The Hap-Hap Happiest Christmas Ever!

Christmas 2008

Our first Christmas as the Smith's!

We loved every minute of it! It always goes by too fast but having a day with each other was wonderful! We are thankful to have each other and look forward to many many more Christmas' together!

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

Sunday was my sweet Lindsay's birthday so here is her late shout out!
Lindsay has been a very dear friend to me for eight years now (in Jan)! I can't believe how time flies! We began our friendship by playing at WAMU when we had no customers. She is also the one who introduced me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have played and cried a lot together... we've been Siamese twins for Halloween, shared my first Thanksgiving and Christmas together, been the best and worst roomies ever, but all in all, the very best of friends. She has always been there for me when I needed her, lifted me up and helped me become who I am. I will forever be grateful to her for her wonderful example she has set for me and will love her for all eternity.
Check out her beautiful family and amazing life!

http://lindsaybangart.blogspot.com/

Thank you for being by my side on my special day!
I love you Lindsay!

Kiss Kiss

Saturday was so fun! My best friend came over to play and be crafty. We made our own version of mistletoe. You’ll have to use your creative mind, it’s a ball of kisses... get it? Mistletoe! It also looks sort of like a medieval battle mace, but it’s WAY cuter!

First we went to Michael’s to get our supplies: foam ball, ribbon, paint, and brushes. WARNING! Do not go to Michael’s unless you have hours to wander and look at everything they have on sale and all the cute Christmas decorations! We were there way too long. Then we went to Target, another danger zone full of fun stuff, to get the kisses. We each used three small bags, this is because we picked out only the red ones.

Step 1: Paint the foam ball red.

Step 2: Hot glue the ribbon in two directions.

Make sure you leave enough at the end to use to hang the finished product.

Step 3: Hot glue the kisses all over.

Step 4: Hang it and find someone to kiss! MUAH!

Thank you Collie for a fabulous fun day!

Mesa Arizona Temple Lights

Over Thanksgiving weekend we visited the Mesa Temple to see the amazing light display. They have thousands and thousands of beautiful lights all over the grounds. We enjoyed our hot apple cider and I bundled up in a blanket as we strolled around. The Temple has a magnificent spirit and the sweet spirit of Christmas adds to the warm fuzzy feelings you get when you are there. I have a special place in my heart for the Temple and I encourage you ALL to go see the lights. If you need a ride or just want some company I’ll go anytime! The lights are only here through December 31st so you better go see them soon!

Here are some pictures to get you excited to go!
http://www.christmastemplelights.com/

Mesa Arizona Temple

I love my cute husband!!!

Spencer, Corissa, Kierstin, Mesha, Sterling and Jacob

Tree hunting

Monday night for family home evening Spencer and I went tree hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. We started at the nearby tree lot where there were almost too many to choose from! They were very pretty but too big for our living room. Off to Lowe's. It was dark and there were only about eight trees in the whole lot. We were a little worried till we saw it! We found our tree! We checked out and loaded it in the truck. It needed a little more trimming once we got it inside but quickly it was up and decorated. It smells wonderful and feels like Christmas!

I Know

I know that I have a Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me. I know that He sent His beloved son, Jesus Christ, to earth to teach the people His gospel, perform many great miracles and ultimately give Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. I know that Jesus Christ was resurrected and now reigns with our Heavenly Father. I know that if I live worthily that I can have the companionship of the Holy Spirit at all times to confirm righteous choices, give comfort and testify of Truth. I know that I this life is my opportunity to be tested and tried to show my faith and also to learn and grow. I know that I can, with my loving husband, return to live with my Heavenly Father once again. I know that families are forever. I know that Spencer and I can have a forever family and that our marriage will continue to the next life. I know that the Plan of Happiness is for all of us to enjoy. It will give us strength and hope for whatever the future may hold. I know that my Father in Heaven hears and answers my prayers and I have felt His sweet spirit wrap me in comfort and give me peace.
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have and for the testimony that helps me and keeps me strong in difficult times and for the hope, peace and joy it gives me.

Eire' Leigh - Four Years Old

Has it really been four years already?! Our sweet little Eire’, we are so blessed to have you in our lives. You bring smiles to our faces every time we see you! We love that you love hot sauce on everything you eat, spiders because they eat the bugs and bees because they make honey and you like honey! You are awesome sweetie. We love you so much!!!

Our Beloved Elder Wirthlin

“Some of the happiest people I know have none of the things the world insists are necessary for satisfaction and joy,” said Elder Wirthlin. “My life has been filled with adventure, spiritual experiences and joy that surpasses understanding.”

June 11, 1917 - December 1, 2008
I loved hearing his fabulous stories from his football days. Elder Wirthlin is a great man with an even greater heart. I will miss him but I know that he is at peace with his dear wife once again.

Their wedding day - May 26, 1941

“I wish I could engrave on every heart what I so keenly know and feel,” Elder Wirthlin said. “I bear unwavering testimony that our Heavenly Father and His divine Son, Jesus Christ, rule and reign, and that we must all understand that the gospel is everlasting. It is forever and applicable to all, and each of us is to be held accountable.”

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

Prayers please!

Justin and Susan were in Spencer's ward before they were married in January of this year. They are both so fun and full of life and love! This year has been one of tests and trials for sure. Please read their blog http://lemonademakers.blogspot.com/ to catch up on their journey. The name is so fitting, Lemonade Makers, they've been given challenges but have endured through everything. Susan and Justin need your love and support. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

We are so thankful!

We have been so blessed this year and have so much to be thankful for. Some things we are thankful for... eachother, our families, friends, best friends, our home, the Gospel, our jobs, a Temple marriage, scriptures, family time, laughing together, the list goes on an on :)

This year we had family and friends over to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. We had a fabulous day, watching movies, eating good snacks, putting a puzzle together, oh and enjoyed a fabulous dinner!

First Thanksgiving as husband and wife.
Best friends!

Yummy dinner... mmmmmmmm!

The Smiths!

We have something to tell everyone...

Spencer really loved his turkey dinner!

Our cute niece Mesha!

Happy 6th Birthday Ariana!

We can't believe how big you are! It seems like yesterday you were a little lady bug and now you are a little lady! You bring so much happiness and joy to our hearts, we love you turbo!

Fun Days at Sea

We loved hanging out on the ship… there was so much to do and so much to see! We met up with our dinner buddies to take some pics around the boat. Our boat was kind of Greek themed, we even had the status of David. One night we went to a musical and another night we checked out the comedian. Fun times!! One of the best things about the ship was all the amazing food! It was NEVER ending food! The best food was the lobster tail and the filet mignon, best dessert was the warm chocolate melting cake! I wanna go back just to have the dessert again! We let the cruise line pick our room so we totally lucked out and got a ginormous room! We loved it! Our deck was huge… our room was huge... our bathroom was huge! We figured out that we got a handicap room and laughed so hard!

Our ship, the Carnival Pride

First morning, view from our deck

First formal night

That's our deck... it's huge!

Fun animal towels!

Maricachis came on board from Puerto Vallarta and sang happy honeymoon to us!

Second formal night with Roberto and Elaine

Fabulous fruit carving

This is our dinner table with Jerry and Noel

BIG bathroom
BIG room