Through the years

There are many, many reasons that I'm glad Vanessa came into my life. I could list them - but I won't yet (mostly because I know that as we get closer to moving and I become more nostalgic, I will probably be making that list). The least of these reasons is that she's an awesome photographer who has been working on perfecting her craft in the years that I've known her. I've thought she was an amazing photographer from day 1, but it's been really cool to see how her talent has grown.

She's been the official photographer of Team Smith for three years now and it makes me sad to think that this year was our last photo with her (unless we end up living within driving distance). It's been fun to see how our family has grown in these pictures.
2007 - I love Noah's face in this picture, it's my favorite. And I cannot believe how young Clayton is! My hair needs help, and we learned that Justin should always take his glasses off for pictures, but overall I like it!
2008 - I was about 13 weeks along with Josie and was trying to hide my bump in the pictures. I love Noah's hand in the mouth (so classic), and Clayton is so happy that you can't see his eyes (that's a serious kind of happy). Again, I love it!
I think though, that the 2009 pictures are the best of all.
The kids aren't looking here (ah, what's new) but I love the composition and background of this one.
Josie's face is killing me here - so cute.
Noah was such an uncooperative little stinker. Cute, but uncooperative. Notice how he's working on his Dana Carvey impression. He's practicing it in a lot of our pictures this year!
Me and my man.
Of course I have to throw in what, I think, is the all time best picture of all time! (Hee hee, love you babe!) Awesome
And the ultimate favorite:

Vanna, it's always a blessing to be able to have you shoot us! I think you are able to bring the best out of all of us. Thanks - you really are the best!

6 months!

Last Saturday Josie turned 6 months old! Where has the time gone!?! She has already outgrown the bouncy seat (although Justin and I refuse to admit it), she's rolling everywhere, trying her hardest to sit up, jumping like a kangaroo in her jumper, and recently has started getting up onto her hands and knees!! She's been slithering for a while so I'm anticipating the actual crawling to start any day! She laughs a lot (especially at Clayton) and we call her our scrowly baby because she screams/growls all the time - it can be a happy noise, a sad one, or an angry one depending on her mood. I feel like I blinked and she was all of a sudden really big! I hate it when that happens - why can't the stay small and cuddly and immobile just a little while longer...

So today she had her 6 month check up. She passed with flying colors! She's growing like a weed, hitting all of her milestones, and doing it all with style! She also got four shots today. She got two vaccinations, a regular flu shot, and an H1N1 flu shot. Poor baby. Saddest thing is, she has to go back in another month and get four more (two more vaccines, another flu, and another H1N1), poor baby. But she handled it like a pro. She was all smiles and flirtatious before the shots, crying daintily during the shot (those who have heard her cry really know how dainty it truly is - no joke), and then was back to smiles and flirting right after. That's my girl!
Here are the 6 month stats for Miss Jo:
Weight - 16lbs. 13ozs. - 75th percentile
Length - 27" - 95th percentile (because, you know, me and Justin are so tall)
Head - 42.5cm. - 50th percentile
She's starting to get a lot of chub. Mmmmmmmm!!

Once we got home, I decide I wanted to try a ponytail again. I know, I said that it would probably be a while before I did another one - but I just thought the first one was so cute and, let's face it, I couldn't help myself. This time I threw a bow into the mix and I am in LOVE with the result. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present, the new CUTEST (cutest) PONYTAIL (ponytail) EVER (ever)...
I had to put them all in because I couldn't pick a favorite. She's demonstrating how she can sit up all by herself!
Proving that a girl can be talented AND stylish.
Love that little face!
I mean seriously...have you ever seen anything cuter?
Such a big girl!
I can't imagine what our lives would be like without Josie. I sometimes don't think I can remember what our family was like without her! Love you Jo!

This kid also had a doctor's appointment:
His 3 year check! WHAT??? How on Earth did he get to be 3? I swear he's still my baby. His stats:
Height - 36.5" - 25th percentile
Weight - 31lbs. 8oz. - 50th percentile
He's slowed a bit with his growth, but he's healthy so we're happy. He got a flu shot and H1N1 today too. He was so brave. Took it like a man. Well done Noah! More on what he's been up to later.

Field Trip

Last week I was fortunate enough to chaperone Clayton's class field trip to Chapin Apple Orchard. It was actually the second field trip his class has taken but their first trip was to a play and there weren't enough tickets so they didn't take parent chaperones (sad). I was so excited to be able to go and when I showed up in Clayton's classroom, Clayton's face lit up and he got so excited that I was there. So worth it!

The day was cold and threatening rain so I was really worried about this trip seeing as how the orchard is (obviously) an outside thing, but the rain held so that was good. I was really grateful that I'd bundled Clayton up for the trip. He was so cute and so excited about this trip.
The first thing Clayton's class did was learn about apple cider and how to make it. We all got to drink some of their fresh cider. SOO delicious!

Next, they learned about apple trees. What it takes for them to grow, what they look like at different times throughout the year, how bees help the process (Mrs. Brown got dressed up like a bee to help the kids learn about the parts of a bee's body), and how they protect the trees in their orchard so that their trees are as healthy as possible.
They learned songs about apple trees and got to watch a hive of bees. Molly, their tour guide, was so good with the kids. They really learned a lot from her.
Clayton's class. That's right - his whole class. There was one kid absent. Apparently if they get more than 17 in a class it's huge. There is also a full time aid in each kindergarten classroom. I have to, once again, say how much I LOVE the schools out here. It's enough to make me wish we could stay here.
You could see some great fall leaves from the orchard. Yes, it gets really cold here, but I'm really going to miss the beauty of Vermont. I've never lived anywhere so picturesque.
Clayton loves his teacher. She is the perfect kindergarten teacher. On this trip I was able to witness how much she loves she loves all these kids - even though she's only been with them a month. If I can't be with Clayton all day, I'm really glad that she can.
Apple picking.
Clayton with one of his apples. The kids actually took the apples that they picked back to their classroom and saved them for a few days and then used them to make applesauce and apple muffins for open house. They were yummy!!
Me and Clayton.

We finished the trip by eating lunch at the orchard and getting on the bus just as the rain started to fall. I feel so blessed that I am able to do things like this with Clayton!

Marsha, Marsha, MARSHA!!!

Classic Noah 'Cheese' face.
Ever since Clayton started school, we've been having a bit of trouble with Noah. At first I thought it was just because he missed having his big buddy around all day. He seemed lost and it would break my heart. He didn't want to do anything. He didn't want to play outside, go to playgroups, or go anywhere really. It devistated me to see the way he would mope around the house, constantly asking me where Clayton was and when he would come home. I thought this was a problem that would resolve itself with time and made an effort to have his friends over more and to make sure he got to spend a lot of time around other kids.
His new 'Scary Monster' face.
After a month, I've noticed that things have resolved...sort of. Noah doesn't mope around as much which is great, but he's started acting out - and I am NOT a fan of it. Tantrums, screaming, hitting (mostly me and Justin - fortunately he doesn't seem to lash out at other kids), backtalking, etc. He's always been a stubborn, strong willed kid, but over the past few weeks Justin and I have noticed that he's becoming increasingly defiant and stubborn.
Driving a tractor at the Harvest Festival.
Justin recently diagnosed him with a wicked case of "Jan Brady Syndrome" otherwise known as "Middlechilditis". We started to wonder if he's starting to feel left out. Clayton's in school now so we all have to kind of revolve around his schedule. Plus he has soccer on the weekends and neighborhood friends who he is constantly playing with. Josie is, of course, a baby which requires tons of attention and scheduling.
He got himself in there and then couldn't get out. It was quite traumatic - until I got out the camera.
We decided that we needed to start having a weekly "Noah Day". A day that was devoted to Noah and doing things that he would enjoy. Basically, a whole day where Noah controlled the schedule and received undivided attention. So last week we started. Justin had the whole day off and spent the morning playing with Noah. Then he took him to the aquarium and to McDonald's for lunch. They were gone almost all afternoon. When Clayton came home, we made sure that Noah got to tell Clayton about his day. It was a huge success!
Justin and Noah on their way to the aquarium for the first ever 'Noah Day'.
This week for Noah day, we are having a few of his 'guys' come over for a morning of Halloween crafting fun and some delicious Halloween-inspired eats. I'm definitely open to suggestions for other possible Noah day activities.
Another picture of 'Scary Monster' face. It's my current favorite!
Even though it's only been a week, I've noticed a difference in him. Not a huge one - we're still fighting the tantrums pretty hard - but a difference no less. I'm hoping that, as the weeks continue and Noah can see and feel how much we love him and how special we think he is, things will turn around.
At Clayton's soccer game. He's a great cheerleader for his big brother!
He keeps me on my toes, that's for sure, but Noah is one great kid. He loves his friends and is kind and sweet to them, he never hesitates to tell me that he loves me or that he misses me when I'm gone, he has this infectious smile and this goofy personality that you can't help but laugh at (in the good way), he's protective of Josie and he idolizes Clayton, he's adventurous, he's smart and a fast learner, he loves to sing and has the sweetest little voice, he loves to dance and definitely has 'the funk', and I could go on and on.
Sitting in his typical 'Hurricane Noah' mess.
He and I have struggles together almost daily. I hope this phase will pass soon but in spite of that, I can't help but look at him and want to squeeze him. I have no words for how much I love him. So here's to 'Noah Day' - may it be successful in it's attempt to show Noah how much we love him and how wonderful we've always known he is!
Me and my sweet little 'Jan Brady'. I'm sure crazy about this kid. I love you Noah!!

Could you be...

...the most beautiful girl in the world!?!

I realize that I'm probably pretty biased but I can't help but think that this little girl is the most beautiful girl ever! I know her daddy agrees with me (she's already proven herself to be a die hard daddy's girl - we love it). She's going to be six months in about a week and a half. The time is going so fast. The last time we saw my family she was only three months old and she's changed so much since then. I wish we lived closer so that my family could see these changes in person but since we don't...
See how well she's mastering the Bumbo? She's getting very close to sitting up on her own. Any day now!
We went to a Harvest Festival over the weekend. Josie spent most of the festival in her stroller but she was making such sweet faces that I couldn't resist the urge to capture them on camera!
Those blue eyes get me every time! This face that she's making is totally a Noah face.
Kiss kiss.
So sweet!

One of the things I've been looking forward to with a little girl is being able to fix her hair. Josie has quite a good amount of hair for a 5 month old (I think), but it's not a lot. On Sunday though I decided that it was time to try pigtails! Well, she didn't have quite enough hair for pigtails, but I was able to create (drum roll please)...
The Cutest Ponytail Ever!!!!


I probably won't attempt fixing her hair again for at least a few more months (I think she needs to get a little more hair - plus, I don't want to pull out the hair she does have) but I thought that this first little ponytail was the most darling thing.
Josie right before bed. Sucking away on that thumb. This is the hairdo that she typically sports (and probably will be for the next little while).
I'm amazed at how fast she's changing and growing. She's had rolling mastered for about three months now and she's starting to scoot all over the place. Justin and I believe that crawling is going to come soon for our princess. She has such a great personality. She's easy going, quick to smile and laugh, and busier than either of our boys have been. We all sure love this little lady and we are grateful everyday that she is a part of our family!

**For Jen - who does this often: 10 points if you know where the first two lines of this post came from**

The Girls and ME!

A few weeks ago I had the chance to go on a great weekend getaway with Missy and Vanessa. These ladies are fun and spontaneous and we had a great time. When I think about all the things that I'm going to miss when we leave Vermont in a few short months these two girls are always on the top of the list. They have become like sisters to me and I really wish that we'd started taking these weekends years ago!
We left late on Friday night and drove to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We stayed in an amazing hotel that Vanessa found for $45 on Priceline.com! It seriously rocked! When we got up in the morning we explored Portsmouth a little. It's a really neat town with a lot of history.
This is a historic mansion that we saw (in the background). The anchor was, of course, fascinating. Missy is hilarious - I no longer wonder where Enoch gets his "monkiness" from!
Me and Vanna in front of the mans. I think it's really interesting how you can get away with painting old buildings crazy colors and they look awesome, but if you were to do that to a modern house, it'd just look dumb.
After we trolled around a little in New Hampshire, we drove on to Maine. Our plan was to see a bunch of lighthouses, but it was so rainy that we had to change our plans. We did find this great seafood place in Maine and stopped there for lunch. I am NOT a seafood fan - I usually try to avoid it at all costs, but I figured that since we were going to be in Maine I needed to make the most of the experience and try some seafood. I have to admit, I REALLY liked it! (Yes, this shrimp plate was huge, yes it was delicious, and yes I ate just about the whole thing.)
We did stop to see this cool old lighthouse on our way to Portland. It was raining so I just jumped out for a photo op. The lighthouses are definitely worth a see. If you ever get a chance to go to Maine - take it!
Because of the rain, we shopped instead of lighthoused. Portland has so many great outlet shops - it was wonderful. They also have the L.L.Bean flagship store. So of course you need to take a picture with the boot!
After dinner at Macaroni Grill (we were so excited to see it - Vermont doesn't have one) and a stay in a slightly questionable motel we woke to blue skies and warm temperatures! Perfect sightseeing weather! We were so happy. We started by exploring downtown Portland. It reminded us a lot of Church Street in VT with its quirky shops and 'interesting' characters.
In front of the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (the poet).
Missy and I being vandals.
This is a mural that was painted on the side of a building. It looked so real that I had to touch it!
After we finished exploring downtown Portland we started on our lighthouse tour. I don't remember the names of all the lighthouses we saw, but I do remember that they were all pretty in their own ways.
Lighthouse #1. Yes, we are goofy. It's one of the many things I love about Missy and Vanessa.

Lighthouse #2. This one had a really great rock walkway that took you right up to the lighthouse. Gorgeous.
Lighthouse #3. This is one of the most popular ones. I can totally see why, it's gorgeous.

I love the ocean!
We are really cheesy and posed in this picture (okay, mostly just me) but I love this view of the lighthouse so I had to throw it in.

The ocean again. It's different than the Pacific. I think I prefer the Atlantic. As we continued our sightseeing we stumbled across this little gem. Lenny the worlds largest chocolate mouse. I think it was constructed in the early 90's or something. Anyway, it's really old. So I don't think anyone would actually want to eat it at this point.
Me and my 'lahbstah' roll. It was...interesting.
Missy and Vanessa in the 'rock'ing chairs.
One of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Our last stop was Kennebunkport. What a lovely oceanside town (home of one of President Bush's vacation homes - we saw it - not that spectacular). Anyway, they had these crazy signposts everywhere. I have to wonder how anyone could find anything!
After a few hours of sighseeing in Kennebunkport we headed back home. I know that my post of this vacation is a little random and scattered (my fault - I should have posted about it right away), but it was great fun. For more (better) details, you can check out Vanessa's blog here and here, and Missy's blog here. This was a fun and relaxing weekend trip, I hope we can squeeze one more in before we all go our seperate ways. Thanks girls, I think you're the best!