You will be happy to know that The Procrastinating Smith Family finally got our tree up late last week.  Even though we’ve only managed to get three presents under the tree so far (thanks, Jim and Ann!) we are least making progress in the right direction. Summer wasn’t sure what to think about the addition of a Large Shiny Green Monster to our living room…

I’ve been sitting here thinking forward a few days to our upcoming Christmas visit from Nathan, Meagan, and Noah; I’ve also been thinking backward to when we visited them over the summer before Noah was born. We have so many fond and funny memories from those days spent together but the one memory that keeps coming to my mind today is sort of in a…

Although I consider myself to be a creative person in several areas, my creativity tends to dry right up when it comes to crafts, sewing, art and other creative pursuits involving hands on manipulation of materials with the intent of creating something lovely.  And so you can imagine my great joy (and also surprise) when I actually came up with an idea all by myself! …

When you live many hours away from your nearest family members, occasions (and pictures) like this are extra special. (This is Steve and Summer having morning coffee with my brother Tim, who was visiting with his family from Minneapolis.)…