Well, I thought I would shock everyone and let everyone know that....yes..... I am still around and that I am actually enjoying reading everyone blogs. I've watched so many of you grow up it is so fun to see you in a whole new setting of being married, having children, going to college or missions. I hope you haven't minded that I have used other blogs to get updated on many of you. Mine are so boring I hate to even write anything. I have noticed that many are privatizing their blogs. I think that is such a good idea. At this time I'm not going that way, but will in the future.
I need help right now with costumizing my blog site. How do you get all the cute Layouts?? Can someone with the time help me out?
A couple of updates with the family. Molly and Lance are expecting a new baby in December. Craig is marrying Megan Wright October 10th in the Portland Temple. The reception will be in Eugene. If anyone wants an invite to the reception let me know. Andrew and Danielle are expecting their first baby in January. Amanda is feeling left behind. Most of this everyone probably already knows, but at least I'm writing something.

Family gathering

Well....I thought I would surprise everyone and finally write something on my blog. So much has happen since the last post. We had a great time at Molly's for Mark's blessing. Larry, Craig and myself drove to Reno. Craig and Larry were able to be in on the Blessing. Isaac warmed up to Uncle Craig and they were good buddies. While we were there we were able to help Molly and Lance move to a new apartment. Thank heavens Mike and Marilyn were there also.
For Thanksgiving we went to Grammy's house in Bend for a Family Reunion. It was so great! Molly and Lance, Isaac and Mark came from Reno. Isaac even remember us. Andy and Danielle flew in from San Diego. Craig came with us and also my niece Wendy. Cousin's Corey and Sonya with her husband Wade and daughter Elizabeth were there. Aunt Vicki and Uncle Jim. Everyone but Amanda and Mike made it. It always seems like we miss someone, but someday we'll make it with everyone. We had a wonderful time, lots of yummy food and siblings reconnecting and meeting the babies. Cousins Elizabeth and Isaac really hit it off well together. Mark was a true joy. Such a little sweetheart. He can hardly wait to be running around with his big brother. Andrew flew off to Wahington D.C. on Friday and we got Danielle all to ourselves. The older cousins even got to get away for a hike up Smith Rock while Grandma, Papa and Aunt Vicki and Uncle Jim got to babysit.
All in all it made my heart very happy to have everyone together. I love all my kids and grandkids and extended family. Thanks for all the effort you made to get to Bend.

Forgot my Password

I can't believe I got on. It's been so long since I posted I forgot all the stuff I was suppose to remember to get on. So I tried this again at work and I don't have time to write so I'll write something after I get home tonight.

Well, we are off to visit Molly and Lance and the Boys in Reno. Mark is being blessed this Sunday. Larry and Craig get to assist in the blessing. This will be the first time Craig has seen Mark and the second time he has seen Isaac. We will also get to help Molly and Lance move to their new apartment. It is closer to UNR, so it will help with gas. Molly will let everyone know all about their new place on her blog. We are anxious to see Molly and Lance and to see how much Isaac has grown and how much Mark has changed. It will only be a short visit but we'll do our best to get some quality hugs in. I'll update after we return.

I can't believe it's been this long since I posted anything. A lot has happened since the last post. Number one on the list is we now have a new adorable little grandson. Mark Hinckley Simmons. Isaac has a new baby brother. We arrived in Reno July 11th. We were able to spend a few days with Molly, Lance and Isaac before Mark arrived. Mark was still hanging on waiting to be born. The doctor said she would induce Molly on Tuesday July 15th if she hadn't delivered before then. Which she didn't, so with some inducing he arrived. All 9#1.5 oz. of him. Molly did great and was anxious to get home but had to stay for 24hrs. according to the doctors. We had to leave Thursday morning to go pick Craig up at BYU-I because he was checked out of his apartment. We didn't get to be there for his Homecoming but was able to take Isaac to see his brother for the first time at the hospital. He was fascinated with him but couldn't understand that he was real and that he was coming home to live with him.
We were able to have a couple of days one on one with Isaac which was so fun. He taught us how to use the DVD player, and serenaded us on the electric guitars and played Leggo's with Papa and showed me were every snack was and how to get to them. He is quite the charmer. He loves Star Wars, (Chewie is the best), Elmo, learning sign language, snacks, bananas, singing songs, writing, coloring, he like to help pick up and put things in the garbage. He showed us all around the public library and which tables were the most fun to play at.
While waiting for Mark to come along we played the game Farmland which is similar to Monopoly which I've never liked, but this game was ok. I didn't loose the farm, livestock or my wheat and corn crop so I felt pretty good about myself. Lance made us homemade tortillas and thanks to Marilyn getting them a window air conditioner we were able to survive the unbearable
heat that Reno has in the summer. I know this is long but who knows when the next entry will come.
We are enjoying Craig being home. He is working full time at a landscaping business and is enjoying home cooking and being at home. Andrew is at Virginia Beach doing some training and should be returning to Iraq sometime in September. Amanda has been spending some time with her cousin Wendy and working occassionally. That's about all for now. Hope everyone is healthy and enjoying their summer.

Heading to Reno

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Ours was quiet and relaxing. We are packing up and getting ready to go to Molly and Lances for our turn at baby watch. Thanks to Lance's mom Marilyn they have been well taken care of. Molly's lucky to have such a nice mother-in-law. Maybe by the time we get to Reno on Friday things will have progressed for Molly. We'll keep our fingers crossed. We are looking forward to spending time with all of them. Hopefully we can distract Molly enough to keep her mind off how hot she is. Grandpa is looking forward to playing with Isaac and I'm looking forward to snuggling and cuddling him. Don't worry there will plenty of everything left for Mark when he arrives. We are also getting excited about picking up Craig at BYU-I for the summer and fall. It will be good to have him home for a while. Looking forward to all the fun times ahead.
I'll write more after Mark makes his entrance.

Wow! I can't believe how the time has flown by since I last attempted this. Enough that I almost forgot how to get on the blog at all. Molly...don't laugh, I figured it out myself.
I have to admit I enjoy reading the messages and I have even looked in on a few of Molly's contacts and have thoroughly enjoyed hearing how much all of her friend's have grown up and gotten married and some have even started families. Wow that really makes me feel old.
What has been happening with the Maxwell's....Well not a lot. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Molly and Lance's new baby. Have you heard? His name is Mark. :) Of course Molly is the most anxious at this time. Not much longer.
I've planted our garden and most everything is coming up. I've even replanted lettuce for the second time. It was so good the first time around I had to have more.
Larry has been working hard around the place. The lawn needs mowing at least once a week at this time of year. We have actually had sun for a whole week in a row. I think we just skipped Spring and went straight to summer.
Craig is doing well at school (BYU-I). We will be picking him up July 18th to bring him home. It will be good to have him home for a while.
Andrew is back from Iraq. Amanda is working hard and trying to get some camping in.
I'm keeping busy with work and garden stuff. Can't wait to get produce to start canning. I know don't get the cart before the horse. Oh...and I just got called to be Relief Society President in the Branch so that should keep me out of trouble. Ha! I still want to get some pictures posted but I need a little more time to figure that one out. Maybe next time.