Hooray!  Spring training '09 has arrived!

Lonnie and I had a chance to get to a game on Saturday, with some friends, and it was great!  It was little warm for February, but it was pretty nice overall... 

We watched the Mariners and the Giants - what a gorgeous day...

Poor Travis was in South Dakota where it was 6 degrees!

Players signing memorabilia and what not - I think that's nice...

Really!  It was snowing somewhere at this moment!  

Me and the brother... 

Hopefully we'll have more games to add before the end of March.  

A Happy Home!

We invited some friends and family over to officially break our house in!  It got a little crowded at times, but it was a fun...

...for everyone!  

Kash, Izzy, Cooper, and Emma had a kids area set up on the balcony.  Despite the face seen here, I think Izzy had a good time.  They all seemed to get along really well... and the house is still standing.  

Stevie enjoyed the spread... he's very good for my hostess ego.  He and Eric got all the good stuff first.  

Travis, LeRoy, Dick, and Patty are chilling in the living room... should have taken a picture of Travis' baby ~ the T.V. 

Not the best shot, but I mean really... Trish with Emma on her lap!  Awesome.  

It's a party! 

Kisses for Bubbie! 

Gunnar found the best seat in the house... 

It was a very fun night and a good test for future parties!  See you here soon! 

Gunnar Octavius Smith

I will try to keep this abbreviated...

Gunnar came to live with us on January 17, 2009.  He flew by himself from Kearney, Nebraska.  We've been waiting a long time to get this guy from my Uncle Norman and he was well worth the wait!  

So, as my camera has become crowded with pictures of his every adorable move, I will do my best to keep you all from getting tired of him (I'm also going to pretend that is possible). 

Here he is in his crate (not cage) with Alice.  

He is the cutest little sleeper... I have plenty of action shots too, but the sleepy pics are so perfect!

Okay~ I'm done for now! 

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2009!  

Travis had a game in Prescott Valley on New Year's Eve (why does this seem so familiar... moving on) so we decided to celebrate up there instead of trying to make it home in time for midnight.  We had a really good time despite having only about an hour to get ready to ring in 2009.  The pic above is the Court House in Prescott - crappy photo, but it's such a cool building.  

Your on ice crew for the evening... nice photo boys.  

Mike (on the left) and his posse found us the perfect spot to celebrate.  With our cover charge we got a cocktail, access to a coveted bathroom, and ringside seats for the dozen or so fights that broke out in the bar - all included!  Score!    

Oh - we had to get a picture of this get-up.  Do you think she noticed we were talking about her?  Probably not.  This was taken between bouts...  

So sleepy!  

This was in the elevator of the Hotel.  I think this is my BEST self-photo ever.  It's what Travis gets for always trying to ruin my photos.  After the bar we hung out with everyone until the wee hours.  The cracker barrel we had the next morning was sooooooo good.  Can't believe I didn't take a picture.  

2009 is looking good!   

Merry Christmas!!

Travis and I were lucky enough to have three Holiday meals between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  You would have thought that we would be sick of eating, but neither one of us complained...
Isabella is hanging out with her Uncles Lonnie and Travis ~ just waiting for the time to open presents... or eat!

Ah yes... presents for the kids and mayhem for the grown-ups.  Batteries, directions, small pieces... lovely!  Dad, DeWayne, and Chad look like they have it under control.  

The Smith Family tree ~ we didn't have one this year, but we're all set for next.  Hooray! 


More gifts!  


The Chefs getting ready for meal number 3... yum!  

Merry Meatball Nine!

Here's the story: When my very good friend Karie and I were living together we thought it would be great to have everyone over for a little Holiday Happy Hour - we made some cheap snacks and put most of the money towards a keg (naturally - we were in our twenties!).  The party was a success and the meatballs were a huge hit - some people tried to eat them while they were cooking, they were so popular!  A tradition was born, and we've had a Merry Meatball Madness holiday party every year since.  Now you know...

 

There they are... the famed Meatballs.  No they don't come in different flavors - just 'Marvelous Meaty Meatball'.  No complaints yet! 

Ah -

 The traditional mother/daughter photo.  My moms - Patty, Me, Karie, and her mom, Gail.  Next year will be ten years of MMM, and we will be trying to get all the photos together.  It will be awesome, I'm sure. 

What an all-star shot!  

Steve and Tony discuss something captivating in the background while beauties Britt, Kyndee, and Trish talk about... possibly Daughtry? 

Look who's all warm inside with the M&M's, Dorito's, and Java

That is the lovely imprint of Sonji's beautiful face.  It's not a party until someone runs into the door, gets gum in the carpet, attempts to steal the keg, or spills red wine...  one out of four isn't bad for one year.  

Trish LOVES that sweater...

Sometimes a hug can heal anything.  That looks like a good hug.

ASU v. UCLA

There she is... Sun Devil stadium!  Okay, this family is clearly confused.  It was already cold, the sun was almost gone, and they were putting up the E-Z up... for... shade?  They weren't doing it well either.  Good entertainment for a couple minutes.  

I went all out for Lonnie's birthday - Barro's pizza, brownies, and cupcakes!  Travis is of course eating the veggies(?)!  Can't believe he married me...

  

The UCLA game was Senior Night for our little Sun Devils... we're going to really miss our Mike Jones!  Go Devils!