Continued to part 2...

We also went to the zoo. It was a little stressful, but the kids had a lot of fun seeing the animals, especially the hippo. It turned out though that the zoo closed really early and when we got there we had only 45 minutes to see any indoor animals before they closed the zoo. So we were running fast and crazy, but we had fun and some relaxing outdoor animal seeing afterward with a nice picnic outside the zoo afterwards. All in all a good time, but next time we will have to plan the zoo trip a bit better! haha.. this is Mason and my dad looking at the Elephants.

My kids have loved playing the piano since we've come... especially Mason, he is always climbing up onto the piano bench and clanging away. It's cute to see he enjoys it so much and hopefully that'll stick!! He also has quite the "cheese" face right now!

We had a surprise visit from my brother who is working out of town for the summer, so we had a nice Sunday dinner with everyone except Jeremy! And Jessica was working, but she came later. It was nice to be all together again and we ate outside on the deck since it was a beautiful day!

This is the only picture I took of Devin.. oops! haha

My sister and her "boyfriend" haha

We went to the beach on Monday because it was hot! The kids had so much fun playing in the sand and swimming with Aunt Karli, and Brenna tried monkey bars at the park for the first time and couldn't get enough of them!

Whew! This is getting long, almost done, I promise! Brenna and I went out to the farm with my dad. He and my grandpa had to do some work installing a pump into the dugout to sprinkler the front lawn. It was supposed to be a quick trip, but we ended up not being able to find one of the sprinkler holes and it took us a LONG time to find it! I have a funny story about that, but I think I'm going to use it in my talk next Sunday so I'll have to post it later.

This is Brenna on the drive there doing "Yee Haw"'s with her hat repeatedly. haha

And one last picture of the friends. We had a girls night with no kids to go in Paige's hot tub and had a lot of fun again! These girls are the best!

Oh, and excuse the eyes.. it's red eye fixing gone wrong I think.. haha

Alright, now to get busy on our trip so far! We have done some fun things and been pretty busy! The first thing Brenna did upon arriving almost was finding the new dress up princess clothes Grandma got and getting dressed to the nines in her princess gear! She usually dresses up once a day and is having a lot of fun with the princess clothes! I think her favorite parts are wearing a crown and spinning in the dresses.

I was also lucky enough to be able to get together with all of my old high school group! We were really close in high school, college, and we still are through blogs and facebook and summer visits. There are six of us, and we now have 11 kids between us. Crazy! We tried to get a good pictures of the kids, but the approx. 18 month olds were very unhappy with the idea! We were all laughing pretty hard though, it's the memories that count! haha I sure love these girls and am so grateful for their friendships! I wish we lived closer but love these little reunions!

The next exciting thing we got to do is go to Wicked! My mom and my sisters and I got to go while my dad was awesome enough to babysit so we could have the night out! He did a great job, and we had so much fun at Wicked. I am just in awe at the talent these people have that do these shows and this was no exception at all! We were very excited to go and had fun belting all of the songs on the way home too!

I have gotten to hang out with my friends a few times this visit, and it's been so nice! We also went to a new beach where one of them moved and it was a fun morning for the kids! Mason also got to sport his new swim suit from Grandma which was too cute and funny not to take pictures of.. I have a lot more, but this is the best!

To be continued...

The Trek

Well I just realized I am going to be way behind if I don't keep up while I'm here a little bit! So I will start trying to keep updated! I wanted to write about our adventure traveling here. Me with two kids... I've done it before, but Mason was a baby last time, and this time, he's much more... mobile. So, we got to the airport at ohhh 8:30ish I think. We got all checked in and our bag checked without too much trouble. Then it was me and the kids, a stroller, two carry on bags, a diaper bag, a backpack and my sanity... to start with. We were, of coarse, at the FARTHEST gate possible. A30. So we get to security and it actually goes pretty smoothly! But then they needed to check my back pack, and he took EVERYTHING out, opened every package I had inside of food and toys just to be sure and then after about 10 or more minutes of us standing there and Mason screaming he finally stuffed everything I had organized meticulously back in to my bag as haphazardly as possible and we were finally on our way! So we start walking to A30, decide to take one of those walking sidewalks, where we are scolded by an angry flight attendant for taking our stroller on (even though she easily passed us with her bags). So we couldn't do that anymore. So we pass A1-29 on our trek and finally make it to A30 tired and sweaty... where the screen says gate moved to B10... seriously?!!! We just hiked to the farthest corner of the airport! So we had to go to the exact opposite side.. no moving sidewalks even though we passed 4.. BUT we got there and I got the kids out to play while we waited (our flight was also delayed). Eventually we got our gate moved again, but not too far this time, and a very kind gentleman helped me get there by wheeling my carry-ons.

So we finally get on the plane, find out seats and hope that nobody sits by us!! haha but somebody does, she is a cancer patient and is doing treatment. After boarding is complete she politely asks the flight attendant if there is another seat somewhere else because the last thing she needs in her life right now is to sit beside two kids on a 3 hour flight. So, we have a row to ourselves! Perfect! My hopes are high and I'm thinkin it is a piece of cake from here on out! So the flight actually wasn't that bad in my opinion. My kids didn't cry or scream out or misbehave much at all! Mason didn't go to sleep despite being very tired, but he was still happy, so that was ok. ANYWAY, I'll shorten up this long story. The lady in front of us was a witch. She insisted that Brenna was kicking her seat incessantly (she was mostly just wiggling her tray, but I get that that can be frustrating) so I moved her over and put Mason behind her... to which she turned around multiple times and made loud noises of anger and frustration. The middle seat in their row was empty and I was about ready to give her a piece of my mine (which takes A LOT) and tell her to just move over if she can't bare it anymore since I can't move from the middle seat without losing control of my kids, but the flight ended and we were finally getting off. This lady though went out of her way, she stopped where the cancer patient ended up sitting and LOUDLY exclaimed how lucky she was to have gotten away from sitting near us since we were extremely annoying and rude and painful to sit by.. everyone on the plane heard her. I had half a mind to find her and tell her all of my very angry thoughts at that point, but I didn't see her again... lucky for her.. haha. Afterwards all of the other people sitting around us assured me that my kids were amazingly well behaved for a 3 hour flight and not to worry about her, so I tried to let it go.

So we arrived and we made it through the marathon maze through customs, baggage and finally out to family! What a relief! I had Brenna pushing a cart with all of our luggage on it while I guided it at the other end while pushing the stroller.. people were smiling and laughing at our awkwardness, but I felt like we were actually doing pretty good! haha And it's so good to be here and have the hardest part behind us!

5 Years!

Our 5 year anniversary was on the 14th! It sort of passed by a little more uneventful that usual because I am here in Canada, and he was at scout camp! I actually almost forgot about it, but Jeremy was so good and remembered and we even got to talk on the phone for a little bit despite spotty reception and distance. I have been thinking a lot since then though about the last 5 years and how much my life has changed! I have been thinking about our dating process and engagement, life in the early stages of marriage and life now, and how it changes all the time! I have also been thinking a lot about how much I love Jeremy!

My sister said she was looking through her old e-mails a while ago and found some from when I was dating Jeremy.. they are pretty funny. I will give you a little taste from just after our first couple of dates (which were all in one weekend):

... I went on a date last night guys, and he is soooo cute! He's 6 foot 3! and he's got the nicest smile and he's so cool! I'll try and send you a picture. He's so cute! ... But, my date with Jeremy was so exciting! We went to a concert of 
Ryan Shupe and the rubberband. I was worried that it'd be boring, but it 
was honestly the coolest thing I've ever seen. These guys were AMAZING at 
what they do! And they even played the devil went down to georgia and holy 
that guy can fiddle. Man, if they are ever in Calgary, I STRONLY recommend 
you guys go. They are so entertaining to watch too. They do jokes and 
sometimes funny dancing. AMAZING! haha loved it. Yesterday I fell down 3 
times though, I don't know what was wrong with me! They weren't just like 
little falls, they were all like face-plants on the cement. My goodness. 
My knees are just little balck and blue and a litte red... it's not pretty. 
Once in front of Jeremy too.... so sad. ... LOVE YOU!!

Love,
Lana

That is totally unedited except for shortening it down a bit and taking out parts not about Jeremy.  haha so there you have it, I was smitten from the first date I guess!  And I still think he's sooo cute!  haha and the falling down stuff I included because it's one of my most embarrassing moments that only those who were there can vouch for... haha Jocelyn, do you remember?  It was bad... 

Anyway, That's it!  Happy 5 years to us!  And to 55 more!  haha or even more because I just realized I plan on living past 80!  

My parents went to the Calgary Stampede tonight while I got to go and catch up with my old friends who I love!! I had a great time, and am home early and thought I'd keep this up to date while I'm away! Here's some catch up photos. For the forth of July we went to the Goodyear Ballpark and had fun walking around and seeing the fireworks. Brenna was in heaven with her cousins to play with, as usual, and we had a good time, even though we stayed out WAY past the usual bedtime for the kids!

I know I put pictures up of this skirt already, but here are better ones where she is all dressed up and ready for church! I really like the idea of this skirt and I think I will make more!

Oh, and this is a flower I made to tie the shirt in with the skirt since we didn't really have anything to match!

And we can't forget about this handsome dude!

That's his new "Cheese!" face.

Jeremy and I were able to go on a date night at the very last minute before I left and we had a nice time and are very grateful for our babysitter Sister Conover! I always ALWAYS forget to take pictures on date nights, so these are very late, and it started ok, but quickly got goofy and not attractive, so I am only posting two... haha

Three for Thursday!

I am going to try this again this week since first of all it's so fun, secondly some people liked it, and thirdly, I TOTALLY won last time which was exciting! I don't expect a prize anymore, but I am up way early and thought it'd be fun! Here we go!

Three confessions:

1. I am up super early even though everyone else is still sleeping because I woke up and couldn't stop thinking!

2. I confess that I have been possibly a little irrational and emotional lately and it may be true that hormones are the cause as my husband so sweetly suggested.. haha

3. I blame it mostly on getting ready for a long trip though which is so exciting I could burst, and also a little sad and a lot stressful because although I'm no perfectionist, I have a TON of things to do including packing which first I will have to cut down my pile of clothes for the kids and I by like half, which for some reason is the hardest thing for me to do!!! I almost want to cry deciding which of my kids clothes have to be left behind despite their cuteness and possible use! (That is a little extreme maybe, but I seriously need someone to just be like yes to that and no to that for me)

Three things I do to beat the heat:

1. Go to the splash pad... like a lot.

2. Not do my hair, ever. I use the excuse that the longer it stays in a wet mess, the cooler I'll remain.

3. Not mind that the kids have freezees and frozen treats in the afternoons.

Three lessons, skills, or new tricks I have learned this past month:

1. To make totally awesome Key Fobs for all my friends and family... don't want one? TOO BAD! haha

2. Walmart has certain surprise days where you get an additional 50% off of the clearance priced items... seriously, $50 for a whole new wardrobe for both kids.. can't beat it!

3. Always bring an extra pair of undies and bottoms... no matter how potty trained your kid may be.

Three things that motivate me to be a better person:

1. My kids... and all those scriptures about you better teach them right or their sins are on your head... and the promise that if you do they will remember. That's good motivation!

2. My husband

3. Others who are good examples to me and make me realize I can do it too!

Three things I would do if I wasn’t “Mommy”, married, and burdened with cares:

1. Go do errands alone and take as long as my heart desires!

2. Want to be a mother, a wife and burdened with cares

3. Exercise more.. I swear! haha

Three people I call first:

1. My husband.

2. My mom (and sisters)

3. My friend Evelyn who moved away but is sometimes the only person I can think of that I can talk to about stuff! Thanks for calling back last night, seriously, so happy!

Three weird eating habits...
1. I am getting better, really, but I REALLY prefer to eat in sections.. eat ALL of the fries before starting on the burger, or finish the veggies, then the chicken, then the mashed potatoes... I don't really like mixing it around, but I'm getting daring and sometimes I do it!

2. I say I don't like cheese, but it's not true... Cheese and I just have a complicated relationship. I don't like just eating cheese plain, or ANY type of processed cheese (such as nacho cheese, kraft singles, cheese whiz.. yuck!) but I love melted cheese if it's real cheese and not a weird kind. I hate cheese on sandwiches though.. Jeremy always gets double cheese at subway!

3. Same with chocolate. I don't like chocolate cake, pudding, ice cream, AT ALL. But I don't mind chocolate bars and the occasional fruit dipped in chocolate. So I say I'm not big on Chocolate, and I'm not, but it doesn't mean I don't ever want to be around it!

Three things that make me cry:
1. Being happy

2. Being sad

3. Being scared

Three things I’m going to accomplish before the summer is over:
1. Finish my sewing projects and put away my machine so Jeremy can have the office back... actually the deadline for this is tomorrow but hopefully today.

2. Travel to Canada with two kids successfully and have an awesome time there, and arrive home safe and sound and not too melancholy. (maybe with a mom or sister or something stuffed in my suitcase to ease the transition!)

3. Teach Brenna to put her face in the water and maybe even dunk... maybe even swim, but I'm happy with the first stuff.

Three pictures

I decided to look at some old ones this time since I don't have my new ones uploaded to the computer yet, and I'm glad I did.. It was a gold mine! haha

This is my parents...in highschool I want to say? Correct me if I'm wrong, but how stinkin' cute are they!? I love that they have these pictures of them together when they were younger, and I love the styles! Couldn't love you more mom and dad!

This is my awesome Grandma and Grandpa Smith at a past reunion. We are having one this summer and I'm excited for it and especially for the famous Smith Idol! This should give you a taste of the raw talent and the high bar we have for our numbers... Can't wait!

This is reminding me of the importance of sunscreen even in Canada because I don't want my whole body to ever look like this again! Or especially my kids!

Brenna Singing Tangled

Yesterday I found Brenna in Masons room with her cousins. When I looked in the lights were off and a little black light lamp was the only light in the middle of the room... oh! I take that back, they also had a spotlight on this black light. They were all three sitting around the lamp, and Brenna was singing the Tangled song "Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine...". It was too funny. She sang the whole thing straight through and was actually pretty accurate with the words! I was surprised she knew them all! Anyway, I tried to have her recreate it for a video, and this is what I got. You will have to turn the volume way up since she's singing so quietly, and it's not great because she was so excited to be on video that she kept getting distracted, but it's too funny!