Rest In Peace, Don Simmons

Sadly I am writing to say that my father-in-law, Donald Eddy Simmons passed away a little after 5 am, on Saturday January 29, 2011... He was 85yrs old.. We are still in shock..

First Day of My New Job!

Today was a great day, and it was my first day at my new job.. I will be working nights but today I was training. It was so nice to be back at work in the medical field and back with adults... I think I forgot how much I missed it and needed it. Not that I didn't love watching kids, but I needed more... For someone who was being trained, I got a crash course. We were slammed from 9-2 straight.. At one point we had 7 people that came in at once.. I did pretty good and I think I understand it for the most part. It's much different system then I used when I work for another ER. But I think I am catching on. This weekend I work nights 7p-7a. And next week is my last week with my wildman Finn. But I will get to still see him at church and Tuesdays, at mom time.. Can't wait till the weekend and see how things go.

Finally we got them!

We have been waiting for the mail to come with our catalogs that Alison was in... And today the UPS Man came! At last we have them, they sent us 10 copies of the catalog. It was cute to see her face when I was waiting for her to get home from school and had the book in my hand.. I wished I would have recorded it, it was PRICELESS!

My Vintage Baby Spring Line

This is a short video clip of the new Spring/Summer 2011 Line that Alison did the photo shoot for. She is at the end at 1.11 it's fast... But you can go to My Vintage Baby website and see more.. She is wearing the Ditsy Dots Line...

Ft Worth Rodeo

Mary and I (friends for 23yrs)...

Alison, Cash and Charlie before the rodeo (sorry the photos were taken on my phone)




Mary's husband Wade, getting ready for his turn.

My good friend of 23yrs, WOW that is scary 23yrs... Mary and her famuly were up here at the Ft Worth at the Rodeo. So Craig and I and the kids headed to the rodeo.. Mary's hubby Wade does Team Roping in the rodeos. It was so great to see Mary again, meet her hubby and her two cute boys Cash and Cole. Alison was in hog heaven and got to ride Ceaser, their horse (one of their many horses). Charlie loved it as well, and it's so neat to see the excitement on my kids face when they love something so much.. And then Mariam our exchange student from the Republic of Georgia, rode a horse for the first time in her life. Then it was time for the rodeo to start and so in we went. It was a nice and small arena. And I think it was a neater experience since we knew someone out there competing.. It was a great time, and loved being with Mary and her family... Can't wait to go down to Houston and see her again.

Some preview photos from the Catalog Shoot

Here are some of the photo's from Alison's catalog shoot.. A friend of mine is a rep for the company and she sent them to me. The catalogs were mailed out yesterday and I can't wait to see them, but this will do until then...

So I thought I would give you all a preview as well... enjoy!

Pinewood Derby~

Tonight was the Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts, and it was a great night. The kids all did very well... Lots of neat looking cars. There were some great times on the heats. Charlie won 2nd place and Alison won as well for the sibling race. And then our best friends son Logan, won 2nd place in his rank...


WAY TO GO CHARLIE, ALISON and LOGAN!!!!

American Heart Assocation

If you look to the right, it says "School Fundraiser" and then it says Charlie & Alison you can click on their names and make a donation for their school fundraiser.. They are doing the Jump for Life...

Alison and Charlie are jumping for their Great Grandfather who died from Heart Disease and their Great Uncle Tim who had bypass surgery..

This is close to our hearts, yes pun intended.. Thanks in advance for your pledge.

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Yeah for me!

I am having to get use to planning and shopping for two weeks vs every week. I have gone shopping every day, which was Wednesday for the past 13yrs and now we are on the 15th and 30th. But I did it, the menu, the recipes, then grocery list. It's printed and on the fridge. We just make off what we make, so we know what is left.

Beef Stew & Cornbread
Chicken & Rice Casserold, Salad
Quiche & Fruit
Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Corn on the Cob & Salad
Beef Stroganoff, Salad and Green Beans
Shepp. Pie & Salad
Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, French Fries
BBQ Meatballs, Noodles, Peas
Italian Chicken, Steamed Veggies, Fruit
English Muffin Pizza, and Salad
Tacos, Rice and Black beans
Breakfast
Salsa Chicken, Rice and Corn Bread
Fish Tacos, Cole Slaw and Fruit
Bruschetta Chicken Bake, Salad and Green Beans
Honey Spicy BBQ Chicken, Rice and Corn
Leftovers!

Snow in Texas Photo

(this is my view from my backporch, I love this view.. One reason I love my house..


And this was on Sunday and the snow is still on the ground, at least up in our area. It's so beautiful, and the temps only got to a brisk 29*. Tonight it's suppose to drop down to 16*, burr.... I am so love this weather..

Great News!

What a way to start the new year, I got the Job!!!! Praise God....

IT'S SNOWING IN TEXAS!

Gotta love it, it's only January 9th and it's snowing. What a great way to start the new year. It's so beautiful, looks like a Winter Wonderland.. I am ready to take the kids out and play and take some photos... So far at 1:30 we have almost 2 inches..

Great News!

First of all, on the way to meet with Page Parks Modeling we get a phone call and Alison is to read a script with a Disney Rep w Casting next Saturday.

Second we get to Page Parks and she pushed Alison through, they want her for Print and Fashion.. they do a scoring system of 1 out of 5. And you have to get a 4 or better to sign with them, Alison got a 4.8 out of 5. She did her first reading with them as well, at first she was nervous and then the chatty cathy side came out and she was laughing and talking away.

Tomorrow we go back to do paperwork and so forth with Page Parks Modeling!!

We are proud of our Drama Queen!

Busy Day

Today Craig and Charlie headed out early for Cubscout Cub-O Camp, should be interesting since it's suppose to freeze tonight and snow tomorrow, all day.. Thank goodness for great -30 Sleeping Bags, they should be warm.

Alison and I are heading to meet with the Page Parkes Modeling Agency today. Wish us luck, but I think Alison has got this. She loves the camera and listens to the photographers instruction.

One more week and the catalog that she did the modeling for will be out and should have 10 copies being mailed to my house soon.

Funky Day at School

Way to go Charlie & Alison

Charlie & Alison received some awards today at their school award ceremony. Charlie got the Perfect Attendence award and Alison got the Perfect Attendence and Citizenship Award.. WAY TO GO, We are so proud of you both!!!! Keep up the great work!

Yeah first week of a new job and career for Craig!

Craig finished his first week at his new job.. It's been so nice having my hubby home in the afternoon vs so late like before. And it's neat that he is home on Friday's... And soon also on Wednesdays. It's an adjustment but it's a good thing.

American Girl Store & Bistro

Sunday, Monette and I took the girls out for some Mommy/Daughter time.. We headed to the American Girl Store & Bistro. The girls got their dolls hair done, and we grabbed an amazing lunch, looked around. I think that Alison has a wish list a mile long for her birthday that isn't for 9mths, LOL... :)

Barnes Family Christmas, Great times!

New Years Day, the Barnes family got together finally to have our Christmas. It was a fun and nice time together. My uncle Tim and my brother had a cake off, and they were both amazing, and it was hard to choose cause they were two totally different cakes. The kids had a great time playing together, Charlie & Alison love playing with their cousin Lucas. My grandma always makes us laugh, she is funny ok, it's more she does funny stuff that makes us laugh..