Serenity NOW!!!!

My GOODNESS!! Where does the time go?? I say- it's crazy around here!!!

Chris and I have been traveling a bit, which is good times until "somebody" has a meltdown because she can't find her sunglasses... (it's not me.. promise... would I LIE??)

We went to Mt. Ida (Arkansas) with Brian, Heidi, Ella and Grady to celebrate Brian and Heidi's 7th wedding anniversary- it really was beautiful there, we really had a lot of fun together, playing games and complaining about the front desk (they were R-U-D-E!!!)- nothing says bonding like the mutual agreement that someone super sucks.

A pic of the happy family!

Proud uncle Brian and Ashlyn- aren't they ADORABLE???!!

Also joining us were our good friends, preggo Melinda, Gordon and their baby girl, Sienna...

The Brewers!

Needless to say, things got a liiiitttle crazy.


There was a fireman involved (OK, YES, it IS Gordon.. but still)....


a vicious celery eating dog...


and copious amounts of Yahtzee playing.....

"It's called YAHTZEE- You go for yahtzee EVERYTIME!"

By people who cannot count....

"SEE- this is my THIRD roll... I know how to count.. I DO IT EVERYDAY!!!"

In the dark... (Biggie props go out to Hurricane Ike..)

We returned to OKC in one piece, albeit a little later than we had planned.... (detours, you see.)

The Monday we returned, we had Ashlyns 6 month check-up with Dr. Olay- everything looks really good, baby girl is growing like a weed, and took her shots like a champ. She is weighing in at 14lbs., 13 oz. and measuring 26 3/4 inches long.. she is a string bean!!!! As always in our house, there has to be a little drama to lighten up the day.. so here we go.

There are smiles and laughter....

Sometimes a few tears..... (yikes!- she looks MAD!)

And always PEAS... (this looks like some warped 70's portrait)

This past weekend, we took a trip to Dallas to visit some friends of Chris'. We enjoyed chicken fried deer meat ("nothin like some good ole BACKSTRAP!!"), and lots of good friendship- One thing I really can say about my husband, is that he has some of the best friends around- they are the kindest, most fun, entertaining bunches I have ever come in contact with!! A special note to Hamp and KiAnne- you all are the BEST!!! Thanks for being so hospitable- can't wait to welcome your new little one in March!!!

Our Chauffeur, Miss Ashlyn

Ashlyn and I with Sabrina and Miss Emma
On a side note, while we were gone, The Reeder house kept Lucy. Lucy has a tendency to eat things that do NOT belong to her (puffers, jaguar kitty, etc.). Her latest casualty is a caterpillar Ella made. Ella was not at all happy about that.. so she took the matter into her own hands..

...and decided Lucy needed a time out.... "Look out world!!! There's a new Sheriff in TOWN!!!!"

Who Needs a Vaccuum?

So, things are good here at the Smedstad house. We have had lots stuff going on!!! I have been hitting lots of consignment sales looking for fall duds for the little girl- who needs designer labels?? All she is going to do in them is eat, poop, pee, and drool.. so why not save myself some money and go get a pedicure instead?? I bet my husband loooooves that one!

Ashlyn is in the middle of a growth spurt, and teething to boot-(which, by the way, makes a VERY cranky baby).. BUT- she is also learning all kinds of new things:

Paper tastes good...

Measuring tape tastes good...
Turtle-tush tastes good..
Blanket tastes good...
Carrots taste good....

Plastic fishy tastes good...
Ummmm.....
Peas do NOT taste good...

Other than teething, and the occasional cranky-pants she wears, she is a happy girl: (here is PROOF).. just in case Child Services is checking on me ;P

Ok, so she's not so happy here, but dang we are cute!

All she needed was Nana :)

Ashlyn also endured her first football Sunday. "Dear Ashlyn, over the course of the next 18 years, you will be forced to watch copious amounts of football... I am REALLY, really sorry. Love, Mommy".

Update on "Superman" Pierce

Hi to all.

The update on Pierce was not quite what we had hoped for. They have determined that Pierce's cancer is in Stage 3. However, the way the tumor is replicating is very rare. The cells that compose the tumor (n-myc) are very aggressive and multiply faster than usual- which means it "logically" should have spread by now. The amazing part is, it hasn't spread at all.

Pierce began chemotherapy yesterday, and according to Brandi and Scott, he seems to be doing very well. Please continue to pray for little Pierce any time you can. Here is the latest posting from Brandi:

"Wanted to let everyone know that September is Cure Childhood Cancer Awareness month. We are all wearing gold ribbons here in the hospital. If any of you would like to do the same in honor of Pierce that would be fantastic. Love you all, Brandi "

If you've got some time, and the resources, wear a little gold ribbon, not only for Pierce, but for all children afflicted with cancer.

Thanks to you all, Lots of love coming your way....

Praying for Pierce...

Hi to all! We just wanted to take a minute to tell you about about an incredible little boy. My good friend Brandi and her husband Scott welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world in August 07. As you can tell from the pictures, he is the cutest little rugrat EVER. I had determined in my head that Pierce would be Ashlyns boyfriend.. but I think dibs on the little man ("Superman", as it were) have already been taken by the Biggerts. :P


At Pierce's one year well baby visit, they discovered a lump over his left kidney- after several visits, ultrasounds and CAT scan, they gave the diagnoses of neuroblastoma- basically a malignant tumor growing in his abdomen. The latter part of last week, they flew to New York to receive care at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Pierce seems to be doing very well considering he is out of his home and having all kinds of strangers poking and prodding on him. Initial tests have come back on the positive side- it looks like the cancer is confined to the tumor and has not spread- this is VERY good news, and hopefully means he will only need surgery to remove the tumor- no chemo or radiation. If you get some time, please read his story: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/piercephillips

Please keep Pierce, Brandi, and Scott in your prayers; Prayer is a powerful tool that really can make miracles happen. Pray that little Pierce will fully recover, and return home- happy and healthy once again. Love to you all.