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Along with Halloween we also had some other fun happenings around here!

1.  Friday night was a party for Mark and Anne (only two more weeks 'til the wedding!).  We had a good time visiting with their friends and Anne's family at a lovely home in Highland Park.  I didn't take pictures at the party (gasp!), but here are Derek and I before we left:

 

2.  Sat morning we were up bright and early to run in the Gary Burns Run, a Frisco tradition.  Over 5,000 people were there to run – quite a scene!  We had a great time running with our favorite runners, the Hickens.  Derek, Caleb and Samuel ran together in the 1-mile Fun Run.  Jacob and Megan also ran the 1-mile and were finished and waiting for us at the designated spot before we even knew they had started!  Matt, Dana and I ran the 5K.  I was pleased to only finish 3 or 4 minutes or so behind Dana, who is in much better shape (but to her credit, older :).  It's probably attributed to the fact that the first mile was wall-to-wall people, so it was easy to keep up!  I am still paying for it though with sore muscles!  Fun times.

 
 
 
3.  On Sunday evening we were so honored and pleased to host our friend Michael Miner and his family as he opened and read his mission call.  When young men from the church decide to go on a mission it is a lengthy process of paperwork, doctor/dental visits and preparation.  The "call" that says where in the world you will serve for that 2 years comes in the mail in the form of a letter from the President of the Church.  Derek has been a "home teacher" to this single mom and her two children for some time now and has a close relationship with the family.  He was worked diligently with Michael in hopes of him choosing to serve a mission.  We were so excited to hear that he has been called to serve in the California Long Beach Mission, speaking Spanish (despite his Vietnamese heritage).  So fun for our family to be a part of that!  We had lots of desserts for all the well wishers who came by. 

 

Lots and lots of fun Halloween activities around here last week…

1.  Mummies and Witches Fingers for dinner last Thursday:

 

2.  Pumpkin Carving:

 
 
 
3.  Halloween Playgroup Party for me and Sam (with our neighborhood friends…my child is the elephant!):

 
Cutie!
 
4.  Neighborhood Fall Festival:

 
 
 
5.  Trick-or-Treating:

This year our bi-annual Stake Conference happened to fall on Halloween weekend.  Our Sat night session for adults was on Halloween night, so Dana and I went to that while the kids stayed with Derek for neighborhood fun. 

 

Jacob (ninja), Caleb (pumpkin bobble head), Samuel (Superman – although he thought he was "Super Why" a character from a PBS show that he watches – and I let him run with it!).

This morning as we were reading scriptures we read about Mormon who was young, but "large in stature" and very righteous, much like another hero of the Book of Mormon, Nephi.  We talked about what that meant.  And it reminded me that I am raising boys who will probably be "large in stature" just based on their DNA.  My dad, brothers and Derek are all at least 6-feet tall.

This youngest son may be the "largest" of them all.

At age three,
Jacob was 31 lbs and 37 and 1/2 inches
Caleb was 33 lbs and 37 inches

Samuel is not yet three (two more months) and is already 35.5 lbs and 38 inches.  BIG BOY!  He's a giant!!

 

I hope my boys will be "large in stature" but also large in values, character and goodness.

One of my favorite traditions of the year is our trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Celina.  I took the boys several weeks ago (the week I got back from Canada) but am just now getting around to blogging about it.  Right after school I packed them up and we got there with only an hour before they closed.  But there was plenty of time to do all our favorites – feed the animals, ride the hayride and pick our pumpkin. 

I sure do love these sweet boys!  I am reminded with pictures like these, just how blessed I am as their mom.  
 

Katie and Anne hosted a fun and festive Halloween dinner for us last month.  Way to go, girls!

I have SO many pictures to share from the weekend – Halloween festivities and other things.  In the meantime, I thought I would share two things…

1.  Take a look at THIS video to see what Derek will be doing next Saturday.  Crazy?  I think so.  He'll be on a team with a neighbor.  But he's in great shape, so I know he'll do well.  p.s. please ignore the man with the offensive t-shirt.

2.  I think THIS is a great idea for families this month.  We'll be doing it starting tonight…I'm off to buy some "warm fuzzies".

Happy Monday!

Two weeks ago we visited our Maggie at the breeder's house after church.  She was 5 weeks old then.  We had a good time playing with her brothers and sisters and seeing her personality for the first time (kind of shy – a little timid, but playful too).  We all loved it!  And one week from today we will rock our world and bring her home.  Yikes! 

 
 
 "kisses"
 
Caleb with Maggie; Jacob with a brother

Cute Sam LOVES birthdays – just the lilt in his voice is so delightful when he even thinks it's someone's birthday.  And he loves to sing happy birthday…

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7293156&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

Happy Birthday by Sam! from Meredith Smith on Vimeo.

Breakfast in bed, cards and packages, lunch dates, dinner out tonight, etc….I am spoiled and loved, and I am so grateful!!

While we were in Canada, the boys were in the able and loving care of my mom and Steve for 2 days and my Aunt Lisa (who came from Chicago to do it!) for 3 days.  I was so grateful to feel worry-free (for the most part) while we were gone.  The kids were loved and happy, which is all that matters.

Thank you Mom and Steve!

Thank you Lisa!

Both of them took some pictures…and none of the adults are in any of them!  Such is life.  Cute pics of my kids though…

Nana and Pops' house for the weekend

Aunt Lisa

  
 

 

It seems impossible to sum up the entire Canada trip in one post.  Suffice it to say, we had an amazing time in this beautiful place.  It was COLD (between 0 and 40 degrees).  And it was stunning!  And the food was exciting and yummy (and there was a lot of it!).  And it was relaxing.  And it was fun.

 
 

I love these friends.  I have no idea why they have kept me around (probably because they like Derek), but they have.  Even when I insult them without meaning too.  Even when I insult them purposely but without real malice.  Even when I make no sense and become really annoying or don't get the game or etc, etc, etc.  They keep me around.  They are the truest of the true.  They are the best of the best.  I love them wholeheartedly.  And loved being with them for 6 days.  The six of us are quite a group!  How lucky are we?

 

Here are some highlights for me (in no particular order):

– Banff Springs Hotel

– the spa and taking in the waters and the hot tub with icicles for hair

– German fondue (even though I didn't like it) and lingonberry creme brulee

– hiking to the paint pots

– Leela Gilday – my new favorite concert

– Joey Tomatoes, Earl's, SaltLik

– reading in bed with THAT view

– a lone elk on the soccer field

– the view of the hotel (Banff); the Bow River

 

– the view from the hotel (Lake Louise); seeing the lake for the first time from the window; the color of the lake – spectacular!

– 5 pin bowling

– Thanksgiving?  Thanksgiving!

– going to church – the Banff branch

– Sunday brunch (wow!)

– coats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, layers, layers, layers!

– Book of Questions

– Storm Mountain Lodge