Temple Groundbreaking

We were all so excited to hear that Calgary was finally getting a temple. It feels like it can't come soon enough.

Proof that we're making progress was the groundbreaking ceremony that Mom, Dad, Amanda, Alison, Grandma Smith and Grandpa Smith were able to go to.

We can't wait for the dedication

Elbows Falls

Back in April the weather got up to over 20 degrees on a Saturday. It also happened to be the same Saturday that mom was driving Spencer down to BYU Idaho so dad, Alison, Charlotte, Grandpa Smith, Grandma Smith and I drove to Elbow Falls for a picnic. It was beautiful, warm, peaceful and fun. It definitely needs to become a regular thing we do together.

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Today Amanda turned 17. I can't believe it. Well actually I can, she's taller than me, more mature than me at times, and is beating off guys with a stick.

Manda we love you!

Happy Mother's Day

After all these years filled with joy, sadness, fun, heartache, hard work, great rewards, blessings and trials, she's still as beautiful and youthful as ever.


We had a really nice Mother's Day at the house. We missed Spencer who was at BYU Idaho, but he was able to share a lot of gospel insights he's gained from his Book of Mormon class over the phone with mom for her Mother's Day gift. That was right up her alley. Maybe we can have Spencer post some of his insights.

Roses from her FB son (First Born)

Flowers that Alison picked out all by herself for mom (above)

Amanda, Alison and I sang an arrangement I wrote for mom of "Mother Tell me the Stories"

Amanda and Alison sang another song that Amanda wrote the accompaniment for. It may or may not have been taken from Barbie.com


"Motherhood is just another name for sacrifice. From the moment the wee, helpless babe is laid on the pillow beside her, Mother daily, hourly, gives of her life to her loved one.... All through the years of babyhood, childhood, and youth, aye, even after her girls themselves become motehrs and her sons, fathers, she tenderly, lovingly sacrifices for them her time, her comfort, her pleasures, her needed rest and recreation, and, if necessary, health and life itself! No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother's love. "
- David O. McKay

Smith family lately...

Spencer just headed off to BYUI this morning. He left with mom and I'm sure it will be a teary drive home for her as it has been the first two times she dropped kids off at college. Spencer worked really hard to complete the classes he needed take the ACT. He did really well and got into the track he wanted. He's planning to complete his Spring semester and work towards getting his mission papers in.

Amanda has been working hard in school and has achieved honors with distinction by getting an average of 90% or higher. She's on this short list with 10 other grade 11's in her school.

Alison found a digital camera someone left at the house and has been obsessed with taking pictures of everyone. She does a pretty good job.

A couple weeks ago Dave and I took advantage of free golf a course was offering. I can't even describe how windy it was. Not to mention not that warm and sunny either. Since the course is in a developing area out in the middle of nowhere there is a lot of construction going on. By the end of the round we had wind-blown dirt in our mouths, teeth, hair etc. It felt really similar to when I was working construction at the Glenco. Despite the not so ideal conditions we had a lot of fun. Sorry Gary that the wind blew your umbrella cover into no man's land. You can put it on our tab.

The next group of pictures were taken on Easter Sunday. Charlotte's beautiful Easter dress was part of her birthday present from Grandma Wendie to match her ballet wrap. I love the dress and wrap! Charlotte gets compliments on it every time she wears it. After church Charlotte enjoyed some hall time with her friend Brooklynn. She is obsessed with our neighbour's dog and barks whenever she hears them open their door. Other things she has been saying are hi, hello, here you go (heee -go), bye, no, banana (nana), mama, dada.

Brooklynn is more the walker, Charlotte is more of a passenger

I threw in the last picture because Charlotte looks so cute and grown up in it! I can't believe that she's growing out of her baby stage and looking more and more like a big girl. Lately she loves to wrestle and "get daddy", climb at the playground, get into everything, hug her babies, bounce on the trampoline and see animals.

Banff

Dad was teaching in Banff so Mom, Amanda, Alison, Charlotte and I joined him for part of it. It was a beautiful day in Banff and Alison loved playing the role of the princess in the castle hotel (Banff Springs).

We went on a hike, relaxed, went out for dinner, and mom and Alison did the castle tour. It was really fun! Let us know when you go to Banff again, Dad.

Day at the Lake part 2

In the shade, yet still can't open her eyes.

I love this picture, I laugh/smile everytime I look at it. Charlotte looks so thrilled to be with Dave.

You can see in these pictures Dave is sporting a new golf hat. He said he also tried on a few TaylorMade hats but felt he couldn't purchase one because he didn't own any TaylorMade clubs. haha. I had to remind him that he is not Tiger Woods and would not be in breech of any contractual obligations from his sponsors.

Alison, Charlotte, Grandma and I went to a Canada Day party at the Foothills Stake Centre. It was pretty fun but really crowded. I hope Alison enjoyed that cotton candy because we waited in line for 25 minutes for it. Alison also got to do a craft, go on a bouncy castle, and see a petting zoo.