Top 5 Gag Gifts of 2008

Every November, people begin thinking of Christmas. Lists are made and hours are spent finding that perfect gift. Our family is no different. However, more often than not, more time is spent finding the perfect gag gift than is spent finding an actual gift. This year was no different. I have a compiled a list of the Top 5 gag gifts from the Smith Family Christmas of 2008.

5. The Legend of Butch & Sundance (possibly the worst movie ever made)

About a year ago my brother Billy told me that he and his wife had a new favorite movie called The Legend of Butch & Sundance. Having no reason to doubt him, I went out and rented it. We put it in the DVD player and pushed play. What followed was the worst two hours of our lives. Terrible acting combined with a poor storyline make this one of the worst movies we've ever seen. Turns out Billy & Megan had rented it and found out how terrible it was then decided to jokingly recommend it to us. So, to get even, we purchased a Wii game...took out the game and replaced it with The Legend of Butch & Sundance DVD ($1.25 on Amazon). Then we resealed the Wii Game so that it looked unopened. Billy didn't realize what we had done until two days after Christmas when he saw that Terri Anne had updated her facebook status to say she was playing the game. At first he thought, "No, I've got that game right here." Then he ran upstairs and opened the game up, only to find that The Legend of Butch & Sundance was in its place.




4. The Pink Sweatshirt

My brother Adam has a curious love of pink clothing. He claims it started with the pink Sunday shirt that he wore to church when he was younger. So when we saw the pink hoodie in the men's section at Ross for $9.99, we knew we had to get it.








3. Chicago Night Sky, by Sam

My little sister Terri Anne loves Chicago, so we thought it'd be nice to paint a picture of the Chicago skyline at night and then wrap it up and label it to her from her husband Sam. We even used glitter to make the stars. We're not sure what she's going to do with it, but she could probably make a fortune if she sold it to an art gallery or put it on ebay.







2. Beer

Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like beer. And no one appreciates a six pack of holiday beer more than my mom. That's why we wrapped up this six-pack of beer and put it under the tree and labeled it to my mom from my dad. At first she wasn't sure what it was...then she read the label. She asked my dad if he really got it for her, and he couldn't seem to remember if he had or not. Then she wondered if he hadn't realized it was beer. Then she came to her senses and realized it was one of her sons. My friend Josh actually bought the beer, disposed of it (drank it), then filled the bottles up with water and re-capped them.











1. Lingerie

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of this, but it was probably the best of them all. When Terri Anne and Sam were in Boise for Thanksgiving, Sam did some Christmas shopping for Terri Anne and then wrapped the gifts up. Instead of taking them back to Provo with them he left them here, leaving us with the opportunity to unwrap one of the boxes, pull out the actual gift (a pair of shoes) and put in some lingerie. As luck would have it this was the first gift Terri Anne opened. She pulled the lid of the shoes box and pulled at the tissue paper. But as soon as she saw the content of the box, she slammed the lid back on and looked at her husband. Knowing what was inside, I chimed in. "What is it? Show everyone." She didn't pull out the contents, but we all had a good laugh.


HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Ugly Shirt

This wasn't technically a gag gift, but I thought it deserved some blog exposure. I found this shirt on a clearance rack at Dillards and knew I needed to have it. I call it my ugly shirt and I love it.









Googly Eye Plant

This one is somewhat of an inside joke, but funny nonetheless. We made this googly eye plant for our friends Jordan & Callie. For an explanation of why we put googly eyes on the plant, please click on this link and view the video clip:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/16417/saturday-night-live-googly-eyes-gardener

Oregon Thanksgiving Trip

Ryan and I went to visit my family in Oregon for Thanksgiving. We had lots of fun even though it was a quick visit. We got to see my parents, Krystal and Dave and their kids, Brig and Tyra and their kids and Jandi and Kenny and their almost kid. The days were filled with driving, food, football, Tripoley and more driving. We love family!
















Ryan and I with Etta, Brig and Ty's youngest, on Thanksgiving Day.
































The night of Tripoly!


















Ryan's really good poker face.






















My cute little sister Jandi.

















Me and Mom saying goodbye

Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!!!

As you can see I was a ladybug and Ryan was a hot mariachi man. I dressed up for school as a ladybug and all the kids loved it. They thought it was really funny that I dressed up too. We had a great Halloween party.
Ryan and I went to Billy and Megan's house for Halloween night. The Jamie and Nate family and the Jace and Holly family were there also. We all went trick or treating together. We had such a fun time watching the kids sprint up to each house, knock a million times and be so sweet when they got their candy.
Late into the night Ryan, Billy and I played an intense game of Seafarers of Catan. After a sad moment when Billy thought he won, I captured the game and went home the winner.






















Here is a silly picture of me with Brutus (the smallest dog ever). Billy and Megan are dog sitting again.

Livi and the Leaves!!!

While Jamie and Nate are out of town we have been putting Livi to work in the yard racking leaves. To be honest we did more playing than racking.




































Um... Jamie, you might want to look into this crazy behavior when you get back.

































Time to jump in the leaves!!




Livi getting launched into the leaves by strong Uncle Ryan

Yearbooking Ourselves

This was probably the funniest thing I did yesterday. I did these pictures using yearbookyourself.com. I realize this is like a million pictures to post but they are all so funny I have to post them all.









































John Cusack, I mean Ryan Smith 1988 and Tess Smith 1994 (Ylfe I think we are twins)










































Ryan and Tess in 1990. What a good looking couple!







































Tess 1966 and Ryan 1976 (so dreamy)











































Ryan 1956 and Tess 1960






















Ryan 1952
Maybe some of you know my love for black and white pictures from the 50s. The men always look so handsome. Now I have my Ryan from the 50s.

First Day of School!

On Monday I started as a teacher's aide for a PM kindergarten class. I love it! The class is big but the kids are very good...so far. I couldn't ask for a more perfect job for me right now.

First day



















Words of wisdom from mom Smith

Hoof Hearted

This is one of my all time favorite sports bloopers. I saw it for the first time a long time ago on a sports blooper VHS that my mom had checked out from the library. Now, thanks to youtube I can watch it whenever I want. It involves an announcer, a race, and a horse named "Hoof Hearted".

Fitness Celebration!

Last Saturday I ran/walked in the Women's Fitness Celebration 5k. It rained a ton but I felt right at home, being the Oregon girl that I am. Though I was really wet and a little cold by the end, I look forward to next year.
















Jamie, Holly and I while we were still dry.














Before.













During.













After.

We'll Miss You Little Fish Friend

The Smith Family recently lost a dear friend. Grammie's fish decided to take his own life last week, and we've all been a little bit emotional ever since. Now, from the brother of the guy who brought you "Roxie Dog Memorial" comes an epic tribute to the fish who brought a smile to almost everyone's face. Here's to you, little guy.

Hiking

Here we are hiking in Island Park before we moved. We were almost eaten to bits by mosquitoes but we survived.

Innovation

While in Boise over the 4th of July weekend I asked mom and dad to buy me a ladder for my graduation gift. I was told by mom that they don't do graduation gifts. I returned home somewhat dis-hearted. During the long four hour drive back to Rexburg, I contemplated on how I would get the boxes down from the attic. I no longer had the equipment I had used to be able to get them up there in the first place. Then, in what can only be described as a Zen-like moment in which the heavens opened and the ideas rained down, it came to me. Last summer I had purchased a kayak... (see pictures for the conclusion of the story)

I WON!!

I just found out that the video that myself and a friend submitted for an online video contest won 1st place! The contest was through www.surveysavvy.com You can see my video by searching "survey savvy" on youtube.

Kayaking at Rigby Lake commentary

Tess and I took out our kayak for the first time today. We took it to a place where the beer flows like wine. I'm speaking of a little place called "Rigby". For those unfamiliar with Rigby Lake, it is a trashy version of Boise's Sandy Point. For those familiar with Sandy Point, you're probably thinking...."wait a second, isn't Sandy Point kind of trashy." Well, yes...so you can only imagine what Rigby lake is like.

Kayaking at Rigby Lake