Cookie Cutter Chronicles

Charlee Jo

2012-01-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

Charlee Jo Cook

December 28, 2011

7:42 am

6 lbs. 2 oz.

17 inches long

Song playing when she was born: "She's a Maneater", so appropriate.

This post is almost 3 weeks late, but I am still trying to adjust to life with 4 kids, good thing Charlee seems to be a pretty laid back baby so far... She only cries when she needs to eat or needs to be changed... Camryn is obsessed with her but the poor girl is getting used to her mauling her all the time... She has the most luscious blonde hair, pouty lips, and kissable cheeks. Life is crazy for sure but I wouldn't change a thing, except the baby blues, those can take a hike.

Am I really ready for one more?

2011-12-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

I know Camryn is.....

Funny Crap my kids say....

2011-12-23T16:42:00.000-08:00

Cole~ Watching a Justin Bieber perfume commercial (don't judge)
"Mom, why is Justin Bieber so cool?"
uhhhh.... He's not

Carson` "This candy cane tastes like toothpaste"
and so it went in the trash, nothing worse than that apparently.

Camryn~ "Mom, it's ok to pee in the shower right?"
How do you answer that?

Best Beach Vacation... so far

2011-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Weather was perfect.

Kids were great.

The company was fun.

We rode bikes, had camp fires, went for walks, played in the sand, played in the sun, and didn't want to leave....

We already can't wait for next year...

Pic overload..More to come too

Some things go right sometimes....

2011-09-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

There are days when your children surprise you, where they show heart. Cole had a day like that today. It reminds me that he does listen to me, that what I say matters to him. Way to go Colie, you are my hero today.

What Camryn does INSTEAD of playing soccer...

2011-09-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Sue for the pictures, super bummed I missed her first game. But to quote Camryn, when asked why she did everything BUT play soccer, she stated "I didn't want anyone to see me play soccer, I only want to play soccer at Nate's house."

She looks like she had fun though, how can you argue with those smiles?

Why I NEVER win with this child...

2011-09-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

Cole and I butt heads, big time. I sort of imagine this is how my mom felt when I was growing up, we never got along, ever.

Some conversations of late...

First Example...

Me: Cole when Dad wakes up, you and the kids need to put this dishes away.

Cole: (freaking out) But I DON'T want to wait for Dad to wake up I want to do them now!!!!

Me: Sigh

Not winning.

Second Example:

Me: Cole after dinner you need to do a page of homework please.

Cole: (again with the freaking out) I don't want to eat dinner first I want to do my homework first!!!!!!

Ok, so this one is hard to argue with and he totally changed his mind after we got home, but REALLY?

Again not winning.

I know that's not what this is about, winning, but that's man this kid can be so dang hard to read.

But there are times when he makes me laugh...

Cole: How do you get to heaven Mom?

Me: By making the right decisions, being a kind helpful person, choosing the right.. (maybe I should've added not arguing with your parents)

Cole: Oh, well I killed a grasshopper today.

Even though he drives me up the wall at least once daily, I love that kid more than he probably realizes. Maybe one day we'll get along.

Milestone....

2011-07-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Two teeth lost in one day, Cole was pretty stoked :)

Some thoughts on number 4...

2011-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

4 is Tom's favorite number so it really is fitting that we are now expecting "C" number 4... I am still in shock, still trying to wrap my brain around the whole thing. But I am HAPPY, elated in fact. We never thought we could have kids, and that our journey in life included adopting those 2 crazy boys of ours. That was the plan, we were meant to do that and when life was where I "THOUGHT" it should be someone else had other plans. Silly me. And then we were blessed with our little girl. Ah, life felt complete and full. Well guess what happens when you get too comfortable, and your kids are potty trained and you finally let go of all the baby stuff, because you were secretly hoping for another one? Yup, you get your wish, a little late. Baby "C" will be loved, will be lucky enough to have 2 older brothers and an older sister, will have 2 parents who adore him or her already, have begun planning their arrival and look forward to the day when we get to hold them. Although I feel unprepared at this point I know that when the time comes I will take this new challenge and give it all that I have, do the best that I can and hopefully remember to enjoy what I have been given. I think I can do that.

This Just In: An Interview, of sorts.

2011-04-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

So that I may remember them as they are now.....
Thanks Sue!

Cole, 5 (almost 6, ,I was reminded of that) years old Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Friend: Nathan, and Tess and Eve
Favorite Place To Go: Sea World
Favorite Sport: Soccer
Favorite Movie: Sword In the Stone
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Toy: My Tractors
Favorite Song: Little Bit Of Chicken Fry
Random Quote: "I love you"

Carson, 4

Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Friend: Andrew and Nate
Favorite Place To Go: To Target
Favorite Sport: At Nate's House (?)
Favorite Movie: Despicable Me
Favorite Food: Mac. N. Cheese
Favorite Toy: Buzz Lightyear Gun
Favorite Song: "I'm having a Bad Bad Day"
Random Quote: "I wanna go crazy"

Camryn, 2 going on 25

Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Friend: Caleb
Favorite Place To Go: To School
Favorite Sport: Watching Cole play Soccer
Favorite Movie: Beauty and The Beast
Favorite Food: Peanut Butter and Jelly/ Hot dogs
Favorite Toy: Babies/Lucy
Favorite Song: Ariel
Random Quote: "I no do that."

I miss you today...

2011-04-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

I miss my Gma today...
I miss her smile.
I miss her calling me Missy.
I miss her Four on the Floor.
I miss her house that holds so many menories for me.
I miss planting flowers with her.
I especially miss sharing my birthday with her....

My journey...

2011-03-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

My journey will be hard and long, there may be people I lose along the way, but I must go. I strive to do better, to be better, to live better. There is freedom in this journey and knowledge, and healing. I need to heal, to grow. I hope to see you at the end....

~And this journey does involve updating my blog more often... Jan, Feb, and March to come soon... they were doosies

Worst Mom EVER....

2010-12-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

I didn't take ANY pictures on Christmas this year. I suck.

See what I have to work with?

2010-12-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

Whew....

2010-12-20T06:01:00.001-08:00

~Warning~ Major picture overload to follow....
We have been so super (but oh so wonderfully) busy the last month and so that I don't forget what fun we had here is our life in pictures from the last month....
I'm sure my bank account will recover, some day.

Carson and Camryn's Preschool Thanksgiving Party

Big Bear....

Weather was crap but the company was awesome

Yo Gabba Gabba Live...

We would do this again in a second.

Disneyland. At Night. Whole different experience

Oxnard Harbor

Parade of Lights at my Dads house....

And now it's time to get ready for the Holidays.... I've got five days right?

No words required...

2010-11-06T18:39:00.001-07:00

"Welcome to Holland"

2010-10-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

My homework this week in my Inclusion Class has been enlightening, to say the least. I read this passage in my book and thought that this may apply to all parents. I needed this this week, I needed to know that it's ok to be in Holland and that Italy really isn't for me

"Welcome to Holland"

By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability-to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When You're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip-to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!" you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while you catch your breath, you look around... you begin to notice that Holland has windmills... and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandt's.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I planned"

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things.... about Holland.

I've said this before and I am sure I will say this again, I must've needed this this week because it touched my soul.... And what a hard week it's been.

I will survive.

2010-10-18T21:13:00.001-07:00

I hope. My crazy friend Susan enlisted me in a 13 week running program. This is the beginning of week 2, it was A LOT harder than week 1. But I WILL FINISH IT. I WILL RUN A MARATHON. I WILL GET BACK IN SHAPE. There, it's in writing, in cybersapce, now I can't back out. EVER. Here's hoping I don't die.

You're Two...

2010-09-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

You make us laugh

with your silly ways...

You make us cringe

on your daredevil days...

You make us smile

with your constant chatter...

You make us love you

more every day...

You're silly and sweet and full of spunk and love (you kind of remind me of Grandma Knight)... and while most days all I do is shake my head at you and picture what the future will be like, I can't help but love you more every day.

Happy 2nd Birthday Camryn Geneva Elizabeth

(yes I know I am late)

And so it begins....

2010-08-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

Cole has been looking forward to starting Kindergarten for so long... and now that the day has finally arrived he couldn't be happier... If I had one thing to say to him today it would be this: Be true to you, love life, always be a friend, be respectful, and learn, learn, learn... Knowledge is power and will take you far... My heart...

Lining up to enter his class...

Following directions.... Like a pro.

We're ready for this chapter.

Lime Popsicle Heaven

2010-06-14T15:14:00.001-07:00

Could life get any sweeter?

Kids say the darndest things...

2010-06-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

My kids make me laugh DAILY... Especially when they say out of the blue crazy things... Like...

Me: "Cole, why don't you use your brain?"

Cole: "Mom, I can't my brain hurts"

WOW!

Carson: "I can't go outside to play, It's too COLD!"

Ummm.... It's 100 plus outside

Camryn: "Yeah BUDDY!"

I know, old pictures... but I love them..

I think if I wrote down everyday the things that the kids do that make me laugh, giggle, cry and sigh, I would never get off the computer.

I LOVE MY KIDS!

Two Peas in a Pod...

2010-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Tom and Cole are inseparable... If you need to find Cole just look for Tom. So I guess it's fitting that there birthday are two days apart... This weekend (and why must it always be Mothers Day weekend that their birthdays land on? I ALWAYS forget about Mothers Day) we celebrated these boys and had a great time doing it... There's nothing better than family and friends for two days straight, except for the mess left over...

Why do I love thee?

~You have a laugh that makes everything better

~You love to learn and explore and question

~You love soccer, karate, and basketball

~You ALWAYS make funny faces for pictures

I can't believe you're 5.... I can't wait for what this year has in store for you...

Why do I love thee?

~You make me laugh every day

~You are the most generous, hard working man that I know

~You know how to play with our children, that makes them the luckiest children ever

~You put up with me. Every day.

Welcome to your 30's. It's a great place.

I never said she was smart...

2010-03-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

...just cute

Just add water....

2010-03-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

I usually don't get much done along the lines of housework when Camryn is awake. Dishes don't get put away, laundry doesn't get folded mostly because my "little helper" does more hindering than helping. This morning though she entertained herself with water and play-doh. (notice that our play-doh is grayish black? Yeah, that's what happens to play-doh at my house. I don't care if the colors get all mushed together.) It was heaven for us both.

Water Water Everywhere...

See the PILE of laundry screaming my name?

How can you argue with this? Pure Bliss.

Like how I'm spending my "Camry-actually-being-entertained-time" blogging?

Way to go Mom.

Now I need to mop.

What I've learned about me.

2010-03-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

I just realized that last week it's been a year since I have quit my job, and oddly enough I have started back working again. Just subbing here and there but I realized that it has been a year since I have actually earned a real honest to goodness paycheck. I wasn't sure how I would do as a stay-at-home mom after I have always had some sort of job, babysitting and whatnot, since I was 12. Would I get bored? Would I get cabin fever? And I actually found out that this is the hardest most rewarding job I have ever done. And I found that I actually have grown as a person and I have learned a few things about myself.
Like...
~I really love to cook. I always knew I liked to cook but now that I have the time to do it I have enjoyed it even more. I still rely on others to supply me with the "what" to cook though, I have no imagination when it comes to that.

~I SEVERELY DISLIKE when people say to me "How do you do it?" I feel like I want to scream when they say it to me, (and here I go breaking my own rule) but I don't know how single parents do it, I have such great respect for those who truly raise children alone. Sure I have done this in some capacity for the last 10 months (going on 11, but who's counting?) but I KNOW that Tom will be home soon. So to all you single parents out there, I salute you. I know you do the best you can with what you have.

~I have learned how to prioritize. I guess you have to do that with less money and more time. And I have learned the joy of saving and working towards a goal.

~I learned that I missed stuff in the boys childhood and I'll be darned if I do that to another child. I just hope my kids appreciate this one day...

~I have gained a new respect for people that work, have kids, and go to school. I had to quit one thing to finish the other, there was only so much of me to go around.

I'm sure there are many more things for me to learn and to realize about this sort-of new adventure in life. Even though it's only been a year, I still feel like every day there is something new I get to experience and explore. And even though some months I really miss the paycheck, I don't miss the stress, the frustration, or the sadness of leaving my children.
AND I am sure there are more things I have learned this year, but I have a severe case of Mommy-brain. Anyone else suffer from that?

Accessory Du Jour...

2010-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Yup. Camryn broke her foot. I ALWAYS knew she would be the one to get hurt like this first.
She's a trooper though. After a really rough Saturday night we endured a rather easy morning at the ER on Sunday. She was so good and only screamed bloody murder when the hard splint was put on. Now that it is on she's crawling like a champ and only every so often forgets about it and tries to stand. I think that this is the hardest thing for me, Camryn is such an active little girl and this has slowed her down a lot. She is also very much a mama's girl and this has made her even more so.

So, if you must know, slides are evil and the bane of my existence right now. But I know this won't stop my crazy little girl.

A guy named King...

2010-01-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character"

~A conversation during the drive home from preschool..

"Mom I watched a play today on TV"

"Really?"

"Yeah it was about a guy"

"What was his name?"

"A guy names King, someone shot him"

"Yes. Someone did shoot him, Do you know why someone shot him?

"Because they didn't like him."

"You're right. Someone didn't like him, or what he was doing. Do you think that was ok that someone did that?"

"No, not at all."

I know that he doesn't really understand why he was shot, or what he really did for our country, but I like that he has started to realize it. That he now knows about a guy named King.

Some girl time...

2010-01-10T17:01:00.001-08:00

3...

2010-01-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

As I was searching for pictures to post of Carson to note his progression from infant to 3 years old, I really started to realize how far he has come. Being born 11 weeks (as far as we know) premature and with some other problems, this kid has grown leaps and bounds. He was in the hospital for almost 6 months and really his only problem (other than the lack of anyone being there for him) was that he just really did not want to eat (so not him now though). We got the phone call about him the day after Cole's 2nd birthday. We knew about him but very little and when the social worker called and asked us if we had talked to the boys birth mother recently I knew that I had to fight for this little guy. For 2 weeks before he was able to come home to us, I made the drive to Loma Linda University (Tom was out of town of course) and it was then that I came to realize what parents of sick children do. You are so torn. I was working full time then and had a 2 year old at home but a new baby that needed me too. I still remember the first time I saw him, you could imagine my surprise when I saw this brown haired, brown eyed baby, I was picturing a mini version of Cole and man was I wrong. But he felt so right in my arms. All of the nurses LOVED him and really it's hard not to. Being able to bring him home was such a joy, but so hard too. Tom and I had to learn how to insert a G-tube (so not fun) and learn how to feed him. But, it was all worth it. That drive home was amazing. 2 boys, when we never imagined we would even have 1. Carson was born on January 1st weighing in at 2 lbs 7 ounces and came home to us on May 29 weighing in at 10 lbs. He continued to gain weight and still to this day loves to eat, but we think he might have hollow legs because he's just such a skinny thing. Carson is the most easy-going, loving, cuddle-bug of the family and we all love his sweet calming presence his heart brings to our family.... I don't know what we would do without him...

First day homeFirst Beach Trip

Brown Eyed Boy

Yup.... That's about right. Stuffing his face.

He really isn't that fond of the snow.

Happy 3rd Birthday :)

Somethings you may not know...

~Carson was the EASIEST 2 year old (hopefully he keeps that streak alive)

~He prefers to snuggle and be with the adults rather than play with the kids (I think it's mostly because he doesn't get his toys taken away that way)
~He talks non-stop

~He LOVES to eat steak

~He devours sweets like he's never had it before

~He loves to play with his sister

~He loves his doggies but is allergic to their saliva and if they lick him he gets hives.

~He LOVES his Daddy

I am so thankful for this little guy, whom I call my "Calm between my storms", who is such a delight. We love you Carson and are so glad that you are a part of our family.

Today..

2009-12-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

...all I've done is clean up messes. Everywhere. All. Morning. Long. How can one little thing be so messy? But as I was following the little tornado around, picking up books, babies, trucks, toothbrushes, toilet paper, I couldn't help but laugh and think that one day "I'm gonna miss this". Because as they all get older there are bigger things to worry about, like, braces, boys, friends, teachers, sports, homework... I think you get the idea. And then one day you don't have those worries anymore. Maybe it's the holidays but I'm feeling a little sentimental.

I'll take this any day And the boys haven't even come home from school yet.
and yes that is my toothbrush she has.
Apparently she's a thief too.
I think the letter of the day is "T"

'Twas the weekend before Christmas...

2009-12-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the house

All the creatures were running, ruining my clean house.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Mom and Dad soon would be there.

The children were wrestling and jumping on beds,

While visions of candy danced in their heads;

And Mama was in a hurry and Daddy was driving,

wondering when they would all stop the whining and crying.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the laundry to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw off the cat.

The neighbors flood light glaring so bright,

Gave the luster of midday to objects alright,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a monster of a work truck, and the man I hold dear.

With the tall young driver so weary and stiff,

I knew in a moment it must be him

More rapid than eagles his courses they came,

And he whistled and shouted, and called us by name:

"Now Carrie! Now Cole! Now Carson and Camryn!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Don't dash away! Dash away! Don't dash away at all!"

He was dressed in work clothes from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with drywall and soot,

A bundle of laundry he flung on his back,

And he looked the weary traveler happy to be back.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His beard was so bushy!

His cheeks were unshaven and in need of a shower.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the smile on his face did nothing but grow.

He wasn't chubby or plump, just like his old self,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He sprang to his kids, and showered them with hugs,

And away they all flew like a bunch of little thugs,

But I heard them explain as they ran out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

We are all so excited to have Daddy home for 2 WHOLE weeks...

The Cook Family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you all will be spending it with the ones that you love the most. I know we will.

Authors Note: Please ignore the few lines that do not rhyme, I tried :)

Why Oh Why...

2009-12-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

...do they HAVE to grow up?

(and why does she have the craziest hair EVER?)

'Cause that's the way things happen on the Polar Express!

2009-11-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

"The thing about trains... It doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on."

Isn't that so true in life? Just taking that chance? Seeing what is out there?

I feel like that has been our life this year. I have been able to travel with Tom so much more this year than ever and I have enjoyed it tremendously. We have gotten to experience new things, ridden horses, played in the snow, hiked everyday, played on a park with a MERRY-GO-ROUND (the highlight of the trips for the kids), eaten Elk meat almost everyday, basically just lived a different life. Our last adventure in Colorado was getting a chance to ride The Polar Express. We didn't make reservations in time to get really great seats, but we loved it just the same.

Watching the train roll in....

Better have your ticket...

Not the best picture, but I'll take it... We didn't have film for our good camera so the digital will have to do....

My life...

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

I love that the world still holds magic for my children. That simple things, like riding a train, can make them believe in some of the good things in life. Even if just for a little while longer.

Cimmaron Princess

2009-11-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

Today, as we watched the "cowboys" wrangle up the cows, the boys were asked if they wanted to ride a horse. Both boys jumped at the opportunity and were so excited to ride "Cimmaron Princess" was described as a "DIVA".

Cam even got in on some of the action.

Wearing "Cowboy" Ralph's hat...

Ralph (who is leading the mare) owns the ranch we are staying on and is SUPER nice.

My new favorite thing...

2009-11-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it's a poem. So?

Miracles

Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?

As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,

Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,

Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,

Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,

Or stand under trees in the woods,

Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love,

Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,

Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,

Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,

Or animals feeding in the fields,

Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,

Or the wonderfulness of the sundown,

or of stars shining so quiet and bright,

Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;

These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,

The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,

Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,

Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

To me the sea is a continual miracle,

The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the ships with men in them,

What stranger miracles are there?

Sometimes we stumble on things that we need, sometimes they find us. This found me. I feel blessed to have all that I have. Sure, I struggle as we all do, but I am trying to find the miracles in every day, to be thankful this month for all that I am blessed with. But why should it be only this month? I wish I didn't need reminding.

PS... Camryn has started saying Thank You... Cutest thing EVER...

Beach Life.. (I wish)

2009-10-16T16:01:00.001-07:00

Just a few pics from our trip.. I still have more pics to develop.

We played, ate, laughed, walked, got smashed by waves, found seashells, rode bikes ( a lot) and enjoyed each others company...

What more can I say?

Bird lady

See? They really do love each other...

I eat dirt.

Being so good...

Best Buddies...

What's up there?

Yeah Kyla.

Trouble 1, 2 and 3

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”

Attitude Gratitude

2009-09-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

I need an attitude adjustment. And fast. There is nothing worse than feeling ungrateful. I loathe it. I despise it. Yet I find myself falling into it's ugly grasp every now and then, only to be jolted to reality.

Like:

Camryn having an "I WANT MY MOMMY ONLY AND NO ONE ELSE BETTER TRY AND PRY ME AWAY FROM HER!" kind of day (where I get NOTHING done), but wait, I HAVE A DAUGHTER!!!!

Attitude gratitude...

Having to lug all 3 kids to Carson's therapy appointments, but wait, he is only there for some mild physical therapy, not like the little girl who was there today with the most beautiful smile on her face and burns over 1/2 of her body.

Attitude gratitude...

Another day doing it ALONE. Tom has been gone for almost 6 months people! But wait, I am married to my best friend, we have a strong marriage, and appreciate HIS sacrifice more and more everyday. I could NEVER be away from my children or family for that long.

Attitude gratitude...

Why do I need to be reminded of these things? Why do I allow myself to miss the forest for the trees? To not see the whole picture? Anyone?

I know it could be worse.

Birthday Bash...

2009-09-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Camryn had a bad week leading up to her 1st birthday... She was getting her top 2 teeth, got sick, was attacked by a LARGE My Little Pony and got her first bloody nose, fell at Target got her second bloody nose (on the same day) , a bruise on her forehead and swollen nose, AND fell face first into the mud (of which I got a picture of because she totally didn't care that she was covered in mud)... But Daddy got to come home, we got to see all our friends and family and she got to eat cake...guess that's a trade-off...

Mud RunBirthday Girl

Yup. The girl loves cake. Not sure where that came from (wink. wink.)
Enjoying herself completely...

My favorite picture of all (thanks Auntie)

It was an exhausting week and an even more exhausting weekend. But I kept thinking about this time last year and how I felt and I would do it all over again.

365 days...

2009-08-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

From this.... To this....

What a year it has been....

Happy Birthday Camryn Geneva Elizabeth Cook

Silly and Sweet...

2009-08-27T15:21:00.001-07:00

I love when my kids are silly and I can catch it on camera....

Just plain goofy...

She is always trying to put clothes on herself...

Cole had to try too...

Love her face...

Cole was making sure Sissy didn't fall off the stool while they brushed their teeth...

I love these kids...

Take two...

2009-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Tom was supposed to come home, but due to all the work he had to get done, wasn't able to leave. Since it had been a month since we had seen him, I packed up the kids, grabbed Kyla and we began our journey of 5 states.... You may think I am crazy, but to be honest with you minus the last few hours of the drive home it went rather well... Thanks to Kyla and all of her help she made the trip all that much more fun and easier on Tom and me... I really got to know a lot more about myself, my children, my husband and Kyla. I have always wondered how Tom has really felt about me quitting my job, has me resented me? Does he hate having to work so much? Was it really worth it? But when I told him my plans about going back to Colorado I knew that I had (again) made the best decision for my family. I would have never been able to embark on this adventure if I was working. My kids did AWESOME in the car... better than I thought they would. The last few hours on the way home were rough for them, they were melting before my eyes, but we made it. And Kyla. Wow. I am so impressed at the young woman that she has grown into. I thoroughly enjoyed her chitter-chatter, our food fest in the monstrous kitchen and her calming personality. And I learned that I can do things without Tom, (not that I want to) that it is possible to drive across 5 states and live to tell the story. And even though we are more than 12 hours away from each other I think that this last trip has made Tom and I closer, I proved to him how much he means to me (not that I need to, but to be reminded once in a while is always a good thing) and to my children and we got to be together as a family. And that's what really matters in the end. No matter what has to happen for that to be.

This car is AWESOME... Kyla fell in love with it... The owner of the ranch said that it used to fit his parents, grandparents, and 4 children..probably not too legal now.

Minature Donkey... Kyla and I decided that he looked like the donkey from Shrek

Classis Camryn face...

Cheese!

True beauty...

Tom actually got to take an entire day off. So we went to Silverton Colorado and got to see some cool trains, got caught in a downpour and tour the town on a bike

My favorite men...

This is above the huntung camp that the owner of the ranch runs, it was an amazing night for a Ranger ride and we had tons of fun exploring... And we ran into some pissed off cows... I'll have to get the pictures from Kyla.

I am already ready to go back...

Just to preserve a memory...

2009-07-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

...even if it is a GROSS one...

This one pooped in the bathtub this morning and ATE it...

I am completely traumatized.

Fishing Frenzy!

2009-07-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I obviously married a fishing freak. We went from one fishing vacation to another, but had a great time with all of our family and friends. This last weekend we went camping in Bishop...

Adult total~10 Kid total~9 (Tom and I had just 5 with us ourselves)

We laughed, hiked, fished (of course), ate, and just enjoyed our surroundings...

Kyla climbed out onto this log to take a pic... She is turning into a little dare devil.On our "hike"

Carson and his fish... The boy loves to fish!

Please ignore the attire...it was early in the morning

Yeah. Camryn fell out of the trailer. Not cool.

Self pic

Carson was tired.. I think still from Colorado (I know I was)

The love bug

All smiles

D.Jay really fell asleep like this...

And places we fished....

Some caught none

Some caught one

But... We all had fun.

Can't wait to do it again...

Colorado. Again.

2009-06-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry, more Colorado pics... These are mostly from the second half of our stay there. We went hiking, caught a horney toad, and did a lot of park trips....

Silver Jack... This was our last day here.

The view from one of the parks we went to... It's in Ouray, which is this cool little town that had a really fun old fashioned candy store.

There was a hot springs pool there too...

This is the jobsite... We were able to eat lunch with Tom here every day and do some exploring at the same time.

Our Honey Toad...

"Who painted it here?"

2009-06-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

That was the first thing that Cole said when we pulled up to the farm house we were staying at in Colorado. And I just chuckled. We as a family were given the extreme great opportunity to go stay with Tom for 2 weeks in Colorado while he worked.
We were all in heaven...
Life in Ridgway Colorado was very different. It really was green everywhere.
Thunderstorms rolled in every afternoon like clockwork.
This town had NO fast food restaurants (to my delight)
Every place closed by 9pm and were CLOSED on Sundays.
We got to see deer, elk, cows, horses, fish, and foxes daily.
We went hiking, fishing, exploring, and best of all got to be together as a family.

Cole very proud of his fish.

This pond was on the side of the house and Cole got to fish everyday.

On the river that ran through town...
Ranger ride... We were looking for deer "ears"... as Cole called him.

How could you not love that?

This was one of the kids favorite things to do...

View from the house...

Side Porch...

And the storm rolling in...

The pond.

I already miss it.

Upon returning home Cole announced to all...

"I don't want to be in this home anymore. I want to go back to the farm house."

I, secretly, was feeling the same way.

*more pictures to come

Naked Baby...

2009-05-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

I don't even know what to say about this. The boys never did anything like this. I think Tom and I are in trouble.

First's of the season....

2009-05-19T18:08:00.001-07:00

First toofers.... First roses... My favorite...

First Strawberries....

Isn't it cute?

A four year old, the fair, and far away places.

2009-05-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

This one turned 4....I always get anxious throwing birthday parties. They cost so much money, there is ALWAYS a mess to clean up, and everything you have to do before hand could drive a person mad. But then I remember that my children are so lucky to have family and friends that are willing to take time out of their busy lives to come and celebrate with us our treasures. And how could anyone want to miss this?

L.J and his sweet smile.

Grandma Lupe, Cole and Bamma Cathie

Lupe is Cole and Carson (oh and now Camryn's) Biological Grandmother... I love her sweet spirit and generous personality. And my mom is pretty cool too...

Papa Joe and Grandma Lupe. Yup, they are a part of our lives. I wouldn't have it any other way. If you have a problem with it just look at Cole's cheeseball smile and ask yourself...

Could you stay away from that?

LOVE THEM!

and Lupe teaches then Spanish. YEA for that!

Gotta love that.

Carson stuffing his face? NOOOOOO....

Stepping stones....

Uncle Aaron and Auntie Jen.

Camryn and her Nina... Note the mess in the background. Sheesh.

AAAAHHHH... The fair. Who doesn't love: carnival rides, food, animals, and crazy people? This was my first time taking the kids anywhere without Tom (more on that later) and thanks to my family it went rather well.

Our Cowgirl.

Just plain excited.

Carson and Bamma.

I don't think he knows how to smile normal. Oh well total blackmail.

And now on to this....

Tom had to go out of town again for work. I am now officially a single mother. I really don't know how they do it. This will be the first time that I will be a stay-at-home mom while he is gone. I have always worked in the past and the time has always flown by. I have to be jealous though. I was thinking the other day of all the places that Tom has gotten to travel to on company dime and the list was quite impressive. Washington (he actually got the call to go there the day we were signing papers to buy our house, so when it was finished being built, I got to move in alone) Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona (spun the Suburban into a guardrail driving to visit him in Phoenix) Wyoming, North and South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana (after Hurricane Katrina to repair long distance sites for Sprint, made me glad I live in a place where earthquakes only happen occasionally) New Mexico, and Colorado. Some of these places he has been to numerous times. There are so many stories of crap that goes wrong or happens when he is gone, our travel trailer rocking from the wind off it's jacks, the neighbors shed blowing into our yard and knocking over our fence and my big old bullmastiff of a dog being able to run through 3 yards, Me finding out I was pregnant, When we got Cole, moving into our house, I could go on and on. But I have to say that I am fortunate to have family and friends that help me get through the weeks and even months. I wonder what new thing this trip will bring...

We're gonna miss you Daddy.

Daddy, Camryn and Gunner... The sweetest goggie (ala Carson) alive. He's not scary I promise.

Could life get any sweeter?

2009-05-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day always make me grateful for the things that I have. For a mother who has taught me so much, a sister that has given me the coolest little nephew ever, a sister-in-law that more than 6 years ago added 2 crazy kids to our family, and a best friend that allows me to be such a great part of her daughters lives. But I have to be thankful for those 3 little things that God entrusted to me. For the strongwilled, questioning 4 year old with the striking blue eyes and the laugh that stops people in their tracks. For the loving, cuddlebug 2 1/2 year old that loves his Dad, brother, and sissy beyond words and is my calm between my 2 storms. And finally for the crazy, freak (as her uncle calls her) 8 1/2 month old that is just the icing on our cake. She is adventurous, loving, and such a joy to be around. I love my children for all that they teach me, Cole to question life and to seek knowledge, Carson to be a little sweeter to all and Camryn to try everything. These pictures of my babies always make me smile and laugh. Lately I have been taught to cherish life, embrace life, and to learn from what lessons are our there. All you have to do is believe in the good in life and sometimes it's right in front of your nose.

Our waterbug.

Our cheeseball.

The other cheeseball.

He still smiles like this...

Loving brother...

My first family picture....

The big jump.

2009-05-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

These are some professional pics from Toms Skydive...

What an amazing view...

We also visited the March Airfield Museum. It was a great hands-on experience.

We call Carson our wanderer... He is just in his own world most of the time

At least she tried to move it..

My favorite people...

He now wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

Planes, planes and more planes!

2009-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

For as long as I have known Tom he has wanted to go Skydiving. Me being the practical person that I am would rather not allow my husband jumping to certain doom but I finally relented. So for his birthday I booked him a trip. It was an amazing family day and we enjoyed watching him fulfill one of his dreams... For those of you who know Tom know he is a little crazy....

(These pics are out of order)

Cole and Tom after the jump.
All done!

On the ground finally!

Walking to the airplane.

Before the jump. Not even a bit nervous.

Our nephew Austin... He came to see Uncle Tommie jump too.

Cole and Papa Steve.. Gotta love that!

P.S.... There was one unlucky person before Tom jumped that chute did not completely open up... So I figured it couldn't happen twice in one day. Right?

P.P.S... I will post the professional pics soon and pics from the March Airfield Museum, which is a must for all to go and visit. Great history.

Little Terror?

2009-04-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

I actually call it Poetic Justice (anyone that knows Tom and the boys knows what I mean).... Camryn has turned into a little terror but her favorite objects to torment are her brothers, which I find amusing given the fact she hasn't been able to defend herself against them.

Poor bear... he never did anything to you. This actually warmed my heart because Cole was actually letting her torment him...

What? I'm not doing anything.

She stole Carson's sippy cup. Do you see her path of destructrion? My rice was EVERYWHERE! Yes she is sitting in the middle of our table. This tends to happen when you have 5 people in your family, 4 chairs, 3 kids that still need boosters or high chairs, 2 parents, and 1 space saving high chair that usually ends up on the floor.

No pictures please! (she stole Cole's ice cream)

The end result of her dinner terrorizing.... Can you say BATH?

Knife Hair... As Cole calls it.

Where's Camryn?

Here I am!

Oh the joys of crawling....

Heaven help us...

2009-04-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

.....we have a crawler. I feel bad for Carson and Cole.

Remember this April?

2009-04-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

My mom found this the other day and it made me laugh.... We had fun when we were younger. Thanks to Alison and Janelle for ALWAYS dressing us up.

So busted....

2009-04-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

This is what she should be doing... This is what I caught her doing today at naptime... First time ever...

So bad.

Playing outside....

2009-04-17T17:09:00.000-07:00

Cole went to the movies with "Bamma" (Grandma in Cole speak) and Tom was at a work meeting so Carson, Camryn and I got play outside without the "crazy ones" (as I call them)...

Camryn watching Carson go down the slide... She totally thinks her brothers hung the moon...

Easter has been a....

2009-04-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Flower holding (mom leave me alone)... Egg Coloring..

Smiling...
Kid rolling...

Baby containing...

Egg finding...

Cheeseball posing...

Easter Grass playing...

Peep eating....

Candy munching...

Grandma lovin'....

Trying to get a decent picture...

Just plain happy....

kind of time...

Ps Lauri.... I totally stole your idea... Don't hate me too much.

Sometimes I wonder about Cole....

2009-03-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Mind you it's 75 degrees outside and probably the most amazing day that we have had so far this year... and this is how Cole decided to dress to go outside because apparently... "It's Told outside" (In Cole Speak, as we call it). He did put on a bathing suit though.

Craziness....

2009-03-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Do you see a problem here?

2009-03-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

A humbling morning....

2009-03-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

I think that I might have needed to be brought down a notch. I find it amazing that there are examples daily of why we need to be reminded of what we have. This morning Carson had assessments for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The good news is that he does not require Occupational Therapy and is where he should be at age wise... BUT he will require Physical Therapy about twice weekly. He is at about the 18 month range for movement and such. That's cool, I'm OK with that. I will take all the help I can get. They were really nice there and after he warmed up he actually enjoyed himself (from what I heard as I was not allowed to be there, which is fine with me because kids always act different around their parents). As I waited for him to be done with his appointments I had to sit out in the waiting room or hallway actually and was able to view the other people that were doing therapy. I was almost brought to tears several times, which lately seems really easy to do. These people were here because some injury or disability. One man had a shunt in his head, another girl had an obvious disability, another woman had Knee Surgery and they were all there, happy, smiling, doing what they needed to do. They don't know if doing this will ever make a difference, if they will ever be able to walk again without a cane, not have to have a shunt or be able to be 21 and not have a walker. I take advantage of the fact that I can dance, go to the parks pain free with my kids, drive my own car (as the younger girl with the walker had to wait outside for her ride, which broke my heart) make dinner, play with my dogs, hug my husband, carry my baby, the list could go on forever. We all have been extremely sick here this week but we will survive, we will get better and be back to our normal selves. Sometimes we seem to get wrapped up in our own lives and forget that some people would kill to have some of the problems that we complain about. I learned today that I need to be reminded once in a while that in the grand scheme of things I live an amazing life. I have a healthy family, a home, wonderful friends. Do I need anything else? I learned a valuable lesson in gratitude today. Wonder what the next slap in the face will be?

Beauty in our own backyard...

2009-03-11T15:30:00.001-07:00

I have learned to look at the beauty all around.... Living in the desert all of my life like I have sometimes you forget that it too can be a beautiful place. I have to say that we have kickin' sunrises and sunsets, beautiful spring and fall days, clean air, and wonderful places to explore. Recently we went to Afton Canyon outside of Barstow (that's right, I said BARSTOW) with Aaron, Jennifer and the twins, Kyla, and some friends from work and we had an amazing time exploring this beautiful place... makes me wanna go out and do this more often. Jayden hanging out by the train tracks

Soooo illegal yet so fun... (And Cole LOVES trains)

Kyla and Haylie... Same eyes...

This was one of the first times we went somewhere where Carson actually wanted to walk around by himself.. great progress for him

Aaron climbing the rope lines in "Cave Wall"

View from the top of the hike... Amazing

Kyla at the mine...

Cole and Daddy hiking the "crazy hike"...

Another top view...

"Crazy Hike"... Again...

All the kids got help crossing the rickety bridge.

Cole "hiking"

Carson "hiking"... Carson style

I wonder about Jayden... He's crazy.

We had a great time... Hope to do it again sometime soon.

Jumping Bean...

2009-03-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

She's crazy.

2009-02-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

I love the website Little Bridie Secrets http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/... They have the coolest ideas, projects, websites, and suggestions. I recently found a post they put up that had a link to this really cool website that changes your recent photos.... So fun, Check it out http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds

These are some of my favorite pics of my crazy kids....

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

2009-02-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

1. I love your baby blues... They are the window to your wonderfully mischievous soul.
2. I love that you are the best big brother a little boy and girl could ask for.
3. I love that you call an I-Pod and I-Plod.
4. I love that you are fiercely independent and want to try to do everything on your own, even though this makes us late almost daily.
5. I love that you want to do "tricks" on your quad, off the couch, off your bed, basically off anything that is even remotely off the ground.
6. I love that you LOVE your Dad more than any other person in the world and it only breaks my heart a little that I come in a close second.
7. I love that you love to learn, explore, are naturally curious and that "why?" is your favorite question.
Basically, I just love you.

1. I love your deep brown puppy dog eyes with eyelashes that any women would kill for.
2. I love that as soon as you see anyone that you recognize you get so excited you can't control yourself.
3. I love that you love your brother and sister with all that you are.
4. I love your smile which makes any day just that much better.
5. I love that, just like your brother, you think your Dad hung the moon.
6. I love that you are learning how to speak and communicate with us.
7. I love that you eat like a teenager and are just as messy as one.
Basically, I just love you.

1. I love your big green eyes that look just like your dads.
2. I love that you think your brothers are here for your entertainment and that your world lights up whenever they are around.
3. I love that you squeal with delight and even though it is ear-piercing at times I can't get enough of it.
4. I love all the crazy faces that you make.
5. I love that you think I hung the moon... I had to have one that likes me better than their crazy Dad.
6. I love that at least once a week you boycott sleeping in the middle of the night and we get to hang out and watch crazy late night television together.
7. I love that you are just a happy, loving, funny little girl.
Basically, I just love you.

We wish you all a Happy Valentines Day and hope that you can see the good in others, give love to those that may need it, and are thankful for all that you have.

Lettin' the cat out of the bag...

2009-02-03T18:28:00.000-08:00

Ok. So after TONS of deliberation, long nights, gut check moments and tears, I came to the realization that I am not Super Woman. I know, it was surprising to me too. I can't do everything. I can't be a mom, be a wife, have a career, go to school, be a friend, be a daughter and be an auntie. I just can't do it all without losing something, without something suffering, and what was suffering was my job. The job that I loved. The job that I have wanted to do for my entire life (or at least as long as I can remember). I have decided to quit this job, that wonderful, stable, fun job. And I did it all for them....

*And my hubby too...

It has been the most rewarding decision of my life... I can't wait to begin this new journey.

Go tell it on the mountain...

2009-01-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling with some tough decisions lately. Racking my brain to figure out the right choice. Praying that I make the best decision for me and my family. Talking it out. Weighing different options. Leaning on my husband for support. And during this all I have just come to love my husband more and more everyday. He has been 100% supportive of my changing decision every day, has listened to my rants, smiled when I needed him to, hugged me when I needed one and offered a different point-of-view of what has been going on. I know in my heart that I married the right man for me. He is the calm that I need daily, the strength that has gotten me through some shaky times. So you thought this was going to be a post on what my decision is? Nope, I will tell all when I know all... It is just to let the Blog World know what a wonderful man I am married to. And to let my children know what a wonderful father they have. To let my family know that I love my husband with all my heart and have a deep growing respect for him. This is me screaming it from a mountain top....

What I did instead...

2009-01-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

I had every intention of just staying home today but I decided to do this instead....
Camryn got her ears pierced... Now maybe people will stop saying what a "pretty boy" she is. Seriously? Pretty boy! How dare they....

See...She wasn't mad about it at all...

Well ok she wasn't thrilled either....

Not sure what to do...

2009-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

As I sit here today writing this I am overcome with the sense of "What the heck?" Why you might ask? Well, today is the first day that is is just me and Camryn! Crazy huh? It brought flashbacks of Cole and how EASY (yup I said it) 1 child is, how amazing 2 children are and how exhilarating 3 children are. Life takes on such different prospectives. At the beginning of your child journey you are so in awe of this little being and what they do and you wonder when they will sleep through the night so you can get back to your normal sleep schedule (which for me is very important, I don't function well in the afternoon on 3 hours of sleep) or when they will walk and talk. And then the next one comes and he is a special needs child who came home with a feeding tube and weighing just 10 pounds and 6 months, he hadn't bonded with anyone and had to learn how to smile, how to be a baby. So with Carson everything was "lets's just get him through this next struggle, through this next milestone." Now that I have 3 I want Camryn to be little forever, afraid that I will miss all that she is. That she will be lost in the shuffle of a family of 5. So today I think I will just stay in bed and cuddle with her. Ok, not that practical but do I really want to start that LONG list of crap that I have to do when she will only be this small once? Nope.... So, off to bed we go.

First, Second and Third....

2009-01-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

I feel like the last few weeks have gone by in a whirlwind. I started back to work full time, Carson turned 2 and started preschool and Cole just keep inching closer and closer to being 4! Camryn gets bigger and bigger everyday and My Mom, Kristi, Jennifer and I went to see Wicked (which by the way was amazing, I HIGHLY recommend seeing it) Is it really only January 16th? Wow time really does fly.

I just think this picture is funny...(and really don't know how to organize my pictures to be the order I want them to be...So if anyone can offer some advice that would be great!) The Third Turd...

Carson's first day of Preschool.

Second Birthday! He loves his GREEN cupcakes :)

Crazy Hannah...

Beautiful Haylie and Mia

What the heck Jayden?

AARRRHHH Matey!!!

Wanna walk the plank?

Before the mess...

Round Table Pizza is the best!

The new year has started off pretty busy...

Year in review....

2008-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

As I sit here and think about what a crazy year 2008 was I can't believe it went by so fast...Probably the fact that I was pregnant for the majority of it but I have to be thankful for what it brought to our family... here are the highlights...

January~ New years day is Carson birthday, (he turned 1) I feel sorry for him, one week after Christmas. I found out I was pregnant. Cole and I went to visit Tom in Denver. We had a blast but Cole came back really sick... That doesn't make for very fun plane rides... I laso coached Soccer for the school that I teach at, so fun.

February ~ Kind of boring... Tom was still in Denver and I was coping being with the boys all by myself and having No ENERGY!

March ~ Daddy's home!!! This was actually the longest he has every been out of town.. 5 months total, made me appreciate him even more. I also have a new found respect for those who serve our country and miss out on all the things that are the most important. Carson started crawling! He actually started the day Tom drove home from Denver, for us that was such a cool milestone. He has had so many issues because he was born so prematurely that it was nice to see him progressing slowly but surely.

April ~ Um..I turned 30? Yup 30! Really 30? Don't feel 30.. My wonderful husband surprised me with an amazing trip to Palm Springs, even though the surprise was ruined even before we got down the driveway (love you Christina). I got to have a spa day with my best friend and another amazing friend, it was so much fun having a girls day. It was a great weekend and I can't wait to do it again. Cole played T-ball, even though most of the time he was more interested in the planes that flew by he did have fun. Oh and we learned we were having a girl... Wow what a month.

May ~ Tom and Cole celebrated their birthdays... I can't believe that Cole is 3. He gives us a run for our money.

June ~ We went on vacation with Tom's family. We camped just outside of Yosemite and had so much fun. Kyla went with us, which is always a huge help, especially on a 6 plus hour long car ride. We went fishing, hiking, swimming and got to explore Yosemite in the Summer. I have always gone in the Fall and now I know why. It's REALLY busy. And you have to worry about bears and such. Oh and Cole played basketball. It was really HOT!!! I might rethink that this year. Tom coached him and did a really good job.

July ~ HOT!!! That's all I really remember about that month.

August ~ HOT!!! And Camryn Geneva Elizabeth Cook!! WOO HOO! She finally made her appearance August 28, 2008. She weighed 6 lbs 4 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. She was a good baby from the start. (and still is) She has been such a fun addition to our family..with all of her squeals and laughter.

September ~ We went to the beach. Yup, Camryn went on her first camping trip when she was barely 1 month old. I was worried at first but it worked out just fine. We go to Coronado in San Diego every year and hope to keep the tradition going.

October ~ Grandma Knight passed away :( and Carson started walking :)

November ~ Not much really went on... Just Thanksgiving and the norm.

December ~ Tom and I got to tailgate and the USC/UCLA game with some great friends. We had fun! I had to go back to work :( Sometimes life just doesn't allow you to be a SAHM. Like the fact that if I didn't work my family wouldn't have benefits. Oh well...

Well looking back I have to say this has been a cool year, full of new adventures and happiness. I wonder what the new year has in store for us.

December and so forth...

2008-12-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

My three babies... How can you not love those baby blues?

I feel sorry for girls when he gets older...

Just beautiful...

Yeah! Finally a good picture with them all looking...

MOM!!! This doesn't fit me at all...

Yup. SNOW!!! And in the desert of all places...

Who are you talking to?

USC/UCLA game... Tailgating is so fun, but oh so cold and early!!!

Some conversations of late....

2008-12-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

Cole ~ "Oh no Mom! My eyebrows are broke."
Me ~ "What do you mean my eyebrows are broke?"
Cole ~ "I want eyebrows like yours"
Me ~ "Oh buddy..your eyebrows are blonde and you just can't see them."
Enter Christina...
Cole ~ "Auntie my eyebrows are broke (sadly)"
Christina "Oh Buddy I'm sorry. Where are you going to get some more from?"
Cole ~ "I want green ones from Target."

Um...Maybe I go to Target too much.
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Cole ~ "Hey Mom Where's my hat at? I can't see it."
Me ~ "Uh...On your head."

Really? WOW... That's early to have senior moments.
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Me ~ "Hey Cole Grandma Lupe wants to know what you want for Christmas."
Cole ~ "A motorcycle.'
Me ~ "Something other than a motorcycle."
Cole ~ "Um....(long pause) maybe a motorcycle. Yeah a motorcycle.

Hmm. Maybe he didn't understand the question.

Random Cuteness

2008-12-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

She has the most beautiful lips...

I love watching her sleep...
Looking like Daddy...

Carson loves hats!!!

Goofy...

Her new face...

Me just playing with some new things I learned from the camera....

~Just a sidenote.. Cole has been boycotting the camera lately.. Too many other things to do.

Little Screamer

2008-12-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

We all thought Cole was the loud one... Boy, were we wrong. Camryn is actually so loud Cole says "Mom, sister is making my ears hurt." She has a really high-pitched scream but the thing is she does it even if she is happy.... I personally think it's cute. Watch and see... Oh and she LOVES talking to herself....

Elmo Live!!!!!

2008-11-21T09:08:00.000-08:00

Tom, Cole, Carson and I had the amazing chance to see Elmo Live! This was called Elmo Makes Music and it was wonderful! I thought at first that the boys weren't having fun because they were just sitting there and staring, not getting involved, but they were taking it all in. The first part of the show was all the shows we know and love from Sesame Street and the second part (which was my favorite) were songs that the "big kids" would know... Here are a few of my favorites...Sorry about the picture quality, I figured out that cameras like LOTS of light!!!

This number was my favorite...Bert as John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Too funny... All the kids loved the "bubbles" (aka disco ball) that were everywhere... Elmo's World!!!

I just love Grover!!! But why would they use a blue background for his musical number? You almost miss him.

This was Cole's favorite...He loves Cookie Monster and "C is for Cookie"...

Opening number...

The boys got to experience Cotton Candy for the first time...

My only complaint about the show was that the only times it played was on Tuesday or Wednesday at 7pm...I thought it was a little too late for such little kids. it didn't end until 8:45. There were kids dropping like flies everywhere. I hope that this experience fosters a sense of trying new things in the boys and that singing and dancing is such a fun way to learn things.

Nine lives...

2008-11-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

So I was taking advantage of an amazing day and cleaned out the Suburban. It needed it desperately. I finished, locked the car and went inside to start on the house. As I came out to empty the trash this is what I saw.... I have, on numerous occasions, found Tux in situations that if I would not have done something out of my routine he would not be with us any longer. He is going to get himself into real trouble one. I wonder how many lives he has left?

Normal occurances at our house...

2008-11-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

Life is so hard huh? Just taking a bath....

And finally....

Cole asks to hold "sister" quite often (which I gladly let him do because it gives me 5 mintues with 2 less kids hanging on me) so Tom and I thought we should try to get a group kid pic. This has never happened... Cole ALWAYS trys to put his arms around Carson, which he visibly fights everytime, and then Cole gets bored or has some silly face to make. So sadly we have never gotten a decent picture with all 3 of them...Note the progression

But you gotta love them I guess for all their differences and what they bring to your life...

Three year-olds

2008-11-12T06:59:00.001-08:00

We always wait patiently (or not so) for their first word. To see what they are going to say. To revel in the joy that is a talking. babbling, expressive child. This is what talking leads to...

"Mommy why you have a stamp on your back?"

"Brother...I tell on you"

"Why? Why? Why? Why?" Over and over and over again

"Mommy.. I not your friend! Never, Ever!"

But it also leads to...

"Thank you Mommy for a yummy dinner."

"I love you Mommy"

"Mommy...sister likes me huh?"

"What ya donin?"

I have two more children that have yet to master the skills of communication and I just can't wait to hear what they have to say...

How cute is she? Sorry, crazy mom here....

2008-11-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

Just happy as can be...

This one's for you April...

2008-11-06T09:02:00.001-08:00

Carson's newest word is "Cheese"

Halloween...I'm a loser. She had no costume.

Campfire at the beach...Great memories.

Cole actually loved the beach this year and askes at least once a week to go back...I wish buddy.

It took Carson a while to get used to the sand...

Camryn sleeping at teh beach... Loves the beach just like mom.

My life by the numbers....

2008-11-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

10 ~ The number (may be more) of diapers I change a day
9 ~ The number of times in a day that I argue with my 3 year old. We totally have the same personality so it happens a lot.
8 ~ The number of times a day that I sweep my kitchen. Yeah I'm a freak.
7 ~ The Number of times a day I call my husband because I simply HAVE to tell him something right at that moment...even though it really could wait.
6 ~ The number of times a day I wish there was just more time in the day.
5 ~ The number of people on my family. I never thought that could have been possible.
4 ~ The number of times a day I look at my daughter and have to fight back tears.
3 ~ The number of children Tom and I have..They totally out number us now.
2 ~ The number of little boys in my family who melt my heart at least once a day.
1 ~ The number of lives that I would never change for anything.
My life might be crazy and tiring but it all adds up to the same thing.... Happiness.

SOOOO..Let's give this a try.

2008-11-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

So...I don't really know if anyone will read this or really care but I am going to try this blog thing and see what happens. My extended family seems to be really involved in this and it seems a fun way to keep in touch. We shall see.