Summer (officially) begins

The week started off not so great with Corbin and Gabi's car (driven by babysitter Kelsey)  rear ended on Monday (Thankfully, only the cars had injuries) while on  their way to VBS.  That gave  all of us a few more gray hairs!  Tuesday, Carrie got a call from VBS saying Gabi was complaining of a headache and abdominal pain, so after consulting her pediatrician, Gabi was checked out at the ER. It turned out to be a very expensive strep test!  She rallied and made it to her dance recital that evening at the UCCC.  We took Gramma, Sophie, and Amie and everyone (with the exception of Corbin) enjoyed it.  What 5 year old boy WOULD like recitals?

 Friday night we decided (Spencer's idea) to go to a drive-in movie in Ft. Collins.  Crazy, but the adults, (with the exception of Brad and I and Spencer) had never been to a drive-in!  We talked about our drive-in experiences as kids (no, not as teenagers!) with my family loading into the 1955 Ford station wagon, along with a grocery bag of popcorn and jammies and pillows, and heading out to the closest drive-in on Evans (Denver).  I did kind of miss those bulky speakers hanging inside the window of your car as opposed to listening to the movie on our car radio.  We saw the Dragon movie and not one kid made it through the whole movie.....Maybe it was the fact that the movie started at 9:30!

Of course, in the usual Simmons fashion, my car battery gave out twice and I hit a pole getting out of the parking lot. Ahhh, good times!
On Sunday, we celebrated Grayson's birthday again with a pool party. The pictures tell the story!

 After swimming, a game of volleyball began (hopefully Brad and Carrie aren't too sore today after their falls) then we came back to the house for grilled burgers and hot dogs (family favorites).  We broke up the party early as everyone was pooped!  Happy Monday!

Father's Day/Grayson's birthday

As you know, we Simmons try to fit as many things into one day/weekend as possible, this one being no exception.  Little Grayson turned three on Saturday, and we celebrated in "Grayson fashion" by attending the Wheelie Wheelie show put on by the hospital, showcasing all of the biggest and best vehicles the city has to offer. 

 Naturally, he had to climb on every one of them!

 

 Saturday was also the beginning of Corbin's first 3V3 soccer tournament held in Littleton.  After the  games, Spencer and Carrie picked Mom up (who lives close to where the tournament was held) and brought her back to Greeley for an overnight stay. Brad and I played bridge Saturday night after dinner, playing until 10:00 with the 2 Moms.  They both seemed to enjoy it.  And then, early Sunday morning, we loaded up (or should I say overloaded?) for a trip back to Littleton for round two of the soccer tournament.  At the last minute (as we were pulling out of the driveway, Gramma decided she really wanted to go with us, despite the agenda we presented to her, so we crammed her, and her walker into our already stuffed vehicle (5 chairs, a tent, a cooler, a suitcase, 2 kids and 6 adults) and we were off. It was a beautiful day and both Grandma's enjoyed the sunshine, with Gramma actually going down a grassy hill with her walker!  Doubt she has walked so much in decades!
Corbin's games were fun to watch.

 

 After dropping Mom off at her place, we drove across Denver to Dave and Buster's Sports bar ( a favorite "Dad" place and had some snacks and let the kids (and adults) play some arcade games.  Then it was back to Greeley to meet at Santeramos for dinner.  We got there a few minutes early, so the kids played outside (they have a beautiful yard) after being in the car for so long.

 We had a nice dinner and then went back to Amie and Curt's for birthday cake (thanks, Meredith!) and presents (both Father's Day and Grayson's birthday)

 

 Trucks and trikes were the theme (and he wouldn't let anyone touch his trucks except Gramma) and of course, no one could wait to open his bike and put it together.  He rode it like a champ!

 We are so blessed!

Frozen

No, not the weather, silly! I am referring to the birthday party last Saturday in California.  Emi (Sarah and Travis' daughter) turned three and celebrated with lots of friends and a couple of very special princesses.  The amazing decor included....I'll just show you pictures.
First the "Olaf" candy bar:

birthday banner

snowflake cookies

snowmen snacks

cupcakes and cake pops

And now for the best part, the princesses, Elsa and Anna.  They told their story, sang (the kids knew all the words and sang along), handed out little tiaras to all of the girls and pirate patches to the boys and then did some activities outside with the kids (necklace making and face painting)

 

 

Olaf garden stakes

 

Princess Anna was one of Nancy's kindergarten students!

Presents!

 

 

 Happy Birthday, Emi!  Thanks for sharing your day!

 Going back home the next morning(who takes pictures out the airplane window?)

 

 

, Meredith, Emma and Brad met me at the airport in Meredith's new car (a Toyota Rav 4, I think).  Later, we were all invited to Curt and Amie's for dinner, where Kelly showed up from Ogallala with the long lost Rosie! (If only dogs could talk...) There were some pretty happy family members to welcome her home!