SMITH SUMMER ROAD TRIP No. 1!!!! The first!!! Utah to Casper

We left on a Saturday in early June. We were READY for anything!!! The car was packed full of camping gear, food, supplies, tons of books, and everything else we would need for a gigantic incredible cross country road trip for a family of 5!!

We dropped Dottie Dot off at the Kitty Hotel,  and headed OUT OF TOWN. 

The point of this trip for us was to bond as a family, to experience new things and places, and most importantly to visit family and friends we hadn't seen in many years. This trip was FULL of cousins of all ages, catching up, building relationships, and instilling in our children our love of travel, new cultures and peoples, and love of finding beauty in and gratitude for all of God's creations. The kids did amazing. Collin and I only had 1 argument!!!!! And we all learned so much about each other and about our beautiful country!!!!



 

Raintree/Buttonwood Block Party 2018

Collin and I decided when had tons of cool people in our neighborhood and that we wanted to meet them or get to know them better. People hardly go outside these days and hardly get to know each other. We asked friends, Marin, Jo, and Michelle to be on our committee. They all agreed and we met a couple of times to ask questions and plan it all out. Everyone contributed and it was so much fun working with them. We passed out fliers all over the neighborhood!!! 

We had it in Michelle's circle, across the street and a little over from us. We had a wonderful turn out, everyone brought yummy food to share, and we had a fantastic evening together, making new friends. I love our neighbors so much. They are all unique and good and have so much to give. The kids had an amazing time with the other kids!

Collin with Semina and Michelle

roses from our garden. 

We brought them and Hattie gave them to Semina

Memorial Weekend in Spanish Fork

Gathered in Spanish Fork, UT, for the first time in many years with the Fred and Connie Money family to hear and tell stories, honor our dead, teach the younger ones about life and family and make new memories together. This time, as an adult, I found myself valuing these stories more than ever, meeting new people, and hearing sides of the stories that had never been told before. It was also a time of healing a renewal, humble realization, and reaching outward to make amends. 

AND OF COURSE, WE, the Alan and Sandy Money Family, had one excellent time together in a beautiful rental house my mom found!!!!!

 

 

Fred done with Kindergarten!!

We have LOVED our Kindergarten year at Granite Elementary and with Mrs. Genesi!! Fred has learned so much, including learning HOW TO READ! It has been magical to see him so ready and eager to learn. We have had ups and downs this year but on a whole, we have had positive growing experiences as a family and as parents. We have learned to be proactive in our teaching. We realize the importance of play. Collin and I both spent a lot of time volunteering in the classroom.  We will be moving on to another school next year and are very excited. We will always cherish our times at Granite.

Harriet's last day of Preschool, 2018!