For most people the new year is about making resolutions and busting tail trying to keep them. I have decided that this year that is out the window. Why should I make any goal that I will fail at in a matter of hours if not days. So this year I am going to try to be a better me. That is something that I can keep and be proud of what I accomplish.
Our family doesn't do a big ta da with bringing in the new year. We stayed up with the kids playing Yahtzee then popped in a movie to wait out the rest of the time. Laine was the only one who made it to midnight. He went out on the porch with some pans and banged and screamed "Happy New Year" for all to hear. After about 5 minutes of that he was back in the house and we all went straight to bed.
I enjoyed playing games with my children and spending some good time as a family. That to me is what new years is about.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Jaycie is 2!
I can not believe that my youngest is now 2! Dec. 28th was the official day of her birthday. The excitement of Christmas had just barely passed us by when we threw her birth
day party! She was so used to opening presents by this time that there was no waiting when one was in site. I brought down one of her gifts about a half an hour before her party. I put it on the TV stand to await the arrival of more gifts. I walked into the kitchen with Tom right behind me. He turns and looks at Jaycie then says "did you give Jaycie her present to open already?" I turn around in time to see the paper off the box and her yanking it apart. I let out a futile "Jaycie no!" but of course it was to late. She opened the box and pulled out her new outfit. 
She was so cute! We immediately had to put on the new clothes. At least she was excited to receive clothes. And waited for our guests to arrive. She made a haul again! New dolls and lots of new outfits and a ton of food for their 
pretend kitchen to play with. Mom and Dad got her a rocking horse which was a big hit. I think that she got so used to getting presents and this week has come as a shock that there isn't any more to open.
day party! She was so used to opening presents by this time that there was no waiting when one was in site. I brought down one of her gifts about a half an hour before her party. I put it on the TV stand to await the arrival of more gifts. I walked into the kitchen with Tom right behind me. He turns and looks at Jaycie then says "did you give Jaycie her present to open already?" I turn around in time to see the paper off the box and her yanking it apart. I let out a futile "Jaycie no!" but of course it was to late. She opened the box and pulled out her new outfit. She was so cute! We immediately had to put on the new clothes. At least she was excited to receive clothes. And waited for our guests to arrive. She made a haul again! New dolls and lots of new outfits and a ton of food for their 
pretend kitchen to play with. Mom and Dad got her a rocking horse which was a big hit. I think that she got so used to getting presents and this week has come as a shock that there isn't any more to open.Christmas 2008
Well the day finally arrived. Christmas morning. The kids all slept in Chesney's bedroom that night so nobody would get scared or excited when they heard Santa snooping around the house that night. They came into our room at 5am. Of course being the responsible parents we are, we sent them back to bed till 6am. We of course got up at 5:15 to get dressed, or at least half way dressed, 
and get ready to start our action packed day. The kids were through their gifts within 30 minutes and ready for more. Laine and Kaylee were really excited to see that
they got Rock Band for the Wii along with new scooters. Chesney got her white kitty cat that she asked Santa for and Jaycie got a cute baby bear cub and baby furniture to play with it in. After we all got dressed we were out of the house by 8:30am to start making the rounds. We first stopped and visited Great Grandma Smith. Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Wood's for breakfast. Crepes, they were delicious!
We met Aunt Rachel
and her family and Uncle Steven there. By noon we were on the road again to Grandma Wendy's. Aunt Shay and her family were there and we had a delicious ham and potato lunch. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures at this stop. At 2pm we hit the trail again and stopped over at Great Grandma Spencers. Our visit there was short but sweet. Then by 3pm we were on our way to 
Grandma and Grandpa Simmons. We enjoyed a lovely turkey dinner with all the fixing. Everyone was there! The kids were absolutely excited the whole day and received so much stuff we could barely fit the family in the explorer when we were done. By 6:30pm we were on our way home, completely exhausted. 
and get ready to start our action packed day. The kids were through their gifts within 30 minutes and ready for more. Laine and Kaylee were really excited to see that
they got Rock Band for the Wii along with new scooters. Chesney got her white kitty cat that she asked Santa for and Jaycie got a cute baby bear cub and baby furniture to play with it in. After we all got dressed we were out of the house by 8:30am to start making the rounds. We first stopped and visited Great Grandma Smith. Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Wood's for breakfast. Crepes, they were delicious! We met Aunt Rachel
and her family and Uncle Steven there. By noon we were on the road again to Grandma Wendy's. Aunt Shay and her family were there and we had a delicious ham and potato lunch. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures at this stop. At 2pm we hit the trail again and stopped over at Great Grandma Spencers. Our visit there was short but sweet. Then by 3pm we were on our way to 
Grandma and Grandpa Simmons. We enjoyed a lovely turkey dinner with all the fixing. Everyone was there! The kids were absolutely excited the whole day and received so much stuff we could barely fit the family in the explorer when we were done. By 6:30pm we were on our way home, completely exhausted. It was a wonderful Christmas and everyone did so much to make it the best! Thank you to all and we love you very much!
Preperations for Christmas
We have a couple of family traditions we like to do to help celebrate the coming of the Christmas holiday. We have also found that it helps the kids with the whole anticipation problem so we don't hear "is it almost Christmas yet?" every thirty seconds. We did our annual wagon ride through the lights at Thanksgiving Point. We really enjoy this activity. The kids get to see all the lights and also get to experience a "sleigh" ride kind of feel to it. Sometime, like this year, the other people on the wagon with start singing Christmas carols and everyone has a great time. We dress the kids up in their winter clothes and set off in the cold to freeze our butts off. Jaycie this year was so excited about all the lights. Every time we passed any we would hear "Look Christmas Lights" at the top of her lungs. She made every car ride and the wagon ride really enjoyable. We really enjoy it. It is a great way to start of the holiday season.
On Christmas eve we always make a batch of "Santa" sugar cookies. All the kids really get a kick out of this. This year it was a competition to see who made the best cookie for Santa.
Jaycie decorated one cookie. Then quickly ate it clean and redecorated it at least 5 times. We made sure Santa or anyone else was to eat that cookie. 
Chesney quickly learned that decorating with colorful sugar was fun. She made a cookie that had 1 inch of red sugar on top of it. Mom had to dump most of it back into the container just to move the cookie onto the cookie sheet with the rest of the finished cookies. 
Laine an
d Kaylee decided it would be fun to see if they could get each one to mess up their cookies. Everyone had a great time!
On Christmas eve we always make a batch of "Santa" sugar cookies. All the kids really get a kick out of this. This year it was a competition to see who made the best cookie for Santa.
Jaycie decorated one cookie. Then quickly ate it clean and redecorated it at least 5 times. We made sure Santa or anyone else was to eat that cookie. 
Chesney quickly learned that decorating with colorful sugar was fun. She made a cookie that had 1 inch of red sugar on top of it. Mom had to dump most of it back into the container just to move the cookie onto the cookie sheet with the rest of the finished cookies. Laine an
d Kaylee decided it would be fun to see if they could get each one to mess up their cookies. Everyone had a great time!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
School Christmas Sing-a-long
Laine and Kaylee's school every year has a program for the parents for Christmas. Each grade takes a turn singing a song for all the parents to enjoy. I have attached video clips for you all to enjoy. Laine's grade sang "Jingle Bell Rock" and Kaylee's grade sang "Pine cones and Holly berries". They both did an excellent job!
Simmons Family Christmas Party
The Simmons family Christmas party was a huge hit! We all get together to celebrate birthdays every month and have a great dinner and good company. For Decembers birthday celebration Grandma and Grandpa decided to add some Christmas flair to it and had Santa come and visit the home. All the kids were so excited to see him. 
Chesney told everyone all night that she was excited to see Santa, not knowing she was going to see him that night, and that she was going to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. When he showed up she turned shy and dad had to tell him what she wanted. I don't even think she said more then "hi" to him. 
Jaycie sat on his lap and enjoyed visiting with Santa. Then she wanted a turn every time someone got off his lap.
Laine was down to business and a little embarrassed to sit on someones lap.
Kaylee did her best to remember everything she wanted and told him as much as she could. Then Santa handed out gifts to everyone with the stipulation in order to receive his gift you had to give your best "Ho Ho Ho". Jaycie caught on quick and did a "Ho Ho Ho" for everyone. I think they won't soon forget the great time they had.
Chesney told everyone all night that she was excited to see Santa, not knowing she was going to see him that night, and that she was going to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. When he showed up she turned shy and dad had to tell him what she wanted. I don't even think she said more then "hi" to him. 
Jaycie sat on his lap and enjoyed visiting with Santa. Then she wanted a turn every time someone got off his lap.
Laine was down to business and a little embarrassed to sit on someones lap.
Kaylee did her best to remember everything she wanted and told him as much as she could. Then Santa handed out gifts to everyone with the stipulation in order to receive his gift you had to give your best "Ho Ho Ho". Jaycie caught on quick and did a "Ho Ho Ho" for everyone. I think they won't soon forget the great time they had.Kaylee my Musician
My sweet girl Kaylee has found her calling in the musical world. She has joined the chimes choir at her school. She absolutely loves it. This is her second year doing the choir. The choir itself is an audition choir and the student must have at least
one year of piano training. Kaylee has never had piano lessons in her life and still made the choir. This year they were featured on Fox 13 morning news with the cool school of the week. She got to play on TV. You have never seen anyone so excited and nervous at the same time. She did really well. They also played over at the University Mall and of course for the school and the school parent program of choir and chimes. I am so proud of her and her special gift.
one year of piano training. Kaylee has never had piano lessons in her life and still made the choir. This year they were featured on Fox 13 morning news with the cool school of the week. She got to play on TV. You have never seen anyone so excited and nervous at the same time. She did really well. They also played over at the University Mall and of course for the school and the school parent program of choir and chimes. I am so proud of her and her special gift.
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