Ghosties in the house

So this past week has been pretty strange in our house. Weird writings have appeared on the wall, toilets have been overflowing with whole rolls of toilet paper stuffed inside, blue markings all over the carpet and furniture. Kinda strange. And of course to top it off, 3 year old Tommy wearing his scary Halloween shirt all week long, explained to us that he was wearing his "Holy Ghostie" shirt.

Dirty Jokes and the Round Swing

Every summer my family made the 13 hour trek to Mexico for our summer vacation. Suddenly all my parents strict checklist of rules didn't apply when we were down there. However one rule that we were constantly reminded of was not to tell any dirty jokes to our cousins. This was always funny to me because I don't think I ever knew any dirty jokes as a child and if so why would I tell my cousins? So as long as we refrained from dirty jokes we were free to roam the Mexican countryside.
Besides being taught to drive at age 12 by my dear cousins, one of my other favorite memories was of the round swing. We would cross the street to uncle Herman's (I have the best names in my family) and climb the hill. We would jump on the rope swing and swing out over the irrigation ditch and out over the hill. It was exhilarating and always a good time.
This past summer my dad just built a round swing in his backyard. He even built a little platform stand to swing off of. I got on and swung out into the ravine and don't think I have screamed that loud in 15 years! My kids love it and we all cant get enough of it. Of course everyone who comes over has to take a ride. We have even had a few Tarzan moments. Thanks dad for building the swing and I promise no more dirty jokes!

My boricua heart hurts today.

Today my little boricua heart hurts. I just heard that Hermano Victor SotoMayor passed away. He was one of my favorite people in our ward in Puerto Rico. My heart aches for the loss of him personally and for our ward Ponce I. He was one of the first members in Ponce. He was 80 years old and very spry. He made us laugh. He was very kind to Jake as a new Bishop, taught him many things, and was very patient. I feel privileged to have known him and had him in my home. Thinking of him makes me smile and I will never forget him. I know it means nothing to anyone who may read this but somehow it makes me feel better to put it down in writing. Te queremos mucho Hermano SotoMayor!!!

Saturday morning on Horse Poopy Trail

This morning I took the boys out for a little hike. I am not a hiker, not an outdoor granola but these Colorado surroundings are really getting to me- I really enjoy being outside. Anyways on today's particular trail there seemed to be alot of horse poop, almost marking the path for us. Tommy was much more fascinated with running to find the next pile of poop then he was doing anything else. We didn't make it very far but saw beautiful scenery, climbed a few rocks, ate a few Teddy Grahams. Best thing- Horse Poopy Trail is only a 5 minute drive from my house!

Roy Rodgers and Coconut Shrimp

I have about the coolest and funnest sisters in law around! This last week 2 of them came for a visit. My husband succeeded in staying away from the house as much as possible as there was major estrogen overload for a change, as I am usually outnumbered here in the Smith household. Dont think I have been to bed before 1am since they got here. We did all the necessaries of good girl time such as staying up way too late giggling every night, watching chic flicks, playing games, going shopping and eating dessert all the time. "One" of us of course mooned the rest of "us" and one of us even stole the phone from another one of us threatening to call a certain boy late at night. Since two of us are married, I wont say who did what.
The must do, which we did do, and declare that we must always do on future meetings is head to Red Lobster for diet Roy Rodgers and Coconut Shrimp. Their coconut shrimp is THE BEST and the pina colada sauce is to die for. The waitress did not disappoint when I asked her to bring a bowl of it as I had every intention of downing it like a bowl of soup. Loved every minute and love my girls!

Fat Boy factory

My son Luke absolutely loves the ice cream sandwich called "Fatboys." The first time he ate one and I told him what they were called he didn't believe me, he thought I was joking. And then when I told him that I actually knew the people who owned the icecream company that made Fatboys he went crazy and had to point out anytime we saw "Fatboys" in the grocery store.
Well a few weeks ago my childhood best friend Sherrie was up in Logan Utah for a visit to her sisters. Sherrie's family the Hatches have always been my second family- we did everything together growing up. I was driving up to see her and asked if we could maybe get a tour of the factory. They were so cool and arranged for all of us to go get a behind the scene tour. It was so much fun and Luke was absolutely amazed the whole time. He is already set on his new career of becoming a "Fatboy maker." All I know is with all of the icecream I ate that day I was already a "fatgirl maker" - but it was SOO worth it! Thanks to Paul and Stephanie Merrill for an incredible time!

11 years...11 reasons

So exactly 11 years ago I was married to Jake. He NEVER lets me compliment him but since he does not read my blog I get to do it here. Soooo many reasons I love and cherish him but here are 11 really good reasons:

11. The best snuggler in the world. Yucky but true- we snuggle ALL night!
10. He would do anything for anybody- anytime.
9. He thinks I am beautiful and tells me EVERYDAY!
8. He is so freaking smart. Honestly. I really don't ever have to look anything
up- I just ask him!
7. When we are at a restaurant and I order and we get our food and his looks better
mine- he always lets me have his food instead. (this says alot about him!)
6. His strength! (Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually)
5. He always calms down my anxious heart.
4. He has integrity.
3. He is 100% committed- to me, the boys, and the gospel
2. He makes me laugh, everyday, all day long!
1. He knows me better than I know myself and he still loves me with all his heart!