Saddle Up Grandpa

What a blessing this year has been.  We've celebrated my grandma Hudson's 80th birthday and today we were able to celebrate my grandpa's 82nd birthday.  We met family for lunch at Texas Roadhouse.  They wished him a "yee-haw" birthday while he sat on a saddle.  He was such an awesome sport about it.  Reid enjoyed hanging out with his cousin Cy while Noah was busy entertaining the adults at his table. 

The Pumpkin Patch

We took the boys to the pumpkin patch today.  We met up with some friends and had a great time!  The weather was a little warm for my liking.  I typically like to be dressed "fallish" for the pumpkin patch pictures, but today the boys were sporting their summer polos and their same tired summer shorts.  What else do ya do when it's 85 degrees in October?  The boys loved hanging out with their friend's Houston, Caleb, Ethan and Max!  It was little boy haven in all that hay. 

A House Divided

In Oklahoma..a "house divided" usually means there is an OSU and OU fan in the family.  For us it's a little different.  I root for OU, Rod roots for Texas and the boys are currently rooting for TX.  Of course, I'm hopeful that this will change with time.  Reid's quite confused about who he's going to cheer for, if you ask him he typically says he's rooting for the "OU-Texas team" and you might find him wearing his Texas jersey and his OU ballcap.  Too funny.  Noah's pretty sure that he is a Texas fan.  We shall see how long this lasts folks...I'm hopeful they'll convert and be on mom's side. ;)  All in due time...

The Wildlife Expo

Rod took the boys to the Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E while I went to see Jenn Hatmaker speak at a church in El Reno.  (She is awesome by the way!!)  The boys had so much fun.  It was right up their alley..all that outdoors stuff!  They made their own fishing lures, bow fished, pond fished, made rope, kayak'd and did lots of other fun stuff.  Rod said it was a very well done event.  They're excited about going back next year.

Handprint Quilt

My Grandma Hudson is an amazing and talented quilter!  She quilts by hand so beautifully.  As the homeroom mom for Noah's class, I had to come up with a class project that involved the kids for the Silent Auction at Deer Creek Elementary.  I decided to let the kids do a handprint quilt. My grandma so graciously said she would quilt it for us.  The co-homeroom mom so kindly sewed the topper for the quilt.  It turned out absolutely beautiful!  My grandma is so proud of it, as am I.  I fought like crazy for that quilt at the auction last night.  $135.00 later the quilt is all mine!! 

Apple Tasting

Noah's class has been learning about "Apples" at school.  On Friday his class had an apple tasting of all sorts of apple desserts, etc.  Reid got to sit at Noah's table and enjo the apple goodies.  He thought it was pretty cool that he was able to do this.

Star of the week

Noah is Star of the Week this week in his class.  He had to do a little questionnaire about himself and then Mrs. Wiesemann decorated a bulleton board that is all about NOAH SMITH,  the Star.  I volunteered in his classroom today, so I was able to snap a picture of the board.  I wanted to share his answers to the questionnaire.  His answers are priceless and I plan to hold on to this forever! 
Favorite Book: Because a Little Bug Went Ka Choo by Dr. Seuss
Favorite TV Show: Popeye
What I want to be: A college football player and a "lawn mowing guy" (I love this one!)
I would like to visit: California
Favorite Food: Snickerdoodle Cookies
Favorite Color: Blue
What I like best about myself: "that I can be a good sport"
I am special because: "I have friends and I'm a good big brother"

I wonder how these answers will change over the years!  For now, these answers are PERFECT

The Fisherman

Noah's hooked on fishing for Crappie.  Pop and Nana took him and his cousin Karson fishing in the boat at 7 am on Saturday morning.  Pop is always about getting on the lake early!  We didn't tell Noah that we were going to wake him up early to go fishing.  When we woke him up and told him he was ecstatic about it, especially when I told him that he woud be fishing out of the boat!  He caught 7 crappie...pop and nana said he's quite the fisherman.  Pop says he has a good "feel" for the fish and is very focused.  For some reason this doesn't surprise me..the kid is so intense about most things he does.  On Sunday, Pop fried up the fish and we all enjoyed a little fish fry.  It was yummy and Noah was so proud that we were eating the fish that he caught.

Sugar Me

Folks it's the small small things in life that can just light up my day...well, the small things as in my boys and a sweet gesture by Rod.  But....there are also little things that I get at the grocery store that can just make my day a little sweeter.  This new C&H sugar canister was the highlight of my trip to Crest yesterday.  I absolutely hate unrolling the sugar bag every time I need to get some out and the sugar gets everywhere.  This new little pink doll has an indented area on the side that will serve as a nice comfy to resting spot my hands when I get it out of the cabinet and the top lid just peels off so easily.  Woo hoo..no more sugar messes.  Now..do I sounds like a boring and desperate housewife or what??

I remember 9/11

All to well, I remember 9/11.  I remember because just a few days before the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorists, I toured the building and walked the sidewalks of NYC.  What a surreal day it was for me.  I had arrived home from NYC on September 10th.  I came back from NYC a little stressed because my Regional Sales Manager was coming in from Houston to work with me.  I picked him up to head out for the day, we went on a sales call at a business in Norman and the TV was on.  They were repeatedly showing news footage of the plane flying into the World Trade Centers.  It was a moment I will never forget.  The feeling in my gut was absolutely unnerving.  There was no more sales calls to make because people were absolutely glued to the Television.  Mark, my Regional Sales Manager's father worked in the pentagon.  I sat in the car with him as he desperately tried to reach his mother to make sure his father was safe.  Thankfully, he was.  Then, the phone calls started coming into my phone.  Friends and family were calling to make sure that I had made it home from NYC safely.  Rod and I weren't married at the time, but we were friends and "gym buddies". I went to the gym after work to find him there.  He too made me feel special that he had been concerned as to whether or not I made it back safely.  The 9/11 anniversary serves as a reminder to me that you never know what can happen in a day's time!  This day serves as a reminder that there are people out there who have no regard for human lives and they are hurting innocent people every day.  Today, I remember the tragedy.  May those who  lost loved ones feel the love and comfort from the Lord above.  Psalm 23:4....you rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 

Football

It's time for Football season.  They boys had some fun playing football with their friend Paxton. They're not football players yet, but they're getting ready and someday will be on that field!  Reid is on team "Toy Story".  Don't you love it?

Grandparents Day

Friday was Grandparents day at Noah's school.  He was super blessed to have Nana, Pop and Gramma there with him.  But, he was was sad and disappointed that his Pa wasn't able to make it.  Gramma drove all the way to TX to be here for his special day at school.  She was super thrilled to be there and the highlight of her morning was walking him  to school.  They iced sugar cookies and the kids sang a special song to the grandparents to the tune of "take me out to the ballgame"( which Noah knows well;)  They had a great time and were glad to meet Noah's teacher and see his wonderful school. 

Still Loving Preschool

Reid was so excited about his 2nd day of Warm World...he was sad on Wednesday that it wasn't his day to go to school. 

1st Day of Warm World

What a bitter sweet day...today was the day for Reid to "finally" start preschool.  My heart is not saying "finally", but his sure was.  He's been begging to start school ever since big brother started a few weeks ago.  He just couldn't wait for his day to finally come!  Isn't that the way it usually goes with the little bother/sister?  He's walked into Warm World for the past two years with me to drop off Noah. He already knew the ropes and he seriously anticipated all the fun!  His teacher is so great...I'm so glad that he will be in Mrs. Russ's class.  When she brought him to the car today..she said he did "great" and that she wanted to just take him home! haha  I really hope this trend continues ;)  As for mom...I'm sad that he's getting so big so fast!  On the other hand..happy and thankful that he is a healthy boy that is able to go to preschool and thankful that we have such a great place to send him.  I always know he's in good hands! ;) 

Date night with a "preschooler"

Reid is starting preschool tomorrow!  I had to take him out on his special "back to school" date with mommy.  We went to Hideaway and enjoyed some yummy pizza. We had a great time.  That little guy is such a fun and happy kid.  I love him and his big brother so much!

Blake--The Teenager

After the Anniversary party, we all surprised Blake with a little 13th birthday celebration! It's hard to believe that our nephew Blake is 13.  Rod and I started dating when he was 4.  Time has passed way too quickly.  *PLEASE EXCUSE THE TX LONGHORN CAKE

Smith 40th Anniversary Reception

We had the blessing of celebrating Rod's parents 40th Wedding Anniversary this year!  What a treat and an honor to get to celebrate with them. We had a reception for family and friends on Saturday.  They are a true example of LOVE and Commitment through "better or worse".  Roddy (Rod's dad) has polycystic kidney disease.  Twelve years ago Marsha donated her kidney to him and Roddy had a kidney transplant.  What bigger gift of love?  I admire their commitment to each other and hope and pray that they have many more years of health and happiness. 

8th Anniversary

Nope we're not in Florida...Just at the beautiful lake Hefner in OKC....fooled ya didn't I?  Rod and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary over dinner at Red Rock.  We opted to sit on the patio and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the storm blow in.  It was all fun and games until my lettuce started blowing all over the place.  We had to go inside to finish our dinner.  The real crisis of the whole evening is that we didn't get a picture of ourselves just our dessert and the scenery!

Smith Boys + MUD = FUN

Noah and Reid have had so much fun in the mud this summer.  It's been so hot that every time they go in the backyard to play, they find their way to the water hose and dirt.  The combination of the two is quite messy, but it's worth it because they have so much fun.  I've soaked a lot of towels and used a lot of stain remover this summer. Needless to say...they have lots of "brown" underwear! 

Reid's Haircut

Reid was pretty tired during his haircut last week...and you can believe he was the "hit" of the salon!  He must have bee so cozy up in that chair.  With a pretty girl tickling his head..he was OUT! 

Noah Vs. THE MACHINE

Noah had his first Machine Pitch league game last night at PCO.  He did awesome!!  He was first at bat and hit a homerun off the first pitch! He is playing with a temporary team this fall called The Athletics.  The coach is so nice and encouraging to the kids as they are all new to machine pitch and need LOTS of encouragement ;).  He gives out a game ball at the end of each game and Noah was the proud big winner of the game ball last night.  This will defiintely be going in a shadow box! 

Fast Shoes

Some of our sweet friends had a big birthday bash for their 3 year old.  They hired a band called At Long Last..they were awesome!  The band is made up of 4 or 5 Deer Creek High school students.  They really did a great job covering some modern day songs and even sang a few that they have written . I think everyone was quite impressed.  The boys had fun hanging with some old friends and making new buddies.  Reid was re-united with the birthday boy's big brother, Caleb.  He of course told me his name was "faster shoes"...Reid is convinced that that is Caleb's name and so he won't stop referring to him as "fast shoes"!  I love it.  At one point during the party, he said "mom, I can't find faster shoes!" and then later came up and said "mom, I found him, but faster won't come with me!".  Too darn cute!  He also receieved some star sunglasses as a party favor and crashed in them on the way home from the party.  GOOD GOOD TIMES

JBird the Gymnist

Little Reid started gymnastics.  He loved every second of class. He was so cute bouncing around out there. 

It's School Time

Oh my goodness....is it really time for Noah to be in Kindergarten?  It just doesn't seem right that he is old enough to go to the "big school" up the street.  The reality is...he is a big boy!  He was so excited to go to school on the first day. He had a great day and made some new buddies.  He had a little bit of a transition a week into school when he had to change teachers.  The school hired a new Kindergarten teacher which is a real blessing!  The class size is now down to 17 kids per class.  He is enjoying his new teacher Mrs. Weissman.  I think it's going to be a great year.  Rod has been able to take Noah to school a few mornings on the bike..Noah looooves this! Isn't Noah's teacher so cute?  Her name is Mrs. Wiessman.  She's a brand new Kindergarten teacher. We think she's going to be great ;)