Smile Everyone!

We attempted to do some family photos yesterday but it didn't turn out the way I was hoping. Do family pics ever go well? I just wanted to have something to be able to put on a Christmas card. I guess it is back to the drawing board. Don't you love all the shoes and toys in the back ground. Next time I will put Adam down for a nap so he will be up for the task. Maybe we should just take individual pictures and just paste them all together. Happy Holidays in case we never get around to sending out cards.

Got Eggnog?

I know this is not my child but isn't he cute! We made homemade eggnog yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was a hit with Stetson(Emily and Michael's little guy) The other boys saw his mustache and decided to join in on the fun.

We had a relaxing and wonderful Thanksgiving not to much family but we had a great time with those who were here. Adam kept asking where Ben was(he is not familiar with being at Papa's without his buddy.) Morgan and Fallon came for pre-thanksgiving fun. We did the traditional Pizza Hut the night before turkey(thanks again Roland.) We then went to McDonald's to get our kids free sundaes with their good grades pay. While we were there Michael made a new BF. There was this little boy about 7 and he decided Michael was part of the play equipment and wanted Michael to join in on the fun. While we were trying to enjoy our gourmet ice cream the little boy just kept on calling for Michael . Hey Michael ,I bet you can't catch me!Michael ,where do you think I am? Hey Michael,come and get me! The boys couldn't stop laughing. It was a fun night enjoyed by all.

It is so fun to have a couple uncles left that don't have kids yet that still like to play games! We love you Uncle Morgan.

Top Ten Gratitude List

1. My wonderful HUSBAND. I know sometimes he may not feel that I treat him in a way that portrays that he is my no.1 but he really is. I am thankful for the example he is to our children and for his integrity and his commitment to our relationship in hopes someday we will be together for eternity. And what a good sport he was about being a raccoon for Pioneer Day.


2. Of course my beautiful CHILDREN. I am so lucky that my Heavenly Father has entrusted me with such responsibility as to raise four amazing and unique boys. I know they are choice spirits and someday will grow up to be valiant servants of God.




3.My MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. The gospel and I have had our ups and downs but in the end the Lord has been my one true friend. I am not perfect by any means I do though try to improve every day and hope someday I will be able to stand in my Saviors presence and not be to ashamed of the person I have become.


4. I love my FAMILY. I love the family I was born into and I love the family I married into. I am so grateful for the love and support I have from my family. It is reassuring to know I can rely on each and every person in my fam and that is an amazing blessing. Thank you every one of you for all you do for us we sure are lucky! Thanks again mom for coming and watching the boys. They keep informing me of all the things they got to do with you that they don't get to do with me!




5. FRIENDSHIP I think as a youth I placed friendship in front of some of the things on my list but now I have it more in perspective. There is no doubt though friends definitely help make the world go round. I am just now better at picking ones that help me achieve the goals I have in life.



6. Okay this one may seem trivial but it is real. MY OWN BATHROOM! We went for so many years with one bathroom and I thought it was no big deal but I was wrong! Do you know how many times I sat down on a "wet" toilet back in days of one bathroom? It is so wonderful to have a toilet that stays clean for more than a few minutes and we have discovered that it is definitely the boys with the bad aim and not Michael,another thing to be thankful for.





7. Everyone in my house is POTTY TRAINED! Yet another one of those trivial things but there was a time in my life when I could not foresee this day to come.





8. The YOUTH! I do admire the youth of our area they have it so much harder than I did as a teenager. I especially love our kids in our ward and of course I love those basketball boys.



9. My NEW HOUSE! I really do appreciate my new home. We started remodeling and are not quite finished but when are projects like that ever really done especially when you do the work yourself.
10. TESTIMONY! This one is probably above the others but I wanted to save it for last. My testimony and my belief in the gospel has shaped me into the person I am. I have sought out Heavenly Fathers forgiveness and he has given it to me every time. I am so appreciative of the example of my Savior. Jesus is our ultimate example and there is nothing that he didn't mark the way for us to follow. I am also grateful for the direction the gospel gives me in raising my children. There are circumstances and questions that arise with my children that with out the gospel I would probably be lost. So thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with the knowledge of your plan. Thank you all for the imprints you have placed on my heart. I Love You All!

We Broke Ground!

WE DID IT! The ground breaking for the new Jr/Sr high school happened today and it was a beautiful day! My husband has worked excruciatingly hard for this day to come about. After all the doubts and obstacles seeing the rewards of Michael's hard work coming to pass is just so exciting. On top of this being a busy day just because of the ground breaking it was also the first day of basketball. For the first few days the team has two a days and so you could probably guess he is a bit on the tired side. Michael is never so happy though as when he is coaching his boys. I believe Rocky Mountain is lucky to have such a devoted, loving and honorable coach. I love watching Michael do his thing.

HUNTING

I know everyone is hunting deer elk and whatever there is out there to kill but as for me I am only hunting flies! I didn't know what a garage did for the fly situation but it must make a difference. We never had flies in our old house when we had a garage. Flies flies everywhere I spend half my day hunting down those pesky bugs. Just when I think they are gone I sit down for a meal or rest on the couch and they buzz buzz me until I am crazy. Hasn't it gotten down to cold enough temps at night? I figure they have just gotten in and the house is warm enough to keep them alive. What is the life span of a fly any way? Shouldn't they be gone soon? I recently cleaned all my windows, I was hoping for the winter, but now between all the smooshed flies and the wonderful marks that flies leave behind I will definitely have to do it again. So if any one has any solutions please let me know. A hunting I will go.

Prayers and Points

Basketball season started early this year for the Simmons family with Cannon being able to play middle school sports this year. I got an interesting pic last week at Cannon's game. Cannon got fouled on a lay up and so he got to go to the line for two and here is the first pic I got. I would like to think he is saying his prayers.

He then shot his first one and count it. Second shot up and it was good. Prayer is real. Who knows what he really was doing accept having a good time. Cannon has enjoyed competeing with his friends this year. Basketball will be in full force starting next week with Michael starting practice. So plan on there being more and more posts on B-ball. The Simmons family increases by atleast twelve in a few weeks. We are sure excited to see what our high school boys can pull off this year.

Horses And Dreams

Travis is my cowboy as everyone knows and he said the cutest thing I have ever heard before and I want to post it so I will never forget it. This year for Labor Day weekend we went camping and one of our friends brought their horses with them and the generous people that they are they let us ride them. I got to go first and had such a great time. Horses remind me so much of my childhood and the fond memories of summers full of shoveling out stalls just so I could get to ride here and there every once in a while. I do know where my sons passion for horses comes from. Any way as the weekend went by the children got to ride here and there for small bouts of time and they enjoyed every moment of it. One afternoon Michael and I were going to go for a ride down a trail to Bucking Mule Falls we invited Cole and Travis to come with us. The boys did not fit on the saddles so they sat behind us on the blanket. Off we went for a beautiful ride through the mountains. As we traveled along we went up and down the trail and all of a sudden we appeared to be on top of the world Travis and I could see forever out in front of us. Travis then confided in me that this was a Dream Come True to be riding in the mountains on a horse just like on his favorite movie The Man From Snowy River. Happily we continued down the path as time went on my Travis started to get a tid bit uncomfortable and then more and more.Soon it became hard for Travis to sit where he was and then he said the funniest thing. Travis after stating he could not go any farther he said "Mom who knew dreams could hurt so bad?!" I just about laughed myself right off the horse. We then traded spots and proceeded back to camp. When we got back Travis walked like a cowboy for a while. I don't think Travis will forget that ride any time soon and neither will I!

Try A Little Harder

Last night at the meeting for the adults at the stake center I really enjoyed all the talks given. The most memorable thing I heard was about the ten virgins and of course I had heard and read that parable but for some reason it really hit me hard. Am I going to be the one prepared or am I going to fall short? The other thing is do I really mean it when I say that the gospel is one of the most important things in my life and if I do mean it do my actions show that? Sometimes I think not. I am ready to break out of my comfort zone though. I am willing to sacrifice some things in my life now to prove to my Heavenly Father that the gospel is essential to me. I am hoping that with dedicating myself more fully some of the things I am struggling with right now will help to come into perspective and I will gain a little clarity. I know I tell my children I love the gospel but I am going to make sure they see that I love the Lord. I would like to bare my testimony of the things I do know Satan definitely knows my weaknesses and I seem to fall into the traps he sets for me often but I do try to get back up and try a little harder. I hope someday I will be able to look at some of my stumbling blocks and see them as my strengths. I know my trials are for my "good and learning" so I am going to try hard to do some serious learning.

Cannons First Post (summer vacation and first day of school)

Hi this is Cannon and i thought i would post something on my families blog. This is a picture of my brothers and i on our first day of school.

I had a pretty good first day of middle school and my brothers said they had a great day to it was lots of fun.

Adam also had a good time wearing my football pads after i brought them home after a game. And i think my mom was the happiest to have some peace and quiet for a little.

I had a great time at my family vacation this summer too.

this is some of my cousins that i spent time with at the family reunion.

This is my first post so dont make fun of it.

Opening Gifts

We opened gifts without Dad tonight so here are some photos for him to see.















Cole is getting to the age that he doesn't really want toys anymore,well not kid toys that is.




I am a little nervous that he got a Red Ryder. I know there might not be as many squirrels around our house but just as long as everyone has all there eyes and no broken windows we will all be fine.

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday beautiful boy. I will never forget the day you were born. Unlike Cannon who would not come no matter what you were a great surprise by coming two days early. I remember wanting you to be a boy so badly and knowing what your middle name was going to be before I knew what your first name would be.You were such a good baby and you were always so patient with Cannon who was not so sure about sharing his mom and dad with anyone. Cole you are such a wonderful addition to our family.
I had a hard time finding many pictures that you weren't with one of your brothers or cousins. You are always so kind and helpful and the kids around you can always sense that. I love you so much and I am so proud of all of your accomplishment's and I can't wait to watch you grow up to be whatever you want to be just don't do it too fast.

Cole has always been such a great eater. He loves to try new things and is always a good sport about taking at least one polite bite of whatever I make.

Cole also loves anything that wiggles crawls slithers and moves. From the time he was little Cole has always wanted to know all the facts about animals or reptiles. We have a large bucket of animals that mostly Cole has collected over the years. Cole often comes home with the random frog or snake or whatever else he can fit into his pocket. Thank goodness I am not that afraid of those sort of things.

Thank you for being my little Cole boy have a great Birthday and always remember you are a child of God and He will always be there for you just like your mom and dad here on earth.

Thanks Nana

My mom went home today(sad face.) The kids had so much fun with her. Just a funny story to tell you about that happened the first full day I was gone. The first night we left my mom locked the doors when she went to bed (I know some of you are thinking she locked the doors in Cowley?) Anyway she locked the doors and the next morning after successfully getting the children off to school she went somewhere with Adam. They had a great outing the only problem was when she returned home all the doors in the house were still locked(in my mom's defense our locks are not normal.) So my mom had a great idea she knew the bathroom window was open so she got the screen out and put Adam through the window so he could open the door. Second problem Adam could not get the door open or get back out the window. My mom then proceeded to try to call me but I had left my phone in the car so the resourceful woman she is she called the school and asked the secretary to send Cole home. So Cole came home and climbed through the window and saved the day. Oh by the way Adam was fine the whole time he just proceeded to get a coloring book and color on the bathroom floor while waiting for Cole. Thank goodness for a smart Nana and an experience the kids will never forget. The week went farely smoothly from there well, as smoooth as a week with four boys can go.

Look At That Loot

I know this is a funny picture but just hang in there and let me explain. When Michael and I went on our little trip last week I purposely did not pack any shampoo because I figured that I would use the products that are provided by the hotel. Well when I went to open the shampoo the next morning my husband about had a heart attack well maybe not that bad. He then explained how the program went. You are supposed to bring some shampoo from home and then collect all those little bottles every day and bring it home. My loving husband was willing to sacrifice one bottle but that was about all he could possibly part with. My husband has been traveling quite a bit over the years and he has been collecting these wonderfull little prizes. So I took a picture of what we have accumulated over the years.

Yes,that is three large ziplock bags and one wal-mart bag full of all those wonderfull little bottles of toiletry items. So you now can see why I didn't have the same reluctance as my husband . I suppose after 15 years (yes it has almost been 15 years) my husbands need for saving a buck in such peculiar ways should not surprise me. So when we are in need of using our one year supply of food and such we will definately smell good we might not have anything to eat but our hygiene will be taken care of. I love you honey for taking such good care of us.

Happy Halloween

Is this the cutest Pirate you have ever seen? I sure think so especially since I didn't have to put him in it.

Here is my old man. Cole always decides what to be long before Halloween and this year he decided to be an old man. I love that atleast one person in our family likes Halloween. I loved it as a kid but it wasn't about the costumes as anyone who knows me would know it was all about the candy for me.

Giddy up cowboy! Travis is in costume sort of. Part of me thinks that Travis decided to be a cowboy so he could get the rest of the things he thought he needed to be a REAL cowboy. So grandma went and got him a belt buckle w/ a horse on it and a cowboy shirt. He realy wanted spurs but we didn't want him to get suspended for bringing a weapon to school. j/k He has not taken his stuff off accept to bathe. Someday I wouldn't be surprised to visit my sweet boy on his farm/ranch.

Yes we are missing someone but he was to old I guess to get all dressed up. We still love you Cannon. He didn't miss out on trick or treating though. I heard he went as a middle schooler I am surprised he got any candy.