Fun. Free. Food. Family. Flying.

That about sums up our Friday night. We found a great little picnic spot directly under the take off path by the Hobby Airport (about a 12 minute drive from our house). Anybody who knows Cal and his obsession with airplanes, knows that we could not have found any better entertainment in all of Houston. I'm pretty sure we started a new tradition.

double u

Doug and I disagree a lot. We have a happy marriage, honestly. We just don't see eye to eye on most things. Case in point:

I bought Cal some alphabet letters for the fridge. I was finishing up dinner preparations while Doug and Cal were putting the letters in order and enjoying singing the ABC's over and over. At one point, the Early Childhood Education background got the best of me and I interjected that it is best to clearly pronounce each letter so Cal doesn't learn the letters wrong. (I had already corrected him earlier in the month to sing the "lmnop" part much slower, so Cal could hear what letters he was saying. And we all know Smoots do not like to be corrected...but I went ahead with alphabet correction number 2.)

"You know, you should really say Double U. It is kind of coming out 'dubba u' when you sing it. "

"Double U? Are you serious? You have been teaching it wrong all these years! It is 'dubba u.'" (Laughter from Doug)

"What! Honey, I am a kindergarten/preschool teacher. I specialize in the alphabet. It is double u. DOUBLE U."

"Do you want to make a bet?"

"Heck yeah!" (Every bet at our house is a 15 minute back rub bet. Lewis marriage tradition.)

"K, I'll call Lauren; she is an English major she will know."

I thoroughly enjoyed my back rub! Of course only after checking several sources!

(Doug's sad excuse has something to do with George "Dubba U" Bush and J-dub (his Dad's nick name for John W. Lewis.)

Go Cougars!

We had a super fun labor day weekend in Dallas going to the 1st BYU football game of the season, spending time w/ my darling future sister-in-law Paige (Horray for Ben!), celebrating Lauren's birthday, playing Settlers, Ladder Golf, and eating REALLY well all weekend.

I was very surprised how much fun a football game could be. The new Dallas Cowboy stadium was incredible (even for a not-so-much-into-football-gal like myself.) The game was thrilling down to the last seconds. The Nacho Especial topped w/ a fresh tomato and cilantro salsa was delicious. The drunk BYU fans were entertaining. The company was wonderful. Who doesn't love to do the "Ra ra, ra ra ra. GOOOO Cougars!" We got a "family only" tour of empty stadium post game...(not related to any players). And not to mention, my ticket was free!

Go see this movie

if you live anywhere near: Dal­las, Salt Lake City, Fresno,Greenville, SC, or Orlando. Opens September 11th. For exact locations or more info look here: http://www.brokenhillthemovie.com/

It is an awesome, family friendly, PG movie written and directed by my very talented brother in law filmed in the beautiful Australian outback. Spread the word to your friends!

It's a ...

Mom, Dad, and big brother couldn't be happier!

Dangerously Delicious

My friend Anna sent me this recipe with the lengthy subject something along the line of "You have to make these tonight. if not tonight, first thing tomorrow then. for breakfast. they're really really good." Callin and I would like to add our testimony to hers that they were the best Chocolate chocolate cookies we've had in a LONG time! We can't seem to stop making them!


Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I am a milk chocolate girl and always will be...)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Eat warm with a large glass of milk!

We have something to say

(and only 14 days and counting until the exciting ultrasound!)