Simonsen's in Texas

This is my sister-Corrine-and her cute family- Eric (dad, bro in law), Bethany (4), Greg (6), Corrine (sister) holding Timmy (4 months), and Emily (2). They live in Austin, Texas-so jealous!!! Hook 'em Horns! It was great to be able to visit with them earlier this month. We surely wished they lived closer. Heck, I wish we lived closer to them. We love Texas.

Happy Halloween 2007!

Friday, October 26, 2007-Ward Halloween/ Trunk or Treat Party. Jack went as Buzz Lightyear and Megan was JoJo from "JoJo's Circus." Her costume arrived at 5pm that night. Phew-the party started at 6:30!

Tigger & Eeyore

Sunday, October 28, 2007-We decided to take a Sunday drive to my parent's house (aka Nanny and Papa) tonight. We thought we would bring some dessert to share with them on this lazy Sunday afternoon. Jack and Megan were more than thrilled to see their favorite grandparents-it's fun to see how much they love them and how much they are loved by their Nanny & Papa. Well, Jack pulled out the Tigger and Eeyore costumes and just had to put his one, of course, Megan had to put hers on as well. This was the result. Jack even took Tigger with him to bed tonight-inseparable! Unfortunately, we are expecting "nice" weather for Halloween. Jack is going to sweat to death-poor thing!

Funny thing about my parents (Nanny & Papa). A couple of weeks ago, I was about to head off to work (sitting in model home...), when my mom called to ask what our day looked like. I mentioned that the kids were still sick, but that I needed to drop them off at the babysitters before I headed off. Well, my parents both agreed to take the children for the day so that they, especially Megan being as sick as she was, could get a little extra TLC on such a stuffy nose, sore throat, and coughing day. I thought this was a perfect idea. Jack and Megan do so well with my parents. Well, after my parents came and picked up the children, they thought it would be fun to take them to the pumpkin patch just down the street from us-best pumpkins ever!!! This pumpkin patch is huge with a small corn maze and a bunch of old fashion tractors for the children to sit on. Needless to say, the children had a blast. Perfect way to cheer them up while under the weather. Well this last week, I walked in Jack's room when he was saying his bed time prayers with Darrin. This is what he said: "Der Heavn'ly Fadder, thank you for Nanny and Papa. We saw the pumpkins and sat on the tractors. I lub them. Tank you for my bed...Amen!" Thank you for Nanny and Papa. We're so glad to have them around.

Movie Corner-Dan in Real Life

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Everyone should go see it. Dan is a local newspaper advice columnist. He has three daughters and is a widower. He brings the family to his parent's house for a family get-together. When Dan goes to a local bookstore, he meets a woman. They start to fall for each other and the woman, Marie, gives Dan her number; however, Dan is in for a surprise when he returns to his parent's house. Marie is his brother's new girlfriend. Over the course of several days, the two got back and fourth in forbidden love and a few laughs. Marie, torn by the pressure of falling for Dan, dumps Dan's brother and they go bowling together. However, the rest of the family decides to go to bowling as well and finds the two bowling and sharing a kiss together. Dan's brother, Mitch, played by Dane Cook hits Dan. Marie runs off and then drives off. Dan goes chasing after but rams a police car in the process and looses his license. After this, Dan realizes he's been negotiating his family and kids. Dan admits he's been ignoring them and says he's sorry to his family and kids.

This movie was clean through and through. Perfect for a family outing with young teenage daughters! I was utterly surprised to see Steve Carell in a more serious role, but loved him. I hope to see more of him in films like this one. Of course, Diane Wiest is a keeper! It was the cutest story. There were parts that Darrin and I were laughing so hard and then moments later the tears were streaming down my face. If you love Steel Magnolias you will love Dan in Real Life. A+

Thought of the day and AMEN to it!

"Our families need the peace of God in their lives, and if we can't or won't invite the Lord into our lives, then our families become a reflection of our own turmoil. Women are asked to be nurturers to their families, but we must also be firm; we must be the hard rock footings on which our homes can stand. Our families need us to speak peace to them, just as the Lord speaks peace to us. Our homes need to be places where our families and friends want to be, where all who enter our homes can draw strength and courage to face the challenges of living in an increasingly wicked world. Our children need to hear us 'talk of Christ, . . . rejoice in Christ, [and] preach of Christ' (2 Nephi 25:26) so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that 'passeth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7)."

(Kathleen H. Hughes, "Remembering the Lord's Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 112)

Quote of the Day

"Look at your past.
Your past has determined where you are at this moment. What you do today will determine where you are tomorrow. Are you moving forward or standing still?"
~Tom Hopkins~

Our First Snowfall 2007

Saturday night (October 20, 2007) it started to snow while I just about pulled into the garage from work-perfect timing! Megan and Jack were already ready to slide down our neighborhood hill on the sled-not enough snow quite yet and two very tired parents not particularly wanting to go sledding... Any who, it apparently continued to snow all night (or at least part of it). We woke up to a fresh blanket of the white powder. Jack couldn't wait to put on his snow clothes and jump right in the moment we walked in from stake conference, where President Hinckley presided, President Packard accompanied him, and Elder Neil Anderson conducted (Dan's mission president). Lucky us-Only in a Utah Stake. Well we rushed home to let Jack make his first snowman of the year. Unfortunately, the thing couldn't stay standing. I am sure that we will have more snow this year to practice our Mr. Snowman.
~Sunday, October 21, 2007

Gardner's Village (West Jordan)

Thursday, October 18, 2007-Darrin and I felt that we needed a fun, family night out and going to Gardner's Village sounded like the perfect activity. Before dinner, we walked around the small village to look at all the Halloween decorations, witches and shops. A nice man even volunteered to take our pictures by the river. Too bad it isn't Christmas card worthy-next time. Any who, we finally had to bribe Jack and Megan with a "treat" to smile for their last photo together (very last pictures). It was so much fun. (There is even a small petting park, but we didn't have time to go see the animals.) Can't wait to see it with Christmas Lights and decorations!! We just love this time of year...it's supposed to snow tomorrow and it's only October, but that's Utah for ya.

Children, children, children

Sunday, October 14, 2007-Mom (me/Aly) thought it would be a fun idea to take the children's picture on our front porch with the pumpkins we just bought at our local pumpkin patch. As you can see from the pictures, the children were less than thrilled about getting their picture taken. We actually took a bunch more than just these two, but these were the most decent and blog friendly...

Movie Corner- We Are Marshall!

The movie begins on a serious note with tragedy interspersed with sport. A plane crash kills 75 players, coaches, and fans of the Marshall University Football team.The entire town is devastated. Thar hardest part of the film is watching this community go from funeral to funeral...so awful and devastating. Well, the school board decides to put an end to the football program before Nate, a player (who was not on the flight) intervenes for the inevitable not to happen. He finds support in the entire town and also President Dedmon, who goes all out to initiate something.

After much hard work, he finds a coach Jack who an all out family man readies to take the reigns to show support. Jack persuades Red (Asst Coach) to join him. Together they recruit coaches and embarks on a journey to recruit players.All their efforts go in vain. That is when Jack pushes President for an exception to the association to have freshmen play in their team. (NCAA doesn't allow freshman to play football their first year.) This petition is approved and things look bright. Recruitments and practice go on and a team is readied. But, winning isnt easy. The Marshalls lose their first game and the town loses faith. Emotions erupt, but Jack stays calm. The rest is for you to watch......no spoilers here...............

I admit that I was a little apprehensive seeing McConaughey play a more serious (father figure, I might add) role, but I actually enjoyed him. Matthew Fox (Red) and David Strathairn (President Dedmon) both really touched me as well. There is just something about Strathairn that hits home every time! If you like "Rudy," you will surely love "We Are Marshall."

Totally Worn out!

Our last day in Texas, Corrine thought it would be fun to meet Gregory for lunch at his school. We thought that we would take Jack and Bethany and then leave Emily, Megan, and Timmy home with Eric. When we came home, Eric mentioned that Megan fell asleep; he just didn't give a whole lot of details. This is how we found her: left hand clenched to a pencil, while the right hand is hugging a book, only to balance her body weight on the chair, hoping to not fall off-poor thing! This trip to Texas must have really worn her out. Thank goodness that she still took a nap on the plane as well (Jack did too). Thursday, October 11, 2007

Austin-Two Little Girls

Sunday, October 7, 2007-These two little-yet very busy- girls (Megan Allred [left] & Emily Simonsen [right]) found their way into Timmy's cribby. (It's not too hard since it is low and in the family room.) Well, needless to say, they seemed to have wanted to be taking a nap and enjoying the Sunday afternoon. But once the mommies found them, they were more thrilled to be getting their picture taken, naturally!

Texas-October 2007

Park Days in Austin, Texas
Monday, October 8, 2007

Anna McClellan-My Niece

This is my niece, Anna McClellan. She's a sophmore in High School. She is a lot of fun and loves to play her bag pipes. Yes, she plays the bag pipes. Is that cool? Anna will soon have her drivers license...where have the years gone? I remember getting the phone call from my sister telling me she was pregnant and I was a sophmore at the time too!!! Wow am I getting old? Ok, nope, Marion (my sis) is old! :) Any who, Marion says that Anna has my smile. I admit that I think Anna is truly a lovely, lovely girl and so I take that as a compliment, but hopefully Anna does too (as I hope that I am not too shabby). I love you Anna.

The Rest of the McClellan Family (my sister finally sent the pictures).
Ashley McClellan (13 years)

Kate McClellan (10 years)

Ford McClellan (6 years)

Mac McClellan
(4 years old, just a few months older than Jack)

William McClellan
(almost 2 years old, exactly 1 month younger than Megan...to the day!)