Family Updates and Pictures

We have started posting family updates and pictures on our ministry blog.  Please visit us at www.SmithSA.blogspot.com

Animal Rescue

One morning we looked out our kitchen window and saw our neighbors, The Betzers, looking up into the sky with binoculars.  We went over and found out that their chameleon, Frenchy, had escaped and they were trying to find it up in the trees.  Within minutes everyone, including 5 children, had grabbed binoculars and joined in the search. 

 Here Kendi is looking at the ground through the wrong end of the binoculars.  She wasn't much help.

Trying to find a chameleon hiding in lush greenery is literally like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  Finally and amazingly, Janis located the chameleon in the very top of the tallest tree in their yard.

Lincoln jumped at the chance to climb something to try to get the chameleon out of the tree.

  I love that Brooke, our neighbor's daughter, ran and got her pillow to softly catch Frenchy in case he fell out out of the tree.

 Lincoln used a pool skimmer to try to scoop the chameleon.

 After a few minutes of being poked by the skimmer, Frenchy started climbing back down the tree branch.  Lincoln was able to grab him and put him into a bag.

Lincoln passed the bag off safely to David and all was well!

Frenchy has tasted freedom.

Madison's 10 Birthday

I'm trying to catch up with posting pictures here.  Madison's 10th birthday was on March 17th 2010.

We had a small family party on her actual birthday and then she had 2 of her friends, Hope and Grayce, over for a sleepover the weekend after.

We had caramel filled cupcakes at our family birthday party.

 I forgot to buy candles, so Madison pretended to blow out her candles.

Kendi and her yummy cupcake.

This is pretty typical of how Kyler looks after eating anything.

The beautiful birthday girl.

 Lincoln and our happy girl, Isabel.

Madison opening a gift from her friend Grayce.

Grayce and Madison

Madison

Kendi loves to pose for the camera.

What a handsome little guy! (With food on his face.)

The girls did blind makeovers on each other.  They took turns being the makeup artist, closed their eyes and put make up on the other girls. (Click the picture to make it larger and see the beautiful makeup jobs.)

The next morning the kids had a pillow fight.

I made blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup for breakfast.

Kyler at breakfast

Kendi at breakfast

Madison at breakfast

All of the kids stayed up really late.  The next day I was walking by the living room and found Madison, Kyler and Kendi all asleep.

Madison had a great 10th birthday!!

Isabel laughing

Here's a video of Isabel laughing.  Hearing that squeal never gets old.

click here to watch the video 

Kendi Singing

This was a video we took of Kendi singing.  I love the enthusiasm and drama.

click here to watch the video

Kid Pictures

It's been a very long time since we've posted on this blog.  Here are pictures of the kids (and our puppy, Rocco) that we've taken over the past couple of months.  Click on the pictures if you'd like to see them larger.

 Madison and Kyler doing their schoolwork outside

 

 Kendi and our neighbor's tiny dog

 Madison and Rocco

 This great climbing tree is at the front of the shelter property

Kyler and Rocco

Cute Kendi playing on the shelter playground

Rocco and Kendi

Beautiful Madison

The kids with Rocco in the climbing tree

Kendi's Krazy Kurls

Sweet Kyler

Rocco

Madison

Kendi

Kyler and a dragonfly

The kids and one of their friends watching a movie at a sleepover

Kendi reading with one of her friends

Cute girls!

Playing on the shelter playground

Lincoln and Isabel

Bel

(I am in the process of posting more pictures of Isabel on her blog.  I hope to get them all up today.)

Kayla's Story

 Please check out this link to read about our precious niece, Kayla.  A memorial research fund has been created in her honor.