Cutting the Tree

Emma wanted to cut down the Christmas tree this year. That's right, a three and a half year old with with a hacksaw!! It took us thirty minutes to decide on a tree. Mike and I were having a little trouble deciding on the perfect tree.

Daddy stepped in to help with the cutting of the tree. After a few minutes, Emma was able to yell "TIMBER".
Daddy and Emma trying to haul our tree back to the truck. Now comes the fun part of decorating the tree!!! I hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season!!!

Smith Family Expansion

Halloween was an absolute blast this year. This was Emma's fourth Halloween. It is so much fun watching her get into Halloween more and more each year. This year, Emma insisted on walking up to the doors by herself. As soon as the door opened she belted out, "TRICK OR TREAT!"

Now, I know you may still be wondering about the title of this post. Let me explain...You may have noticed that the number of posts have decreased lately. This is due in part of me going to bed at 7 each night and having no energy to get on the computer. The doctor has diagnosed me with a nine month illness called pregnancy! The Smith Family is excited to announce that we will be adding a new member in June.

When we told Emma about her becoming a Big Sister she was so excited! When you ask her if she wants a brother or sister, she will tell you she wants two sisters. She also wants to name them both Emma!!!

Those of you who participated in the Emma Tegan Pick'em contest in 2005, I hope I can talk my brother-in-law Dan to set up another contest! Keep watching for more details!!!

Pumpkin Time

Emma and some of her friends went to a farm this past weekend to checkout the pumpkins. The kids enjoyed a hayride, a walk through the pumpkin patch, and a picnic lunch. Fun was had by all!!! There was a cornfield maze too but Emma didn't want to do it because she thought a skunk was in there!

Above is Emma and her friend Jack. Can you believe it, her best buddy is a longhorn!!

Emma is very proud of her pumpkin. After this shot, she asked if mommy could hold her and the pumpkin! HA!!

Last Tri

Last weekend Mike competed in his last tri of the season. As you can see from the picture above, Emma got to finish with her Daddy. She is of course decked out in her own tri gear and new balance shoes. Some may call it being spoiled while others would just say she is dressed for the event!

Mike had an excellent race. It was the first tri held at Lake Tyler. As a spectator I enjoyed it because we were able to watch Mike several times on the course. Our neighbor also competed in the event which was her first. Her little boy and Emma are buds! In the picture below you will see them watching the start of the race together.

When we first met Jack and he was 1 1/2 and Emma was already 2 we called him "baby Jack". As you can see, we can no longer call him that since he is just as tall as Emma. They love spending time together cruising around in his corvette or Emma's jeep in the back yard.

This last pictures was just priceless. Emma picked up one the cones on the race course and decided it would be a great hat. Fun was had by all last Saturday. I look forward to next tri season. Mike is still trying to talk me into doing a tri but of course I keep saying no. We shall see!!!!

Crazy

I think crazy is the only word that can describe the last few weeks for us.

Mike competed in his first Ironman over labor day. He stopped short of the finish line due to a bloody toe and knee injury. It was a great experience for all us to watch almost 2,000 people compete in such an awesome event. For those not familiar with the Ironman it is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. Crazy right?

Emma and I both started back to school. Emma loves her "big girl" class! In fact, she sometimes is so excited that she forgets to give me a hug and kiss when I drop her off. I can't believe that Emma is almost four! Crazy!

I am not sure if the craziness will stop! We are now looking at remodeling our home. We will be working in our living room and kitchen. I guess this means we will be eating out alot!!! :)

On a side note I got a new weedeater today! My old one had no trottle (high speed only) and the muffler would over heat and give me a nice little red mark on my arm. My new one is quite and cuts like a knife! I know...CRAZY that I get excited about a weedeater.

Last Bit of Summer

This past weekend was action packed for us. On Saturday we went to DFW to watch a friend coach his volleyball team. Then it was off to the Circus. We threw in a little birthday celebration for Mike. The next day we headed out to the Ft. Worth Zoo. Action packed I guess you can say.

Emma was a big help in the kitchen with Mike's cake! What a cook!!!!

Emma had a blast at the circus. She wanted some pink cotton candy which she managed to get on her shirt and in her hair. Her favorite part of the circus was seeing the lions.


Here are some pictures of Cousin Carter & Emma enjoying Mike's birthday dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.


Emma had a blast at the Zoo. Of course we freaked out at the lion area. She is not real fond of the lions when they walk right up to the glass. Below is a picture of a happier viewing of the jaguars.

It was great getting to see family and having so much fun with Emma. Summer is ending quickly and I must go back to work. My next posting will be of Mike crossing the finishing line at Ironman Louisville! He will accomplish this feat over Labor Day!!!

Lost Dog

Saturday night around 8:00 I decided to go on a quick jog around the neighborhood with my dog Pacer. We usually end up on a closed road that runs along side a wooded area. When we get to this part of the run I let her off the leash. Pacer usually stays right by me but on occasion will go exploring. Most of the time she stays within sight and when I call her she comes running to me.
But last night was a different story. She was checking out something near the line of trees and when I called her name it was like she didn't even here me. Whatever she was investigation was a lot more important than her owner calling her name to come. Next thing I know, she bolts into the woods (to thick for me to get into). I kept calling her name and walking up and down the street to no avail. It was getting dark so I ran back home to get Mike. Mike immediately jumps into the car to find her. I waited outside our house just in case Pacer found her way back home.
While Mike searched the area (which includes the toll road behind our house) I freaked out at home! About 5 minutes later, I get a phone call on my cell but I didn't recognize the number. It was the number to the family who found Pacer about 10 houses down from ours. Pacer was on her way home but the family saw her walking in the street and thankfully called us!

So kudos to our neighbors, the person who invented engraved dog tags, and a dog smart enough to try and return home! Needless to say, Pacer will not have a lot of freedom our next run by the woods!

Changing Jobs

So in the last month I have sold a boat and my honda civic both for my asking price. The boat was on the market for about 4 hours at my garage sale and the civic was on craigslist for 3 days. I think I have a new calling...a car saleswoman! There was no haggling and the transactions were painless. Take the money and run!!! I wish. It is actually all going to my new car that I just purchased - a 2009 Nissan Murano.

There is a little story behind the purchase of this Murano but I will not divulge any details via my blog. It's quite comically. I don't think a blog story would do it justice.

Those of you who already know the story will understand this - I saw the other vehicle cruising town this morning. I guess a real soccer mom purchased it this time!!

Another funny side bar on the sell of my civic...I sold it to a t-sipper! Mind you my honda was covered in A&M stickers!!! I will miss my civic. That was the first car Mike and I purchased brand new off the lot. I will now look forward to cruising in my murano (it has heated seats!!!)

Beach Bums

We just got back from a few days at the beach with Mike's family. We spent most of our time sun worshiping and eating a ton of junk food! In all we had twelve adults and four children under one roof. The house was great because each bedroom had its own bathroom.

My brother-in-law Dan treated us to a fishing trip for shark. Unfortunately we went in a small craft during a small craft advisory. Amazingly no one got sick but of course the shark were not biting much. Dan was able to catch one 3 1/2 foot long shark which became dinner for us on Saturday.

Emma had a blast playing with her cousins Carter, Olivia, and Elizabeth. Cousin Drew & Josh also came down for a visit too. The first day she was all about going into the water with Grammy. After that, she would only go to the edge of the water to play in the sand. Not sure what happened to scare her, but she was quite content on playing by the water's edge.

Now the unpacking begins!

Aunt Jodie & Cousin Carter hanging out at the beach

Emma and Josh riding the alligator

Grammy with her grandkids on the beach

To go or not to go

On Friday, Emma decided to run 103 fever and lay around all day. I decided to see what would happen when she woke up Saturday and then look at taking her to the doctor if it didn't get better. Well, she was bouncing off the walls Saturday so no go on the doctor. Then after dinner, Emma's 103 fever decided to make a visit back. We cooled her off in the tub by letting her watch a Dora movie on the laptop. By the way, at this point Mike and I decided that since she doesn't really have any other symptoms and this temperature keeps coming back that we will take her to Direct Care Sunday morning. As we were getting her dressed for bed she was singing and having a great time. Hardly could tell that she had a fever!

Sunday, she woke up in the best mood and was playing around having a great time with NO FEVER!. In fact, the words out of her mouth were "I'm not sick anymore." So, I started second guessing my decision to take her to the doctor. Off we go looking funny bringing this happy little girl into the clinic who wants to play with everything in the waiting room. Come to find out, Emma has an ear infection!

While we were spending hours at Direct Care & Walgreens, Mike was off on a bike ride. He went over 70 miles! Those you who know anything about the Tyler area, he biked from South Tyler to just a few miles north of Palestine! When he finished his ride it was already 95 outside! It was so hot that he now has a dime size burn on the top of his feet! There was a small opening where the velcro on his shoes and the light found its way in!!! CRAZY!

Cousins Visit

In the past two weeks Emma has seen all of her cousins!! We went down to Katy for Drew's first birthday. Mike also did a tri while we were down there. Then Josh came up to Tyler with Nanny & Papa this past weekend. Emma and Josh were treated to Build-A-Bear by Nanny & Papa. Josh and Emma had a great time swimming in the pool in the backyard and getting to go to the science museum with Papa.

Then Aunt Jodie and Carter came in for a few days. Carter got to go swimming and play in the sand box. Emma had a great time being a "Big Cousin" to Carter!

We had a great time getting to visit with everyone.

Howdy

I thought that I would get with the times and start a blog so everyone can see what we are up to.
So here goes...