Hello everyone

We all enjoyed a very enjoyable time at Arches National Monument this summer that Jason planned for all of us. It was a lot of fun. Thanks Jason!! Mom missed all of us and we missed her. We are already planning a fun time next year for Thanksgiving up at Bear Lake.

Baby Guesses

(I'm sorry this isn't very newsy at all, but I'm putting it here anyway)

for Dallas and Jason's baby

Dad
Date Born: November 1, 2008
Time Born: 3:45 a.m.
Weight: 7 lb 13 oz
Height: 23 inches
Baby's Name: Clint Donovan Howell

Mom
Date Born: November 4
Time Born: 1:45 a.m.
Weight: 7 lb. 14 0z.
Height: 21 inches
Baby's Name: Charles Donovan

Mindy
Date Born: November 2nd
Time Born: 2:47 a.m.
Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz.
Height: 20 1/2"
Baby's Name: Donovan Jason

Aubrey
Date Born: October 23rd
Time Born: 2:30 a.m.
Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
Height: 19 1/4"
Baby's Name: BillyBobIdon'tknow

Jason
Date Born: October 30, 2008
Time Born: 2:30pm
Weight: 7 lbs 16 oz
Height: 22 inches
Baby's Name: Bubba Joe Leroy Howell

Dallas
Date Born: Oct. 28
Time Born: 5:20 a.m.
Weight: 7 lbs 8oz.
Height: 23 inches
Baby's Name: Billy Ray Howell

Ashley
Date Born: November 2nd
Time Born: 3:30pm
Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz
Height: 19 inches
Baby's Name: Justin Kenneth Howell

Olivia
Date Born: October 25th
Time Born: 8:30am
Weight: 15 lbs 1 oz
Height: 2 inches
Baby's Name: Ian Kay Howell

Brenda
Date Born: October 30th
Time Born: 8:21 PM
Weight: 7 lbs 9 oz.
Height: 20 inches
Baby's Name: Harry H. Howell

Kaitlyn
Date Born: November 3rd
Time Born: 2:00 AM
Weight: 6 lbs 6 oz
Height: 19 inches
Baby's Name: Oliver Kenneth Howell

Kevin
Date Born: Wednesday
Time Born: 5:00
Weight: forty sixty pounds
Height: 5 inches
Baby's Name: Ronin

Geoff
Date Born: Nov. 2
Time Born: 2:06 AM
Weight: 7lbs 2oz
Height: 19in
Baby's Name: Dwayne (Geoff also guessed Harry, but when I told him that was my guess already, he changed his guess)

Felicia
Date Born: Oct 31st
Time Born: 3:00am
Weight: 7lbs
Height:19 inches
Babys name: This is a guess in the dark because I have no idea they haven't even hinted so I guess Braden Howell

Smith Family April News

Cooper and his fish.

Red Fleet State Park

Brandon and Mindy Smith Family News

I really enjoyed reading last month's newsletter... I printed it off so I could take it to the High School with me when I subbed. I love substituting at the High School. I can sit there and read all day!

We've gotten into the full swing of baseball season, juggling 3 kids' games and practices. I'm sure a lot of you know how that is... and more! My kids are delightfully average at sports, so don't be expecting all of the MVP reports that the rest of you give. ;) They all look really cute in their uniforms, and isn't that what really counts?

We were really excited to find out that Jason and Dallas are having a baby! I don't know if they'll write news or not, so I thought I'd throw that in mine. She's due November 3rd, and I'm hoping they have a boy. Or a girl. I like both kinds!

We went camping at Red Fleet State Park the 3rd weekend in April. It was so beautiful, and very uncrowded, which is why we went so early. The boys went fishing, and Cooper caught one. Tyler tried really hard! There are some amazing camping places really close to us... Red Fleet is only 15 minutes from our house, and the reservoir and surrounding hills are breathtaking. We're only 45 minutes from Flaming Gorge, so we've been up there a couple of times, too. We can't wait to camp there too. We'd love to camp with anyone who wants to meet us in this land of the dinosaurs!

Aubrey got to go do Baptisms for the Dead for the first time, which was really special for her. She also played her violin in Sacrament Meeting, and did a great job. She always gets really nervous when she has to perform, but she doesn't need to be! She also played her violin for a school research report on Shinichi Suzuki. She did a great job. I think she got 110% or something. She has extra credit coming out her ears, and she doesn't need it at all. I think she can't stop herself from getting every point possible in all of her classes. She's one smart cookie. She went to Colorado for the Science Fair, and on an Honor Society trip to Salt Lake.

Tyler loves baseball, and we're hoping he gets to finish the season. He was playing soccer at recess two days ago (still April news ;) and collided with a kid. He hurt his knee, and can't walk on it. It's very swollen, and the doctor is concerned about all the fluid, which is pointing towards injury. If he doesn't have a lot of improvement by Monday, he'll have to have an MRI. Since we don't have insurance yet, we're praying that it gets better. Yikes. Poor guy... he's been in a lot of pain. We found him some crutches at DI, so at least he can get around a little bit.

Cooper has been struggling with eczema, and it's been really bad on his arm. I convinced the doctor to give me a prescription for Cooper when I took Tyler in (Cooper wasn't with me... I just told him that I know how this eczema thing goes, since we've dealt with it many times before), so hopefully that will help clear it up. Cooper turned 7 in April! He's getting so grown up! And he's a fun kid to have around.

Brandon has been busy with getting his showroom put together, and doing the Home and Garden show here in Vernal.

Conference was wonderful, as usual. I've already relistened to all the sessions, and have enjoyed revisiting favorite talks. I laughed and cried listening to the talks as I cleaned new houses for my job. Good thing nobody is there with me... they'd think I was a little nuts! I sure love President Monson! Well, I think that about covers April. We hope you are all well.

Love, Brandon, Mindy, Aubrey, Tyler, and Cooper

Geoff and Felicia and Allston April news

April 2008

We are pretty much moved into our new home, and we are loving it. We went to church in our new ward for the first time last sunday and had a really nice time. All of our neighbors are really nice. Allston has started walking he is still a bit unsteady but he is doing so well. Allston is saying aprox 15 words now and signing even more words, Geoff and I can't believe how smart he is. Geoff is playing softball on a team with Jason and Brenda. He got hit in the chest by a ball tonight so he is a little sore. He really enjoys playing it's nice he has a fun thing to do when he isn't working. Geoff is still really enjoying his job, we really like that he is only gone 3 days a week.

Felicia is working 6 hours a week cutting hair at Great Clips. She really enjoys cutting hair but is glad to be able to be home with Allston so much

Allston and Geoff playing in the front yard

Pictures of things going on at Geoff's work

I've got new news on my blog!!!! No, I don't have a girlfriend, but go and see it anyway.

Adam

We have been busy with work and trying to get the house cleaned up and organized. Your mom has been busy with getting the kitchen cleaned and has moved pictures and clocks around and new curtains.



This is a picture of Ethan asleep on your mom's lap.

Smith Family March News

March was a mostly normal month for us, which translates as "not exciting". We had an addition to the family... a new puppy (german shorthair/chocolate lab mix) named Tess. She's cute. Mindy said no. Brandon and the kids won. We signed all 3 kids up for baseball. It's going to be fun to juggle practices and games. We went to Brandon's 17 year class reunion. What? You don't ALL have 17 year class reunions? (Don't ask why...) The kids had Spring Break, and we had a nice relaxing time coloring eggs with Brandon's brother Tanner, and his wife, Leisha. Mindy played her violin for numerous church things, you know, the normal. We went on a fun trip to Red Canyon Lodge near Flaming Gorge with some of Brandon's family. It was a beautiful, fun relaxing weekend. Mindy substituted for two weeks for the elementary music class until she came down with strep throat, which cost as much as she made subbing for 2 weeks. Nice. We love everyone, and we look forward to conference! Love, Brandon, Mindy, Aubrey, Tyler, and Cooper.