Perkins Family!

Smoot Family Pictures!

2011-08-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

We had family pictures taken the day before we left for Notre Dame.
The whole Fam!

The Grand kids!

The Boys!

The Girls

Fun back shot of everyone goofing off! I love Korbin and Casey holding hands. I never realized they were so close!!!

Sydnee had to have one with Shadow (the Dog)

Aunt Sadie and Sydnee with Oaklee and Maggie

Oaklee really wanted Smooty to look!

The Dearinger Family!

Smooty and Oaklee!

Our little Family!

Oaklee's 3rd Birthday!

2011-08-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

On May 24th 2011 Oaklee turned 3 years old! Holy cow..I can't believe how old she is!! All she wanted for her birthday was a bike and a Cinderella cake! Of course her grandparents spoiled her and she got lots more! Initially, I was going to make the cake but things were a little crazy trying to get everything packed up and ready to move to Indiana on the 27th. So, we looked and looked for a Cinderella cake but all the cheaper bakery's didn't have one so we just bought this "I love shoe's" cake and added Cinderella on it! She loved it!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Blowing out the candles!

Presents!

A Soccer Ball!

Puzzles yay!

A new Swimming Suit.. and Hot Wheels!

A baby, a bubble blowing machine...

a bike helmet and ....

A BIKE!!! Oaklee was so funny! She got so excited and ran over to it, as she was getting on her foot got stuck on the peddle. She fell to the ground and started crying! I'm so glad we got it on Video because it was so cute and sad at the same time!

Uncle Korbin sucked the Helium from the ballon! Oaklee thought it was really funny!

The next day we had a little party with Oaklee's friends Luke, Brendan and Ben! We had left the camera at the house so we took video and then went and grabbed the camera. Ben had to leave early so we didn't get a picture with him! Oaklee is really going to miss these guys!

Zoo Outing!

2011-08-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

One weekend my mom had planned to get family pictures taken, they were canceled at the last minute so Abbie and Spencer and Porter and I were in Centerville, and we decided to go to the Zoo! It was lots of fun!

Smooty and Maggie ready to go!

Monkey's

This Mom and Baby Elephant were so cute!

Little Maggie with a big Cat!

The Girls! Sadie,Oaklee, Maggie and Sydnee!

Maggie enjoyed her daddy's hair!

Oaklee with some little kind of Kangaroo!

After a day at the Zoo, Sydnee showed us what they found in the window seal! It was so neat, over the next couple weeks we watched as these baby bird grew up and flew away!

When the day was done it was bath time! We put Maggie and Smooty in my parents big Jacuzzi tub. Maggie hadn't been in a tub before so she loved all the room! Smooty kept rolling to his stomach and then getting mad because his face was getting in the water! They were so funny!

Blessing Day and Cousin Time!

2011-08-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

On February 3rd we drove to Logan to visit Abbie and little baby Maggie! Smooty got to meet his cousin Maggie for the 1st time! Abbie and I had so much fun comparing the two of them!

That sunday February 6th was Smooty's blessing! Ema & Papa Smoot were there with Uncles Casey, Josh, and Korbin, and Aunts Sadie and Sydnee! Grandma Sugar, Uncles Carson, Connor and Sam. and Great Grandma and Grandpa Smoot! I just love these time's when you get to see your husband with his guard down and actually emotional. The spirit was so strong and Porter gave such a beautiful blessing! After the blessing we all drove to Centerville to eat, where Abbie, Spencer and Maggie joined us!

All three Grand-kids!

Oaklee and Smooty!

I can't believe Smooty is only 6 weeks older than Maggie!

They got really tired of all the pictures!

Maggie's blessing day! April 10,2011 Maggie was blessed! There were so many people there and it was such a beautiful day!

Korbin and Smooty

Sadie, Josh and Oaklee

Me, Casey and Maggie

Korbin, Smooty, Casey, Sadie and Maggie!

Margrette Moana Dearinger!

2011-08-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hold it..rewind back to January! I've forgotten one of the most important wonderful things that happened! Oaklee and Smoot have their very first cousin on the Smoot side! Margrette Moana Dearinger was born at 9:03pm on January 27, 2011. She weighed 7lbs 13oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Tiny compared to Smoot! Abbie and Spencer are so happy and it has been so fun to see little Maggie and Smoot together!

The proud Mommy and Daddy, Abbie and Spencer!

Maggie with her Mommy, Daddy, Ema and Papa!

Ready to go home :)

Family Pictures! Isn't she adorable?!

Fun Times!

2011-08-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

My Family had an exchange student from Germany for 3 weeks. Her name is Jamie. One weekend while she was here we took her to Boondocks! We had a lot of fun riding the go karts.

Oaklee loved riding on the go karts!

and the Merry-go-round!

Bath time! Smooty loves splashing in the tub.

One weekend we randomly decided to go camping! Porter had remembered going camping at Topaz mountain as a kid and really wanted to take Oaklee! So we grabbed the tent packed up some food and we were off! We had lots of fun and the weather was perfect! Smoot was fabulous and slept just fine. There wasn't as much topaz as Porter had remembered but we were able to hike up and find some! Our camera died while we were up there so we don't have a ton of pictures but it was a blast!

Valentine's Day!

2011-08-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

For Valentine's Day Porter took Oaklee out on a Date! She was so excited and even got a rose. She put it in her room and didn't want to throw it away until all the peddles had fallen off!

Oaklee got a giant sugar cookie, a skirt from Ema, and a puppy from Sugar! Smoot got a cookie(which I ate) and a Puppy from Sugar. Daddy got a giant cookie, a picture of the kids for his office and I filled his office fridge with water and Gatorade because all they had to drink at the office was Red Bull! Then we all had a romantic dinner at Ikea!!!! It was lots of fun!

1st week of Life!

2011-08-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

The first week of Smooty's life was pretty crazy! Being so close to Christmas made things a little hecktic. We came home from the hostpital on December 17th and on the 20th we went to my Parents house in Centerville! Our whole family was together and so was Porter's so we had a lot of fun! We had his Newborn pictures taken on the 21st and they turned out so cute. We went sledding, bowling with both families together,and just had a great Christmas!

Sledding at Eaglewood!

Sledding at the Bloomfields!

Coming home from the Hospital!

Just Chill'in!

My two little monkey's!

Smoot's First Bath!

Christmas with the Perkins Fam!

2011-08-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Scott and Janece where in town for Christmas! We had a lot of fun spending time with them. Charlie, Boston, and Oaklee loved decorating cookies and making ginger bread houses!

Oaklee was really excited to show her cookie with Aunt Janece!

The Grandkids!

Boston
Charlie

Oaklee
and Smooty!

Christmas Morning,Waitig to see if Santa Came!

Santa brought a Puppy for Sugar and the boys! That night we tried to come up with a name. We all put a name that we liked into a hat and then voted on them. Being the decisive family that we are, after 2 hours of throwing out name after name we still hadn't decided and everyone was ready for bed. We had two names, which I can't remember at the moment, but somehow we combined them and there it was. The name we had been looking for...Ozzy!

The whole gang eating Christmas dinner!

Newborn Pictures!

2011-08-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

We had Newborn Pictures taken by MonkeyFace Photography! I absolutely loved them!

Porter "Smoot" Perkins!

2011-08-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear little Smooty,
Welcome! On December 15th 2010, at 5am Daddy and I drove to the hospital for you to be induced! I got all set up and then we waited for you to come! Daddy was so excited to have his first little boy! At about 9:30am the Doctor came in and broke my water and the contractions started progressing more. After a little bit my epidural stopped working on the right side and so the anesthesiologist tried to center the needle but then it stopped working all together. By 10:40 I was dilated to a 10 and waiting for the doctor to come deliver you! Just then the anesthesiologist decided to reinsert my epidural. At a whopping 9lbs 14oz you came into the world! Not even a minute after you where born the terrible fear and possibility of loosing a child hit me. You weren't breathing well and the doctors had you in the corner trying to help you breath. I was so scared as they pounded your back and just prayed that you'd be okay! Just then you let out a scream and I had an overwhelming feeling that everything would be just fine! For the first 2 hours of your life they didn't let the family hold you. You would make this whimpering sound that they were worried about but I still think it was just your little spirit complaining that you had to come here to earth! You had so many people that love you just waiting to hold you! Your sister Oaklee was so excited to see you and she brought you your first teddy bear! She kept saying "hold it baby, hold it!!" She loves you so much! Papa Smoot, Ema,Uncle Casey, your Aunts Sadie and Sydnee, and G. Sugar where all waiting to hold you! When we came to the hospital we still hadn't decided on a name, but when I held you and looked up at Daddy we decided that you where definitely a Smoot! We are so happy you are here and we love you so much!
Love,

Mom, Dad, and Oaklee!

VA PRO Christmas Party!

2011-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

One week before I was due Porter's Office had a fabulous Christmas Party! We had Dinner at the Hope Gallery in Salt Lake City then they had Carriage rides waiting for us! We were hoping that I'd go into labour but it didn't happen: ( It was a fun night!

We are in the back right corner. It's kind of hard to see us!

November!

2011-08-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Oaklee loves putting on Dad's Deodorant! Don't you just love this outfit?

Oaklee can't wait to have her baby Brother come!

For Thanksgiving my Mom had the Cox side of the family over. It was lots of fun! The girls where amazed at how big my belly was!

We all went to the rec center for a couple hours and Oaklee loved Ice skating with my cousin Marie!

Fun Friends! In November we got together with some of my best friends from High school! Porter wasn't able to come but neither was Matt so Synthia and I where each others dates!

Halloween

2011-08-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

On Halloween Oaklee had 3 different costumes to choose from. Boo from Monster's Inc., Tinker Bell or a Tiger. She wanted to be a Tiger!

I decided to dress up as a pregnant witch! I think Oaklee was a little scared of the spider on my face!

Oaklee went trick-or-treating with her friend Elle who was dressed as a Princes! Everyone thought Oaklee was a little boy; but she loved going around growling at people!

Sam, Carson and Connor showing off their pumpkins!

All tuckered out!

Blessed!

2011-07-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

One night in October my brother Casey had a friend visiting from his mission. Casey, Korbin and his friend Blair(who was grounded) decided to take her on a mountain adventure on the Razor. As they were heading back to the car they saw a really big steep hill covered in gravel, and being guys, said "Oh lets do it!" Going up was no problem for the big Razor but coming down was a different story! Korbin, who had just had surgery on his knee and shouldn't have been driving, started down the hill a little too fast. Soon they where skidding on the gravel;with no helmets or seat belts on they rolled out of control and where thrown from the vehicle. Blair landed on some rocks with a huge gash in his leg and across his head....Korbin was thrown in front of the vehicle and it rolled on top of his body! Casey immediately called an ambulance and they were both life flighted to the U of U Hospital where they spent the night in the ICU. Korbin had 3 broken ribs and extensive liver and lung damage. Blair had to have stitches across his head and on his leg. They definitely had angels watching over them that night because they where both out of the ICU the next day. Nurses said that that summer there had been 25 ATV accidents without helmets and only one came out of the ICU and he was paralyzed. Blair was able to leave a day later but in the 4 weeks to follow it was a fight for Korbin's life. Korbin kept having complication after complication. After lots of fasting and prayers Korbin was able to come home.

These scars are from where he had tubes draining his lungs!

St. George Marathon

2011-07-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Sugar, Scott and Aunt Christy Ran the St. George Marathon in September! It was lots of fun just hangin out with the Family!

Oaklee loved playing with her Cousin Charlie!

Random snap shots!

Grandma Sugar!

Thanksgiving Point, Porter's B-day and Fishing!

2010-11-16T18:31:00.000-08:00

Oaklee and I love to go on outings with friends! We try to get together with Brienne and Luke, and Rachel and Ben about once a week! Here we went to the Farm at Thanksgiving Point! We had lots of fun!

Here we are taking a carriage ride!

Oaklee and Luke had fun dancing in Miss Kitty's Dance Hall!

uh..oh...Oaklee's in trouble!

They all loved the baby bunnies! Oaklee kept trying to get them out!

Oaklee and the ducks!

Feeding the goats!

Happy Birthday babe! On September 16 Porter turned 27 years old! We had a gift certificate to the Homestead Resort so Oaklee went to my parents for the night! It was a nice little get away to relax!

Smoot Family Reunion!! On the 24th we went up to the Wyoming Uinta Youth Camp for the Smoot family reunion! It was a lot of fun and Oaklee got to go fishing with Daddy!

Oaklee's 1st fish!

Just like her Mommy..she didn't want to touch it!

Fountains, Fair, Haircut!

2010-11-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

The first week of September my Parents and Casey went to Canada to visit his mission for 10 days! While they were gone I stayed with Korbin, Sadie and Sydnee! We had a blast but let's just say I'm glad Oaklee won't be a teenager for a while!
Sadie turned 14 while we were there, so we took her shopping and played in the Fountains! She had a party the next week when my parents were home!

Korbin had his Homecoming dance and I did dinner for his group! They had a garden salad,Focaccia Chicken with pasta Alfredo and bread-sticks! We also made them try Artichokes for an appetizer and Asparagus for the veg. For dessert they each got their own Brownie Truffle! My camera died so these where the only pictures I got with my camera. I need to get the other ones from Sadie but oh well! Here they are finishing their dessert cups!

Sydnee was working at the State Fair showing her goats, so we went to visit her! They had this cute little farm house that the little kids pretend to work in and then they get a dollar to buy a treat! Oaklee loved it!

Oaklee remembered riding the pony last year and just had to do it again! She would have stayed on the pony all day long!

Oaklee's hair was getting pretty crazy so I decided to cut it! Something that I will never do again...I totally messed up and cut it way too short!

Candace Evan's Wedding

2010-11-16T15:37:00.001-08:00

On August 21st my friend Candace Evans, married Turrel Woodburry! They are such a great couple and had the most beautiful day! Congrats!

They bought most of their food and then had me come put it all together! They had Dessert crapes, Spinach and articoke dip, chip's and salsa, cookies and veggie platters. It turned out very nicely! Thanks to my sweet husband, mom, and cousin's Jordi and Synthia, for your help that night! I couldn't have done it without you!

Hawaii!

2010-11-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

August 3-10th Porter and I got to go to Hawaii! A graduation gift from my parents and also to celebrate our 4 year anniversary coming up in October. It was so nice to relax and just spend time together!
We arrived around 6pm Hawaii time (10pm Utah time) on Tuesday night and went to pick up the car. We thought we would be getting a small beater car, but when the car rental place brought out a Dodge Charger we were pretty excited! By the time we ate something and found the hotel we were exhausted and ready for bed!

The Next day we were up at like 5am because of the time change. We waited for a couple hours so it wasn't so early and went to the store to get some food! Then we decided to go exploring and walk down to the beach. It was so incredibly crowded that we decided to go get the car and go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay! We saw lots of really cool fish and a big Sea turtle, unfortunately we didn't have an underwater camera yet!

After snorkeling we found this really cool viewing place off the side of the road and climbed down the rocks to the water. It was so pretty!

Thursday we found a really good deal to take a tour of Kualoa Ranch! They have filmed a ton of movies on Kualoa ranch. While we were there they said that the 4th Pirates of the Caribbean was being filmed about 10 min. away. We where on a bus so we couldn't go check it out. These pictures are only, some of the movies they have filmed there. We got to take a tour of the Ranch, ride 4-wheelers and horse back ride! They also fed us lunch. Kualoa Ranch is one of the most Historical places on Oahu.

In the Movie Pearl Harbor this picture is when they wake up in the car and see everything being bombed. This site was not only used in the movie though. During World War II, some of the ranch was used as an auxiliary airstrip with many of the large monkeypod trees providing natural hangars for small planes. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor they actually flew right through these mountains in order to hide and have the element of surprise.

This is what is remaining of some of the bunkers.

Jurassic Park

This is the fallin down tree that the little boy hides under!

50 First Dates
This is where Drew Barrymore runs over the Penguin and also chases Adam Sandler's friend with a bat.

If you look closely at the rocks/mountains on the right it looks like two gorilla's about to kiss!

This mountain also looks like a big Gorilla face. They also filmed King Kong here!

Lost
Most of the TV series Lost was filmed here.

This is where Hurley finds an old van and gets it started by pushing/driving it down this hill.

This is where "The Others" kept their submarine.

To the left of this little beach front was where they filmed some of the beach scenes. Also if you look out on the left hand side there is a long dock that they used in Season 5 to dock a boat and it is also the same dock that is used in 50 First Dates!

Us on the four-wheelers. We couldn't go very fast and had to stay in a line but it was still fun!

Another Part of history is the Kualoa Sugar Mill. It was built in 1863. The mill was closed around 1870 after years of rainfall that effectively brought an end to sugar farming in Hawaii. This is what's left.

Can you tell what this Island looks like?

Kualoa Ranch was probably our favorite place, we had a blast.

Long story short we only had the hotel in Waikiki from the 3rd through the 5th and then the 8th to the 10th, so we had 2 nights that we needed to find somewhere to stay.So on Friday we checked out of our hotel and decided to make our way over to Laie to see the BYU campus and find a hotel around there. We stopped at the Dole Plantation. They had all kinds of stuff to do like the Worlds Largest Maze and Pineapple Express train. My favorite was the pineapple Dole Whip! It was amazingly yummy, it's a good thing I don't live near there or I would want it all the time.

Then we stopped at Sharks Cove to do some more snorkeling. This time we came prepared with an underwater camera. There wasn't much to see so we thought we'd go back to Hanauma Bay another day to see if we could get some better pics.

We then stopped at BYU and the Temple grounds but the temple was under construction so there wasn't much to see. Finding a Hotel was quite the adventure. Porter looked on his phone and all we could find was Turtle Bay, which all that was available was $400 a night, and A little Country Inn for $100 a night. So we called the Inn and put the address into the phone gps. It said it was only like 20 min. away so pretty soon the gps was saying we where there as it took us down into a neighborhood. We didn't see any sort of sign or hotel anywhere so we decided to call. They told us that we needed to pass where the Pirate ship (from Pirates of the Caribbean) was docked and a mall then turn left at an old church and it would be on the right. So we turned the gps off because obviously it was wrong. We then drove for like an hour when we passed the mall we came to a highway so I called them and they said we weren't even close and that we still needed to pass the mall. She was kind of short with me and just told us to put the address in the gps, so I couldn't explain where we had been and get clear directions. So we put the same address back into the gps and headed back the other way. Well finally after another hour of driving and still not finding it I called again and made sure they understood where we were. The whole time they thought we where coming from the North but we had been coming from the South. So we got better directions followed the gps and went back down into the neighborhood. By this time we where so frustrated and called again, all of a sudden a women from the hotel came walking up a big steep driveway. The Hotel had been there the whole time! We felt so stupid! So after driving all day we finally found it! Here are some pictures of the place.

At first we were a little worried but it turned out to be great! Our room was on the other side of this little house. We had a deck right on the water.

This is the view from the balcony!

After checking in we where exhausted but we had to do something, and Porter was so ready to get on his boogie board. So back into the car we went to find a beach!

On Saturday we decided to go check out the ship from Pirates! We couldn't get too close but we got some pretty good pictures! One night we went by and they where filming! There was a huge group of people gathered around with all kinds of signs and stuff! Johnny Depp was supposed to be arriving at 1 am, which was in 2 hours. We decided to pass since it was already 3am our time and he would just be driving through not signing autographs or anything.

When we got home we had a little visitor on our deck!

As Porter would get closer it would hiss at him!

The rest of the day we spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center!

This was the Men's workhouse

Woman's workhouse!

We got to weave a little fish!

Porter started a fire with just wood and kindling.

The Luau!

We had a great day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. That night we had another little visitor!
Sunday we didn't have to check out until 1pm so we got ready and found a church to go to! It was great! After we checked out we slowly drove back to Waikiki, stopping at different viewing points along the way.

Monday we went back to Hanauma Bay for more snorkeling then found a beach that had awesome waves! They where crashing right on the beach so I didn't go out much and we only had the disposable camera so the pictures aren't as good!

On Tuesday we checked out of the hotel and drove to Pearl Harbor! Unfortunately the fairy to the Arizona was closed, So all we got where pictures from afar!

Our Flight didn't leave until 8 o'clock that night so we decided to go to the movie Inception! It was fun and we had such a great vacation, but we were ready to be home and see oaklee again!

Baby Boy!

2010-11-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

Also in July we found out that I am having a boy. Here are the ultrasound pictures! I am due Dec. 17 and we are so excited! Oaklee loves to hug my belly and say "Wake up baby, wake up!!" She is going to be a great big sister! Don't worry I'll post some prego pictures later!

Day's of 47 Rodio!

2010-11-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

On the 24th of July we went to the Day's of 47 Rodeo, with both our families! It's so fun to be able to do things together. It's like we are all just on big family!

Oaklee was trying to get popcorn from the person in front of us!

We ended up getting her some of her own!

This was the First Rodeo the Perkins boys had been to..they weren't sure what to think! Afterward we all went to Applebee's for dessert! It was a great night!

4th of July Weekend!

2010-11-10T09:04:00.001-08:00

So before I get into what we did over the 4th of July; I just want to tell you what a miracle it is that I even have these pictures,and all the pictures I will be posting through September. So in September I started downloading all the pictures from my memory card from the summer. When they all pulled up I chose the option that clears the memory card once they are all downloaded and hit import. Somehow only one picture was selected and imported. The rest of my 344 pictures where deleted off the card. I could not believe what just happened. 4 Months of our lives was just erased..at least that's how I felt! I burst into tears and called my parents to see if they new anything about recovering these photos. We tried a couple things to recover them on the computer but since they weren't actually imported there was nothing we could do. So I immediately started praying that somehow I could find a way to at least recover some pictures... or feel better about loosing them. As I was accepting the fact that the pictures where gone I thought to call my friend Megan, who got me started with the blog and picasa3 photo viewer. I wondered if she might know something. As I talked to her she found some software online called WinRecovery Software that recovers memory cards.I guess there are a bunch of different programs like this and I'm sure some of you already know this; but this was a miracle to me! I had to pay $30 for the software but it was a small price to pay! Thanks Megan, you helped answer my prayer. Also Thanks to Mom and Dad for Praying for my petty little problem!

So the 4th of July weekend we went to Thanksgiving Point Fireworks! Because it was going to be late when the fireworks started I brought Oaklee some pj's, which came in very handy! It was really windy and freezing! Oaklee didn't care too much, she was having a blast running around and learning how to roll down the hill.

If you're wondering if I have a booger hanging from my nose..I promise it's just a cold sore!

We had to wait for like an hour to ride this little cow train, but Oaklee really wanted to ride it!

The Fireworks where very cool and Oaklee was in aww..she loved it!

Then we decided to take the boys camping. It was a blast! We went up Spanish Fork Canyon and found a camping spot, and the next morning hiked up to Diamond Fork Hot-springs!

Just chill'in by the fire pit!

Getting ready to hike to the hot-springs!
I got left behind a little bit with all these fit boys...keep in mind I was 3 months pregnant and not feeling too great!

Look at these Sexy boys!

At the hot-springs there is a waterfall that has a hole in the middle that you can climb up and stick your head out of. The water is freezing but it's lots of fun!
Here's Connor,

Korbin,

Porter,

And Sam!

These Boys where so funny! Every picture they had to be flexing or posing in some way!

Oaklee and I loved playing in the water and watching the boys be boys!

June

2010-11-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Well we had such a great summer! We where able to go on lots of fun trips and make great memories! In June we spent a week in Coeur D'alene, ID with both Porter's and my Families and some of my Smoot cousins. We had so much fun just relaxing and spending time together. We stayed in a house right on the river, so we did lots of fishing, boating and swimming. (even though the water was freezing!) One of the days we where there we decided to bike the 17 mile Hiawatha Trail which follows an old rail road route through the mountains. Luckily it was mostly down hill. It was beautiful! There were lots of tunnels that were pitch black and freezing so everyone had to have a good light on our bikes and a sweat shirt to take on and off! I didn't have my camera so unfortunately I don't have any pictures but hopefully I will be getting some from my cousin! Also while we were there we celebrated, my mother in law, Shelly's, my little cousin, Liza's and My, Birthdays! We had a great time together and are so blessed to have such a great family!

Oaklee's 2 year old Birthday!

2010-07-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Oaklee turned 2 years old on May 24th! Since we had just gotten home from Cancun and to cut costs, we decided to do a little family party in Centerville! Oaklee's little neighbor friend Elle Bloomfield came and we had lots of fun! Since Oaklee loved the Monkey's in Cancun so much I just had to make her a monkey cake..it just fits her!

Blowing out her Candles!

Oaklee and Elle ready to start the party!

Presents!! Elle gave Oaklee this chair and she loves it! She now carries it all over the apartment.

Oh, Sunglasses and a new swimming suit!

She was so excited to get Woody and Bulls-eye! She just loves Toy Story!

Dora!! Yay..she got her two favorite things!

She also got some cute clothes but she wouldn't hold them up for us to get a good picture. Oaklee had a great birthday and I think this pictures tells it all!!

Cancun!

2010-07-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

May 10 to the 17th we had the opportunity to go to Cancún, México with my family! Here we are in the airport waiting to get on the plane!
My sister Abbie and her husband Spencer. Little sisters Sadie and Sydnee with Oaklee!

Brothers Casey, Josh and Korbin. Mom and Dad

Porter and I with Spencer's face in the background. hehe I love it..thanks Spence!
Oaklee loved this stroller/wheelchair thing and didn't want to get off!

The first day that we were there we met up with our cousins Landon and Alise Essig, and went to Talum! Landon served his mission there and they just happened to be there at the same time. The Talum ruins were awesome! It was so cool to think about who lived there and what was happening at that time. When we got home Porter started doing some research about all the different ruins in México and found this really cool website. After reading this I don't think you could possibly deny that the Book of Mormon is true! http://www.ancientamerica.org/library/me

dia/HTML/z88eycyr/Mysteries%20of%20the%20Mayans%202..pdf?n=O

As we were leaving there was a bunch of birds being really loud over by a tree, so we went to check it out. Low and behold there was a snake hanging from the tree eating a bird! It was crazy, the snake blends into the leaves but if you look closely you can see the bird hanging out of it's mouth! It took a while but sure enough it got the whole bird in it's mouth!

After Talum everybody was so hot and ready to be cooled off so on the drive back we found a Cenote. Which is basically a fresh water cave that has collapsed in some places. It was lots of fun and the water was so nice and cool!

The next day we just played on the beach at the resort.

Thursday we went to Cozumel! One the ferry ride over everyone was feeling there new sunburned bodies and pretty nauseous from the waves...at least I was!

Once we got there we felt much better and Sadie, Sydnee and I decided to get our hair braided!

After shopping for a couple hours we decided to rent some Vespa's and a little car and drive around the Island! I wish we had gotten more pictures of us all on them but oh well here is Casey and Sydnee, Sadie and Josh and Abbie and Spencer!

Oaklee loved just chillin' in the car!

On our way around the Island we found a great beach where the waves where a little bigger than at the resort so we stopped and rented some boogie boards!

After a couple hours we had to get the car and Vespa's back and get to the ferry before it left so we all rushed the rest of the way around the Island. While my parents and the boys took the cars back the rest of us ran to catch the ferry. We tried to stall but after all our efforts they didn't make it and the ferry left without them. Luckily they were able to catch one about an hour later and made it back to the resort.

Friday we just hung around the resort again. The boys got up and played tennis and the girls went to the pool.

Oaklee loved being in the water and she made friends wherever she went!

Game Night!

Oaklee's pants where too big so as she ran around they kept falling to her ankles. While we were playing games there was a little girl named Elie out with her mom. Oaklee heard her mom say her name and so she started chasing her around saying "eellie ellie come ellie". Oaklee loved making new friends this is Ellie and her brother Jared. Their mom could only speak Spanish so it was a little difficult to communicate but we got by.

Saturday we rented Jet ski's. It was awesome on the Ocean but I think I do prefer a glassy lake.

Oaklee loved playing on the beach but it definitely wiped her out!

After Oaklee fell asleep Porter, Sydnee, Casey, Josh and I decided to go para-sailing. It was fun but I think one time in your life is enough. It's not a huge thrill and it mostly just made me sick.

Casey hurled while he was up there and I almost did just sitting on the boat.

On Sunday we caught a taxi and went to the nearest church. I thought we got a picture of all of us in front of it but I can't find it. Oaklee was so funny! She went right into nursery and about 5 minutes later she realized she couldn't understand what anyone was saying and they had to come find me. Then in sacrament meeting she kept saying "Hola" to everyone. There was a little girl that they kept saying it back and forth over and over again!

When we got home there were monkey's in the tree's at the resort. Oaklee thought it was so fun and Sydnee was trying to feed them bananas.

Overall it was a great trip and we had so much fun! Thanks mom and dad we love you!

Graduation!

2010-07-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

On April 30th Porter and I both Graduated from UVU! It was a great experience to be able to graduate at the same time! Porter got to walk right after me..it feels great to have that piece of paper after 4 years of school! I have more pictures but need to get them from my mom so i'll have to add them later!

Later that day our friends Jack, Megan and Cali where heading out to move to California so we met them in a parking lot to say goodbye! I don't think Oaklee and Cali had any clue what was going on! They just wanted to play!

Decorating Eggs With Cali & Megan!

2010-06-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to find any pictures from Easter day so I guess these will have to do! We had lots of fun dyeing eggs and going to Easter egg hunts! On Easter Oaklee got a little basket with candy and the movie Thumbelina!

Putting the eggs in the Dye! The girls thought it was so fun!

Oaklee loved showing off her eggs!

Where did it go?.......

There it is!!

These girls are so silly I just love them!!

Playing with the giant puzzle pieces afterward!

So adorable!

Mommy and Me Easter Egg Hunt!

2010-06-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun setting up this Easter egg hunt for all the little neighborhood kids! If you look closely you can see lot's of little eggs!

Oaklee wasn't quite sure what to do at first but she got the hang of things, and loved it!

We found lots of goodies!

After about five minutes Oaklee was ready to do it again!

Family Pictures with the Smoot Family!

2010-06-09T20:45:00.001-07:00

In December we all got together for Family Pictures! They were taken by my friend Brittany! We weren't expecting the freshly fallen snow but they turned out very nice!

Oaklee didn't really want to smile in these pictures!

The Boy's had fun throwing her back and forth..i'm not sure how I felt about that!

After a little while Oaklee got the hang of things and randomly would turn around and say "Cheese" It was adorable!

Christmas!

2010-06-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

Christmas with the whole Smoot Family..Casey just got home from His mission in Edmonton Canada!

Oaklee got a little Potty! (which she still doesn't use!)

Halloween

2010-06-09T20:16:00.001-07:00

I know I am so far behind but this was Halloween! Oaklee was the cuttest little Tinker Bell ever!

She had no problem picking candy!

Oaklee's aunt Sydnee was a gangsta and Sadie was a 70's chick! She had a party with all her friends!

There was a Ward Halloween party that we went to and Oaklee got to get dressed up twice! Cali was Snow White and Neveah was a little kitty cat!

Shae & Anna's Wedding! October 21,2009

2010-03-30T13:43:00.001-07:00

My Cousin Shae Welch Married Anna Valiente on October 21st. They asked me to do their wedding cake and because Shae's favorite food are cheeseburgers we also did a cheeseburger Grooms cake!
This is such a gorgeous picture!
Here are the Cakes!! The Grooms Cheeseburger Cake was a lot of fun trying to figure out!

Abbie & Spencer's Wedding! Sept. 4 2009

2010-03-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

My Sister Abbie married Spencer Dearinger on September 4, 2009! It was a great day!

Doesn't she look Beautiful!? (I did her hair!!)

Coming Out of the Bountiful Temple, they were so excited!
Our Cousin Marie wanted Abbie's flowers, they were just so pretty!

Oaklee was a little princess running around with her pretty dress and flowers!

Family Pictures!

We had to have one with Casey in it!

What Studs!

Oaklee Started getting really tired...

Especially when her Uncle Josh wouldn't get out of her face!!
Food for the Bride and Groom!!
It was a long day but finally it came to an end....sending them off with bubbles!!
Bye..have a great night ;)

B Strong 5K and Fun Run

2010-03-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Type:

Causes - Fundraiser

Date:	Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time:	9:00am - 1:00pm
Location:	Westridge Park 1720 W 1460 N Provo, Utah

Description

On January 30th 2010, Bronson Staker was life flighted to Primary Childrens Hospital after being found dead in the bath tub and rushed to UVRMC where they revived his heart. At 16 months old Bronson was given a second chance at life when the odds were not in his favor. Besides being a medical Miracle, he has touched the lives of many who have been following his story around the Globe.

Come celebrate the gift of life with us and Bronson, in celebration of Bronson’s 2nd Chance.

There will be a 5k, and children’s 1 mile Fun Run. Both Starting at 9am. Following there will be Games, Food, prizes, Bounce houses for the kids. Register online@:

https://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1839825

Pre-registration: adults: $10, Children $6.
Same Day Registration: Adults $12, children $8.
Same Day Family of 5 or more discount @ $25.

We look forward to seeing you all!

Links to this story:
www.stakerzxposed.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfAKoFzYwzE (Bronsons Miracle Video)
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9654005
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9664118

**If you cannot make the run, Donations are also set up at Wells Fargo. You may visit any Branch and tell them you wish to donate to“The Bronson Staker Donation account”. Thank you!!
**ALL donations go to benefit THE CHILDREN AT PRIMARY CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENTER.

Questions, Concerns or for donation of goods or services please Contact:
MindyJohanson@hotmail.com (Mindy Staker Johanson)
Jordan.Welch@gmail.com (Jordan Welch)
OR VIA FACEBOOK

Conclusion of Summer!

2010-03-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

Oaklee had lots of fun going to Thanksgiving Point with her friend Cali!

They where a little naughty so they had to go to the "Utah Territorial Jail!" for a little bit!

We took Oaklee to the State Fair, where her Aunt Sydnee was showing goats in a competition, she loved seeing all the animals and especially riding a horse!

All Oaklee could say while riding the horse was "Whoa"

24th of July in St. George!

2009-10-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun in St. George for the 24th of July! My Uncle brought his boat and we were able to go wake boarding again! It was awesome and I was actually able to get up this time!

Here is Porter knee boarding!
My Brother Korbin looking like a pro!
And my cousin Jordi being a pro and making us all look bad!

This was hilarious! We convinced my mom and Aunt Michelle to get on the tube together! They where screaming the whole time!

I wish we had gotten more pictures! Jordi and I also got on the tube and we were flying! One time we were thrown up into the air and we were so high that we had time to look at each other, down at the water, and back at each other again before we hit the water! Everyone said that it was the most air they had ever seen anyone get! My mom has a bunch of pictures of Oaklee playing in the sand that I need to get, so I will be adding to this post!

The Fray Concert!

2009-10-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Porter and I went to The Fray Concert! It was amazing!! We absolutely loved it and they were so good live! This is Jacks Mannequin opening for them, They were really good too!
The Fray!

4th of July

2009-09-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Okay so I have been waiting to get pictures of stuff that we did during June from my family, but I keep forgetting so I am going to post July and come back to June! For the 4th of July we went to Idaho with Porters Family! It was so much fun! Oaklee loved being able to just wander around and play! There were lots of kids and all kinds of dogs and cats to play with! They had a little playhouse and Oaklee had so much fun in it! She liked playing peek-a-boo through the window!

Then Daddy taught her how to drive the kids 4-wheeler! She was a little too short to reach the peddle but they managed!

We also went boating on the Snake River again! (Again as in we did it in June at The Cox family reunion) We didn't have a life jacket for Oaklee so she had to stay behind but we had lots of fun! I got to try wake boarding again but didn't have too much luck!

These pictures are just cute random ones that we took throughout the month! Oaklee got a hold of the razor in the bathroom and cut her finger! We didn't have any band aids so Daddy just taped it up with toilet paper and scotch tape! "My Hero!"

Mommy was making fruit dip and Oaklee got a hold of the lid to the whipped cream!!!
"Mmmm..tasty!"

This time Mommy was making Peanut Butter Bars and Daddy decided to give Oaklee the "Empty" Peanut Butter jar!
"More..More!"
My Parents say that I used to fall asleep anywhere and everywhere! I guess it's genetic! We went to the park and Oaklee was terrified of the slide so i had to go down with her! By the time we got to the bottom our hair was standing on end!

Here's a video! For some reason it won't play the sound but oh well! I don't like hearing myself anyway!

Photo shoot with Abby Alger!

2009-09-09T16:03:00.001-07:00

I also have a friend Abby Alger who is going to BYU and majoring in photography who took some pictures for us! Her website is www.abbyalgerphotography.blogspot.com

This is Oaklee's Freind Cali! We couldn't seem to get a cute picture of them both smiling and looking at the camera..oh well!!

Oaklee started getting really tired and fussy! We had to give her a bottle to calm her down!
Pretty little Ballerina pointing her toes!

Ewwwww!
Ahhhh!

Oaklee was tired of smiling so Porter had to make her!
"I'm Done!!!"

Family Pictures!

2009-09-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to post some of my favorites! My Friend Brittany did them for us. If anyone is wondering her website is photographybybrittany.com she's amazing!
I love this one because Oaklee looks so annoyed!

Oaklee wasn't having it when we tried to have her walk to us! It was so funny!

Oh she is so stinking cute!

Carnival Cruise!

2009-09-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

In June Porter and I had the oportunity to go on a cruise! We drove to California and while we were waiting to get on the ship we went down to the beach and had some fun! There were seguls everywhere and as we were about to leave Porter turned on the car and all the seguls swarmed over me! I screamed so loud and Porter thought it was hilarious so he had this great idea to throw food in the air over my head and try and reenact it. At first I wouldn't do it and had him try it but it just wasn't quite as funny!

Finally he convinced me to do it!

"Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it. "

Here's the cruise ship! We went to Catalina Island! Because of the swine flue we weren't able to go to Mexico, so we were just on the ship the rest of the days!
On Catalina Island we rented a Golf cart and drove it around the Island! What a beautiful view!

It was a little pathetic that we didn't take more pictures but oh well! We had lots of fun and got to relax! The hospitality was great and every night there where little towel animals on the bed!

Oaklee's Birthday!

2009-09-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Oaklee in her pretty princess chair!

Opening presents at Grandma Nini and Papa Smoot's house! Since our families live so close everyone came over!

"I'm Rich!!!"

Aunt Sydnee Showing off Oaklee's new outfit!
"ohh, a singing purse!!"
Well i know we already did this but we decided to make her another cake! She knew what to do this time and it wasn't quite as exciting!!

"Uncle Korbin and Uncle Carson laughing at my messy face!!"

"Here i am sportin my new Birthday outfit!!"

Oaklee's Birthday Party! May 23,2009

2009-09-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Oaklee's Birthday was on a Sunday (May 24th) so we decided to do a friend party the day before!! Here is Sadie (Oaklee's Aunt) getting Oaklee ready to go! The party was a Hawaiian theme!

Oaklee all dressed up and ready to go!

Oaklee and her bestest friend Cali waiting to leave! Mom wasn't finished with the cake and they were getting impatient!

Decorating Oaklee's cake for her to destroy!

Finally ready to go!

"This is so exciting!"
We went to the park and grilled hot dogs but we forgot tongs or a spatula so here we are with plastic forks! It ended up being cold outside so it wasn't much of a Hawaiian party! But everyone got lays and pretty beads!

Oaklee loved the Cheetos!

Opening Presents!

Oaklee wasn't sure what to do with the cake at first...

But she got the hang of it....

And just kept going!!

The poor cake was demolished!
"That was so fun!" said Aubrey

When we got home Aunt Sadie got Oaklee in the bath!

"Oh..it feels so good to be clean!!"

Pictures from April!

2009-09-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Oaklee loves to eat...

but her Favorite food is Pizza!

Las Vegas! Spring Break

2009-08-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

For Spring break in March we went to Las Vegas with Brooke and Tyler Nichols! We walked down the strip one night and the rest of the time we hung around the resort and swam! It was way fun!

Porter and Oaklee playin with the fountain!

Oaklee loves the Water she had a blast!

Brooke and Tyler Nichols!

The Boys just chillin and having a hairy chest contest!..i think Porter won!

Random Pictures from January & February!

2009-08-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

December..school!

2009-08-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

In School we learned a lot of really cool stuff! Here we learned how to do pulled sugar! So each piece in these pictures is a different way to play with sugar! Sounds pretty good huh!? I guarantee you wouldn't want to eat it though...you would be up all night!!

We learned how to do Wedding Cakes and different styles! This is the one i did and this is a pictures of everyones cakes!

We also got to learn about ice carving! Just the basics..as you can tell!

December!

2009-08-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Christmas! Oaklee wasn't sure what to do with the presents! We had to help her out a bit!

Oaklee and her Aunt Sadie had fun with her new doll!

I think she liked the wrapping paper the most though!

Grandma Sugar got Oaklee a little Santa Clause outfit! Isn't she so cute!!

November!

2009-08-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

For Thanksgiving we decided to roast Oaklee for dinner!

My dad used to put the baby (whoever it might have been at the time) in the turkey roasting pan and tell us he was going to roast them for dinner! We would scream and beg and be g him not to do it! We now know that he would never actually do it, but it was still pretty scary!

Oaklee doesn't look like she is enjoying this too much!

October!

2009-08-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have been so horrible at keeping this blog updated, I've decided to play catchup and hopefully things go better this time!! This is October where i left off!

This is one of Oaklee's first times eating baby food instead of a bottle, and she loved it!!

For Halloween Oaklee was a cute little Kitty Cat!

Trick or Treating wiped Oaklee out!

Catering!

2009-07-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is a Wedding cake that i made for a friend in January! I was a little worried at first but it turned out okay!

Back side of the cake!

More Pictures of Oaklee!

2008-10-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

So I know that all i ever post are pictures of Oaklee but other than school she is my life! hehe These pictures where taken by my friend Abby Perkins (not related) who babysits for me while i'm at school. She is majoring in Photography at BYU! Oaklee is 4 months!

I love this one! Her smile is so cute!

I know you can't tell from the pictures but Oaklee now has 2 little teeth! She is also rolling over! It makes me so sad she is growing up way too fast!!!

Oaklee's 1st Swimming lesson!

2008-08-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

I took Oaklee swimming when she was about 11 weeks. I got her all ready to go and took a bunch of pictures, but as soon as we got there she was fast asleep and didn't like it when I tried to put her in the water!

Last weekend Oaklee's Aunts, Sydnee and Sadie had a sleepover and we took Oaklee swimming again...this time she liked the water much better! We had lots of fun taking pictures of her in her little sunglasses!!!

Relaxin on the raft!

Oaklee sportin her Oakley's!!

Fun Pictures of Oaklee!

2008-08-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Oaklee at 5 weeks

About 10 weeks!

Isn't she a cutie!?

Oaklee's Blessing!

2008-08-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Oaklee was blessed on August 3rd by her Daddy, Porter! He was a little nervous, but he did a great job! Thanks to everyone that came, we had a really good turn out!
Oaklee getting ready to go!!
After sacrament meeting we all went to our apartment club house for a brunch! (Our apartment is a little on the small side) Afterwards Oaklee was exhausted and fell right asleep in her car seat!

Aimee's 1st Catering Job!!

2008-08-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

In July, A friend from work asked me to cater his wedding!!! AHHH! I thought he was kidding but after a week of asking I realized he was serious! I called my friend Chelsey who is in the Culinary Progrm with me and we decided to do it! We made their cake and a dinner for 35!

The Cake was white with raspberry filling, buttercream ,and Fondant!

The Salad had mixed greens and spinich with fetta cheese, pine nuts, crasins,and a fanned out strawberry with poppyseed dressing!
The Veg: Asparagus Bundles! Asparagus, green beans, yellow,red,and orange pepper, all tied together with a leek strip! (These hadn't gone in the oven yet! The yellow chunks are butter)

The dinner Consisted of... White rice(which wasn't sticky enough to stay in it's mold,so that's why it's just in a pile!) Teryaki Chicken ,Pinnapple, Papaya Salsa, and Asparagus bundle with Teryaki sauce and a roasted red pepper coulis! My cousins Sharla, Lacey and Dani were life savers!!! Literally!!!! When Chelsey and I got there we realized we had left the veg. (Every caterers nightmare!) But luckily my cousins hadn't left yet and were able to pick it up on the way! They were amazing! They served the dinner and even helped plate a little bit when Chelsey and I were falling behind! Sharla and Lacey all ready to serve! Aren't they sexy!!??After serving the cake Dani and I were very tempted to start a cake fight!! We decided that wouldn't be very profesional so we just took pictures with our faces by it! This last picture is all of us with the bride and groom after they had changed and were all ready to leave!! I was extremely nervous starting out the night especially because it was our first time AND my first time leaving Oaklee, but it turned out to be a fantastic night! The bride and groom were so pleased and everyone loved it! It was great, but when the night was over I was so excited to get back home to my baby Oaklee!