My Lab

Hey fam. A public affairs guy from our department came and did a photo shoot in our lab. Here are a few pics of me and a Ph.D. student I work with using the microscope that I have been building for the last year or so.

Random Pictures

At least Addison is proud of my birthday cake fail.

This is Lesli and her cousin, Sis. Hunt, who is serving at the Oakland Temple Visitor's center.

This is Lafe saying he would rather go to the University of Bridgeport than be seen at Snow College.

Happy Thanksgiving from Dad...

The Great Thanksgiving:

O Ya what a wonderful week end... the trip to Farmington to Troy and Marilee... the card with Sis Smitty and the not so hones card hading... Thank heaves for the little one who know right from wrong.... The brother who went to represent the rest of the family that are so far far a way in the plans of the great county or those that are flung to the East and West of America and for all that are in the High High Places of Colorado, Just you Waite for we will find you every one... You will eventually get to have me fix the best Turkey dinner for that day that you have every lade your fork into.... But for now you just have to Enjoy the new flick... Your mother is the best person I know.. I am so blessed to have her has by Partner in all thing,and lover her so very much. Grandchildren Learn from mom and dad, Lesson to Grandma and do what she teaches you and it will server you will...I love each on of you and pray that you all will be bless by God all the days of your life..

Don

Right Now in North Carolina...

So, for those of you who might be interested, here's what we're into these days:

This Chex mix is tasty.

Emily... Is currently singing "5 Little Monkeys" and skipping around. Probably because she just launched herself off the couch and wacked her head. I didn't have much sympathy, though. She made the best chex mix in the world all by herself. Here is the recipe:

• Take a box of Chex. Any kind. Dump most of it in a bowl.
• Melt one bag of butterscotch chips and one bag of peanut butter chips in the microwave.
• Dump over chex and mix in until all is covered.
• Pour in 1 cup peanuts and 1 cup chocolate chips. Mix.
• Dump into cookie sheet with waxed paper on it, then spread it out to cool.
• break into pieces and hide it so you can eat it all yourself.
• yum.

Caleb is showing me his porcupine.

Caleb... Has a cough that sounds like a dragon hocking up a fireball. (Is hocking really a word??) He told me today that he could eat 40 hot dogs. I believe him. His favorite thing about Thanksgiving was playing football outside. Oh, and his sleeping through dinner. Oh wait, that was my favorite part.

Ainsley is eating a pickle in this picture.

Ainsley...Loves her dad. More than me. I'm okay with this. She really loves bananas, pickles, cranberry sauce, and soy milk. She does not like the word "NO." She's turned into a howling screecher with a temper. Goody. This bodes well for the next 18 years.

I... am into Modern Family (Adam. Seriously--have you seen it??? You must.) And my blogs. And our Christmas tree. I am not into my calling.

Dave... is trying to talk me out of spending money. Seven years now. Still no luck. He went on a bike ride this morning, and this afternoon he's going to watch the BYU football game, so I assume it's a good day?

will there goes the last month of year it has to Great

This is a geat week to be a live. We need to Thank God for all we have, for that is we have all we do... We are and can become form His kindness. We live in the best Countary in worled, We have a God that knows each of us by name, And how love use and will help us to succeed at what ever he ask of us. If that ant Love then I dont know what is....
love
Don

What's worrying our parents

I know I should be writing a birthday post for Lesli, but I thought this was really funny.

An ode to Lesli...

Hey Les--remember that one time, when Adam dumped you???

We all thought that was really stupid.

I still consider you the very best hard-earned reward for my missionary service. (Since you did, after all, get engaged and married while I was gone.) So you're very, very welcome. ;)

Love you!!! Happy birthday!!

Becca

Happy Birthday Lesli!

I am happy to wish Lesli a Happy Birthday! Adam found himself the perfect companion in her, as I said to him way back in his bachelor days- "If you're talking about Lesli, well, what's there not to like?" I could amend that to say- when it comes to Lesli, what's there not to love? Les, I have appreciated your love and support- I love you for your thoughtfulness, for your gentle and fun sense of humor, and for your consistent approach to life and living. You have been and are a blessing to our family. Happy Birthday! (Sorry no baby picture, I don't think I have one!)

WATCH OUT FOR THE............currrb :(

Gretchen the Great

Gretchen had a fabulous 7 th birthday! She took "her" day very seriously... for all it was worth! We love her so much, she is the spice in our life. :)

From Dad...

will i have tried 4 times to type this message, i know you to know that i love each of you so fome time to time i will right stories from my life for you to have. I was born in Salt Lake City Utah on aug 20,1948 I was taken home to 4339 w 5900 s Kearns I have some pic I will have to send you when I learn how to get time on this program. As I recall, Iwas the best looking kid that every came form Don Able and Arlene Mann Smith, of cource there was that other one ye know my big sister Rosemary Donning Smith, as for look, well she favered Arlene and me the spitting emigave of Don, some how they both know was going to be the hands full Whell comeing in next revlation on me next week. Rember you can't belive every this you read...But if I tell to you it money in bank... Propole the one that closed last week:) Rockydms

It's just a Threat

It's just a Threat

It is 7:12 Addison is finishing his homework, Adam is pushing back the frontiers of science, Lafe is consuming his daily allotment of milk, and Ellie is in the bath. Just when I think all is settled, I heard the water come back on. I politely yelled to turn the water off and Ellie Obliged, then thity seconds later, I heard the water turn back on. This time I feel I need to follow my polite yell up with "If you turn the water back on, you won't get a nighttime snack."

Ellie almost polietly yells that she needs more water. Luckily Addison is able to pull himself away from his homework to mediate. "Ellie don't worry. That was just a threat. Mom isn't going to do anything."

"Really," Ellie Replies with a lift in her voice."

"Yeah, says the expert Addison, "People say stuff all the time, but they won't really do it. Don't Worry."

Now I am the one who has to worry!

Carolina Kids...

I love November in North Carolina. :)

Right now on Facebook....

Adam...I just taught Lafe how to solve a Rubik's Cube. It still takes him more than two minutes, but I think he'll get down to 30 seconds as soon as he learns how to use his hands.

Jen... Soooo excited and thankful to have family coming in for Thanksgiving! :)

Bry... Hunting with all 3 girls.... Let me tell you what fun this is..:(

Levi...I am thankful for my most wonderful best friend and I miss her so much and how I feel after church!!!!!

Becca...Ainsley's latest: "Ay yi yi! Wow! Ay yi yi!"

Happy Birthday Gretchen!

Yesterday was a special day for me because it was a special day for someone I love- Gretchen Kate Nielsen- who turned seven years old on Friday! It was fun to think back and remember the day she was born- (how very tiny she was!) and it was even more fun to talk with her on the phone- she said she had a great day at school, and was looking forward to dinner, cake, and another present, this one from Grandma Pat. Gretchen, I love your happy smile, I love how you love to help people, and I love your wonderful energy. I am so glad you had a great day- I am happy I am your grandma!

Gretchen Kate- soooo big!

From Dad...

Well Happy B.D. Levi, and thanks for the cake, I really like it, your so though Will its been quite a day at work lots going one and no one hope that all of your doing will. It is going to be a great Friday, course your truly is go up to watch the football games a the U, Davis is Playing Bingham for 5A and SpringVille is Playing Timpview for the 4A so I am going to go...The buses will just have to go on with out me... I love each of you very much. some body tell me where to go to add pic.

--Dad

Happy Birthday, Levi!!!

Congratulations on being 27. It is soooo much better than being 26.

This year, I love you because of you're preparing to get your patriarchal blessing and working on getting to the temple. I think that is awesome!!

Happy Birthday, Beebs. Love you.

Becca

Birthday Cakes from WiddlyTinks.com

It's your day, Levi...

Happy birthday big guy- today is your day! I remember the day you were born- who could forget feeling that HUGE? Yes indeedy, 9 pounds 2 ounces (it was the last 2 ounces that nearly did me in...). The nurses loved it cause you were low maintenance- one fill-up lasted you for a nice, long nap- nothing like the tiny guys that were squawking after 2 hours. They gave you and another big baby a corner of your own so you could sleep- I think it is safe to say that you haven't rested much since! ;o) I love your optimism & persistence, I appreciate the efforts you are making to make life better for yourself, and I am grateful for the little granddaughter you have given us, we love our Mercedies. Happy 27th Birthday!!!

Primary Program

Here are some pictures of the kids in the primary program. I'm not sure we are supposed to record or take photos in Sac. Meeting, but at least I didn't use the flash. You can see a video of the warmup and perfromance on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue2PVcAtNaU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUq5WWI0sCs

W.W.F.

We toyed with the idea of dressing Caleb up like this for Halloween and having him go as a WWF wrestler "THE CALEB."

But we were afraid that someone would turn us in to child protective services.

I can't WAIT to put this clip on his wedding video someday.

The Latest from Facebook...

Ben and Mariah...

Lesli... I just dreamed I had a 10 lb baby and that Robert Redford was my midwife. Oddly enough. He handled himself really well. Here's hoping dreams really don't come true!

Jen... "My kids just asked me how I know the word [cadence]!?! Dad passed it on. :)"

Levi... "Another day gone by, another day to wonder why."

Jared... "Needs your help saving a baby squid in Happy Aquarium." (That's deep, J.)

Becca... "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor..."

How's that for random????

It's Autumn Time...

I love fall. Once I lived in a place where there was fall in name only. We ran around in shirt sleeves enjoying the weather not knowing it was fall until one day, usually around Thanksgiving, we'd wake up to see that all the leaves had gone brown and we would know that we had missed it. No gold, no glory. On the other hand, I've been to Boston in October- to this day words fail me in describing the glory of it. Now that Halloween has stopped intruding, I wish you all, where-ever you are, a beautiful fall season.

For my nieces and nephews...

This is Caleb's favorite You Tube video.

Hey--just be grateful I didn't post his other favorite: the Japanese tiger who teaches potty training. Wow.

--Becca

Tough.

Happy Veteran's Day, Dad!!

Happy Veteran's Day, Dad. For all that today means for you.

I think I can say, for all of us, that we all feel really privileged to be the children and grandchildren of a Vietnam Veteran and a Marine.

We love you.

Quiet Time

Yesterday Lafe and I decided to take a little nap while the older kids were in quiet time. I heard Addison getting into Adam's tool box once, and I even managed the phrase--don't take anything apart. He said, "Don't worry mom I will put it back together." And for some weird reason I chose not to worry. Bad Idea.

This is all that is left of the bookcase. Now none of us can put it back together--okay Addison and I can't put it back together and Adam is not impressed with my parenting skills one bit.

And the award goes toooooo....

For the first post not from me.

Congratulations, Jared. And welcome to the world of... chick blogging????

Also.. can I vote for my own musical tastes since we all know dad has never been a "real tree" even though he thinks he was?

So I've figured out how to use these crankin' blogs... Yeah yuck it up I was clueless as to how this "chicky-internet stuff" known as blogs worked. I have also been notified that I should try to post on here every now and then about whats goin' on in life and such? I think thats what I'm supposed to write about so here goes my first ever post... Life for me is... well pretty much as you would expect it to be for a 23 year old guy that is very discontent, reckless, and other wise not happy with the current state of our world. On the bright side I'm sure mom has notified most of you that I am going... to Mexico! That is the big new story of my week! First cruise and I'm sure it wont be the last. Becca I hope this is what you are looking for and for now are satisfied with my lack of blog know-how. Love you all
slow wide turns yall
Jared

Dadism...

"This place looks like somebody missed."

So true, Dad. So true.

Am I the only one??

"Pals we are and pals we'll be.
Because we have no choice you see."

Am I the only one who thought this sometimes???

Halloween 2009....

Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to Halloween 2009!!

First up, let's just start with the cutest one and get it over with....

Yep, that's Evalyn as the Cutest.mummy.ever....

Is Snow Emily in the woods searching for someone??? Maybe it's her cousin, Cindercharlie!!

Now that we have the princesses together, let's continue westward to find... AHHHHH!


Ninja baby William-san!

But, whoa, check out those muscles. Ellie isn't about to be shoved aside by any super-cute baby brother candy snatcher.

Good thing Addison Potter has his wand...

Happy Halloween!!!

The Newest Smith...

I love how he looks so unimpressed here.

Welcome baby Will.... er.... Laif.... er.... can we just skip straight to "Pard'ner"?