Wonderland

Finally posting a few pictures of Halloween. This last picture was taken at our ward party. We're still pretty new, so I felt a little awkward all decked out. "Hi. We're Halloween Fanatics. Pleased to meet you too." Brandon is so enthusiastic though, so he makes every holiday fun.      

"camping"

We were planning on taking Sawyer on his first campout last weekend, but settled on sleeping indoors and having an early morning campfire. Isn't breakfast on the fire the best part about camping anyway? And I finally got some good pictures of Sawyer. We just love how roly poly he's getting.

i have a big black notebook

Lately I've been ending each day by "thinking aloud" in this sketchbook. Somehow having space to doodle helps me process my thoughts and feelings better than a regular journal.  One topic I always seem to come back to is how art should fit into my life right now.  I finally realized that the answer is much less complicated than I've been trying to make it.  The reason I keep thinking about this is because I feel an empty space when I'm not creating something.  And that is reason enough to create.  I don't need an audience.  I don't need to make money doing it.  I don't even need to change the world.  I can create because it makes me happy and I love it.  That's enough. 

This idea was so liberating.  I've had a creative block for months now, and after working through these thoughts I finally got some ideas.  Yes indeed, I'm happy when I'm creating.

Pacific Atlantic

So we moved to Florida.  Brandon pursued a job transfer and we're pretty excited to be out here near his family (very near, actually, since we're living with them until we figure out our life.  Any thoughts on buying vs. renting?) We sold what possessions we could and packed the rest in the Camry (a very liberating experience that I recommend to anyone).  But before leaving we spent a week in Oregon with my side of the family.  The picture of us at the coast is so very Kiser.  All growing up we never went to the beach without building a sandcastle.  And we built it as if our lives depended upon its structural stability and aesthetic beauty.  I love the Oregon coast.  We've enjoyed lots of trips to the beach out here in Florida this past month too.  It's a bit more crowded, but you can swim in the ocean.  All day.  And not get hypothermia.  Amazing.  The second picture is of Paisley with her Great Grandma Carol, courtesy of Aunt Jenna.  Precious, huh?

our little man

 You would not believe how many people tell us Sawyer looks like a little man. Or maybe you would.  I don't know if it's the receding hair line or his funny expressions.   All the comments inspired this impromptu photo shoot.  The poor little guy puts up with a lot. 

ps we've had a lot of crazy life changes lately.  more on that soon.

Happy Happy Happy!

 Happy #1: Happy Birthday Mommy Hack! We love you!

 Happy #2: Happy Father's Day Dad! Here's a little gnome for the garden.

Happy #3: Happy Father's Dady Papi! Settin' sail for the Sunshine State!

p.s. For anyone wondering, Brandon drew the stork in the last post and this underwater scene.  Isn't he fun?  I did the little mushrooms.  We inherited a box of the most amazing sidewalk chalk.  At least, I thought it was for sidewalks.  It doesn't wash off very easily.  No wonder it works so well.

so that's where they come from . . .

first outing

Funny how having a new baby makes you want to document everything.  Well, this little trip to Mount Charleston really felt like a big deal to me because I got an epidural headache soon after the birth (crossing my fingers that it's totally healed) and have pretty much been on bed rest since.  It was so nice to be outdoors again!

 look at these cuties

 Paisley shows off the rock and stick she found

The hiking diva--no outfit is complete without shades and jewels.  We were so impressed that Paisley walked most of the trail.  Just two years ago she was the one in the sling.  Ahhh memories . . .

big sister

Paisley has done so well assuming her new role. She loves holding Sawyer and giving him kisses.  We've been surprised to see that she's become very independant and helpful.  She gets the milk out of the fridge, throws away dirty diapers, and gets Sawyer clean outfits without being asked.  Her independance has also been expressed in some not so helpful ways, like shutting herself in her room with a pack of gum and a bottle of Pepto Bismol and trying on mascara for the first time.  At least she hasn't put the makeup on Sawyer yet. 

everybody loves a good before and after

Welcome baby Sawyer Emmaus Smith

as promised

Here's a peek at our little baby.  Ha ha!

Plus a few other happy things:

not your typical grafitti

 my beautiful mother's day bouquet

Paisley has been living on the patio since the weather's been nice--and in my high heels. 

It's so adorable!

37 weeks + easter randoms

Here's the much asked for picture of my "cute belly."  I hope it lives up to your expectations.  So I'm 37 weeks and feeling swell.  Or should I say 37 weeks and swelling?  Sometimes I feel like my legs and feet are going to explode.  Other than that, no complaints here.  Overall this pregnancy has been much less uncomfortable than the first. 

And here's the ultra supportive father-to-be, sporting his hand-crafted bunny ears that Paisley refused to wear.  She was so compliant two years ago. 

 a teeny tiny easter basket for Paisley

The desert in bloom.  This is definitely the most beautiful time of year here.  We've been trying to take advantage of that.  No intense hikes for this mama, but walks and picnics as often as possible. 

Here's to hoping Paisley will be this sweet with her baby brother.

Next post: new baby smith

and then she was two

We can't believe the little munchkin is two already! Brandon made her this birthday pie. It's filled with strawberry yogurt. It was kind of a joke since yogurt was the only dessert Paisley got on her first birthday, but we froze it for a couple hours and it turned out to be really delicious.

Here's how the birthday girl enjoys spending her time at home these days:

Dressing up! Paisley is so girlie. She loves to put on tutus, skirts, scarves and necklaces, and typically changes her shoes eight times a day. She's even gotten mad when I tried to take her bow out for bedtime.

Playing Make Believe. I was so lucky to snap this shot of her pretending to pray. After praying she proceeded to take the Sacrament. Her other favorite make believe games: leaving the house (to play you put on a purse, wave, say "bye. see ya," close the bedroom door behind you, and repeat), caring for her baby doll, tea parties, and driving (sorry, Paisley, no Little Tikes yet. She's pretty content with the laundry basket for now though).

Drawing and Painting

Singing

Reading

Laughing!  Sorry this video is sideways, but you get the point when you hear that giggle.  Paisley loves to be tickled and chased. 

Happy Birthday, Paisley!

yipee!

I started this baby book for Paisley months (maybe a year?) ago and I finally finished last night! I figured that if it didn't get done before baby number 2 gets here, it wasn't happening. 



One class I really regret not taking at BYU is bookbinding.  I heard the teacher was a tough grader.  I cared way too much about grades and not enough about learning.  Maybe one day I'll take a real class, but for now I just read some books on on the subject and decided to try an accordian style binding.  (Basically you fold a little paper accordian and glue pages into it).  I love that you don't have to decide how many pages you'll have or what order they'll be in until you're all done.  Here's a little peek inside.   

 

 p.s. are you digging the april fool's decor I woke up to?

missing nana already

Look at these two cuties.  We had a fun visit from Mama Smith this past weekend.  Paisley was thrilled to prance around in Nana's hats and high heels, be carried 24/7 (I haven't been doing much of that lately), and eat her very first piece of gum.  Aren't grandparents the best?

our secret garden

" 'Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities.  It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.' "

-Sarah Ban Breathnach quoted by Thomas S. Monson "Finding Joy in the Journey" Ensign November 2008

Beautiful, huh?  I'd been feeling the blues, but this quote snapped me out of it.  I've got a lot to be happy about.  Here's a little glimpse at our secret garden:



mini boat races

sweet paisley

desert adventures

  

fresh salad for dinner

almost 7 months!