Merry Christmas!

May this find you all enjoying a Blessed Christmas with friends and family! ****Merry Christmas from the Smiths ****

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This is a picture of our tree this year. I enjoy a blue tree, love the color blue! Craig with shopping with Briana and met Danny there, they were at several stores, shopped, had lunch and a good time. Craig experienced shopping this these two when while at Macy's in the kitchen department (hopefully buying my panni grill....) out of the corner of his eye he spied Danny and Briana fencing with wire mesh collenders over thier faces, and using BBQ forks as swords... it is never a dull moment with those two!

Winter Wonderland

What a beautiful site we woke up to on Saturday 12/15/07. The hill in front of the house.

Briana and Snakes

Camp Timber-lee sponsored a chemistry camp where the homeschoolers were able to spend 50 hours in chemistry lab and other related chemistry lessons, that week. JJ and Briana enjoyed the creation walk, seeing butterflies, snakes, spiders etc. Briana loves snakes as some of you know and is never quemish about holding and loving on them!

Trevor it snowed!

Hey Trevor it has snowed! We got a snow storm yesterday and Papa spent all day Sunday digging us out. He got the bottom of the driveway done, when his tractor quite working, then he spent the rest of the day, finding a trailer, loading it and taking the tractor to the repair guy! Poor Papa he ate his dinner late, but I kept it warm for him, waiting for him to finish in my nice warm house, sipping hot chocolate. This is where it is nice to be me. Can't wait until you come and visit in a few weeks. I have some sleds waiting for you and the girls to try out, hopefully the snow sticks around or we get a bunch more! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Trixie got a haircut

I am THAT LADY - you know the one that talks about her dog all the time, when you mention something cute your CHILDREN do, they link it to thier dog - as IF it is the same thing... But I am here to tell you - at least from my perspective, I am completely aware that it is not the same thing. I have four fantastic children, and five (to date) incredible grandchildren... I love them completely, would give my life for them, pray for them, agonize over thier care and daily decisions! However, I do NOT pray for my dog, (Dear God - Thank you so much for the sweet puppy she is... Thank you for the love of a pet.....) I do not sweat her decisions (Will she like the chicken today?)

But I am reminded of the cute way she looks at me, or the way she follows me around the house when my grandchildren do the same things..... so please forgive my affection for my Trixie - (Danny, I am just kidding when I call her your sister....) Isn't she so cute???

Thanksgiving 2007

Thanking God for family!

Briana and Sharon played the piano, the boys played with blocks while the younger children watched... Danny set the table, Craig dealt with the turkey. Overall, a wonderful family celebration of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us this year and past years.

We loves football....

During Thanksgiving the NFL games were great! and family came up from the south. Tyler and Bob tossed the ball around daily. It was very nice to have the company.

Hunting 2007

The Great Hunters.... well, they are willing and insist that I "hide" the deer from them when they come up. Josh and Todd really enjoy thier time here.

Sisters

I have a great sister....but I am sure that a lot of people can say that. Mine is far away from where I am, and I miss her greatly. She calls me once in awhile, and I set aside whatever I am doing, for nothing (most things) are not as important as talking with her on the phone. She is slowly joining the 1990's now, which I am thankful. She will most likely catch up the the 2000's sometime in 2010. But then, that is what I love about her, she is not in a hurry to do the latest and have the greatest. She teaches me to be content with what I have, and to be THANKFUL for her especially. I miss you Paula, I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving and you enjoy your family around you this weekend. Love, Valerie.

OH DEER!

Well, after not hunting for several years, Jason (Brenda's DH) broke down and bought a license. Its a good thing too! Here is a wonderful 14 point buck that he took down today. The big guy actually had 15, but it was less than the required one inch long to be counted. Good job Jason!

College

Briana, JJ, Kerry (JJ's mom) and I spent Thursday and Friday at a sneak preview of Trinity college. It was so nice. Such nice people (like they were Christian or something!) The lunch was with some of the professors, we sat with the Biology Proff, and he homeschools his children. It was so nice to be in such company. Briana and JJ loved the campus, and are excited about the prospect of attending there. Prayerfully, they will be able to get in, if not, they will attend some local classes and try again next year. Well worth the wait..

Poor Briana had the stomach flu all night though, and was a trooper the whole next day and was able to attend to all of the things planned. Busy couple of days, but well worth it.

In the toy box

Craig has built a window seat on each side of the fireplace, one side we store stuff, the other the kids store stuff, and sometimes themselves. This is the four grandchildern - Trevor, Jacob, Ariana and Amelia.

The newest member

Jessica Lynn the newest member as of the first of August. This makes our fifth grandchild, which does not take away from the excitement. It just strengthens the realization of the amazing gift of life that God gives us, and the beauty of a newborn child. Jessica came into the world in the way that newborns do, full of miracle and full of blessings. Brenda had some scares, but with prayer all was well. Jessica continues to grow and give us new joys daily, recognizing her nanna and papa, hearing her little voice for the first time. I can't wait for her personality that God has given her to be unwrapped in the years to come.

Latest Family Picture

Here is the latest one, July of 2007. Jessica will be featured next as she had not made her entrance yet. This was taken in Jason and Brenda's livingroom.

This is the most current Smith group...

This photo was from Christmas 2006, most of us are here, however Jessica was just a twinkle in Jason's eye at this point.

I thought it was good to have a current place where we could post our happenings and those who want to catch up periodically can do so.

I will post the most current picture later - taken this summer at Jason and Brenda's home prior to the entrance of Jessica Lynn.