Thanksgiving Under the Big Sky

We were able to travel to Missoula Montana to visit Jenni and Justin for Thanksgiving.  They were very brave to host such a large group in their adorable (but small) home.  We celebrated with Jamie's parents and Grandma, Josh's Mom and Kerry, Jenni and Justin, our family of three (Brendan may be small but his stuff takes up the most room), and of course we had the four legged members joining us LuLu, Watson and Tuna (Jenni and Justin's dogs and cat).  It was a house full, but so much fun to all be together.  Jenni and Justin were GREAT hosts.  The table was adorable (Jenni even made menu's for everyone), and the food was AMAZING!  We spent the weekend eating, swimming with Brendan in the pool, shopping, going to a movie, playing some Wii, eating again, celebrating Kerry's birthday, laughing, touring Missoula and some local brewers, eating some more and did I mention eating.  Thank you Jenni and Justin for a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!
 

Zech and Rachel's Wedding

Josh's step brother Zech got married this past weekend in Sedona Arizona.  Josh, Brendan and I traveled down to the wedding.  This was the first time that we had met Rachel and all loved her and her amazing family.  Zech is not only gaining a great wife, but 3 wonderful kids and an awesome extended family. 

Brendan was the ringbear in the wedding.  He was ADORABLE.  He did a great job walking down the aisle with Dakota (the flowergirl).  He was also the star of the dance floor at the reception.  He didn't want to stop dancing (everyone circled around him because he was so cute and hilarious). 

It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding with the red rocks in the background and was a fun and enjoyable Smart Family Vacation.  Brendan was a great traveler in-spite of some bumps in the road.  He did great with shorter naps, long car rides, and time on the plane.  He is such a social kid.  All he wants to do on the plane is stand on our lap and wave to everyone behind us...if they wave back he gets all excited and flashes them his cheesy grin.  He also loves to walk up an down the aisle and see how many high-fives he gets.  I was very proud of how well he did traveling, that is a long way to go for a 20 month old.  

As I mentioned, we did have a few bumps in the road.  There was a huge Nascar race in Phoenix so there were no rental cars avilable the day we flew in.  So, we decided to stay the night in Phoenix.  This worked out well because we got to have dinner with our dear friend Kim who is going to school there.  The next morning when we finally got our car and headed towards Sedona we discovered there had been an accident on the only road to Sedona (a semi-truck carrying lettuce tipped over).  Traffic was horrible.  It took us over an hour to drive 3 miles.  Brendan was about due for lunch and I had to go to the bathroom so bad that we exited and ended up at a Road House or Biker Bar as Josh called it.  I was not happy with life (acually had to apologize to Josh later for my horrible attitude).  So, we all waited an hour for a burger and fries at a biker bar...no fun (but now pretty funny).  When we finally got back on the road traffic was moving a little faster.  Therefore, instead of getting to Sedona in the morning like we had planned we got there after the rehersal but just in time for the rehersal dinner with an adventure to share.


The next day before the wedding we were able to explore Sedona a little.  We took a hike on the red rocks.  Brendan giggled the entire time.  What a beautiful place to be.  We had a fun time exploring as a family.

We had a great trip, but as always it was good to be home (maybe not to the cold weather) but nice to be in our own warm beds.  Congrats Zech and Rachel!  We are praying the beginning of your life together is great and that you remember the importance of placing God in the middle of your marriage!  Blessings!!

Fall Pictures by Christine

At the beginning of this school year I found out several days before school started that my class schedule had to change and I was going to have to teach all afternoon. This schedule doesn't work well for Stacey (the AMAZING gal that takes care of Brendan during the day), or for Josh. I was very emotional and upset about what we were going to do with Brendan. To be honest I was very angry. However, once again God answered our prayers and made it clear that he was going to continue to provide great people to take care of Brendan so I can continue to do what I feel called to do--teach. The answer to our prayer was Christine. Christine is a engineering student at WSU as well as being part of a sorority. She is WONDERFUL! She has been so great for Brendan and for all of us. She has graciously come over to our house at least three afternoons a week to be with Brendan. I had to humbly apologize to God for once again not trusting that he would work it all out. My Mom has been so gracious as well. She has helped us out the few days a week that Christine can't be there.

Christine asked to take some fall pictures of Brendan and our family. They turned out GREAT. Josh was only able to be there for a short time and we are saving some of our entire family pictures for possible Christmas Card pics...but here are some cute ones of Brendan and one of Brendan and Mom. Thank you Christine for being you. The Smart Family ADORES you!

Halloween Fun

We had a GREAT Halloween Weekend! The highlight was being able to spend time with our dear friends the Gormley Family. We were able to spend the weekend with them in Waterville. It was the relaxing weekend the Smart's needed. It was so fun to watch Graham (their almost 1-year-old) and Brendan play together.

We went on some great walks...check out these cute boys!

Got some great pictures of the boys in their Halloween costumes (Brendan the Monkey and Graham the Garden Nome)

And enjoyed watching some football and hanging out with good friends. Kim and I were even able to escape and go to a movie (can't remember the last time I went and saw a movie in the theater...so fun)!

On Halloween we were back in Pullman. We went over and had dinner with the Wieser, Young, and McMillan families (9 kids in all...crazy fun). After our first trick or treat stop at Mimi and Grandpa's house we went trick or treating in our neighborhood. We didn't think that Brendan would understand what was going on, but knew he would love being with all the other kids. We were right that he loved the time with other kids, but he understood what was going on after the first couple houses. He would run up to the door with his little container, smile at the people who answered the door, grab a piece of candy out of the bowl and put it in his container. He would then run away with squeals of delight, he didn't stop giggling the entire time (we wish we would have brought the video camera). I'm sure if he could talk he would say that was the best night ever. What he did say as we were saying goodnight was "more" "more".

The weekend was filled with joy. Friends make our lives so much better!!