Parade and Birthdays

Who is the man in the picture below who was chosen to be the Grand Marshall in the Christmas Parade????

Why it's my Dad!! He played his part very well and we were all so proud of him! Once around the square wasn't good enough so he and his sidekick Bub decided to get back in the parade line again and go twice so they ended up starting and ending the parade!



On Saturday was Tanner's 4th b-day party with family/friends. We had A-MAZING punch (I want the recipe Keely) and had fun playing Wii games up until the late evening! Tanner loved all of his gifts and couldn't wait to open them up! Or should I say Dad and Jason couldn't wait to open them up??

Here is the birthday boy with his proud parents

T's Birthday

Happy 4th Birthday TANNER! You've had a big year with lots of 1st's and I'm so proud of you! I'm looking forward to more challenges on Wii games in the future too!! See you on Saturday T! We Love You!

Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break! We had a lot of fun but we're still exhausted from how busy we were from the time we arrived in Marshall until the time we left.........but it was worth it!

I survived my 1st Black Friday and LOVED it! The only downside was getting up at 3:00am but once we arrived in Columbia at 4:30 it was fine. Seeing all of the people at first did turn you off because it was overwhelming but all of the stores we went to were all prepared and had everything very organized. In Target the lines were all the way to the back part of the store but it went by really fast and you were never at a standstill. It helps if you have somebody to talk to or shopping for you while you wait in line! I went with my good friend Lezli and her Mom since it's their tradition and I hope they continue because I'll be the tag along friend. (Except next year I won't call my family at 5AM to ask questions about gifts!--sorry about that, but you guys were "supposed" to be up for Wally World) It helped that Lezli is a Mom too (and has one on the way!!) so she would tell me the good gifts to buy and the ones not to waste my money on. All in all, I know I went way overboard on gifts (and myself) because of the "amazing deals" on everything from DVDs to Christmas decor but I had a really fun time and will be doing it in the future from now on!

Since we were busy bees over the break I completely slacked on pics (as you can see below) but at least I have a few for you!

Keely and Tanner made these Thanksgiving hats for us to wear while eating (I hope you won at your work for best pic Keely!)

Dad and baby Reid. They both have funny faces!

Cute pups Lola and Betty (who both look depressed)

27th Birthday

It was a big birthday celebration here in the Simmons household this past weekend and it was..................for me!!! I turned a whopping 27 years old and I can't believe I'm that much closer to the big 3-0! It was a whole weekend of festivities and it was exactly how I wanted it.......... small and intimate!

It started out with a day at the spa (which was the BEST massage I've ever received and the WORST facial I've ever received so I guess you win some and you lose some). Then I went to a good friend's son Brax's 1st b-day party and saw some friends I hardly ever get to see so that was fun. Then Saturday nightbwe headed out to a Spanish Tapas restaurant called La Bodega and it was A-MAZING!! The food is so damn good and what's even better is their sangria! We all had a really good time and it was a fun night out with good friends!

I think this is Janet's "seductive" look?!?! ha


Then on Sunday (which was my "actual" b-day) Scott's parents came up in the early afternoon and Linda and I went to the dog park since it was so nice outside and I wanted to show her how neat of a place it is. In the evening my parents came up and we ate at the BEST seafood restaurant Bonefish Grill with my sister and Tanner too!

Papa and Tanner

T helped his "Aunt Aly" blow out my candles again this year and helped with opening my gifts........thanks T!

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends! Till next time!

Tiger Sanctuary

If you know me you would know that I'm a HUGE animal lover and always have been since I was a little girl. Well almost 2 years ago Scott and I went to a Tiger Sanctuary just 30 miles south of St. Louis and it was an experience we'll always remember. To be that close to a creature so massive is amazing. Tigers are one of my favorite animals and my dream is to feed and hold a baby cub (still trying to figure out how I can make that can happen)! Anyways, we were able to have our own personal tour and I had the chance to feed the tigers too so it was really cool! I ran across some pics and videos from it and I thought I would share. The sanctuary is called National Tiger Sanctuary and you can access the website with additional information here.

Protecting his bone

I don't think I ever received an answer to the question I asked in the video below! (lol)

Talk like a Tiger Paulie

Faith Hope Love

Sorry I've been slacking on the jewels. I'll be done with my class after Monday so then I'll have more time to dedicate. I have LOTS of beads so I'm excited about making more. Anyways, this one below is a simple, yet everyday type of necklace that says FAITH HOPE LOVE. If you would like one yourself just e-mail me or post a comment. Thanks and have a great weekend! Scott's playing in his flag football tournament so I'll post some pics from that next week............wish him luck so they will win again!

Dog Heaven

Lately we have began a new Sunday ritual by going to the Shawnee Mission Dog Park. I've always heard great things about it and I don't know what sparked us to finally go but it's turned into our weekly retreat and we love it. It never fails us as we are still finding new paths to hike on each time we go too. This park is really cool (and HUGE) and it's our new favorite spot!

Cass here is a little Frenchy that swam way far into the water with this other dog. They were really cute.