Learning the Family Trade

At the beginning of April, Josh took some time to show all the kids a little bit about tuckpointing. The boys loved being out and about around the tools and other fun stuff, and Madison had a great time practicing some tuckpointing.

Madison was showing Carter and Tucker a worm.

Watching Dad mix up some mortar.

Josh and Madison doing some tuckpointing.

She loved doing it, and completed quite a few courses. I had to take the boys in for lunch, and she opted to stay outside with Dad to keep working. Love watching her focus and practice new skills.

Love these little people!!!

Josh and I both look forward to involving our children in our family business as they grow up!

Going Out in Public

When you see this picture, you probably focus in on my 4 little cuties. I see Josh...and I smile to myself because I now remember that he's a good 15 minutes into a conversation with some strangers about our children and having triplets. For once...I let him handle all the nosy and annoying questions that I usually deal with. lol.

This took place about 9 months ago. We decided to be brave and venture out with all 4 of our kiddos to an indoor play area at South Park. I am pretty good at avoiding all eye-contact and giving short (but sweet) answers to stranger's questions/comments. Josh usually is, too - but at a place like this, if you get stuck by someone, it can be harder to get away. I was glad I got to chase the littles around.

Here we are all headed to the mall.

Now, I realize that triplets are a rare sight, and I know that comments and looks will happen. I do dress mine alike (and in public, it's actually easier to keep an eye on them this way) so that brings more attention. The majority of the time, I am okay with it, and try and answer most questions as gracefully as I can. However, many of the questions we get are often very personal and sometimes even hurtful. So, if I seem guarded or unfriendly in public, it's because I'm also just wanting to go about my business like everyone else, or I'm worried about what some stranger is going to say about my children or me.

LOVE Target carts for 3. C and C had their feet up for the end of the ride.


On the flip side, of course the majority of comments and questions are all very positive and sweet. So, I try and remember not to let a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch. However, if I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase, "Wow. Your hands are full!" I'd be rich!!!

Lunch Date with Mom and Dad

This was about 4 months ago (hey...I'm making progress!). Anyways, M was with Grandma, so Josh and I took the boys out to lunch. They were so good and it was actually a nice lunch out!

Cooper

Carter

Tucker

Village Inn is one of our favorite restaurants for family outings. We've gone several times. Other family-friendly, fast, and semi-loud restaurants we like are Buffalo Wild Wings, and Machine Shed (because they take reservations).

Calvary Fun Run

Every October since Madison was 2, she has participated in a small local charity Fun Run. Last October, we signed the boys up for their first Fun Run.

Love these munchkins SO much. They were all ready for their run!

Grandma and Madison helped the boys at the starting line.

I'm pretty sure they had no idea what was going on.

They even got medals at the end.

Then, it was big sister's turn to run in her age bracket!

We will probably be back later this Fall as well!

Kayaking!

Josh and Madison have been kayaking for a few years now. Josh was eager to get the boys out last summer. So, last Labor Day weekend, we went to West Lake and had a blast!

I'm just gonna post a ton of pictures. And, I'll be honest, I'm not sure which little guy between Cooper and Carter is in most of the pictures if the life jacket is covering their shirt. Whoops! I just know that all three took rides with Dad and had a blast!

This is Cooper!

I'm gonna go with Carter in this one now.

Tucker!

Carter, Madison, and Cooper

Madison did some fishing, too!

Aunt Wanda and Dave happened to show up for a bit, too!

Little cuties all had a blast! It was an awesome day! Tucker in red, Carter in orange, and Cooper in blue.

Josh has recently told me that he's waiting for M to be able to paddle her own, and then apparently I have to kayak, too, so we can each have one of the boys with us...we shall see.

Donut Day on Sundays

Every Sunday is Donut Day in the Smyser house.

These pics are from December. But, were too cute for me not to get on the blog!

Cooper!


Tucker

Carter

Love these li'l guys. And, they love donuts!

Foto Friday - Dinner Madness

Sadly - right before dinner still looks like this. That's Tucker and Cooper at the counter, and Carter on the table - this picture was snapped about 7 months ago.

Babies in Bins

So this happened last October - so about 5 months ago. Silly boys.



Carter

Tucker

Cooper

They didn't do this often. I guess the novelty wore off. Now they just like to pull out the bins and dump all the toys so they can get on their tractors and ride their tractors all over/through a massive pile of toys. BOYS!