The Smith Six

Scott graduated with his Bachelors degree in Business Information Systems and he got straight A's! Shelbie and I think that is so awesome! We know our Daddy is super smart and can do anything. We are so proud of him!

Baby #4 is on it's way! I am 9 weeks with a June 10-12 due date.


We are all really hoping for a boy. But there really isn't anything we can do about that now is there?

It was a big day for Sydnie. Her first real haircut!!




Thank you, Angela, for a most wonderful morning of hair cuts and friendship!

On Friday, we ran a few errands and visited the Westminster Harley Store. Scotty was so mad/upset that we actually had to leave the store. He could stay there who-knows-how-long and look at all the bikes. Next time we will make sure to walk around every corner and section of the store to make sure we don't miss one.
We also had a fun adventure with AAA. Had to call them cause my car wouldn't turn over. It didn't make a noise at all. We pushed it to a very close car place in neutral (the AAA guy just came out in a fix-it truck, not a tow one) and was about to sign up for some tests/repairs when Scott thought he would try just once more...It started right up. We took it home and next morning when we were headed out (see below) it wouldn't start again. Scott got a brilliant thought! It has to be the key! Apparently my key has taken a beating over the years and finally fell apart. The corner was missing and the electronic chip was gone. YEAH! The car is not broken and we don't need to fix it. Just order a new key. Relief.

On Saturday (I am so thankful for my DVR) we set out to ride the Big Orange Balloon. But we were told it wasn't going up for at least another hour so the next storm could blow threw first. It's always cool just to go there and see it anyway. Oh well, we had a back up plan.
Back up plan: Irvine Regional Park train ride! Even in the drizzle it was fun!
Bonus to back up plan: Pumpkin Patch!
After this fun morning activity we took our bikes and headed to the beach. We parked just south of the dog beach and biked to the pier...this is our starting point. You can see Ruby's at the end of the pier in this picture. Scott pulled the twins in the trailer and Shelbie was on her own bike. It was so fun! The adults could have ridden a lot farther but Shelbie was done when we got back. It was a nice, long ride for her. She did so great.
We ate a late lunch at Ruby's on the pier. Enjoyed the weather. Saw a sea lion swimming nearby and he was chasing a large school of fish that looked like a cloud shadow, so cool. Walked to the Harley shop in Main St. then rode bikes back to the car.
Sunday was very relaxing. We got to hang out at home and watch church on tv for two, 2-hour sessions. We went on a bike ride between sessions and after the last one. Scott's sister and her family came up for dinner and we had a very nice visit.
Monday, my parents had to leave. But before they did we headed out on one last adventure. We walked at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in the drizzle. (Friday & Sunday were not drizzly but Saturday & Monday were). I have lived in Orange County for 10 years and Scott grew up here and we both have never done this. I can say that I have now but we'll have to come back so Scott can too. (Shelbie was in school) We enjoyed a nice Subway lunch and then they were off.
I think it is so great that we are able to enjoy my parent's so much. It is such a blessing that they are able to take as much time as they can/want to come and visit whenever...and take time off to be with us if we go visit them. We love them so much and appreciate their love and support in all things.

Granny from Florida came to visit and we had a blast. She took us to McDonalds for lunch and playing, went to the park, hung out, and visited a lot. The kids love her! But they do have to warn her to not hold their hands so tight. :-) Granny is so amazing. She is happy and fun and not even close to resembling some one of her age. She is vibrant and active and has a quick wit and is adventurous. I went with Granny and her two friends to see a taping the Ellen show. It was so great hanging out with 3 grandmas at once. I love being in their company. They make me smile and feel happy. We had a great time. I couldn't believe how "into it" they got when the audience got up and danced and went wild with applause during the show. We shared a lovely dinner together and a nice visit that day. We are always so glad to have her visit with us. Can't wait to see her again at Thanksgiving.

Out of the blue Scotty says ... "I love the gospel, Jesus, and mom"
Sydnie pipes in with a little bit of attitude in her voice "and grandma, too!"
(found this in my journal - written on May 19, 2010)

Shelbie is the 3rd generation to attend this elementary school. I think that is cool. Her Papa was part of the first graduating class back in the day. :-)

We had the most wonderful vacation at Pueblo Bonita Emerald Bay Villas!
Mom & Dad - we can't thank you enough for letting us come down with you. We had a BLAST!!
p.s. we took more than 400 pictures, but these ones capture the essence of our trip.

We love having our cousins come down to visit!! My older brother Scott brought two of his kids down for the weekend. We went bike riding on the beach and ended up at Ruby's for dinner.
We didn't go to the beach since our cousins didn't want to do that, which is so fine with me so I don't have to deal with the sandy mess afterwords!...they wanted to do recreational swimming after swim lessons. That was fun and Jared went off the high dive!! No pictures cause I was in the water with everyone else.

But most importantly my brother fixed our kitchen sink stoppage. YIPPEEE. I only had to do dishes in the bathtub four times. :-)

This year my mother-in-law turned 60, one sister-in-law turned 40 and one turned 30. That is a cause for celebration. We headed down to San Diego for an overnighter. We went to Seaport Village, walked the waterfront, walked to Gas Lamp District and ate at some fantastic restaurants. Sammy's Woodfire Pizza had a great goat cheese/basil pizza & the Cheese Shop had the best buckwheat pancakes (too bad I didn't order those items myself but glad that I was able to sample them). We went to Old Town and visited the new Mormon Battalion. We went to Balboa park and lightly visited and walked around there. We took a red tour bus around the area and got on and off where we wanted to.

We have had 6 weeks of swimming lessons and then fitting in little fun activities here and there. Our big vacation is in 2 days and that will be a long post in a few weeks. Here are bits and pieces of what we have been doing. (these pictures and activities are not in order)



The kids took their first bus ride. We have been so blessed to have our own vehicle and haven't really had the need to take public transit...but boy is it a fun adventure for the kids!! We too this bus to the beach and another day with took it to Bella Terra.