The work has begun!

We are through with some of the work on the new house and have moved in. For updates check out This Old House, Simonson Style at www.simonsonhouse.blogspot.com

And I promise, this is the only picture there where someone is without their pants.

Christmas morning

Emily trying out her new roller skates.

Emily helping Daddy open the Cyclones mug she picked out for him.

The girls deep in the thick of gift opening.

Clearly Claudia has had it with all the celebrating. I think that she felt that the place really needed a ball.

Much better. Claudia's favorite gift.

January, we hardly knew ye

This has been a crazy month of paper signing and painting, and redoing hardwood floors and painting, and moving and painting... but the house is coming along. We moved in, or at least spent our first night there on Saturday and from what we can tell it isn't haunted by either ghosts or walls that suddenly collaspe once all the paperwork is signed.

And it turns out that we will have the house paid off during Emily's senior year in high school, just in time to put the money toward college expenses, or at the rate that tuition is rising, her McDonald's fry cook training.

Croquet with Grandpa

Emily and Papa this summer. I think that I secretly thought that this is what being a parent would look like everyday: the sweet child in a flowing sundress playing calmly with her grandfather. Mmm, not so much.

Who needs the animals?

Kate enjoying Claudia enjoying the zoo in Omaha.

Daddy has a head

Emily recently started drawing recognizable human figures. Well, recognizable as humans, not as specific people. Granted they are a little top-heavy with only arms and legs attached to a center head, but on the plus side they are quite svelte. This one is Daddy.

And yes, every picture we take of Emily has that smile.

The Belmond gang

Krista, Kyle, and Emily taking in lunch at Pizza Ranch.