Christmas 2011

This years Christmas was a bit different than most and not as good as it should have been. On Christmas Eve we got a phone call the my Dad had been admitted to the hospital with chest pain. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with him and had to keep him over night so they could observe him and run more tests the next day which was of course Christmas. We were so hopeful that they would send him home on Christmas but no such luck. They had to keep him again for more observations and more testing. So we had a Christmas without my Dad. It was weird not having him there to give his annual Christmas speech and to carve the turkey. But all is well with him now. They never did figure out exactly what was wrong with him and where the chest pain was coming from. But he was given the all clear and went back to work on Tuesday. So grateful for the priesthood and the blessing that my brother and brother in law gave him to give him his health back!!

Of course we didn't skip Christmas activities because at my Dad's request, he didn't want the little ones to be disappointed. We did have an awesome sacrament meeting that morning that was filled with beautiful Christmas music and messages from our Bishopric. It makes me wish we could have Christmas on a Sunday always!!
This was the aftermath of the Christmas morning massacre. It took the kids approximately 20 minutes to open it all up.
Barry performing surgery on some poor impossible to open box.
Brooklyn opening up her Rapunzel doll which she loves. She opened every present one small piece of paper at a time. She also had to put each piece of paper in the trash before going onto the next.
Andrew and his haul. Poor kid was sick all day Christmas eve and day with a fever and achy bones. But he managed to open up all his presents in record time.

Me and my awesome hat. We went to Zoo lights and I wore Andrews hat half way through the zoo so Barry got me my own.

We ended up having a great morning opening up our Santa presents the kids got just enough and not too much. Santa was a smart man at the Squires household ;) We also had a great time at dinner with all of our cousins and family members at our gift exchange party. My awesome niece Sierra got me a beautiful scarf and a Bella Swan replica engagement ring. I'll be honest I am not a die hard Twilight fan but man did I love her ring. And now, I have one to call my own. Thanks Sierra!
Barry got a gift card to Best Buy from Michelle. Andrew received some fun super hero cars that he absolutely loves. And lastly Brooklyn got a Cinderella barbie and a play tent. They have spent hours in that thing!

After celebrating Christmas, some of us headed up to the hospital to visit my dad and put an end to the evening.

Lastly we also got the opportunity to visit Barry's Mom and sister in Idaho. We took them out for a yummy dinner in Idaho Falls at the best Steak House ever, The Outback. We had a great visit with them and the puppy's and had a little vacation away from home :)

The End!!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Remember why we celebrate the holiday. I am so grateful to have a knowledge and belief in my Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for his Earthly Mother Mary who brought him into this world all based upon her faith. It quite a miracle to see that such a wonderful man could do so much for all of us here on this Earth. I am grateful for the plan of salvation and am so happy to know that my family will be together for ETERNITY! I love my family dearly and wouldn't trade any of them for the world.

I couldn't create a post without including some of the fun things we have been able to do this past week.

1- We went to Zoo Lights. I didn't take any pictures because we were so bundled up and didn't want to get the kids out of the stroller. Best part of the evening was watching the Tigers wander back and forth right next to the fence. They are some of my favorite animals!
2- We went to Thanksgiving Point and drove through their fun lights. My favorite part is the Christmas Story at the end. We also enjoyed some yummy ice cream and saw some of Santa's reindeer at the Tower.
3- We were planning on going to Temple Square Tonight but Andrew woke up with a fever this morning at 5am :( Better to stay home and feel better for the big day tomorrow.!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

It's Christmas Time!!

I can't believe it's December! Even though it's only 8 days into it, I am counting down the days until Christmas break! 6 school days to be exact. Our district is lucky to take the week both before and after off. It will be a much needed and deserved opportunity to get some family time and reflect upon the true meaning of the season.

As my kids are getting older, I am starting to also realize how important it is for them to be more aware of the Christ part and not the Santa part. I think since before Thanksgiving the "Santa Threats" have been going on. Why don't we have "Jesus Threats?" In the end he is who really counts!

One Sunday, we were watching something on KSL and they were talking about how important there family traditions were on Christmas eve at centering that evening on Christ. So this is my goal this year. To spend the 24th all on Christ. We may even have a Bethlehem dinner like they suggested. I'll let you know how that goes.

Here are a few pictures to show you how we have been preparing for the season! Enjoy and Wishing you and Yours a Very Merry Christmas!!

What's been happening????

Not much to be honest. I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week already. I am super excited to eat some yummy turkey and my sister Cathy's delicious rolls. I am now the pie maker in the house which is sort of scary only due to the fact that I don't consider myself to be much of a cook. Nobody died last year so they must not have been to horrible.

This past month we got to go see Disney on Ice. We started the first half of the show up on row 12 and spent the second half on the front row. Barry knew on the users and the Delta Center and he allowed us to move into some seats that were a little closer. It was super fun and cool to be that close. We loved every second of it.


Barry also spent last Saturday hanging our Christmas lights. He always does such a great job at it. He has to rent a lift because our roof is so stinking high and steep. The past two years we have won first place in the light decorating contest so here's hoping to year 3!!! Once we actually turn them on, I'll post more pictures after Thanksgiving.


Finally, most of this month has been dedicated to getting my team ready for competition. Our first competition is in two week from today. However, I feel like we are really in a good place for the start of the year. We still have lots of improvements to make but are ready for the challenge. My team looks great!
Yesterday, we were able to participate in the First Annual "Straight To The Heart" Hear Awareness Symposium. We danced in a flash mob. Tons of fun. Following the Flash Mob, we were able to watch the new Twilight movie Breaking Dawn. I found it to be a little humorous. I laughed through much of it but hey it's about a girl a vampire, a wolf, and a demon baby. What can you expect. I had a great time with all of my girls!!!

Well that's all for now. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Week!!!

Halloween Fun!

We had a lot of fun this Halloween Season. Here are a few fun pictures. I do realize we are 5 days into November but hey it's all good.




ps notice Barry's awesome pumpkin on the right. His is the one without a face haha!!!

Each Life That Touches Our's For Good

My beautiful friend Natalie passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday morning. She leaves behind an amazing husband and three beautiful sons.

Her passing and the passing of my cousin a week earlier, really makes me grateful for the plan of salvation. I am so grateful I know that I will get to be with my family and friends for eternity. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see her and many other friends and family that have gone before me someday.

Natalie was a fantastic room mate. I lived with her for three years at Utah State. We lived in the beloved fish bowl apartments on Darwin Avenue and then in a nice apartment just down the hill from the university. Natalie was so amazing and sweet. She was sort of the mom of the apartment. She always gave us great advice and you always knew that she would be a great mom and wife someday. She possessed the talents of always making you feel special and celebrating every holiday BIG! I remember the care packages her mom would send her during each and every holiday. The books she would read. And, the many hours she spent preparing her home work in her elementary ed major.

Natalie will always be an influential person in my life. Seeing her die at such an early age really makes me want to live each day to its fullest, appreciate those that you have near you. And, never let a day go without telling your kids and spouse that you love them.

Nat- you will be missed!! Love You!

Shakespeare Ensemble 2011 PG Dance

Shakespeare Ensemble 2011 PG Dance

Shakepeare Festival

I had the opportuninty to take my dance company to Cedar City with the drama department to compete in the Shakespeare competition. It was a blast! I was so proud of my girls and really felt like they competed amazingly well for our first time.

Our first piece we call "Children of An Idle Brain." It was choreographed by my good friend Kasie Payne. It was based upon the story of Romeo and Juliet. The girls were fabulous and I couldn't be more proud.

The second piece was a trio choreographed by some of my dancers "Greatness." They also did an amazing job and they are such beautiful dancers how could they go wrong?

Overall it was a great experience we saw a lot of stuff and learned a lot about Mr. William Shakespeare. In fact, there is a movie coming out about Mr. Shakespeare that I am now planning on seeing.

Check out my links above to watch these amazing dances!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween you ask?? Yes I may be jumping the gun a bit but, I am so excited for Halloween!! I love all the fun cute spooky stuff and am excited to put out all of my decorations this next week. Last night we also started our Halloween costume shopping! I snagged up a Rapunzel Dress for Brooklyn and a Captain America Shield for Andrew. Still looking for the costume in his size that won't be over $20 bucks. (So Target, please get them back in stock)
I will post pictures once the final product is ready.

I am also loving the change in the weather. The leaves are beginning to look red/orange. Can't wait for our drive through the Alpine Loop. This weather has been perfect the past few weeks. If it could stay this way forever, I would LOVE it!!!

Finally, I am so excited for conference this weekend. I need a good pick me up and am excited to listen to the words of our Prophet and his counselors! Life is looking up!!!

Happy Fall Everyone!

So Many Things Running Through My Head

From day to day I think I am always thinking why can't I be more like so and so. I have so many amazing people in my life that are so put together and amazing I can't help but notice them.

First of all my sister Wendy...What an inspiration she is to me. I don't know how she does it all. But no matter what, she always seems to have it together. No matter how tough things are for her and her family she is amazing. I love her so much even though when we were little and would fight I would sucker punch her. I am such a brat.

Then there's my sister in law Brittney. Full time job, mother of one, and wife of my brother. I can't ever remember a time when I have been to her house and seen one ounce of clutter. Mine on the other hand is nothing but clutter. I love the respect she gives to her home and how inviting she makes it feel. Her home invites the spirit in which is something I can strive harder to do also.

Next is my Mom, Again I don't know how she has dealt with all of us! She is the most kind hearted person I know. And, she makes the best food ever. No matter how hard I try to replicate her meals (Sunday dinner & taco's) mine are never the same. That includes looks and taste. She has the magic touch to make anything the best. And of course there is the fact that she is MY Mom and the best Mom in the world.

As I look at all these women I can't help but admire them and strive to be more like them. Of course this is only a small handful of my inspirations. There are many more of them out there.

Then there's this other thing that started just today. My emotions are all over the place. I have no idea what's going on. Today in drill practice I just started to get angry and felt like yelling at my team. They didn't do anything to be yelled at. It was the weirdest feeling ever. I actually had to say something out loud to get my anger in check. It was weird.

Also, today at Target, I had to buy Andrew's new undies in the little boys section. My baby is growing up and that makes me cry. I'm crying right now just writing this. Man I have lost it :)

Finally there is that constant feeling of being overwhelmed much of the time. I have finally come to the realization that something must go. I just have to decide what and by schools end something will be gone. I just don't know what. At least I have 9 months to figure it out. In a financially perfect world, I could work part time while Andrew went to school and spend half my day with Brooklyn. Maybe that will come true maybe it won't.

All I know is that I can only be my best self everyday. Its up to me to be my best so I can give those around me the love they deserve.

Ok...The end of the thoughts running through my head. If you made it this far thanks for listening!!

Another $2 Day

I just love this whole $2 Tuesday bit and I know your all tired of hearing about it! But went last week and had $2 sundae's and .25 cent ice cream cones. Poor Brooklyn, she'd rather put the ice cream on her face than eat it. But she does love the cones. Silly girl.

We also spent some time playing in there little water sprayer thingy. I really don't know what it's technical name is. So for now, water sprayer thingy works just fine.

School is now in full swing.One week down and many more to go. For my first week back, things weren't too aweful bad. I did manage to get an awesome sunburn that hurts like he** but what are ya gonna do. You can see where I did manage to apply the sunscreen. It's going to be the best tan line ever, eventually. It's also managed to be the hottest week of the year. So going to the pool has been good. But sitting in my classroom was a little stuffy. Thank goodness the weather will be going down a tiny bit next week. Happy that fall is here. Sad that I don't get to spend as much time with my kids. Maybe one day I can afford to work part time and just love my babies at home. :)

Final Days of Summer

As I mentioned in my last post. Every Tuesday in August is $2 Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point. For the last three weeks we have taken advantage of it! You all saw my last post and then two weeks ago we hit the Dinosaur museum. Such a great deal right!!!


This Past Tuesday, we went with Brittany and Cousin Ruby to The Children's Gardens. They spent some great times wandering through the gardens and the favorite part was playing in the Noah's Arc Fountain. Afterwards, we went for dinner and ice cream at the Deli. We had a great evening!

Last, this past Thursday we went to the Bee's game for KSL night. We meet Bumble the Bee mascot and rode the train in the outfield.


Our summer has been a great one. I am so sad to see it come to an end. I wish I could just have one more month with my kids to just go out and play!

Well here's to school starting...

Back to school?

My oh my how summer has flown by!! I am not sure where the time went exactly. I just know I am trying to find ways to fill in the remaining days.

For the first Tuesday in August, we headed to Thanksgiving Point Farm Country. The kids had a great time and loved looking at the animals.

Since the beginning of August Drill Team has also started up again. We had a crazy first week of practice learning two of our competition routines. They are both insane and amazing!! I can hardly wait to get them costumed and clean and ready for competition. We are going to have such a great year!

Finally, I have this final week to cram in just a little more. Tomorrow the Dinosaur museum, Wednesday the park, and Thursday, who knows, only the future will tell!!

Family Vacation To California!!

This past week our little family ventured out on our trip to California!! The main event was the Smithen Family Reunion held in beautiful Marina California. A fun beach city by the bay and near Monterey California a fun tourist hot spot.

Needless to say the drive there was the second worst part of the trip. But we did our best to get by. I made surprise bags for the kids full of treats and toys. The big hit of the trip were these magnet/map/snack trays I made for the kids. They were great fun and each included fun magnets to play with that provided some good entertainment throughout.

Stop one was Reno at the Circus Circus hotel. Not anything special just a stop. Then we continued onto Marina. The drive through California was beautiful. Marina is in the Northern area about 100 miles south of San Fransisco. We past a dozen or so fruit stands that now looking back, I wish we would have stopped at at least one. Oh well.

First night we got reacquainted with everyone and played Minute to Win It!! It was great fun! The kids had a great time and so did the adults.



On Day two we visited the beautiful Monterey Aquarium. It was so cool and well worth the price. The sea animals were beautiful and we all had a great time!!!


On Sunday we headed to Carmel Beach. Boy was it beautiful!!! The water wasn't all that warm. In fact the picture below is of us just as the wave unexpectedly hit us, haha!! Brooklyn hated the feel of the sand on her toes. I loved it!!! It was soft and warm and Andrew had a great time with his cousin Alex.


After our beach play, on the road again to Disneyland!!! What a fun time we had with the kids and we went on rides we hadn't really been on before that the kids absolutely loved. We stayed in a hotel close enough for us to go back and take naps during the heat of the day then went back and stayed late at night. We also got the chance to see both Fantasmic and World of Color. Both were so amazing and I can't wait to see them again in March!

Then the long journey home began. Lucky for us my dad has a condo in St. George that we stopped at and did our laundry (thanks dad!) It was really nice to come home with clean clothes. We had a fabulous time and I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Oh and the worst part of the trip, me having to sleep with Brooklyn to get her to sleep. She's a kicker :(