EASTER 2013

This year we celebrated Easter mostly on Saturday.  The day started off with us meeting up with our favorite family photographer and capturing our family at its finest!  Seriously didn't realize how difficult getting 3 wiggly kids to sit down and look at the camera would be!  But we persevered and am sure Katrina got at least one with everyone looking!  More to come at a later date!

After, we headed to an awesome Easter party thrown by a family in our ward that has an AMAZING house with an even cooler yard.  There were a TON of people at this party, but didn't seem all that crowded.  WORST mom of the year award - I didn't even pack my camera so no pics.  The kids had a blast petting/feeding goats, shooting a bow and arrow, looking at horses and cows, and of course the Easter egg hunt.  We bailed before the food part since my kids were close to losing it and best mom of the year  I forgot to grab Mika's bottle.

The festivities continued once everyone had a nap - we had the traditional Smith Family Easter meal (ham, cheesy potatoes, asparagus, and rolls), played Pin-the-Tail on the bunny, and had our own egg hunt.

On Easter Sunday I was on an airplane to Seattle to visit Justin's uncle in order to get a root canal the following day.  The girls had super cute dresses that I was sure to lay out and I even did Taija's hair before I left, but there was no pic of them.  Not to worry - we will get one at a later date!  Justin spoke on Easter Sunday and recruited the help of a cute couple in our ward to watch the kids.  Easter is such a fun holiday that we at times get caught up in the 'worldly' celebration, but the true meaning of Easter is never forgotten.  Our Lord and Savior was resurrected on this fabulous morning so many years ago - an event that changed everything.  How grateful I am for a Redeemer who paid such a high price in order to conquer death.  Such a glorious event to celebrate.  Happy Easter everyone!

MIKA turns ONE

My baby is ONE!  I can't believe it!  While this year was probably the hardest one of my life I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  Mika has been such an easy baby.  Sleeps through the night, pretty easy going, and LOVES her mommy and daddy.  Except for the scare she gave us at the end of January she has been really healthy too.  She is now walking 10-12 steps in a row, trying new table foods each day, and holding her own against her siblings.  Mika is probably my most clingy baby in that she still doesn't like us to walk out of the room without her, but as long as we are somewhere nearby she is content to pull herself up on everything and play with her toys.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this little one, but am so glad that she is a part of my family.  Love you Miss Mika Mookers!  Happy 1st Birthday!

Stats - 17lbs 15oz & 29.5 inches long  (long and skinny)

DELAWARE

I forgot to post this early and I am sure most people know by now,  but since this is a scrapbook of sorts for our family I wanted to make sure it got posted.  It's official - Justin matched for his Pediatric Residency at the Alfred duPont Children's Hospital in Wilmington, DE.  We are so very excited!  My poor kids are going to freeze this next winter!  But what an amazing part of the country to live for a period of time and be able to explore and enjoy the history of this country.  There is still a beach fairly close by (if you consider an hour and a half close) so this summer we will definitely explore.  We will be moving at the end of May following graduation and a week long vacation at the beach!  We are so very excited to be close to some of our family - Reiko, Bryan and Ari live in the D.C. area (so do my cousin Becky and her family as well as Justin's cousin Brinton and his wife) and Justin's cousin Margaret lives in Philly.  Here's to a NEW adventure and being one step closer to finishing school!

Alfred duPont Children's Hospital

DISNEYWORLD

This past week my brother and his wife as well as my sister and her daughter came to visit!  It was so much FUN!  We LOVED having them here.  We spent time at the beach, went to Disneyworld, and went to the Braves spring training game!  The kids had a BLAST and so did the adults!

My mother's uncle Dean lives in Orlando and totally set us up with the BEST tickets and all-star treatment!  We were able to park up close, rented strollers for free, and he got us park-hopper tickets for both days we spent there.  He was so generous and we are so grateful to have been able to meet up with him!

First day was spent at the Animal Kingdom

 In the Africa section they had some awesome musicians! They even let the kiddos play along

We were able to go on this awesome Safari Tour

 The second day was spent at the Magic Kingdom!  It too was a BLAST!  But sadly my camera died after the first ride and meeting with Ariel!

Family BEACH day

The first order of business when my family arrived was to take them to the BEACH!  Reiko and Ari came in the night before, but we literally picked Unc and Auntie Tina up from the airport and took them to our favorite place here in South Florida!