And now we start a NEW chapter...a SCARY one!

And the scary chapter is...Cole is now the BISHOP of our ward!  Don't worry about the fact that he is 31 years old, and that the BISHOP'S WIFE is only 29.  SO crazy.  So we kind of had a big weekend this past week.  My dear sweetheart has been called to serve as the bishop in the University Hills ward here in Colorado.  He is going to be SO amazing!  I think the only one(s) in the entire ward that were surprised were Cole and I!  Although I've got to say, I've known that this was coming ever since he got put in as 2nd counselor of the Bishopric 18 months ago.  Dang- if he wasn't such a great man, then I wouldn't have to worry about!  I might have changed my mind 7 years ago now when we got married!  ;)  J/K  I love Cole, and am so grateful that he is worthy to have such an amazing calling.  He is so awesome, and he is perfect for the job right now.  I don't know so much about myself, but I know that Cole is going to do amazing.  I wrote a huge long letter to my family last night about everything- so I am going to just paste it in here (most of it) for journaling purposes.  So- this is a huge travel-log- so feel free to skip it if you want!
    Well....it's official!  Cole is now the Bishop of the University Hills Ward in the Denver Colorado Stake.  Can you even believe it?!  We had a wonderful weekend, but we are seriously EXHAUSTED!  That's a rather large responsibility!  I know that Cole will do a wonderful job though.  So, without further ado, here is the story from the start!:
Wednesday July the 6th Cole and I had a meeting with the Stake President and one of his counselors at his home.  On our way there, we decided to visit Cole's new office that he just moved into, and right when we got there, Payton jumped out of the car and BARFED ALL OVER!  Sick.  Purple chunks of cherry, and everything else that he had eaten the past little while.  Gross.  Anyways...so when we got to the Stake Presidents house, we didn't want to bring the kids in because we didn't want to chance that Payton might barf all over their house.  That would be nice- wouldn't it?!  So, the stake presidents cute wife came out and took them in- chancing the whole barf all over everything thing.  So nice.  Cole went in and had a little worthiness interview and then the stake president called me in with Cole and asked us if we would like to accept the calling to be Bishop & Wife!  It was a bit shocking to say the least.  Well- actually, I had had a feeling the entire day that this is what it was going to be, but I didn't want to make Cole nervous or have diarrhea or anything, so I kept it to myself!  :)    It's probably a good thing- because when President Millet extended the call, poor Cole looked like he was going to throw up! They were so nice though, and had us in there for about an hour talking about everything- our family life, our spiritual lives, our marriage, everything, and it was so nice to be able to report that we have a wonderful family on BOTH sides that support us very wonderfully! 
    So, after the call was extended, President Millet asked Cole to select some counselors and gave him until Sunday, but no later than the next wednesday.  Well, it was a bit hard for old Cole to select counselors for some reason!  He just had a hard time!  But he selected some AWESOME counselors, that are really going to support him in his calling.  So we've kind of been in a daze not really being able to tell anyone, and I have felt kind of lonely without my mom and dad to talk to on the phone!    Anyways....so Yesterday afternoon (saturday) Cole's parents got here around 11 a.m. and we spent the day hangin' out with them, and then his brother Spencer and his wife Laura came down from Gillette, and we all headed to the Rockies Game!  Maxine is a HUGE baseball fan, so it was fun to be able to go to a game with her there.  We were in the total nosebleeds!  At Coors Field, they have a row of seats that is about 10 from the top of the stadium that is called the "Mile High Row" and it is a different color than all the rest of the seats in the stadium because it is literally a mile high (above sea level that is) and we were even above THOSE seats!  :)  But it was really fun nonetheless and we had a great time.  We had a babysitter for the kids- one of my friends that babysits every now and again- and she does a great job, so the kids were in good hands.  Funny side note- I woke Morgan up this morning (she's super sleepy, and GROUCHY as all get out because her mouth is EXPLODING with teeth right now!) and it was pretty smelly in her room.  I picked her up and she had NO DIAPER and NO PANTS on!  She totally took them off after she went to bed sometime, and dropped a big old log in the middle of her crib and was covered in poop!  Poor little peanut! So we got her all cleaned up for the big day ahead.  We had to be to church a little bit early today because the kids and I sang in a family choir with a couple of other families.  We just sang a few primary songs and the kids did great.  They sang their little hearts out, and Payton (and Lincoln of course) melted everyones hearts in the congregation.  I guess he tried to make up for the TERROR that he was the rest of the time!  The Stake Presidency was all there and they gave beautiful messages about those that were in the Bishopric before, particularly the bishop, and gave some great words of encouragement for the not yet named new Bishop.  Then all of the calls were extended, there were some shocks and a lot of looks up to Cole (a few back to me) but mostly everyone was just giving knowing nods and when the call came for a sustaining vote, all hands shot up quickly.  I was the only one that was even tempted to give an opposing vote! ;)  Then the previous counselor (and his wife) and of course the Bishop and his wife gave some phenomenal remarks.  Then the little family choir sang and it was Cole and I's turn to give some remarks.  I got up there and couldn't even talk because I was crying so hard!  Emotional Ellory- that's for sure! Yikes!  Then Cole gave some wonderful remarks.  He is going to be the most amazing Bishop ever.  I am so excited/nervous/sad/happy/everything under the sun to be able to share him with the ward for a few years.  He'll do wonderfully.  Then after sacrament meeting, we went into the Stake Presidents office where the stake president gave Cole and absolutely amazing setting apart/ordination.  It was so spiritual, and emotional, and wonderful!  This call really came from the Lord, and we are just grateful for the chance that we have to serve.  Cole was able to give his first blessing to his bumbling wife after the ordination and asked that the previous Bishop be in on it, and it was absolutely wonderful.  I have the best husband in the world!  I hope that you all know that! 
    Cleve, Maxine, Spencer and laura had to leave right after the setting apart.  They had to get back to tend to the farm, but it was SO wonderful to have them there!  They are so wonderful and we were so happy that they were able to come out.  The only thing that we were missing were you guys!  But we know that you were there with us in spirit.  We've had a busy last couple of weeks, and we are absolutely exhausted both emotionally and physically!  Spiritually we are on a high, so that is sustaining our bodies! We're old fogies you know!  Bishop Smith=31 years old. Sister Bishop Smith= 29 years old.  Old fogies. 

There's the story.  Here's some pictures of the weekend.  I didn't get any of us in our Sunday best, but will have to do that sometime soon so that I can have it documented what our family looked like with Cole actually in the pictures!

The gang at the game- Laure NEVER cooperates for pictures!  She's worse than Cole!

Kind of a blurry one of us, but it is a GREAT shot of the smart-alack behind us!

Spencer called his hot dog "The Bloater".  It certainly looked that way!

By the way...this is Cole's FAVORITE picture to take.  We probably have about 100 of this same shot from when we go to the games!  I guess I can't make fun.  He IS the Bishop now! ;)

Now for the REAL 4th!

We had a very fun actual 4th of July!  We have (for 3 years runnin now!) hung out with our GREAT friends the Dix's, and this year did not disappoint!  In fact, it was for sure the best of the 3 that we have had, because we were a bit more prepared this time than the others!  We did boring stuff at our house in the morning complete with cleaning and such, but we got all prepped and napped up for our fun evening!  We went somewhere for dinner (it's eluding me right now- my memory REALLY is going!  They say with each child that you have you lose 1/4 of your brain.  I now only have 1/4 left~! It's all good:) ) But after dinner which was aparently SCRUMPTIOUS (ah!  I remember now!  We went to Applebees!  I wanted a nice juicy hamburber with lots of flavor, and I got one that had NO flavor.  Sorry guys. Bust.) So after dinner we hit the bowling alley and this bowling alley did NOT disappoint!  In fact, we have been there already once again since this time!  The kids had an absolute BLAST and so did we of course!  My little budding photographers took some turns with the camera (which I will shortly show you) and they really rocked it down the lanes!  It was so much fun.  So then after we bowled, we headed over to the arcade that shares the same building and let the kids go HOG WILD!  The trick was with this arcade, we didn't give our kids any money, and they had JUST as much fun as they would have with a whole sack full!  It helped that we were the only ones in the whole building.  I thought it was GREAT fun to celebrate the 4th with some bowling and faux arcades, but I guess not everyone feels that way- apparently.  After the bowling/arcades, we headed over to the side of the road in Highlands Ranch and watched a GREAT firework show!  Actually, we didn't just watch one, we were in a great spot that allowed us to watch about 5 or 6 at the same time!  The kids had a blast beating each other up with their "pillow pets" and we caught up with Taylor and Steph- something we don't get to do NEAR enough!  All in all- it was a great evening!

Morgs totally ZONED while we were bowling.  Until I pulled out the caramels, and BOY was she ever out of her zone then!  This girl is a SUGAR FIEND!!!

Cutest little bowling dude!

The boys with cutest ever Warren!

Budding photographer- I think this one was courtesy of Payton.  LOVE the finger in the way- and what a great subject for him to photograph!  :)

Taylor and Steph ownin up on the punching bag in the arcade that we didn't spend a dime.

I couldn't get Lincoln to look at the camera---he was too busy shooting things.

Thumbs up man!

Biker Chick!

Not so happy I was taking his picture- is he ever?

Little White Trash...just sayin.  Still cute though!

The crew waiting for the fireworks to start!

Lincoln behind the camera this time!  There are about 20 of this/similar picture!

Yep...there's the car.

Steph and I.  I love Steph.  She is my people.

Me and my BABY girl.  Love her!

Small glimpse of what it was like during the actual fireworks.  Lincoln and Payton watched probably 3 the whole time- the rest of the time they were batting each other with their pillow pets!  Not annoying (or as Payton would say- annorring) at all!

Happy 4th of July!  I love July! :)

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had a GREAT 4th of July weekend!  We did lots of fun stuff.  On Friday night, we were able to steal away for a night to the mountains for some camping!  We love to camp, and this time did not disappoint.  For Father's Day, the kids and I gave Cole a portable gas fire ring, and it was SO nice!  It runs off of propane, so we were able to have a fire when everyone else couldn't!  It was really warm that night, so no one was cold and cranky when they woke up.  All in all- it was a very fun and successful trip!

Here's Morgan at 11:30 p.m. at night...she would NOT go to sleep!  Little stinker!

We forgot any sort of pillow or blanket or anything for Guster...sorry boy! :)

Best buds!

If you're wondering about the weird position he is in- he found himself a natural teeter-totter!  So fun!

SEriously...cutest face ever!

ALSO best buds! :)

Again...best buds. :)

She was SO stoked to get out of Jail! (aka- her kelty pack!)

Best shot of the 3 of them.  Sad.

When we got home, we were looking for something fun to do and didn't want to leave the house, but the kids are ENAMORED with S'mores...so, we pulled out the old fire pit and had some more of our own in the backyard ! The kids loved it.  I loved it because Morgan was already in bed, and I didn't have to worry about her getting her hands burned on the fire!

Happy before the actual 4th of July!  Get ready for the REAL celebration!  And celebrate we did! :)

They're GONE!

That's it!  The 3 years has officially started!  We spent a week and a half in Utah sending of my parents on their long awaited 3 year stint as mission presidents!  We are SO proud of them.  Seriously.  I could not be more proud of them.  They are so wonderful, and are going to be so amazing.  They are in the Germany, Alpine- German speaking mission.  The mission home is located in Munich, Germany and their mission covers the western part of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.  They are going to be so busy, and we are so excited for them to finally get started so that they can get home already! ;)  We had a great week and a half with them. Well, they weren't with us for all that time, but we were able to spend some time.  We got to Utah on Wednesday night late- and Court and Rock had just finished unloading all of their trucks earlier because they have moved into the big house for the 3 years!  We're so glad for them.  They are perfect to take care of everything while my parents are gone.
     So Thursday, we unpacked the house and tried to get some of the rest of my parents stuff packed up!  We worked extra hard trying to get everything done because we were supposed to have people over for dinner that night!  Well, needless to say, that didn't happen.  There was FAR to much to do to make it looking remotely presentable to have people over- so we abandoned the plan of having people over that night!  We got lots done though.  The reason we were having people over was because my baby sister Rachel went through the temple to receive her endowment!  We were SO proud of her, and are so grateful that we were able to be there with her on this special day.  She did wonderfully and we are grateful that she made such a marvelous decision to do such.  It was amazing to be there in the temple with my whole family!  What a pay day for my parents to be there with all 5 of their children!  It goes to show what amazing mission presidents they will be.  They are amazing parents, so they will be wonderful examples to all of their lucky missionaries.  Anyways....after the temple, we were able to go to Robintino's (a family favorite- well, at least a favorite of my dad's!)  and have dinner.  It was lots of fun.
    Friday a great friend of our family- Hannah Davidson- was married to her sweetheart and it was wonderful to be able to go to that.  We did the reception that night, and in-between everything, unpacked and unpacked and unpacked some more!  We were busy little beavers- I tell you what!     
       Saturday, we were able to go golfing with all of the extended Miles family for the annual Miles Family Golf Tournament!  We had SOOOOO much fun!  Seriously.  I was able to golf on a team with Cole, Tyler, my mom (who unfortunately had a hurt foot so she couldn't golf) and both my Grandma and Grandpa!  I was alright with the fact that I was the worst golfer on the team.  At least I can admit it right?!  We had an absolute blast.  It was so much fun to be with everyone.  My wonderful cousin Melissa watched almost all of the kids for us while we golfed, and the kids had a great time at her house!  Thanks Meliss so much for doing that for us!  We owe you one...for sure! After the golf tourney (which by the way we did NOT win...BOO) we headed over to my Aunt and Uncle's house for a big BBQ!  This was the first time in I can't remember HOW long that almost all of the Miles family has been together!  Even Mike and Sandy Perry (my aunt and uncle that live in Colorado) were able to come up and my cousin Alli and her family and Justin and his family came too!  It was SOOO much fun to be together.  We were only missing my cousin Adi (who lives in Seattle) and my cousin Mike that is on his mission in Arizona!  It was so much fun.  We all had so much fun.   It was wonderful to be together.
    Sunday was the big day!  Farewell Day.  My uncle and aunt Rich and Gloria Irion have also been called to serve as mission presidents in the Knoxville Tennessee mission and they had their farewell at 10:50 that morning so we went to that and they did a FABULOUS job!  We are so excited for them.  As soon as they finished, we jetted out of there to head up to my parents whose meeting started at 1:00 p.m.  By the time we arrived at their church, it was raining harder than I had EVER seen it rain in my entire life!  Seriously!  It was SO crazy!  So, everyone that was running into the church looked like drowned rats!  But we all got in there, and my parents gave the most amazing talks ever!  They are so wonderful, and are going to be amazing.  After the farewells, everyone (well, certainly not EVERYONE!  I have NEVER seen so many people in my life at a church building at once!  Someone that came in said it perfectly..."Woah, is it stake conference?  How come there are so many people here?!") Anyways...after the meeting, people headed up to my parents house and it was SO jam packed!  Again, there were so many people there!  Not only were there people in the front rooms, but it seemed like there were people in EVERY room in the house!  It was nice to see everyone, and see how many people love my parents. WE certainly do!
   We had a fun Nelson Family birthday party on monday filled with Lots of tears all around with all of the saying goodbye. My parents, the Irions and also the Ringwoods (Mike is in the 1st quorum of the 70 and has been called to preside over an area in Japan for the next few years) all are leaving for various areas of the world and so everyone was giving their last goodbyes.  It was so sad. It would be SUPER SUPER hard to say goodbye to everyone if we didn't know and believe in the cause for which they have been called away.  The church really is amazing, and I am so grateful to be a part of it!
   Tuesday was filled with more packing, and partying and then Wednesday, my parents packed their bags and headed for the MTC where they spent the next 5 days learning all they need to know (right!) about being mission presidents. They met some amazing people, and learned some amazing things (we hear!) and were SO ready to get going!  They were able to come home on Sunday night, and we had a wonderful "last supper" together.  Court and I cooked the meal, but it just wasn't the same as when my mom cooks it.  :(  Our timing was ALL sorts of off, but luckily we had her there to give us subtle and gentle reminders of when things needed to be started, finished, etc.  My Grandma and Grandpa Miles were able to come up and visit for a while too- which was so nice.  That was SO hard to watch them say goodbye to their son for 3 years.  But it's because of the wonderful parents that they are that my Dad is even ON a mission right now.  They are amazing as well.
    Wednesday finally came.  The dreaded day.  We spend all of the day packing and talking and getting ready to send them off.  Around 1 hit, and we were starting to get a bit frenzied!  My parents bags weren't fully packed yet, and they needed to leave in just a few short hours!  So, we all hustled and bustled around the house and got them all ready- including Rachel who left on the same plane as them to go to France to study music for a whole month!  Lucky girl.  Anyways...we got them all ready to go, and said our sad goodbyes at the house.  It sure is hard to say goodbye to someone that is so important to you for 3 whole years!  At least it's not like a normal mission where you can't communicate at all!  We've already heard from them a few times and chatted with them on gChat once.  That was fun!  So, it's not like they are out of our lives.  We still love to hear from them, and are growing closer to them all the time.  We love them and are so glad that they are serving a mission.  They are the best examples ever to our children and we can't wait to hear more of their experiences as they have them.
    It was a very emotional trip.  It was hard, fun, exciting, sad, emotional, terrible, wonderful, great all at the same time.  So...let the good times roll!  The 3 years have officially started!

The line of Carts on the way to the first hole!

Sorry...these are out of order, but this is the Miles parents (my grandma and grandpa) and their 4 children and spouses.

They are seriously all the best...this is my favorite picture EVER!  Even Grandpa is smiling!

The whole clan- minus just a few that weren't there!  It's been a LONG time!

The entire golfin crew.

Cutest Grandma and Grandpa

My cutest ever sissies:)

Broseph B=money

The extreme tournament puter-together-er.  Way to go T!  We had SO much fun!  Here he is relaxin after everythign went off without a hitch!

Chels and Millie were the designated picture takers/drink ladies ! They were too scared to golf thinking that we were all amazing golfers!  After the tournament, they changed their minds and decided that they can for SURE golf next year! ;)

Unca Clowk

My cute dad and his beautiful sister Marsh

Best team E V E R! Seriously.  I feel bad for all those not on our team.

In her 80's- still rockin the course.  She seriously is awesome!  And she ROCKS at putting!

Mother-Son???  Uhh...yeah. I think so.

I even got to ride in the same cart as my sweetheart!  I love him. :)

Pre-game stretchin out.  Every time.

 

I absolutely LOVE this picture!  It was taken at our family party.  My dad adores his grandkids, and it's going to be hard for him to be gone from them for 3 years.  My mother adores them too- of course!

Here are all 7 grandkids minutes before my parents walked out the door to go to the MTC.  It was a Christmas MIRACLE that they all sat and were not only all looking at the camera, but they are all SMILING!  The church is true.

Off to Germany!

My mom and her cute sister Gloria with the Presidents; Richard and Richard.

The first official phone call my dad too as Mission president.  My mom says that the phone hasn't left his ear since!

Not a big deal...this is just the view from the balcony at their hotel.  I can't WAIT to go and visit!