Team Smith

Just when you think things are set, there they go changing again! It has been close to two years since our family started this Chicago adventure. In many ways it feels like I grew up again. We stepped way out of our comfort zone; leaving a wonderful community of family and friends. Matt was a stay at home dad for a little while. He'll have to tell you one day about the joys and challenges that experience brought! It feels like we left home and found ourselves, found each other. When it's just you, you really have to communicate. You really have to be on the same page and stick together. We thought we were already doing that. But this experience has shown us we were sheltered and had no idea what it really meant to be united, a team if you will ;-) At no point in time did we doubt our decision or each other. But I don't think we understood what it would feel like when he couldn't find a job for so long. Or when it would take more than an hour to visit new friends. ...

Let's Dance!

I know they aren't the best images. They were taken on my phone and I'm trying not to cough, so the picture is shaky. But, the cuteness still comes through! We do have a video camera from my friend Laura we've been using! We really need to convert that footage some day.

We really do need to do more videos of the girls. I love watching Savvy learning how to talk! Or watching Cass dance :-) The magic of technology...

Disneyland is magical. Especially when done on the cheap! Because we were going to be on the west coast, we decided to make the most of it and go on a family vacation with our friends the Richmers. We laugh so much when we hang out together and just genuinely enjoy each others' company. Plus, their parents were joining us too! We flew down, and they drove. Though we stayed at different hotels, it was easy to meet up and Matt and Kyle did our grocery shopping for the week! We had an awesome dinner with Ellie at the Jazz Kitchen where she totally spoiled the girls with plush winnie the pooh animals and the celebratory dinner. Most amazing double chocolate souffle I have ever experienced!! Just good home cookin' We also were fortunate to meet up with a friend of Matt's, Chris and his wife at Pomona College in Claremont. And visiting with our friend Juls was the best. Cass rode her first roller coaster. She rode it three times. She loved the teacups. She did not lik...

Our little Savannah was two months old in December! She had her first big trip and was perfectly quiet on the plane. She met her Aunt Kitty, cousins Gracie and Conor and got to spend some time with the grandparents! Cassidy had her first sleep over with Gracie! And Dr. Smith walked across a stage. Good times had by all! And a huge thankyou to our friend Vanessa for the box of hand me downs :-)