Vancouver 2010

We took the whole family up to Vancouver yesterday. We didn't have tickets for any events but we thought it might be fun to see all the people and take in some of the free things that were going on. It was pretty amazing! There were people everywhere!!! Most of them had something on that was red. They were cheering and happy and friendly. I've never seen anything like it. There were big TVs set up all over the place; in shop windows, in restraunts, and huge ones at the differant gathering places. We had thought that the kids would like to go ice skating on the free outdoor rink but Sophie was the ony one interested and there were so many people we would have had to wait 2 hrs. 'till the next session. So, we watched the skaters for a while before we wandered on. We found a "toddler hockey game that was out of the rain and right next to a giant TV that was playing the US/Finland semifinal hockey game. I watched Connor, Laura and Sophie play hockey while Pat watched the end of the semifinal game out in the rain. There was a big zip line set up over the area that all this was going on. It looked like a lot of fun but not something that you could do wih little kids in tow. The people that were doing it had to get all harnest in like for rock climbing. (Made me think of Diana) From ther we wandered through town looking for some were to eat. There were long waits eveywhere. We ended up finding another "celebration site" and after anothe wait, got in. We got food there and were able to go inside and warm up and sit down to eat. They had Canadian womans curling and the 4 man bobsled events on the TVs in there. It was snowing up werethe bobsled event was going on. I was glad to see that there was some winter weather during the winter olymipc. I had heard that tickets were being refunded due to the unstable condition of the ground where spectators would have been standing because it had been so warm. Anyway.... From there we checked out the CANADA house and the Manitoba house (they were at the same celebration site) The CANADA house had lots of neat displays and interactive things for the kids to do. The Olymip mascots showed up and we could have gotten pictures with them but them kids were too scared. (especially Connor who hid his head in the back of Patrick's sweatshirt) I didn't go into Manitoba house but sat outside with Tyler who was rather hungry by this point! The volenteers were all really good (with the exception of one security gaurd) and gave the kids pins at each place that we went.

I Need To Do This More Often! (Pictures of the Kiddos)

This is what happens when Mommy is busy... Sophie dancing on a table at a bar!

Connor's on Youtube!

Connor loves carpet skating at the Children's Museum with the Sivertips. This year they compiled a short video and he is one of the stars! (He is the Goalie!)YouTube - The Silvertips at the Imagine Children's Museum

If you watch carefully, you can see the girls, Tyler and me in the background. I think it is at about the 13/14th second.

Hurray for Sunshine!

Today was sunny and warm! We walked over to the park and the three big kids had fun playing on the playground. Tyler didn't seem too impressed by the park. When we came home Connor, Laura and Sophie payed in the backyard while fed Tyler and made lunch. We had the first picnic of the year on the back porch. Surprisingly, they all ate it! They have gotten rather picky lately and I never know what they will eat! Thankfully there was no compaining at lunch to ruin the nice day. I can't wait 'till Spring! (Sophie thinks it is Summer already) But, I'll take all the sunny winter days I can get.

Tyler

Merry Christmas!

Tyler Owen Simmons made his grand entrance December 24th at 4:22pm. He weighed 8lbs and is 20in long. He is doing great. Eating, sleeping and filling his diaper seem to be coming naturally! We are all home and had a nice Christmas afternoon opening presents and watching Connor, Laura and Sophie play with their new toys!

Still Waiting

And not so patiently anymore! I wish this baby would make an appearance soon. It is getting rather close to Christmas and I would rather spend the day at home with my family than in the hospital. Mom is on her way down here as I write this.I called and asked her to come this afternoon. The stomach flu has been going through our house and Pat is down with it now. Which means he's not really up to going to the hospital with me should I go into labour right now so I thought it would be good to have Mom here. I was having some contractions last night but nothing today. Keep us in your prayers the next couple days and hopefully we will have a Christmas miracle a few days BEFORE Christmas!

I Think She Did It!

I think Sophie has mastered the potty! She hasn't worn a diaper in over a week. Not even at night! There haven't been any "accidents" either. I am soooo happy. She is very proud of her "Big Girl Underwear" and is happy to tell people that she "didn't go pees in them". Her timing couldn't be better, Baby Simmons is due to arrive tomorrow. (We'll see if that happens. The others have all been late)