Crawfish Delight

Today the boys took Uncle James to the creek behind our house. The boys have found many forms of wild life there and this time Braden brought home a few . As you can tell, he didn't keep them for pets, but instead had them for lunch. :) He cooked up these little delicacies with some help from Uncle James who has lived in New Orleans and is familiar with crawdads. Braden said they were quite tasty and that he could live on them. Yeah, one less mouth to feed.

Steve and I went to New Orleans last week for my brother Charlie and his new bride Lindsey's wedding. We had such a fantastic time. We decided to leave to children home with Steve's nephew and his wife. Good call! One walk down Bourbon St. and we knew we had made the right choice. :) Steve and I had initially thought we would go to bed early and/or sleep in late. Ha-ha! We found we still have a bit of youth left in us. Our days were filed with site seeing, eating, visiting with family and friends that had traveled from near and far, swimming, did I mention eating? And yes, we did make it to the wedding, which was wonderful. I am so happy for my brothers to have such great wives. Now lets get on with giving me some little nieces and nephews! LOL

This week B, L and G went to basketball camp. They had a great time. Each day the girls would demonstrate their new moves. B just went "to have fun not learn anything new". LOL I think everyone enjoyed the concession too. It was great to have three kids going to the same place at the same time. And nice to have a few hours to catch up on a little housework that has been ignored for the past couple weeks.

Hello Again

I am such a slacker! I have really neglected my blog. We have been super busy this summer, enjoying many activities. This week will be a bit quiet due to Tanner being at scout camp and the next three attending a basketball day camp. My "things to do" list is very long, we'll see how realistic it is come Friday.

Here are some highlights of the past few months:

TANNER -a county champ title for his JR High basketball team -braces -as tall as me (5'9")

BRADEN - A broken finger (result of fighting over the TV remote)
-Rock fishing
-taller than Granny

GRACIE

-piano lessons

-fastpitch softball

-birthday at Holiday World

LANE

-always smiling
-developed a love for books(thanks Mrs. Jefferson)
-only girl on the Allstar team

MERI JEAN

-loves to go with her dad

-sassy

-youngest on her baseball team

PAIGE

-always helping

-3rd trip to the ER

-nicknamed "the hazer"

Confessions and Random Thoughts

So I've found Facebook. It has been so much fun finding friends from younger years and long distance friends that I am not good about writing. I am so glad I live in this techno world.

We celebrated the last family b'days for a while and I am looking forward to recovering.

5 b-days, x-mas and an anniversary has done a bit of damage to the pocket book.

Steve and Tanner were able to go help storm victims in KY this weekend. I am so glad our church gives us the opportunity to do so, pics coming soon.

Steve leaves this Friday for Germany. This time I will be much better prepared. A few meals cooked and in the freezer, cleared my calendar of any extra activities, and have had the TALK with the kids about helping out. Anytime Steve has left for more than a week I really seen to fall apart. I guess one week is my max. I don't know how women do it with hubbys that travel all the time. I really like having mine home! We all have different strengths, and raising a family by myself is not one of mine.

We have moved from basketball (Tanner's Jr.High team took 1st place in the county tourney), right into baseball. Tanner has his first jamboree in two weeks. Gracie is trying girls softball this year, Lane and MJ will be on the same baseball team. I can't wait to see them all play. Paige and Braden are just hanging out and supporting the concession stands this year. ;)

I decided not to continue with teaching pre-school after the holidays and I don't regret it one bit. I have a since of freedom now. The weather has given us glimpses of spring and I am ready to be outside again. The other day Paige was convinced that it was warm enough to wear her bathing suit outside. After a bit of arguing she did change. A friend said I should have let her go out in it and that she would have changed her mind pretty quickly, would have saved me some hassle. I am so glad I have smart mom friends!

Going Private

The Simmons family is going private. If you would like to be able to access our blog please leave your email as a comment.

Snow much fun!

Our trip to Idaho was complete with family, friends, hunting, shopping and SNOW! We had a blast. I believe the bird count from hunting was in the 50's by the end of the two weeks. We won't mention how much $ was spent, since we waited to do all our Christmas shopping there, and how many hours of sleep were lost but it was all worth it. I can't imagine celebrating the holidays without family, we are so blessed.
I hope this new year is one filled with happiness and blessings for everyone.