Happy New Year!!!!

They really tried to stay up for midnight.......

2-Liter Mark

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! IT WAS GOOD TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU LAST NIGHT. WE'LL HAVE TO GET SOME OF GREG'S VIDEO AND HARRISON'S PHOTOS UP HERE SOON. AND WE HERE ON THE WEST COAST WOULD LOVE TO SEE PICTURES OR VIDEO MESSAGES FROM YOU GUYS BACK EAST.
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DAY, ENJOY YOUR TAMALES OR TURKEY OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE PLANNED

GOD BLESS US EVERYONE

See the Lights after Tamale Making

After we moved to Bakersfield, Scott and Veronica invited us to go with their church to see the display of lights at the CALM museum in Bakersfield. There are more than 2 million lights. We were so impressed we invited the rest of the Smith family and have gone the past two years. Since a lot of us will be in Shafter on Sunday to make tamales, it might be a good time to head on over to see the light display afterwards.

It goes until 9 pm and takes about an hour to walk around everything (or two hours with all the kids). It is really cold, so be sure to bring warm clothes if you are interested. For more information check out www.calmzoo.org.

Prices are $6 for children 3-12, and $12 for adults.

Kidzui

I just wanted to pass along something I added to my computer. For those of you with kids, you may be interested. Kidzui is a free web browser for kids. It's got free games, a kid friendly set up and filters so that your kids can't get into anything bad.
Alright everybody, hope all is well. See you soon
Mark

Christmas Events

So here's the news for Christmas events this winter. First of all, the tamale making day will be down in Shafter at Aunt Maria's house on the 21st starting at 2:00 (p.m. I guess?). Christmas Eve will be at Uncle Ron's house starting around 6:00/6:30. Like last year we'll be doing the DVD swap game. Only two people brought La Bamba last year, that was shamefully low and made the odds of getting it horrible. So it's just my suggestion that more people bring the greatest movie ever made about a Mexican-American music star that died at a young age.

Random Question of the Month

Here it is!! The totally random question for December. (Cathi could probably write a book on this one)

What's the worst excuse you've ever heard/given for getting out of a ticket?

Totally Not Random Q. . .

It's December, so it seems appropriate that we should have another not so random question asked to everyone.

What is your wish for Christmas this year?

Mother Daughter Luncheon

Meneses Ladies, it's that time of year again! The luncheon is going to be on Sunday December 7th, afternoon. Invitations will be in the mail soon so save the date! We're looking forward to a fun day, and this year we will have another first-timer: Reese Smith.

From Paxton

Totally not Random Question

Thanksgiving is next Thursday, and that means it's time to think about what we are thankful for. Everyone is invited to answer something that they are thankful for this year. I hope that everyone throughout the family has a nice thanksgiving and remembers that in spite of anything and everything that may be wrong in this world, there is always something to be thankful for.
Mark

Holiday Plans

Is it too early to be thinking about holiday plans for this winter? I'm sure it has begun to cross minds of many out there. Last year was lots of fun with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus showing up on Christmas Eve. What's going on with the folks back East and down South? If we can't see each other in person it would be cool to get some video messages up here.

Easy Rider?

Little known fact: Several years ago Sunnyside School issued a calendar of their teachers. Darrel Smith was Mr. November, with the title "Rock N Roll Teacher". Here a pattern continues. He now wants to be called Rocknrolla Grandpa Darrel. True Story.

Allison Eve

It occurs to me that this blog has been lacking something--praise and adulation for a wonderful person, Allison Eve Smith Craven. I will try to make up for this flaw in this post. Alli, (isn't that the coolest, most original nickname you ever heard of?) is by far our favorite child. She is the one that we depend on most of all to fill our days and nights with companionship. Alli is wise, so wise. She constantly makes wise remarks. Really, there is no stopping her. Alli is a great parent, too. I did a much worse job of raising my kids than Allison is doing with her three kids. Also, there is her musical talent and her musical taste. Did you know she owns a CD with songs that all have the name "Allison" in the title. What Barack Obama said of himself is also true of Allison: her greatest strength is her humility. There now, I feel much better about this blog and about everything. Darrel

HELP!!!

I'm looking for addresses for Benjamine Meseses, Rudy and Raquel Guerreo, Danelle and Kevin Tyner (Meneses), and Amanda. Please call or email me if you have them.

Thanks, Susan

Random Question of the Month

Here it is for November, the random question. It's a two-parter so think about it before you answer.

If you were a super hero (real or fictional) who would you be? And which family member would be your sidekick?

KMC Halloween

Just another day at work!!!

News from Mississippi

Aunt Liz sent us an email a few days ago (I just checked it today). I'm just going to copy and paste part of it here, hope that's okay. It's nice to hear from you guys back there. Sounds like Megan is having quite the senior year.

I am so proud of my Megan. Not only has she been nominated for Homecoming Court but she is a "Captain" of the Picayune High Cheerleading team, a Varsity soccer player and has just handed me all "A's" report card.

She has done these accomplishments on her own and I couldn't be anymore happier for her.

Here's a link to the photo.

Happy Halloween

Goooooaaaaalllllllll!!!!!!!!

We are having a lot of fun watching Connor "play" soccer this fall. Yes, he's easily distracted, but he looks really cute in his uniform. The best part is when all the parents and grandparents line up and make a tunnel at the end of the game for all the kids to run through, it's pretty awesome!

RELAY FOR LIFE

Last Saturday, Tulare had their Relay For Life. My dad walked with the survivors group and then some of us joined in for the next lap. Connor also jogged with my dad for another lap.
Here's just a few pictures from that event. It was really moving to see all the survivors walking together, I am very glad that I was able to go and check it out for myself.

Visit Relay for Life Online

Random Question of the Month

So here's a new feature I decided to add to the blog that wouldn't involve any work. Every month we'll post a random question on a random date for everyone to answer. Simple enough right? Some may be down right stupid questions and some might may be rather insightful questions. This month we start out with a middle road question.

If you had to go by a new name what would it be?

Annalyn

Here are the first pictures of Annalyn here on the blog.
Brian is a proud papa, and we can start calling Ron "Grandpa".

Go 'Dogs!

So we went down to Pasadena on Saturday to see the Bulldogs show
that they are the best team in California

UCLA fans get to tailgate on the golf course
before the game they were popping bottles of champagne
Not so much after the game.

No, this isn't Jim on Halloween. This is Rick Neuheisel
trying to leave without being recognized after the game.

J-E-T-S! Brett! Brett! Brett!

Brett Favre was there. Ladanion Tomlinson was there. Emmitt Smith and Steve Young were there. But the real VIP's in attendence were the Favereaux's, evidenced by those huge freaking Margaritas!

At the BBQ

I was going to doctor this photo of Alli, but I had trouble when I went to save it. So instead I figured to put a few pictures together from the Mike's party. I think there is still food leftover if anyone's hungry.

Cravens at the Beach

Just in case Nate thinks he's the only one that ever goes anywhere!!!!! All the kids had a good time, Connor liked the telescopes, Jackie liked the hole in the pier, and Sofia liked the fish and chips!

He Did It!!!!

Mike graduated last night, and we were all very proud to be there. We hope to see everybody at his party tomorrow (Sunday) at 3. Connie's house.

Venice Beach Blast

The beach was packed with............To much Eye Candy for Laura!
Rachel was sporting the hottest beach accessory of the summer Beach Snakes!
Finally Nate and Rachel Pose for the Papparazzi.

Mike's Graduation & BBQ (update)

Mike is graduating from Culinary School on September 12th in Fresno. Then, on Sunday the 14th we will be having a Barbeque in Woodville. I think Mike is going to have to do all the cooking, so you'll want to be there. BBQ starts at 3:00, and I'm sure you'll want to bring your bathing suit and an appetite.
See you then,
Mark

Online Photo Album

Looks like this little baby is a lightweight.

So here's something I just found out. You can view all the pictures that have ever been uploaded to the blog on one website. Just click Here.
You will see several duplicates unfortunately, but it's pretty neat to be able to look back all in one place. Apparently this feature has been available for the past year, but I just found out today. There are some missing pictures (IDKY) but there are also some pics that never made it to the blog publicly.
There is also an option to upload pictures directly into the album. I'm thinking this might come in handy for things like a fishing gallery. Nate had suggested a single post to me before and I think this could work for that idea. Well, for now enjoy the photos and look for some new ones over there that don't find their way here.
Mark

A Poem For Dads

Here's a cool poem written by Ogden Nash

I found it when I was looking for a book called Custard the Dragon. Maybe someone can make a scrapbooking page out of it.
Mark

Sorry, I just fixed the link.

Srapbook Time

Hey Ladies,

I'm planning another scrapbooking day at my house. September 27th any time. Like always, I get up early, so please come and join us anytime.

Maria

Romantic couples meet in Maui!!!

Here are two more self-serving photos from our week in Maui. I had to publish a new post because I couldn't figure out how to add photos to the last one. Anyway, you can see that Maui is full of dashing gentlemen like Larry and Darrel, and lovely females like Liz and Connie. Who needs to surf anyway?

Meneses girls cut loose in Maui!

This was just one of the many activities Connie and Liz enjoyed in their recent week on Hawaii's most fun island. The Smiths are so grateful for the invitation to stay in some great digs on Ka'anapali Beach from Liz and Larry. If I can remember how to do this again, I may post a few more pictures.

Davids Breakfast Birthday Bash! August 23rd. You're all invited!

Brea wants everyone to come to her dads big Birthday Bash! We will be having a huge breakfast bash for Davids 30th birthday party on August 23, 2008. The breakfast will start at 9:00 am but feel free to come early. We hope that you can all make it, and if you have any questions feel free to call me anytime.
Elvia Grimsley

Broadway Brett

Okay, it's official the JETS are going to win the Super Bowl!!
I would like a #4 jersey for Christmas this year.

Mark

The Double Limit.....Also knows as the Doobley Doobley by Mike and Nate

It was another great day at belnap! There were a ton of fish and we both caught some huge trout. If the limit was 10 we would have been brought 20 fish home! Nates monster 5
Mikes monster 5

Shark Video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7KuDM5EMV1U

Stayin Alive With Another 5

Another 5 baby, and one of those was a giant. :) I couldn't be outdone by a Jack Sparrow fishing pole, but I almost was.

Laura caught her first 3 fish ever using her Jack Sparrow fishing pole. Here's a picture of her biggest fish!

John Madden says, "footballs starts when Brett Farve says it starts!

John Madden also says, "The honeymoon doesn't end until I say it ends!" Hey who wants Brett to play for them? Apparently nobody.

5-limit fishing - Good Ol' Belnap

Smith/Grimsley Camping Trip in October? Who's Coming with me? Who's Coming with me?

Good Ol' Generous Belnap

Mean Ol' Stingy Balch Park