Simonson Family

Bryan is no longer a lazy bum.

True story. Read the news here.

Starving Student

Most of you know by now that as of this Friday, I will no longer be with iFLOOR. I am going to school for computer science. I am planning to start at BCC (Bellevue Community College) and then transferring to University of Washington.

Along the way, I’ll be doing a lot of math, and eating a lot of Top Ramen. In the picture, you see me clutching my first case of Top Ramen. The next four years are going to be full of starving…

2007 Seahawks in the Playoffs!

Dennis and I got lucky enough to get unexpected seats at the Seahawks first postseason game this year, and it was amazing!

I’ve been to other Seahawks games before, and they are always loud. Really loud. But the noise level this time was enough to make anybody go deaf. Every time we thought it could get no louder, an amazing play would push the cacophony to a new level. The loudest point during the game was in 4th quarter when Marcus Trufant, a pro-bowl Seattle defender, intercepted a Redskin pass and ran for a 78-yard touchdown! After the noise level came down (a little), then complete strangers in the audience were giving each other hugs! Everybody– men, women, children– everybody was high-fiving and hugging the next closest fan.

And, I’m sure it goes without saying, but NOBODY sat down the entire game. Seattle fans don’t just go to the game for fun, they go to work! Every time the enemy offense came onto the field, everybody stopped what they were doing (eating, drinking, talking) to make as much noise as possible. When there’s as much noise as the Seattle fans created, it causes the bad guys to make mistakes because they literally can’t hear what plays are being called, or when the football has been hiked! The result was that Seattle kept their #1 spot for play-timing penalties (like false starts, and delays of game) in the NFL. They would show the Redskins’ quarterback on camera whenever we were making noise, and you could easily SEE the frustration all over his face! At one point, he attempted to call a timeout (because of how loud it was), but his team couldn’t hear him, so they hiked the ball, and it bounced off of him because he wasn’t ready!

It was an amazing experience! Dennis and I even got 12th man (that’s the name of Seattle fans– the “12th man” on the field) makeovers, getting lots of new Seahawks swag. Here’s some of my favorite pics from the game.

Take a look at the pictures of the cheerleaders. I took that on the way to get some soda, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get such a close shot. (I WISH I HAD MY GOOD CAMERA!) Anyway, I was grinning like an idiot, and they were looking right at me and just smiling right back. That was really fun!

The beast has arrived…

Dennis got an iPhone (his “precious”). That was how it started.

It started off innocently enough. Cris, being the good “people” that she is, decided to upgrade Dennis’ phone for his birthday. Now, we all want to harness the power of the “internets”, but this thing… it has great and terrible powers!

Dennis is not what I would consider a “power browser”, but no sooner than the device was in his hands, his thirst for surfing, online videos, and email became insatiable. The device has different effects on everybody, but Dennis became white and nerdy.

It took me just one cursed glance… and I saw the vision. A bone-chilling vision, seen through the eyes of a madman genius who has just broken the bonds of hell to enslave us all for eternity.

I come as His emissary. Fear not– come unto the fold now, and you will know rewards never before dreamed of! Throw down your false idols and embrace His eternal grace. He has arrived.

I traded in my name for a better one

Of course you all know that Rich and I are married, but I wanted to post it on our family site (even though Jenny did too.) Ok I guess I am jsut stoked that my email will actually work now, or at least for this last minute or so. So I am taking advantage of the opportunity while my email works. I can’t wait to see ALL OF YOU IN ARIZONA.

Love Val

Screamin in California!

Steve cried like a baby on all the scary rides at Disneyland. He wet his pants, he clawed his neighbor, and screamed at the top of his lungs. Here is the proof.

Annie and I tried to scare the other riders on the Indiana Jones ride by screaming on the noneventful part. Apparently- that only works when mike is with me. Maybe mom and kristin screaming when we did were other key ingredients to controling the minds of those on the ride.

Mike- where are you when I need you?

next time we all meet all disneyland, the rest of you people should consider it also.

see jenny-ology for other pictures of us at Disney and the beach.

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UPDATE: (from Bryan) Edited for formatting and linking issues.

Let’s try this again…..

Hello All,

It has been a very long time that I have not been connected with the internet. However it got hooked up yesterday and it is heavenly. Why was I with out you ask. Well thanks for asking.

Malaya and I moved from our apt, to a new one on Sept. 26th and it took this long to get my internet hooked up. Yes we are now unpacked as well, thanks for asking and being so concerned for our well being.

So on Sept. 1st I broke up with Rich, (most of you know in July he got cold feet and called off the wedding, I called off the engagement etc.) our relationship fizzled pretty quick, so by September 1st it was a necessity. Anyway since we arre completely broke up we did not get married on September 23. My two best friends came to be with me on that day and they spoiled me rotten, and we celebrated my birthday then.

They took me on a shopping spree to Ross, MADE me try on about 30-40 outfits, and then bought me 4 shirts. We then went to big lots and I bought a couch and loveseat. (Hold the applause please.) Most of you don’t know that if you came to my house, there was NO WHERE TO SIT AT ALL. ONLY THOSE IDAHO ONES OF US KNEW THAT. So I got my more from my taxes that came recently and bought a red couch and red loveseat. And yes they match perfectly with my living room asian accent decor and the rug that Todd and Kristin purchased for me last Christmas. (I believe Bry helped with that process.)

What was that you say? Oh sorry no, there is no more of the moeny left to share with the family. I used it soley for my couch and loveseat, bought a shelf and boom the money was gone. My friends helped me get it here to my house (aptartment that is) and set it up, and I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since last week, I sit on my couch and my love seat just to make sure that it is still there. It is. Oh and if any of you wanted to stay here for an evening you can even sleep in Malaya’s room, with a full size bed. Yep I will even change the sheets for you too. (see how kind and considerate I am)

Mom thought of the idea to see if we could get Malaya to sleep in her own room when we moved, and it WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I no longer have to pretend I am going to sleep when she is as long as I turn on her silly songs for her to listen to. Then after stories, and me singing to her, she listens to her music and falls right to sleep in HER OWN ROOM AND IN HER OWN BED. She tells me “I glad Papa gave me this bed.” I told her it was Grandma and Papa that gave it to us, but she told me “no mama, only papa came to our house and gave me my bed.” So now for the first time in 3 1/2 years, I don’t have to be kicked in the ribs all night long by her. I’M LOVIN’ IT!!

I still work at my same job, so there is nothing new there, I actually think that is the newest updates for Malaya and I.

Hope you all enjoy this LITTLE paragraph of update. Ha ha ha (LITTLE, NOT)

Love Val and Malaya

Darin gets promoted!

Darin has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Trend Homes! He found out several months ago- probably in April or May. But now that it has officially been announced, I thought I would let the rest of you in on it! Here is a quote from the company newsletter, which was written by Darin’s boss, the CEO of the company.

“In an effort to implement Continous Process Improvement and empower the growth of the Company, Darin Hughes was recently promoted to the new position of Chief Operations Officer.

In this pivotal move, Darin undertakes a greater responsibility of bringing individual departments to one focus and understanding— the path of Continuous Process Improvement. This strategy will become the foundation for improving and maintaining an efficient Operations department.
Darin has spent the last 10 years refining his skills and defining his focus with Trend Homes,
embracing change and company growth with demonstrated ability. His new role demands
innovation and the ability to implement Continuous Process Improvemnt throughout all of the departments within the Company.
We are confident Darin will develop and cultivate a culture of process efficiency using this
philosophy of Continuous Process Improvement to the benefit of Trend Homes.
- by REED PORTER

I couldn’t have said it better myself. It is nice to see that Darin’s problem solving abilities, and basic brilliance is recogonized and appreciated. This is not speaking with a bias- it is merely factual, (I have seen some of the pivot tables he has designed!)

I can’t tell you how proud I am of Darin being the COO of one of the nation’s top 100 home builders at the age of 36! Way to go Darin!

Honk (comment) if you’re proud!

Funny Story

A couple of days ago I was talking to Malaya about my wedding and asking her what happens when I get married. She told me, “Rich live with me, and I marry Rich too Mommy.” Then I was telling her that at the reception we will dance. With out a prompt or anything she said “And unco (uncle) Bwyan (Bryan) dance wth me too mommy? ” And unco Dennis dance wth me to mommy, and we have fun?” I laughed, then she went on to name every person in the family in the same manner and then she said Me, Maddie, we play Mom, she my sister.” It was soo fun. Anyway, jsut so you all know, Malaya expects to be dancing with each of you at our reception.

Another funny story, Recently Malaya and I got married. Yep, bet you didn’t think that could happen. Well this is how we got married. We sang and did Ring around the Rosies, then we sang Ahah ah ah ah (from little mermaid) and then we were married. She came up with that all on her own as well. The next day, she got a ring (from the dollar store) and gave it to me for about 3 minutes, then she wanted it back, but at least we are married, and that is what is important isn’t. At least in a 3 year old mind.

Ok, here is one more funny one. I almost peed my pants when Malaya said this one. (and I know most of my brothers are saying (oh man why didn’t she pee her pants, that would have been funnier.) Anyway, Malaya was in her bed picking her nose. She said “Mom sing to me.” I asked her what to sing, she said “I am a Child Of God.” I started singing, and she said “If you sing Mommy, it will get the bugers out of my nose.” I started laughing, and replied, “it will (in shock and amazement) she then replied, no not really, you need to pick my nose mom, it’s gross, I don’t do it.” (So she wanted me to pick her nose for her, because it was too gross for her to do. Nice, let me do all the DIRTY work!!!!! I hope you all enjoyed these little stories. However I am sure that they were more funny in person. But just picture her saying all those things with her high pitched voice.

Ok, I have written enough, and you all are probably thinking, (man I wish Val wouldn’t have figured out how to use this website!!!) Love you all.

My Wedding

Hey everyone!!!

Here are more details about my wedding. Rich and I are getting married on September 23, 2006. We don’t know the time yet, or the place. We are hoping to be married in the Temple, but I don’t have my cancelation with ruben yet. And we can’t be married in the Temple with out that.

We are doing everyth8ing on the same day for those of you traveling. If we get married in the Temple, we will marry in mid morning, then family dinner (hosted by Rich’s family), then pics, then ring ceremony, then the reception in which we will be having a dance. If we don’t get married in the Temple, we will start with the Family lunch, then the wedding ceremony, pics, then the reception and dance.

So that is the scoop. I would love to see all of you there to share in our special day. I love each of you and hope this gives you some info that you need. If I could EVER figure out how to get my pics of CD and onto this __________ computer, I would post some pics of Rich and I, and Rich, Malaya, and I. Ok, if you have questions, let me know. You know my phone and email.