Past Week

 We have this big bag of dum-dums from when I attempted to potty train Paige. Yes I say attempted because I gave up and decided to wait a little longer until she is more ready. The kids have loved all the suckers. Paige and Brett have always seemed to have a sucker in hand this past week when he is over to play. One day they came in and I hear Anna and Margaret laughing so I go and look and Paige has this sucker hanging in her hair and she didn't even know it was there. So I took her picture and showed her and then she was super concerned until we got it out. It was pretty funny.

Then Sunday I decided that Paige and I could match for church. She looked so cute in her outfit so we had a mini photo shoot.

 Today Anna invited Paige and I to go to a little concert in downtown Kent that is right by a splash park. So we packed a lunch and enjoyed listening and eating and then the kids got in their swimsuits and enjoyed the water. 

 Paige was having so much fun chasing and following Brett until she looked to see where we were sitting but Anna and I had moved closer to the water to watch the kids and she couldn't find us so she started crying and was pretty scared. Anna eventually got her over to the water and then a boy ran into her and so it was back to my lap. 

 I eventually got her back in the water and just had her stay on the outside and splash with her feet. She loved it and enjoyed stomping and jumping. It was a lot of fun and a nice little outing.

TGIFF

I decided to feature an amazing friend this week:

Judy Hovis

Judy joined our group of friends a little later in our school life and she is one amazing friend. She is always so beautiful. She is a gorgeous dancer and has such grace. I do love that she can be silly and clumsy at times which makes her a little more human. :) She is so easy to talk with and she married an amazing guy who is super nice and very friendly and also easy to talk to. They have two cute boys and I want to wish them luck on their new adventures since Chris just graduated college and they will be moving onto the next chapter of their lives. I am also very grateful for Judy because she has always been there for me and even watched Paige once a week when we were in college when Nate and I had an overlapping class. I am very grateful for my friendship with Judy that will last forever.

Covington Days

 Last Saturday was Covington Days and since Nate had to work Paige and I went to the parade together. It was a lot of fun and Paige was so cute. We both had our own chairs. I got Paige a small Cinderella camping chair at a yard sale and she absolutely loves it. I brought a backpack of snacks and it a good thing I had it so that we could fill it with candy.

Waiting for the parade to start.

 Matching shoes. We found both of these at thrift stores and probably cost together about 5 dollars. 

 When Paige first saw this float she said it was a temple. I guess it kind of looks that one. She had so much fun and did a really good job at waving at everyone and gathering up her candy.

 Her candy stash.

Here are a few random pictures- we have enjoyed the warm weather and time with family and friends. 

Paige and Brett got to go swimming with Nona one evening.

Daddy and Paige did sidewalk chalk one evening when I was gone. Nate drew while Paige told him what to draw.

TGIFF

This week I decided to feature a pretty amazing family:

Scott, Anna, Peyton, Mikey, and Brett

I am so glad that I get to call them all family. I love living close to them and that we can stop by unannounced and just visit. Scott always has something funny to say, is fun to talk with, is very dependable and nice, and just a good guy. Anna is a sister to me. We can talk about anything and she is the sweetest most kind person you will ever meet. Peyton will always hold a special place in my heart. The first time I met him he had just gotten glasses and asked if I liked them. He is so sweet and innocent. He is always willing to give me a hug and gives them without being asked. Mikey is smart and sensitive and always has a joke or something to tell you about what he read. Brett is sporty and active and is the best playmate for Paige. I love it when he comes over because they he entertains Paige. They don't always get along but they will always be good friends.

Pink Girl

She just looked so cute in this outfit. I found the dress at a thrift store and she picked the necklace and the bow to wear for the day and she looked like a little flapper girl. She was just too cute that I couldn't pass up on taking some pictures of her. I love this little girl with all my heart!

TGIFF

This week I decided to do my feature on my other mother growing up.

Shelley Killpack

Shelley was the mom of my best friend and my next door neighbor. I spent many hours playing in her yard and at her home. She was always more than happy to let me come over and spend time in her home. I also went on many weekend vacations with her family which were always so much fun and I have so many good memories from all the times I spent with her and her family. She was also one of my Young Women leaders and was an amazing one. I am so grateful for all that she has taught me. She is such an amazing example of being a wife and mother and has taught me to be a better person. I am very grateful for the influence she has had on me and she will always be a great friend to me.

What's New

 We are now back in Washington. Nate got a temporary job so he has that for 3-4 months while he looks for a career job. Also this week I am attempting to start potty training Paige. It has not been fun. I am trying to be as patient as possible and I am really hoping it starts clicking soon. There have been times that I feel like she should just stay in diapers so I don't have to do this but I know one day it will all be worth it. So there is a short update what we are doing right now but here are a few photos of our last few days in Firth.

We went to a baseball game in Idaho Falls with Derek and Amy and Charlotte and Juliette. It was a lot of fun and we even enjoyed some cotton candy. Paige would take the smallest bites and everyone else got maybe one or two bites and Charlotte and I finished off the rest. :)

 One day we went up to Rigby and saw Erika and where she is will be moving to and while we were there we stopped to see Grandma and Grandpa Peterson's grave site.

 We did a few projects outside for my parents while we were there and Paige loved to play in the water and just be outside with us. She loved to dig in the dirt and then wash her shovel off in the hose water. One day she was being silly and found a dandelion and would put it in the water and drink the water off the dandelion.

The Fourth

 Sorry I didn't do a TGIFF this week but I was busy celebrating. Here is our great day in lots of pictures. The 4th of July is a big deal in the Smith household and it is so much fun!

We started the day off going to the reservation to buy our fireworks.

Paige was very happy with the purchase of a backpack full of fireworks.

 Then after much deliberation the center for the kilt-o-sac of fire was created.

 Then it was time for everyone to add to the ring of fire.

 Lily's hair was so cute in a star and I attempted to do Paige's the same. I thought it looked pretty cute. It didn't turn out perfect since Paige has super fine hair and then that night when Nate and I were looking at pictures he pointed out that I did it completely wrong so it was a good attempt and maybe I will do better next time.

 For dinner we had a hot dog bar.

 Some cute family 4th of July pics.

 It is tradition to start the fireworks off with smoke bombs. I think smoke bombs were Paige's favorite this year. She did a little better with the fireworks this year compared to last but we still have some work to do. She did not like anything that was too loud but did like any firework that was bright and had lots of color.

 Then it was time for the snake pit.

 Next was dessert time. My contribution to the table was Pavlova and red, white, and blue cupcakes.

 Now it was time for the famous tank wars.

 All of the destruction.

 And a moment of silence. :)

 Paige did do a few fireworks with us though most of the time she sat near the house on Papa's lap.

 Then for the night we went over to Lake Meridian for the firework show.

It was a great fourth and I am very grateful to be an American and enjoy all the freedoms that I have living in this great country!