Taylor Canyon Hike

So when we discovered Hayden is a good "hiker", we decided that we needed to get out more. I chose Taylor Canyon and we set off after dinner. This was a gorgeous hike. We walked along the stream and at several places there were small waterfalls.

Memorial Weekend

After our last soccer game on Saturday, we sat around trying to figure out what to do. None of us had ever been to Zion Canyon, so we decided to head down south. We got up early Sunday morning and drove down. What an incredible place!



The first hike we did was called "Temple of Sinawava." At the end of the hike are the Narrows. Jake hiked in a ways, but we didn't think it was a good idea to take the kids. Lucky for us, at some points Jake said he had to swim through the canyon. Probably not a good idea with a newborn in a carrier.


The Narrows

The next hike we did was "Emerald Pools." This was a very steep hike, but worth the trip.


This is looking up at Middle Pool.

Mid-way through the hike, Jake realized that Hayden might be a little nervous. He kept grabbing Jake's shirt and looking up at him. He never cried though, just hung on for dear life.


This is at the top of the hike...Upper Pools. Absolutely gorgeous. Pictures do not do justice.


Mom and Haydo hanging out at the top. I got really sick at the top of this hike. I'm pretty sure it was altitude sickness. Once we headed back down, I was fine.




We stayed in St. George and spent Monday morning relaxing in the pool. Hayden was so relaxed, that he fell asleep in the pool.

Our last stop before heading home was Kolob Canyon. Jake said it best, when he said that the canyon reminded him of something straight out of Jurrasic Park. We both expected to see a huge dinosaur around the bend. Utah is an incredible place. We are very lucky to have such amazing things in our backyard.

Big Boy

Here is a picture of my handsome boy. He is getting so big. I hardly recognize him as the 6 pound preemie that we brought home from the hospital. He is smiling and laughing a ton, but it is hard as heck to get a picture of it.

Ogden Marathon

On Saturday, Jake ran the half marathon in Ogden. He ran it in 2 hours 24 minutes. 2 minutes faster than last year! For anyone that doesn't know, a half marathon is 13.1 miles. WAY TO GO JAKE!!
Bostyn met Jake at mile 13 and ran across the finish line with him. It was very cute.
Hayden was happy to look around at the thousands of people that were there.

The girls ran in the kids k Saturday afternoon. There were over 400 kids that ran in the race. It was nearly impossible to find them at the finish line!

May happenings

Here are all the Smith girls. From left to right: Katelyn, Laurie, Sheryl, Eva, Brandy, Hayden, Shara, Tammy and Shirley. We all got together on Monday night to say goodbye to Sheryl. She is headed to Monterey, California to join her husband. He recently joined the Air National Guard. She will be in Cali for 18 months and then we aren't sure where she will end up. It was fun to get together, but sad to see Sheryl go.


Hayden is getting so big so fast. The doctor told us that "tummy time" is important for Hayden's motor skills, so a few times a day I put him on his tummy to play. What he really likes though, is to be bounced on my knees. It doesn't seem that long ago when my mom did this to me. ;)

Mother's Day

Mother's day was wonderful! Bailee woke me up with breakfast in bed. Strawberries, a banana, milk and some cinnamon toast. Then came the gifts. I got a beautiful necklace, some bath salts, and a paper weight. Then we went to breakfast at Ihop.




Later, my family came over for dinner. Jake grilled chicken and he and my dad cleaned up the kitchen. The best present was from Hayden though. He slept from 9:30 until 5:00 a.m.!! That's my boy! Best Mother's Day ever..... :)

Growing by leaps and bounds......

I knew it would happen, but it still amazes me that Hayden is growing so fast. He is absolutely
the cutest baby boy I have ever seen. He has a calm nature and is very patient. Hayden's sisters love him and love helping with him.






Hayden's first bath in the sink did not go so well. He screamed bloody murder and flailed his arms like a madman. Now, in a big boy bathtub, he seems to enjoy the bath and swishes his legs around.