Spanky Loo

We brought home a puppy from the pound because Faith needed protection when Ryan is working in Los Angeles.

We present Spanky Loo Smeets. She is a mix between a Staffordshire terrier and something else. If you can determine the 'something else' please let us know.

This is not the best picture of her...its hard to take a really good picture of a dog. She is beautiful.

Residence

Its been months since the last update and there is much to report.
Here are some new pictures of the house. As you can see, there have been several new developments. Thanks to Papa Smeets for driving to Phoenix to help out!

Ryan has been learning a lot about home repair while Faith has been donning her infamous mumu. (What Ryan forgot to say is that Faith lived without evap or A/C in over 100 degree heat while pulling weeds, painting, using the hose to shower, putting up window treatments, painting, hammering, hauling trash, scrubbing, and more!)

Photos of the interior will be posted at a later date.

The Little House that Could

This is the before shot of our little house. Come by anytime... We'll be there next week you can join the clean up and paint and lay sod and electric work crews. What we mean is come by and keep us from working because we rather have a cold beer and conversation. The house can wait.

Sailing back to the Valley

Some of the best days of Spring...Levi came up to Los Angeles for some sailing, drinking, eating, and merriment.

Friends joined on us on the tour of the coast. From Marina del Rey up to Malibu via the Pacific Ocean breezes.

It was then and there on the boat we got a phone call with an offer to buy a little 1940's house in Central Phoenix.

We love the Ocean, but couldn't say no. Sture made us.

Little Mr. Aaron Jr.

Ryan and Aaron....giant baby.


Here is our new godson, flashy...well, very annoyed we keep kissing him. He is oh, so precious to us. We will be heading to Louisiana in June to attend his Christening. Apparently we will be the only white people there, well Faith will be the only white person there...

We are on the move!

The Smeets family is moving to Phoenix this next month (more about that later!). Ryan will be driving the U-Haul and I will be driving our new little toy up above. It's a Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon. The precious Rodeo is now in Levi's capable hands...we upgraded. We're so grown up.

But before we finish packing up we will be heading to Mexico for a little second honeymoon this next week. Nice. Ryan is obsessed with the fishing opportunities and Faith is obsessed with spending time OUTDOORS.

Just when you thought Baby Raya was the best thing since Precious Moments

Cael Sture Christiansen

CAEL STURE CHRISTIANSEN WAS BORN ON FRIDAY NIGHT! Baby Raya has a new little brother and we have a new little nephew. When we were skating around the rink at Olympic speed, Amanda was giving us yet another reason to go to Phoenix.

Amanda, the mommy is doing quite well...oh, Dad (Sture) is also doing well.

Dirrty Thirty Roller Derby

Dirrty
Thirty Roller Derby
Mark's 30th and Forest's 29th...celebrate with Justice Skate and Sandra Day O'Clobber. Laying down the law. Why is my hand so big?

Ryan, Brian, and Mark.
Check out that legit facial hair on Mark and his own quads to show off. He made us look like skating mishaps and he wasn't even sober.
Justice Skate....Judge Ito...Ryan showing off for the Junior Highers at the Rink.
Sandra Day O'Clobber hands down outskated and out showmannnned Justice Ito. This is Her Honor preparing to dance off with a 12 year old. Don't think it didn't happen.

Before the night was over...part deux:





Faith and Ryan revealed.







Because of our genuis costumes, which were apparently quite the anamoly...The Smeets Duo won the Best Couple Award.

PS We got really sweaty. Rollerskating is a work out. Especially when you are in a full body polyester Judge robe.

While Faith was at work...

Ariel, Sture, Ryan, and Michael were snowboarding in Tahoe. Ryan grew facial hair for the occassion, he looked like a retired ninja and yet looked deadly attractive.

Ariel
Brother Sture
Uncle Michael
Ryan

Faith hates snow, don't feel bad for her.

For more photos click here.

Merry Christmas from the Smeets

Merry Christmas

Our trimmed branches for the season....well we'll be out of town, so we decorated the twigs. Adorning the tree are fabulous Kate Spade ornaments that were part of a wedding gift. Faith loves them, wants to eat them.

Damien Rice and the Smeets

We'll put it this way, Faith teared up it was that good. Damien Rice Concert at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA.

The Orpheum has amazing acoustics and Irish team did us in.

Thanks Mike for hooking it up.

We want all of you to be Damien Rice fans, so look him up.