...here is our 2009 Christmas card!

This is the photograph we used for our 2009 Christmas card. Happy Holidays to everyone!

...Tree Party fun!

Since Jimmy and Tate had to work, the party was a bit more quiet than usual. We passed the time by taking some weird pictures!

...a taste of winter!

When we got home from picking out the Simmons' tree, snow started to fall! Little did we know it would mean that Jimmy would have to work and miss the Christmas Tree Party...

...Plow Farms is the new spot for the Simmons Family.

Every year we go along with Cookie and Jim to pick out their Christmas tree in the beginning of December. We usually go to Sherlund Forest but last year the pickings were slim and the prices were high. This year we went to Plow Farms on Route 10. They had a decent selection and the prices were much more appropriate. We found a nice tree (smaller than what Cookie usually likes) and Tate cut it down. The ladies enjoyed shopping in the adorable gift shop! See you next year Plow Farms! It is off to Buddies this Saturday for our tree!

...let's think about our Christmas card.

This was the photo we used for our Christmas card last year. It was taken at Sherlund Forest when we got Cookie and Jim's tree. I am sure Jimmy will want to do something fancy with his new camera this year. We will find out this weekend when he gets home from deer camp!

...Black Friday is my favorite shopping day!

Even though getting up at 4:30 to go to Wal-Mart didn't score us the Samsung 32-inch tv we thought we wanted for our bedroom, I found this online at Best Buy and Mom and Dad already picked it up and dropped it off here for Jimmy and me! This Sony turned out to be even better than what we thought we wanted! Thanks Santa!

For those of you that think I am nuts for going out so early for shopping, I got some great deals. Mom, Aunt Marleen and I battled through Wal-Mart at 5:00 where I almost pushed a guy to get the tv I wanted. That didn't happen though. We got some deals at Wal-Mart, followed by Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Kohl's, and American Eagle Outfitters. I can't mention some of the deals since they are Christmas surprises! The lines moved so fast at every store. I plan to do it all again next year! Who's with me?!? Jimmy and I compared notes and my Black Friday shopping begins when he heads into the woods for hunting!

...we always enjoy a visit from Sly!

Sly is Aunt Marleen's dog and when she comes to visit PA, we like to have Sly stay with us! Gypsy loves when he is there and they have lots of fun running around the house, fighting over bones, barking at each other, chasing each other in the yard, and trying to eat each other's food. This is a shot of them running up and down the steps trying to get a bone.

They also like to climb on Jimmy and smother him with drool and kisses.

But they love going in Jimmy's truck for some fun at Daniel Boone Homestead on a nice Saturday afternoon.

This is one of the new doggie friends they met that day.

Look at those two pals! Come back soon and stay with us Sly!

...welcome November!

November is another crazy month for us! For me, it means a lot of things going on at school like report cards and parent teacher conferences. It also means 4 am shopping on Black Friday. For Jimmy, it means wrapping up the season and getting ready for the snowy weather. It also means deer camp! For Gypsy, it means looking forward to Jimmy being off of work after Thanksgiving and taking her to Daniel Boone Homestead. Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday, so I love that this month wraps up with a big, juicy turkey and my grandmother's filling!

...what a cute little monster!

We had a Halloween visit from some unidentified little pink monster! It turns out it was the little lady that lives up the hill, Audrey and her Mommy Rachel! I think Gypsy was too scared to look! What a cutie pie!

...you must love dogs!

No matter what kind of a day we are having, Gypsy always gives us laughs. She does some of the strangest things. One of my favorites is when she just stares at us from the top of the two steps into the dining room and tosses her bones and toys at us so we play with her. That is what she was doing right before I grabbed her for a hug and Jimmy snapped this picture!

...tell me about Copper Kettle Camp.

When I say Jimmy is "at the cabin" many of you are wondering what I am talking about. Jimmy is a member of the Copper Kettle Camp cabin. His dad and three other men are also members. Hopefully soon Tate and Steve will be members, too. Jimmy's dad, Jim, is an original member. The cabin has two rooms with bunks, a bathroom, living room, and kitchen. My favorite part is the screened in porch. I also love the fireplace outside. The guys go up each fall and spring to work on things in and around the cabin. All the other times Jimmy is at the cabin he is hunting. Even though I don't like when he is away, I am so happy that he has a place that we will be able to take our kids one day, just the way his parents took him and Tate when they were little. The cabin is a special place for many reasons. You are surrounded by nature and cut off from the outside world. There is no television or cell phone reception. Don't worry ladies, they do have running water! For the men, there are guns and knives. For everyone, there is bonding, beverages, and nature! Now, you can all have a picture of the cabin in daylight taken by my wonderful husband, aspiring professional photographer!

Note: Do not be alarmed by the gun in the last picture. I don't think Jimmy would approve this post unless I promised to include that picture. Not only is it artistic, it also shows a bond between brothers and a pretty sharp looking gun!

...Happy 1st Anniversary to us!

We spent our first anniversary eating our "frozen" cake which was still delicious. Jimmy gave me another diamond band that matches my wedding band. Whoo-hoo! I made a paper scavenger hunt for Jimmy and he had to run all over the house to collect his gifts which included a hunting magazine and subscription, book about his camera, and a ring engraving among other things. We are going to continue to celebrate this weekend when we go out for a nice dinner. Yea to marriage!

...how does a year go so fast?!?

I just cannot believe how fast our first year as Mr. and Mrs. Simmons has flown by! Looking back to this day last year, it makes me sad that is over and happy that we are married! It was a great day and we will always cherish our wedding day!

...Walk for the Animals was a blast!

The Walk for the Animals 2008 was a great success! Despite the storm clouds that lurked overhead all day, we stayed dry! Over $105,000 was raised for the Humane Society of Berks County. We had a great time with our pack, Lucky Dogs, and listening to two of our favorite bands, Frog Holler and the Youngers. Thanks to everyone who donated. We appreciate it! As you can see, Gypsy was very tired after her favorite day of the year!

...Welcome Baby Ava!

Kelli and Joey welcomed their little bundle of "joy" on Saturday, September 20th! Ava Joy Maturi is so cute and sweet! Congratulations to the new Mommy and Daddy!