Drumroll please...Introducing Levi Gabriel

Levi Gabriel Simmons

Born November 6th, 9:09pm

7 pounds 13 ounces, 19.5 inches long

Mom and Levi minutes after he was born

Luke and Jonah meeting baby brother for the first time.

Big brothers were so excited to see him!

Precious little Levi.  I'm in love!

Dark blue eyes and dark brown hair at birth.

This is me, unhappy!

Levi's first bath did not go well.  He screamed louder than I've ever heard a baby cry. It was all I could do to get a quick picture before wrapping him in a towel and snuggling him. He calmed down right away.  Needless to say, he didn't take another bath for a few days...maybe even a week!

Meeting His Family

Papa & Levi at the hospital
"In eighty years, it will be 2091. Imagine that," says Papa.

Levi snoozing with Grammie LaChapelle.

Cuddling with Aunt Valeri.

Levi saying hi to Grammie Wells.

Luke and Jonah meet their baby brother.

Baby Belly #3

I took a few pictures of baby belly #3 this afternoon.  While I'm looking forward to meeting this little one, I absolutely love being pregnant! Just knowing this is the last time makes me a little sad, but I've enjoyed it very much.  We only have 1-month to go.

In the news!

Below, Luke Simmons, 6, of Manson, looks under the gurney to watch a donation bag fill with his father's blood.  Daddy Steve Simmons and Luke later enjoyed a snack of juice and a cookie at the American Red Cross blood drive.

Featured 8/18/2011 at lakechelanmirror.com.

Cowboy Up!

The Lake Chelan Rodeo has become a July family tradition over the years.  Even though none of us are real cowboys, we're all cowboys (and cowgirls) at heart!  Jonah was so excited this year that he asked everyday, at least three times a day, "is today the rodeo?" Everyday since he has donned his cowboy hat and ridden his stick horse through the house yelling, "Buckin' cowboy, woo-hoo!  Buck off!!"  Makes us laugh every time. 

Waitin'.

All 5 of us!

Cowboy-up!

My three guys.



Me and my babies.



Little stinker.  I asked him to smile and this is what I got.

Chicken chaser, Jonah, ran before the announcer said, "GO!"

Sittin' on the bleachers waitin' for the next
event.  Gettin' a little chilly.

 

Watchin' intently for the cowboys!

 

The grand finale--buckin' bulls!



Total amazement during the entire night.

Our exhausted little guys.  In Jonah's words, "we had
wots of fun at the radio!"

Beautiful Boat Ride

Valeri and Mark visited this summer in early July.  On their last night here, we went for an adult-only boat ride.  Our goal was to make it to Safety Harbor in order to explore the camping area.  Around Fields Point, the wind picked up and the waves were getting bigger.  Unfortunately, we only made it to 25-mile creek before the waves became too much for our little vessel.  We made a large turn and headed back towards Manson.  We did stop at a little camp area on our way home for a pit-stop and a little exploring.  Looks like lots of fun for our families sometime in the future!

Beautiful ladies of the lake, Valeri & Kalee.

Co-captain Steve-O.

 

Our Captain for the evening cruise, Mark. Thanks for keeping us all alive!



Beautiful view on the way down lake.



Sun shining through the clouds.

Rock a bye baby

Woke up this morning to find my baby sound a sleep in the rocking chair.  I have no idea how long he slept there, but the looked pretty comfy.  He even brought his blue blankie and his cousin's soft blankie with him for a little added comfort.

Love the toes hanging out.  

Snuggin' with blankies.

Tee-ball, Season 2

Luke's second season of tee-ball was great! He really enjoyed playing with his friends this year and learning to run the bases after hitting the ball off the tee. 

Luke's second year of tee-ball.

Luke and his bestfriend, Caelan.

My baby turns "free"

Jonah's 3rd birthday party was lots of fun.  His excitement over each present was fun to watch and be part of on his special day. 

Present #1...

...a cowboy hat and horse from Grammie LaChapelle!



And a plastic snake...thanks Great Grammie!  



A big-boy car seat just like his big brother Luke's.

And his very own "motorcycle" courtesy of
Grammie Wells and Mr. Terry.

Vrrrrrmmm!!

Our motocross cowboy. Yee-haw!

Blowing out 3 candles on his chocolate, strawberry shortcake.

A big bite for a big boy!

Yum!

Crunchy Pizza Crust vs. Wiggly Tooth

"You lost your first practice tooth!"

It's a Friday night tradition in our family to have pizza, whether home-baked or at 'the pizza place.' Today was shaping up to be a great Friday night pizza night--2 happy kids, 2 happy parents, a pizza and a movie!  As we chewed our delicious dinner and discussed the days events, Luke looks up from his plate and says, "this pizza crust is too crunchy." "Really, why is that?" his dad questioned. "Well, it's too hard to eat with my wiggly tooth."  To that, Mom and Dad look up to find our little boy with a surprised look on his face and a tooth balanced on his lip in a little puddle of blood. "Oh my gosh, your tooth just fell out!" We all laughed out loud to see such a sight! And now to top off the first night of the weekend: banana splits!

Friday Night Fights!

Jonah and Luke begged Steve all through dinner, "Please, Daddy, can we wrestle tonight?" After many replies of "yes, in a little bit," the throwdown began!  While I sat on the couch, a glass of red wine in one hand and my new camera in the other, the 'boys' wrestled on the livingroom floor.  It was a sight to see and hear--giggling, screaming, screeching and pleading was heard from the little ones. 

"Daddy, wets wet-sow!" cries Jonah.