Sweetheart's Dance

Ali and 31 of her friends went to the Sweetheart's Dance last Saturday and she looked really pretty. The formal pictures aren't here yet but this will give you an idea. They had a lot of fun, mostly just good friends hanging out which is almost always more fun!! I can't believe she only has 3 1/2 months left of high school!! I am getting way too old!

Knee surgery

Well, knee surgery isn't much fun. These pictures were taken on Valentine's day - two days after my surgery. I still look pretty drugged up. I will be on my fancy crutches for four weeks without putting any weight on my leg but I have already been to the physical therapist four times in the past ten days and things are getting better. I will see if Ali or Jeff will take a picture with my crutches since that is how I am living right now. I am learning to do lots of things on them but Jeff and Ali are having to pick up the slack. They are being really good sports about it. You can see that Mady is fascinated with grandma's funny looking leg. She keeps me smiling!!

PS Misty, take a look at my fancy pillowcases!!! They are the last thing I did before going to the hospital so I would be able to put them out on Valentine's Day for Jeff. They turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself!!

Colorado Springs!

So we went to Colorado Springs to stay with Steve, Brittany and Ian this past weekend and had a really good time. We went to a place called Garden of the Gods and it was gorgeous!! The temperature was 68 degrees and we couldn't have picked a better day. We just did the short hike because of my gimp knee and very pregnant Britt but we really want to go again when we go back.




The next day we took Ian to a fun park to celebrate his 5th birthday!! (Daddy was gone on maneuvers so we celebrated again when he got home). I think everyone had a good time. It was funny to watch the grownups play too. When we got home, Ian got to open a couple more gifts - he really is a ham.

We really had a good time and can't wait to go back and see Brinley when she is born.

Families can be together forever!

This has been a difficult week with losing Greg. He was such a special spirit and so much a part of all of our lives. I was so pleased to see how important he was too all of his nephews and niece, though. Everyone of them made it home for his funeral and I know how much that helped Mom and Dad as well. I love seeing how they are growing up with families of their own and so strong for each other. I don't know how people make it through losses like this if they don't have the knowledge that we have of the gospel plan. I am looking forward to the day when I see him again with his healthy body and mind.

My family (Jeff and his parents) were so pleased and surprised that Kim would come all the way from Missouri for the funeral. It didn't really surprise me though - that is how my family is. They all support each other and go the extra mile. Thank you so much for those that were able to come - it meant the world to me and to the rest of my family. And thank you also for the support and love of those that were there in spirit if not in body. I love you all so much. I don't think I can handle any more funerals for a while, though, so everyone be safe and take care of yourselves!!! These are just a few of the pictures I got on my camera throughout the day as our family spent time together. I know there are better ones out there but this is what I have.

Allen Gregory Smith

October 20, 1959 ~ January 28, 2009

Our beloved son Greg returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on January 28, 2009 from natural causes. Greg, a special needs person, loved and in turn was loved very much by his family and friends. Because he would never have children of his own he became a surrogate parent to his niece and nephews. By his love and the way he dealt with his handicap, he taught them all many important things about life’s priorities and what unconditional love was all about.

Greg was born in Salinas, California on October 20, 1959 to Albert ‘G’ and Michon (Shonnie) Arbogast Smith. He lived his first 31 years in California and attended special education schools there. He has been a resident of Pleasant Grove for the past 18 years. Since moving to Utah he spent most of his time with his family traveling around the country and was a frequent visitor to many local restaurants.

He is survived by his parents, Al and Shonnie, two brothers, Jeffrey (Renee) and Scott, six nephews, Brandon (Andrea), Steven (Brittany), Kevin (Becky), Daniel, Andrew and Jason, one niece Alicia and former sister-in-law Tina Smith. He also has one grandnephew and two grandnieces.

Greg will be missed terribly by his family but we are comforted in the assurance that he is in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father and family who preceded him in death.