We are the Simmons.

Haaga Family.

2011-05-16T09:23:00.002-06:00

Adorable Haaga Family on the new website!

www.karasimmons.com

Jenkins Family.

2011-05-01T23:01:00.000-06:00

Jenkins family on the new website!

www.karasimmons.com

Sartori Children.

2011-04-28T23:30:00.000-06:00

These children are adorable. Take a look.

www.karasimmons.com

Miller Family.

2011-04-25T22:37:00.000-06:00

The Miller Family is up!

www.karasimmons.com

Rikki.

2011-04-20T23:59:00.001-06:00

Beautiful sleeping baby girl on the website.

www.karasimmons.com

Sunday's photo. Week 14.

2011-04-19T11:11:00.000-06:00

Another Sunday photo on the website.

www.karasimmons.com

Mark and Jessica.

2011-04-17T22:28:00.000-06:00

Check out Mark and Jessica.

www.karasimmons.com

Sunday's photo. Week 13.

2011-04-13T23:52:00.001-06:00

www.karasimmons.com

Sunday's photo is posted.

Hendrickson Family.

2011-04-12T22:44:00.000-06:00

The Hendrickson Family is up on the new blog!

www.karasimmons.com

Heiner family, and a new edition to the family.

2011-04-07T23:10:00.000-06:00

The Heiners are making an appearance again!

www.karasimmons.com

Lauren, missionary portraits.

2011-04-06T23:10:00.002-06:00

Lauren is on the new website and is going to serve a mission for the LDS church!

www.karasimmons.com

Sunday's photo. Week 12.

2011-04-05T23:10:00.000-06:00

Lydia's Sunday photo is on the new website!

www.karasimmons.com

Natalie and Chris.

2011-04-04T23:10:00.000-06:00

Natalie and Chris are on the new website!

www.karasimmons.com

New things.

2011-04-03T22:00:00.002-06:00

New things are happening around here.

Like Lydia wearing a pony tail!

Oh how the simple things like Lydia's hair make me so happy.

And I have a new blog/website!

Please follow me over here:

www.karasimmons.com

Having two different blogs I needed to keep updated and wanted

to keep updated was proving a bit too much time.

I am moving into one blog to simplify my life

so I won't be such a crazy wife and mother when life gets busy.

I hope you all will follow me over there!

I am going to show on this blog when the new one is update

for a couple of months so everyone has time to see I have moved.

Striped wall.

2011-04-01T08:45:00.001-06:00

We decided to paint some stripes on our walls

in our living room last weekend.

I really enjoy them.

Thanks again Madre for all your help.

Now on to the next project!

Sunday's photo. Week 13.

2011-03-30T22:00:00.001-06:00

Last Sunday when Lydia woke up from her nap

she just wanted to snuggle for a bit.

I do miss cuddling with my baby girl

so I was pretty happy just sitting there soaking it in.

She is growing up much too fast.

And yes,

that is Charlotte's butt you can see in the bottom corner of the pictures.

Happy 26th Gregory.

2011-03-25T22:30:00.001-06:00

Happy 26th Birthday to my husband.

So glad to be celebrating another year with you.

I love you!

The man requested a home cooked meal

and dessert since we have been eating out WAY too much this past week.

Greg isn't a fan of cake but loves ice cream

so I have made him an ice cream cake a few times for special occasions

for him and it is always a hit.

It's not pretty to look at in the picture

but it sure is yummy!

Sunday's photo. Week 12.

2011-03-24T22:30:00.001-06:00

Lydia was back to her normal self this Sunday.

And she decided to give up her binki

all of a sudden the night before.

Went to sleep acting like it was no big deal and

just held on to her minnie mouse to fall asleep.

Oh, and she didn't spill once on this white dress.

This chick deserves a new toy or something

because she is amazing.

And I thought I would add a few outtakes

so you can see how crazy funny this girl can get.

Crepes.

2011-03-23T22:17:00.000-06:00

Our little family seriously loves a good crepe.

Whenever I buy a package of strawberries we just can't help

but turn a meal into crepes with fresh whipping creme.

And they are TOTALLY healthy because of the

strawberries right?!

Come back warm weather.

2011-03-21T00:44:00.000-06:00

We live down the street from a church house that has a baseball field

right by it.

Greg loves to take Charlotte there and hit some golf balls

while she does her business.

He cleans up after her of course!

Unlike some dogs owners around here.

Anywho, it has a real pretty view of Utah Lake and the mountains.

We ventured out to it all together last weekend when

we finally had some warm sunny weather.

And as usual,

Utah spring weather just had to prove how mean she can be by being

cold again today.

Hopefully warm weather will come back again soon.

Or else I might die!

I went to sleep 25 and woke up 26 years old.

2011-03-19T21:33:00.000-06:00

I had a birthday this last week.

I was born in the wee early hours of the morning

so I always wake up on my birthday my new older age.

Greg and I celebrated by going to Benihana's in downtown SLC

and did a little shopping without Lydia

(Thanks to my madre!).

Did I mention we ate at Benihana's for practically free?

You receive a free meal the month of your birth when you sign up

with them through email.

Because Gregory and I share a birthday month

we got to both use our birthday meals and treat ourselves to a yummy free dinner.

And when finding this out

we signed up for a ton of restaurants that do the same thing.

This works out perfectly for cheap skates like us!

Maybe if I find time and energy this weekend

I might do my oldie but goodie birthday list!

Sunday's photo. Week 11.

2011-03-18T21:33:00.001-06:00

This particular Sunday,

I had a poor sick baby to take care.

She came down hard with a cold and nasty ear infection on Saturday night

and tossed and turned all night long.

By the time we all woke up,

it was time for church but both Greg and Lydia were miserable with colds

and had been up half of the night.

So we let Lydia watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to her little heart's content

and use her binky outside of her crib.

Perk #85.

2011-03-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Perk #85 of living in your own space,

being able to walk around in your undies without having to live

in fear someone is going to see you

(or seeing someone else in theirs for that matter).

Lydia and I have both been taking full advantage.

But she is ten times cuter in her undies than I!

Sunday's photo. Week 10.

2011-03-09T21:12:00.001-07:00

Normally I take pictures on Sunday after church

but this last week I actually got them in before.

And we even have nine o'clock church!

Go us!

This time Greg did the snapping for me.

A leotard and leg warmers.

2011-03-06T22:07:00.002-07:00

Lydia and I signed up for a mommy and me tumbling class.

It was our first time last week.

She showed no fear on the balance beam

and showed front rolls on the mat who was boss.

She even tried a few back bends.

What a gal that Lydia is!

I might be lying if I didn't say

that just getting her in this leotard for tumbling might

be my favorite part of my day.

Sunday's photo. February, week 9.

2011-03-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

Lydia eating yummy crepes for lunch after

church last Sunday.

Pretty sure she lickcd her plate clean of the whipped creme.

I don't blame her.

Cousins in jammies.

2011-03-01T22:00:00.003-07:00

The three youngest Simmons' cousins all looked

so cute hanging out in their jammies in Midway one morning

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures.

 Lyds is snapping,

 and clapping in this one.

She finds doing those activities quite entertaining.

Don't you love Aidan's curly locks?

Bowling in Heber.

2011-02-27T22:00:00.001-07:00

While staying in Midway last weekend

we went to Heber City to get a good round of bowling in.

I was terrible at it this time for some reason.

Lydia was great at pushing the bowling ball off the 

kiddie stand and watching her ball travel 

slowly into the gutter.

Great memories made at the Holiday Lanes in Heber City!

Head on over to the photo blog,

for a cute wedding that I happened to photograph in February.

Sunday's photo. February week 8.

2011-02-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we were up in Midway.

Lyds loves eating snow and wandering around in it

so after we went to church we got her in her snow gear

just so she could sit and eat snow.

Basically,

all I have this week for her Sunday's photo is her

eyes closed eating yummy snow.

Whatever makes her happy I say.

Charlotte and Lydia.

2011-02-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Charlotte and Lydia in the late afternoon sun

coming through our living room window

on Valentine's day.

Check out this boy.

2011-02-20T21:59:00.001-07:00

Our nephew Talan turned one in January.

Now he lives far far away from us.

But these pics make us miss him a little less.

Check out more on the photo blog!

Sunday's photo. February week 7.

2011-02-18T00:20:00.001-07:00

Be prepared for a lot of pink.

It was the Sunday before Valentine's day after all.

My Madre sewed this amazing little dress for Lydia

to wear for Valentine's.

It really made Lydia look more like a little girl than a toddler!

I love it on her.

Thanks again Mom.  You're the best.

And you are like my personal sweat shop with dresses for Lydia.

Keep going!

 She learned "ring around the rosies" from nursery

and asked to do it over and over again.

 The little lady and I all dressed in pink.

And now we are off for a fun filled weekend

with family in Midway, Utah.

Bags are packed, kitchen clean, laundry done,

and there is still so much to do in the morning before we leave!

Have a beautiful weekend everyone.

Love day in pictures.

2011-02-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

I made Lydia whole wheat buttermilk pancakes

(with this recipe)

on Valentine's instead of her usual oatmeal

and she thought life was a party.

Pretty set up of the pancakes before Lydia.

And after Lydia.

We then ran to Target for a few things

and I just had to get her a Valentine treat

because she is such a good shoppper for an 18 month old 

so a bag of popcorn from Target it was!

She loves popcorn.

I got to even put Valentine clips in her hair.

Gregory brought me home a present and a Chipotle veggie burrito.

He got me BearPaw slipper moccasins!

If you really know me well,

you know my hands and feet are freezing cold all of the time

so this was perfect.

 And I treated him with our traditional white chocolate covered strawberries

and other entertainment (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)...

What?!  It's was Valentine's day!

And it was a seriously great Valentine's day.

Hey Greg,

2011-02-14T13:26:00.001-07:00

Will you

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday's photo. February, week 6.

2011-02-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

This particular Sunday Lydia just felt like running.

This was my only shot of her standing still.

I must be crazy because after we had those few days where it was like zero degrees

having weather in the 30's or low 40's with the sun on you actually feels warm.

So I let her run around without a coat for a few minutes.

And then she fell down and put a hole in her tights.

Boo.

Let the sprucing up begin.

2011-02-06T23:53:00.001-07:00

I have always had a thing for kitchens with

jars for flour and sugar sitting on counter tops.

Out of all the little projects I should do for our home,

I started on jars for my flour and sugar because it seriously couldn't wait just ONE more day!

I found these jars at my local D.I. and liked the shape of them.

 And spray painted them ocean blue is what the color

was called on the can of spray paint.

Yahoo!

One thing done at sprucing up the place,

only a ton more to do.

Sunday's photo. January week 5.

2011-02-02T20:52:00.001-07:00

Thank you all so much about your 

sweet comments about our house.

We are getting settled in and enjoying being in our own place.

I feel like I have had hard workouts every day

since we moved in because I seriously don't stop moving or putting things away and getting items organized until
I go to sleep at night.

We had Lydia's 18 month check up today.

She checks out as being tall, skinny, and

talks with a two year old vocabulary according to our Dr. Z.

What did you do over the weekend?

2011-01-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Greg and I decided it would be a good idea

to buy and move into a house.

We had a lot of help from family members.

We can't thank them enough!

Don't you love the cute front porch?

Now here it is,

the Simmons family home.

(Look closely and you can see Lydia and Greg in the window)

We are so excited to say the least.

Heart shaped addiction.

2011-01-27T22:26:00.002-07:00

Greg and I have a favorite Valentine's candy.

They are everlasting gobstoppers in heart shapes.

I believe we discovered these our first Valentine's of marriage together.

Every year since I go right to the candy aisle in the grocery store

as soon as the Valentine candy comes out.

We are on our third bag of the season so far.

Go get yourself a bag and you will love me and hate me.

Love me because you will love them so much too,

and hate me because you will become addicted to this sugary substance.

AND...

Look to my photo blog for information

on an amazing couple looking to find their baby.

Sunday's photo. January week 4.

2011-01-25T21:28:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed I frequently get this same pose from Lydia?

It's because I tell her to sit on her stool,

which she does but always sits with her back towards me.

Eventually, I talk enough to her to get her attention

and snap the pic as soon as she gets a cute reaction

from whatever crazy noise I am doing for her.

It was a first time curling her hair too.

Having a girl is WAY too much fun at times.

Not in focus.

2011-01-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

It hurts very much when I take a

picture of Lydia that I love just to realize later her eyes weren't in focus.

Darn.

Such a sweet little expression too!

Bugging.

2011-01-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

This morning everything was bugging the crappers out of me.

Even I was bugging myself.

I forgot my phone at one point in the day and that

just added to how much everything was bugging me.

Then I got the shoes I ordered from Target for $3.91 today in the mail.

I felt a lot better.

I also got my phone so I could finally talk to Greg

about how onery I was being (which I am sure he was happy to hear about)

and that made me feel much better too.

Pretty shallow of me that new shoes make me feel better

but it's true!

Whatevs!

Thank you UPS man for brightening my day.

Sunday's photo. January week 3.

2011-01-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Lydia went to nursery today.

Tears were shed and not by her.

She didn't miss me one bit.

I am such a baby.

And then I went to the rest of church and I was actually

able to listen and learn!

Now that was nice.

Now look at her backin' that bum of hers up!

A new coat.

2011-01-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

Greg gave me a new coat for Christmas.

He picked it out all by himself even!

I guess you know you have been with your husband for awhile

when he can walk into a store and think, "that looks like something Kara would like!"

I think he is awfully sweet.

Sunday's photo. January week 2.

2011-01-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

These were taken just after church.

She was ready for a nap and her hair is messy

from running all around during church.

She's very reverent to say the least.

A new suit.

2011-01-09T22:47:00.001-07:00

Gregory got a new suit for Christmas.

I absolutely love him in it.

I am definitely a sucker for Greg in fancy nice clothes.

And a large group of beautiful

people on the photo blog!

Sunday's photo. January week 1.

2011-01-06T23:42:00.001-07:00

I have decided to make a little photography goal for me this year.

Last year, I really tried to do the 365 photos project

but my gosh, it was a lot of work and I just quit.

I really want to document Lydia consistently.

I hear that they change the most during their 2nd year as children

so wouldn't it be cool to have a weekly update to look back on during this year?

I chose every Sunday because that is a day I know

I will consistently have time to photograph her.

Not every Sunday is going to have a perfect picture

and she most likely won't want to cooperate some days

during these toddler years.

I will just have to expand my creativity those days to document her!

She did give me a great first week of pictures though.

Watch out for a full range of expressions.

I gave her hair a little cut myself on Saturday night.

It was looking way too mullet-ish for me.

Very long in the back and not enough bangs in front.

I looked at her hair in the bath and decided to snip it myself.

A little voice inside me tried telling me to stop and let a professional do it

but I just kept trimming away.

Now she has a little bob cut.

Of course it isn't perfect.

But I don't think I did half bad!

Let's hope she has my crazy fast hair growing genes now

and it grows back evenly before I know it.

It was all down hill from there.

2011-01-04T23:45:00.001-07:00

We woke up on New Year's Eve day and decided to take Lydia

sledding down a small hill by our house.

She was in a perfect mood,

didn't mind getting bundled with ten layers,

and was even happy to be stomping about in the snow.

But then Greg took her down her first hill

and snow blew into her face.

It was all down hill from there.

We took turns cuddling with her while the other went down

the hill to try and show her it was fun.

No luck!

Perhaps next time she will enjoy sledding...

Red and sparkly.

2011-01-02T23:18:00.002-07:00

Here is a few pictures of Lydia being red and sparkly

on Christmas day.

And here is an beautiful couple

on the photo blog

for your viewing pleasure.

And did you notice the new pages I have on the

top of my blog?

Highlights of 2010.

2010-12-31T20:59:00.001-07:00

Here are our highlights month to month of 2010...

January:

Lydia enjoyed her first time sledding along dressed her bear suit and fancy puffy white coat.

February:

Enjoying Valentine's day and surprising Gregory with his heart covered Valentine.

March:

Finally some hints of warm weather and Greg and I celebrating our 25th birthdays.

April:

The Easter bunny came for a little visit.

May:

Gregory received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah.

June:

After years of Gregory's summer work taking us across the country,

we finally enjoyed simple summer pleasures like watching fireworks in our hometown.

July:

Lydia Denise turned one despite my protests.

August:

Family portraits taken in Midway, Utah.

September:

Enjoyed a delightful boating trip down south with our friends the Smith's.

October:

Enjoyed California and Disneyland with family.

Loved it!

November:

Spent Thanksgiving in Logan, Utah.

December:

Waking up on Christmas morning with this little girl is the best.

So there's our 2010.

Mostly ups from the year and some downs,

but who wants to focus on the downs?

Can't wait to see what 2011 will bring!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Day.

2010-12-30T22:07:00.001-07:00

Us on Christmas morning.

Lydia was given a recliner just her size for Christmas.

And she received a baby and a stroller.

She loved the baby so much she just had to give it a kiss.

Cousin Addie gave Lydia these mickey mouse books.

She is obsessed.

I can tell she thinks this is the best present ever.

Why hello there Gregory.

Anthropologie gives their gift cards in these cute pouches.

Isn't that adorable?

After Christmas morning with the Simmons,

we headed down to Madre's.

We opened presents and ate food.

Isn't that what Christmas is about?

Greg and Kade got matching U of U beanies.

Very cute guys.

A puppy in a purse for Lydia.

I got a recipe book filled with wonderful recipes from sister-in-law Janel.

I loved it.

Lydia and her cousins played around on their beds

while getting ready for bed Christmas night.

The family portrait taken on Christmas afternoon.

The next morning we all went to church together

and set up to take a picture afterwards.

Here is a great outtake of my side of the family watching me

rush into place while trying to grab little Tayden at the same time.

Most of them looked so concerned!

Now the real deal.

Not a shabby looking group!

We had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of Christ.

Hope everyone else did as well.

The eve of Christmas.

2010-12-29T17:03:00.001-07:00

Christmas Eve is always spent at Grandma Millers with family.

Look at these cute girls in red.

I promise Lydia was happy in this picture that Addie is leaning on her,

but she just looks very angry.

Pretty funny.

I wore a bow in my hair like I was a Christmas present myself.

And here is Lydia too busy to smile because she is stuffing herself with chocolate.

The whole Simmons family except for Eric,

who is serving a mission in Argentina.

Lydia had some stomach problems last week during Christmas,

so she wasn't feeling her best on Christmas Eve.

She got a lot of cuddles in from loved ones.

The Miller cousins brought bells to entertain us and Greg and I decided

to take our turn at them.

Lydia pointing out to Grandma Miller that there is a Santa on her sweater.

Last picture of the evening before the big day.

And sorry all the pictures are with the ugly flash.

It was just so low of light in the house I had no choice.

Boo for low light.

And the photo blog is

updated with a

chubby little Lucy!

Reporting on Christmas.

2010-12-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

Is anybody else wiped out from the Christmas weekend?

We Simmons had a lot of fun with a lot of family.

Today was spent recovering for me and Lydia got to play with her new fun toys.

Christmas morning just keeps getting better and

better having this little gal there.

Lydia Denise on Christmas morning 2010.

Will report more on Christmas

when I find more energy to load photos rather than eat

all my Christmas stocking goodies!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T23:59:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love,

The Simmons

Ready for Christmas.

2010-12-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

Our Christmas trees are ready for the big day!

Are you?!

The Nutcracker.

2010-12-20T23:01:00.001-07:00

Gregory had the idea to take me to The Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre last week.

We look a little silly,

like we are on a first date or something in this picture.

The ballerinas were lovely with all of their sparkles on their outfits.

The children who danced were adorable.
The dances and music were in my head for days afterwards.

It made me wishing I had liked the ballet class I took when I was younger!

I just didn't have the patience I suppose.

The production was fantastic overall!

Except for the part when Greg and I tried to sneak into closer seats,

but I was caught red handed and asked to go sit back in

the seat that I paid for.

Whoops.

Big old bows.

2010-12-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

It must be the Utah mom in me and the Christmas spirit to

put such huge bows in my little girls piggie tails.

Forgive the hair coming out of the piggies.

I forgot to fix them after she woke up from her morning nap.

Do you like big old bows in little girls' piggies?!

Do tell.

Sometimes I think the occasion calls for them.

Lydia met Santa.

2010-12-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

Lydia met Santa at our neighborhood Christmas party last weekend

and she didn't like him very much.

Maybe we will have more luck next year

with Santa!

Don't trust hair dye on clearance.

2010-12-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Girls,

don't trust hair dye on clearance especially when the color on the box is called

"spicy ginger."

I made this mistake and turned out looking like this.

(I cover my face for I am ashamed)

I should have known better.

That picture doesn't even do the color of red justice.

It was just plain crazy looking.

I thought I looked like a super hero of some sort.

Greg thought I looked like that Jean Gray super hero

on the movie X men.

(Jean Gray)

Madre corrected my hair with a more natural color dye.

It's more red than anticipated still,

but a fun change!

A lesson has definitely been learned here.

What's this?

2010-12-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

My baby is acting like she is 15 years old

with this expression and attitude.

She must stop.

Naughty puppy. Part II.

2010-12-11T23:00:00.001-07:00

Our dear Charlotte dog

decided to freak out while we were vacationing

in California back in October.

This freak out lead to some damage to Greg's

parents very nice and NEW banisters on their staircase

while left out of her cage.

It is seriously costing us Greg's arm to replace them.

Okay, not really, but you can imagine how much money that would be.

I would like to be very angry with her,

but how can I with that face?

Did you want to see Part I of naughty puppy?!
Go here.

Snapshot.

2010-12-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Just a cute little snapshot of us

at Greg's work Christmas party last week.

It was delightful even though my stomach wasn't agreeing with me that night!

(Nope, not pregnant).

I just love Christmas parties,

don't you?

The pretty Christmas lights.

2010-12-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip up to Temple square this evening

to enjoy the pretty Christmas lights.

You can never be disapointed with the display of lights they have,

but Greg's favorite tree was not decorated this year.

I think they trade off and on with this tree each year for some reason.

Hopefully, the huge red tree will be there next year!

This is as good as it got for a picture of our family from strangers.

Lydia had a hard time looking around at anything

from under that hood on her coat. Can you tell?

Oh and it was truly a Christmas miracle at the end of our Temple Square wanderings.

We were walking to our car when lo and behold!-

A ticket/police/woman/person was about to give our car a ticket.

Greg ran to rescue our car and money

with Lydia in his arms!

Fortunately the ticket/police/person was feeling generous

and let us go.

Apparently, us and a few other cars were parked wrong on the street,

but it was a great spot otherwise!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Looking like Christmas.

2010-12-05T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here

at the Simmons Manor.

Lydia loves to push the button to make this

snow globe light up over and over again.

Isn't this naughty and nice list my mother in law has up with

the grandkids names on it adorable?

One day, I'll get to decorate a house of my own...

ONE DAY!

I have to keep telling myself that

when looking at festive decorations.

Pretty awesome.

2010-12-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

I think my daughter is pretty awesome.

You can tell she loves to show off her belly button

and is quite delighted by it.

Last night, while Lydia was sleeping, I was telling Greg all the funny

things she did that day.

We missed her so much at that moment we were THIS CLOSE

to waking her up to play with her.

But then realizing she wouldn't be the happy Lydia we wanted to see

we just went to bed instead.

Pretty sure that was a smart choice.

Thanksgiving.

2010-11-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

We headed up to Grandma and Grandpa Simmons home

in Logan, Utah this Thanksgiving.

They were kind enough to put us up in a hotel the night before
so we didn't have to drive so much on Thanksgiving day.

Here is Lydia in all her morning glory in the hotel room.

We even got to do a little swimming on Thanksgiving morning!

And it was FREEZING outside.

Even the main road in Logan was pure ice.

Which made swimming in a nice warm room even more of a treat.

Lydia waiting to eat the Thanksgiving feast.

Or more just throwing stuff off of the table.

Whatever works.

Us Simmons' on Thanksgiving 2010.

Thankfulness stuff.

2010-11-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for our golden haired little girl and her happy dance when she gets good food.

I am thankful for my loud speaking husband and his cute dimples on his cheeks.

I am thankful for marshmallow popcorn.

I am thankful for this talk given by President Monson.

And I am thankful for Harry Potter and the entertainment he brings.

Go Jazz!

2010-11-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Gregory scored tickets to the Jazz game tonight.

We got to sit in a suite, got some free treats, and drinks!

I would have posted the picture we took together,

but I look REALLY SILLY.

I was half smiling and talking when the man next to us took it

so you can only imagine how great I look.

But to prove I was there here is my shoe and drink.

Just having a good time.

And thank you for everyone's opinion on the

Christmas Cards!

It looks like Christmas Card #1 won!

Now who wants to leave me their address so I can actually send them?!

And look at sweet baby boy Kaden

on the photo blog.

In need of an opinion.

2010-11-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

I am actually going to send out a Christmas card this year

for the first time ever. Yahoo!

But please give me your opinion,

Christmas Card #1:

or Christmas card #2?:

Funny little expression.

2010-11-17T00:09:00.000-07:00

Lydia in March of 2010.

I came across this photo tonight

and I thought it was such a funny little expression of Lydia.

I loved this stage of Lydia.

But I was telling a friend just yesterday every stage is my favorite.

Right now she is talking like mad crazy.

At her 15 month appointment her doctor asked if she was saying any words.

Greg and I listed all the ones we could think of off the top of our heads.

Our doctor was like,"oh, well she is way beyond what she needs to be,

usually they only say two or three words frequently by 15 months."

Then the doctor turns to me and says,

"Does the mother talk a lot,

is that why?"

Then I quickly responded,

"Well her Dad talks a lot too,

so it's not just me!"

She also has like an evil giggle.

It's not her real giggle.

Just a forced one she likes to do when she thinks

she's funny or finds something silly.

And she will do it with me when I mimic her.

Lydia can climb up on chairs and some couches now.

She has given me mini-heartattacks

finding her on top of chairs and tables standing there

laughing that evil laugh of hers.

Loves Minnie mouse.

She will scream Minnie's name over

and over again when watching Mickey Mouse's clubhouse.

She has a random back molar that came through

who knows how long ago.

Her teeth have came in at the most random times

in the most random spots.

She will run into my arms several times

in the day just to give me a hug.

So much fun.

Hates when other babies are sitting in my lap.

She will try to push them out.

I know it sounds crazy,

but nursery in church is just around the corner

and I am kind of sad about it.

Just another step in her life that makes her

more independent from me.

I love my Lydia.

She's seriously my best friend next to her dad.

I hope it always stays that way.

Film.

2010-11-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

Greg's dad let me borrow his old film Nikon camera

last year around Christmas time.

I took a couple of rolls of film

but didn't get them developed until last week!

I forgot how much I love getting film developed.

It's like a surprise with each photograph you find.

Here are a few of my favorites from last Christmastime:

I definitely will be using this film Nikon a whole lot more

now seeing the awesome results film can give you.

There is some werid line down my pictures,

which I don't know if it was the photo lab's fault or my really old film's fault.

Anywho, I need to play around with film more

because it's pretty dang cool.

Some fun with a spoon and pudding.

2010-11-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

Life has been really busy lately.

Very good busy, but this makes me lazy with other things in life.

Like letting Lydia feed herself and letting her get real messy with food

while learning to use silverware.

Lydia will never learn how to use a spoon or fork

until I learn to relinquish my control!

A couple of weeks ago we had a nice laid back day

so I gave her a spoon and pudding and let her have fun.

I think she liked it.

She gave up the spoon halfway and began

just shovling it in with her hands.

That's my girl.

We definitely need more days like this.

But maybe I will choose foods that don't get so messy.

Although, chocolate pudding does look pretty darn cute on her.

Wild child.

2010-11-09T22:23:00.001-07:00

Here's our little wild child running around in

the nice warm fall weather we had last week.

And here is her little squat dance move thing.

Greg and Lydia love to pump up the Usher and Rihanna

in our room and go crazy!

It's quite the sight to see.

And check out my photo blog if you haven't in awhile,

just because!

The trick or treating.

2010-11-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to post the trick-or-treating pictures!

Lydia and cousin Addie got a sweet ride in a wagon

by Uncle Brian and Greg would hold the umbrella

over the wagon for any rain that might come their way.

This was luxury trick or treating for our girls.

And it happened to be the cutest thing too.

Addie got so tired that she almost fell asleep right in Lydia's lap.

Doesn't Lydia seem pleased about it? Ha.

Watching them trick or treat was so cute and funny.

Lydia would pick her treat out of the bowl and

put it in her bag. And then I got to eat it all.

Maybe next year you can have some of the treats

you worked so hard for Lyds!

The lion ran rampant through a school.

2010-11-05T00:13:00.000-06:00

Grandma Simmons is an elementary school teacher

and has a a Halloween parade every year at her school.

We got to take our little lion so Grandma Simmons could show her off!

She might have torn a few pictures that students made in the

hallways of the 1st graders.

Sorry 1st graders!

A puppy ran around all crazy like too in the halls of the school.

Crazy animals.

Witchin' good time.

2010-11-03T22:23:00.000-06:00

I just had to visit the always cute Gardner village

with Lydia, sister, Madre, and Mom-in-law about a week before Halloween.

I think the decorations there get cuter and cuter.

Isn't this chick stinkin' adorable?

This witch's name was Jim.

Madre's husband's name. Very funny.

Little lion cub.

2010-11-01T23:41:00.000-06:00

First things first,

our little lion took first place for overall kid's costume at

our ward's Halloween party last week!

I was so proud I thought my heart might burst.

Lydia will always cherish this badge.

She even strolled around the woods as a victory dance.

Just kidding. Do any kind of lions even live in the woods?

Pretend it was a jungle.

I have more and more Halloween festivities to post,

but the bed is calling my name!

Just in time for Halloween.

2010-10-29T09:31:00.001-06:00

My Madre made these cute fabric pumpkins

for my siblings to use for trick or treating when they were little ones.

I always thought they were adorable.

So when I found the tutorial almost a year ago,

I just knew I had to make one for Lydia.

I just rememered I wanted to add a white bow to the stem.

Oh well.

Lydia has been carrying it around like a purse already.

Hopefully her enthusiam to carry it around will last until tomorrow evening

for trick-or-treating!

Happy Halloween weekend everyone!

Oh, the beach.

2010-10-27T22:25:00.000-06:00

We made it to the beach with the entire family

the last day in California.

We were lucky it was such a nice day to go,

but as the sun was going down you definitely were chilled by the water on your feet.

I put all the pictures black and white,

because why the heck not?

And my deepest apologies to Madre and Kader for not getting

them in any pictures on the beach.

I can be a real airhead sometimes.

Oh and Lydia was a crazy person the first hour

on the beach, destroying everything in her path,

and eating lots of sand.

This stage she is in is hilarious.

My family belong in the circus.

2010-10-26T22:24:00.000-06:00

Greg and my brothers performed wild

tricks with those floaty tube things.

They sure did impress these two little guys.

I have no doubt that in ten more years,

they will be playing these types of games still!

Last day of Disneyland.

2010-10-26T00:10:00.000-06:00

Greg, Lydia, and I took a little trip to Laguna beach in the morning before

we hit up Disneyland later that day.

The weather was so nice for the beach,

but Lydia was not very happy about being there.

Lack of sleep was definitely wearing on this girl.

It was a short trip that's for sure.

After a good nap and lunch,

we headed up to Disneyland to join the rest of the family.

I just love Disneyland at night!

Greg humored me and got in a picture with Halloween minnie mouse.

She made him kiss her hand for some reason,

but whatever, it's minnie mouse!

Then I made my family take pictures in front of the giant Mickey pumpkin.

My mom and I saying,"Pumpkin!"

We look like we are having a crazy good time,

don't we?

Nephew Jantsen was saying pumpkin in this

picture thanks to me too.

You are welcome Kyle and Janel!

Farewell Disneyland!

Until next time...

And hopefully it won't be too long until we

get to see you and your insane prices for food again.

And another cute family on the photo blog!

Disneyland day two.

2010-10-24T21:09:00.000-06:00

This was our minnie mouse day!

Madre sewed Lydia and my nieces' Minnie mouse dresses.

They were adorable.

And the girls had so much fun dressing up together.

Well Lydia didn't really konw what was going on

but her older cousins sure liked dressing up with her.

I got the nicest comments on how cute Lydia looked from strangers

while at Disneyland.

I was very surprised because everywhere you look there is another girl dressed

up in some sort of princess dress or Minnie outfit.

Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth because people were so sweet to Lydia!

Lydia freaked just a bit when actually meeting the big

Minnie mouse!

She didn't even enjoy sitting in minnie mouse's sink.

What a silly girl.

She did enjoy running around the park with her dad of course.

What an angry Gregory in Disneyland.

But bumper cars always makes him happy.

I love how much the two of them look alike in this picture.

What a cheesy grin.

Day one of Disneyland.

2010-10-21T15:49:00.000-06:00

Disneyland was adorable and magical.

It meant so much more going to Disneyland and

being able to take Lydia.

I was dying with excitement when walking into the park!

I am sure Greg was too.

(That was sarcastic in case you couldn't tell)

It was a perfect warm fall day the first day at

Disneyland and there wasn't too many crowds.

Lydia going on her first ride which was Pirates of the Carribean.

She would dance when the pirates would sing,

"yo ho, yo ho, and pirates life for me!"

Two very cute boys.

The whole family had a lot of fun going on all sorts of rides.

It's really fun being married to Greg.

Definitely not a lot of dull moments for me.

And I love that about him!

Kambryn and Lydia meeting their first Disney princess, Ariel.

Lydia was kind enough to smile for us in front of some cute pumpkins.

These next ones were taken almost two hours later.

Lydia was napping and I told Greg I was so

tempted to wake her up so we could take a cute

family picture in her Halloween colors (I know I am such a girl).

And the next thing we know after we took our picture alone

she woke up!

She was a little confused and disoriented,

but I still love the pictures that we got.

We hung out on main street that night.

Lydia was seriously a crazy person.

The minute we let her walk around she was running everywhere.

Knocking candy off of shelves and

we caught her just in time when she was inches

away from grabbing a figurine in the porcelain shop.

Oh goodness, it was funny.

Even more pictures to come of course!

And check out the photo blog

to see how the fall mini sessions turned out.

Playing in the rain.

2010-10-19T22:46:00.000-06:00

Madre rented us out a awesome house in California

that had such a fun backyard.

The boys and kids loved the pool, but it was raining the first couple of days there.

But that didn't stop them!

The crazy boys played volleyball in the cold water and rain and

the kids swam around in the warm hot tub.

I watched nicely from inside cheering them on.

Go, fight, win, in that rain sweetie!!

Can't you tell that I was such a good cheerleader?

The start of the California trip.

2010-10-18T22:16:00.000-06:00

Greg and I drove down to California two days earlier

than the rest of my family who was coming so we could have

some time together.

My kind and brave mother flew out with Lydia with the rest of

my family as well so we were childless!

We had so much darn fun.

We immediately headed to Newport beach the first night there for dinner and sight seeing.

I found a restuarant online that looked cheap for a sit down place

and served mexican food, our favorite, right on the beach.

Little did we know it was a bar and a huge hit with the single people of the area.

Even though we were the only ones in the bar not drinking,

married, and actually eating dinner,

we had a fantastic time.

Everybody was taking pictures with their friends in the bar so we had to take one too.

Aren't we wild?!

Greg then took me to Pinkberry.

It was yummy, but I don't know what all the fuss is about my friends.

The next day we went boogie boarding for half the day at Newport Beach.

The waves were really big and they kind of kicked my butt into

the sand a few times which ended with me gasping for air and having sand

by the buckets full in my hair.

I wish I could have had my camera with me to show how big these waves

were that Greg would get on, but I was much too afraid it would get stolen

while we were both in the ocean.

The day my family came in Greg and I drove around the coast and stopped at

beautiful lookout at Laguna Beach for a quick picture before we were rained on.

Our quick California getaway had romance, adventure, and beautiful sights.

What more could you ask for?

Fall's eye candy.

2010-10-17T23:23:00.000-06:00

I think pumpkins are definitely part of fall's pretty eye candy.

I'm so sad pumpkin patches are only around for a couple of more weeks

because they are pretty cute.

Young love.

2010-10-16T23:10:00.000-06:00

Greg and I in California. May, 2006.

I came across this random photo on my hard drive

tonight when trying to organize and clear some space on it.

We were on vacation to California with my family

and having a blast. And so cheesy/crazy in love.

Sorry family for having to put up with that stuff.

Greg had been home less than a month off his mission

and we were engaged a week after our vacation to California.

Aw, young love.

Maybe I will eventually get around to posting our

last California vacation!

Skinny jeans.

2010-10-13T21:57:00.000-06:00

Skinny jeans were a must for Lydia's fall wardrobe.

I thrifted these old navy jeans in the summer

and turned them into skinnies to save some cash.

Here's the before:

And the after!:

It was seriously harder to try and take a picture of her not walking or

running while alone in the house than turning these jeans into skinnies.

You can find the tutorial I used here.

Back to reality.

2010-10-11T22:32:00.000-06:00

We are back!

Well our bodies are here but our heads and hearts are still on vacation in California.

Isn't coming back from a vacation the worst?

We had a fabulous time. I'm excited to share

all the pictures I took of Lydia's first time in Disneyland and on the beach.

And don't you love how serious Greg and I look on the Buzz Lightyear ride?

Lydia loved Buzz. She would point and talk in whatever language she speaks.

I'm not going to lie, sometimes it sounds like she knows how to speak Chinese

mixed in some English words like "no more" and "good girl."

It's so darn cute to hear that girl jabber.

Fall mini children sessions.

2010-10-06T17:07:00.000-06:00

Hello!

I have decided to do some Fall time mini children sessions!

Here's the low down:

The date I am having the mini sessions is the evening of

October 15, 2010.

There will be six spots available

ranging from 4-7 pm.

Email me to reserve your child's spot

as soon as possible!

Thanks!

Here is a little example of what to expect for your child's

photo session:

California in October for us Simmons.

2010-10-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Simmons are heading out on vacation to California!

We are so excited.

Greg and I definitely deserve a vacation.

He's been working non-stop on work stuff and

I have been editing photos into the wee hours of the morning.

It will be so nice to finally spend some time together.

And if you need to reach me concerning photo sessions

I will be answering emails.

Just be patient because I might not get to them right away!

And keep checking the photo blog because I have a few more scheduled posts of cute

families coming your way.

Bye!

Tomato stealer.

2010-09-30T23:08:00.001-06:00

I was picking tomatoes in the garden last week

and throwing them onto the grass.

Lydia comes walking over and takes one.

Next thing I know she is taking big bites out of it!

That gal sure loves her tomatoes.

After this picture she went right back to my pile

of tomatoes and picked herself out another juicy tomato.

Chalk and feet.

2010-09-29T22:48:00.001-06:00

Last Saturday,

I decided to take that last half hour before

I put Lydia down for her afternoon nap and turn it into chalk time.

She wrote a few scribbles and was off wandering the backyard

the rest of the time.

With a chalk in either hand of course.

Now here come the feet.

I put our names by our feet just in case you didn't know

who's feet were who's.

That Greg got really fancy with the cursive didn't he?

Boy howdy, I've been updating the photo blog with beautiful people right and left.

Don't be shy and take a look!

Purse girl.

2010-09-28T01:16:00.000-06:00

Lyds loves her purses.

She started trying to pick up mine as soon as she was walking

and carry it around with her.

Then she saw her cousin had a pink purse and stole hers all the time.

So Grandma Simmons took pity on her and bought her

one of her own.

Now here she is showing it off for all to see.

I have no idea what kind of pose she was going for in that last picture,

but I kinda like it.

A quick trip.

2010-09-26T21:20:00.000-06:00

Last weekend we went to St. George with our

good friends the Smith's.

We loaded up the boat and our baby and we were on our way!

We boated all day long for two days in a row then headed back home.

Being on a boat, on a lake, in your swimsuit, being able to eat all day,

getting tan, in hot weather is heaven.

Did that last sentence even make sense?

Lydia loved the sandy beach and even did a little skinny dipping.

What a scandolous girl!

She doesn't get it from me that's for sure...

Greg looked like a manly man on that wakeboard.

And me barely surviving on the wakeboard.

I crashed once and it felt like I had an enema.

It hurt something fierce people!

Too bad I didn't get any pictures of the Smith's on their wakeboard.

They looked much better than us.

Here a terribly shaded photo of us in front of the boat

taken by an eldery Idaho man on his way down to Arizona for the winter.

He was so excited to talk to us.

It was cute.

We ended up in Mesquite one night.

Don't ask how we got there, just know we ate at a buffet.

Before we left we just had to ride this tandem bike.

And I took this really funny picture of Ginger and Greg.

Curtiss finally won Lydia's heart over the weekend too.

It only took about 50 swedish fish to like him.

Not bad, right Uncle Curty? Ha.

Oh, the fall is here to stay. Darn.

2010-09-23T22:36:00.000-06:00

As soon as the summer temperature starts to drop,

I am not happy.

Greg and I are the kind of people that could

live in swimsuits and flip flops all year on a beach.

But since that will never happen,

I might as well embrace the changing of the weather and pretty colors.

Because who could hate those pretty colors living in Utah?

They are spectacular...

Speaking of spectacular,

check out the this cute family on the photo blog!

The times I should put down the camera, but I don't.

2010-09-22T00:06:00.000-06:00

Poor Lydia just wanted my loving arms

and I just kept snapping away.

Although the photos aren't perfectly focused how

I like them to be,

I still like her funny/sad expressions.

Don't worry,

I finally put down the camera and she probably came and sat in my lap.

I love it.

She turns around and backs up right into my lap.

Probably one of the cutest things she has been doing lately.

And hold the phone!

(Did you like that saying?)

There's another beautiful family on the photo blog!

In front of a post office.

2010-09-20T12:06:00.000-06:00

We just got in late last night from a long and very fun weekend

boating in St. George with friends!

We had a blast!

But before I get too ahead of myself,

I needed to post these pictures of Lydia in front of the Park City

post office that I took after dinner one night.

She was in such a smiley mood that I just had to capture the moment!

Park City 2010.

2010-09-15T22:35:00.000-06:00

Yahoo!

I'm finally getting my pictures of our Park City Labor day weekend on here.

We had oodles of fun with our many family traditions.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures.

Maybe it's because I was desperately hooked on this book!

And Lydia didn't mind not having the camera in her face all the time.

Us Simmons' in front of the Christmas store on Main Street on Labor Day 2009...

and now us Simmons' in front of the Christmas store on Main Street on Labor Day 2010.