polar express

the whole smith fam ventured out to williams, az to board the polar express. we watched the movie on the drive and got the boys geared up to meet the big man himself. santa was the real deal, the kid sitting in front of us pulled on his beard to be sure :)

long drive?... yes.

cold?... yes.

worth it?... yes.

why wait

you know the book, "Oh, the Places you'll go" by Dr. Seuss?

you know the part about the 'waiting place'?

people just sitting around waiting and waiting unable to really live life.

when kamryn started sleeping through the night i had a surge of "what am i waiting for" thoughts.

as in...

i want to organize closets, i want to get better at making dinner consistently, i want to have more fun with my kids, i want to redecorate my house, i want to refinish old furniture, i want to host more parties... WHAT AM I WAITING FOR?

in honor of turning a "why wait" leaf in life, we threw a party.

i am certainly glad we did, because how else would i have a pic of griffin, brian and sonny looking so sensitive? and tyson looking like he drives a windowless van. how else would i have learned the potential of my miniature backyard?

not sure how kicking off the season could have been anymore fun.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

what a night...

expect an influx of pics documenting this night, but for now, just 2.

first, my wish for you all

and second, how many hideous sweaters can you fit in a photo booth? ... a lot.

if i accurately expressed my gratitude to everyone i want to thank you'd be skimming a "blog novel" (cause you know blog novels are never fully read)

so i'll keep it simple.

i have great friends who all really went the extra mile and looked AMAZING.

i am friends with a creative genius, who is thoughtful, kind, giving and drew is in love with her.

i have a mother-in-law who trumps all others. seriously.

i have a husband who did a triathlon the morning of this party, checked everything off his to-do list and grew the most perfectly ugly mustache of all time just to fulfill my ugly party dreams.

lucky gal i am indeed.

thank you thank you thank you!

grateful...

sandy fry anyone?

can i get a bite ty?

mickey and my boys.

funny faces.

reagan & ty

little indian boy, "mow mow pow pow..."

happy birthday drew. you look cute in ty's size 18 mo. tee.

kamalama found her tongue.

drew is 3. he is so funny. i love that kid.

guest blogger

hello friends,

i am 3 months today.

life is good.

my mom loves me like crazy.

it probably helps that i sleep through the night.

i think she likes that.

a lot.

xoxo, kamryn

Tyson's 1st Triathlon

I am proud of Tyson.

This kind of athletics doesn't come with the glory and camaraderie of a team.

It's just you and your own determination.

He worked hard and he did good.

400 meter swim

10.3 mile bike

3 mile run

sad i missed a pic of his cheer squad. the boys yelled, "go daddy, go daddy, go daddy" the entire time : )

he finished 38th in his division.

can't look at those pansies a second longer...

but i could stare at this little one all day :)