Our Special Visitor and Christmas Morning

The Smuin kids got a special visitor Christmas Eve. Santa Clause decided to take a few minutes out of his travels to stop by and see if rooms were cleaned and if Matt, Dylan, and Kinley have been good this year. Matt and Dylan were up for pictures with the special visitor but Kinley was not too sure about him. He did a hug after he gave her a Candy cane. Thanks for making a special memory and coming all the way out here...you guys know who I am talking to.
Christmas morning was a great morning!! Chad's parents and brother came over to see the kids walk downstairs. We told the boys they could not get up until 6:30. That did not work too well. Dylan knocked on our door at 4:00. We told him to go back to bed until 6:30 when his grandparents would be here. Of course I could not go back to sleep so I tossed and turned until 5:30 or so. We had our alarms set, but before they could go off Chad's mom called to tell us they were here. We let them in and then woke up the kids. Santa spoiled the kids again. Matt got his bow and arrows, Dylan got his X-box, and Kinley got here doll and stroller. After the room was filled with shredded wrapping paper we cooked and ate breakfast. We had a great day visiting family and just enjoying the Christmas spirit.

Smuin Christmas Party

This year we decided to have a Christmas Eve party with Chad's side of the family. The family is growing fast and we were all able to be there. We had a great dinner, read 'Twas the Night before Christmas, and the kids sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. The kids opened up some Christmas PJ's and some fun toys that they all enjoyed. We had a great time and hope to make it a tradition again. We are blessed to have such a great family. Thanks and Love you all!!!

Heil Christmas Party

I have to say that my family seems to out do themselves every year! I am so blessed to have a family that loves to gather together. We talk, laugh, get in trouble, and just have a FUN. My parents have gathered us together for a Christmas party ever since I was in junior high and it is a tradition that has gotten bigger and better as the family grows. The little ones enjoy all the fun, but I have to say that I think the adults enjoy it just as much if not more!!! Thank you to my parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews for a great time. I am grateful and truly blessed for such a wonderful family!! Love you all!

Tom proved to be the king of Christmas mischief this year as he handed out his gifts to all the kids....marshmallow guns!!!!

After the kids opened up presents they were ready for the tradition of relaxing in the hot tub...the older kids are great to help with the little kids so the adults can have some fun playing a game that my parents put many hours of preparation perfecting...I got in trouble this year with the question...things you get stuck in...I answered marriage (not a great answer when you are happily married). I guess I have watched to much Lifetime Television for Women...lol

Life of the Smuin kids!!!!

Before I returned the football pads to the city I had to capture a few memories. I called my cousin and she dropped everything to help me with my photo ideas. Matt and Dylan showing their passion for football and how their little sister is the center of their world right now. Thanks Danielle I cherish these pictures and memories. Here are a few more pictures of that day...

Brothers first and football players second!! I love these two studs

Look at those tiny pink shoes next to those two pair of black cleats

These were a complete surprise to me when I got the disk back. I was not prepared to have my picture taken, but I will cherish these pictures always.

First Snow Fall

The first snow fall of the year was greeted with great cheers from the young ones at this house. Matt came down stairs with Lisa in tow and asked, "Mom can we put her snow suit on and go outside." We went up and got her all bundled up while the boys got their jackets on. I think they had fun...take a look and see what you think

HALLOWEEN 2010

Halloween what a fun night. We had a vampire, a lion, and Matt to get ready. Matt was suppose to go as Jason, but at the last minute he decided he did not want to wear the mask or carry around the knife and the next time I saw him he had colored his face with black, green, and red markers (hoping they were washable). I am still not sure what he was going for, but he had fun and that is what counts...right? This year I decided to be a big girl and let the boys go trick-or-treating with friends and and this did not include me and dad. I know you are so proud of me for growing up...finally! I have to say that Matt and Dylan were excited. Dylan invited Mason, his best friend since kindergarten. Matt invited a couple different friends that could not make it because they got sick, but we still had a great turn out. Morgan, Matt's girlfriend, Spencer, and Morgan's sister Lily all came over to have some fun! After trick-or-treating was over they all came back here for some of Chad's famous story telling and to trade candy for rides home...just joking but I did get a few of my favorites.

We got the older kids off. Now to go trick-or-treating with Lisa. Andrew, Ashley, Jocelyn, and Kelsee came over to go out to the house with us and Lisa. I think Jocelyn and Lisa had a great time knocking on the doors and seeing what kind of treats they could get in their bags. Some houses were a little too scary for our little lion and ladybug. Chad decided that since were we going to be out about the first part of the night he would take the goodies with us and hand them out while we were out. Everyone said that was the first time the treats came to them.

Twinkies and Cupcakes...YUMMY!!! This is what we handed out this year...Thanks to Tom and Hostess our house was a very liked house!

Thanks to all that helped us celebrate and have a great Halloween!!!