The Farm

As many of you know, John grew up on a big farm in Ohio. We spent some time there in May and it was so beautiful. They have horses & cows and a crazy dog, Dundee, that loves to chase the gator (for all you city folk, that would be a 4 wheel thing that carries stuff... how is that for a description?). Check out the horses on www.warrencountykigers.com
Oh I forgot to mention that Steph does wonders with the garden. Look at this Iris! We were so disappointed that her strawberry patch was not ready for picking yet...
Maggie with one of the horses.
View of the farm from the hill.

Ready for the Sun!

Swim Lessons!

The Riley's 31st birthday party

We had the pleasure of heading out to the 'burbs to see our darling pregnant friend Erin and check out her new house (BEAUTIFUL!!). As you all know... I usually take TONS of pictures. But that day for some reason all I captured was the one above. Kindred spirts... both like the bottle. So here is a shout out to our dear friend Todd who is currently enjoying some hot, hot weather in the gulf. And Hiroko... looking mighty comfortable with babe in hand!

Fun around the house

Maggie & Bantry investigate each other

Trying to decide which one of Baba's paintings she likes the best.

Arrived in Capitola

Does that book taste good?

Where to begin...

We are back from the states and I have a ton of pictures to share with all of you. I will start from the last days in England. Maggie was too cute on the trampoline at our local kids playarea. She thought it was so much fun.
Then she was introduced to her first John Deere.
After the excitement of the day... both were fast asleep on the couch!

London here we come

"There are two ways to travel in America:  First class, and with children."

I finally see the truth in the statement above.  Baba, Grandpa, Maggie & old me are heading out tomorrow for London.  Maggie has decided to move, move, move and is so darn fast.  She now heads up the stairs over and over again.  It is going to take a lot to wrestle her down into her carseat for the journey.    

I am hoping that the grandparents will venture back to 'traveling with children' half way across the Atlantic!   I think I will need a hand off by that time.  

John said that England is a beautiful shade of green.  There is nothing better than England in the summer.  While the visit to the states has been fun, we can not wait to get home.

Another post... no pictures!

Sorry, still no pictures of the Smith family adventures!!  You will just have to put up with the narrative until we get home to England next week.  

We just got back to California from Ohio.  Maggie had her first horse ride on Ellie, toured the farm on the gator, spent some quality time with her cousins and second cousins (she is number 26!!), and mom & dad spent a very interesting afternoon at the Indy 500 (the pictures really will speak louder than words on this one).  On the growing front, our little miss is now the proud owner of 6 teeth, can stand on her own (well, for at least 3 seconds!), and is starting to walk while we hold her little hands.  She will be nine months next week!  I can not believe it.  The pressure is on for the walking... she has to be in Gianna's wedding in August!!  

We are getting ready for a visit from Uncle Johnny tomorrow and a family celebration at Kelly's graduation this weekend followed by a baby shower at the Capitola house for sweet Erin and Baby Riley.  

Capitola is as beautiful as ever.  Before we left for Ohio we spent an afternoon painting tiles for the community art project along the seawall.  When we went for a walk this afternoon, we were surprised to see that they were already fired and up on display.  Maggie did one...  her two little feet on a surf board.  So, if you are in Capitola...  check it out: "Hang Ten Maggie".

Lots of love, The Smiths

California

We made it!  Maggie & Mom arrived last week and have finally recovered from the trip.  We are very happy that there are only a handful of trans-atlantic flights left for us this year.  Capitola is sunny and warm with a little bit of morning fog.  Could not ask for more.  I don't have any pictures for you as of right now... still trying to figure out how to download them to this computer.  So, take my word for it... we are having Fun!

Uncle Johnny came up from LA to spend the weekend watching Maggie while we went to good ol Fresno.  They went to the kite flying contest on the beach downtown and Maggie had a great time watching all of the little kids running around (I think that the kites were too high for her to see!!).  

Tomorrow is her first swimming lesson with my old swimming coach.  Should be fun!

Spring time finally!

The blossoms are out and the weather is warming up. Saturday was nearly 70 degrees! Maggie & mom spent the day exploring the garden and crawling around on the grass.

Toothbrush

Maggie's new favorite toy is a toothbrush! Her very own toothbrush with a turtle on it. She carries it just about everywhere.

Check up!

At almost 8 months... Maggie is 20 pounds, 11 ounces and 28 1/2 inches long. What a big girl! Doctor was very impressed with all of her tricks.

talking to grandma stephanie

Standing on the coffee table

Look at those teeth!

Maggie helping with the Laundry

Maybe we should just stick her in the washing machine too! Look how dirty she was after dinner.

All dressed up

Ready for her Playdate.

The Race

Here they come! Look at the concentration on Maggie's face.

Pulling Up

Maggie is now pulling up and cruising around the living room. Here she is pulling up on the door to the kitchen. To her surprise Daddy appeared on the other side!

Problems with the camera

I will save all of the details, but there have been some problems uploading pictures from my camera. But then today it is working. So, I will take advantage and post as many Maggie pics as I can.

Pictures sent from Joy & Dick

We had a really great time with Joy & Dick while they waited for Patrick to arrive in England. Dick just sent this picture of us getting ready to head out for a traditional pub lunch. They finally did get to spend some time with Patrick... only a few days! Such is the Air Force life.

Joy & Dick come to visit!

Joy, Dick & Maggie waiting for Patrick to return home!

I want out!!

Mommy & Maggie

Another day, another development

Everyday we wake up and little miss Maggie has something new to show us. Yesterday it was clapping and deciding that she should feed herself. Notice the food on her forehead!

The cutest pair

Maggie & Daddy all dressed up and ready for the party!

Finally some Easter shots!

Mom & Maggie at Easter dinner at Dori's house.

The winner of the 2008 'Smith Family Easter Bake Off' and the only entry this year. John thought it better to forfeit and sleep in.

Can you believe it? It snowed 3 inches on Easter Sunday. This is the view out the kitchen window. When will spring get here?!?

At the Farm

We took Maggie out to the Farm to see the new babies of spring. This little piggy was not too happy that John was in the pen with them. He kept on biting his legs! Maggie thought it was really funny.

There she goes...

Can you believe that Maggie will be 7 months next week! At her 6 month appt she weighed in at 19 pounds, 3 ounces and was 28 inches long. She has been meeting huge milestones over the last few weeks. As you can see from the picture she is off and crawling!!