Simons Family

Just Because

2011-09-30T11:22:00.001-07:00

Hello Fall!

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Today is officially the first day of fall and I am so happy it's finally here. Don't get me wrong - I love Love LOVE summer, especially this past one. We had so much time playing and being with family and having new adventures that it was really hard this year to see the kids go back to school.

We visited church history sites on our way back from Iowa. We went to Nauvoo, Carthage, Independence and Liberty. What an awesome experience! I was grateful to not only be able to be there myself, but also for my kids to see it, too. So very thankful for the early church members and all the sacrifices they made.

Saw the Mississippi River!

We spent most of the summer in Utah. Nothing beats summer in Utah! Family parties, parades, fireworks, time with cousins, and lots and lots of swimming. It was a blast and we loved every minute of it but now it's time for... Fall!

It's time for changing leaves and wearing jackets. Even though I won't see much of it here in Vegas, I know it's happening in Utah and that's good enough for me. I am excited for new tv shows, hot soups, and snuggling under blankets. I am even a little excited that football is here. Yes, I said it. But nothing makes me more excited than the fact that

HALLOWEEN

is almost here!

When it comes to Halloween, I am definitely my mother's daughter. Love everything about it! The pumpkins! The decorations! And ALL that candy! I can wait patiently for another week to bust out the decorations but there is no waiting once the candy hits the shelves. Who can possibly resist a delicious Reese's peanut butter pumpkin? Seriously, who?

Happy Fall, Y'all!

They're Back!

2011-03-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

No, not those darn pesky poltergeist again, thank heavens.

It's just us, the Simons Family!

After a drought of more than two years from our family blog, we are trying to get it going again.

Stay tuned....

Anniversary at the Beach

2008-12-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary on November 11. We decided to go to Laguna Beach for a few days to celebrate and it was great!! Addison and Jack loved playing in the sand. I made them play in their clothes because it was too cold for swimsuits, but they didn't mind. Addison collected shells, Jack showed us that he could hear the ocean (for the first time!), and Peyton was happy to hang out and watch everything going on. We had so much fun spending time playing together and driving up the coast a little before going home. It was a very happy anniversary! (Love you, Ry!)

Halloween

2008-12-08T22:53:00.000-08:00

I know Halloween was a while ago but since I use this as a journal of sorts, I am posting a few pictures any way. We had a fun Halloween this year. Busy, too! We had the ward Trunk-or-Treat, Addison's school Halloween parade, and pumpkin carving at home. We were able to go to Utah where we trick-or-treated at Grandma Kathy's work and around the neighborhood and then finished the night at Grandma Angie's Halloween party. Lots of fun!!

Addison as Belle and Jack as Buzz

And Peyton as a mini football player.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Four Month Update...In Thirty Seconds

2008-10-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

I have had problems with my blog, but now is my chance to do a quick update of some important events that I think are very blog worthy!

Peyton is getting big and learning new things each day. Addison and Jack just love him. Sometimes, I think maybe they love him too much. :) Jack thinks it is fun to climb in the crib with Peyton and give him hugs while I hover close by in case Jack decides to try to help baby out of bed.

Addison graduated from kindergarten!! She had a graduation ceremony with a hat and diploma and everything. It was very exciting! It was also kind of sad because she really liked her teacher, Ms. Fleck. But it was time to move on and she really likes first grade.

My sister Katelyn married Brandon Dalley in the Salt Lake Temple in August. He is pretty awesome and they are a cute little married couple. Katelyn was beautiful and it was a great day! I stole this picture from Jamie's blog since I didn't have one. Thanks James, I hope you don't mind!

Jack turned three! We had a big family party at Ryan's parents' house with a big Spiderman cake. Jack is really into superheroes these days. He was excited to spend his day with lots of people that he loves. We are so happy to have Jack in our family. He is so sweet and funny and we never know what he will do next. We love our little guy!

Oh, and I turned 30. Enough said.

Peyton

2008-07-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Born June 15, 7 lbs 2 oz, 19 1/2 inches

I know this post comes seven weeks later, but that is how things go these days! We are so happy that Peyton is finally here with us. He is so snuggly and he is such a good baby. We all love him so much! We were lucky to have some family with us after Peyton was born. My Mom and Dad, Landon, Ammary, and Jordan, Jamie, and Van all made it to the hospital right before Peyton was born. Fred and Kathy were able to come that weekend and my sister Katelyn did, too. Thanks for coming and sharing this special time with us!

Addison and Jack were very excited to meet their new brother. When Jack realized that the baby was part of our family, he was so happy that he hugged Addison and planted a kiss on her!

Baby Peyton

2008-07-19T13:42:00.001-07:00

Addison's Birthday

2008-05-31T22:49:00.001-07:00

Addison had a happy sixth birthday last week. She was excited to wake up and find her birthday presents waiting for her!
She was especially happy to see the princess bike and helmet she has been wanting for a long time! She opened all her presents from Mom, Dad, and Jack and also her presents from Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Fred and Stacey, Tyler, and Baby Kamrey. She loved everything! Daddy made french toast for a special birthday breakfast and served it on princess plates. Addison later took birthday treats for her class at school and thought that was pretty cool. We celebrated that night with a princess birthday cake. Both Addison and Jack could hardly wait to dig into it! Addy stayed up late to see Grandma Angie, Ammary, Brynlie, Katelyn, and Brandon. They all came for the weekend and to celebrate her birthday with us. When we asked Addy what her favorite part of the day was, she told us "everything". Can't ask for a better day than that!

Addison's Turning Six!

2008-05-21T23:38:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe, but our little girl turns six years old on Friday. It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital. Now look at her! She is growing up! She is almost finished with kindergarten and getting ready for "all day school". She is growing taller and has even lost some of her baby teeth already. We wanted to post some pictures of her from the last six years so we can see just how much she has changed!

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

We are so excited to celebrate Addy's birthday! We love you, Sweetpea!

Happy 16th, Benny!!

2008-04-29T16:05:00.001-07:00

My little sister Brynlie turns 16 today! Benny is the youngest of six kids and I am very happy to have her for a little sister. She has many talents and abilities! She plays on both the high school basketball and softball teams, plays the cello, and gets good grades. Above all, she is an awesome girl. She has always helped me with whatever I have asked of her and my kids absolutely love their Aunt Benny!!

Addison and her Aunt Benny

Meeting Jack for the first time

Happy 16th Birthday, Ben!! We love you very much!!

If Jack dressed himself.....

2008-04-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

....then we would probably never leave the house.

Jammies, snow boots, and a pink princess hat -
what more does a little guy need?

Swimming

2008-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

We took Addy and Jack swimming on Saturday because it was such a nice day. The kids had a lot of fun splashing and going out for rides in the deeper water with their dad. Addy has been begging for weeks to go, so she was especially excited. She didn't even get too grossed out when she accidentally inhaled some dead bees after swallowing some water! Ryan also got a nice cut on his forehead, courtesy of the rock Jack found on the pool's steps. Nothing is ever boring when you have kids.

Disneyland

2008-04-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

For the past two years, we have been lucky enough to have season passes to Disneyland. The best part of living in Vegas is that we are less than four hours away from the happiest place on earth and, yes, it does make us happy!! Our passes expired the end of March, and with a new baby on the way, we aren't going to renew them - at least for now (wink, wink). So, we decided to try to squeeze in one last weekend and we made it! It was cold, crowded, and exhausting but it was so much fun!!!

Addy and Jack had so much fun that it didn't take long for them to crash at night.

They're so cute when they are sleeping!

Weekend at Disneyland

2008-04-06T22:32:00.001-07:00

Easter

2008-04-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

We stayed in Vegas for Easter this year and it was a fun weekend. We went to Green Valley Ranch on Saturday for the Easter activities there. We waited in line to see the Easter Bunny, but ended up missing him because he had to leave. The kids still wanted a picture on the Easter Bunny's bench. They both had a lot of fun and were excited to get some bunny ears to wear.

Addison was so excited to wear her new yellow Easter dress!

Our friends Cameron and Kayla and their boys came over for dinner and an Easter egg hunt. There were lots and lots of eggs, and the kids didn't seem to mind that they were hidden in the rocks this year. Addy's bucket was filled to the top!

Even though Jack wasn't feeling well all day, he was still up for going outside to hunt eggs.

We all had a great Easter!

Simons Family

2008-03-09T20:13:00.001-07:00