Polly in the Hospital

We met Chris and Polly at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center - Old Holy Cross Hospital - at 6:00 am Thursday morning for her throat surgery.

 Polly taking out her contacts before being taken to the Operating Room - she makes friends so easy...the admitting lady gave her a high five when we left the admitting office.  The prep nurse gave her a hug as they wheeled the gurney down the hall - another nurse that had given them the ICU Tour the day before, also stopped the gurney and gave her a hug... of course we and Chris got hugs and kisses!

 After four hours - she is still smiling!  WE WERE ALL SMILING because of the success of the doctor who was able to get all the growth out without 'cracking her chest' - doctor told us he was almost finished and just had a little bit to go and couldn't finish.  He thought to try another way or another method or something - we know it was an answer to all our prayers, fasting and faith!  He was successful!  Chris said tonight that Polly would be able to come home on Saturday morning....yay!

 The Old Chapel at Holy Cross College - a nursing college.

Lindsey was in Salt Lake with work and had the girls at Fairbanks - she brought them over to the hospital and I stayed with them while she and Dad went up to see Polly... We have the cutest grandkids ever!  Olivia told me:  "I wish I was 13!"  I asked her why - she said:  "So I can see Aunt Polly's growth!"  What a little scientist!!  

Two pretty Smith sisters - one a little more comfortable than the other one!

Anna's Friends Birthday Party

Friday after school Anna had six friends meet at their Church for a Friends Birthday Party.  Here Kate is tying balloons on the girls legs - to play the 'stomp the balloon' game.

 Girls trying to 'pop' the balloons on each other's legs.

 Anna and friends - we thought of having this game in the gym ... but this room was more than enough room for this game.

 Anna was one of the best - but not one of the two finalists - Kate finally said - "We'll have two winners!" So the girls stopped - and one of them stomped on the other girls balloon!

 Frozen figures on the Birthday Cupcakes - fun!

 Girls playing a game - talking to the Hamster.

The girls with their cupcakes - everyone really likes them.

 End of the Party.

Joel and James, they played 'hoops' in the gym while the girls partied.

Annabelle 9th Birthday - family Party

 Blurry picture of Anna opening her birthday presents at our house.

 Anna talking with the Hamster - and the Hamster 'talking' back - Joel and Grandpa laughing!

 More fun with the talking Hamster.

 Anna choose to go out for her Birthday Dinner at I-HOP - yummy.

Olaf pillow was a gift from her Mom and Dad and she loves it!

Annabelle's Birthday Cupcakes

Joal took this picture of Anna and I making her birthday cupcakes to take to school - he said he cut off my head! so he took another one!

 We had a good time after school at Grandma's house!

 Anna is the best at sprinkles!

 Blue for school - 26 in her class.

Pink for her Friend's Birthday party - Friday.

Wish I could make cupcakes with all the grandchildren for their birthdays!

Joel's DARE Graduation

On Tuesday, Nov. 11th Joel had his 5th Grade DARE Graduation.  

 Joel getting his Certification of Graduation from his teacher, Mrs. Son, Officer Neilson, Principal and Mayor of Pocatello, Brother Brian Blad.  Brian is a member of our ward and a nursery worker.

 Joel shaking the mayor's hand.  Mayor Blad spoke to the graduates - he was a little bit late - he explained:  "I am scheduled pretty tight and was at a Veterans Event across town - so I might have driven too fast to get here, and I parked illegally in front of the school ... as long as we keep Officer Neilson in here I am okay!"  He then told the students about his cousin in Spanish Fork, Utah.  They were best friends growing up and when the mayor went to visit in the summer of his 12th birthday - his cousin asked him to do drugs with him.  Sad story - his cousin died of a drug overdose several years later - just couldn't shake the hold of drugs.

Joel has enjoyed the DARE training - would tell us every week about what they had learned.  He liked the 'drunk driver' glasses - love the whole program.

Veterans Day, Tendoy School, Pocatello, Idaho 2014

On Tuesday, Nov. 11th - Joel and Anna's school had a Flag Waving event.  Their classes took turn standing on the sidewalk of Jefferson Street and waved their flags for about 10 minutes.

Here is Anna and her friend Julian - we went down at 11:00 o'clock and Joel's class was already back in the school.  His class had their turn at 20 to 11 - it was pretty cold!

Anna told us later that in the whole ten minutes most cars honked and gave them a 'thumbs up' - only one man 'flipped us off' - sad!

Loved this sight - love all our veterans - and so grateful for all their wonderful service.

Sheffield's Blessing

 Handsome Kurt and "My Three Sons"  - wonderful boys - who don't like shoes!

 Sheffield and Dad - love, love!

 Mom and Dad and perfect Sheffield on his blessing day...November 9th, 2014.

 Family and friends gather in the family room for the blessing of Sheffield Heber Smith.

Sweet picture of Emily and Sheffield - Reminded me of a poem by Jay Parry.  Nursery Corner
"Lord, let this baby lie, Safe here in my lap; Let the world spin by, Let my baby nap.
Broken loves come soon enough, Broken hopes and broken faith. May this child learn to trust; May he learn to seek thy face.  Then when trials rage around him, then when hell's stiff wars combine, He will feel thine arms surround him; They will wrap him firm, like mine."

 Look at all those wonderful Preisthood holders who participated in Sheffield's blessing - thanks to all.

 Emily and her Mom - Alana, and sister in law Krista serving a wonderful dinner after the blessing.

 Aunt Sue and Uncle John and a very calm, sweet, Sheffield.

Proud Grandparents!  Harold and Dianne Smith, Alana and John Sheffield.

Sunday Fun - Faye's Birthday

 Because we would have to leave early Sunday evening to make our flight back to Idaho - we let Faye open our presents Sunday afternoon;.  She was so cute - and grateful - kept saying "thank you".

 The tea pot with dishes inside was a big hit - as was the apron for her to wear when cooking.

 Emma helped Faye play with her new dishes - so cute.

 Clark joined a 'tea' party at the table.

 Clark loves his little brother - Sheffield is seldom put down - too many people want to hold him!

 Savanna and Christian chased this bunny around the back yard - they dig under the fence, then the kids plug up the hole that was dug and chase the bunny until it gets tired and they catch it!  Kurt told them they had to let it go that night.

Maddie's Mia Maid Class came over to the house to welcome her into the MM's - cute girls!