THE SMITHS

HEART SHAPED BUNS

2011-03-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

A belated happy valentine's day to you all.

BETTER THAN MILK

2011-03-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Meet Finn

2011-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCING...

2010-04-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Baby Boy Smith proudly displaying his little wee-nis for our viewing pleasure...he's expected to arrive mid-September!! Ya-hoo!

THERE'S BEEN A DEATH IN THE FAMILY...

2010-03-02T15:17:00.000-08:00

Well, Kidden's funeral was held this past Saturday after her passing on Friday afternoon. Josh dawned every piece of black clothing in his closet and we joined the entire Smith clan to bury little Kidden in Aaron's backyard. The day was sunny and nice, signifying that Kidden (affectionately known as Piss Biscuit at one point) was headed toward greater things. She'd touched us all in one way or another----a tear or two was shed for the ol' girl.
This was the coffin fashioned by Aaron and his amazing workmanship abilities...only the best for Kidden. She was laid to rest with some special tokens of her earthly life.
The pallbearing duties ensue.

We said our final good byes---here's to many a hairball in heaven little Kidden!

WHAT DO WOOD CHUCKS KNOW?

2010-02-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

The groundhog supposedly saw his shadow two days ago, predicting 6 more weeks of winter, but the sun was shinin' today and I caught a glimpse of spring...

GREETINGS

2009-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Salmon are spawing...

...and someone is growing his 'winter coat'--Autumn has arrived.

EURO TRASH

2009-08-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

Josh and I tagged along with my parents and little sis, SJ, to explore a little of Eastern Europe this summer...here is a taste of what we encountered on our travels.
We were mainly in parts of the former Yugoslavia, so we toughened up for the Commi's.
The Adriatic

The Croatians were beautiful,

as were the accordion players.
We indulged...

...just a little.
Josh communicating with the locals

Kathy and Josh bonding over dessert!

Rowing on Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Legend has it that if the groom gets his bride all the way to the top of these stairs the marriage will last...4 out of 5 make it. Josh and I are in it for the long haul!
A visit to the capital of Slovenia
Sarah and I had to do a little shopping.

quaintness in Austria

Europe's most abundant art form

Smokes on tap in Germany

Heading back to the grand ol' U.S. of A.

FUEL OF LOVE

2009-06-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

SUMMER TIME...

2009-06-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

PHOTO SHOOT

2009-05-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Check out my husband in stilettos...

POLYGAMY?!

2009-05-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

O.k., The first of this is a little bit of a snooze for those not interested in graphs and stuff. But stick with me here it gets better, I think.

My genetics instructor (not Mormon) moved here from the East specifically to study disease in Utah families, because we have huge ones. Families that is. And in the process has come up with some very interesting findings about the effects of polygamy on what is known as "genetic drift". Genetic drift happens when a small community of people are isolated from the larger community and only reproduce amongst themselves. This causes a higher incidence of very rare disease within the small population because of Consanguinity ("common blood")...

...mating among relatives, denoted by double lines in a pedigree. Small, isolated communities have no other choice than to mate among themselves, or die out.

It has been estimated that each person carries the equivalent of one to five genes that would be lethal if matched with another copy of the same gene. It follows then, that matings between relatives would more often produce offspring with genetic disease since relatives have many of the same genes. This is shown in several small, isolated communities...

...Here, the coefficient of inbreeding tells us how often populations end up mixing common genes due to consanguinity. You'll notice that in Utah the coefficient is very low when compared to other isolated religious groups. It's also very low when compared to broader communities...

...interestingly, some jewish populations have an extremely high incidence of rare genetic abnormalities, most notably, the Ashkenazi Jewish and Tay-Sachs disease. Which is really bad. This has caused the emegence of "match-makers" who keep track of how related people in the community are. But I digress. Back to polygamy.

So why don't we see these genetic problems in Utah Mormon communities? After all, if there was ever a physically (and socially) isolated group, the LDS definitely qualify. The reason: Polygamy. It has given our population a genetic diversity not otherwise possible given the circumstances of our trip out west. So next time you find yourself struggling with the issue of polygamy, think of this, and the fact that it was the Lord's idea...

"For if I will, saith the Lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things." - Jacob 2:30

Just be glad you didn't end up like this poor chap (AB).

SUNSET DELIGHT

2009-04-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

Josh and me trying to figure out how to use our new camera...give us some time.

AN ENIGMA

2009-03-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

After 3 years of marriage I still haven't figured this guy out...

No more February Blues...

2009-02-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

YouTube - Joe Esposito - You're the Best Around link to this video and tell me you don't get so motivated! I've always wanted a button that you could push at any moment and have a running soundtrack where ever you are in life...this would be a definite must for the playlist. Who doesn't want a little ego boost here and there? it ranks up with the likes of "Hit me with your best shot"---there was something so sweet about that decade!

THE SMITHS ARE PERFECT

2009-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

As you can see from our past posts, we are pretty much perfect. All we ever do is smile at each other and laugh and never argue. Seriously, that's it. So that's why it's all we ever write about. Plus we ONLY do fun things and take vacations. Economic woes? The Smiths don't care!
By the way, we went to Costa Rica for Christmas. Look how much fun we have together:First Class seats on the way down.

Sunsets with little boats and rocks and perfect stuff.

Tropical animals that we totally cuddled with in the Jungle.

Little green rain forest frogs that Josh caught in our hotel room. Not that the Smiths stay in cheap places, actually this was the perfect little place, but just because those kinds of things go on in foreign countries, you'd have to go to really get it.

Super premium tropical flowers everywhere.

Sweet views and hikes to see and hear volcanic "manifestaciones".

Science.

Canyoning, John Denver, Souvenir World, and Beaches.

Having a totally fun sleepover in the airport because we couldn't get on our flight. Not that the Smiths don't have enough money for a hotel room or anything, we actually have the perfect amount of money, we were just thinking of the homeless this Christmas and how they suffer. So we did too.

HUNTSVILLE

2008-12-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hands down the best place to grow up. How will I ever recreate my childhood for my kids (if I ever bear any that is)? I am forever searching, but nothing as yet can beat out Huntsville, Utah. Maybe a girl just never gets over her roots...

"DUDDYKINS"

2008-11-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Dudley attempting to share some of his pudding with his Mum...tasty!
My mom was pouring "butter beer" in her cute witch get-up and came to say hi.
My little pumkin' chowing on some pudding and hoarding his 36 presents!!

Josh and I played the part of Aunt Petunia and Dudley Dursley in my cousins annual Halloween Harry Potter Extravaganza! It was a bit Oedipal, but Josh played a spoiled brat so well that we couldn't pass the part by...they had over 1200 people attend---it was crazy, but turned out totally fun!!

SIEGFRIED & ROY

2008-11-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Halloween goes Vegas. We brought a little of the desert glitz to the hills of Bountiful!! Lookin' good boys!

IT'S OFFICIAL...

2008-08-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, surreal as it all is Josh received his induction into the medical community this past friday and was presented with his "white coat". I was like a proud parent in the audience! He is so excited, but we are both apprehensive about the lifestyle change ahead, and hope that it wont be too hectic.

thank you to my father for the finger on the lense in the pic with josh and me... i also had to include josh's little boy smile in the bottom pic---wanna play dr. anyone?

Man vs.

2008-08-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Josh had one final hoorah with his pals in the Wind Rivers before starting school this past week. As you can see there was plenty of "measuring" going on between the boys...

Albany or Bust!

2008-08-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

We bid our good friends JC and Tiana, along with Georgia their new baby girl, farewell the other night before they headed off to NY for medical school. Best of luck you guys...JC--Josh will be lost without you!!

FEAST OR FAMINE

2008-07-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Another worthy blog topic: Andrew Bird. I've been into him for a while now, but last night at the Gallivan Center he just mesmerized me...so talented!! Listen to a live performance from Bonnaroo and I have no doubt that you will soon be singing his praises. Get your kids into suzuki violin by 4 and you can have a little organic pop star on you hands soon!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dJcr1brx_Y&feature=user

METAL DREAMS

2008-07-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Blogging World:
Josh and I have neglected to engage in this conversation lately, but will try to be more present in the future. This past Wed. I said good bye to my job at the treatment center and was then able to celebrate my freedom with Josh's band, Sweaty Metal!! Please check out the site below...I've always had a thing for bassists, but this one is especially smooth...enjoy. (the sunglasses really add a nice touch)

Breaking the Law: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbafhgUqdIU

SQUIRREL NUTKINS

2008-05-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

i was organizing my photos and came across this lovely sight...couldn't resist posting it for all to enjoy...

PUSHIN' THIRTY

2008-02-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

This year for Josh's 28th we headed down "old South America way" to Bryce Canyon to free up a heel among the towering red-rocks. We arrived right on time for their annual hippie-winter-fest. It was pretty sweet. We did a trail through some trees and down around fairyland point, which is where the pics were taken, and then looped back up. It was awesome there. There are tons of gigantic red towers everywhere that look awesome covered in snow. We took a free astronomy class at night with giant telescopes taught by scientists with pony tails, we danced with the hippies and their kids to to the band "Cosmic American Music" and in the morning we did yoga to get back in touch with our inner peace. On the way there and back we listened to a book on tape, "Goose Girl". It wasn't Josh's choice but whatever, it was o.k. Also, our room had a huge hot tub in it, which was perfect after some intense "touring".
Also, we have no idea why everything we type turns into a link to our pics. ??

FORGET SCHOOL

2008-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

Opportunity knocks...

THERE'S CANDY INSIDE

2007-11-30T09:28:00.001-08:00

So Kate works at a treatment center for young boys and girls. It's in Magna. The other day I was at school and my dad calls my phone and says "Josh, the police are at my house and they want to talk to you."
The cop gets on the phone and says "Are you the owner of an Astro van?" I proudly answer that I am. Then he starts asking me all these questions about what my van is doing in Magna outside a home for young kids and why the back is full of skateboards and skis and stuff. I pause for a second because I realize where this is headed. Then I answered with the truth of the matter:
Kate and I switched cars that day, the skateboards are because I still shred sometimes and the skis and stuff are from a program that I was starting to help Spanish-speaking kids learn to ski.
So in the end the cop buys my story and then he tells me why they were concerned in the first place. It turns out that the director of Kate's treatment facility had seen the van parked out on the street and immediately assumed that it belonged to some perv trying to spy on the kids so he called the police.
That was when it hit me: This is proof that my van is so powerful that when you see it, it makes you want to call the 5.0.

Could you resist this mug?

2007-11-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

"Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length." -Robert Frost
This picture conjures up one of those heightened moments. You make all the mundane & chaotic worth it Joshua...much thanks and love.

RAINBOW-TREK

2007-11-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

Since we got back from L.A. some people have been asking us "So, did you see any movie stars?". The answer is YES.
After we had been eating stylish breakfast for about a half hour on Santa Monica Blvd., we were joined by the one and only Reading Rainbow host: LaVar Burton. Kate started screaming and crying uncontrollably, Josh fainted.
After producing and hosting the show for twenty years, Burton has recently announced he is leaving Reading Rainbow because a lame educational services company (the same people who own Sylvan Learning Center and Hooked on Phonics) bought production rights for the show. Burton is awesome for not selling out to the corporate fat cats. Reading has inspired him throughout his life and he's not about to become some puppet for Sylvan just to be dragged around helping kids learn. Its not about the money, let's get that straight. It's about reading and books! If you're just some dumb kid who can't read, what does that have to do with LaVar?
In our humble opinion: "Nothing."
Stay strong LaVar... Stay strong!

BENSONWEEN

2007-10-28T20:01:00.001-07:00

Doug and Linds threw a radical Halloween round-up this past Saturday. It was the best party ever. Here's Douglas (out of costume in the first five minutes) showing some tongue while bobbin' for apples. The Smiffs were rock stars. Halloween is awesome because it's the one day a year that you can actually be who you really wish you were.

DEEP THOUGHTS

2007-09-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

"Dude seriously, I hate writing. Think about it, just to write one word you have to draw like 5 things!"
- Douglas Edward Benson (august 2007)

THE BIG ELK CREEK, IDAHO

2007-07-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

These are some shots of our annual trip last week to some rivers that feed the Palisades Reservoir in Idaho. Kate caught her first fish with a fly rod. Definitely one of our proudest moments.

ASTRO ON DUBS

2007-07-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

A'ight, they ain't dubs... I keep 'em clean though.

This is my new whip, courtesy of Cutler's Cookie Production. It came all tricked out like this, I didn't have to do anything.

THE HAPPY COUPLE

2007-07-31T07:41:00.001-07:00

Everybody's favorite Gasser got hitched for eternity this past Wednesday. We're all very proud. Here are a couple of snap shots of the action. Nestman was soo over it at lunch. -no signs of a watch brah.

where are you?

2007-07-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

carly and tia---
i'm so glad you found me...let me know your site addresses so i can peek into your lives. i am such a novice at this blogging stuff, i don't get how to look people up! thanks, kate

Epoxy a la Smith (the new Jensen garage)

2007-07-09T22:00:00.001-07:00

Somehow Kate managed to get 100% solid epoxy on her forehead and hair. Leave it to the experts Kate.

Uncky Josh

2007-07-09T21:43:00.001-07:00

Josh was such a good sport to endure the whole Jensen clan this last week...he's become rather popular with the nieces and nephews as you can see!! Will and Jane love him!

CERTIFIED=SWEETIFIED

2007-07-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

No picture here guys, just a sweet reminder of how smart Kate is. She finally took her board exam to become a certified social worker and of course, she nailed it! Not that we ever doubted she would... "Hold those middle fork colors high!"

YESSSSSSSS!

2007-06-23T13:19:00.001-07:00