Keli eats

After we went to the DAR we went to eat at Zorba's Greek restaurant. I had found out about them on Embassy Day and then again in some article of The Washingtonian. Here are some pictures that Tonya took of us there. 

 Me getting ready to walk in.

 Michelle and I with our menu's no idea what I was looking at.

 Michelle and ... again no idea what was SO FREAKING FUNNY... 

 and here we all are at the table, Tonya and Annarae on one side and me and Michelle on the other side...

and also the ghost that apparently I was looking at/laughing at the whole time.

and in case you are wondering ..THE FOOD THERE IS DELICIOUS and they give you HUGE PORTIONS!

Keli Travels

In September 2013 I went to the the DAR headquarters in DC. I went with my friend Michelle, Annarae and Tonya. Tonya took the majority of these pictues and I am so grateful to her. They are beautiful. 

Outside of the building..

 Annarae, Tonya, Michelle and me.

 This is what we saw when we were in that picture above.

 Our tour guide told us that a lot of TV shows are taped here and they "pretend" it is the White House.

 love this picture of me and Annarae.

our tour guide showed us lots of different rooms here are pictures are some of the rooms that Tonya took.

We went down this awesome staircase..

 Here is Michelle on the stairs.

 Everywhere we went we saw detail like this.

 They have this great library/genealogy center.

They have all these fun old-fashioned toys that kids can play with.

 our tour guide was this amazing woman from Alabama. That LOVED to shop at Talbots.

We learned so many interesting things from her.. like all the First Ladies that we have had are eligible to be in the DAR. 

 and this is a room that was made out of wood from a ship that wrecked in NJ and they DAR in NJ  bought the wood and did not know why.. and they later used it to build this room.

 and the best story of all!!!! THE DAR IS HAUNTED .. by this lady Mary Lockwood.

our tour guide has felt her presence several times. 

She always tells the story that when the ladies got the land for the DAR, Washington DC was nothing but a swamp and Mary Lockwood had the forsight to write 

"and mineral rights" 

they can never be kicked off that land.

What a blessing. Our tour guide talked to us about how she once saw Mary standing by her portait. 

Several times she has also heard voices.

ALWAYS no matter what, she felt peaceful. It is like the ladies that established the DAR are still watching over it.

After our tour Michelle and I had her sister Lisa look into our genealogy, 

and great news!!!!!!! 

WE ARE BOTH ELIGIBLE.. 

SO 

WHEN 

ARE 

WE 

GOING 

TO 

JOIN MICHELLE!!!??

Keli Cleans

I struggle with having a clean house.. I mean I really, REALLY struggle.. In September 2013 I noticed my next door neighbors cleaning out their garage.. and I thought "hey if they can do that with three kids under three then I can clean out my garage.. So I went to work..

It was hard.. I took several breaks and at one point just wanted to leave all that junk outside.. but I threw a lot away and I got the rest back in and organized..

I felt so accomplished...now if I could only do the rest of my house.

me and my clean garage..everything is organized.. everything has a place and I know where everything is.. 

and yes those are pictures of Edward and Jacob and Bella on my wall...Peeta and Gale and Katniss are up to you just can't see them.

:)

Keli's Family

So here is my last post about the Simmons Family Reunion of 2013..

I had just finished airplane week with the boys I nannyed for .. so I taught several of my cousin's how to make paper airplanes.

 that was fun! 

My cousin Cundiff let me take the kids for a drive around in the golf cart..not sure if he will let me again.. because he said "I went on the main road" and "there is a cop that lives back in there" I had no idea it was a "main road.. because it was not all the way paved and if a cop is going to pull someone over for driving a golf cart in a country area like that.. he is on a POWER TRIP... FOR REAL.. 

BUT it was fun while it lasted the kids and I drove all over the area.. and even though I basically have NO WHERE to drive a golf cart up here.. I felt like I NEED ONE...

 Drew, Tori and I in the golf cart...

 Then we went and picked up Parker.. :) 

cousin's Porgy and Michelle restored this old car.. and I had been so busy taking pictures of people that I did not get any pictures with the CAR.. so Tori and Drew and I drove over there in the golf cart and got pictures with the car..

 Tori

 Drew 

 me.. I love this picture!!!! 

 I just had to get a picture of me relaxing in the hammock at Andrew and Jean's ..because I did last year... 

 here is everyone.. even the golf cart...

 and one more of Alex!!!!  He rode along with us on this bike while we were on the golf cart and was a bit of a tour guide...

SEE YOU IN 2014 for many more memories Simmons FAMILY!!!! 

Keli's Family

I have talked about the stuff leading up to the family reunion here are some pictures from the actual reunion.

 cousin Jennifer and her son Alex.

 My cousin Andy and his wife Karen.

 cousin's John and his son Fallon.

 cousin Vicki and me

 Aunt Georgia and me

 Uncle Tommy and me.

 me and cousin Jean.

 Uncle Tommy and I 

 cousin Ellen, her daughter Jennifer and me.

 Cousin Karen, me, Karen's daughter Tori, Tori's aunt Honey.

 me and cousin Mimi 

It was a great reunion and I am grateful for my family and look forward to seeing them in 2014.

Spiritual Keli

Every year, When I go to my family reunion I go to a small branch in Kilmarnock, VA. What a miracle that there are only a few LDS church in that area of VA and there is one in the same town as my family reunion so I don't have to skip church to go to my reunion. 

I did not want to church again ALONE at that branch.. and so I prayed please let me get a BF so I don't have to go to church alone at that branch..

Well I got a BF.. but he had to work..so I was stuck going alone.. 

until I went bowling and I asked my cousin Mark to go with me to church...

so my prayer was answered.... I had a BF and I did not have to go alone....

thank you Heavenly Father.. 

The next day I picked up my cousin Mark and we headed over to church.. HE LOVED CHURCH.. ! 

When it was over he said " I have to find this boy Grayson because he is going to give me a BoM" I said "OK" 

Mark was so excited.. he was like 

"I got my own souveneir.. my own BoM.. !!! now I can read it!!!!!"

He was like "BYE GRAYSON!!!!!!" and talked to me all the way back to the reunion saying "Grayson was cool and nice"

He said "he will come to church with me next year"

Later my cousin Jennifer put this picture on FB... and said ..

 My son Mark embraces diversity and went to church with his cousin Keli today...

a woman commented and said "My son Grayson enjoyed having him in class" 

WHAT!? GRAYSON'S MOM KNEW MY COUSIN MARK'S MOM!!!!??? ( my cousin Jennifer) say what ?? 

they went to HS together! 

I also found out from Grayson's mom that my cousin Biddie, Jennifer's grandma had even had some discussions and gone to some church activities..

um WOW!!! so.cool!  

I have met some really cool people in that branch including Danielle.. and her family and Grayson was kind enough to get a picture of us.. because we were dressed somewhat alike! 

My day was starting out great! 

so grateful for the people I have met in that branch.. and for Mark coming with me to church.