Celebrating Christ!!

Not that I don't celebrate the birth of Christ all year, but it's so special to have a day where I can ponder this miracle. God, became man, and died for me so I can live with Him eternally. wow. Pretty spectacular.

Kyle and I spent Christmas Eve and Day with my family. It's becoming a Simmons tradition for my Daddy to cook a standing rib roast for Christmas lunch. And if I have anything to say about it, I think it is a fabulous tradition. He promptly ushered each new guest over to the oven and showed off his hunk of sizzling meat to everyone as they walked in the door that morning. My grandparents and aunt and uncle came over to join us Christmas day. I attempted to make a white chocolate cheese cake for dessert and it turned out perfect. I was so proud of myself, hehe. It was so nice to have everyone together. We played games and ate and ate and ate and ate.... it had to end a little early for us since I had to work very early the next morning but it was such a great day.

Then after I finally got off work on Saturday we headed to Jacksonville to see Kyle's family. It was a treat to get to see John, Diane and Savannah too!!! We did a lot of good eating at the Fescoe's house too. The homemade ravioli and egg plant rollatini were amazing!!! It was a very nice and relaxing time, I'm so glad my work schedule worked out so we could stay a few days.

Kyle is enjoying his last few days off of work. It has been a very nice 2 week break for him. He has done everything on his honey-do list ;)

Happy New Year everyone!!!


Eric(Lesley's boyfriend), Lesley, Leah, Me and Kyle

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the year!!

We have been very busy with Christmas activities this past week or so!

We enjoyed our town Christmas parade last Sunday. To be such a small town it was quite a long parade. We decided there are about 100 dance studios around here, good grief, they took up at least half the parade. And my Jazzercise studio was in the parade but I decided not to participate because then you don't get to see the rest of the parade. Maybe next year. ;)

Saturday I went to two family Christmas events. Poor Kyle had to work and missed all the fun. The first visit was with my Grandfather's side of the family. That is a very small crowd, and getting smaller every year. It's actually kinda sad to see them all so sick and feeble. But it was still fun and we had a great BBQ meal, can't go wrong with that!

Then my Mom's side of the family had their Main Event at my aunt's house. The whole family was together for the first time in a long time. I have 15 cousins on that side of the family and all of them were there except three. And the cousins brought all their kids too. So there was almost 40 of us total crammed in the house. I love it!! It's crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way! There were three babies there under a year old so I was in heaven. I just went from one baby to the next, totally being a baby hog. hehe. It was so much fun!!

We have one more Christmas party to attend this Saturday and we are excited about that! The theme is "An International Christmas" so we are all bringing foods from around the world. We have it easy, we are doing Chinese!!

And the baking is starting this week as well!! I have a whole list of goodies to make this year, it's going to be yummy!!

Here are some of my favorite pics:

Mom and Dad



Me, Holly and Nevaeh



Lesley, Leah and Kooper(he was being a good listener during the story)


two sweet girls, Joli and Nevi