Christmas fun

Ok, for a little update...

We moved in over the course of a week, and it was slow going...with me 8 months along, and Brett partially crippled, we are just glad we had some good friends to help. With the house still in chaos we took off for St. George. The trip there was rather hard because the kids were hyper and bored. They finally fell asleep, about ten minutes before we got there. We met up with the rest of the family, and had a nice evening. The next day was a bit stressful because a storm was coming in, and we were worried about Brett and Christa driving on bad roads, but it was still fun.

Brett made it back just fine, and woke up early the next morning for his surgery. I was still in St. George, and had horrid phone service, so I spent the day pacing, and Brett spent it fairly unconscious. He had surgery. They replaced his ACL and scoped his knee because they found a tear in the miniscus.

The next morning we packed the Suburban and I drove back with Mom and Dad Simmons, Hannah, John, Danny, Dillan, Alexis, and I. Wow, that was not so fun. Let's just say, puke, fighting, boredom, and lots of little kids makes four hours seem like forty, but thankfully we all made it back safely.

We got back to Utah county, for a party for Christmas Eve. Brett was a bit out of it, but it was fun, and the kids had a blast. We ended up staying at Nana and Papa Yerkes's for Christmas and the rest of the week because Brett was pretty immobile, and 3 flights of stairs with a new ACL is not a good idea.

We got home, and have been playing catch up and recovery since. No baby yet, but lots of Braxton hicks contractions and hoping that I will just go into labor already. I have 5 days left until they induce me, but I am hoping I just go into labor on my own tonight. haha, right!

Anyway, all is happy, healthy, and busy here. We would love any help with the kids, and appreciate all the help we have already been given.

Hope the Holidays have been great for everyone thus far, and that you all have a Happy New Year!

The Update!

So, for the sake of not having to repeat myself a million times, here is the update:

We moved back to PG for a variety of reasons.
Brett's surgery is the 23rd and he loves treats!
I am being induced January 2nd if the baby has not come by then. (Yes we changed it from the 31st).

We are not being very good about getting Christmas greetings out this year, so we wish each of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a safe holiday no matter where you intend to spend it.

We will be in St. George for a few days, we thought it would be warm there, but it looks like we will be disappointed. Then back to Utah County for our first Christmas at home (instead of at Grandparent's Simmons). We are so excited.

Love you!

Christmas fun

We went to visit Santa with Aunt Wendi and cousin Jared, and had to wait an hour since we went while he was on his dinner break! The mall was really crowded and the kids were really anxious, but when they finally got to see Santa they were so excited. Lexy told him that her Rosie ran away and that she wanted her back for Christmas. Dillan told him he wanted Candy! So, I guess Dillan will get his wish, and Alexis will be disappointed.

Making cookies for Christmas. We made sugar cookies to decorate, and a bunch of other cookies to take to friends and neighbors!

Picture of Van, finally

Kids say funny things

I am always being told to write it down when my kids do or say something funny, but let's face it...reality...who has time? But, I decided this one was too funny to pass up.

Brett was helping Dillan say his prayers a few nights ago, and Dillan decided to venture out on his own. So, he started thanking Heavenly Father for all sorts of things. Well after naming everyone he knows, Santa, etc. he said, "And thanks for making me the world's best zit popper." He went right on with his prayer, not even a moments hesitation. Brett on the other hand was trying his best not to burst out laughing, as that would probably hurt Dillan's feelings.

Anyway, have a great Thanksgiving everyone, and remember the things you are thankful for, even if it is as trivial as being good at popping zits.

Brett's Surgery, Jim's surgery

Ok, we found out some details on Brett's surgery, and I thought I should post them. It is going to be the morning of December 23rd, 2008! I will be out of town with the kids, so Mom and Dad Yerkes will be taking him. Yeah for them! Then he can spend the holidays trying to relax and taking medication. They are going to replace his ACL with one from a cadaver, and he should be as good as new. The Doc told him to take ten days off work so he can do plenty of PT and get it working well again before he has to be on his feet all day.

On a different note, My Dad (Jim) had his hip replacement surgery today! It went well. He was a bit loopy when he came out of it and asked if Abraham Lincoln was still Pres. but when we went to see him a few hours later he was fully cognitive, and while in a great deal of pain, handling things very nicely. He won't be home until Friday, so we have to enjoy all that delicious Turkey without him, and he is stuck with hospital food. Poor guy! One of his legs was slightly shorter than the other, so when they did his hip replacement, they made his leg a little longer as well. He was pretty happy about that. Thanks to everyone for thier prayers and love!

Lastly, our family bought our car today. A minivan, 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. More details with pictures tomorrow probably!

A new car

It is time for our family to get a new car. With baby number 3 coming in another 8 weeks or sooner, we need to get a bigger car so we can fit 3 car seats in. While the kids would love a real jeep, instead of just their PowerWheels, we are thinking more along the lines of something practical...ugh...a minivan. Sunday I spent a good 2 hours reading consumer reviews, and specs about the various minivan options, and have yet to come to any kind of conclusion. My vanity says "SUV!" but my logical, frugal, practical side says, "Swallow your pride and buy a van!" So, now I send this question out to the great expanse of the internet...Does anyone have a good opinion on what minivans offer the best value and best service records? Or, I guess just as important, Does anyone know which makes and models to avoid?

Sometimes Dillan and Alexis fight like crazy, and other times they are best buds. Today is a best buds day, and I am so glad. I was just sitting here thinking about how silly they are, and laughing because they fell asleep on the floor watching a movie in Dillan's room, so I thought I would post something about them just because. This is my effort to be better at blogging, but really, I stink at it. I am trying to do a better job. This photo is from Corn Belly, Lexy was burying Dillan in the corn box.

Trick or treating

Dillan was being camera shy the whole night, so it was hard to get a good picture, but he was so proud of his costume. After our costume debacle, I was thrilled that he was not upset about being a fireman. I think it helped that he likes the show "fireman sam".

Trick or treating was so fun, Lexy was thrilled to get tons of candy, and somehow ended up with more than Dillan again. She is a bit of a mooch, and would ask for double if she thought that treat was a good one. She loved her costume, pretty much wore it all week long. Silly girl!

I have so much laundry to do, well it is washed, it needs to be folded... ahh why do clothes get dirty? I am tired. I do not want to work. I just want to play. Alexis is being so cute jumping in the piles of laundry, and it makes me wish I was two again. The biggest decision of the day is when to wake up.

The kids sure love going to Nana and Papa's on Tuesday and Thursday. They are so lucky to have such great grandparents.

Cell phones

Today when Alexis woke up, I (Rachael) was in the shower. Lexy walked around looking for me, and saying, "Mommy?" When she could not find me she went upstairs and got her toy cell phone. Brett asked her what she was doing, and she said, "Calling Mommy, I can't find her."

Dillan is always saying funny things, but the other day was one of the best. He put on a bra and got up on the bed and said, "Attention, Boob class starts in 10 minutes!"

Check out the eyebrows! Pretty funny.

Dillan and Alexis are just like normal kids who have a hard time sharing, but occassionally they get it right.

On Tuesday (Sept. 9) Dillan got a treat at Preschool for completing his homework. When I asked him to share his treat, he explained to me that the reason he couldn't share with his siter is that the treat was only for people who did their homework, and since Lexy did not have homework, she could not have the treat you get for doing it. Duh mom!