Grandpa For Hire

During a routine family photo shoot, the following occurred:

1. Photographer: "OK kids look over here" - that's our queue. Parents & aunts alike start chodeling at all children present w/ the same goal in mind; to get all 5 grandchildren ages 8 & younger to look at the camera at the same exact time with most amazing smiles ever. This is what we got instead:

One enthusiastic grandparent thinking he is being the most helpful grandpa ever and he joins in on the loving heckling from the by standers in the hopes of the same outcome. However, he has clearly forgotten that he is being photographed as well. Now the yelps have turned from children focused to adult focused "Dad! Stop! You are not helping the situation AND you are in these pictures. The grandchildren start looking at him instead of the wierdos making funny faces & noises behind the cute lady with the camera.

Oh - but it gets better. Clearly Grandpa isn't getting the concept as he continues to be what he sees as completely helpful. This is what we wound up with...

This is my most favorit one yet...let me translate the look on Gabe's face:

"My American abuelo is NUTS!"

But, then you wind up with pictures like these next two and you realize all of the banter was well worth it.

Oops...She did it again

OK...So I know the whole Britney Spears I LOVE the paparazzi chasing me around, being admitted to the psych ward, thing is blown way out of porportion. However, while studying the latest issue of "Rolling Stone" while on my lunch break, I came across the most outstanding, couldn't be more true, should have been published WAAAAAAAY before now comment:

"Britney isn't America's sweetheart. She's an inbred swamp thing who chain
smokes, doesn't do her nails, and screams at people who want pictures"

So - here's to you author Vanessa Grigoriadis. Thank you for being a straight shooter & telling the public exactly like it is. Nothing like Amercia making an individual straight from the Louisiana swamp into a pop superstar who has a $10 million empire.

Thankful for my blessings...

Sunday re-cap...we all for went going to church and instead went to Khloe's blessing that happened at Misty's parents house. Here are some cute pictures of the "blessed" event.

Khloe's dad Josh

Khloe's brother Colton and sister Kallie

(who knows where the other brother Cade was)

Khloe's mom Misty

Just some cute girls I know...

Oh wait...here's Cade - totally bugged that he has to take another picture

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Yes, Christmas has come and gone once again. I always look forward to this special time of year and the traditions that get played out year after year knowing that my family will be together. This year was extra special as the whole entire Smart family was together for Christmas. There are a few posts to come of the joyous activities we spent doing together, but I have to start with this one. This is our first year attempt at the next generation of Smarts taking over the roles in the Nativity Story.

Meet Kallie. She is 5 yrs. old and was excited to make her debut performance as Mary, mother of Jesus. She is outfitted nicely, and wears a smile upon her face in the anticipation of making her theatrical debut.

Meet Cade. Clearly he is NOT happy about being a shepherd and continued to throw this tantrum until the blanket he is wearing as a costume was shed from his body.

These are wise men. This was the obvious choice since Mario & Gabe are of the exotic nature.

This is the Nativity post Tylenol PM and Khloe is also not thrilled to participate as baby Jesus.

I'm disappointed that this picture did not come out better. This is the one picture where all participants invloved were actually even tempered. The only way this was accomplished was by kicking Khloe out of the make shift manger and allowing Cade to fill in.

Oh happy times...it's great to have a new generation of Nativity participants as this yearly tradition occupies a substancial amount of my childhood memories.

The Return

So, I would like to point out that in my absence and right at the beginning of the holiday craze, I was:

...MOVING!!! Definitely on the top 10 of most annoying, physically taxing, and all the way around tiring tasks in the world. However, my new digs are great & I promise to give you a pictorial tour in the very near future.

...making flower arrangements and putting the finishing touches on many other projects in order to get the house in tip top shape as quickly as possible. Thanks to my OCD tendencies, I can't rest in disorganized messes. I must have order and everything neat and tidy. This is my first real attempt at floral arranging. All said and done, I am quite proud of my results and am more than thrilled to have saved hundreds of dollars.

...decorating for Christmas. Here is my puny little Charlie Brown tree which at Home Depot seemed much more substantial until I brought it home and put it in my barren, waiting to be decorated living room. But, it was a lovely touch that added Holiday Spirit to our new home.

It was also decided that we would host our annual Christmas friend get-together since we had the new house (funny how that qualifies you to be nominated for a lot of things you were otherwise able to by pass in the past). I admit that one of my favorite things about the Holidays is the justifiable excuse to eat processed meat. So, my contribution to the party feast was none other than my favorite appetizer...

...Lil' Smokies

Here's a table view of the delectable samplings we feasted upon. That's Dabrielle at the head of the table and Kristen is to the left.

Announcing...

...the arrival of my newest niece Khloe LaRae Smart. She is welcomed by mom, dad, Colton, Kallie, and Cade. I served as babysitter/auntie extraordinaire at home with Khloe's siblings while Khloe's mom, dad, and two grandmas were at the hospital anxiously awaiting her arrival. At around 3:00 p.m. on November 18, 2007 we welcomed Khloe into the world. She was 7lbs. 5 oz. 21 inches long. Here some pics of her first moments in the world.

Khloe LaRae Smart

Big brother Colton

Big sister Kallie

Mom and her girls

Cade checking out "baby doie"

Khloe's Nana & Grandpa

Sunday Tradition

OK, so I know I promised more travel updating, but this blog just can't be put aside. I want to let all of you in on the weekly Sunday tradition that happens at the Smart household (where the mom & dad reside.) It usually consists of the following players: Me, Lindsay, Dave, & Annette. (For unknown reason Matthew mysteriously disappears during this hour of the night & won't join the crowd in the family room.) We gather at around 5:00 for the dinner portion of the evening and then we lead in to the family room for another rousing episode of "The Amazing Race."

I don't know how many of you are avid fans, or even a fan for that matter, but our family has become hooked in a serious way. Our game of Phase 10 was even pre empted for the show Sunday night; which to Lindsay's glee was not resumed (she was losing by a landslide.) Aside from the competitveness, humorous anecdotes, and world geography our father (aka Dave) proffers a commentary to be rivaled by the world's best orators. For example, during team introductions his commentary sounded something like this:

The hippie couple where the male is sporting a disgusting aray of dread locks:

Dave: "Oh yuck! She has no taste!"

The lesbian minister couple

Dave: "OH - THAT IS EVEN MORE DISGUSTING! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY LET THOSE DIKES ON THE SHOW!"

The blonde girls that resemble Malibu Barbies:

Dave: "Oh yeah...those girls have nice bodies and good attitudes. Boy, I do like their attitude."

Oh yes, this is but a mere sampling of the lively, energetic narrative that explodes out of the mouth of my father. For those of you seeking an entertaining time on Sunday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - you're more than welcome to attend. However, please know that you have been warned and that I nor my siblings accept any responsibility for offensive comments that make you feel uncomfortable. It's Dave - you just role with it.

The grandpa of the grandson/grandfather team decided to strip down to his unmentionables in order to give himself as much advantage as possible while pole vaulting across a canal.