Cowgirl envy

This weekend we celebrated the 4th in Prescott at the rodeo.

I think I was suppose to be born a cowgirl

cuz I love rodeo's!

I love everything about them. Once upon a time I tried be a cowgirl. I went to all the country dances. I could line dance with the best of them. I owned my own wranglers and boots. I love country music. I drove a truck for heavens sake! Something just went terrible wrong and it just didn't stick. Maybe it was that one dance when my friend was twirling me around and flipping me over his head and then dropped me! Well, no I still went back. Even in my wedding announcement's I was wearing wranglers, boots and a vest!

Well, this weekend I just couldn't get enough of all those cowboys and cowgirls! I love the attitude that comes along with cowgirl. I love how they walk tall in their boots and tight jeans with such attitude. I think I could pull it off! The attittude that is.. maybe not the tight jeans.

Okay, lets be honest.

Some women just don't look good in tight wranglers and sparkly tops or daisy dukes and boots! We saw plenty of those types but other than that... I was having some major cowgirl envy!

I'm hoping my girls soak up some cowgirl style because I think my son is on his way to full blown cowboy!

The girls with the Teen rodeo princess

If I would have know that we were going to meet royalty I would have bought the girls those pink cowgirls hats! Darn it!!

Future cowgirls ..
Wanna be and EmilyStill wanna be but with Ashley Me and Megan
(the man of the house aka Todd has requested to not be talked about or photographed for my shameless blog so that will explain all the "me" pictures)

Creativity at its BEST

From box to barbie house in 24 hours

The girls designed this house complete with a roof top swimming pool

and a choice of stairs or a slide! I want the girls to design our next house!

I love when creativity conquers boredom.

At the top of the stairs..

sits an empty room.

Shayne is off on an adventure of a lifetime. The month of July he is traveling with his friend, friend's dad, a big huge horse trailer, 8 shires, 1 bag of clothes, 1 pair of boots, 1 cowboy hat and a giant smile.

My lucky boy was in the Provo 4th of July parade and is now headed across the USA to Milwaukee for another parade then back to Utah for the parade in SLC on the 24th.

Thank goodness for cell phones and unlimited texting!

Home just isn't the same without him!

Momma's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys..

The boots.... the hat... the belt.... the buckle..

that's our Shayne!

Shayne has found a new passion this summer... horses

Shayne's buddy Keaton is from a cowboy family. Not one of those families that just like to wear the boots and hats for no good reason type of families. This family is a true blue cowboy family. Shayne has spent many days this summer helping out and learning the ropes (no pun intended) of all things horses. He's gotten to go on several overnight rides with them.

He came home from a 4 day ride lookin like a full blown cowboy..

and he loves it!

Just like a true cowboy he rode and slept in these clothes all four days. He says that's just what you do when your will the boys.

We hosed him down and then hugged him for hours. We missed our cowboy!

He leaves again in a few weeks to go to Milwaukee for 2 weeks! He'll be helping out with the horses in a parade. Lucky boy...make that... lucky cowboy!

Memorial Weekend Goodbye

Our summer started out with a final goodbye to Todd's Grandma Bertha.

We were thankful to be able to go to Preston Idaho for her funeral.

This was our kids first funeral that they attended of a close family member. I am so thankful for the answers that the gospel of Jesus Christ holds. Our sweet kids had so many question that gave us some very tender moments with our children.

Emily was probably the most curious. I hadn't decided if I wanted the kids to go into the viewing or not, for obvious reasons. All the grandchildren and their spouses sang at the funeral so while we were practicing our songs all the little cousins were wondering around. Little did I know that Emily and Ashley had wondered into the casket room. Emily came and got me and wanted to "show" me Grandma Bertha. I was a little shocked. Emily with all the tenderness that only a 6 year old could have, took me by the hand and we sat with Grandma. She was enthralled with her body. We got the chance to sit in silence and partake of the amazing spirit that was there. After a few moments, Emily began to explain to me that Grandma's spirit was already in Heaven and that only her body would go into the ground. I can't even express how thankful I am for her sweet, simple testimony of the plan of salvation. She knew it. She knew that Grandma's flesh was all that was left. She couldn't stop talking about the smile on Grandmas face. She said over and over again, "she must be really happy to be in Heaven".

A few years back a talk was given at General Conference called The Tender Mercies of the Lord by Elder Bednar. This talk rang through my head the whole time. I think often times, some of the Lord's most tender mercies come to those in times of grieving over death. I know that we had some very tender mercies given unto us through the conversations with our children.

I will always be thankful for the knowledge that Heavenly Father will never leave us alone in our times of need. Never. So thankful.
The kids with Grandma Smith

Each grandchild and great grandchildren got to take a few flowers home.

On our way back to our hotel in Logan, we had to stop at one of the most amazing temples.
The Logan Temple. Todd's parents were married here. It's just beautiful! Almost like the Arizona temple.. except this temple is set on a hill and overlooks the city and is green and has real flowers and plants and trees... so I guess the only thing similar is that they're both temples.

Ok...so we had to have a little bit of fun...

and blow off some steam..
and boys will be boys...

Good bye school....hello summer

WOW! Where did this year go? It seems to me that the older I get, the faster the years fly by.

We were SO lucky this year to have extraordinary teachers.

Shayne with Mrs Bray.

He was lucky to have her 2 years in a row.. she loved her 5th grade class so much she moved up with them! How lucky are we?? Love, love, love her!

Emily had the BEST kindergarten teacher EVER! Not only is she my neighbor but she is the most amazing Kindergarten teacher. Love, love, love her too!

Emily with Mrs Monseuger and Mrs D

Megan and Mrs Mathews

Meg had her on and off for the year. She is the most soft spoken kindest teacher you'll ever find. Poor lady was on bed rest for 7 months! She is just the best!

Ashley and Ms Fischer

We took our chances on this new teacher at the school this last year, and we NEVER regretted it! Talk about a fun teacher! Instead of chairs the kids got to sit on Yoga balls all year long. She worked their minds and their ab's! Love it!

This is ended an era in the Smith family. Our children will never again all be in the same school. Shayne along with all the big 6th graders did a finally "walk out" of elementary school. Jr High here they come!

I just can't believe it! My son is not only as tall as me, has bigger feet and hands than me but he's also in 7th grade.....Jr High!!! YIKES
Next year will be a whole new adventure for us.

All my kids will be in school all day

We get to juggle two different school schedules

I'm home all alone..

Oh boy, I've never had a house all to myself all day...

I guess it's time to get workin on a hobby!
Thanks for an awesome year!

Move over girls

the Princess has arrived!

Emily celebrated her 6th birthday in style! She has the most darling group of little friends.

G & G Bentz treated Em to this custom built doll bunkbed
isn't it to die for??

(I wish G &G would have made something like this for their ONLY daughter!)
Grandpa built the whole thing and then Grandma made the bedding to match her room!

We all you Emily!!

Happy Birthday to our baby girl!!