Lynlee Mae Smith

We would like to introduce the newest addition to our family! Lynlee Mae Smith was born at 3:58 pm. She weighed 6lbs. 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. She has been very calm, and has really only cried when she took her first breath. Since then she's been relatively quiet, but alert.

She learned to suck her thumb! She hasn't done it since though. :)

Grandpa Layton with Lynlee

Grandma Layton a.k.a. "The Baby-whisperer"

Our little family, just minutes after Lynlee was born.

All of us with Doc. Harward. He's rockin'.

Lynlee after her first bath. She's laying under the baby warmer here.

After her first bath, in mommy's arms.

This One's For The Kids

Bill is on his two week rotation, at Kadlec, of 24 hour shifts every other day.  As it turns out, he is on his last 24 hour shift on Christmas Day.   Bill will be spending his day with other women who's babies don't know what day it is and will do what they want.  We will celebrate together on Christmas Eve and I'll go to the hospital Christmas Day in hopes that there isn't much going on.  We have our stack of classic DVD's that we will watch and we'll enjoy our time together in Bill's 5' x 7' sleeping room.  At least there's a big, new TV there.  They have planned a potluck so I think it will be fine.  A little different but fine. 

So,..........knowing that Bill would be gone every other day,including Christmas Day,  none of the kids will be home for Christmas. They have expressed concern that I have decorated for Christmas and how some of them miss the traditional decorations that they like. 

This one's for the kids.

 Since I wasn't going to hang all the stockings on the railing, I mentioned to Bill that I would like to get new stockings for us. We've had these for over 15 years and I made them when we had little children.  I planned on hanging the stockings on the mantle and thought it would be fun to have grown up ones.  Bill wouldn't have a thing to do with it.  These stockings are tradition.  What would it be like to have new ones?  We need the ones that have the memories.  So, there they are - - -old as they are but full of memories and tradition won out.

We all love a white Christmas and yesterday might have just fulfilled our desire.  Abbie wanted pictures of the snow, so this ones for her.

NOW!!!!!!!! LAST BUT NOT LEAST..........I have another little girl to shop for.  Baby girl Smith is coming in the next four weeks and I couldn't pass up these holiday sales to supply her with festive wear next Christmas.  Can't wait to see her in them.  Well, I want to enjoy the time between now and then so I'll keep my eyes open for fun things to buy in the meantime. 

 It's fun to have something to look forward to after Christmas. So excited for the new little girl to make her debut. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS KIDS    We love you.   Mom and Dad

Century Ride - - - - and 30 mile ride.

We went to St. George, Utah to watch Dale and Leisa, Dane and two of their friends (who happend to be brothers and their last name is Smith) participate in a bike ride.

The boys did a 105 mile ride  - - - taking 5 hrs. 55 min.  Leisa did a 30 mile ride - - -taking her 2 hr 2 min.   I was so disappointed that we missed Leisa's finish by about five minutes so I didn't get any pictures of her at the finish.  She was able to get a shower, eat and rest before the boys finished their ride.  What determination. 

BEFORE

DURING - - the 5th guy in front, tagged along for company.  :)

AFTER - - to me they look as fresh as when they started.  This was about 5 minutes after they finished.   Way to go guys. 

If You Fix It, She Will Come

When we built our home, Bill wanted a work shop in the basement so he could use his woodworking tools.  It soon became a 'catch all' room - - -so I asked him if I could have part of it to create a playroom. 

No problem with him and so I got started.

 There was a natural built in beam in the room to make the division.I had a plan and was excited to execute it, with a little help from a friend. (Amanda)



Now we just needed someone to come and play..........AND our first choice was sweet little Ella.

 The little lawn chairs were made for my girls ,when they were little, by my grandfather.

The metal door was painted with chalk board paint.  So fun.

My Dad built the little cupboard for my kids when they were little.
 






Grandpa's birthday was coming up.  What better time to have Ella come and play in the new play room?  She flew into the Pasco airport and was so excited about all the things at the airport and the suitcases and our car etc etc etc.

Ella had the best time playing in the playroom.  She loved it and asked often if she could go play in the playroom.  It got used alot.

She loved sitting with Grandpa and playing bed on the fireplace hearth.  She was so cute to watch play using her imagination.

She wanted to help Abbie wash Grandpa's car.  She was a big help.

The only bad thing about having Ella come was that she had to leave. We could have such a great time if they lived closer. We just want to see her more often.

Thanks for coming to visit for the week, sweet little Ella. We love you.

Just Like the Old Days

On August 14, Dale participated in a Triathlon in Park City, UT.  Bill and I wanted to be there for support and to share in the excitement of the event.  And........so we did. 

It was 46 degrees out when we took the shuttle to Jordanelle Dam, where they would start with the swimming competition.

Leisa was by far, Dale's greatest supporter.  She was so cute with her excitement as he would complete each event and start with the next one.  You just can't help getting caught up in the excitement of a sporting event as you see the athletes compete and know the preparation that took place to be there. 

Getting the bike ready before starting the swim competition.

Dale was in the third group of swimmers to swim.  He looked as natural as could be in the 72 degree water.  Nothing like adrenalin.

Getting started on the biking part.  There was a long, uphill climb ahead of him.   In the meantime, we took the shuttle back so we could see him finish the biking and start the running part of the triathlon.

Finishing the biking and getting ready for the run.  His timing was so good up to this point and we were all so pumped for him. 

Starting and.......................

                               ........finishing the running. 

Competition medal, proud wife Leisa and tired athlete Dale.

We were all so excited when Dale finished the race.  We were all chatter boxes, asking him questions about how he felt, telling him what his times were after each events and just plain proud.

                                He took second in his age category.

It warms my heart to see the accomplishment of someone who trains and prepares for something.

Bill and I loved watching our children participate in sports when they were in high school and this brought back the feelings we shared for many many years.  We wouldn't have wanted to miss this for anything.  Bill used his iphone to send videos to our daughters so they got caught up in the event long distance. 

Aren't families great?

GRANDPA

After our trip to see Ella for the 4th of July, Grandpa became her new favorite person.  It's no wonder why?

                            He took her where ever he went.

He always let her take Dolly with her. 

         He took her for walks - - - one time going from store to store to find some sunglasses to buy.

                       He played with her at the park.

                                  He took her to the wading pool

And, to top it all, he bought her a seat to go on the back of her mom's bike.

Who wouldn't love Grandpa best if he catered to your every whim? 

He caters to mine and that's why he's my favorite.