Crazy Month

The month of January has been crazy! Crazy pollen, crazy viruses, and crazy weather.

First up - We have had record breaking Cedar pollen levels. When we moved here everyone warned me about the cedar pollen. It's bad. Get on meds. OK I thought, I'll stock up on Allegra and we should be good to go. Well, then it came. And it came at record breaking levels. There were videos of brown plumes of pollen blowing out of the trees. My sinuses swelled shut. To put it on mathematical terms, a high level of pollen is 500. During the first days, the levels were 16,000! I took a day off of work, ended up at the doctor finally, got stronger meds and stayed inside. :-)

So my doctor visit was on a Monday. On Tuesday night Grant came into our room and said he his stomach hurt. So I gave him a drink of water, tucked him back in, gave him a bowl and hoped for the best. Well he was back at 3am. And bless his heart, he got most of it in the bowl. That's when I remembered my friend telling me her son was sick on Monday. Then Grant had a friend out on Tuesday. Grant (along with 7 other classmates) was out on Wednesday. His other friend got it Thursday and then 2 were out on Friday. It was incredible! This virus FLEW through Kindergarten. Luckily for us it was short lived and he was up and feeling better Wednesday afternoon and no one else in the house got it.

The next Monday was MLKJr. Day, so no school. Well, then that Thursday the weather people were so excited because we too were going to feel the effects of the Polar Vortex. Friday school was cancelled. We had sleet...no snow...and icy streets. But, have no fear, we were back up to 80 on Sunday!

Well, don't get comfortable at 80, because here comes that nasty vortex again! It hit us last night (Monday). So, once again, no school! It's nuts. We have already burned through our bad weather make up days. I hope this vortex goes away! I don't know what we will do next time.

Why is Jen telling us all this? Well, because I don't have many pictures or videos to share. We haven't been doing anything because one of us has been sick or the polar vortex has been making life difficult.

All that said, Sunday was beautiful and everyone was feeling good...so out we went! I had seen a post about a ghost town east of Austin. I mentioned it to Beckett and everyday he asked if we were going. So it was pretty funny when we told him we were going. He asked Roger if it was real. Roger said yes, it's going to be real (meaning there will be real buildings to explore.) Beckett took it as yes, there will be real ghosts. He came running me and said, Mom, tell dad it's not real! Poor kid...he was genuinely concerned.

The ghost town ended up being a lot bigger than I thought and we had a great time.

 So, Beckett loves his scooter and he loves his Darth Vadar cape. The 2 came together during this park outing. :-)

 Here are the kids out playing in our "snow." See the grill - thats just sleet/ice and that's all we got. 

 Oh yeah - and Flat Stanley came to visit. We finally took him out and about. Poor Stanley...he's been forgotten in his envelope in the kitchen.

 At the general's desk in the frontier fort.

 Up at the top of the wall in the fort.

 Beckett pounding away on the piano.

 Beckett lookin swag on the fort wall.

 Coming down off the wall.

 The "boys" in jail.

Grant said - let's look upset that we are in jail. :-)

Beckett has always enjoyed singing in the car. Lately he has begun to try to make up words along with the song. It's really funny. I tried to be sly and capture it on video without him knowing. Well, as you can see, he quickly figures it out. It's funny nonetheless. :-)

Christmas Wrap-Up

I finally downloaded my phone. Not too many pictures, but a fun video of their Razor 360 Rip Riders. Very fun and crazy bikes.

So after seeing how crazy these bikes can be, here is a funny story:

After playing with the 360s for about half an hour or so, Grant decided he wanted to switch out to his scooter. Beckett wanted to stay on his 360. After grabbing Grant's scooter and returning to the basketball court, I overheard this:

Grant: Hey Beckett, I bet you can't ride in a nice straight line like I can. (He scoots across the court in a nice straight line)

Beckett: No, but I bet you can't do this! (He pedals across the court at top speed and then spins crazily).

Once again, another true example of their personalities.

And here are a few pictures.

 Beckett cuddling up with Drew to watch The Incredibles. Wow - those are 2 tired Simmons boys!

 Beckett snuggling in for a little Macie book time.

 The whole crew on our bowling outing.

Very proud to say that I had the highest score among the dirls - 109 baby! :-)

 Beckett the photog at dinner.

 Another Beckett pic.

 My view as I was reading on the pier. AAHHH....

 Kids have some extra energy? Your feet hurt? Have your kids punch the bottom of your feet. Surprisingly it feels really nice! :-)

 Beckett taking a little rest on top of Roger while Grant continues to pound away.

 Connie with the boys

We are doing well. School starts up again on Monday. I think that it will be good to get the kids back into a routine. But I am definitely dreading the mornings. If you can believe it, both the boys are actually sleeping until 7 these days! And no they are not staying up late at all. It's going to be a rough adjustment!

Cedar season is here! The first day was Wednesday and we broke the record for particles in the air - something not seen since 1994. Welcome to Austin Fall Simmons Family! Luckily I am the only one that seems to be really affected.

More Christmas Photos

My aunt Amy uploaded her photos and I wanted to make sure I shared hers as well. I haven't downloaded my camera completely so there might be another post. I also have some pictures and video of the kids presents we had here at the house. Razor scooters and 360 Rip Riders! WOO-HOO!

For those that don't know the Farrells - well they are a crazy bunch. We always have a great time together and are already thinking about the next big get together.

The funnest part for me is I remember Josh and I rippin and roarin with Uncle Dave and Uncle Pete. Always pushing the envelope and the rules. And now I see my boys doing the same thing - with all the cousins thrown into the mix. As you will see in some of the pictures, my boys received dart guns for Christmas and sometimes the beach house felt like a dart war zone! Darts a flyin and bodies ducking for cover. Very fun.

Once again, these pictures are totally out of order. Sorry.

 Ryan and Grant on their nature scavenger hunt.

 Beckett, Grant and Randy heading out on Cap's boat.

 Attempt at a group photo - I love these when no one is expecting the picture to be taken. :-)

 Grant launching out for battle on the USS Lexington.

 Megan and Grant fishing from the pier.

 Some of the cousins - (L to R) Lindsey, Megan, Aileen and Conor

 Beckett and glitter glue - a dangerous combination! :-)

 3D movie on the USS Lexington - front to back - Pete, Conor, David, Beckett and Grant. Roger is next to Grant (unseen.)

 The Farrell 5 - Barbara, Amy, Connie, Pete and David

 A wreath of mini-sausages wrapped in crescents

 The boys built this tower of Solo cups - Amy peeking through the middle.

 Megan and Beckett. Beck is wearing these head lamps that light up a special football they got. Who needs the dark - let's just wear them in the house! :-) 

 Aileen, Megan and Grant making popsicle snowflakes.

 Oh Beckett....could you try just a little bit?

The Simmons with Macie and Cap

 Another not ready picture. Check out Beckett up front. He was so done and tired.

 Lindsey, Aileen, and Megan - missed you Morgan!

 Megan mid dart gun battle - RUN FOR COVER MEG!

 Grant getting a little cuddle time with Macie

 Just the boys hit the Lexington - l to r - Roger, Drew, Cap (with Grant and Beckett), Pete, David, Ryan, Conor and Randy

When I asked Beckett if I could go to he said - No mom, no dirls!

 Grant in the captains chair on the Lexington

 Imelda and her AMAZING scones. Seriously - you have never had a scone until you have had one of these. THANK YOU IMELDA!!!

 Beckett out of control. I love this picture.

 I love this one too - Beckett and Dave having a chat about the presents under the tree.

 And yet another fav! Such great expressions on both! David and Beckett

 Aileen, Megan and Grant

 Beckett enjoying a little down time with dad.

 So cute.

 We went bowling. David bowled a 196. He used his greasy napkin to brag about it at dinner. Enough said. And for those that don't know David Farrell - this is classic.

 Simmons family on Christmas day. I love the boys in their ties!

 And here is everyone looking at the camera. Not going to try and name everyone off...

 Beckett and Drew fishing

 The boys and their tower again.

 Beckett mesmerized by one of Uncle Pete's many many stories.

 Grant and Megan - I think there is a little bit of a crush happening here. 

The present in Meg's lap is Grant's gift to her. He spent, and I do not exagerrate, 30 minutes wrapping it. I wanted to put it all in a gift bag and call it good. He wanted to wrap each individual present and tie it all up with a bow. AND he picked out everything - goodies and gadgets for her kitchen at college.

Me and Connie