Really? I'm 27?

Saturday was my 27th birthday. I remember thinking that 27 seemed so old when I was younger, but now that I am here I don't feel any different than I did back then. Well I guess I could say I am different when it comes to what I like to do, eat or say. But as far as I feel... I feel the same. Maybe even better. Since I have stuck with exercising 5 (sometimes 6) days a week, I feel healthier and more fit than when I was 19. Good things do come with age.  Along with my handsome, loving and kind husband. Two joyful, busy and bright boys. And a supporting, loving family on both mine and Jesse side.

 

I unfortunately worked on my birthday. But that's part of growing up I guess. I could have taken it off since I do have that luxury with my job, but I can't pass up a busy day of work to make money.

 

Afterwards Jesse was going to take me on a mystery date. When I got home from work (around 4:45pm) he told me we would be leaving around 6pm when Chantel came over to watch the boys for us.  But then around 5pm Jesse said he would be back in a little while. So he left without me knowing where he was going. I didn't ask questions because I knew I wouldn't get any answers until later.

 

A little over an hour later he came home ready to leave. We said goodbye to the boys and to Chantel and Tyson. Then we were off.

 

I figured for sure we would go to dinner first because we were both really hungry. He told me half way there he told me he was taking me to Olive Garden. We hadn't been there in a really long time and it sounded really good. When Jesse and I first were married I couldn't get enough of Italian food. I loved to eat at Spaghetti Factory and Olive Garden all the time, to the point that I ruined Jesse of liking it anymore. So the fact that he was willing to go to Olive Garden on my birthday shows how thoughtful he is.

 

Over the past year or so I have noticed that my taste buds are changing. I don't really care so much for the Italian as much and would rather have some fish, steak or chicken with some veggies.

 

Since it had been awhile to eat at Olive Garden I thought it would be really yummy. But I was wrong. Everything was just blah. Even Jesse said it was worse than usually for him. We both were wishing we would have gone to Red Lobster or Mikado instead. haha. Jesse said that he 'has refined my taste buds'.

 

Over dinner I asked Jesse what we were doing next. But instead he asked back "What would you want to do?" And since we were both freezing at dinner I said something warm sounded nice.

 

Well after dinner we get in the car and we start driving and Jesse tells me that we were going sledding. He was feeling bad I said I wanted to do something warm and he had planned on something cold. haha.

 

But I was excited. He was so cute because he had gathered all our snow clothes together, had two thermos mugs full of hot chocolate, and a single sled for us to go down the hill together. Also he gave me really nice snow boots for my birthday present which I was in dire need of. I don't have any, so I have had to borrow someones anytime we go somewhere in the snow.

 

He took me to  Sugar House Park and we went down the hills several times. It was so much fun. It made me feel like we were dating again. Laughing and having a good time together. I loved it. 

 

Yesterday mine and Jesse family got together at the Smith's home to celebrate. everyone spoiled me. They gave me a bunch of clothes...

 

One gift that I look forward to every year is from Heidi. She prints up this very blog into a book. This year she gave me 2011. It's so much fun to go through it and be reminded of what went on only a year ago. I forget so easily, so when I get this book I am so grateful that I keep in the habit of updating.  Also knowing that Heidi is going to print it up for me keeps me motivated to do so.



Today I have come down with a cold. My body is achy all over and I have a headache. Should I blame it on old age? haha... Jesse has been sick the past few days, so I was bound to get it.

Reason why I am writing about this is because of Ryker. This morning I mentioned to him that I wasn't feeling very good. And he said "Mom I'm sorry you don't feel good on your birthday" (I love that he thinks it's till my birthday 2 days later).

Anyway I went over to our drawer that has medicine, cough drops, ivitamins, band aids and etc. Ryker asked "Are you getting a band aid?"
I said "No, just some medicine"
He must not have heard me because he asked "Where is your hurt?"
So I said "All over my body"
He responded with "Well, I don't have that much band aids."

He went on to count his remaining "Cars" band aids that he got in his Christmas Stocking to say that he only had 9 left. haha

What a sweet boy I have. I told him the medicine I took would hopefully make me feel better.

Now all I need is someone to straighten up the house for me, take down the Christmas Tree and go to the grocery store for me. Hmmm....

Merry Christmas

Since we did Christmas with my family a week early, I was even more excited for the real Christmas Day this year. In past years running around from house to house made the boys super grumpy.And in return.. me also.  So this year all we had planned was Christmas in the morning with our little family and then head to Mike and Heidi's. Simple Day makes for a happy day.

 

That morning Jesse and I were in bed waiting for Ryker to come get us up. Around 8:30 Jesse decided to go check on Ryker to find out that Ryker was doing the same thing. Waiting for us to come get him. He was sitting in his bed singing songs about Santa and ho ho ho.

 

We went in to the front room and while we were waiting for Cyrus to wake up we read the Christmas Story in Luke. While we read Ryker put the Nativity scene together as we talked about each person.

 

Afterwards we got Cy out of bed. Then it was time to open presents. 

Ryker had been asking Santa for a remote control spider. So he was really excited opening his present from Santa. I love the simple things that make kids happy. In a few years he'll be wanting big things that cost more than an remote control spider.

Little Cy is easy. He's happy with anything. His main gift was Bristle Blocks.

Of course when one boy would open one thing, the other one wanted to play with that toy. It's a good thing they share pretty good. Well for the most part.

When Ryker saw his stocking all filled with presents he said "I'M ON THE NICE LIST!"

 

The boys were having so much fun opening gifts,. Ryker was being so patient and alot of fun. A great start to the day.

 

I made breakfast for the boys then we all got ready to go out to the Smith's. When Andrew, Emily, Tyson and Tayler all got there we all sat around the kitchen table for a Smith family tradition. Every year we gather together and drink hot chocolate while we read the story of Good King Wenceslas.

 

It's a true story of a king who helped out a needed poor man. Heidi has us read to before we act 'wordly' opening presents to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas.



 

The whole rest of the day was spent relaxing. I even got a little nap in. Ha. I loved how low key this years Christmas was. It was perfect. I loved it.



Christmas Eve (For Real)

Traditionally on Christmas Eve The Smith Family goes to an Assisted Living Care Center and puts on a little Christmas program for the Elderly. It used to be with the extended Smith family (Mike's brother and Sisters and all their kids). But it got too crazy so Mike and Heidi narrowed it down to just their kids.

 

But this year we wanted to do something  a little different. So we came up with the idea to take dinner to a family in need. Each of us had our assignment. Mom cooked a ham and some yummy yams. I made my yummy artisan bread and some Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. Tyson and Tayler made mashed potatoes and some delicious stuffed strawberries. Then Emily made green bean casserole.

 

Heidi's friend from her ward had a list of people that needed stuff for Christmas. So that's where we got the name of this family. 

 

We all met around 6pm Christmas Eve night to take dinner to this family of 8 (a mom and dad with 3 boys and 3 girls). When we arrived they were all very welcoming, excited and so grateful that we were there.

 

We only visited with them for a little bit, then we left so they could enjoy their Christmas Eve dinner.

 

Afterwards we all headed to the Golden Living Center and asked for a few names that we could take a little treat to and do some caroling. It's funny how some of them are so happy for us to sing them a song while others don't really want to be bothered. But the ones that enjoyed our songs made up for the grumpy ones. I hope when I get old I remember to stay happy.

 

Then it was time for us to eat. We all headed over to Andrew and Emily's for dinner. All of us made extra of each of our assignments. So when we got there it was in the oven staying warm.

 

The boys all put together the big table in the living room where we all had a big delicious feast.

 Emily's brother in law was out doing Santa stuff and he heard that we would all be at Andrew and Emily's house. So he offered to make a quick stop to see the boys. Ryker and Cy have been super lucky this year. I think they have seen Santa about 5 different times.

I love this picture of the boys. Ryker is just smiling away, so happy to sit there. Cy doesn't know what to think. Haha and then Sterling wanted NOTHING to do with Santa. It's priceless.

 Once Santa left and we got everything all cleaned up we all headed up to Aunt Care's house (Mike's sister). We didn't stay long because it was getting late. But it was fun to see the family and sing some Christmas songs together. Between Uncle Dave playing his guitar, Annie and Marrissa (Aunt Care's daughters) on the piano and Emily playing her violin we all had quite the little concert.

The boys got to shake some jingle bells while we sang Jingle Bells and listened to Annie and Marrissa play Sleigh Ride on the piano together.

The night was perfect. We were able to do a little service for a family in need and to bring some holiday cheer to some elderly. Plus be with the family.

West Valley Results

Thursday night Jesse got the word back from West Valley Fire Department. They ranked him on their hiring list as #20. :-(

Jesse was really sad. He took this one the hardest. Probably because he knew alot of the other guys testing as well. A few of them he made friends with while in Fire Academy. So he thought it would be so great to work with some people that he knew already and works well with. It was hard for him NOT to get his hopes up. Especially considering he did pretty well on the physical test with a broken foot, his written score was 91%, and he felt really well about the oral board interview.

West Valley was looking to hire 6 full time firefighters. With Jesse being #20 there isn't a chance that he will be hired over the next year with them. What a bummer!

3 of the 6 positions that were filled were guys that Jesse knew. So that made it harder for him to swallow. Jealousy was eating him alive. He wanted this department SO bad. He thought that him and the 3 other guys would make a great recruit team.

When I got home from work on Thursday Jesse was looking so sad. It's almost like the couch had swallowed him up. I tried my hardest to cheer him up and give him encouragement.

My first thoughts were that this isn't the Lord's will. Jesse isn't meant to be there at this time. Maybe it would be too much to have the part time South Salt Lake job (which we still haven't heard back from yet, ugh) and doing Paramedic School full time?

In several months we will look back and see that the path Jesse has been led on was meant to be and had a purpose.

I am so proud of Jesse and all his hard work. He has been so dedicated. It's not easy to continue to do all these tests and come so close to making it in or not making it in at all. He just keeps picking himself back up and pressing on. On top of all that he continues to keep a positive attitude. What a great example he has been to me and to others around him.

It'll happen Jesse. Continue to keep your head up and be strong. When that day comes you are going to make a great addition to that Fire Department! Love You!!!

Preschool Christmas Program

Friday night those of the family that could come, all got to see Ryker in his last Christmas program of his preschool career. It is always so comical to watch. The kids all do the funniest things.

 

Ryker really gets into it. He's not shy one bit. Jesse and I are always amazed that Ryker has SOOO much energy. We often think it would be nice if he could just tame it back a little. But then we see him perform so well in his program then we change our minds. He knows all the songs and sings out really loud. It brings a smile to my face and gives me the proud giggles.  

At the end of the program he kept taking his Santa hat off, putting it on his tummy and bowing. Over and Over again. Haha it was so Cute!

We love how grown up Ryker is getting. I had the thought during his program that I wouldn't see him do this again. He'll probably have some sort of program in Elementary School. But we won't see the preschool program again. (Until Cyrus gets there, but I don't want to think about that just yet). I can't believe that both my boys is growing up so fast. Ryker is only a month and a half away from being 5 years old. AHHH! That makes me feel so old. Haha to think that I will have a 5 year old. Then Cy will be 2 years old a month after that. My goodness.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Mom put together the funnest activity for us all to do on "Christmas". A Scavenger Hunt! Two teams were drawn at random.
Team 1: Jesse, Mom, Manda, Tyson and Ryker
Team 2: Ashley, Dad, Jon and Chantel

We all went to Grandma and Grandpa Schrader's house to drop off Max and Cyrus. From there we were given the list. And then the race was on. The first team back to the Grandparents house, WINS!

The rules:
-Everyone in the team has to be in the picture with the "item" on the list.
-Someone outside of the team has to take the picture
-No setting the camera on a self timer

My team used my camera so I only have the pictures from our team.

The List:
1. With Holiday Yard Decorations in Strangers Yard.


We actually pushed the crosswalk sign so we could find someone to take our picture from their car.

2. Everyone in a Group Holding a Musical Instrument.

3. Headstone with same name as one in your group.

Thankfully I have the last name of Smith, so it made it easy to find a headstone. But then again the other team had Jesse so they had the same advantage.

4. Everyone in group wearing a wig or hairpiece.

5. With a beggar/Panhandler Holding sign.

We got someone stopped at the light to take our picture. Afterwards we gave food and money to our little beggar man. He was so grateful.

6. Everyone in group wearing a Hat.

7. Everyone in group INSIDE a Porta-Potty.

Jon is in there. He's so far back that you can barely see his face.

8. Everyone in group in a Human Pyramid.

9. Everyone is group wearing a Scarf.

10. With a LIVE animal.

The same car that stopped for us to take our picture for #1 also had a dog in their car. So we asked if we could borrow him. We got a two in one.

11. On a Couch.

Smith's Marketplace has just about everything.

12. With fast food workers, inside a fast food restaurant.

A&W

13. With LDS or Jehovah's Witness Missionaries.

So lucky that we saw these guys walking along the street that we were driving on.

14. With as many strangers pictured as are in your group.

15. With Santa or a Snowman.

Window painting outside of Granny Anny's

16. With and Obvious Pregnant Woman.

We found her at Layton Hill's Mall.

17. With a stranger on a peddle bike or motorcycle.

I think we scared this guy when we pulled  in front of him and asked if we could take a picture with him. He probably thought we were going to jump him or something. Then luckily there was another gentleman walking behind the biker and he took the picture.

18. On a kids ride.

19. With a stranger who has a Beard and Mustache.

20. On a kids swing set or playground.

21. With a Policeman, Fireman, or Paramedic in Uniform.

This police officer was so nice. But man I wouldn't want to be on his bad list.

22. Everyone in group blowing a bubble with bubble gum.

Chantel's popped right as we took the picture. But we still counted it.

23. On and Escalator.

24. Making a wish, throwing $ into a pond/fountain.

Driving along Main Street in Centerville we found this water fountain in some one's yard. So dad went and knocked on their door to take a picture of us. And the lady was so nice to come out and help us. She was in her jammies.

25. In a tree.

It took us a couple of hours to do this whole thing. But it was SOOOO much fun. My team unfortunately didn't get back to the Grandparents before the other team. We lost by only 10 minutes.

When we were going through the pictures we found out that their "pregnant woman" wasn't even pregnant. They had gone into a maternity store and had the worker put the fake belly on and pretend to be pregnant.

So if you ask our team we won by default.

All in all it doesn't really matter. It was all meant to have fun together as a family. Making memories.