Here is the whole family at the 50th anniversary party at Ocean Park, Washington on August 19, 2006.
From left to right: top row, Brian, Ron, Jeff, Andy, and Steve; bottom row, Kathy, Kathy, Jennie, Kathy, and Jeanne.
Brian, Kathy, Jeff, Andy and Jeanne.

Here are a couple views of Tricia and Chris' quilt. It may get finished by their second anniversary.

After we had already set our hearthpad in place and had set the rocks in mortar, we discovered that we needed a hole for the fresh-air kit. So we (that is, Chris) cut a 4 inch hole through the rock, cement board, plyboard, carpet, 3 layers of old flooring and a hefty floorboard with this borrowed sawzall. Talk about hard work!

Our sweet little Juliet was very curious about this new hole. Before we pulled out the camera she was putting her entire head in the hole. In natural cat fashion, though, she would not do it after we started taking pictures.

Our first harvest of tomatoes, which we picked a week or so ago. These are of the Sungold variety - an orange cherry tomato. They are the sweetest, most flavorful tomato I've ever had. Today I was able to pick so many that I almost couldn't hold them in my hands.

For our anniversary, which happened to be August 6th, we went to a nice fondue restaurant called The Melting Pot. Neither of us had had fancy fondue, and it was a fun experience. There were four courses - cheese first, to dip bread, fruit, and vegetables. We chose what they called a "Wisconsin Trio" for our cheese. This is the official description: "Fontina, Butterkäse and Buttermilk Bleu cheeses with white wine, fresh scallions and a hint of sherry." It was on the sharp side, and very good. Then came the salad course. Rachel had a strawberry almond salad, and I had a chef salad.

They brought out the main course next, which was a variety of raw meat that we cooked in the broth. The last course was the dessert, a flambeed chocolate fondue that we dipped all manner of sweet things in. There was a tray with strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, angel food cake, and several marshmallows that were coated with coconut, I think. It was all very good, and very nice for our first anniversary.



This last Saturday, we went to see one of our favorite bands, Nickel Creek. We'd previously seen two of their concerts in prior years, but it's been more than 2 years since they were here last.

A yard update...

This is what the yard looked like right before we had it planted:


And then, less than a week after planting:


Two weeks after that:


And this is what this part of it looks like today:


The entire lawn isn't perfect - there's some weeds still on one side, but it's getting better. :)

And finally, a tomato plant in the little side garden. It's really loving the drippers we installed with the rest of the sprinkler system this summer!

Since this is a blog, here are a couple of obligatory cat photos. Without further ado, Peanut Smith:

i don't know what happened but it won't let me even upload a picture anymore. the picture size was 320x240 so i'm pretty sure that that wasn't it. if any of you can help me that would be awesome.

greg

I wanted to show you just how much Karissa's grown in such a small amount a time! Well, I think so anywho :) Karissa, Easter 2006Karissa at my 30th BD party, May 2005
Karissa hangin' out at the park - Summer '06
Christmas-time 2005, all happy in new clothes :)

Why are all the 'good ones' always in Nature Reserves?! I hear that Karissa went fishing with Nanna & Papa last weekend, and I hear that Papa came up empty...Here ya go my man, now you have proof of the one that "got away" - Scott

Corbet's Cabin is at the top of Rendevouzs Point. Note to self - when "snack bar" is this exclusive, they can do things like sell bottled water for 3.95/bottle...It really is a neat place, and it is a nice break from the wind that is normally blowing up there...One ting that was really interesting, we changed temperatures approx 4 times from top to bottom (and vice versa)... -Scott

Ah - 2 of my favorite ladies at the top of Rendevouz Point at Jackson Hole...This was a great vacation...Karissa was so brave and loved riding the Tram/"Train in the Sky"- Scott

A great scenic shot from Christy that was taken just after you crest the Teton Pass going into Jackson, Wyoming from Victor, Idaho...and you thought that HSB Hill was steep.... - Scott

This is a shot from Yellowstone Bear World in Rexburg. We all had a really great time. I would recommend going there if you are looking for a great weekend get-a-way... - Scott

Karissa waiting in line to get on the Tram at Jackson Hole. This picture was taken from the platform at the top of Rendevouz Point (el. 10,450 Ft) at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort in Wyoming. Karissa had a great time. The Tram is shutting down at the end of September, and will be incrementally replaced over the next 2 yrs or so. We were in line with several bus-loads of Japanese Tourists. It was fun to watch them interact with Karissa (she hasn't really heard that language before. They were really polite, and even moved aside so that she could see the screen overhead that was showing scenes from the Tram. -Scott

Karissa and my 2nd Cousin Maddix (daughter of my Cousin Jennifer from CdA) playing at a birthday party for my Grandpa Lundblade and my Cousin Lara during our vacation to IF. 'Maddi' and Karissa had a great time with the family. - Scott

Hi All - So, I tried to create my own login, but Blogspot has an issue with me creating an account and it won't let me find the "Smith Family Photos." So, I am using Christy's login, since it automatically goes to your blog. Hope all is well with everyone...I'm going to try and post various pics.

Scott, Karissa, and Christy - all together at Boise Botanical Gardens '05
Karissa & Christy - petting the REAL reindeer
Christy with her Angel, Karissa

Karissa and Grandpa feeding Rick & Teresa's 5 mo. old miniature horse.

Grandma & Karissa in their matching outfits on Sunday August 6th.