Happy Birthday Jacob...

Here's to wishing Jacob a happy 15th birthday!!!!!

Air Zoo

So we went to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo on Monday. It was great!!! I had never been there before, and really liked it. It was very educational as well as fun! They had rides, kiosks (like a little TV station) with movies about different airplanes and how they were used...and of course AIRPLANES!!!! There were some pretty amazing ones!!! Here are a few pictures. I had a hard time deciding which ones to post as we took around 100!!!
Have a nice day everyone!

Swimming???!!! (...in November?)

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Call us crazy, but some of us went swimming in the Harvey's pond today!!! Us "old folks" were cowards...I said that the water would be too cold (which it was) so only my parents and the little guys went. They had a lot of fun, but came home and jumped into the warm tub!
I had the farrier out to trim my horses. Thankfully Rico was better this time. I actually took him for a walk this afternoon (with Annie's help), the first time I've really spent time with him since my surgery. Other things that happened today...Jacob sighted in his new scope on his muzzle-loader, Jill is babysitting, and Timothy went hunting. He saw a deer but didn't shoot at it.
Tomorrow promises be be busy...church then a baby shower, and choir practice for the Christmas program at church.
O.k. gotta' scoot.
Cheers!

learning to write your name is fun!

Several weeks ago Melody learned to write her name! She was faithful at the marker board day after day practicing, and was very proud when she accomplished the feat! (as you can see in the pictures). I thought that these were too sweet and had to share.

Applesauce...

Here is the finished product!

Today we are making applesauce! Every year we go to an apple orchard and pick up TONS of apples. This year we also had apple cider made...64 gallons!!! I took a few pictures of some of the children that are working on the applesauce.
So far everyone has been staying very healthy in our home. There has been quite an outbreak of the flu in our area, we are very thankful to be well.
O.k. I gotta run for now. Have a wonderful day!!!!

Fall Fun

I couldn't resist this one...cute hat!!!

Well, this past week we enjoyed some nice warm days. I really enjoyed them...all except for the ladybugs! There were TONS of them-crawling everywhere and in everything. A couple of the children had the not fun experience of ladybugs flying right into their mouths. Yuck!!!
My mom and some of the family went to Manitoba, Canada for almost a week. They arrived home late last night. Melody and Elijah were all too happy to burn off some steam early this morning. They played in the leaves for several hours. I thought that I would post a few pictures from their "Fall Fun".
On Saturday Jill and Annie are going to be traveling with our Grandma and cousin to Williamsburg, VA. They will be gone for around a week, and might stop in for a day or so in Washington D.C.
Well, I guess that gives you a little update on our life these past months. Hope the rest of your week is great!!!!

A Happy Birthday to Buddy!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Elijah Samuel Smith!!!! He is now six years old. What a handsome, sweet young man you are growing up to be Buddy! We love you very much honey!!!!

Wish this young man a happy birthday friends!!!!

On the mend...

Emily here. Yep, I'm finally on the mend. I went to Physical Therapy today and my therapist said that I'm doing "fantastic"! I am thankful. It's been a week and a day since my surgery. Thanks for your prayers. My dad is doing very well. He was basically off of his crutches after the first 36 hours. Above is a picture of me in my sling and pillow. I have to wear this thing 24/7. I think I have to wear it for a month. I'll be GLAD to get it off!!! Elsie had just washed and brushed my hair for me before taking this pic. thanks to my awesome sisters for taking such good care of me!!!!

Cheers

A Visual Journal of the last month....

Freeing Corn

Noah with one of our guests

My two very handsome brothers

Buddy and Dodie on the Carousal at the Zoo!

Oh yes, can't forget Emily's new car!

With friends at the top of the Warren Sand Dunes @ Lake MI.

Fair time!!! Showing Dogs in 4-H

Phoebe after placing second in obedience

Jacob received Best of Show in Obedience and Rally with Kyle

Well, I'm sure that all of you are wondering "where have the Smith's been"? I'm sorry for not updating this blog more often. We have had a flurry of activity the whole month of August (where has it gone!), but have had a wonderful month overall! Let's see... we went to the sand dunes, had three different families over for extended visits, we have frozen some corn-still have more to do, played softball, went to the Zoo, and of course had the county fair where Jacob, Noah, Elsie, Judah and Phoebe showed collies in 4-H. We also moved Daneil to Hope College (located in Holland, MI) where he is taking pre-med classes. I have taken the liberty to include a lot of pictures in this post. I hope that you all have had a great month and Summer.

If you all could keep us in your prayers, tomorrow (the 2nd) my dad and I are both having surgery. I have a torn rotator cuff (in my shoulder) and my dad is having knee surgery. I'm a little nervous about the whole deal, and will be without the use of my right arm for well over a month.

Blessings to you all!!!
-Emily... for the 15 Smithies

Jill is 18!!!!

The last birthday of the week for the Smiths. Jill is 18!!!!! Wow, we have another adult in the family. Jill is such a blessing to our family. She is a talented violinist, and enjoys helping Phoebe with her violin playing and Judah with his cello. She also started taking piano lessons last Fall, and is doing well with this as well. Sorry, I could not find very many "baby" pictures of Jill on this computer, but I hope that you enjoy the one that's there.
Everyone wish Jill a BIG happy 18th!!!!!!!!

Noah is 14!!!!

The young Tiger

Strike!!!

Our "chilly Haitian"!!!

Little Noah

What a pretty smile!

Today is Noah's 14th birthday! In this week we have three birthdays within 6 days. Melody was on Sunday, Noah's is today, and Jill's birthday is on Saturday. We almost have a continuous party for a week!!! We have so much fun!!! We are thankful for the Lord sending Noah to us, and we are proud of the young man that he is becoming. If you haven't noticed, Noah loves baseball, so his party tonight was somewhat of a baseball theme. He got a bunch of fun stuff, and an awesome catcher's mitt. Now he can practice not only pitching, but catching as well!!!
Happy Birthday Noah!!!!!