the cutest advent calendar ever...

...was recently created by my mother!  She made this for Gavin and now we're all coveting it.  :)

It was hanging up at my mom's house when we were there for Thanksgiving.  I think my dad was hoping it would stay at their house (my dad is the biggest fan of Christmas...EVER).  However, I believe it is now out in Maple Valley hanging with the Gavinator...as it should be.

How sweet are all of the little mittens?  We used the Cricut to cut out the tiny numbers.  Then, my mom glued them on to these tags she had covered in festive papers. 

Since last year, my mom's had a plan.  She knew she wanted to do something like this for her grandchild.  (Gavin was a little too young to appreciate it last year.)  So, grandma was on the lookout for mittens.  She made some, bought some and found some in her own decorative stash. 

There's plenty of room inside these little mittens to leave behind an advent treat.

Jamie was insisting that she should get the advent calendar since my mom has known her much longer than she has Gavin.  I'm not sure that's fair play, but she's got a point.  :)

Can't wait to see what grandma has in store for Gavin's little sister.  :)

i love these people...

...even if one of them likes to goof around when when taking pictures.

At least he behaved himself for this one...

About a month ago, we all went out to celebrate Bobby's birthday.  The last few years my folks have been out of town on the 19th of March, so this time around we made up for it!  Hooray for Bobby & dinner at Palisade!

These are basically the same picture...but some of us look better in one and some look better in the other.  So, I'm including both shots!

I love this bunch!

cousin parties...

Carly, one of Ben's cousins (and now one of my cousin-in-laws, as I like to call them), is gearing up to leave us soon.  She's heading out on a YWAM mission at the end of this month.  So, we've tried to get the cousins together a few times before she disappears for a few months.  We're sure going to miss her!  The last few weeks we've met for dinner, enjoyed some games, taken a field trip to drop of Taylor (Carly's younger brother) at the movies, jumped at Sky High, dined on Tex-Mex & Red Robin, reminesced about what life was like growing up as a member of the Simmons family, celebrated birthdays, and literally driven in circles.  It's been SO MUCH FUN...and I've got pictures to prove it!  :)

These photos were taken at Grandma and Grandpa's house - during the family birthday party.  Carly was there, I promise.  However, she didn't want her picture taken.  (Don't worry, she shows up below.)

Justin is not a part of the Simmons family (at least not yet).  He is Katie's boyfriend who willingly came up to the Island for one of our family birthday parties...and he fit right in.  I LOVE the fact that he's competitive too - just like the rest of the Simmons family!

This is a horrible picture - not because of the people, but because I was rushed and didn't do a good job!  We set off on an inpromptu adventure to drop off Taylor (see picture below).  He and his girlfriend were meeting to see a movie at the Clyde.  We wanted to show up and embarrass him.  From left to right you've got Justin, Caleb, Katie, Ben, Carly & Brandon.

Here's Taylor...gearing up for the big date.  He's a trooper for putting up with all of us!  :)  What a cutie-pa-tootie too!

Katie stood in the middle of the street for this picture.  I was pretending to take a photo of her when really, we were just hoping to keep an eye on Taylor and his sweet girlfriend...they are the two blurry figures in the back!  :)

More pictures coming...this was just one of our gatherings.

the cutest spill you've ever seen...

The day the NCAA bracket was announced, Ben and I went over the Bobby and Kelli's to watch the blessed event.  While we were there, Gavin decided to swipe some of the adult snacks.  We were all laughing at how cute he looked toting around a Coke bottle and a large bag of pretzels.  At one point, the combination proved to be a bit too heavy and the items fell to the floor.  Then, in slow motion (it seemed), we watched as Gavin picked up the bag of pretzels from the wrong end.

He was far more concerned than any of us.  We couldn't get enough.

Then, without any prompting, the little man decided to pick up his mess...one pretzel at a time.

I love him!