one year and a 4mo old later

A year ago today we celebrated the marriage of a very special couple. My sister and Dave's brother. There are not very many couples I know who have the kind of love this couple has. (they're more like Dave and I than they care to admit) :)

I've had many, many conversations with Casey ending in happy tears because neither of us can completely explain how much loving our spouses hurts. Literally. And I can't begin to explain it here either, but Casey... you know what I'm talking about ;)

I'm thankful every day for Dave, and I knowwwww Casey and Jake are both thankful each and every day for finding each other. It was meant to be.

After a year of marriage and an adorable little man, their family has begun. I can't wait to see their love and marriage grow stronger through the years.

(these are photos I took at their wedding and never shared... sooc)

Congrats on your yearrrr anniversary!!!

last week of summer

Last week was our last week of summer, obviously. We spent the week relaxing, starting a new routine of going to bed and getting up earlier, and then we threw in a night at the fair to see Little Big Town play Pontoon. This was mostly for the oldest 4 and they were beyond excited :)

nutritious ;) snack/dinner before the show

Tayt didn't understand why the band wasn't playing Pontoon on repeat (like Dave does...)

Dave and I had a spontaneous date night the following night to see Neal McCoy. A friend of a friend gave us free tickets to be in the 'reserved' seating so we were all over that. and many thanks, friend! We had seen Neal in concert many years ago while at Country Jam... I think... and he puts on a GREAT show! Well worth the free tickets ;) and I'm going to say it, I enjoyed Neal's show more than the previous night... sorry!

Neal McCoy is notorious for leaving the stage and coming right out into the audience. Literally within feet of us.

If I were a better photographer, I would have got this clearer. Dave was speedy though. You can't see it well at all, but here's Dave slapping high 5 with Neal McCoy.

right behind us talking with fans

After this last week and weekend before school started I was feeling okay about sending the kids back to school. There must be some mission they have to drive me completely insane the last week... but then Tuesday after the holiday came and I was sad to see them go. It's been quiet here with only two. Most would call me crazy, but I like the craziness sometimes. I'm sure I'll get used to things being a little quieter, and then there's always that baby that should be here in a month that will liven things up a bit :) Hope everyone's first week of school went well. More to come on our last weekend of summer and the first day(s) of school (sooooooon)!

absent

After a long weekend camping and relaxing and an even longer break from blogging and emailing and all that goodness, I'm back. I apologize for the pause in blogging buttttt it felt good. Now back to your regularly scheduled Smith's :)

steam show to spark show

I didn't think I would say this, but I'm glad the weekend is over. I overestimated my abilities this weekend and was quite exhausted by Sunday. I thought I was going to be able to handle more serving time and enjoy more quality time spent serving with my crazy favorite neighbor. Not so much. I was beat. It did not help that I was not feeling the best the entire weekend. I would have liked a lot more extremely greasy, fattening cheese curds. And ice cream. And I completely skipped the cotton candy. But the shaved ice was a reasonable alternative treat.

Aside from not feeling well, I had a pretty good time. Walked through the flea market enough to purchase a nice, old rolling pin and a vintage camera.

my view for about 10 minutes of the weekend... I'm too slow :)

 one of many steam engines

 something they called the "spark show"

 enjoying Megan's Jeep on our drive out to work Sunday... easily pleased

 every year after the show is done, SBM puts on food for the workers and steam show friends

...usually anyone and everyone gets more of a share than the workers...

Thankful this only happens one weekend a year, but enjoyed it just the same :) until next year Steam Show!