Smith’s WebBlog

I received an invite to go skiing with a friend “up north”.  Now, being a Michigander when someone says “up north” I think of……you know of Cadillac, where it is a little hilly, but no mountains.  I soon found out that New York’s “up north” is actually the Adirondack Mountains.  Skiing was awesome, and I rode in my first ever Gondola, which is better that a chair lift, because you don’t have worry about falling on your rear as you get out.  The gondola ride was good 15 minutes to the peak, and skiing down the mountain took a good 20-30 minutes.  That is very different for me, being used to Timber  Ridge where you fly down the hill in like 5 minutes. My muscles were burning by the time I got to the bottom of the mountain.   Here are a couple pictures of the mountain, mind you it was with  my cell phone and not very good quality, but it still shows the beauty.  I did not know New York could look like that, and it was very relaxing being in those surroundings.

If anyone has interest in visiting this area, I strongly recommend it.  It is in the Adirondack Mountains, and called Gore Mountain.

You know those priceless moments that you never want to forget?  Well, I had one that I will never forget on Christmas morning.  I woke up to Logan getting out of bed, opening his bedroom door, and watching him go straight downstairs to see if Santa had come.  Then I heard him sprint up the stairs…….DADDY, DADDY, DADDY, and then sprint into our room….DADDY, DADDY, DADDY…..Santa brought us presents!!!  The smile on his face………PRICELESS!  Watching him open his first present, and it being the Buzz Lightyear that he had asked him for, brought a tear to my eye.  He hasn’t put Buzz down all weekend, and if that would have been all Santa brought he would have been happy.  Santa, you not only made a 3 and a half-year old boy smile from ear to ear, you made me smile…..and tear up.  Thank you, I will never forget it!  Merry Christmas all!

It is that time of the year again…..Thanksgiving!  One of my favorite holidays, mainly because of the food, but more importantly it makes me feel very grateful for all of wonderful things in my life.  There are so many things to be thankful for, but most importantly my wife Michelle, and my two boys Logan, and Trenton.  Today I was sitting on the couch, and Logan came up to me and said, “Daddy, you are my favorite friend!”  Wow, tear to my eye, and one of those priceless memories. 

Thanksgiving also brings that wonderful tradition of Lions football, as I know all of you Michiganders keep near and dear to your heart.  I have read numerous articles lately about how the Lions shouldn’t get to play on Thanksgiving anymore because of their recent history.  I say NO WAY, how can you take something away that has been a Thanksgiving tradition for so long.  I know they haven’t been the best team in recent years, or decades, but they are always our team…..Detroit’s team, Michigan’s Team.  It is our one time a year to show the nation…..Detroit, and hopefully soon, the Lions will be back on top, and all of those doubters will be eating their words.  I will be a Lions fan through thick and tin, and I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Go Lions!!!

Lastly Thanksgiving brings us that lovely white fluffy stuff called snow.  Not sure I am ready for it, but it is in the forecast for the weekend.  I guess it is time to prepare for it.  I still vow to move south someday, but will take what I get for now.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

Sorry it has been so long.  I always want to blog more, but either I can’t find the time, or I have nothing interesting to say.  Neither are really good excuses, but I vow to be a better blogger.  Ha!

Here is what is new!  Trenton has learned to crawl!  He loves being mobile, and follows big brother Logan around everywhere.  We had to dust off the old gates to block the stairs, and make sure all small toys were off the floor.  Logan has a little difficulty getting used to someone else getting attention too, but he loves being a big brother.  Soon enough Trenton will be walking and then it will be a whole different battle. 

This summer has been filled with lots of activities to keep me busy too.   I kept myself busy with softball and soccer.  I also enjoyed a couple camping trips.  The first being with all the guys back home in Michigan.  There were a total of  8 of us, and it was a lot of fun reminiscing on old times, while drinking cold ones around the camp fire.  I then got my first taste of the Adirondack mountains on a camping trip with a couple friends here.  There is nothing like the great outdoors!  No phone, TV, computer, or other luxuries we enjoy daily.

I also enjoyed my 6th anniversary with my beautiful wife Michelle.  I can’t believe it has been 6 years.  Time sure does fly by the older you get.  She surprised me by taking me to see One Sweet World, a Dave Mathews Tribute Band.  We don’t get out much without the kids, as we have a very hard time finding sitters.  So, it was very much enjoyed by the both of us.

Here are a few new pictures of the boys.  I hope your summers are going as well as ours!  Till next time……

Sorry it has been a while, but we have been back and forth to Michigan quite a bit lately.  Our most recent trip included a mini-vacation to Niagara Falls.  Here is a photo of Logan enjoying the water park at our hotel.

In honor of recent memorial day celebrations, I recently read this article of a hero from my home town that i went to school with. 

http://www.lakeorionreview.com/Articles-i-2009-05-27-229382.113121_A_soaring_tribute_for_a_fallen_hero.html

A very cool tradition.  Please say a prayer for all of the fallen hero’s past and present.  They are the ones who have paved the way for us to live the way we do.  Happy (belated) Memorial Day!

A very exciting time for the Smith house as Logan has begun his toilet training experience.  It is a time mom and dad never thought would come, but it just clicked for him the other day.  He still has a few accidents here and there, but the process has begun.  How fast they grow! 

Here is Logan at an Easter egg hunt and coloring eggs.  Yes, it was extremely difficult to get his hands clean.

It is my new goal to start posting more stuff on this site.  Here are some recent pictures of Trenton.  He can now hold his own bottle and eat baby foods.  Where does the time go?

2 Years ago today my brother-in-law SPC Jimmy Arnold passed away sacrificing his life for our freedom in Baghdad, Iraq.  There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.  There is also not a day that goes by that I think of the thousands that are still protecting our freedom.  So, in honor of Jimmy please take time to say a prayer for him and the thousands out there that are still putting their life on the line for us.  Thank You! 

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

In Loving Memory, Spc. James L. Arnold.