He's a goner!

I feel very welcomed by my new community. They like to hang around my doors to say hello when I take the trash out at night, and try to keep me company when I'm finding that inevitable missing box in the garage. One even gave up his life in my laundry room when he tried to pass the pesticide barrier. (Poor Fred) I'm talking about the native insect community. Cockroaches.

Prior to moving, I've only seen them at the zoo. Behind glass. Contained. Now they're crawling around my yard and garage. They're not welcome. So tonight Glen introduced me to two new ones he met in the garage and while he stood there looking at them, (Really, Glen?) I sent the whole roach community a message to get out. I picked up the nearest thing (Glen's gas can for the mower) and crushed one of them. The other roach ran like hell. I didn't even get to ask him if he felt lucky. That's right. Run before I find another object to kill you with.

On a happy note, I'd like to thank my friend Kandy for her incredible pesticide spraying skills. Not one cockroach has broken the barrier she sprayed and made it in my house! Maybe I'll thank Glen after he sprays the barrier next month. Or kills a bug instead of looking at it...

Limbo!

We are in limbo! All our "stuff" is in Las Vegas. We are staying with family and friends this week while the boys finish their last week of school.

Shortly I will be sending all you wonderful family and friends our updated address and phone from our new home!

Love you all!

The Smallmans

Home Sweet Home

It's our last week in our Sandy, UT home and I'm getting sentimental.

I'm sad to leave because:

1. I've been in love with the valley and mountain views from my house since the first time I came here.

2. Matthew and Emma were born here.

3. Glen put his sweat and blood into replacing EVERYTHING in this house (yes, even the kitchen sink!).

4. I love my garden areas in this yard. (finally finished most of it!)

5. I feel loved and comfortable in the community of friends and neighbors here. (the reason I cry every 3 days about moving from here)

All I can say about why were moving is: inspiration. Glen and I feel it's right to move although none of it makes practical sense.

It's feeling less like home as everything goes into boxes and we sell the things that we can't take with us. (i.e. the swingset)

Here are pictures of our kids having one last early morning play with it before it was dismantled and sold!

(Note Emma's

shoes: she put

them on herself,

on the wrong

feet!)

Our temporary home will be around the corner for a few months while the kids finish school and Glen waits for a transfer.

Our Home Sweet Home in Las Vegas, NV. (The kids still aren't sure that the pool makes up for leaving their swingset.)

I'm confident that there are great experiences in store for us in our new place!

For Sale!

House for sale. Love the house, love the yard, love the valley view, love the location, love the neighbors and friends, love the church, love the schools. Feel inspired to move to LV, NV anyway. House for sale.

Sick, on 2 levels!

I hate it when my kids get sick. Matthew has had a horrible cough and high fever this week. After keeping him home from school for a few days and it only getting worse, he finally said one afternoon, "I need to see Dr. Witt NOW!" When do kids ask to see the doctor? Does that ever happen? I did catch this pic of him in a cozy spot on the rug under the table. He looks so sad to be sick.

I found Emma in the kitchen this week making toddler hors d'oeuvres: Cheerios with a light spread of Smart Balance in the middle. I once caught my nephew Michael eating a stick of butter and thought it was hilarious. I'm so sorry for laughing then. It's truly sick!

Happy Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Most of our time was spent at home together with movies, games, baking and eating treats. We kept our tradition of seeing the lights at Temple Square on Christmas Eve, and although we've been going for 8 or 9 years, we have never taken pictures. This year Emma was so happy with the lights and huge nativity that she was crying and screaming "Baby Jesus!" as we left. Cute, and embarassing!

Ethan's Matchbox build-a-pirate-ship was his favorite gift.

Matthew's fav gift was his batmobile, batcopter and "bad guy" set.

Emma loved her princess dress ups.

Uncle Richard, Auntie Julie, Meg & Bleddyn gave Ethan and Matthew Nerf ball guns. All of us got in on the combat fun! Emma got a Cinderella barbie, but I don't have a picture of it...

Nana & Grandad sent matching Man Utd sweatshirts for Glen, Ethan & Matthew, a talking, dancing Dora doll for Emma and darling yoga clothes for me.

We ate a big Christmas turkey and trifle for dessert! YUM!

Happy Christmas!

Ahoy Thar Mateys!

Ethan's 7th birthday is coming up and he wants a pirate party. In January. With snow outside. Which means a bunch of kids inside. Glen suggested inviting Ethan's friends over for pizza and to watch Pirates of the Caribbean! I'm worried their mothers wouldn't appreciate that. Any help/suggestions are appreciated!!!

(Aren't Ethan and Emma on their makeshift teeter-totter pirate ship cute?)