Follow, follow me

I have started a blog specifically for following Mitchell's mission adventures.  You can follow along too. . .
http://mitchellsmithmission.blogspot.com/

Since we can't see him off at the airport, I thought this would be the next best picture.

Welcome to your life for the next two years, Elder Smith.  Note to California:  Please be nice!!

And he's off. . .

We took everyone down when we went to Utah to drop Mitch off at the MTC.  It was exciting and emotional all at the same time.  Mitch is a great kid, a good example and will be a stellar missionary.  There was not a dry eye in the car when we all piled back in, minus one. 

The traffic jam of cars with missionaries being dropped off that afternoon.  These were only missionaries whose last names were from N-S.  Traffic was backed up in all directions.  Literally hundreds of missionaries were probably dropped off that same day.  Behold, the army of God.

Our Latter-Day Stripling Warriors.  They won't be together like this for a very long time.

Oh, sure. . .it's all smiles now, but you just wait. . .

Mom's death hug before letting him go for two years.

Passing the baton to the next generation of missionaries.

Missionary Farewell

Mitch had his farewell on February 9, 2014 at the Red Lodge Branch.  He gave a great talk and his dad held it together amazingly well when he spoke that day.  We did have a little get together after church as a send-off for Mitch.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who helped put this together!!

I'm Going There Someday. . .

Well, someday became a reality for Mitch.  On February 7, 2014 he went to the temple to receive his own endowment.  Congrats Mitch for your faithfulness and worthiness.  Check another thing off the list for mission preparation. 

A big thanks to the many friends who joined our family at the temple, you have contributed more than you know to the stellar young man shown above!!

Elder Mitchell Smith

We are getting closer to THE DAY!!  Here are some pictures I took of Mitch in all his missionary glory.  He will be entering the MTC on February 19th to serve in the California Roseville Mission.  I think he will be happy to get out of the subzero temperatures, even if it is California.  Mitchell is an example to all those around him.  He is stalwart and firm in his beliefs, and we could not be more pleased with him. 

We are excited, nervous, sad and thrilled all at the same time.  Here's to Mitch for choosing to serve the Lord!!!

Hitting the Hardwood

In one of his games, that title actually was true.  Parker is back at it this year in basketball.  Here are a few shots from one of his home games.  Near the last game of the day, he got fouled pretty hard and knocked his noggin against the hardwood floor, but, true to form, he shook it off and made the free throws.  Here are some of his mom's sweet shots of him in action.

At the line

Passing it off to T-Man

Taking the dish

Making the shot

Ernie's Last Days

The tail end of the adventure for another year. 

Ernie decided to give the boys an early Christmas gift. . .

I thought it was hilarious, the boys just shook their heads (but they smiled a little, too)!

Ernie erected a shrine to his antics from last year.

Up, Up and Away in my magical, my magical chocolate chip bag balloon.

Ernie playing a Christmas tune.

This year Ernie trapped the boys in their rooms with wrapping paper, epic!!!

They had to bust their way out on Christmas morning, ha, ha--I could hear when they got up!

Once again, Ernie ends the year by reminding us what Christmas is all about.

Here are some jokes he did that I didn't get photos of this year:  Hiding in Brigham's snow boots (gross!!); Having an all night Christmas movie marathon without us; squashing himself into an ornament so he could be a part of our tree decorations.  Hiding the Baby Jesus (each year we do an activity about the wise men and how wise men still seek for Jesus--after a spiritual video and scripture, we take turns hiding the Baby Jesus and everyone else has to seek to find Him--Ernie felt left out so he hid the Baby Jesus while we were asleep, it took the boys a while to find it).

Ernie has to go away for another year, but I think he is already planning for some hijinks next year, don't count him out, he has lots of tricks up his sleeve!!!  Bye, Ernie!