it was raining! They love it in Lodi!

Brad and Zach looking cool.

Disneyland

First day in the happiest place on earth. Little does Zach know that the minute we turn the corner he will be screaming his head off in front of Mickey Mouse. He warmed up by the last day.These are just a couple of pics at the hotel room. This is Zach and his lack of personal space. He LOVES to be in Brad's face and see how far he can push him. Brad's pretty good for the most part, but we don't feel too bad that he finally has someone pushing him around (it's usually the other way around). Brad has met his match!

Look at this brotherly love!

Disneyland 2009

We attempted a 3 day Disneyland trip and barely survived! The kids had a blast and I was even pretty good the first 2 days, but by day 3 my feet were hammered. All in all we are glad we did it. We've never been to California Adventure so we were able to spend a day there. Brad is already counting down the day until we go again (we said next year so he's counting down from 365 days) The kids finally get to meet Mickey after 1 1/2 hours!

Getting off Grizzly Rapids and CA Adventure. It was cold and overcast that day-poor guys!

Zach and I had fun hangin' out in fantasyland. He's not much of a thrill-seeker yet. In fact, it took until day 3 not to freak out at the disney characters!

Zonked on day 1- doesn't he look huge in that stroller? Geez, where'd my baby go?

IT'S A.....

Need I say more?! We are soooo excited to be having our 3rd baby boy! Look at those legs spread out so far! There was definitely no arguing with the ultrasound tech. He wouldn't ever show his face, however. He was either face down or had his arms covering his face. The hardest part about having a boy is his name...both of our boys didn't have a name until the day we left the hospital. So, I doubt this one will have a name until after we get home!!! Why are boy names so hard? I am just so thrilled to have this little man join our family. I feel a little bad that I haven't written anything concerning him, but I think I wanted to make sure all was well with him. I absolutely love being pregnant and cherish every moment of it. I love having older kids that are so excited to meet this new member of the family. Brad asks me everyday how much longer and he always wants to rub my feet and back (and I'm hardly even showing yet!) I love how Zach prays every night that the baby will be healthy and strong. I love how Maddie says she will hold it everyday for me when I need to clean & vacuum...huh?! Will that even get done with 4 kids?? I know Ron is very happy, even though he keeps telling me that it'll be okay...he thinks I thought it was a girl- my subconscious did, because every dream I've had, including last nights, was a girl. I just laugh! I really longed for a boy! (little does he know).

Happy Birthday

Penny is 6 years old today and Maddie would be sad if I didn't acknowledge her today. We've only had her for a few months, but she is a very important part of Maddie's life. Have a great day! Maybe we'll feed you a little steak tonight! (She hates her dog food and won't eat it until absolutely necessary. Vets' orders!)

Ice Skating

This is for Ron's sister Staci in the pink vest. Now she's up.... And now she's down. Ouch. Good thing Tyler was there to help!?

I think Staci would benefit from one of these. Good job Brad and Bret!