A long time coming

First I will say that I will not update in any great detail the events of the last year. In short we are alive, healthy and are making the most of life. I would like to nominate Abraham Lincoln posthumously as the next President of the United States as we are in need of a leader and are without one. I would check out our new church at http://www.mdchurch.org/. I would also like to spend more time playing ping-pong and music. Oh and I have become an ardent golfer.
Here are some recent pics of what things look like now.

March 27th- April 27th updates

Can we just sit and talk about the weather for a while. It's not winter, it never really was except for maybe two weeks and I couldn't be happier. In one month though I'm sure we'll need an air conditioner per window to keep up with the oppressive heat on the way. The sooner the ice caps melt the sooner we'll have a lovely view of Windham Harbor.

Jack gave Ezra his first bloody nose yesterday and recieved a fine lump on the head in return. The both wanted the same dinosaur. We are anticipating the arrival of #3 son in less than a month. Stacee looks like she's about to pop but the doctor is pretty sure she'll go to her due date. If not by then he will induce her.
In other news Matt broke a bone in his face last week playing soccer and was supposed to have surgery on it yesterday but the doctor never showed up!!! No phone call nothing, she just didn't show up. So today he gets his xygomatic arch reset. No soccer for six weeks. But the fish will be here soon so he'll be fine.
May is the month of craziness with Ezra's birthday on the 2nd, our anniversery on the 15th and Jack's birthday on the 16th and then of course young smith to be arriving on or before the 24th.

some recent pictures

related?
Jack's first big kid ride. www.seaworld.com

Smith family and peppy
Petting Dolphins
Zoo pic's


Jack designed and helped implement his first building project. He did most of the hammering and the roof is a PA trailer liscence plate. More pictures later

2 months off

Since January 26 quite a bit has happened. I could devote a page on each event but I wouldn't get to watch Riding the Rails tonight. From what the cover says it's a "must see" documentary on hobo life in the 20's and 30's and due to it's "must see" admonition I can't write all night long.
From soonest event to furthest back: Jack and Ezra have had colds and Jack was awake most of last night with an ear ache. It was his first ever. Stacee turned 33 on the 23rd and we threw quite an all day party here starting with waffles, whipped cream, berries and maple syrup for breakfast, presents and decorations of course, and fresh maine lobster for dinner. The fun of Birthdays for us has changed in the same way Christmas has. We enjoy the days but the kids get SO into it and that makes it more fun...We're old. Stacee is looking pretty pregnant lately. Only 2 months to go.
Jack and Ezra both completed their gymanstics classes for the year and did quite well without injuring themselves or others (much).
We've met a few families that have migrated this way from MA and NY recently and have hit it off pretty well with them.
Matt Eric Dad and I all played in a 3/3 tournament sponsored by their church. It was held at Gordon and despite my back bothering me and Eric's broken toe, we played pretty well. We had some differing views on how we should play but in the end we did well. Not great but well enough to mention it here.
Rewinding back further, to mid February, we met Penny and her kids and my grandparents out in San Diego for a week. Mom and Dad flew out with us and we had a GREAT time. The kids had never flown before and being somewhat of a control oriented person I wasn't thrilled about letting someone else fly us out there. Then I realized that A. I'm not a pilot B. I would never drive for 5 days straight with the kids in the Minivan and C. The pilot probably is a control freak too and that's why he does what he does for a living. So we went and had a blast. If you go stay at the Embassey Suite LaJolla. Not for the view or anything like that but for the breakfast buffet that's included in the price. There's a happy hour included too but it was a family vacation afterall. The zoo www.sandiegozoo.com was amazing. Sea World was pricey but worth it and the san diego wild animal park is the BEST. Jack's already planning on attending college right next to the San Diego Zoo.
There isn't much else I will publicly rant on now, perhaps in a month or so. Just remember that little verse in one of Paul's letters (paraphrase) Do everything you can, everything in your power, to be at peace with all men.

January 26th

News and update: Since Christmas we've been eating bacon, playing outside, sometimes in the snow sometimes in the 50+ degree spring like weather. A year ago last week the average temp was 7 degrees. Last week the average was around 35. It's like summer!! We've recently booked a trip to visit the Great grandparents out in sunny San Diego. We're leaving in February and for the next few weeks I'll be moonlighting as just about anything to raise money for the trip. Plasma anyone? I'd offer my hair for a wig but it'd only be worth about $.50. Does anyone want to rent a lovley Maine house for the week of the 19th? If you pay an added premium you could collect the eggs. Come on, It'll be great! In other news we found a lump behind Jack's knee and after the initial anxiety driven nausea and a ultra-sound it was determined he has a bakers cyst. It's a random thing I guess with no other side effects or necessary treatment. Thanks to God. We also found out that our 3rd child is of the man variety so we have to come up with boy names again. We are looking for good strong names wothout sounding to "haven't we come up with most unique and interesting name ever" ish. Suggestions welcome.
Other big Windham news: Lowes and Home Depot both opened stores in Windham 5 miles from the house and less then a quarter mile from each other. Another tourist attraction!

WHOA

Christmas Card Outtakes

With the onset of digital camera's people are either saving thousands of dollars on not having film developed or sending out ugly christmas cards. Even with all this technology it took 200+ pictures to get a picture of the boys mostly suitable for the card. The one we sent is still blurry but hey Ezra never sits still anyway. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good year.