She's Home

Brittney is home after completing her first year at BYU.

It's nice to have her back!

All of her clothes and shoes, at least all the ones I could fit in the picture frame

Trying to get rid of her pale, white skin from being in Utah too long.
She is with her friend Crystal who is home from BYU Idaho, but recently did and internship at Disney World.
Her friend, Alisa, is on the yellow mat. Alisa just got married this summer and is going to school here in Houston, her parents also live next door. It was fun to see these girls hang out together again!   

See Sammie in the background, waiting for someone to throw her the ball.

Photo Book

I had a free photo book so I put together some of Matthew's Mission pictures. I had to get it by the end of the month so his whole mission, obviously, won't be in here.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

 

Makenzie's NHS Induction

Makenzie had her National Honor Society Induction last night.

 We are very proud of all her accomplishments! 

Going to accept her award

receiving her pin

Mr. Cross, The Principal  

NHS President



....And Matthew

This was on both sides of  home plate when we were watching the Astro's game on TV yesterday.

They have it all plus Matthew!

Baby Shower and New Friends

Saturday, I gave my new friend, Gillian Turek, a Baby Shower. I just met Gillian a few months ago in Relief Society as she and her husband had just moved in. She is Due May 4th and since this is her first child and in a new place with no one she knows, I thought she should have a baby shower. I just invited everyone from the Ward since she doesn't know too many people. We had a good turn out and the group that showed up were a lot of fun. We all got to know each other a little bit more as well as getting to know Gillian. Dale said he wish he had recorded us because we were so loud. Jacob made a comment to the effect that, know wonder they did away with multiple wives, I think he was a little overwhelmed by all the women in our house so he and the friend that spent the night went to the friends house. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad that Gillian got a baby shower.

Here is my first attempt at a diaper cake. I had my good friend Jeanne Bennett help me as she is the queen of ribbon and bows and just creative. I got the idea from a picture I saw and went from there.

The food

Jeanna Neilson, Marci Freeman, Susan Combs, Gillian Turek and Denise Killingsworth

Melissa White and Jeanne Johnson

Aitran Jaime and Sue Brown

Kelly Dexter, Amber Brunson and Jennifer Wilkes

Jill Sampson being a big help with the gifts so I could take pictures

Love newborn baby hats!!

 

Regional Bound

Makenzie placed 2nd place in both shot put and discus at the Varsity District Meet on Wednesday. She will be headed to the Regional Meet in a few weeks. She got another personal best in shot put, 35' 3 1/4". All the coaches were beyond happy for her and the team. They were hoping she could pull off a 4th place win in both, we knew she could do better, in fact we were hoping for 1st place in both, but she did her best and that's all you can ask. She has earned her Letterman's jacket and she is happy!!

Makenzie's name is spelled wrong

With her 2nd place medals

Here is a clip from the High School Good News email:

 Track

Congratulations to the Cinco Ranch 4x800 team of Sam Wallace, David Anamosa, and Mitchell Pence for winning the Texas Relays championships in Austin.  They ran 7.51 which is the fastest time in the state and the 2nd fastest in the nation this year! The Cinco Ranch Boys and Girls track & field teams completed district and will have several runners competing for regionals in two weeks.  The boys finished the meet in 2nd and the girls 4th.  We had many district champions in their individual events.  Blake Burlingame won the long jump.  Sam Wallace won the 800.  David Anamosa and Chanell O'Connor won the 400 meter dash.  James Rhoden won the 300 meter hurdles.  The 4x400 meter relay team of Blake Burlingame, Sam Wallace, James Rhoden and David Anamosa also claimed a district title.  Other regional qualifiers included Daphne Cervantes, Samantha Kubiak, Keith Neshyba, Jake Rider, Taylor Radomski, Cameron Frelow, Makenzie Smith, Devin Espinosa, Karla Padron, and Jennifer Van Overdam.  CRHS Track Coach is Brandon Beasley.

Cookie Dough??

Here is a short email I received from Matthew yesterday:

"Hey can you send me your cokey doe recipe for the m&m ones, I really miss them and want to make some."

I think he means cookie dough at least we hope so!

Are you studying for your test?

Jacob is looking at his iPad and Dale ask him if he is studying for his test. Jacob said, "Yes, Jimmer has 8 points."

We Have A Date!

La lesia DE                                    Jesucristo                                                                      De Los Santos                                                                    De Los Últimos DÍas

Oficina de la Misión Santiago                                                       
Plaza Alejo 2-B                                   
Av. Estrella Sadhalá
Santiago, Rep. Dom.

  

April 10, 2012

To Dale & Marti Smith 

Dear Brother and Sister Smith,

This letter is to inform you that your son’s official departure date is  July 19, 2012 .

We are appreciative of the dedicated service he has given.  We sincerely thank you

as parents and family for your love and support.  We have been well pleased with his progress and growth. 

As he completes his period of service, we would request that your letters to him be uplifting, spiritually edifying, and mission-centered.  We would like him to maintain a high level of dedication to his present missionary calling and receive a fullness of blessings. (D&C 6:13) 

Also, we remind you that letters sent within three or four weeks of his arrival home may not reach him before his departure from the mission. 

Your son has advised us that you will not be picking him up from his mission.  We have requested his flight.  You will be contacted by the Church Travel Agency when they have his itinerary.  After receiving the itinerary, if you have any questions concerning his flight plans, please feel free to contact the Church Travel Agency.   

If you have any questions please contact the Mission office at 1- 809-241-1145 or send an e-mail to 2012170@ldschurch.org. 

Sincerely, 

Miguel A. Lee

Mission President

Easter 2012

It's Here

The Peyton Manning Jersey

WEATHER...You Like It Or Not

This morning on facebook I was seeing all kinds of pictures of the snow that fell in Provo, Utah today, so I sent Brittney a picture of the backyard and titled it, Once There Was a Snowman, But Not Here. She then posted a picture of her bundled up in her coat heading out to class and then a picture from on campus. I then posted a picture of Makenzie and I in the pool. I don't mean to be rude or cruel as some people in my family called it, it's just the way we are. Everyone can brag on their weather this summer when we are dying in the heat and humidity. These nice Spring days are our reward for sticking out the Houston Summers.

April 6, 2012
Katy, Texas on the left and Provo Utah on the right

How do you dress on April 6th?
Depends on where you live 

Cookin' Dominican Style

Jacob had to prepare a "Spanish" dish for his Spanish class. He chose a dish from the Dominican Republic, Red Beans and Rice. Now he can cook it for Matthew when he gets home because we are sure he will miss eating it every day...NOT! They were actually pretty good, but not everyday!

The recipe

The cook

The finished product