Free Range Family

Today is my nephew Connor's second birthday. I remember the day Connor was born like he was my own lol. Lon, Alan and I were about to leave to go to Canyon Ferry Lake for the fourth of July, when I heard that Rachael had delivered him. I made us walk all the way over to the hospital to see him before we left town. Connor is my oldest brother Darren's son. Because they live in the heights, Alan and Connor don't get to see each other all that much. But we love them both so very much!  Happy birthday Connor!

Today is my oldest brother Darren's 24th birthday. Darren loves poker, so this cake would have been perfect for him lol! Darren is my adopted brother, but I love him just the same! He joined our family in 2008 but honestly, I feel like he's been a Kimmel all of his life! :) I haven't seen him in over a year now and I miss him! He is the father to my only nephew Connor, the cutest nephew on the planet! I think he is an awesome father and Connor is pretty darn lucky! Connor and Darren, circa 2010 Not only is Darren my brother, but he is also Lon's really good friend. Darren was Lon's best man in our wedding and they have been best buds for about two years now. Its a little weird to have my brother be my husband's best friend, but I am not complaining! I love them both and love to spend time with them! The men of the wedding party, with Darren included :) Happy birthday Darren! Lon, Alan, Anna and I love you so much. Hope your day is fanta...

Yesterday was of course Valentine's Day. I am somewhat particular about Valentine's Day, I don't believe that it just for lovers anymore. I believe that Valentine's Day is a day for you to share your love with everyone that you love! :) This is how I've celebrated my last three Valentine's Days and I honestly wouldn't want it any other way lol. This year was no different. Unfortunately, Valentine's morning wasn't too fun for me. I woke up around four in the morning with morning sickness, which continued until about eleven. Ugh, not fun at all. You know the alien movie The Thing???  The alien cell that took over your body and imitated your cells? Please tell me you've seen the old or new version so I don't feel like a total Sci-Fi nerd lol! Well, yesterday morning I felt like an "infected" person right before the alien cells explode through their body to attack its next victim. Yeah, fabulous lol. :P Lon had to work from 8 to 2 t...

Today is my nephew Connor's first birthday! Via I remember this time last year, when I first got the text that Connor was born. We were just about to leave for Canyon Ferry Lake (again) but I insisted on going up there to see them before we left lol. I pulled some strings and we ended up being able to stop by. We had to walk like fifteen blocks to the hospital with Alan to see them IN THE HEAT, but we got there and it was totally worth it. Meeting my beautiful nephew for the first time, and being able to hold him, was one of the greatest things ever. I love my brother and his fiance so much, and my love for Connor is just as big. :) It was cool that Alan got to meet him as well. Alan was a young ten months old, and was a little confused when he first saw Aunt Rachael, as he remembered the big belly previously on her. :) He was even more flabbergasted when Aunt Rachael showed him newborn Connor. Lol I don't think he understood, but he was really into Connor. He loved babies...

It rained all day today in Billings. Off and on all morning, all afternoon, and all night. Blah. We were planning on doing part of my Bridal Shower outside. That clearly wasn't in Mother Nature's plans for us. :) And on top of all of that, Alan's sick with hopefully just a cold (going in to doctor tomorrow to double check) and has been teething his remaining molars (OUCH!) so he has been horribly out of sorts and not himself this weekend. :( He's been having pure liquid bowel movements (Not TMI, its for health reasons lol!) and has been throwing up anything even slightly irritating to him. That along with a wet cough and runny nose, and my boy is not a happy camper. :( He even threw up in the car today. Let me tell you, that's so NOT fun. Despite the rain and Alan's sickies, I still had a great day with my son and the rest of my loved ones. The Bridal Shower was a blast! We had taco soup and fruit for lunch and brownies for dessert. Then we played four w...