Idaho in Autumn

We took a trip to Idaho earlier this month to attend Oktoberfest.  Unfortunately, I ended up flat with a bad back and couldn't attend the festivities.  I'm so sorry I don't have any photos from that event.  Hansen assured me it was a grand time, and I was able to have a plate of the food and it was delicious as always!  Eloise LOVED spending time with her cousins over that weekend, and then since I wasn't in any condition to travel, she got to spend a lot more time with Grammy and Buddy!  It was certainly a wonderful silver lining.  I'm so happy she was able to bond with them.  The only pictures I have from the week are provided by my Dad.  A trip to the Pumpkin Patch!  A big thanks to Mom & Dad for caring for us in Idaho!

Hawaii

We were able to take a DREAM trip to Hawaii over the summer.  Rees and KayLynn were celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary and gathered the entire family in Oahu.  We stayed at a beautiful home right on the beach, on the north shore in Haleiwa.  It was so beautiful!  Highlights of the week included Stand Up Paddle surfing, a trip to BYU-H (where I spent my freshman year!), unlimited beach access AND tons of great family time.  Many thanks to Rees and KayLynn for a beautiful week in paradise!

An Update

I'm finally sitting down to update this blog!  Just a quick word on 'new baby Smith' before I go on to report on other major events of the last months.  I am now 24 weeks pregnant, and we know now that we are expecting a BOY.  We are thrilled!  This has been a very challenging pregnancy for my body, but everything is going perfectly with his growth and development- and that's the most important thing so we are so grateful for that!  I'm so happy to feel him moving and growing inside of me.  I already feel I am getting an idea of who he is, and coming to know his personality and spirit.  It's truly a miracle.  Even with all the stress of this pregnancy, I already know it's SO WORTH IT.  We're getting very excited for him to be in our arms.  I'm currently having lots of trouble with my back which has inhibited my ability to walk, at times, and has made it very difficult to lift and bend (which causes great complications when trying to care for a toddler!).  We have been received so much help from both sides of our families.  I recently spent a lot of time in Idaho while my parents helped care for me and Eloise, and I am now back in California where Rhonda and Jasmine have come to stay with us.  They have been a tremendous help.  What would we do without family?!