Happy Birthday Clinton!

Tomorrow is my son, Clinton's Birthday...he will be 28 years old!  Wow...he was born on our 5th anniversary in Provo, UT.  My only Utard!  (I was also born in Provo, UT!)  He always jokes about being the middle child and being neglected all these years...but we are making up for that now!!  He is our only child that lives close now, and we have enjoyed having him and his family around so much!

Clint is a happy, bouncy, and very funny guy.  We try not to laugh at his jokes, or fall for his silly practical jokes, or buy into his malarchy...but he has such a fun personality, it's hard not to like the guy!!  He is a great son...always obedient and honest to a T...and has always brought joy and goodness into our lives.

He is a great husband to Katie...and they are so cute together.  They enjoy the same things, can laugh at the same things, and seem to know just how to handle one another.

Clint is a great father...takes such good care of Corgin and Linkoln, and isn't afraid to pitch in and bathe, feed, change, wrestle...whatever, he just enjoys being a dad and loving his boys.

He's always loved to fish and just recently took up a little hunting, of which he was pretty pumped about!

And if you know Clint...he is probably reading this and saying..."What the heck?"  He cracks me up with his many faces, his jolly attitude, his weird sense of humor...etc.  But most of all, I appreciate his helpfulness, his love and support, his sense of responsibility, and the fine man he has become!  I love you so much Clinty-poo...and wish you the Happiest of Birthdays!!

Can it really be Spring??!!

When I went for a walk on Friday...the actual first day that it has been nice enough to go out and walk...it was just beautiful to see the green coming out, and the blue sky...in contrast to the snow we still have lingering on the mountains.  I just had to snap a few pictures.

Yes, the ski area still has quite a bit of snow...considering less than two weeks ago, they were still skiing up there...it is going quite quickly now with the warmer temperatures.

A lot of the trees are just budding out, but the spring green colors are starting to emerge!  Yay!

I LOVE the SUNSHINE...I LOVE SPRING!!

The newest little addition to the Simonson Family

Linkoln is growing each day...and getting more alert and cute!

Corgin and Linkoln in their matching jammies!

Corgin loves his new little brother.

The new and improved Simonson family...Katie, Clint, 

Linkoln, and Corgin

Grandpa enjoying the new baby...

Linkoln is the proud model for Grandpa's newest toy...the ipad!

a few days in Florida...

Besides our trip to Epcot/Disneyworld, and the graduation pictures that I already posted...we had a couple of days to just spend with Tanessa and Jake and do a few little things.  One day we drove out to Daytona Beach.  I was excited to go to Daytona...mostly because of all the things you hear about the Daytona Speedway...who knew it was right on a BEACH!!

Obviously a lot of people...

We had a good time sitting out in the sun, it was a cooler day, so the water was still a little nippy, but we caught some rays...

Addi chased a few seagulls...

made a few sandcastles...

...and we had a little lunch.   It was a fun few hours on the beach!

Then as we were heading home.  Jake took us into the parking lot of the speedway.  Nothing much was going on there, but we could hear some cars doing some practice runs...that was cool.

Here's Brent in front of the Stadium with our rental car.

It was neat to see where the Daytona 500 is run, and many Nascar events.

On our way home, we saw this little building...All covered and groomed with ivy...I thought it was interesting!  and cool!

We enjoyed being with our little granddaughters, and being there for Jake's special day.  We have missed Addi so much, and really enjoyed playing with her and loving and hugging her.  She is such a sweetie!

And little Brielle...we really just got to know her.  She has the cutest smile and giggle, and we so loved holding her and loving on her.  She won our hearts over!

Even wrapped for sleep with a binkie in her mouth...she can still crack a smile!!

We will miss our little girls...so hoped that they would get a job closer to home and move back so we could see them more...but I don't think that is going to happen now.

As of today, we have been informed that Jake has been offered a good job, staying right there in Florida, and it looks like they will be staying...SO SAD!  But congratulations to them, and best of luck in your plans and adventures.  We miss the babies...we miss you...thanks for being such good hosts and we had a great time!  Hope to be able to visit again really soon!

Happy Birthday Danny!

Today is the birthday of my son in law Daniel.  He was the very first of the in laws to join our family and we have never quite been the same!  We have had so many laughs and he has brought lots of excitement into our family!   He is always quick witted, has a sunny outlook on life and continues to make me smile, except when he succeeds in making me cry!

He has quite a love for life, for his wife Trisha, his kids 

Alissa and Grant, his truck, and his Mariners.

He is fun and funny, he is a great dad and a great eye doctor...he approaches life with gusto, for which I am always envious...his good attitude and positivity.

And as for today...may you always keep smiling...may you always get the things you want out of life, and may you always remember those who love you the most!  Happy Birthday...I love you!

Jake's Graduation!

On Saturday, May 1st...we attended the graduation of our
son-in-law, Jake Larsen, at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.  Jake has been attending there for the past two years and just completed his MBA.  We are so very proud of him and his accomplishments!

Jake also graduated in the top of his class and was inducted

into Beta Gamma Sigma with honors.

The cute little Larsen family...Jake, Tanessa, Brielle, and Addisyn

Jake and his parents, Terry and Rick Larsen

All of us after the graduation.  Lots of good company!

The beautiful Larsen Family

Congratulations Jake and Tessy...we love you 

and wish you the best of luck in the future!

Disneyworld/Epcot Center...

Last Wednesday, we went back to Disneyworld with Tess and Jake to explore Epcot Center.  We had visited before, but didn't take any time to go around to all the world exhibits.   It was a beautiful day, only about 78 degrees and it was so comfortable and nice!

They were having a week of botanical floral displays...so all over the park were beautiful floral arrangements and these awesome characters all made out of flowers and shrubs.

Addi with Goofy, Daisey and Donald Duck

Jake, Tanessa and Addi with Mickey and Minnie

Addi at the Princess and the Frog Garden

First we went on a few rides...which HAD to include one of our favorites...and Addi's especially...the Nemo ride!

Then we visited all the countries.. first stop Mexico!

And Norway...Then on to China...

Addi and I are in there somewhere...(Brent took the picture!)

Some more cool floral things floating in the waters!

Addi got to meet Mulan..

Then on to Germany to this quaint little village where Brent and Jake got some amazing Bratworste and Sauerkraut.

And this little diamond studded castle, worth a mere $37,500!

We visited, Marraco...

France...where we ate the most amazing French Pastries EVER!

United States of America!

Japan...

Then on to England, where Jake and I ate some scrumptious fish and chips!

A last little stop at Canada to see the Waterfalls...

and that was about it...our Epcot Adventure...

the only thing left to do was to get some Ears for the kiddies!!

Thanks so much Tess and especially Jake...that made it all possible on a tight budget...we had a GREAT time!  Couldn't have been a more perfect visit!