Thanksgiving!

The whole Simmons clan, minus Heath of course came up to OreGON to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. The best part was that Dustin, Rachelle, Aidan and Matty coming was a TOTAL surprise for mom's birthday! (Serious brownie points dad, if you were one of us, you would've gotten the Favorite Child Award for sure!!!) Dustin and Rachelle flew in Monday afternoon. Around midnight, we woke up Aidan to surprise "Brie Gramma" (Aidan's title for mom). Mom and Dad and the girls borrowed Grandpa Simmons' RV and arrived around 12:30am. Everyone knew about the surprise but Mom, so it was AWESOME!!! We mostly just hung out and enjoyed everyone's company, but here are pictures from the week. By the way...I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner. Monumental I tell you. My mom and I both had never cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving, so we googled, "How do I cook a Turkey?" I must say, it was the BEST turkey I'd ever had. Mom, Dad and Dallas all said so and they have no problem being honest about those things, so I believe them...super moist and very flavorful...we followed a recipe from a guy who took 56 years to perfect cooking a turkey. Yay for the internet. Thanks to Selonna, we had amazing mashed potatoes, and thanks to Rachelle those rolls were AMAZING. The rest was good, but those were my highlights. So...here are the pictures. Warning, most are of Aidan because he was really the entertainment all week. He's 3. When I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up, he said, "An excavator, so I can dig!" Are you serious? What 3 year old can say Excavator. He's a genius. We also made him recite this cute little rhyme that his nursery teacher taught to him:

I had a tiny turtle, his name was Tiny Tim,
I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim!
He drank up all the water and ate up all the soap
And now he's stuck in bed with a bubble in his throat!
Bubble, bubble, bubble,
bubble, bubble, bubble,
bubble, bubble, bubble,
Bubble, Bubble, POP!!!!
Adorable....

Aidan enjoying the RV!

Aidan and Dallas on the Elephant Trike at the Zoo

Brie and Me...and Brookie!!

I love my sister!

Us and the cuddly bears.

Seriously Dust, I hope you guys have this one framed!
This is Matty, don't you just wanna squeeze him?!

Aidan is almost as tall as the bears!

Brie and Aidan trying to keep warm!

Brooke being affectionate with the big friendly stuffed bear. (Actually, we live in Oregon, it's probably not stuffed, it's probably just fake.)

AND...we have a new addition to the family. Please help us welcome Jackson our new...DOG!!! He's crazy. We love him. The cats don't. He's a little over a foot long and about 6 inches tall. We got him from some of our friends and the poor little man just got his manhood removed a week ago. But he's still super cute, he just has awful breath. But, we are doing well with being consistent and he is doing pretty well with potty training. Good practice eh? :) Here's a video Dallas took of Jackson and Toby...lol...sibling rivalry begins.

Alien Invasion!

Hi everyone. We just wanted to make an exciting announcement about an alien invasion. Some of you have already received the alert. As for the rest of you, please see below and mark your calendars for May 30, 2009. This will be intense!



We'd like to introduce you to our new little alien baby. This ultrasound picture was from my 8 1/2 week appointment, so it's been a while, but I'm now just getting around to the blog updating...sorry. :) I'm almost 16 weeks already, craziness. I feel fabulous. Chelsie you were right...13 weeks is golden...and whoever invented the term morning sickness needs to be shot. It's NOT MORNING sickness. It's ALL day. I really can't complain though, I can count how many times I threw up on two hands, so I think I can get over myself. Now we are working through the "Every day is a fat day," stage. Also not that bad. Clothes are tight, maternity clothes are just that...MATERNITY clothes, and I'm not feeling so maternity like quite yet. But 9 months is a short sacrifice I think. Being pregnant has been amazing though, I'll be honest. Crazy to think we get to participate in creating life. Dallas and I are so excited to be parents and ready to take on the challenges and enjoy the blessings as they come. I think I'm most excited to see Dallas become a dad. He's going to be so great and I can't wait to see his face the first time he holds the baby.

So, no guarantees that I will post regular pregnancy pictures because I keep forgetting to take them. But, here's my 13 week picture...I guess that means I should take another one soon, yeah? Maybe I'll see how long I can wear this dress and just keep taking pictures in it. Dresses are much more comfortable I decided...no need to readjust your waste on any pants or skirts, just put it on and you're good. Should I get a mumu now? Lol...yeah RIGHT!



We'll keep you posted. All you people that have babies and blog about them, give me your secrets about adding fun stuff to our blog about baby updates and stuff so I can save myself having to look it up. :)

I'm grateful for...

I'm not sure why I always have to wait till Thanksgiving and Christmas to really start reflecting and thinking about the things I'm grateful for. One of my New Years resolutions is going to be a grateful journal I think. I kept one when I was in college and it is so fun to go back and read through those journals and see all the simple, yet profound blessings I've received in my life.

It is always so fun to see how much families and friends grow at this time of year. We are starting to get all of our annual Christmas cards and updates and it feels like the older I get, the faster the time flies and the more change becomes a part of my every day life.

Dallas would have to be the biggest thing I am grateful for. He has such an amazing perspective on life and love and remains extremely balanced in an imbalanced world. Any of you that knew me between the ages of 13-20 know that "balanced" was not necessarily part of my vocabulary at that time...but I suppose it's a time for imbalance for most people. It is so funny to think back to my high school and college days and how much the slightest thing would throw off my whole day and how DRAMATIC every insignificant thing seemed to be. I had a conversation with a friend a few months back about how our tolerance and flexibility for things changes and increases as we experience more difficult or complex things. True, yeah? Dallas was in China for almost a month during October-November and while he was away, I was reminded of how much our little every day conversations help me keep that balance and perspective in my life. He truly helps me be more than what I'm capable of being on my own. Everyone should be married to someone like Dallas. :)

Another person I am so grateful for and have been thinking a lot about lately is my Grandma Simmons. What a pillar of strength! She passed away in October, which caught us all by surprise because she'd been so healthy her whole life. Even though her body was weak for those last few months, her mind and spirit were still so sharp. The week before she died she was explaining to me the importance of communication and how so many people live such unhappy lives because they are unwilling to do the work it takes to communicate with each other. She was a master communicator. There wasn't a whole lot of "beating around the bush" with Gramma. I emailed her one of those recipe email chains a few years ago and her response was, "Ashley, take my name off your list for recipes. I don't like to cook and don't cook too often. Would rather play golf!!! ~Grandma Simmons

Great, right? I love it! She was also great with giving counsel and advice. Never preachy or pushy, but always encouraging and positive. I think she is the most positive person I know. She's the kind that you could go for weeks without talking to and then just pick up right where you left off like you never missed a beat. Here's an email I got from her back in 2005 right after I graduated and right before we moved to China: "Continue to make very intelligent and heartfelt decisions. Eventually these become your pride and honor. We are here to help if we can and to love you unconditionally. You are going to do well in China because you have each other and God in your life to help guide you both. If challenges come up, there will be help somewhere and you will find it. I always felt God was on my shoulder and only whispered advice when I was really perplexed with any important decision. So you see why I am always positive-- I truly believe God will always watch over me-- Simple -- Right? Faith will keep you free---especially from fear and worry. We will be there at your graduation to cheer you on to bigger and better things. Just don't lose sight of the important things. Love each other and God."

Good stuff, huh?
I do have to say that I am so grateful for such selfless parents. Everyone experiences the different stages of mourning in different ways and in different times. It was truly amazing to see how selfless they were in the short few weeks we had with Gramma before she went Home and since then while assisting with all the arrangements. It was never about them. It was about celebrating Gramma and her life and making sure that Grampa and Gramma Boyer are taken care of. It's been such a testimony and great lesson to watch how the family came together. My brother Heath is wise beyond his years and I thought that some of the insights he had were comforting at the time of her passing.

He wrote:
"The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life. Even when mourning the death of loved ones you can receive comfort in the assurance that families can be together forever. We have nothing to fear. But, all the understanding in the world will not remove the pain that must be felt...and the Lord wouldn't have it any other way."

We miss and will continue to miss Gramma till we meet again, but are grateful and better for having her in our lives. She didn't leave without a fight and she was a tough one for 69!! Here's my favorite picture of her so you can see how beautiful she is.



Grandma and Grandpa Simmons celebrated their 50th anniversary last December. Dallas and I only have 45 1/2 more to go to get there!! :)

Concerts over the last few months

One thing that I've always wanted to do more of was attend live concerts for bands and musicians that I like.  Growing up, I always remember my siblings attending various concerts and wishing I could have gone as well.  My first musical experieince was seeing the Phantom of the Opera in 5th grade.   The other musician that I saw anytime he was in concert was Jon Schmidt.  I loved these performacnes, but I still didn't get to see live bands and experieince rock and roll the way it was meant to be experienced.  I wasn't able to attend a real concert until my junior year in high school.  The Steve Miller Band came to Idaho, and it was great.  The next concert I saw was after I got married.  Ashley took me to see Collective Soul for my birthday.  Since then, I decided that we should attend a concert at least once or twice a year.  Since last year, we have been able to see live in concert the following groups.  

The Moody Blues (Age has not affected their sound at all)

The Foo Fighters (They can put on a show)

The Phantom of the Opera (Always a beautiful show.  It gets better each time)

Angels & Airwaves (I like their album better than their live stuff)

Weezer (Just incredible and hilarious.  I'd see them again)

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Every one should see them once in concert.  Cool experience)

Jason Mraz (Best. Gifted. Musician. Performer. Ever!)

I've got pictures from some of these concerts, and I've posted them below.  They were all very good performers.  The only 2 groups that I wouldn't go see are The Foo Fighters and Angels & Airwaves.  The reason being that they have horrible potty mouths that just made me cringe.  I wouldn't recommend anyone going to those two for that reason.  On a side note, The Foo Fighters know how to rock and their music was incredible.  Anyway, here are the pics.  Enjoy.

The Foo Fighters

Weezer

Angels & Airwaves opened for Weezer

My Motorcycle

Okay, It's been way too long since we've had any blog posts, so I'm going to start with this one.  Hopefully this will be the first of lots.  So as many of you know, I decided to purchase a motorcycle.  Well, soon after that I found another bike that was the perfect fit for me.  So I sold that one and bought this one (This was back in August by the way).  Here are some pics and other pics from the motorcycle trip that I took with the guys in September.

This is us out by Mt. Adam's on the Washington side.  It was a beautiful ride around these areas, and we had the perfect weather.  This spot by Mt. Adam's also had the most amazing Huckleberry Shakes.  I can't wait till next season to go back just to have those shakes.

Here are some pictures of my bike.  It's a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan, 805cc.  It rides like a dream, and I've had a blast riding into to work for the last few months.

You had to have been there...

You see the guy in the white shirt in the stands? That's not me, but we were just as close to the field. We were one section over to the left, and had a great view of this kick. I can't wait till we crush UCLA next week!!

Toilet Cleaning Instructions :) I died laughing when I read this

When I read this, I laughed so hard I almost wet myself. Mainly because I could envision Ashley doing this to our cats and loving and minute of it :) These are actual pictures or our cat Zee after a bath... no it wasn't what you think... I hope... :)

Toilet Cleaning Instructions:
1. Put seat and lid of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.

4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.

5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash' and 'rinse'.

6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can and quickly lift the seat and lid.

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Sincerely,

The Dog (Salsa)

Cats... And you thought I wouldn't post about them again!

Well, it has been too long since you've seen some pictures of our cats. So in order to show you our posterity of Felines, I'm giving you a family tree posting of our cats! You remember that Zee ran off and got herself knocked up exactly one year ago yesterday. 2 months later, she had three little kittens. Their names are Toby, Bruno and Jack. Bruno and Jack live in wonderful homes with some of my co-workers and are more spoiled than Toby and Zee :) (I know you don't believe me, but I swear it's true!)

So how bout a few pics! I think ya'll remember the whole gang.

This is Bruno. All of these cats have a thing for sleeping flat on their backs with their legs sticking in every direction.

Here's Toby doing the same thing.

I think Toby has perfected the art of sleeping on his back.

And Jack has it in his system as well.

Apparently these cats enjoy the cool porcelain of bathroom sinks and toilets. Very common places I catch these guys trying to drink water.

Here's Jack with the same habit of porcelain napping.

You can see that Zee is not always the best example for her young.

And here is Jack again, doing what cats do best... being lazy :)

And on a final note, this picture is of our "Monster Cat" as Ashley lovingly calls him/her. We're not sure what this cat is, but when his/her fur is long, it's a mean scary looking cat. Last April (or maybe it was October) while I was traveling to China, Ashley left the garage door cracked overnight. This was so the cats could come inside because they had snuck out. Well Ashley woke up to our cats hissing at something, and this was what Ashley saw. The "Monster Cat". It was like 3 or 4 in the morning. Ashley jumped out of bed and chased this cat around our house with a long shoe horn of mine, and Zee also chased and hissed. Finally, she opened the front door and the cat ran outside. I think Toby was hiding under the bed during this chase. Well, since then, our cats have befriended this stray cat, and he/she hangs out in our front yard all the time. He/she wouldn't let me touch her for a long time, but would come real close. About a week ago, this cat finally let me pet him/her and has been quite friendly. I'm pretty sure he/she doesn't have a home becuase of how skittish he/she is. So we've kind of adopted another cat that doesn't live with us, but likes to visit us outside.

Portland's Hood to Coast Relay Race

So one of the other crazy things I tried to make my body do was Hood to Coast. Also known as "The Mother of All Relays". Hood to Coast is a 197 mile relay race of 12 person teams that starts on Friday and finishes on Saturday some time. The picture below is my team. We started at 2:00pm on Friday and finished Saturday at 6:05pm. We were pretty proud of ourselves and had a blast training and preparing for this event.

All of the teams that compete have to use 2 vans to shuttle their runners back and forth to various exchanges. The vans are also decorated with many various themes and random themes. Here are a few pictures of our van and some other vans.

There are certain rules about drinking during the race... I thought this was a creative way around that rule.

This was after my first leg of the race. I ran 3 separate legs in the relay (every team member does), and my mileage totaled around 19 miles. This first one of mine was 6.9 miles long. I felt pretty good until I tried to run the second leg :)

One of the most challenging things to do was find a way to sleep. The longest amount of time we had was about 2 hours to sleep. We crashed at one our team members houses for those 2 hours and this is me trying to sleep on the love seat.

We were able to catch 15 - 20 min naps occasionally as well. There are 4 of us sleeping here, one hidden in the back.

And we even tried the tarp once. This was probably the most comfortable for everyone, but no one slept very long because of the bright light.

Overall, it was a fun experience and I would enjoy doing it again. I'd like to be about 10 pounds lighter next year and maybe stretch better as well :)

I made it through a Sprint Triathalon

So the beginning of this year, my good friend Scott comes up to me and says, "Hey, a bunch of guys from my ward are doing a triathalon. You want to do it with me?" And I had been thinking a lot about how bad a shape I was in, so I said yes before my body could tell me no :)

So Scott, here's a big thank you for helping me commit to something I wouldn't have done with out your support and friendship. As you can see, this is Scott and I right before the race. (And no, we didn't get to choose the swim cap colors. Although, I am a fan of baby blue!) By the smiles on our faces, you can tell that we haven't done anything yet. This was right before we tried to swim 1/2 mile.

I have no idea which swimmer is me, but I would guess for the one in last place... just a hunch.

We have some video I'll try to post later, but the next part of the race was a 12.5 mile bike ride. That was intense, but not nearly as hard as the swim.

The race finished with a 5k (3.1 mile) run. I took my time on that because my legs didn't feel like moving after the bike. About 2 miles into the run, my legs felt better and I was able to finish with a little bit of a kick. It was a blast though, and I was able to meet my time goal and my other goal of not drowing in the lake. All in all, I only cursed at Scott once for talking me into doing this, and it was during the swim so I'm pretty sure he didn't hear me :) I'm just thankful that Scott helped me to start training for something again, and we're way stoked for the next one. Here's a picture of us after the race. We're still smiling, but it's not as easy as before I think :)