While we published a paper copy for our family archives (can you believe we've compiled 10 years?) this is the first year we're throwing the annual Smith family Christmas Chronicle online. Let us know what you think ...
With many major house projects complete, Sophie and Charlie a year older and wiser, and a new and improved job, the Smith family was in the groove for 2008 and the livin’ seemed easy.
With many major house projects complete, Sophie and Charlie a year older and wiser, and a new and improved job, the Smith family was in the groove for 2008 and the livin’ seemed easy.
That was till we adopted our new Newfoundland pup Guinness in May, then a little blob of black fluff who has quickly grown into a 110-pound-and-growing ball of energy – with a ferocious appetite. Not for chow (he’s a notoriously picky eater) but for countless shoes, bag straps of every kind, this year’s Christmas cards and random toys and household items. He’s lucky he is a beautiful dog and a gentle soul and we love him dearly!Guinness’s No. 1 fan, Charlie has developed into quite the student, friend and little sport this year as a first-grader. He’s “a popular and enthusiastic member of 
our classroom,” according to Mrs. Spang, and Charlie has especially taken seriously his role in the “Rolling Pebbles,” a select chorus that performs weekly at the all-school assembly. He also finished an excellent first season on Kennebunk’s youth wrestling team, taking fourth in the state in his weight division, and keeping us busy through the winter – and bringing out the “rabid sports mom” in Laura! Then it was on to T-ball this spring on the Sidewinders team, and soccer this fall as a Raider – and mom kept herself in check. In between Charlie (finally!) mastered the art of two wheels and delighted in discovering our backyard woods and stream, usually with special friend Rory, Liam, Ethan and “the other” Charlie, whose family moved across the street this fall!
our classroom,” according to Mrs. Spang, and Charlie has especially taken seriously his role in the “Rolling Pebbles,” a select chorus that performs weekly at the all-school assembly. He also finished an excellent first season on Kennebunk’s youth wrestling team, taking fourth in the state in his weight division, and keeping us busy through the winter – and bringing out the “rabid sports mom” in Laura! Then it was on to T-ball this spring on the Sidewinders team, and soccer this fall as a Raider – and mom kept herself in check. In between Charlie (finally!) mastered the art of two wheels and delighted in discovering our backyard woods and stream, usually with special friend Rory, Liam, Ethan and “the other” Charlie, whose family moved across the street this fall!Sophie, now in third grade and with a new haircut this summer, seems to be on a never-ending growth spurt. Which mean
s she can eat, often going for seconds and then finishing up any leftovers on the table. It all just keeps her energized for the next activity: soccer, playing across the street at the park, riding her bike up and down Park Street, swimming and jumping off the high-dive, playing with Sally, Haley, or Emma, and now wrestling alongside Charlie as the most psyched member of the all-boys team! Sophie’s still as headstrong and independent as ever and every now and then her sweet streak shines through.
s she can eat, often going for seconds and then finishing up any leftovers on the table. It all just keeps her energized for the next activity: soccer, playing across the street at the park, riding her bike up and down Park Street, swimming and jumping off the high-dive, playing with Sally, Haley, or Emma, and now wrestling alongside Charlie as the most psyched member of the all-boys team! Sophie’s still as headstrong and independent as ever and every now and then her sweet streak shines through.
Laura returned back to a familiar job last January, features editor/designer, this time for the York County Coast Star (new job, same newspaper) and the York Weekly. If it weren’t for the job insecurity in this ever-changing industry, it would be the perfect position: working two days a week in the Portsmouth office, one day by laptop from home, and periodically checking in by e-mail. Also perfect as it allows and encourages time for her most important job as mom coaching Sophie’s soccer team, volunteering weekly in both kids’ classrooms and getting out and about, sometimes even as a photographer and reporter for various school and community activities!
On the Lindsay front, the economic recession has actually given him a bump in business as people are focusing on personal finances more than ever. He continues to serve as a junior high youth group leader at our church and takes pride in his role as “Sophie’s and Charlie’s Dad” and their activities, from their team sports to backyard soccer and T-ball games to watching the old “Star Wars” VHS tapes (they finally wore out) and playing “wrestle-wanna-hey-now.” 
Lindsay’s also become quite the drywall monkey, as this year our do-it-yourself projects included replacing the dining room and kitchen ceilings, from demolition to the studs, to electrical work (thanks, Dick Cadmus) and then drywall installation and finish (thanks, GrandBob). It was one of the more messier projects we’ve tackled to date, yet probably the most rewarding projects. In between work on doors, crown molding and other random improvements, we wallpapered the 
dining room this spring and Lindsay continued the work on his lawn and garden beds. That was in preparation for the big event this spring: Laura’s dad and Suzanne’s wedding reception, held June 21 under a tent in our back lawn. After a beautifully simple and heartfelt ceremony in Kennebunkport overlooking the Atlantic, the party returned to Park Street for a lobster bake and reception festivities under a white tent.
dining room this spring and Lindsay continued the work on his lawn and garden beds. That was in preparation for the big event this spring: Laura’s dad and Suzanne’s wedding reception, held June 21 under a tent in our back lawn. After a beautifully simple and heartfelt ceremony in Kennebunkport overlooking the Atlantic, the party returned to Park Street for a lobster bake and reception festivities under a white tent.And on the subject of weddings, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a kid-free trip to Playa 
del Carmen, Mexico, in January and enjoyed a week of tropical sun and drinks, swimming with the fish, lazy river riding, zip-lining, cliff jumping and absolute relaxation. We also made our annual trip down to Virginia for a multi-birthday party for Grampy/Uncle Roger, Auntie Robin and Charlie in Manassas, and then it was on to Virginia Beach for a few action-packed days with Papa II and Grammy Sue at the zoo, beach, biking on the boardwalk, golfing with Charlie’s own set of clubs, and pottery painting.
del Carmen, Mexico, in January and enjoyed a week of tropical sun and drinks, swimming with the fish, lazy river riding, zip-lining, cliff jumping and absolute relaxation. We also made our annual trip down to Virginia for a multi-birthday party for Grampy/Uncle Roger, Auntie Robin and Charlie in Manassas, and then it was on to Virginia Beach for a few action-packed days with Papa II and Grammy Sue at the zoo, beach, biking on the boardwalk, golfing with Charlie’s own set of clubs, and pottery painting.As we look back on our 2008, we again count our blessings at this time of year and wish our family and friends a season of love and peace, healthy and happiness. Merry Christmas to your family from ours, and we look forward to seeing you soon in 2009!
In love,
The Smiths
Good times with family and friends
In love,
The Smiths
Good times with family and friends
The death of a family friend this week gave us perspective and pause to reflect on the important things in our life, family and friends, and we feel blessed to have shared so many adventures and milestones with you in 2008.
We rang in the New Year at the Zachas home with Londonderry High School friends and our families, the first of multiple gatherings this year. We celebrated the birth of Ben Dugan (Feb. 19), Will Dugan’s annual (fourth) birthday camping party at Pawtuckaway State Park (May 30), the wedding of Katie Guilfoyle and Andrew (June 28) in Cape Porpoise, the births of Lauren and Riley Zachas (July 11) and, of course, our annual Columbus Day weekend get-away, this year between our home in Kennebunk and the Andrew home in Cape Porpoise because of all the new additions.
We also witnessed the power of prayer and love for Jessie’s mom, Judy Reichard, who suffered a serious head injury after a bicycle accident on Father’s Day that left her unconscious for weeks, only to make a near-miraculous recovery, some three surgeries and months of rehabilitation later. It was a moving experience to witness such love for a remarkable woman.
We also made four trips to Delmar to visit cousin Patrick and family this year. Yes, Patrick is who matters most to Sophie and Charlie when we get together, almost every week over the summer it seems when they spent a week nearby and made multiple other road trips! He’s been so much fun to watch grow into a walking, talking and full-of-life toddler. We almost forget how much kids grow and change that second year – and how mature our kids have gotten in their capacity to love him so much.
Girls Weekend 2008, this year at our house, was also nothing short of remarkable. Lindsay took the kids over to Gigi and GrandBob’s house for the night, and most of the UNH KD ladies made it up for a weekend of sunny beachtime, cocktail hour, shopping in the ‘Port and a relaxing dinner out on the town, topped off only by a campfire and the “planned power outage.”
We also enjoyed quick weekend trips, particularly up to Vermont to spend time with Jammy Grammy and GrandPaul and discover a new swimming spot.
We also enjoyed quick weekend trips, particularly up to Vermont to spend time with Jammy Grammy and GrandPaul and discover a new swimming spot.
And we’ve loved having our good friends Byron and Tara Spinney now living across the street. Their son Charlie and Charlie are double the trouble, and Jack the dog and Guinness put on quite the show when they play in the backyard. Good times at the bus stop, family dinners, moms cocktail hours, card games, decorating brainstorms, sharing the joy of Jimmy’s birth June 19 and peace of mind knowing they’re there for us!
For Thanksgiving, it was out to Becket, Mass., to reunite with the extended Snyder family at Uncle George’s camp and laugh it up watching a DVD compilation of Thanksgivings past. Thanks, Grampy!
Just this week on Dec. 11 we lost a family friend, Dave Stead (Sally’s dad), after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was only 37. So it’s been an emotional time trying to understand the why and how life can be so unfair and uncertain – and then explaining that to Sophie and Charlie.
Luckily they’ve seen that life is more good than bad, mostly about love and laughter, about family and friends. Whatever your role in our lives, thank you for being there for us in 2008. May we all be blessed in 2009 and beyond.
Luckily they’ve seen that life is more good than bad, mostly about love and laughter, about family and friends. Whatever your role in our lives, thank you for being there for us in 2008. May we all be blessed in 2009 and beyond.
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