Oh Baby... National Honor Society

This past weekend, we were able to go and see the newest baby in the family, Corrigan.  

Andrew had a lot of fun playing with his cousins.  

On Sunday night, Aaron was inducted into the National Honor Society.  

Andrew, Corrigan and Odin.

Lets everyone sit by Grandpa!

 Drew is such a good big cousin!

Aaron proudly displays his NHS certificate.

Aaron accepting his certificate.
Pay special attention on who Aaron mentions as a person who has been influential in his life.

Thanksgiving Fun

Mom, Dad, Katie, Odin and Quinn all ventured to Stewartville to celebrate this year's Thanksgiving holiday.  Unfortunately, due to sickness, the Kauttos could not make it down to Stewartville.

 Aaron & Teri ran in Stewartville's 1st annual Turkey Trot.  

The weather was great... a tad windy but a great race.

 Come on GINGER!  Look at the camera! 

Good dog!

Singing... Pep Band... Concert... Super Fan...

It was a busy couple of weeks for the Simmons household.  

Take a peek at what we....well... mostly Aaron has been up to.

The volleyball made it to the state championship game.  

Aaron was caught on camera by a photographer from Rochester's Post Bulletin.

This picture came from the Stewartville Star.  

Aaron had me cut a mohawk and shave #6 on his head. 

He kind of looks like a thug!

Aaron playing in the pep band at the state tournament.

Each day the student section dressed in a different color.  Saturday's game was black out.

One would think, Aaron is getting ready for trick or treating but he is actually dressed up to go to his honor's choir practice.  He practiced (along with 7 other SHS choir members) for two weeks before their concert in Pine Island.  He must not have scared the guest director too much... he was selected to sing a solo during the concert.

Aaron after they were done singing.

Here Aaron is singing part of his solo.

Aaron & I along with his friend Ethan and his mom, Julie, went to see 

Darius Rucker sing at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. We had a blast.

Odin & Quinn Spend the Night

What happens when two toddler boys stay over night at the Simmons' home?  

Of course, they get seriously injured and require immediate attention by Dr. Teri.   

It was a lot of fun having them at our house.

 However, we all forgot how much work two young lads can be!

Quinn's injuries required multiple bandaids and an ace bandage. 

You can see the intense pain on Quinn's face!

Seriously... 

All kids enjoy a tupperware drawer in the kitchen!

Aaron having fun with Quinn.

Teri's 1st Half Marathon... The Monster Dash

How would you like to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles) with pirates, ghostbusters,  Waldos, devils, pilots, hippies from the '60s & Richard Simmons? .... yes... even Richard Simmons.  Well, thats what Teri did while running in the Monster Dash in St. Paul.   Running with Teri were gals from her running group the "Stewie Striders".   These gals are excellent runners who typically run a half well under two hours.  They are true friends, sticking with Teri until the end!  Katie came down to cheer all of us on while sporting her own Monster Dash jacket she earned running the Dash last year.  It truly was a perfect day for running... temps in the upper 40's with virtually no wind!   Special thanks to Mickie who cheered us on through out the route and who was our official photographer.  Enjoy the pics from race.

We posed for a photo before the race.

There were over 10,000 runners in this year's Monster Dash.  

Around 5,000 ran the half marathon.

 Here we are waiting at the port-a-potties before the race.

 Here we are at around the mile 8 mark.

Yea...we are almost done...about 100 meters left.

Nothing better... the Finish Line!!

Julie, Teri, Julie, Becky and Mickie pose for a photo.

 Katie brought a blow horn to cheer us on!

Teri and Katie

St. Paul Cathedral... photo by Mickie :-)

Becky, Julie, Teri and Julie after the race.

OOOHHH! Richard Simmons is looking good.  And you thought I was kidding about Richard!

Teri's Race Results:

Race Time   Overall Place      Age Division    PlaceSex  

  2:12:06         3226/4681          122/191         1799/2913

Aaron Survived Cross Country

Aaron hung up his football spikes for running shoes this fall and joined the Cross Country team.   Aaron is not known for his blazing speed but each meet he consistently improved.   This was not an easy sport for Aaron.  We are so proud that he challenged himself to try something new.    AND... we are happy to say he had NO concussions this fall!   YEA!  Here are a few pictures from this CC season.

Homecoming 2011

Homecoming week is always a busy week in the Simmons' household.  Aaron's week consisted of coaching in the powder puff game, running in two CC meets & running the traditional homecoming run (Lake City to Stewartville), pep band at the VB game, marching in the homecoming parade and game, marching band contest in Sioux Falls and finally... the dance.  And.... we think he went to some classes too.  The rest of us enjoyed the week of festivities but are anxious for a regular week of school.

 Aaron & Drew posing before Aaron left for the dance.

                             

Liz and Aaron at her house.

 Aaron marching in the homecoming parade.

 HAVING FUN AT LAKE FLORENCE!

 Aaron and his friends pose for a picture before they headed out for supper. 

If Aaron looks short... it's because both of the guys in the picture are 6'5" :-)

 AARON HAVING FUN AT THE POWDER PUFF GAME.  JUNIORS LOST :-(

A New Sport.... Cross Country

After experiencing two concussions last year while playing football, Aaron decided to try another sport.... Cross Country.  Besides sore knees, everything has been going as well as expected.  It has been a lot of fun attending the meets to cheer for all of the runners.  Aaron really doesn't appreciate my loud or should I say screaming words of encouragement along the course.

The boys get ready to start their 4800 meter race in LaCrescent.

 At the start of the race it is all smiles for Aaron.....

 Aaron felt a little differently at the 3000 meter mark :-)

 

 Only 500 meters left!

Summer of 2011 at Big Pine Lake

After the summer baseball season, the Simmons family was able to spend a good chunk of August at the cabin.  Drew and Toby were the lucky ones...spending almost one month at Big Pine Lake.  Drew spent countless hours fishing and playing bean bags while at the lake.  

Grandpa helping Drew take a fish off his hook. 

Drew playing bags with Granny...."Call ElRoy."

 Nothing better than laying on the couch with a beautiful view of the lake!

 Drew caught another fish off of our dock.

 Drew threw at least 25 "patricks" (all 3 bags in the hole) while playing bags this summer.

Aaron and Drew posing with Great Grandma Neuerburg.