The Smith Family Times

Sledding Vs Sliding

(Rob:) This has been an ongoing debate throughout our marriage: What do you call the wintertime activity where you travel fast down a snowy hill on top of a sled or toboggan or other device? We always called it "sledding," but Susan (who is from Minnesota, where they should know about winter) calls it "sliding," a term that Iowans reserve for what happens to your car when you drive across an icy bridge, or if you take a running jump across a polished hardwood floor and land on two stocking feet.

Well, whatever you call it, we've done some of it lately with our recent blast of Al Gore-defying cold weather. Here are some pics:

Abbey and Tessa Jean going down Suicide Hill last weekend in Brookside Park (Tom might remember this hill as "left field" from last summer's family softball game)

More sledding

Sledding buddies Beth and Abbey

Abbey teaching Tessa Jean how to snowboard

**********************************************************

This past weekend we took a surprise trip up to Minnesota to visit Susan's family, including the littlest Herzberg,  David and Michelle's son Isaak, seen here with his baby-lovin' cousin Tessa Jean:

Sledding broke out on Saturday:

Kat & Ava

Tessa Jean & Ava

Gabe, Tessa and Kat

Ava, Tessa Jean and Kat spent after a day of sledding...

But still time for one more run!

Here you see Nate and Sam struggling to use a shovel to go sledding.

Nate is exhibiting some poor technique here... the proper method for shovel-sledding (known in Minnesota as "shoveling") was demonstrated here by Beth the week before:

More about the Minnesota trip tomorrow!

January Blues

 

Standard activity at the manor

(Susan):  Got the January blues?  Here are some pictures to help chase them away!

Other end of the living room (and yes, the Valentine tree is still up---just kidding, we disassembled it Sunday and now it is in the entry way in large green bags until Valentine's Day)

Can't wait for warmer weather to play a little beach ball with ya babe!

You too, babe #2

Bestest friend, haven't talked to you since Sunday. It's Wednesday, what gives??

Grandpa Smith, that was not beer I was drinking at the tailgate, but coffee in a pink mug.

Next Bronco season is going to be a long time coming.  Oops, that doesn't chase someone's blues away.

Sam has a cough and fever today and really has the blues.  Hope you feel better soon boy!

Maybe some SURPRISE MINNESOTA cookies tomorrow will help

Look Who's Dinner!

(Susan):  New dining room table is in, so head on over for dinner.  I don't know quite what to say, except there will be no kids table at our house (as seen here) due to our new absurdly long dining room table. Tessa is 4'10" and Sam 4' so go figure how long this table is with all the leaves in it. Additional information: their heads are meeting in the middle.  Gives new meaning to pass the salt.  Don't get too excited though, because we have no chairs! 

Tessa rocked in the volleyball tournament yesterday.  I forgot the camera in our 6:15 a.m. exit to make it to Wellsville, Kansas on time, so here she is in her Christmas display with her Spike Like A Girl T-shirt.  Thanks Mom and Dad to your ultra dedication to the kid's sports career!  Tessa scored 20 points for her team (the youngest in the tournament), and 18 of her points were aces.  Due to freezing rain, the coach pulled her team before the tournament was complete so we could all make it home safe and sound.  It was a good idea as the interstate was terrible.  Next tournament is in February just 7 minutes from our house if anyone is interested in attending with me.

You rock, babe!!!!!

Happy 6th Sam!!

(Susan):  Sam enjoyed his 6th birthday on Thursday.  He was quite pleased with his stash of Legos which should come in handy this weekend as everything gets cancelled for the weather and we are house bound.  We survived yesterday's ice, and are preparing for phase 2 due at noon today.  Looks like we will be watching movies and playing games.  Tessa is supposed to have her first volleyball tournament tomorrow, but we will have to watch the weather.  Seems like a good day to stay home and quilt.

Thank You!!!

Awesome Dad!!!!

Smith Holiday Recap

(Rob:) Well, another holiday season is in the books- here are a few pics from our Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

Sam opening cool Lego guys from Beth, Bill and Abbey

Jack checking out creepy robot cat (the cat's chest moves up and down like it's breathing)

More Jack- opening one of Susan's gifts

Tessa with hot pink volleyball gear

Susan and I with our new Springsteen sweatshirts

Tessa Jean and Sam excited about tiny gift

******************************************************

Grampa Smith and Cody came down to K.C. Saturday to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes fall just short of victory over Texas in the Alamo Bowl Saturday. Cody brought Jude and Elena along:

Grampa on bottle duty

Jude and web-slinger (we saw the preview for the new Spider-man movie yesterday... looks ubercool!)

On New Year's Eve, our friends Julie and Dave came over with their clan for some dinner and festivities. Here's Julie with Tessa and Marie toasting in 2007 with some sparkling something or other:

Here's hoping your 2007 is safe, healthy and awesome!