Well, here we are at the end of another [ADJECTIVE] year. We hope this Christmas letter finds you well as you celebrate this joyous season of [HOLIDAY TRADITION]. 2011 has been a/an [ADJECTIVE] yet [ADJECTIVE] for us, with the kiddos [VERB ENDING IN “ING”] like crazy. Caroline is almost 2, and if she could sum up the year so far in a single word, it would be “[EXCLAMATION]!” She loves to paint [PLURAL ANIMAL] and ride her new [ADJECTIVE] tricycle. She looked very [ADJECTIVE] in her [ADJECTIVE] flower girl dress in August. This year she started school (one day a week); she has taken to it like a [NOUN] to [NOUN].  Caroline [VERB ending in “S”] her baby brother Luke very much.  Speaking of Luke, he made a/an [ADJECTIVE] entrance on September 14. He spends his days [VERB ENDING IN “ING] and [VERB ENDING IN “ING] with Caroline. Having two kids has been very [VERB]!

Zach is still working for BNSF Railway and has been traveling quite a bit to [INSERT BIG CITY/RANDOM SMALL TOWN], which has left Jess feeling very [EMOTION].  He [VERB ending in “S”] racquetball, Rangers baseball and projects in the garage.

Cowtown Photo Booths has continued to [VERB]. The second [ADJECTIVE] booth is under construction now! Look for us at the next [EVENT]!

Jess stays busy [VERB ENDING IN “ING”] and [VERB ENDING IN “ING] the kiddos. She started her own [ADJECTIVE] business- LivingLifeDesigns.com.  Need a/an [ADJECTIVE] resume makeover or celebration design?  She also [VERB] scrapbooks and wedding monograms for Cowtown Photo Booths.

We [VERB ENDING IN "ED"] our 5^th anniversary by taking a/an [ADJECTIVE] trip to Boston- with a/an [ADJECTIVE] side-trip to Maine. We’ve traveled to see family and friends in [INSERT LOCATION] too.

In short, life is [ADJECTIVE] and we are grateful. As always, we wish you, our [PLURAL NOUN], the happiest of holiday seasons and a new [NOUN] filled with blessings, silliness and smiles. Take care and we hope to [VERB] you soon. Remember to take time to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday by [INSERT CHRISTMAS TRADITION]!

[CLOSING],

Jess, Zach, Caroline and Luke Smith

p.s. We’d love to see what you came up with! Send us your Madlib! It will be good for a laugh!

p.p.s. Tell all of the ladies in your life to get an annual mammogram!  Jess’ mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in August and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. We are thankful that they caught it early.  Zach’s mom celebrated her 10 year anniversary of being breast cancer free this fall. Get checked!!!

p.s. Say an extra prayer for my mom and her doctors. She was recently diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and is undergoing treatment.  Remind all of the women in your life to get an annual mammogram. I am very thankful that she did.

Many blessings to you and your family.

- The Smith Turkeys

Her face is priceless.

C teaching Luke Itsy Bitsy Spider

Lots of pictures here: http://jessandzach.shutterfly.com/

7 pounds 12 ounces and 20.5 inches

Welcome to the world! We love you!

Lots of pictures here: http://jessandzach.shutterfly.com/

Watch her in action and listen closely to her say Happy Birthday to Uncle Jeff.

C Walking & Happy Birthday Uncle Jeff

BIG Sister Shirt!

Baby Smith is due September 21! Check back for updates

Can you believe it’s March? I uploaded some new pics from February and March – jessandzach.shutterfly.com

Caroline is 14 months old now. She is growing fast and soooo curious! She is thinking about walking, but not quite yet. She can stand on her own and walk if she is holding on to something. She crawls super fast! She knows quite a few signs (more, milk, water, thank you, please, airplane, car). Her vocabulary is expanding every day! She mimics a lot (careful what you say). Words she knows (more, please, bath, mama, dada, hi, bye, flower, cheese, juice, night night and she will gladly perform animal sounds for you too (dog is her favorite, duck, cow, elephant, walrus, monkey, rooster, sheep)

Also, I started a blog in January. I’m just learning, so let me know what you think!

getSNAZZY.com is a personal style blog. I decided to start keeping track of some of my outfits and try to be fashionable so I don’t turn into a frumpy mom. These pics are mainly for me, but I thought I would share and maybe inspire you, since it is so easy for moms, especially, to get stuck and let themselves go! I am by no means a fashion expert, but I’m learning and trying to look my best and be a good role model for my daughter. I’ll also include mom adventures and favorite things plus tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
What’s new with you?

p.s. Have you visited CowtownPhotoBooths.com? Zach and a buddy from A&M started a photo booth rental business – check out the revamped website! It’s been a busy and fun year so far! Weddings, Super Bowl party, corporate parties, birthdays…

Check out http://momstreetstyle.com/

New pics, a few new recipes and a style section.

I decided to start keeping track of some of my outfits and try to be fashionable so I don’t turn into a frumpy mom.
I was inspired by a friend, she has a gift and is always amazingly fashionable. Check out her blogs http://charmedvalerie.com/ and http://momstreetstyle.com/!  Send me your inspiration or favorite outfits. I need all the help I can get!

Week 1 with a helper

The free trial week had a good variety- bean and cheese quesadillas (we added chicken) [SO TASTY and the leftovers were great for lunch today (I took the filling out of the tortilla to store overnight)], Asian slow cooker pork chops [Delicious and nice to come home from work to a full meal!] , breakfast casserole for dinner, mini meatloaf, turkey croissants (added avocado). It is $5 for a …month of menus (5 per week). We wasted at least that much by going out to eat or throwing out unused ingredients. You can substitute ingredients and you have 2 days unplanned so you can do whatever you want. The one hour is prep time and then the day of the meal you cook it, but will only have 1 dirty dish and no wasted time figuring out what to eat or if you have the ingredients. It also gives recommendations for a side dish. The shopping list is well organized too. So far I am a big fan and we’ve only eaten 2 of the meals! We got into a rut of having the exact same things…. spaghetti, tacos, frozen pizza, out to eat. Blah. Then a friend recommended http://5dinners1hour.blogspot.com/ Thanks Clarissa! Happy Cooking!