Halloween

Trying on a few different costumes. Jacob wearing Jared's tennis uniform - which is way too big for Jared!

Torin as Aragog - again! He loves this costume, and Dani loves it too.

Liam in his new future - as a professional hunter. Costume courtesy of the Smiths, of course!

Kate and Dani as matching unicorns!

The church Halloween activity was always one of the best activities of the year. 

Torin had no fear digging in and scooping pumpkin innards.

Years later, as Jared is writing this and has no idea record of whose pumpkin is whose, it is pretty evident.

From left to right... Claire with the idea of a jack-o-lantern inside a jack-o-lantern; Liam with his creative side. Torin with Aragog. Jacob with the mean face, and Kate with the baby.

 

2018 - a year in the temple

Early in the year, with a lot of big decisions on our minds, we decided we should spend more time in the temple. We decided to make it to the temple weekly.

July 2

Oct 26

Nov 2

We tried to go individually, together, and whenever and wherever we could make it.

Throughout the year, we found comfort, peace, and inspiration in the temple and because we were attending the temple. What a blessing it is in our lives to live close to the temple of our Savior.

School and fall happenings

Torin loves going to preschool!

Lap day with our second graders. They did so well, running more laps than we thought they would be able to.

The trees on McCleod get super red in the fall time. Dani and Jared love to take walks

Jacob started playing the french horn, and he is learning it very well

Jacob loves his new suit!

Torin was pretty excited about this hair cut and 'do!

 

Looking like a scarecrow

Liam starts doing some family history, learning how to look in FamilySearch.

 

Fun with Friends

Some fun activities that Dani did with her friends. Wreath making 

Pizzas with Jessica

Ice Cream after a women's activity

Time with Blaire at the West's home

Jared and Rob took a nice bike ride up through Stafford to Pete's Mountain Road. It was beautiful - I love the countryside.

Jared and Rob took kids paddling on a spectacular October evening. 

We ended up sharing boards because there were more people than boards - and our balance was great!

The Willamette River is gorgeous in the fall!

 

The Archer

Liam decided that he is going to be an archer as a living. We told him that Ryker Smith does bow hunting, and Liam hatched a plan.

At the Homecoming parade, he started telling Ryker all about his plans to become a bow hunter. He would bring groups out. He would hide in trees and poison the tips of his arrows. All of this led to him asking Ryker to give him archery lessons. Ryker said he would think about it.

The next Sunday, Liam had written out on a notecard a schedule with letters of each day of the week for Ryker to circle. Ryker circled Friday, which Liam took to mean weekly lessons - we reduced it to once or so per month (though they ended up meeting a little more than that).

Ryker taught Liam the proper techniques shooting an arrow. Lessons became somewhat of a family event for the Smiths, with most of the kids joining Liam and Ryker out in the barn for his lessons.

Liam has always had a fan club. People are drawn to his imagination and enthusiasm and the way he says what is on his mind. We are grateful for a good friend giving of his time with Liam!