It's Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom Time!

It's cherry pink and apple blossom white

when your true lover comes your way

It's cherry pink and apple blossom white

the poets say

The story goes that once a cherry tree

Beside an apple tree did grow

And there a boy once met his bride to be

Long long ago

The boy looked into her eyes, it was a sight to enthrall

The breezes joined in their sighs, the blossoms started to fall

And as they gently carressed, the lovers looked up to find

The branches of the two trees were intertwined

And that is why the poets always write

If there's a new moon bright above

It's cherry pink and apple blossom white

When you're in love

I love seeing the trees "popping" in the spring time.
I am always reminded of the song "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom's White"
My brother was in a Jazz band in High School and they played this song.
I have loved it ever since. When ever I hear this song I immediately think of the pink and white blossoms. The upbeat tempo and the cha cha beat makes me want to dance!

April Graduations!

This month we had 4 graduates in our family.
We know that they still have more schooling but we are very happy with what they have accomplished so far.

Brittany and Steven graduated from BYU this past Friday.
We enjoyed the day celebrating with them.

Brittany graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.
She still has her student teaching to do and will officially graduate in August.
She will be teaching a 6th grade class at a year round school.
She started today and will go until the middle of August.

Steven graduated with a degree in Nutritional Science. He is now preparing to take the MCAT in May.
He has a committment to the Hospital until next winter and then more schooling.

Elder L. Tom Perry spoke for a few minutes at Brittany's Convocation.
He wasn't on the program and we think that he had a granddaughter graduate. We went to a reception afterwards.
Brittany was able to have her picture taken with Elder and Sister Perry and one of her favorite professors.

The Graduates Celebrating!

April Graduations!

Cameron and Brianna Graduated from LDS Business College 2 weeks ago.
They decided not to go through the whole graduation thing because they both have
more schooling. They wanted to wait until they finish their degrees before they celebrate big!
We are proud of all that they have accomplished!

Cameron received an associates degree in Business.
He will be attending the University of Utah this summer. He enjoys business and will probably focus on Business Marketing there.

Brianna received an associates degree in General Studies.

When she started at LDS Business College she was planning on being a teacher. A few months ago she realized that wasn't what she was suppose to do and is now going into nursing. She will be taking a CNA course this summer and then Salt Lake Community College in the fall to take some pre requisites that she needs.

Mount Timpanogos Temple and Salt Lake City Cemetery

Mick and the girls had spring break this past week.
We went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple and did baptisms on Friday morning.
The spirit was sweet there and we were glad that we had started our day that way.

We have been wanting to go the the Salt Lake City Cemetery for a while now.

Mick went almost 20 years ago and had really enjoyed the experience. All but 4 of the Latter-Day Prophets are buried there, also many apostles, church leaders and pioneers.

We had a map with information that Mick had in his files. Brianna met us and got a map from the sexton's office. It listed where all of the prophets and apostles, pioneers, ects. were buried.

Mick and I really enjoy visiting cemeteries.
We have spent time in Cemeteries in Boston, Missouri, Nauvoo, Washington D.C., Rome and Israel and many other places.
It probably sounds strange but we learn so much in these Cemeteries.

I recently read an article about President Thomas S. Monson that went along with our feelings.

A visitor once asked me, 'What is there to see while I am in Salt Lake City?'
"Instinctively I suggested a tour of Temple Square, a drive to the nearby canyons,
a visit to the Bingham copper mine and perhaps a swim in the Great Salt lake.
A fear of being misunderstood kept me from expressing the thought,
'Have you considered spending an hour or two at one of our cemeteries?'
"I never did reveal to him that wherever I travel I try to pay a visit to the town cemetery.
It is a time of contemplation, of reflection on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death.

We spent about 2 hours in the Salt Lake Cemetery.
We felt love and respect for those noble men and women who are buried there.
We reflected on their lives of service and sacrifice in behalf of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This was probably one of the most unique headstones that we saw.
On the front side there is a picture of the Salt Lake Temple and the family name along with the names of the husband and wife.
Under the couples names it said this:

We were rich in that which mattered most -
OUR CHILDREN

The back (in the picture) is a family tree with all the names of their children & spouses and grandchildren.
What a great tribute to this couple !

Salt Lake Temple Square

This is our traditional spot for a family picture.
When ever we go to Temple Square to walk around we take a picture in this spot. This is just the four of us at home now.
I guess we will have to take the whole family there sometime for a group photo!

The flowers were beautiful. Mick and I had meetings in Salt Lake about ten years ago.
The tulips were blooming all over Temple Square.
We were given some free time one afternoon. We were told to go spend time together and

"Stop and Smell the Tulips"
...taken from the phrase "Stop and smell the roses"
In other words go and enjoy the flowers and this beautiful world we live in.
The thought has always stuck with me. When ever I see tulips I know that life is never to busy to just stop and smell the tulips.

This is a fun picture of Carly and Kaylie...our "Flower Children"!

Temple Square & Conference Center

We always enjoy walking around Temple Square.
I always feel such a sweet, peaceful feeling when I go there.

A few of the the many beautiful flowers.
I love the newness of spring as the plants, flowers, and tree blossoms begin to bloom.

We had never done a full tour of the Conference Center before.
It was interesting to hear in detail how the building came together. The workmanship and detail is amazing!

This is one of the many beautiful original paintings in the Conference Center.
I don't remember the exact measurements but it was huge!
The detail in the paintings are incredible. What an amazing talent these artists have.

When we went to the roof top to see the gardens we passed The President's Hall.
They have bronze sculpted busts of each of the prophets, the workmanship is incredible.
In the hallway after that they have portraits of all the apostles in the latter-days.
We recognized many names of Apostles that we had seen earlier in the day at the cemetery.
It was nice to make the connection with a name and a face.

Mick's Spanish Class

Mick teaches a Spanish Book of Mormon class once a week at the Institute.
He has really enjoyed teaching and has been able to "brush up" on his Spanish speaking skills.
He has been very blessed to retain the Spanish he learned from his mission over 25 years ago.
He says that I am totally biased but he really is fluent in the Spanish language.

He has made some mistakes while teaching but the students have
helped him and they have all had a great experience. I went to their last class. My Spanish is very limited.
I was able to understand a few words...very few! Mick was surprised when I was on the right pages he had the class turn
to in the Book of Mormon. I was saying the numbers in my head, uno, dos, tres, ect. and managed to figure out what he was saying.
I have a long ways to go if we ever get sent to a Spanish speaking mission!

Even though I wasn't able to understand what was being said I did feel the spirit that was there.
There was a very strong, sweet spirit as many of the students shared their testimonies
of the gospel, the Book of Mormon and the Savior.

The students brought food to share for the class fiesta.

STEP, STEP, CHA, CHA, CHA !

Last week Mick and I went with my parents,
Brianna, and Kaylie
to the BYU Ballroom Dance Showcase .



We missed Carly being with us. She was off playing with her choir in California.

It was a really fast paced entertaining program with great music,
flashy costumes and exceptional dancing.

One of our "Sister Missionaries", who lived with us, Angela Devine is in the BYU Touring Company.

She dances with as much energy as she served as a missionary!
What a great performance!

Conference Weekend!

The Growing Smith family



We had everyone at our house for the Saturday sessions of conference.
We gathered everyone for a quick picture before eating breakfast and the beginning of conference.
We are beginning to think that it will be impossible to keep the picture updated as time goes on.
Brittany and Steven are expecting a baby in September so will be adding number 19 to the family!

The highlight of the Saturday morning conference session for Mick and I was the Solemn Assembly in which we sustained
our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson and other General Authorities.
It was such a sweet and tender moment for us to look around the room and
watch as each member of our family stood and sustained our leaders.
First the Priesthood, then Relief Society, then Young Women and then all the general membership of the church.
Morgan showed her support by standing with each group :) and was excited to do as the rest of the family was doing!

Mick and I talked about this great event, of witnessing the sustaining of our prophet, with our family. We feel so blessed that each of our children along with their spouses are united in their testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel.

Sunday Mick, Carly, Kaylie and I went to the Conference Center to watch the morning session.
The music was wonderful. The spirit we felt was incredible.
We were thankful to have the opportunity to hear our newly sustained prophet speak!
Brianna and Cameron were also able to get tickets for that session as well as my parents.
We felt edified and strengthened by our experience.

I love conference and felt uplifted by the messages given.
Some of the ones that I especially enjoyed was President Uchtdorf's on "Faith of our Father's" and Sister Tanner's "I delight in....".
I also felt the confirmation of the Spirit of our Presiding First Presidency.
I love and sustain them and am so grateful to have their guidance in my life.
I also am grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith and his role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for me. I know that He was resurrected and that He Lives!!
What a great privilage it is to be a member of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this Day!

Pizza Night!

We went to Melissa and Brian's house to make pizza.
Everyone had a great time making their own pizza and it tasted great!


Melissa demonstrating the fine art of making a pizza crust!

**Please submit your idea for a caption!**

Kaylie is showing us how to stretch the dough!

Rachel and Jennifer are supervising the fun!

The busy production line!

Notice who is sampling the pizza.

Morgan is showing us how to make a pizza crust.

Carly is supervising the pizza creations.
We loved watching Aliza make her pizza.

She started by eating the dough, then the sauce,
then the pepperoni and cheese.
This was all before it was cooked!

Aliza pressing out her dough.

Now it's time to enjoy the finished product!

Fun with the Grandkids!

We went swimming with all the grandkids. Rachel loved swimming with Grandpa.

We wondered who would be the hardest to get out of the pool.
Jackson won hands down!

Madeline is concentrating on the ball.

Is this a future WNBA player?

Aliza is a happy little girl and keeps very busy!