Our new addition to the family - Spencer Perry Burt

SMITH FAMILY REUNION

Yeah!!! Way-to-go Lance and Todd!  Our family reunion was great.  This year we centered it around the Teton Dam Marathon.  It was such a thrill to watch Todd and Lance come through the finish line.  This was Lance's first marathon, and he did great!  Trev felt bad that he couldn't run.  He had an injury that kept him from running the marathon.  We'll run next year! :)  Anyone want to run the 10k with me?

Thanks to all those who came, especially those who came long distances.  I know you made sacrfices to be here.  Thanks to all for your help with the food and all the cleanup.  The children made lifelong friends, and they miss them already.  Elli is very much at home in my flower pot on the porch.  She was a hit at the reunion.  Thanks again everybody.  Ken and I love you all!

BARBIE IN THE MOVIES

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Barbie as Galadriel and Ken as Legolas.

I'm sure one of Barbie's favorite rolls was playing the part of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.  Barbie wearing her famous flower girl costume.  Then we have Barbie playing the part as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind.  Rhett Butler has convinced the newly widowed Scarlett O'Hara to marry a "man" this time, promising her a big diamond and lavish honeymoon in New Orleans.  Then, one of the most treasured stories of young love, Romeo and Juliet.  "But soft!  What light through yonder window breaks?  It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun!" (William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, act II, scene II.)  The two young lovers from opposing families meet, fall in love, and die needlessly.  A tragic tale of love and romance that will live forever.

Today is Barbie's official Birthday.  She was introduced at the New York International Toy Fair March 9, 1959 - 50 years ago today.  This is the 2009 reproduction of the first Barbie doll.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBIE! (don't ya just love the swim suit?)

Richard and KaraLyn's Concert

Richard and KaraLyn after the concert.  Richard looked much more relaxed.  Thank you both for blessing us with your musical talents.

Grandma dixie with Thomas, Marianne and William.  Ready for the concert to start.  A candid shot of Lance and Becky.  :)  We were early.

Last night we had the pleasure of attending Richard and KaraLyn's winter concert, where Richard was the featured soloist, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.  (It really was 1/2 hour long!)  It was magnificent!!!  He played it so beautifully.  Thanks to all the family who attended.  Ken's parents, Lance & Becky, Magan, Richards parents and a lot of his family were there, and even Trev came to enjoy the classical music.  Thomas, Marianne and William also came, and were so proud of their dad.  Sarah told me just before the concert that her dad was famous because his picture was in the paper.  Way-to-go Richard, we're all proud of you.  After Richard performed, the orchestra played Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" By Dvorak.  It was also beautiful, a familiar piece to most of us.  Well done Richard, YOU DID IT!!!

This is William who loves to make interesting noises with straws.  He's also very smart and loves to play with Legos, and games on the computer.  He's a lovable kid and enjoys playing with his cousins.  William also plays the piano, and has been know to compose music.  He made up a song for grandma dixie.  You're very talented William.  We love you!!! 

This is Ashley.  All my girls are growing up so fast.

Ashley is so talented.  She has a beautiful singing voice, she plays the piano, and dances.  She also loves horses.  We love you Ashley!!!

Magan and Alece are in the same dance class and lately have been displaying their talents at basketball games during half time.  Granddad got a picture of them yesterday after their dance.  Can I just say that I have the cutest granddaughters!!! 

Anna is with Grandma dixie today,  so she has been learning about photo shop.  She picked out pictures, and we put some artistic embellishments on the photos.  She picked the frame colors, and WA LA!  Three cute girls,

Anna, Marianne and Sarah.

Adam and Thomas spent the night and are having a great time!  They've wanted to see my electric guitar for a long time, so I finally dug it out for them to examine.  I wish I had an amplifier, it would be a lot more exciting for them!  They have fun playing with Legos.  They are such nice good boys.  Fun to have them over. 

Today Jared and Magan rode over to the house on snowmobiles.  Magan got a new cute hair cut.  She is such a beautiful young girl.  She turned 12 in December, and she's almost as tall as I am.  Love you Magan!

This is Cameron.   He plays soccer, and he's also a great basketball player.  He has a great interest in dinosaurs, and has quite the collection.  He just found out that he's getting a new little brother soon.   YEA!!!  We miss you Cameron!  Love you too!    

I love this picture of Lyndsey.  We sure miss having them around.  She is Ryan and Alyse's oldest daughter.  She is 6 years old, and will turn 7 this year.  She loves to dance and as you can see she is very photogenic!  We love you Lyndsey!

This is an earlier picture of Lyndsey, and a picture of me when I was much younger.  Does anyone see the resemblance?

Since I have a passion for collecting Barbie Dolls, and this is Barbie's 50th year, I am going to completely bore my family and showcase my collection of Barbie dolls throughout 2009.

This was my first Barbie.  I got it when I was 9 years old.  I still remember going with my mother to pick it out.  It always took me a long time to select outfits for her.  I was very particular about what I wanted her to wear.

The outfit she is wearing, is called "Busy Gal" and cost $2.50 when I purchased it.  I am missing the belt and hat, but have the rest of the accessories.  She is a 1960 Barbie, and I still have the original swimsuit and accessories that came with her. 

This is my favorite Birthday Barbie.  It's the dress.  It's always the dress.

This is a collector edition, first in a series 1998.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBIE!

Barbie fun fact:

Every second at least 3 Barbies are sold, bringing $3.6 billion annually in retail sales.

How Barbie Began

In 1938 Mattel was formed by two life long friends, Harold Matson and Elliot Handler.  When Mattel was originally formed, they were not a toy maker.  Mattel began as a picture frame manufacturer.  Later, they began to make doll furniture.

Elliot Handler was married and had a daughter Barbara that enjoyed playing with adult dolls, but there were no dolls like that on the market.  On a visit to Europe, Mrs. Handler found a German doll named "Lilli" in a store.  When Mrs. Handler returned back home, Lilli was a hit with Barbara.  That gave Mattel an idea.  They bought the marketing rights to Lilli, and changed her name to Barbie, named after their daughter Barbara.  Barbie was introduced to the world at the New York International Toy Fair in March, 1959.  Actually, March 9, 1959 is Barbie's official birthdate.

At Grandma dixie's you can be whoever you want!

I now have my Heritage Makers blog up and working.    Please take a look!

www.dixieswindow.blogspot.com    This is a great company. We all need to be preserving our memories.  Do it with Heritage Makers!  :) 

Very cute Ryan

First day of school photo. Ryan was feeling left out because I had not yet spotlighted him on my blog. Love that first day of school outfit Ryan!

    Today while I was cleaning out a closet, I found a box in which I had some old memorabilia that my Father gave to me a few years ago.  When I was growing up we were in the Santa Barbara Stake.  In November of 1962 the Mormon Choir of Southern California (which I don't remember existed) came to perform  at the Ventura High School auditorium.  It had been sponsored by the Santa Barbara Stake building fund.  On the back of the program was this poem.  I thought I would share it with you all.

"For the common things of everyday

 God gave men speech in the common way

 For deeper things men think and feel

 God gave poets words to reveal

 For the heights and depths no words can reach

 God gave men music; the souls own speech."     -Anon

Lance

Grandpa and Jared

It's fun to look back on warmer days.

I found a more recent picture of Richard and KaraLyn. I thought it might be fun to see a "now" and "then" comparison. I think I'm having too much fun with this blogging thing. Most of you know that Richard and KaraLyn play in the community orchestra. On March 4th, at 7:30, at the Rexburg Tabernacle, they are having another concert. Richard is the featured soloist, and will be playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (3 movements) that evening. It's really long, so if you think you are going to fall asleep, please bring any snacks, caffeine drinks, toothpicks, whatever works. It would be especially good for your older children to attend. I'll bring my supply of certs. We would really like all of you to come if you can, so please put this on your calendar now. You will need to be there at least 1/2 hour before it starts. It's hard to save seats because there are many senior citizens that come (I guess that includes me) and they come early, with their chair pads and all. Love you! mom & grandma dixie