Family Photos

Last month we traveled up to Arlington to visit our good friends, the Hill family. Our boys are very close in age and we got to meet their beautiful daughter for the first time. We even braved going out to lunch with four adults and four kiddos under the age of 4! During our visit Gara graciously took Owen's 2 year photos as well as some of big sister and the entire fam. She also took our photos exactly one year ago on the same weekend. How fun to compare! You can check out more of her work here. Thanks for capturing our memories, Gara :)

Baylor homecoming parade

On Saturday morning the kids and I attended the Baylor homecoming parade with my parents.  Sic 'em!

The parade entries are always neat to see!  The campus student organizations always put lots of time into them!  The kiddos loved watching them go by.  Here are couple of my favs...

Three generations:

Posing with Lita and Big Daddy in green & gold

Owen (class of 2033) and Emma (class of 2029)

Jesus paid it all

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” -Luke 22:19

(A craft tile Emma made this Summer at VBS.  She created grapes out of her very own sweet fingerprints!)

During worship on Sunday morning we took part in the Lord's Supper.  I can't begin to count the number of times and places in which I have taken part in it since I became a Christian at the age 8.  This time was very different.  Emma was sitting in the pew with us.  In the quiet of the sanctuary I tried to whisper the meaning of what we were doing.  Somehow the inpromptu explanation of relating Jesus' blood and grape juice didn't quite make sense to her at the time :) 

In that very moment I was suddenly overwhelmed and appreciative as the Lord placed a huge responsibility on my heart.  It was His grand plan all along for me to be Emma's mother.  He chose me.  I was so overwhelmed that I had to grab a Kleenex before the tears made my mascara go haywire!  I was immediately taken back to my childhood and remembered what an instrumental part my parents and grandparents played in my decision to follow Christ.

This is the time in Emma's life that I start teaching her lifelong lessons such as how to tie her shoes, how to read and how to load the dishwasher.  Above all of these things, it is my job and my joy to teach her about Jesus and to one day guide her to personally accept him into her heart.  This is by far the most important decision she (and all of us) will ever make.

On Sunday a tiny seed was planted.  It made the wheels start turning in her head.  She knows that Jesus is God's son and that he died on the cross for our sins.  I am honored to be able to build on that knowledge and to continue to lead her to Him.  There is no bigger blessing.

Soccer Snidbits

We concluded our soccer season this weekend.  What a fun eight weeks!  All players improved leaps and bounds and learned life long lessons of team work, consistency, toughness and discipline.  As a mom and a coach I am SO proud of these kiddos!

We ended up adding an extra optional practice to our weekly schedule.  As soon as we did the immediate improvement and boost in confidence level was very obvious!  We even won a couple of games!!  They played their little hearts out.... 

Coach & #5 after out last game

Our season party was this evening.  Pizza, cupcakes and balloons....what more could kids ask for?!  Our local State Fram agent sponsored us this season and graciously showed up with new shiny soccer balls and treats for each player. 

She even had each player sign a soccer ball for each of the coaches!  What a priceless treasure :)

 

Emma was super excited to accept her third sports trophy! 

What a neat experience to coach!  It was totally worth it as each player hugged me and thanked me for a great season.  I'm already looking forward to coaching next year :)  1,2,3....GO REDBULLS!

Super Smiths

Happy Halloween from the Super Smiths! 

After last year's costumes it took me a long while to determine what the kids would be this year.  Oh and just for fun, look at my itty bitties two trick-or-treats ago.  Emma was super happy to be "Supergirl" and chose the red/blue to match Owen over the hot pink option.  Her only big request was to wear face glitter. 

This "Supergirl pose" was all Emma.  Somehow she picked up this stance and did it almost every time she saw the camera pointed in her direction.

The kids were able to wear these costumes to gymnastics, our church Fall festival, our morning playdate and of course, to trick or treat. 

We were thrilled to be a part of our first hayride!  Our Sunday School class organized it and invited us to tag along.  This was extra appreciated since Coach Daddy had to work.  All of our fellow riders had great costumes.  Here is a group photo:

Sweet coaching/church friends: Princess Leia, another princess, Super Woman and Cleopatra:

This was Owen's first year to go door to door and he had so much fun! He quickly got the hang of what this gig was all about. He really wanted to go inside everyone's front door. I'm afraid that now he will expect candy at every house we visit :)

We are so thankful for our Superkids and hope that they have wonderful memories of fun holidays!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines!!

This weekend we hosted Owen's big birthday celebration at my parents' new house in McGregor. 

For months I was puzzled on a theme.  He didn't seem to show special favor of any specific cartoon character or toy.  When Emma turned two she was crazy about Elmo....there was no doubt about it!  Finally, we discovered that Owen loves Disney's Cars!  His daddy bought the first movie on a shopping trip and ever since he has begged to watch it almost daily!!  It's really the only thing he will sit still for for long stretches of time.  Inside we served 'brakelight brisket', 'battery beans' (thanks Gpa), 'Piston cup potatoes' (thanks Lita) and 'Race Day Rolls'. 

I had fun putting together all of the decorations and details but I am convinced that there is never enough time to set up! 

'Stoplights' and 'Pit Crew Favors' for our special guests

Among the 'Refueling Station' options there were 'Mater's Motor Oil' (iced tea), 'Wingo's Windshield Wiper Fluid' (blue kool aid) and Horsepower H20 (water bottles). 

Outside we served 'Speedway Sweets' (cupcakes around a race track) and chocolate dip sticks (dipped pretzel rods).  The birthday boy sure has a sweet tooth!!

My sweet friend Stephanie was patient enough to help me make these coordinating party outfits.  I won't even pretend to tell you how many pictures we took to get a decent pose of these two!  :)

It was such a beautiful evening!

Friends Kaylee, Emma and Noelle worked very diligently at the 'bodyshop'.  Each kiddo get to paint their very own wooden car!

This was the third time Owen got to blow out candles during his birthday week.  He finally got the hang of it but just couldn't blow quite hard enough!  He sure loves cupcakes :)  (Note: He even loves cornbread if we tell him it's a cupcake!)

And this is his best cupcake face....

Three generations of Smiths

Owen loves all of his new little boy toys!  He enjoyed trying out his new Lightening McQueen power ride!!

Owen had a great time....even without taking his usual afternoon nap!  We are so thankful to have so many wonderful friends and family members who traveled so far to help celebrate our sweet boy :)