Christmas aftermath!!

We were excited to have some of our family with us this year for Christmas. Danny and Trisha and Clinton and Katie were here for our traditional Christmas Eve, candelight dinner.

After our dinner, we played some games and got the stockings ready to hang, and then "Jack" the elf magically showed up just in time for jamma time, and the kids were excited to get their new PJ's on and head off to bed for Santa to come!

Time for a closer inspection of all the goodies Santa brought us! Grant got a "Car Show" race track. Ali got a new ipod shuffle and some small speakers to play it on. Corgin got a new CAT Loader. Santa filled all our stockings with care with lots of treats and toys...even Mommies and Daddies got a few goodies!

Then it was time to unwrap presents! Everyone seemed to get everything they wanted! Lots of smiles and happy faces! Thanks everyone...we had a great Christmas!

I got especially spoiled...Brent bought me a new iMac computer, which I LOVE!!

Brent and Kristi

Clinton, Katie and Corgin

On Christmas Night, Tanessa, Jake, Addi and Brielle flew in from Florida!

Danny, Trisha, Ali, and Grant

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday...

December brings a special feeling...Christmas excitement, Love and good cheer, Hustle and Bustle of crowds of people...most of all it brings the Love of our Savior and the rememberance of His birth. It is a sacred feeling, the love that the world shares at this special time. My wish is that you all will have a very Merry Christmas, filled with love and family, and good times. Our family is quite spread out these days...from Washington, to Pennsylvania, to Florida, to Belgium...we miss them all, and wish we could all be together, but since that's impossible, we will take what we can get, and at least be united in heart. For our oldest, Jaron and family...we will miss you all so much this year, and for our youngest, Jacob...we are so glad he is serving well and we will be excited to talk to him on Christmas day. Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family. We send our love...

On the 14th of December I celebrated my ?? birthday. I think I am too old to still be having birthdays!! I just want to thank everyone for their phone calls and birthday wishes! I have the greatest family, and they made my day very special.

Happy Birthday on December 30th to Heather...my daughter in law and mother to four of my grandchildren!! Heather is pursuing her dreams of becoming a PA, in PA!! She is a busy mom with her small family, her studies, and Jaron working so very much. I'm not sure where she finds the energy to keep up with it all, but she does! She is a happy, enthusiastic young woman...and we send our love and wish her the very happiest of days...good luck, Heather with all your classes!

Last year with all the Holiday frenzy...I missed posting two very special birthdays! They aren't in December, but might as well be...they sneak up on you very quickly once Christmas is over! Corgin Ray, our grandson will turn 2 on New Year's Day! He is one crazy little kid!! His feet never slow down from sun up til sun down...always on the go, and always keeping us in stitches...he loves to give 'hugs' and is the funniest little guy. Such a smart cookie in a little body!! Happy Birthday Corgie Porgie...we love you so very much!

And our little Lillian Kristi (Lilly) will celebrate her 2nd birthday just a few days after Corgin's. On January 6th, to be exact...We miss little Lilly, she is such a sweetheart, and we have not gotten to be around her very much, but when we do see her, she is always there for a big hug and a huge smile! She's such a cutie pie, and we wish we could be closer so that we could see her growing up! Happy Birthday Lilly....we love you!!!

Corgin and Lilly last year just after their 1st birthdays...(the one I forgot to post!! Sorry!)

Campaign for WRITE JAKE...

All of you who look every week to Jacob's Mission Blog...this is just a reminder that this is the last week before Christmas that you all can write him and wish him Merry Christmas and let him know what's been going on in your life! If you are sending it by mail (address is on his blog)...it will have to be in the mail by the first of the week, like MONDAY...if you want it to reach him by Christmas. If you are emailing him (jvonsimonson@myldsmail.net)...it has to be sent by FRIDAY evening so that he can recieve it by his P-Day on Saturday (he is 8 hours ahead of us!) So PLEASE, everyone...send him something, let him know how much you love and miss him...send him updates on your family and a picture or so...he would love that! Thanks!

New Grandbaby

I arrived in Orlando about midnight on Sunday. Monday morning, Nov. 30th, we were up bright and early and decided to go to Walmart for a few groceries and things. While we were there, Tanessa started having some contractions, and by noon, she had called and was on her way to the hospital. They admitted her and got her all 'hooked up' and she progressed rather quickly. By 6:17, she delivered a beautiful little baby girl...Brielle Lynn Larsen. She weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. She has lots of black hair and big brown eyes. Such a cutie pie...glad I could be here in time for her to come, and spend some time with her and her little family!

A Birthday and a safe arrival...

Happy Birthday today to our sweet grandson, Carter Jaron! He is 7 years old today. We are missing our grandkids that are living in Pennsylvania...Carter especially on his special day! He is such a sweetheart...kinda quiet and softer spoken, and such a big heart! He loves to just sit and cuddle with you when you visit, he loves to play pool with his Grandpa, he always likes to come to Grandma's house and play the fishy game and he has a tender place in our hearts. Carter loves to play soccer, and video games and is such a loving boy. We wish you the Happiest Birthday, Car-Car...and we love you so very much!!

We are also grateful for the safe arrival of my parents...back from their Mission in Palmyra, New York. They arrived Wednesday afternoon, with a huge carful of stuff! We have enjoyed seeing them again and being able to hug them and talk with them. It has been a fun weekend of unpacking, rearranging, helping them move back into their home and visiting with all the family that came for their Homecoming. Welcome home Mom and Dad...we love you!

My New car and Vegas, Baby!

Brent and I flew down to L.A. last week to pick up my new (used) car. We had made reservations to stop in Vegas on the way home...we stayed at the Rio...it was pretty fun. It's been a long time since we've been to Vegas, but it hasn't changed much! The Rio was huge and we had a really nice suite there. We went to a big Seafood Buffet while we were there...it was expensive, but the food was awesome! We had prime rib, lobster, shrimp, and a ton of other stuff. The deserts were to die for! We also went to a Penn & Teller show, their theater is located in the Rio, so they offered us some discounted tickets. It was pretty good...glad we didn't pay full price for it though!

The weather was really cold and windy while we were there...we had taken our suits and hoped we could hang out on the sandy beach and swim...but the 41 degrees and 40 mph winds did not allow it!! But I took the picture anyway! We went over to the Paris Casino and we rode up in the Eifle Tower there. The Casino was really pretty (imagine!) and it was fun to see the sights of Las Vegas from the top...but VERY windy and cold...so we didn't stay long!!

Chippendales was also located in our resort...It would have been fun to see Billy dance (j/k) but Brent didn't agree with that... But I got a picture of the sign anyway!

Big Week...Birthdays, Halloween...

This week is such a special one...it's birthday time for two of our adorable grandchildren!

Addisyn turns 3 on Oct. 29th. She is such a sweetie, she keeps us in stitches all the time, with her funny little personality. She is truly a girly girl and loves all the things little girls should love. She comes up with the weirdest words, and the funniest sayings that make you laugh right out loud! We miss her so very much and wish her the Happiest Birthday ever!! Love you Addi-cakes!

On Sunday, November 1st it's Grant's turn for a birthday. He is 2 years old! He is so adorable and always smiling and happy. You just can't resist his infectious little spirit...he makes you happy just to watch him! He talks and communicates so very well, and is just a lovable little guy...ALL boy! We also miss him...and hope his second birthday is a blast! We love you Granty-poo!

Happy Halloween to all of you!! May your treats be

many and your tricks be few...

Projects!

As most of you already know...we have been busy with a summer project...my parents house!! We pretty much gutted the upstairs down to the bare walls and floors on Memorial Day weekend, and have been working since to repair the damage!! We have thouroughly enjoyed having free reign and the nice funding by Mom and Dad...it has empowered us to do some great things. About the middle of the summer, I wasn't sure we would be able to finish...it was getting a little overwhelming, but thanks to the prayers of some mighty missionaries...things seemed to fall into place and move very quickly! We have enjoyed the weekends when Clint and Katie were able to go down with us and work...it always speeds things up with a couple of extra hands...and we have loved eating at Cafe Rio (Thanks to Mom and Dad) every afternoon after we have been working hard! I must say that the project is about to come to a close...so little left to do, one more weekend should accomplish that...I would love to post pictures, but we are keeping it under wraps until the Missionaries can return home and be the first to see their new home...so you'll all have to wait just one more month, or visit when they get back! Most of all, I would like to thank Brent, of which all this would not have been possible to accomplish without him. He is definitely a man of many trades and can do about anything...besides being a HARD worker...we have enjoyed the time together and have had a great memorable experience. Hopefully Mom and Dad will love it...and it will be a comfortable place in which to retire, or at least rest for a short while!! They are always busy, always serving others...they deserve a break, (at least for a week or two!)

A little update on our Missionary!

Recently, as you know, Jacob was called to serve as an Assistant to the President in his Mission. It has been a great experience for him, and has brought many blessings to his life...one of which has been to really be able to experience joy and less stress in his service. He has committed his life to this mission and has been a great example to all of us, of how to serve with love and devotion, and we are so proud of him.
I wrote Jake recently and asked a few questions about his mission and his new assignment...these were some things he wrote home about in answer to my questions:

"I promised to write and answer your questions, so...first of all..Elder Reynolds is not still an A.P. I took his spot literally and figuratively! The assignment of A.P is only for how long the Lord wants you there, so, no, it isn't usually until the end of your mission. I live in the apartment with Elder De Mass, Schmutz, Berlin and Harper. Elder De Mass is the other A.P. and my companion. He is a Dutch missionary, speaks Dutch and is from Murray, Utah...and yes he plays the bagpipes, really, really good, he has played since he was 11. There are only 2 A.P.'s one Dutch and one French Missionary, and our assignments are of course...incoming and outgoing missionaries, which is awesome! We also have a meeting with Pres. once a week, and we do whatever he wants or needs us to do. We also teach Zone Leader Councils and Zone Conferences. We have to go on exchanges with Zone Leaders and with other missionaries as directed and attend some interviews. Our schedule isn't too crazy or different from a normal companionship...we still proselyte, but weeks when we have exchanges, meetings, conferences, or interviews will be pretty much no proselyting, so it is busier and more responsibility...but less than I thought. We are at the Mission Home for incoming and departing missionaries and Zone Leader councils, but other than that...no. We see President at least once a week if not more...Monday mornings and afternoons are spent with him. In answer to your other question...yes, some parents come and pick their missionaries up, but Hmmmm...though I would love to show you around the mission, I think it would be cooler to come back a little later when I'm not a missionary. It is an option, but I don't know...it might be really weird...but that is a long time away, so no worries."

Jacob with Claire in the Gare du Midi. Clair is one of his most favorite people...a very special convert that he loves!

Here is a picture of Jake at the airport, with a departing group of missionaries. I could only tell it was him because of his suit,

but I knew immediately when I saw this...it was touching

to me to see the embrace of a dear friend, and under

this picture (found on the Mission Blog) was written:

Little Gestures

that sweeten the moment, stop time,

allowing us to pause to express or receive love,

for that instant, we're not going anywhere-

we're simply stopped in our tracks,

feeling the warmth of our loving connection.

My little 3:30 am Miracle!

As many of you may know...I have been writing Jacob through my personal email account since I got my new Blackberry, because it's a special treat to get buzzed around 2:30 - 3:30 in the morning when he replies to my letter and sends his.  My phone rings and I get to read his letter 'hot off the press'!  Well, last night, I wrote him on my home computer and just wrote on my regular bksimonson address and sent the letter...knowing that he would respond to that same address, and I wouldn't be buzzed...but that was OK.  I would get it first thing when I got up in the morning.  Well, long story short...Around 3:15, I woke up and looked at the clock and rolled over to go back to sleep, and all of a sudden I remembered that it was the time that Jake usually sends his letters...so I got up, went to the bathroom and then went in to the computer to check the mail.  Sure enough, there was a letter there...and as I began to read...he said that he was not able to open up his old email account and had to change to a new address:  jvonsimonson@myldsmail.net.  For some reason he could not bring it up...so he had not recieved any letters from home.  I looked up at the delivery time for the letter and it said 3:26.  It was now just 3:30!  I pulled up the letter I had sent to the old address, and typed in the new address and sent it, thinking that he probably would be gone and not get the letter until next week, but then I said just a short little prayer...Heavenly Father, please let Jacob get my letter...and in seconds an email popped up and said:  "Did you just get this on your Blackberry and forward my letter to me?  Respond quickly if you can???"  I responded that I had actually just woken up and happened to get his letter minutes after he had sent it, but I don't think he got this one... Another email popped up and said, "I don't know how I got this letter...but  I promise to write you a letter in response and send it to you.  Thank you!!!"  I was so grateful that he wouldn't have to go a week with no letter, and so grateful for a little prayer at 3:30 in the morning that was answered...Jacob would just say...."Another Miracle!"  So true.

A New Blog

Our son, Jacob, is currently serving in the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission as Assistant to President Brubaker. He has sent us this new blog address for anyone who is interested in the goings/comings in his Mission. Sis. Brubaker and the Office Elders keep this up with current pictures and happenings of the Mission. I will attach it to mine and also to Jacob's blog if anyone is interested!

belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com

Also, he has a new P-Day, which is on Saturday now, so look for his letters on Saturday morning now instead of Mondays!!

Happy Birthday September!!

September is a big month of birthdays for our family! The first one was yesterday...Brent, my husband of 32 years...turned the big 55 (he'll kill me for telling, but oh well). He is a wonderful father and husband and is continually trying to make me happy...thanks and Happy Birthday, honey! All my love...

On the 18th is Ali's day! She will be 7 years old! Wow how time flies. She is such a cutie pie and always is such a sweetheart to her Gramma. I love her so much and hope she has a wonderfully fun birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday Alyssa Jo!

September 24th is the birthday of my oldest daughter, Trisha Jo. Trisha is such a great mom and is alot like her Dad...She is super talented, organized and takes such good care of her little family. She doesn't show her emotions much, but she has them...and she is such a great daughter and good example to me...I love you Trish, and Happy Birthday!

Jaron, my oldest child...will turn 31 on September 27th!! Where has the time gone? He is living in Pennsylvania right now and a restaurant manager. He is a good dad and husband and has wonderful musical skills, I love to hear him sing...his voice warms my soul! I wish I could be there to sing Happy Birthday to you, right now Jaron...! I love you!