Black Friday Experience

So all of you who know me know that Tom and I will wake up semi early on black Friday every year and start our Christmas shopping.  We both consider it one of our favorite "date" days.  Mainly for the fact that we get to be just the two of us for several hours.  We get to enjoy each others company and relax to a nice meal out sometime during our store bouncing adventure.  We usually will hit our first store about 6 or 7am and we usually get everything we set out to get.  Well this year we took it to an all new level.  This is the story of my first ever black Friday opening.
This year we decided to get a xbox with kinex as the family gift.  The only reason why we picked that item is because Walmart was offering it for black Friday at $200 with a wireless controller, a game, and a $50 Walmart gift card.  So it was like getting the whole thing for $150.  Which is a great deal!  Usually the console and kinex are $300.
Well Walmart started their sale at 10pm Thanksgiving night.  We arrived in line at Walmart at 8:30pm.  We learned that they had 270 units at the store.  When we got ours there were 50 left.  So we made it right in time.  We got our ticket meaning we got one as long as we stayed in line to collect it at that time.  Easy right!
I also wanted to see if I could nab a scooter for Jaycie's birthday and some Tupperware they had on sale for myself.  Walmart had those smaller items like that on pallets in the middle of the isles, shrink wrapped with a sign saying what time they can be opened.  It was a sight!  People had started to form circles around the pallets with their hands on the items that they wanted.  This is still an hour before the sale starts.  We saw the video game pallet it was at least 5 rows of people deep sitting on the floor with hands on games they wanted and more people over the top of them reaching with all their might to get those games.  I wandered the store for my other items.  Once I located the pallets I went back to Tom.  I was not waiting guarding the pallet like others.  About 15 minutes before the sale started I waddled myself back over to the scooters and staked out my place around the pallet. 
Next thing I know the whistle blew and all hell broke loose!  It was like the ball scene in Jingle all the way!  Total mayhem!  The shrink wrap was off the pallet in less then a second and scooters were all over the floor!  You felt like you had about 1 minute to get what you wanted out of the pile before the sea of people started to push you away from your destination.  Luckily I got the color of scooter I wanted and was off for the Tupperware. 
The Tupperware was on a pallet toward the entrance of the store and the cash registers.  Here was the point of no return.  People were finished already and heading by the handfuls towards the cash registers.  Now this was maybe 5 minutes after the sale started.  You literally had no choice but to ride the wave of people in the direction they were going.  I got over to the Tupperware and that was a mad house too.  A young man was the first of his group to get to the pallet and started tossing the Tupperware up over his head into the air for others to catch.  All I could do was laugh!  I got the set I wanted and floated on toward the front of the store.  Slowly making my was to the side so I could duck down a side isle to get to our meeting spot.  The only place in the store where you could move was the center.  No one was there!
Needless to say I beat Tom with the lines so I met him back at the game spot.  We collected our item and made our way to check out.  We got in line at 10:30pm an hour later we finally got out of the store!  But we made it!  We got everything we came for!!  Sad thing was that we picked the only check out line that had a group of ladies in matching t-shirts that said "I love to shop" and had every ad with them and price matched every single movie that they picked up!  Which I must say was at least 30 minutes of our check out time!
Once to the car we decided that we might as well keep going.  Kohls was starting their sale at midnight and was right across the street so we headed there.  Yeah right!  The line to get in was wrapped around the building and still a half hour till opening.  So we thought we would try our luck at Toys R Us.
Once we got there Tom headed straight for the check out line while I did the shopping.  We went there for the Santa gift the kids wanted.  We got 2 out of the last 3 they had.  YAY!!!  The line for check out was 2 hrs. long this time.  We went through every isle from the back of the store back to the front entrance of the store to the check out.  The only thing that made it worse was the two old ladies that were behind us complaining the whole time on how terrible it was.  We already knew it was bad.  We don't need to hear it from you!
After that we went back to Kohls thinking that the crowds had died down by now.  The one we went to didn't have the main item I wanted there.  But they did have plenty of the other items I wanted except some picture frames that I was hoping to get for the house.  So  Tom did the same thing and got straight in line and I shopped.  Another hour and a half to get checked out again.  So far the whole night was trying to get out of the stores! 
We finished up at 3:30am.  The only other store I wanted was Joanns so I could get my birthday present.  They didn't open till 6am.  We thought we would get some food and wait but low and behold the only places to eat that were open was Dennys.  And there was even a line around it to get in to eat!.  We then decided to go home and wait.  I decided to get go on their website once we were home and discovered I could order it online for the same price.  So I did!
So at 4:30am we turned in for bed.  Got up at 10:30am and went out for breakfast and decided to try Kohls again for the items I missed.  We got to Kohls at 12:30 and I got what I missed the first time around! 
So needless to say our experience was one to be remembered and we got everything we wanted to get!
I must say that everyone should experience a store opening like that at least once in their life because it is hilarious!

Thanksgiving and a wedding...oh my!

I must say that time flies by way to quickly.  We have made it through Thanksgiving and another birthday for myself has come and gone.  We are already 2 weeks before Christmas!  Time is passing way to fast!
For Thanksgiving this year we were at my mother's house.  It was very nice.  We even go the rest of my siblings there this year.  The stars must have aligned just right.  Sad part was I didn't get to see my Laine or Kaylee.  But I guess I need to get use to that.
Shortly there after a big event in the Simmons/Yates family finally arrived...On December 3rd Cristi Yates became Cristi Bailey!  It was a beautiful day and the reception was absolutely beautiful!  Congrats to them both as they start their lives together!
Chesney and Jaycie were so excited for the wedding.  Not only did they get to wear their pretty new dresses, they got to dance and party.  I think Chesney danced more with the bride then the groom did!  One of the best things of all for Chesney was that she got to wear her new "high" heel shoes with her dress.  So grown up!  It was beautiful!

Week in review Nov. 14th

So, as is typical in our lives, there wasn't a whole lot going on last week.  But I will entertain with the "little things that mean allot" stuff.

 As I mentioned in a previous post we purchased a new car.  This of course didn't happen last week but should still be addressed.  We traded in our old 2001 Lexus and got a 2010 Nissan Aultima.  We both just love it!  I think my favorite part is the push button start.  No longer do I have to find my keys buried in my purse to unlock or start the car!  Now I just wish we could afford a new explorer with that option before Riley makes her appearance.  That would be heaven!  I know, wishful thinking!  But hopefully the car will satisfy Tom's little midlife crisis (by crisis I mean the fact that he feels he works so hard and has had nothing to reward himself with, understandable)

We are slowly getting things all put together for Riley.  We got her swing and bouncer.  Her bedding is on the way.  And every time I go to the store I pick up a new outfit or blanket or towel, something for her.

This past Sunday I went with my sister Angie to the "Family Christmas Expo".  It was a great time!  We just walked and talked and visited our hearts out!  I even got the privilege of taking her to get her very first piece of maternity clothing!  So proud!

Chesney and Jaycie are just happy as can be.  Especially now that mom and dad got new phones (thank goodness because I couldn't deal with my old phone any more!!!) and they each have Angry Birds on them.  It is amazing how helpful they become when the reward is a simple little game!  But they are way to cute!

Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays mainly because it is the kick off the all the great winter holidays that follow.  Plus you get to dress up and honestly, who doesn't like to dress up? Well, ok there are those out there who don't like to dress up but get with the spirit people!!!

So to kick off the holiday the annual carving of the pumpkins happend the night before.  What a fun mess.  Dad, of course, got most the honnors with the knife.  But the girls loved coloring all over making faces and freckles all over.

This year Chesney was a cowgirl riding a horse.  Jaycie was a princess riding a unicorn.  Mom was a preggy witch.  And dad went as a BYU fan.

Explanation on dads costume.  He wore his University of Utah pull over and jeans.  He told everyone he was a BYU fan because deep down inside every BYU fan they want to belong to University of Utah.

Let's say he got a lot of laughs from his explanation.

Chesney had her first school halloween parade.  Since she is in afternoon kindergarden we didn't have to fight all the rest of the school and parents for the main parade.  They had their own parade after their class started.  It was so nice!  She was so excited to see us and Jaycie made sure that she knew exactly where we were. Her loud little voice calling out "CHESNEY!"

We went trick or treating at my mom's house as per tradition.  Tyson, Lily and Macy were just adorable.  (quick note to sisters...need pictures please!)

Angie came dressed up as a patient and Cam was her doctor (doctor who's your daddy) The patient was being treated for a special illness PREGNANCY!!!  So the greatest thing about this year is hearing about their little package.  Due May 8th!  So excited!!!

We all went trick or treating and had a ball!  The weather was just perfect for the night.  It was even warm enough that we didn't have to put coats on the kids and cover up their cute costumes.  Lucky for us because the cold snow storm came in the next day.

 I just love Halloween!

Jaycie's preschool fieldtrip to Cornbellys

Jaycie's fall field trip came and was planned for Cornbelly's corn festival at Thanksgiving Point.  The preschool did this last year as well.  The kids just have a fantastic time there.  There is so much for them to do and see that you could just spend the whole day there playing. 

These cute wooden play sets where all over the place and the kids where having a ball on them.  They were all for sale.  Oh if I could I would love to get one for the kids!  They were fabulous!

Of course the bouncy pads where a huge hit!

Then there was mazes and hay rides and towers to climb on and corn to make corn angels in. And so on and so on.

Since Chesney has afternoon kindergarten we both went with Jaycie's class on the field trip.  Mom had a doctor's appointment that afternoon (regular check up for Riley) so Chesney got to miss school and both kids got to go hear baby Riley's heartbeat.

So we went from Cornbelly's in the morning to lunch to doctors to car wash to Grandma Linda's to spend the night while mom and dad went car shopping.

Yes, we came home with a new car!  More on that later.

 But wow! What a day we had.

Chesney's 6th Birthday

As a parent you are constantly asking yourself "where has the time gone?" Nothing makes this statement more true then watching your children celebrate their birthdays.

This year my Chesney girl turned the big 6!

Can you say excited???  The day before her birthday she came in my room that morning and instead of getting my usual "Good morning Mom!" I got..."Guess who's birthday it is tomorrow?!  Mine!"

The morning of her actual birthday she came in my room and before she even had a chance to say anything I hopped up and sang her Happy Birthday!  She was so happy.

That night we let her pick out what she wanted as her birthday dinner.  I bet you can't guess what it was...McDonalds!  So we packed up and ate our dinner at the restaurant. (which if you know my husband that in itself is a HUGE treat!)  Then we went home and opened presents from mom, dad, and Jaycie.

Then had some cake and played with the new toys!

That following Saturday we had the family birthday party.  With mom being pregnant and it being Halloween season and all, I was craving caramel apples.  But I didn't want to make a ton of them for myself. (ton being more then 2)  So as a waiting to get started appetizer we set up a caramel apple station.  Yes they hit the spot!

Chesney, of course, made a haul!  She was so happy and felt so loved by everyone!  It was a perfect day!

Thank you one and all for making her birthday so special!

Catch up...a year in review

Wow.
Wow.
I knew I was a slacker but wow!
So...where to start?  So much has happened in the last year.  Allot of good things and allot of bad things. 
My last post was Chesney and Jaycie going to preschool...

We got a cute little niece to join our family.  Coriena Joy Brandol!

Chesney turned 5!

Well, I guess next comes Halloween!

It was great as usual.  Laine was a zombie.  He even made a torn shirt with homemade blood all over it.  Kaylee was a devil. And a beautiful one at that.  Chesney was a princess with a light up dress and flashing crown.  Jaycie was a kitty cat!  This year was an odd one because Halloween fell on a Sunday.  So the kids had a chance to Trick-or-Treat twice!  Can you just say candy overkill!

Next came Christmas!

Of course we all love Christmas!  I will spare you the pics because I just can't find a quick easy tie it all together picture to share.  But I promise I will get on top of things and pull it all together for this year.

Jaycie turned 4!

Then we will jump ahead to Easter.

Oh the kids had a blast with Easter.  Chesney and Jaycie got to go on a egg hunt at home.  Then off to Grandma Wendy's for more Easter fun.  Chesney and Jaycie got to go on another egg hunt with their cousins while Laine and Kaylee where CSI's and had to find out what happened to the Easter Bunny!  Turned out it was a series of unfortunate coincidences that Chicken Little created that led to the Easter Bunny's accident. (really cute)  Then over to Grandpa Tom's for more Easter fun with a great scavenger hunt to find their loot!  It was almost like Christmas again!  Almost!

Then in May we had another cute little niece join our family!  Macy Anne Russell

Before we knew it the school year was over and Jaycie graduated from 3 year old preschool to 4 year old preschool.  And Chesney graduated preschool all together!

She was so excited to be done with preschool and go off to kindergarten.  All except for getting her kindergarten shots.  She told everyone that she hated them!

June came and we had our newest upset.  Laine decided he wanted to spend his time exclusively with his dad so unfortunately we don't see him anymore.  I am hoping he will change his mind and come back sometime.  Kaylee decided that she needed to move out and be with her dad and brother so we get to see her every other weekend sometimes.  So our newest family picture doesn't include Laine but he is there in spirit.

On a good note...Also in June we found out that we are adding the last addition to our family!  A little baby due Feb. 13th  2012!

That catches us up to school starting again!
Jaycie started her last year of preschool.

And Chesney started kindergarten as a "big kid."

I can proudly say that both are doing great!  And loving every minute of school.

Soon after that we found out that our tiny mystery package is going to be another Girl!  Riley Simmons is still on schedule to join us around Feb. 13th.  We are still working on a middle name.

So that is it up till October 2011.  I will make separate posts for what has happened so far in October.  And I promise to be more on top of things. (I hope)