Some new pics

Here are some shots of Lauren & Krys sledding...Christmas...and Lauren shoveling the drive at Mike's house, such a sweet kid. What stinks is that right after she finished, it had already snowed over her job!

Oh, the things they do to me...

I just don't know about my Aunt and cousin sometimes. I come over here, and all they do is put funny hats on me....keep flashing some bright thing in my face and making funny noises? Just what is it these people are thinking? Maybe if I make a funny face....okay, that's what they want!!! These silly girls are so easily entertained!!

2 down-2 to go

Lauren performed with the childrens church choir, school choir and now has two shows left this coming weekend. We're winding down. We're hoping everything goes smooth for Saturday and Sunday...guess we should just stop worrying over what we can't control!!! Easier said than done:)

The last pic is of Lauren chatting with Abigail while she does her "tummy time"

At one point, Abigail had brought her face up real high next to Lauren, but I missed it. DARN!! It was so cute, like they were just staring right into each others big blue eyes. I'll have to watch for another photo opp...not too scarce around this house. It seems I alway have the camera on them.

First concert of 4, starts tonight!!

Lauren has been busy practicing with the children's choir at church, and also the 4th/5th grade choir at school. This evening the kids will be singing as part of the adult choir at church. Then tomorrow evening (after a LONG series of reschedules) the school choir will have their concert. I am so excited!!! Lauren really enjoys singing, I'm sure I'll tear up:)

My grandmother and I are going to do a bit of Christmas shopping today, so I'm excited for that!! This has been a long weekend, they get longer it seems each time Lauren is gone. Friday night, had dinner and went to a concert which was the BEST yet of the series. Sat I had an appt to list a house, and the drive back from Independence was filled with sliding cars, freezing rain and snow. For someone who usually isn't a nervous driver...I was terrified!! Last night I had a couple firsts on my list!! I framed a window and a door...and used a nail gun!! Scary, Shannon with a nail gun:) Oh, and helped assemble a table saw. Okay, truthfully, I read the instructions, but still....I'm sure I was a great asset:):) (if my mom reads this, I'm sure she's laughing now)

Anyway...wish us luck for Lauren's series of concerts coming up this week. I'm sure she'll do great!!!

Field trip today

Today Lauren gets to go with the 4th/5th grade choir to sing at a couple nursing homes. Peanut put on his Christmas sweater to get some pics with her. (we're not nuts...the dog doesn't have a seasonal wardrobe) She said they had great reaction from the residents. I'm sure it made their day!!!

Cancellations, ice storms, yet the show will go on!!

Well we got the ice!!! No school today. Lauren made tornadoes with food coloring in old pop bottles. She played on her dance mat game that Paula had gotten her a couple years ago. We were kind of stir crazy so we took out the dog and both of us wiped out on the sidewalk!! Needless to say, we've been inside since:)

The choir concert has been rescheduled to Mon the 17th, still at 6:15. Paula and I baked yesterday, complete with mixing colored frosting...which looks like will have to be re-done on Sunday!! Hopefully 3rd time is a charm, and this show will go on!

Let it snow, Let it snow

It's here!!! Lauren told me this morning she hoped it would, and here it is!! The first time this season snow is actually coming down...I had to go out and get some pictures of it for her. Probably not the smartest thing I could've done, but I did!!!

Well we got out all of our invites for the school choir show and also the church one. Hopefully everything turns out with both!! Lauren is really excited! We found out last night at church that our preacher likes cream cheese frosting for cake, so we are going to make sure we have that in case he makes it to Lauren's school program!! She told me to make a special plate just for him and Mrs. Seaba...such a good kid!!

Enjoy the snow...hopefully we get a bunch:)

Lauren twisted my arm and she got to sled down our hill one time. She just had to get out in the snow!!!

At least one happy moment documented for today...

Monday Monday

We got through another gassy baby-screaming at the top of her lungs night!!! Actually, I may be stretching it a bit...not so much the gassy part though. Abigail came over yesterday early and got a bit upset. She wouldn't take any food, so I kind of let her work it out on her own...she cried herself to sleep. She slept for about an hour, and woke up in alright spirits. We went to Kayla's program last night (Lauren's cousin on the other side) and the baby was fine until the program started!!! I had to walk her around outside of the gym for a bit. Once we went back in, we sat toward the back close to the exit, I hit the chair and the kid filled her shorts!! Not only did she fill her shorts, she covered her back!! And there were sound effects!!! So we made our graceful exit and cleaned up little miss, new outfit and all:)
Lauren got news yesterday that her choir performance has been moved up a couple days. She is so excited that my Grandmother may be able to make it now!! We have sent out our invitations to friends/family and we're pretty excited. Lauren loves having shows, so I'm hoping we have a good turnout. I already got the stuff for the cupcakes...so we'd better have a good turnout!! Now I have to figure out how to cram everyone in my place!!! May be interesting:)

Look at Josh and Val Manthe's blog

Be sure to look at www.thrilla-in-manila.blogspot.com

Josh and his family are in the Philippines. There is a link to the Ellen show to nominate a family to be brought home to see their loved ones for the holidays. Even if you don't know them, send in a nomination. They have two young girls and I'm sure would love for them to see their family at Christmas. Strength in numbers...the more noms are sent, the better the chances!!!

Other than that, slow weekend. Just helping my grandmother gear up for Christmas and her surgery.

Watching Abigail tomorrow night...always fun!!! Hopefully she'll be gas-free...sorry Paula...had to put it in there!!! I held her this evening in the nursery at church and she was REALLY unhappy for a few minutes, then we worked out a large burp and the world was good again!!! Watch out kid...nobody will think it's so cute as you get older, trust me:)

Everybody cross your fingers for our church choir performances. Lauren has been working really hard, and I really want her to be able to attend. All we can do is believe she will, hopefully everything and everyone will come through.

A Sick Day:(

I am not happy aboutbeing sick. But on the bright side i can stay home, and relax and not worry about math because i am very tired and do not think i can focus. And i keep on messing up on typing (that ussaly does not happen)and i think it is kind of wierd that i am.
I went to a basketball game last night and i made a friend her name is cheyanne. She is very nice. chris and i played trash-can basketball with her in the back corner of the gym and afterward we got dairy queen. And i got vinnila ice cream with rainbow colored sprinkles (like always) i used to just get vinnila by itself but then i tried sprinkles with it and loved it so now i get it all the time but sometimes i still get plain vinnila to bring back the same regular ice cream taste. And remember you dont want to miss my choir performance at HE school thursday, december 13th at 6:15!!!

LONG day!!!

Okay...I'm going to take a turn at this...took me a minute to get this far!!! Long day today, but good. I had a couple appts for work that I have a strong feeling about, stopped by to see my sweet niece Abigail, then once Lauren got off the school bus we went to a 5:00 basketball game. So we thought...David is the son of a friend of ours, he is in the 7th grade. Tonight was his first game, and he was nice enough to invite us. SO, we got there on time and it was so neat that he came and sat with us before the game started. BUT...he told us that he was playing in the last game, which made me wonder just HOW late is the last game? Oh, started around 7!!! Kind of a long wait after a long drive sitting on some gym bleachers!!! He got some playing time and did a great job. There are some really talented young kids, made me wonder how my parents used to feel watching us all participate when we were younger.
It's past bedtime..have a great week, I'm sure Lauren will have to update on Thursday after choir practice.

Day 1

Hi my name is lauren elizabeth smith. My mommy and i are creating our first blog, to keep friends and family updated.
I am a 9 year old 4th grader. I am in a brand new school. it is very big. i love it and i am sure if you went or go to school there you will and maybe you do like it. i want to get into gymnastics i go to awanas and i have a new baby cousin. her name is abigail louise smith she is very cute and very loud. she wets her diaper way to much.
i started choir in school this year and it is awsome we have our fisrt trip and concert on thursday december 13th so dont miss the concert at 6:15 at mill valley high school.so dont miss it!