Polar Bear Club!?!?!?!

"Who lets their kids swim OUTSIDE when it's 30 degrees out???!!!! WHO would do such a thing???? Those parents are ___________ and ____________ and definitely ________!!" (Feel free to fill in the blanks!)

I guess that would be us.... :) For the record, I will elaborate on the above insanity:

1. They are taking swim lessons! Apparently the dead of winter (yes, it's cold even in California in the "winter" time...) is the best time to find an opening and get them in. Ya think?? We've been wanting to get them in lessons at this place for awhile now and when the opportunity came up, we grabbed it!

2. The pool is heated to 80 degrees. And the locker rooms that they swarm to after their 1/2 hour swim lesson is up is a balmy 85+ degrees.

3. They LOVE it! And after only 2 1/2 weeks the older ones are swimming half way across the pool! Mission accomplished!!!

4. Ya'shar is the easiest one to spot. He's the only kid in the POOL with his hair still DRY.

5. Almost makes me wanna go swimming with them, too. Almost.

University of Maryland School of Law!!!

Been an exciting few days around here... David is moving to Baltimore, Maryland! Lots of excitement in the Smith house! Lots of packing and shipping and shopping and planning, and lots of thanks and gratitude for prayers answered fully and completely, in God's timing and in His way. God, You're so GOOD!!!

So since David's been going to school in either Florida or Southern California for the past 5 years, we've spent a lot of time discussing the weather and laughing about what a culture shock THAT is going to be! The pictures are some that I downloaded of what his law school looks like normally, and what it probably looks like now! We've been digging out hats and gloves from the years they were in Chicago, a place who's winter weather probably puts the east coast to shame, so if he can survive there I'm sure he'll be fine anywhere! And he bought his first pair of long johns. :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their New Year celebrations!!! With all of the latest news, I'm enjoying a week off with everyone and hoping it goes super slow! I'm battling a rotten cold, one that I'm hoping won't latch on to anyone else...

Stay tuned for more adventure-updates next week!!

New Year's Eve Fun!!

What a fun day!! Love love LOVE hanging out with my girls and trying new adventures! We had a little lunch by the fireplace in the Snoopy Cafe before we tackled the rink! I really love coming to this place - it's so fun and full of energy and especially during the holidays it's decorated so beautifully, like you're surrounded by Victorian chalets!

Rea had gone skating with Daryle and I once before but she was only four and she didn't really go enough to get the hang of it. Today she and Ni'ke were both FEARLESS, which was part of our problem, and will also probably be a big part of the solution! Problem being they wanted to "do it all by myself!" and just GO, they'd take off and not wait for me and I'd find them 15 yards away doing the splits, intermittently clinging to the siderails and charging out into the middle of mayhem. (I couldn't stop myself from visualizing one of them falling and one of those fast little zippy boys on speed skates flying by and slicing off their fingers. I'm sick I know, but I'm also a mom. *sigh*)

Anyway, the SOLUTION being that they were so persistant to keep trying and WEREN'T afraid to fall, that they actually starting to get the hang of it after a short while! But boy, are our rear ends sore. Ironic how if you're sore or injured you're supposed to ice it.... Hmm.

Good times and great memories! Can't wait to take the BOYS!!!!

Baci - "The Date Night"

Baci (BAH-chee) is this great little Italian restaurant in Healdsburg that opened back in April. (My friend, Giuliana, took me there a few months ago and I loved it!) I've been trying to find an opportunity to take Daryle there for ages, so last night was the perfect time to road trip up and have a great meal! (Baci means "kiss" in Italian, by the way!) Always love going to Healdsburg - was cracking up because in their town square I saw a Christmas tree, a palm tree, and an orange tree, all standing side by side! Only in California...)

Besides their awesome food, tasty lattes, and delicious desserts, I'm also obsessed with their wood burning stove, where they make their pizzas. It's just so cozy and homey and charming!! Like a magic Kiebler oven or something, you just know whatever goes in comes out amazing... We had a wonderful time, and Daryle really liked their food. MUST go back!

Anyway, "the date night" was a blast, we're grateful for any and every rare opportunity to have each other to ourselves for a few hours! Rea called 4 times to check on us and see how "the date" was going. When she asked me yesterday what a date was, I told her "It's when Mommys and Daddys get to go hang out together and laugh a lot." She asked if we were going to an eating place, and I said, "Definitely so." And then the inevitable question: "When will I get to go out on a date?"

Not for a reeeeeeeaaallly long time!!!!

The "Insta-Styler"

So I was upstairs getting ready to go out with Daryle and I hear someone "tap tap tapping" on my bedroom door. It was Rea, wanting to come in and watch while I got ready for "the date night." (I used to do the same with my mom when I was little - it was completely fascinating to see her poof her hair into her usual up-do on top of her head, and if I asked really sweetly, she would even sometimes make my cheeks rosey with her little brush!) :)

So Rea was watching me curl my hair, and she said, "So, is this the date night? Because that's what it says on the calendar."

"Yep," I said. "Daddy and I are going out!"

"Well, I think you should get one of those OTHER things to do your hair."

"What thing??" I asked.

"You know, like what they have on TV," said Rea, gesturing frantically with her hands, simulating some kind of mysterious hair tool.

"I really don't know what you mean," I said, perplexed and racking my brain for some 4:00 A.M. infomercial.

"It's called an Insta-Styler," she announced, "And you should get one. It'll really help you."

"Is that so?" I said, trying really hard not to crack up. "Well how did you hear about this Insta-Styler?"

"Oh, I saw a commercial for it. They're so cool."

"Well thanks for your great advice, but I think I'll stick with my curling iron."

So out of total curiosity, I googled the "Insta-Styler", and found this little gadget called "Instant Hair" that must be what she was talking bout. You can carry with you anywhere, it fits in your purse, and it DOES heat up instantly! My little fashionista just might be on to something....

Happy New Year's Day COUNTDOWN!!!

Every year at this time we get excited to celebrate all that the NEXT New Year promises, and even though we don't "do" anything special, there's always an air of fun anticipation. Usually football is involved. Often, I'm working, but this year I'm thrilled to have Thursday and Friday off, and as usual, I've planned and schemed and prepared and packed a lot into those few days. Must maximize!!!

So tomorrow is Day #1, or #3 if we count DOWN.... And my hubby and I are going on a date. We have no idea where. Not sure even really sure when. But it's tomorrow. We'd be thrilled just to go have a plate of spaghetti together and look at each other all googly-eyed across the table.... David's watching the little Smiths, and the big Smiths are goin' out!!! Stay tuned!! (Did I mention it's been about a year and a half??)

Hot Chocolate & Board Games!!

After my awesome husband let me sleep waaaaay too long yesterday, I got up and our fun evening activities began!

(And yes, EVERYONE stayed in their pajamas ALL DAY LONG!)

My children are now addicted to candy canes in their hot chocolate. It's unheard of to drink it any other way. And you HAVE to have whipped cream AND "smarshmallows" in it too of course, and a spoon to eat it all with, and then there's the straw. It is one BUSY cup of cocoa! But I have to say I like the candy cane too, since my new favorite creamer is peppermint mocha. YUM!

I have the BEST memories of playing board games as a kid with my grandpa on my dad's side. This man was a whiz at every game you can think of and loved to entertain and teach us new stuff. Usually it was checkers or Rummy or Uno - another one of my kids's favorites! So I thought Sorry! would be a great one to try for the kids, and after dinner we set it up! After a very loooooong game, I learned three things: 1. Ya'shar is a ruthless little board game player. 2. Rea should become a lawyer because she can talk anybody out of or INTO anything. 3. I really love hanging out with those guys!

My new seafood gratin recipe that I "guinea pigged" on my family turned out great! Cooking and baking and trying new recipes has really become a fun and relaxing thing to do to unwind and also involve the girls, who are such a huge help. Today we're making Chex Snack Mix in the oven! I thought this would be a fun snack to have while we drive down to San Jose today! I love the smell of it baking.... Aaaahhh! Makes me miss my Grandma though!!! :)

Been up since 4:30 this morning, so it promises to be a long day! (Night shift syndrome strikes again!) Hope to make the most of it and pack a lot of great memories in!

Merry Christmas!!

Blessings to you all from the Smith Family!

I'm just randomly posting a few pictures this morning - I'm "fiddling" around with my blog and trying some new back grounds! (Yes, a few family members are missing from this post - the camera-shy rascals...) :)

I should probably be sleeping, but after just getting home from work after a 5 day stretch, I just didn't want to waste a moment of it by sleeping! Sorta silly, but I can nap later... For now I'm enjoying some breakfast and R&R with my loved and lovely ones!

Rea had a high fever the past few days, so will most likely just be playing some games with the kids and watching football and baking today. What is it with the crazy flu bugs around here!? I'm praying everyone is healthy and well tomorrow since we are planning to be in San Jose with our friends/church family there.

Earlier this week Daryle and I took the girls out for lunch with us and the boys stayed home to hang out with David (they are currently highly enthralled with Play Station 2). We took them "running around" with us, which is what we call those days when we have a bunch of random wierd errands to run that take 3-4 hours and you still feel like you haven't done anything productive. I actually relly enjoy those days, and to have them with us for a fun meal felt like a treat! They loved having mom and dad all to themselves too!

Ya'shar was very cooperative in posing for me outside - I decided to try to re-create the outdoor shots that the photographer did for the other kids' school pictures, but they didn't look quite the same... :) I made copies of my pictures at Target and sent them along with the other ones' pictures in some cards, but somehow his were all strangely-sized! Ah well.... next year they will all have identical pictures!

I'll post some more captured moments of our adventures from this weekend later next week! Off to squeeze in a nap before football starts and the energy-level around here quadruples!!

Hark the Herald Angels Run 2010

I should know better.

I KNOW that I like to take pictures. I'm a freak about it, actually! I love the online journal/memory-keeper that is my blog, and next time I do something fun, I WILL take my camera!! These pics are from the event photographers website, and I'm so glad that Envirosports does this!! But bummer on no random fun candid shots.... NEXT TIME!!!!

OK, now that that's done... :)

I'm just so disappointed because it was such a unique and fun place to run! Gorgeous! I wanted to capture every moment! I've seen Angel Island a zillion times - every time I cross the GG bridge.... but have never been there, and it's so much different that I imagined! There's a state park there, and visitor center, you can rent bikes or segways and explore all the scenic trails..... AND our event registration covered the chartered 20 minute ferry ride there from Tiburon! So cool! Definitely have to go back.

Loved the company, Jen and Tammy! You guys are awesome and I'm so glad I went with you!!!! Good road trip chats!!!

I have to say, this last run really kicked me over the edge into "I'm sorta addicted to running" land. The hype of an event or race is definitely more fun than dragging yourself out for a jog after working all night, but the end result is the same. You feel good and it wasn't THAT bad.... :)

So we had the option of running the 12K or 25K course (12/25 for Christmas, get it?? I didn't until the day of the race, duh.) Anyway, I ran the 12K course (which is 7.4 miles for those of you that are like me, incapable of thinking in metric terms.) My time was 1:40, which clocks in at a 15 minute mile. Not super great, but I have to remind myself that this was a TRAIL run, very similar to the Napa Valley run that I whined about last month. Lots of mud and rocks and tree roots and HILLS and downed logs and did I mention the MUD?!?! Way cool. Flat runs are certainly better for my ego, timing wise, but really??? I'm just having a great time!!!

So much fun in fact that I'm scoping out my options and strategically planning for my first half marathon next year. Gotta pick one, or two or three! I've managed to drag David into running the Resolution 5K Run with me on New Years Day here in Santa Rosa now that he's home from college! A nice quick flat 5K - GOOD!!!! Really looking forward to that, mostly for the company. :)

On other notes, all is well here. It is good to have David home! His flight was over 2 hours delayed getting in this past Monday due to storms, but he finally made it. We're still waiting on final plans for where he'll be in the spring, and trusting in God's timing and provision. I think he did nothing but sleep for the past 2 days.... Remember how college and finals just WIPES you out??!! I remember now...

A nasty flu bug, the first for our house, and hopefully the last, hit us over the weekend. UGH!!! NOT fun. Rea missed school Thurs and Fri and I thot she was better, but ended up having to keep her home again today. Even Daryle was down and out and he's NEVER sick.... Ma-lak was sick too on Sunday, and they all just ended pasing it around. Still not convinced "it" wasn't a touch of food poisoning though either. I detest McDonald's, let's just put it that way, and they are indefinitely banned from our household!!!! Probably a combination of both and the latter didn't help.

The kids' last day of school is this Friday - that came fast!! Really looking forward to having them home and things slowing down a bit, as always. The girls are LOVING helping with lots of baking and cooking, such special times together. The boys are now experiencing the joy of Play Station 2, thanks to their big brother! How do those little guys pick that stuff up so fast, but they hate to sit down at the table and figure out their math?? The age-old question...

Blessings to all of you, wherever you are, close or near to us this year. Our hearts are with those of you who are grieving the recent tragedy and losses in the Ohio area, our prayers will continue to go forth. Travel slowly and safely and ENJOY every little moment you can wrestle into holding still!! (Good luck with that - my how time is flying!)

Hope to get some pictures and cards out before too long - we'll see!

Love to you all!

Sheila and Gang