A Smith Christmas

It was Weslie's and also my first Christmas with the Smith's. I think it's safe to say it was a success! Christmas in California is definitely different than what I'm used to but it was a lot of fun!

Weslie's big Christmas present!

Wes opening her first Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve

This is how most of Weslie's Christmas morning was spent after church. :)

 

The best part about this Christmas was getting to spend so much time with family.

Eliot wanted to help feed Wes.

While we were visiting we were able to welcome the newest family member to the world. Meet our cute nephew Benson!

Baby and proud momma

Cousins

Benson makes Wes look like a giant! I can't believe she was ever small like him. New babies are the sweetest. Thanks for letting us visit you guys Erinn! Love you!

California 2011

California Girl

 We were able to spend nearly 2 weeks with our California family. It couldn't have been more fun! We are so spoiled! Thank you momma Melinda for letting us stay with you!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous! It was warm enough for short sleeves and bare feet and walks by the beach almost every day. Grandma Day lives in the cutest house right by the beach and we were in walking distance from everything! I would love to live in a place like that someday!

 

Wes loves the sunshine 

We got to do lots of fun things. We went out to eat at lots of yummy places, Wes and I got pedicures with grandma, we visited lots of family, shopped, went to the movies, played games and much much more! We even went to the Balboa Christmas boat parade.

 

Kevin and Wes at the house Kevin grew up in

We got to have lunch with grandpa Ricks while he was in town for work!

On the ferry taking our car over the the island to get some dinner!

What a fun trip! I hope we will be able to make another one out there very soon!

Guns 'N Roses

Yup, we went to the Guns 'N Roses concert for Kevin's Christmas present. I stuck out like a sore thumb in that crowd but Kevin fit right in with his creepy mustache! I was glad when he finally shaved that thing off. It was our first concert together and it was a blast!

Weslie met....

SANTA CLAUS

She reached out and grabbed his beard and everything!

We also went to the festival of trees last weekend. That was a blast! My favorite part was the gingerbread houses.
Here is one more picture of Weslie. She couldn't stop staring at the Christmas tree the first time she saw it.

Love at first sight

2 Months

 2 Months: 12 lbs 4 oz & 24 3/4 in (90th percentile in length!)
Dr. Ostler says that she's about the size of a regular 4 1/2 month old! We are so sad that today was our last appointment at that office. 

Dear Wes,
Today we went to the doctor for your 2 month check up. I did everything I could to prepare for the appointment, including dressing you in comfy clothes and getting you baby Tylenol before we left. However, nothing I could have done would've prepared ME well enough. Taking you to get your first set of shots probably hurt me a lot more than it hurt you. My heart broke a little today, watching you hurt and not being able to do anything to help you. You were so brave and only cried for about a minute after it was over and then fell right asleep in my arms.
The last 2 months have gone by so fast. I love watching you grow. We have lots of fun together you and I. I look forward to spending each new day with you. My favorite thing this month has been hearing your sweet coos for the first time. We have lots of engaging conversation. I love it when you smile and get excited. You have been so much more alert and awake the last few weeks and it has been so fun! I feel like you grow and change every day and it is going way too fast! Even though I wish I could keep you as this sweet little infant forever, I can't wait to hear you laugh for the first time, watch you crawl, hear your first words and so much more as you continue to grow these next few months. I'm sure I'll enjoy each stage just as much as the first. I love you so much!
-Mom

Vegas Trip

On Saturday we left Wes for the first time over night with Grandma so we could have a fun little trip to Vegas. It was hard to leave but once we got there it was a blast! We stayed at the Luxor. We paid for a little upgrade for a king size bed but they gave us a mini suite by mistake. I was okay with that :)

While we were there we went and saw the Lion King for my Christmas present. The show was awesome!! We had a lot of fun. It was especially nice just to have time for each other again, but when Sunday morning came we were both ready to get back to our baby. We spent the rest of the day playing games and lounging around with my family before we all had to say goodbye.
The week went by way too fast. I was sad to leave the family and get back to reality. Kevin has lots of stuff going on with school and the job hunt and I've got to start packing for Texas. That's life I guess. However, I am excited that the Christmas season is officially here! It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Thanksgiving and Christmas Family Pictures

Ricks Thanksgiving

Our Little Turkey

This Thanksgiving was Weslie and Kevin's first Thanksgiving with all of the Ricks family. We have all had so much fun spending time with our relatives here in St. George. I am so sad that this will be the last year that all the extended family will be together for Thanksgiving. We are just getting too big! I have lots of memories of getting together with all the family at our aunt Debbie's growing up and I'm sad that I won't get to see all of the family as much anymore. But we are grateful that our little family is starting to grow. That part of change has been exciting and we have lots to look forward to in that aspect. The next time we see all the Ricks clan will probably be at the reunion in June, so that's not too far away. It has been such a fun week! There has been lots of visiting, games, shopping, treats and laughs. We also got hooked up with a free eye exam for Kevin- courtesy of uncle Jeff and a huge discount on a major tune up on our car by Brandon. We are so lucky! Other highlights included family pics, a trip to the dunes and a baby shower for little Wes.

 

This year we are especially thankful for our families, for each other and for Weslie. We are also thankful for education, that Kevin can provide for our family so that I can stay home with Wes, and for the gospel in our lives. We have been so blessed this year! 

Baby Blessing Weekend

Grandma Day was finally able to meet little Wes. She stayed with us all weekend. It was so fun! Grandma even took Weslie at night so I could get some good sleep. We ran errands, went shopping, lounged around and even went out to dinner with our good friends. Grandma Day spoils us all rotten! We love you!

Dinner with the Buckleys

Aunt Chloe also got to meet Wes for the first time this weekend. As soon as she saw us she started crying. When she finally calmed down Madi walked in the door and she started right back up again. She has such a tender heart.

Chloe's First Time Holding Wes

On Sunday we headed over to the Hansen's home for Weslie's special day. The house was packed to the brim with her family and friends. She looked so beautiful in her little dress. It was so nice to have all the family on both sides together again. Kevin gave her a very sweet blessing that absolutely melted my heart. It was such a perfect day. I can't wait to watch this little girl learn and grow. We love her so much!

Ricks Family

 

Smith Side