Sledding With Cousins

We went sledding with the Ericksens over Christmas break. We got lots of exercise climbing up the big hill and lots of thrills sailing down. When the big blue and green tube was piled with a heavy grown-up and a few kids it went FAST and FAR!







Remember how Frosty the Snowman was a great "Belly-Whopper"? Naomi too.







What beautiful scenery! I love Utah!















Levi had his ups and downs. He was the most happy after I took his gloves off and he could finger around in the snow.

Levi in His Diaper, Viv's Boots, Viv's Coat

When you're this cute, all you have to do is hang out in your diaper and mom runs for the camera.



If you start trying on your sister's pink boots, mom will probably clear her schedule and make it a day-long photo shoot.


Levi's Triumph!






Later that day, Levi gets the urge to go outside. Too bad his mom hasn't put any clothes on him! She's too busy taking pictures, I guess.

"I've seen kids open this door--look! No problem!"





Now Levi weighs his options: continue with mission in extreme discomfort or abort and warm up.

Levi has spent his night working out the kinks in his plan--he'll recruit someone not holding a camera to assist him with essential gear.



Mission Accomplished!

Smithmas Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful time finding this tree on a mountain called Kimberly near Richfield. Dr. Brown from Daniel's office showed us the spot and my parents who were visiting for Thanksgiving braved the mud and slick snow in their sedan to trail us. The search didn't take long and we had time for some rides on the trackster. The view of the valley from our spot was a breathtaking panorama. Oh! Christmas Tree!



Every year Richfield's Women's Shelter raises funds by offering home tours. Volunteers go all out decorating and cleaning up and then collect tickets as townspeople drop by and enjoy the fruits of all that labor. I put a lot of heart, sweat, and even blood into our house, and it turned out to be pretty magical. The organizers gave these yard signs as gifts.


















I wish I would have taken more pictures. Our kid's bathroom was twinkly all over and the little girls' room was a plethora of pink Christmas. Actually, it was photo-worthy just because it was clean! Our family room, bed room, and Elora's room (in blue and silver!) were also decked for hours. Fa la la la la!!



Here is a snow-ready Elora with one of our Christmas gift baskets on its way to delivery. It had some cookies, our Christmas album hot off the CD burner, a freshly composed Christmas poem, and a card.





Three pretty princesses play in pink.


The perler beads from Grandma Ericksen got everyone creating for hours. Naomi made a whole turtle family.



Christmas morning is the only time I smile to see a big, happy mess on the floor.


We invited our neighbors, the Christensens, over for a Christmas dinner of succulent duck and all the trimmings.



Here is Daniel's trackster Santa and a wall of our house all pasted with blizzard.