Some Pictures From Home: January 2013

These are some pictures taken in January 2013 in our apartment in San Bernardino, California after we returned from Idaho after New Year's Day.  Most of these are of new pictures and framed documents we put up in our apartment.

 After 5 1/2 years we finally got our wedding picture and put it up on our wall in between our tow famed documents of The Living Christ and the Family: A Proclamation to the World.

 Valrie surprised Cody on Christmas Day 2012 when she presented for us this canvas picture of us on our wedding day courtesy of her sister LaRell Steele.

 Cody's framed Masters Degree in National Security Studies from California State University-San Bernardino.

 The words on the Cody's Masters Degree in national Security Studies from California State University-San Bernardino.

New Year's Eve Eve and New Year's Eve

On December 30th, 2012, New Year's Eve Eve, we went to Valrie's brother Golden Smith's house in Rigby, Idaho to spend a night with much of Valrie's family and to play games.  The following day on New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2012, we clebrated with a large gathering of Valrie's family and some of their friends for a party and games at the "building" at her parent's place in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Here are some of the pictures from these two nights.  Cody's camera kept dying and shutting off inexplicably while we were there so we did not get as many pictures as we had wanted.

 

 The Golden and Shelby Smith snow family.  I cannot remember who all the snow people were in their family.  But I believe that Shelby Smith is represented by the taller snowman that looks like it is about to fall over and crush its children.

 The Golden and Shelby Smith snow family closeup.  I cannot remember who all the snow people were in their family.  But I believe that Shelby Smith is represented by the taller snowman that looks like it is about to fall over and crush its children.

 Our nephew Jace Smith.  Matt Burgess, Valrie's brother-in-law, can be seen in the left background while Jace's brother, Ryker Smith can be seen in the right background as well as Valrie's sister Shelly Smith.

 Our nephew Ryker Smith gives us a thumbs up.  Shelby Smith, Valrie's sister-in-law, is seen behind him and to the right.  Shelby's mother and brother are in the left background talking to Shelly Smith who can be seen over Ryker's right shoulder.

 Our sister-in-law Shelby Smith.  Shelly Smith is in the background left and June Smith, Valrie's mother is over Shelby's left shoulder.

Our niece Devynee Smith is seen here.  Her mother Shelby is just behind her with Shelly behind Shelby.  Shelby's mom is in the left background.

 A tree in Valrie's parent's back yard on the morning of December 31, 2012.

 Winter Wonderland. Valrie's parent's back yard on the morning of December 31, 2012.

 Our nieces MayeRee Burgess (L) and Kaylie Wall (R) play air hockey while some of our younger nieces play near the railing in the background.  They are L to R: Lily Wall, Maegan Wall, and Jillian Larson.

 Our brother-in-law Matthew Burgess (L) competes in Ping-Pong with our niece Devynee Smith (R).  Zaidee Larson is in the background in red.  It is unclear who is behind her in this picture.

 Our brother-in-law Matthew Burgess (L) competes in Ping-Pong with our niece Devynee Smith (R).  Zaidee Larson is in the background in red.  It is unclear who is behind her in this picture.  Can you see the ball?

 Our nieces playing near the railing.  L to R: MaLaine Burgess, Lily Wall and Jillian Larson

 Our nephew Kason Steele comes up the stairs with food.  A friend of the family follows behind him and the behind the friend of the family is our niece Lauren Steele.

 The corn hole boards set up and ready to go for competition in the gym of "the building".

 Three of our nieces (who are all about the same age) play on the stairs.  Jillian Larson follows behind MaLaine Burgess while Maegan Wall looks at the camera.

 Three of our nieces (who are all about the same age) play on the stairs.  Jillian Larson follows behind MaLaine Burgess while Maegan Wall looks away.

 Our niece Zaidee Larson holds her brother and our nephew, Andrew Larson the day before his first birthday.  Playing air hockey to their right is our niece MayeRee Burgess.

 Our niece Zaidee Larson.

 Four of our fun nieces having some fun.  L to R: Lily Wall, Maegan Wall, Zaidee Larson, and MaLaine Burgess.  In the background Valrie's father watches from the tops of the stairs.  To his right is our niece Kaylie Wall.  To her right with the blue hat is our nephew Kason Steele and his unidentified friend.

 Our nephew Garren Burgess chows down some food.

 Valrie coming up the stairs. We are pretty sure she was chewing on something here.

 Our niece Mavanee Burgess.

More family relaxing and eating.  L to R: Our niece, Jillian Larson; Valrie's father, Thane Smith; our brother-in-law, Travis Wall; his wife and Valrie's sister, Rebecca Wall; and Valrie's sister Shelly Smith.

Christmas Eve at the Cabin in Island Park, Idaho

On December 24, 2012, Christmas Eve, we were in Valrie's parent's cabin in Island Park, Idaho with her parents Thane and June Smith; her brother Tyson Smith and Scotty Rogers; her sister Shelly Smith, and her sister Jamie Larson, her husband Virgil, and their children, Zelli, Zaidee, Jillian, and Andrew.  We played games and then everyone helped perform a Nativity reenactment.  We then each opened one present from youngest to oldest.  We also filmed this reenactment with our video camera and maybe one day we can post that for everyone.  Here are the pictures from this day.

 L to R: Zaidee and Zelli Larson

They played us in Monopoly. Valrie got first, Zelli second, Cody third, and Zaidee fourth.

 Nativity Reenactment Cast

L to R: Shelly Smith (Wiseman), Valrie (Wiseman), Zelli Larson holding Andrew Larson (Mary and Baby Jesus respectively), Jamie Larson (narrator), Jillian Larson (Angel), Virgil Larson (Joseph), June Smith (Shepherd), Zaidee Larson (Wiseman), Tyson Smith (Shepherd), and Scotty Rogers (Shepherd). Not pictured: Thane Smith (Donkey) and Cody (Filmographer)

 Another view of the Nativity Reenactment Cast

L to R: Shelly Smith (Wiseman), Valrie (Wiseman), Zelli Larson holding Andrew Larson (Mary and Baby Jesus respectively), Jamie Larson (narrator), Jillian Larson (Angel), Virgil Larson (Joseph), June Smith (Shepherd), Zaidee Larson (Wiseman), Tyson Smith (Shepherd), and Scotty Rogers (Shepherd). Not pictured: Thane Smith (Donkey) and Cody (Filmographer)

 Valrie helps Andrew Larson to open his Christmas present.  Zaidee Larson looks on.

 Valrie helps Andrew Larson to open his Christmas present.  Zaidee Larson looks on.

Valrie holds up the little stocking that Andrew Larson got for Christmas.  Zelli Larson looks on from the left and Zaidee Larson from the right.

 We are assuming that Jamie Larson is saying one minute.  Either that or she is trying to pick her nose while her husband Virgil Larson looks at her questioningly over such behavior. :)  Also seen are Jillian and Andrew Larson

 Uncle Tyson Smith helps hold his niece Jillian Larson as she opens up her pajamas.

 Zaidee Larson opens up some purple pajamas while Andrew Larson looks away.

 Zelli Larson begins to unwrap her gift while Valrie meditates in the background.  Shelly Smith can be seen sitting in the chair.

 Zelli Larson opens up some hot cocoa and and a litle stocking with some candy in it.  Valrie is seen smiling in the background.  Shelly Smith is sitting in the chair.

 Valrie opened up some vibrant red Christmas-themed pajamas.  Shelly Smith is seen in the background looking away from the camera.

 Tyson Smith pulls out yet more pajamas as Jillian Larson decided to jump in front of his face as Cody takes the picture so she can see his present.

 Cody opens up the same vibrant red Christmas-themed pajamas as Valrie, only larger.  Andrew Larson and his father Virgil are seen in the background.

 Scotty Rogers opens........wait a minute......Pajamas!  Shocker.

 Virgil Larson gets ready to open his present as his daughter Jillian Larson approaches him to see what he is opening.  Jamie Larson is to his left holding their son Andrew.

 Jillian Larson is so eager to see what her father Virgil is getting that he has to bat her away so he can finish opening his present.

 Jamie Larson begins to unwrap her present while holding her son Andrew.  Virgil Larson is to her right holding their daughter Jillian.

 If you guessed that Jamie was going to open pajamas you were right.  Andrew gazes down at the pajamas.

 Shelly Smith opens the same type of pajamas as Jamie.  Hmmm. We are sensing a them here.  Zelli Larson is seen at the far right of the picture.

 June Smith holds her present.  Will it be pajamas?  Pretty promising so far.  Zelli Larson is seen at the far right of the picture.

 It looks like an alien bag. Zelli Larson is seen at the far right of the picture.

 She opens it and is laughing because it is not pajamas.  Ok not really, but because is is a new  lid to her Bosch that was broken.  Zelli Larson is seen at the far right of the picture.

 Last but not least Than Smith tears into his present.

 It is....not pajamas.  It is a BYU themed blanket made by hand by Valrie for her BYU fan father.  Zelli Larson, who has decided to be in almost every picture pops ups on the left here.

The backside of Thane's BYU blanket made especially for him by Valrie.