As promised... pictures of Timothy!

These are the first & only pictures I've received of Timothy, the newest addition to our family. I've talked to Bridget several times since Timothy's arrival. She sounds a little tired (as can be expected) but is doing well. I'm so excited to congratulate Bridget & Rusty in person, to see my precious Godchild & to meet the newest "Kimmes" next week. I'd be even more excited to go if I didn't have to fly to get there. Ugh... I just HATE flying!!!

Mom, Dad & Timothy seconds after his arrival

2 days old

Timothy bundled up & ready to go home

He's here!!!

Timothy Russell Simpson has arrived! He was born via c-section on Wednesday, May 27th at 10:29 a.m.. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces (JB was 7 pounds even) with lots of dark hair & 2 HUGE dimples. Timothy got his dimples from his daddy but Bridget thinks (and hopes!) he'll get some of his features from her too. Especially since JB looks sooo much like his daddy. As soon as I get pictures (I'm dying to see him!!!), I'll post 'em.

Below are misc picture that I had on my camera I wanted to share.

I chaperoned a Girl Scout field trip a few weeks ago. Boy was that an adventure! After spending just a few hours with all those little girls, I came to the conclusion that teachers/daycare providers/etc. all deserve raises...lol! The 1st picture is a pictures of the troop, and the 2nd picture is Lauryn with her friend, McKenna Otte & their bears, "Laura." (they both named their bears Laura)

Here's a picture of McKenzie getting a pedicure. My mom, sisters & I got pedicures to celebrate my 30th & Mother's Day. It was so much fun! McKenzie & Lauryn also got manicures. It was a GREAT day!

These pictures were taken when Lauryn's Just For Kix class performed at the first Thursday of the month "Fun Fest" on Mill Street. The girls did really well & enjoyed performing outside. McKenzie's class is going to perform on Thursday, June 4th so stay tuned for pictures.

29 & HOLDING!

That's my story & I'm sticking to it!!!

I celebrated my "29th & holding" birthday last night with my family. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner, then went to my Mary's (my dad's girlfriend) for cake & ice cream. Mary surprised me with cake & ice cream & Lexi (my niece & Godchild) surprised me by making a Snickers Salad. Even though I was stuffed, I had to sample both - they were delicious! Thank you Mary & Lexi! You're so sweet!

I received many phone calls, emails & text messages... thank you everyone! I have to admit, the cutest birthday wish was from my girlfriend's son, Leyton. Leyton's 3 but did a great job singing happy birthday to me. It was adorable! I was surprised at work with an arrangement of flowers from my college girlfriends. What girl doesn't love to get flowers?! Thank you Caryn, Amy & Robin!

I'm looking forward to continuing my celebration this Saturday when my mom, Jill, Deena, Lexi, McKenzie, Lauryn & I get pedicures. Saturday night I'm going out for dinner with some friends to the Olive Garden... my favorite place to eat! I'm also celebrating with my college girlfriends next Tuesday night. Looks like I get to celebrate turning 30 for an entire week! Maybe turning 30 isn't soooo bad after all?!?!

My family & I with my birthday cake.

Me with my little sweethearts. Most of you know that my nieces & nephews mean the world to me, so the fact that I was able to celebrate with most of them was the best gift of all!

Here's a picture of McKenzie & Collin at Buffalo Wild Wings. In case you're wondering what's on their foreheads, the waiter stuck stickers on them.

Here's a picture of Jamey feeding the son he never. If Jamey had his way, we'd try for a little boy. Thank God I'm getting my way on this one. No more babies for me!!!

Easter Fun

I finally found time to sit down & figure out how to upload pictures from my new camera.

Below are pictures of the kids (big & small) enjoying our Pre-Easter festivities. McKenzie & Lauryn colored Easter eggs with Lexi & Devon at mom's this year. Surprise, surprise - no one spilled a cup of the dye! That just goes to show there's a 1st for everything! ;)

My dad's girlfriend Mary invited dad's grandchildren over to decorated homemade Easter cookies. She made the cookies from scratch & let the kids help her make the frosting. (again from scratch) Once the frosting was ready, the kids decorated several cookies. I don't know who enjoyed decorating the cookies more... the little kids or big boys???
Kenzie coloring Easter eggs at Grandma Sue's

Lauryn decorating cookies at Grandpa Dennis'

The boys showing off their decorating skills. Don't their cookies look so nice?!

Spring is here!

The Cannon Golf Club is open which means spring is FINALLY here & I am officially a golf widow. :(

With the changes of the seasons, also comes changes in extra curricular activities. The girls Just For Kix season will soon be coming to an end. The girls will perform later this month at the nursing home before their final performance in May. After Just For Kix is finished, they'll have a couple weeks off before their next "season" begins. Lauryn's registered for summer ball & is hoping to get out on the golf course as much as possible. McKenzie isn't registered for anything yet but we're planning to register her for golf & swimming lessons. (Lauryn will take swimming lessons too) McKenzie's also considering volleyball camp, basketball camp and summer ball. It looks like we'll be busy, busy, busy again this summer.

The girls brought their report cards home last week. McKenzie's getting straight A's, not to mention she was student of the month in March. (she's been student of the month once a year since 1st grade) Lauryn's getting all S's or S+'s. (she won't get letter grades (A-B-C-D-F) until next year) Both girls are doing GREAT academically & we couldn't be more proud of them! Their teachers said they're doing good socially too. McKenzie's teacher said McKenzie's THE SWEETEST girl in her class & if she could keep her forever, she would! I'm sure McKenzie's the only child Mrs. Andrews said that about, right?! ;) Lauryn's teacher said Lauryn's a social butterfly (no surprise there!) and is always willing to help a classmate in need. We've always told the girls... you may not be the prettiest, the smartest, or most the athletic person but as long as you're nice, you'll have plenty of friends. It sounds like our words of wisdom sunk in!

I have a some good news about myself. Last Thursday I was invited to a specialized training session at American Family's Regional office. Out of all of American Family's licensed staff, throughout Minnesota & parts of Wisconsin, only 20 of us were invited to attend. We were chosen by our state sales director, district managers or the agents we work for. Those of us in attendance will soon be recognized by the Department of Commerce for specialized training in Property & Casualty (home & auto) Insurance. We've been asked to attend another session this fall for specialized training in Life Insurance. Following that session, we will again be recognized by the Department of Commerce. I am grateful & honored to have been chosen out of so many talented licensed staff.

Jill, Deena & I booked tickets to Florida. We're leaving on June 9 (about 1 week after Timothy's anticipated arrival) until June 16th. I can't wait to meet Timothy & to spend time with JB. Speaking of JB, he turned 1 yesterday. I called to wish him a happy birthday (not that he realized it was his birthday) and just about died laughing as he screamed in the back round. Bridget said that's his new "thing". He just stands there & screams. I think Bridget's going to have her hands full after Timothy arrives. :)

My dad bought me a new camera for my birthday. (early present) I haven't figured out how to upload pictures to the computer yet but as soon as I do, I'll post new pictures. I posted a couple new pictures of JB so you can see just how adorable he is.

McKenzie turns 9!

I can't believe my baby (she'll always be my baby) turned 9 years old on the 22nd. Where did the time go?! We invited our family over for a breakfast/brunch, then my sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces & nephews went bowling. We had a great time! McKenzie was spoiled by everyone but was extremely thankful. She reacted to each gift as if it was the one gift she's been dreaming of her entire life. It was very cute!

McKenzie & one of her best friends, Claire have back-to-back birthdays. They decided to celebrate their birthdays together this year by having a swimming party. There was 19 kids at the party. Being responsible for 19 kids was a little overwhelming but all-in-all the party went really well! I think Jamey was quite surprised to see how 9 year old girls acted in a group setting (lol) but it didn't surprise me. Girls will be girls! ;) I've added a couple pictures from McKenzie's party below.

McKenzie & Claire

McKenzie & Claire's Party Guests


My sister Bridget sent McKenzie a package of Marti Gras beads for her birthday. The beads were intended for McKenzie to share with her class as a birthday treat. McKenzie decided to bring the beads to school on Fat Tuesday instead. She wanted to bring them on Fat Tuesday so she could explain to her class what Fat Tuesday means. She was so excited to tell me that her class got lots attention from the other elementary classes, teachers, and faculty all because of HER beads! Thanks TiTi (a.k.a. Bridget) for making McKenzie's birthday & Fat Tuesday so special!

Its been a while...

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And... Happy Valentine's Day! I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of November. Whoops! I've been slacking almost as much as Laura Freeberg! (Sorry Laura!)

So let me think... What's changed in the last few months??? A lot! Then again, not much! Lauryn was student of the month in December. She couldn't WAIT for the newspaper to come out so she could see her picture in the paper. It was cute! Kenzie rained on Lauryn parade by telling Lauryn over & over that she's been student of the month TWICE! The girls are going through a phase (at least I hope its a phase!) where they VERY RARELY get along...ugh! I used to brag about how well McKenzie & Lauryn got along but it seems those days are over. :(

Kenzie was diagnosed with Fifth Disease in the middle of December. For those of you that don't know what Fifth Disease is, here's an explanation... Common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications. McKenzie's "disease' caused her to have a major breakdown at school. The school called me at work to tell me that McKenzie was very upset & had been crying. When they asked McKenzie what was wrong she told them, "I never thought I'd have a disease! I don't want to have disease!" It was one of those "Oh McKenzie (sigh)" moments that we have so often. She's a very softhearted little girl & tends to be emotional. She gets it from me. ;) She & I talked about her "disease" that night & I was able to reassure her she was going to be just fine & she is! Poor McKenzie!

The girls are participating in the Just For Kix program in Cannon Falls again this year. They've had 2 performances so far & did GREAT at both performances! Kenzie looked extremely nervous while she danced & Lauryn sang the entire time. Their personalities couldn't be any different! :)

McKenzie & Lauryn are both in Girl Scouts this year. The girls just wrapped up their annual Girl Scout Cookies sales. Both of them reach their goal of 150 boxes. It looks like I'm going to be busy delivering 300 boxes of cookies at the end of the month!!! Thank you to everyone who bought from the girls!!!

Jamey's going stir crazy (not to mention driving me crazy!) not having worked since JULY! He couldn't work from July 26th until November 1st because of his foot injury (car accident). When the doctor authorized him to return to work, he was laid off (seasonal layoff). He "played" farmer this fall and helped his uncle Mike combine on his farm in Byron. My dad was quite impressed that Jamey could drive a tractor until he found out the tractor was a green (John Deere). The Kimmes' drive red tractors (Case) NOT green!!! ;) Jamey also helped a family friend on his dairy farm. I tell you what... Jamey's smells a whole lot different coming home after spending the day in a dairy barn - phew! I don't think that's a smell you ever get used to! Two weeks ago, Jamey played in the CF Alumni Basketball tournament. His class ('98) took 3rd place. They were happiest about defeating the class of '97 because the class of '97 had about 15 players & the class of '98 only had 7! Jamey lit up the 3 point line both Saturday & Sunday. It was a lot of fun to watch him play! I'm proud of ya Jay!!!

If you've read Bridget's blog, you already know that we're expecting another a baby boy. NOT US - Bridget & Rusty! (had to clarify that!) My dad was blessed with 4 daughters & 3 granddaughters (even though he may not call it a blessing) before his first grandson was born. But since then, its been boys, boys, boys... Ethan, Devon, Collin, JB, Cohen and now grandson #6. I REALLY wanted a girl but am happy for Bridget & Rusty & can't wait to meet the Lil' one in May/June. My mom, sisters & I are going to Floria on June 8th to meet him & to help Bridget (she'll be sore after her c-section), and of course to spoil JB while we're there. Jamey the girls & I are hoping to go down this fall too.

Sorry I didn't post pictures this time. My computer won't recognize my camera.

I promise I'll do my best to post more often. I hope all is well with you! Take care!

Kelly