It's Reading Day...

What does that mean?

Potentially it means:

finishing my term paper

writing up my final reports for my therapy sessions

studying for exams

FINALLY updating my blog

cleaning the house

shopping for Collin's birthday

organizing my life

Most likely it means:

watching a lot of Quantum Leap...yep, Hulu it

video-chatting with Markee

ordering make-up online

sleeping

eating crap

making the house more dirty

never getting dressed

Check back later to see what I ACTUALLY use this day of bliss for. Also, still to come are my pictures from Thanksgiving and my concert. I've had so much fun stuff going on lately and NO time to tell you all about! It will come though, it will come.

Get The Party Started 2009

The Christmas season has officially begun in the Smith home. We kicked off the holidays with

*breakfast for dinner

*making advent candles

*burning our candle while reading a Christmas story

*buying a tree

*hanging the first ornaments

*blasting Christmas music

*and all the while, wearing our most comfy Christmas P.J's

Welcome Christmas!

Before (we had scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, stuffed french toast, and bacon)

During

After

The latest addition to our family; General Willard P. Wallabie (if he's a boy) and Precilla Ash Wallabie (if she's a girl). Yes, we know it's HUGE. We overestimated the size of our house.

Making our candles.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Wear It Like A Label On Your Breast

Today is my very best friend's birthday. We're getting old. This last year has been a year of trials for Markee and me! Okay, not really trials but it is the first time in our whole entire lives that we have gone more than a week or so without seeing each other. She now lives 1,038 miles away and I haven't seen her for months. It's killing me. All I can say is thank heaven for video chat. I feel like I can at least get through the day and I won't miss Nash growing up completely. With all of this distance between us she still is and always will be my best friend.

Mark,

I hope you have the happiest birthday of all the birthdays. Sorry your birthday present to me was 3 days early and your present from me will probably be 3 days late. Kind of telling of our whole lives. You've always been on the ball, and I'm always just one step behind. But guess what, that's how we roll and that's why we're best friends! I love you so much and I wish we could go to dinner tonight, or have a sleepover or something. But since we can't, I just hope you have the best birthday in the world! You're the best!!

-Ash

P.S. For last year's shout out to Markee go here.

P.S.S. Stay tuned for pictures from our "Get This Party Started" holiday kick-off, happening tonight at The Pool House Le Smith.

I hope

I hope you're all enjoying time with your families and not checking out blogs, BUT if you are, go visit the sites below for some fun, inspiring thankful lists! We'll be spending our Thanksgiving in Utah this year. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Rockstar

My Awesome Sister In Law

Lovely Alex

P.S. A VERY happy birthday to my daddy! I love you!

...my lips hurt real bad

Today you will be graced with the presence of Mrs. Whitney Vance. The first time I met her, I knew we'd be friends. I think you'll all like her too. Here's what she's thankful for:

I am thankful for...

Bath time: Zach takes Presley and I get to get things done without a little stinker pulling at my legs.

My bed: Seriously our bed is the bomb dot com. Not even joking. Its like paradise.

Technology: I feel like I need to start singing " yes, I love technology. Not as much as you you see..." It keeps me connected with family members that dont live close and with friends who I dont get to see often.

My family: I truly have the greatest family ever. We are all "I Love you" Whores. We say it to each other atleast 3 times before leaving the house. Its ridiculous but just in case I want them to know I really do.

My calling(primary chorister): I prayed for this calling. I was in primary before as a teacher and the chorister was seriously lame-o. I love that I can teach the kids music which is one of my passions. Plus- They sing so good now that they actually learn the words. Who wutta thunk?

Zachy-Poo and Miss P: Life would be boring without them. They both make me laugh constantly. They make me so happy. And I cant seem to take my eyes off of them.

See? Isn't she cool?

...somtimes when I leave the house, the curling iron comes to life

My amazing friend Kate graces us with her thankful list today. Be inspired.

today i am thankful for

hot chocolate

sharp cheese

matching pajamas

landons beard

my record machine

and, really good lyrics

all the time i am thankful for

my marriage

the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints

music

my relationships

love

opportunities

a new day

and, my mother.

Thanks, Kate.

..as long as I'm living

One of the people I am thankful for the very most is my mother, and here is her list of things she is thankful for:

To be an American

Family

Health

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

A home

To still have her Dad alive

The holidays

Obedient children

I promise I didn't add that last one in there, she really said it! I love my mamma and I think her thankful list takes me back to the basics and the things that really are important. Enjoy.