More year 2003

In the summer of 2003 we held a great Smith Family reunion in Provo. We had family from California, Idaho and Arizona attend: Tolmans, Kaufmans, Williams, Morris and Blacks and, of course, Honeys were there. It was great to see everyone. First we all met on the steps of the Utah County building, across from the Provo Tabernacle, and had a group picture. Alan arranged all of us and his friend snapped the picture. We had a nice get together later at Fred and Carol’s house. It was fun to be together as family.

The city of Mt. Pleasant always has a big parade on the 4th of July. This year was no exception but we didn’t have a family band in it this time. Michelle and Stephanie upheld the family tradition and played in the North Sanpete School District band. Michelle played her baritone and Stephie a tambourine.

Later in the year we set off on another of our trips to Texas and Kansas. On the way to Texas, we stopped in Albuquerque to see Tannie and Dan. We went to a great Mexican restaurant called Garduños, then spent the night with them in their apartment. They graciously gave up their bed for us and they slept on the couch. Great kids!

I-40 was closed going east from Albuquerque so we went another way, crossing the state of New Mexico and going through Lincoln county. This is the home of the Lincoln County War with Billy the Kid’s involvement. It took place during 1876-79. There were some historic buildings in the little town of Lincoln that we photographed. It was an interesting trip but took a long time; just a two-lane highway all the way to get on to Hwy 285 and into Roswell and continue on our regular way.

We had a nice visit with Tricia and Alan and family. One of the highlights was Alex receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder by his father Alan, assisted by his brothers and grandfather. We then went on to Kansas to visit Alan and Peggy. David and Yi-chin were just finishing up their visit so we got to see two sons and their wives at the same time. Peggy showed us her classroom at Kansas State University where she works. Very interesting.

Later in the year, we went to Logan to attend a piano recital that Becky played in. She played beautifully. Thanks to Lonna, we were able to spend the night in the Anniversary Inn. What a “lujoso” (luxurious) place. I’d never been in quite that fancy a place before. James and Lonna, Ryan and Leslie and Becky spent some time with us there and enjoyed the ambiance.

December welcomed three new great granchildren: Cenna, daughter of David and Elann Barlow, Allie, daughter of Jenny and Garret Boswell, and Austin, son of Tannie and Dan Smith.

On a sadder note, December was when Brent, Sylvia, Chris and Becky were in a roll-over accident. They were on their way to see Jenny’s new baby when it happened. Brent was the one that received the most hurt. He had hit the top of his head and it was cut, scraped and full of gravel. He had bruises from his ear down to his shoulder and his ribs, sternum were also bruised but no internal injuries. Sylvia sprained her left wrist and Chris and Becky and a few small scratches We were so glad it was not worse, which it could have been so easily. We borrowed David’s new van and drove down to Barstow to pick them and bring them home.