The longest day of the year

Just before midnight on June 20th was this year's Summer solstice and with it the longest day of the year. Coincidentally, just before midnight on June 20th I started to feel sick. I ended up rushing to the bathroom at 2:30 AM and continued throwing up periodically for eight more hours. Jeremy had the same stomach flu starting earlier on friday and we spent a miserable night together that night. Luckily he was a little better by the morning and could take care of the girls while I rested and got through the fever stage. I just kept wishing for the day to end! I must have had a 24 hour bug because as I went to bed at 11:59 on Saturday night I pretty much felt human again. It truly was THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR for me!

The only good thing about the day happened when Jeremy brought in my surprise. He had stripped my road bike of parts last year to build a bike for my brother-in-law, Jed. I thought my surprise was that he had finally got my bike re-built but instead he wheeled in a BRAND NEW BIKE!!!!! Maybe I was delirious from the fever or overly emotional from the lack of food and water...but the tears wouldn't stop flowing from my eyes. It's beautiful and it looks way too fast for me. I can't wait to take it out for a spin.

I felt really really bad though - my cousin Steph stayed with us on Thursday and she got sick too. Hopefully she's not scarred too bad from the experience and will come back to our house again. Her little girl, Kennedy, is two months older than Anika but they're actually pretty close in size. She had a TON of hair and is such a cutie!! Here's a picture of the two girls next to each other.

Happy Fathers Day!

Here's to all the fathers and grandfathers out there
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

We had a nice relaxing day. Jeremy's present was actually getting to race in Logan on Saturday. He did very well and got in the top 20. Jeremy is such a wonderful dad to our two girls. He's loving, fun, patient and kind (it reminds me much of my dad and his dad).

Jer and his girls


Here's Jer holding Ani

Four Generations of Women (Minus One)

My Grandma Smith was in town today visiting from Wendell, Idaho (yes, my mom's maiden name was Smith and I married a Smith...no relation though!) We took pictures of the three generations of women that were present; my mom wasn't there so she's the 'minus one'.

From left to right:
Suzy, Blake, Grandma holding Ani, Brandon, Avery and Anna


Here is Suzy with my Aunt Nip who is my mom's sister.
Thanks for visiting Grandma! We love being able to see you.

Guess who had a blowout? Sherrie helped me give her a mini-bath in the sink.




Here she is wrapped up in a towel after her bath.

Warm Weather is here!!

It's hard to believe it, but our baby is already three weeks old. She is still doing great and her cheeks just keep getting bigger and bigger.

The warm weather seems to have finally arrived. We took advantage of it by going to some parks and BBQ's over the weekend. If you'd like to see the whole array of pics from the past week, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lisasmithslc/SpringPics?authkey=WhoMWAfuWws

And my niece Carlie's Communion Picnic pictures here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lisasmithslc/CarlieSCommunionPicnic?authkey=nqU51g9Qlfw
Otherwise, here's a couple of the good ones.

Welcome little Gracie!!

My cousin (and best friend growing up) Sam had her baby on Mother's day. Welcome Grace Debra Ball. I'm so proud of Sam for conquering another natural home birth. She was my inspiration to have a home birth. Little Gracie looks beautiful and we can't wait to meet her. Check out her first day of life here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jonballphoto/GraciesBirth?authkey=ZHLyZKfSjps