Merry Christmas Coley

Our day in pictures. We started our morning off by eating breakfast (my first time making it and you even liked it). Then spent most of the day at Grandma's building a snowman and a fort, making cookies, helping get dinner ready....and finally....the handing out of presents, which is your job. You asked every 15 minutes for 10 hours if you could open a present or if you could start sorting the presents. I'm going to say you were a little excited for Christmas. I don't know...maybe just a little. Watching you, Eliana and Parker open presents was so entertaining. Everything you opened you said, "I've ALWAYS wanted this." And because you were saying this, Parker had to copy you....because he absolutely adores you. You were especially excited by the Razor skateboard that Parker got for you. You gave him a huge hug. Precious moments. Mom, thanks for hosting us and for all the wonderful gifts.

Then it was off to Aunt Donna's house. It was great to see all the aunts, uncles and cousins. The table of treats was full with all sorts of sweet delights. We sang caroles and laughed. Everyone was in good spirits. Santa visited and brought you a little IQ game. Your face was classic sitting on his lap. You're even big enough now to play the white elephant gift exchange game...more laughing and being silly all around. Thanks Aunt Donna for hosting the family and continuing this holiday tradition.

We finished our night by going to the Christmas Museum on Elati. Uncle D says it's the last year he will be decorating his house. Guess he's retiring from entertaining the citizens of Englewood and beyond during Christmas. I guess 30 years is a looonnngg time. You fell asleep during the car ride home, exhausted from our day and excitement that Christmas brings.

Now fully rested, you woke at 6 a.m. with your standard greeting from your bed.
c -"Good Morning Mom".
m -"Good Morning Cole."
c - "Do you think Santa came?"
m - "I'm sure he did."
Yes, he came and coupled with the presents from Grandma and Daddy, you scored. You should be entertained for a long time. Once the wrapping paper is off, it's a race to open everything all at once only to touch it for a few seconds and move on to the next.


Merry Christmas Darling. I love you so much.
Mom

2011 Movies

Here are the movies we saw in the theater this year:

Green hornet
Gnomeo and Juliet
I am number four
Rango
Mars needs moms
Paul
Diary of a wimpy kid
Hop
Soul surfer
Rio
Thor
Hoodwinked Too
African Cats
Kung Fu Panda 2
X-Men: First Class
Judy Moody
Green Lantern
Cars2
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Captain America
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Spy Kids 4
Puss in Boots
Hugo
The Muppets
Arthur Christmas
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

It's one of our favorite pastimes.

School Party

How full is your bucket? Your poster is based on a book you read titled How Full is Your Bucket? Daddy and I met you at your class one day for your class party. We brought some goodies and got to see some of the work you've been doing. Mainly, we just watched you make a gingerbread placemat and then eat snacks on it. Glad we made it to your celebration. Love you doll. Mommy

Skate City

Darling,

It was the fall trip to Skate City for Emerald Elementary. You took the fun bus with Carson and I picked up two up for a sleep over. When I got there, you proudly told me that you had drank a Pepsi AND a Mountain Dew and had cotten candy. YIKES...can you say sugar high? And I'm thinking, "and we're going to have ANOTHER one of you at the house tonight?" Oh boy.

Needless to say, you boys were pretty good. We had a great night and then the next morning we went for donuts and a walk around the lake.

Here's to sleep overs with BFFs. I still love them too.

Love ya,
Mommy

Birthday Wishes

Sugar,
Grandma and Grandpa invited us to celebrate Uncle Derrick's birthday at Chili's. So, we cruised over there after some jumpstreet fun with Julian and enjoyed lunch with the family. It was fun to taste test tacos with Uncle D and see who's was better. No decision was made. Happy 38th Birthday Uncle Derrick!

After lunch, we went over to the Pope's house for some coffee, hot chocolate, pie, playtime and conversation. It was nice sipping coffee and chatting with V. It's been too long.

Here is picture taken on Thanksgiving of you and Parker...sooo cute! I love you so much Cole.
Mommy

Thanksgiving

This picture sums up how we all felt after we ate on Thanksgiving. Grandma and Grandpa hosted a Thanksgiving Day Lunch. Derrick, Veronica, Ellie, and Parker made it down too. We ate great food (I'm still dreaming of those green beans), had some cake for Uncle Derrick's birthday and then we walked down to the park.

The day was enjoyable and filling. There are so many things to be thankful for and it's hard to see those things when it feels like everything is slipping away, but they are there. And Thanksgiving proved it yet again. The love of family and friends and of good health -- that's enough for me.

I love you Coley.

Mommy

Ice Skating

Darling,
I was lucky enough to come watch you ice skate in Boulder during a SAC field trip. I popped over and watched you and Dyana skating.

I surprised you with a hot chocolate that the two of you shared. It was awesome.

You've become quite the little ice skater; So proud to show me how fast you can go.

Love ya doll. Mommy

Cheering on Daddy

Cole,

I thought I already typed a blog about this but apparently not. We cheered daddy on during a cyclo-cross race with winds gusts that practically carried US off. I have no idea how anyone competed that day. Great job Chris!

While daddy was hard at work, we were goofing off, trying to find protection from the wind. A pine tree was our refuge. Thanks for cheering daddy on with me, Coley.

Love ya. Mommy

Bubbles

For about a month now, you've been so proud of yourself for being able to blow bubbles. You've been wanting me to see and FINALLY I did and caught it on camera.

It took pieces of sugar-free hubba bubba and you've been blowing bubbles like mad this weekend. I use to chew gum all the time

It's fun, huh? Welcome to the club.

Surevelvet

Cole,
You keep telling me this -
"Mom, when I grow up, I'm going to buy a Surevelvet so I can drive you around and take you places."

It's a mix between a Chevelle, Corvette, and who knows what else. In the end you really mean a lime green Camero that we see all time at the dealership by our house. But you know what honey, if you want to call it a Surevelvet that's fine by me and I'll let you take me anywhere in anything.

I sure do love to hear you call it a Surevelvet though.

My previous boy. I love you.

Mommy

Happy Halloween

You went as Scream. Carson a skelton.
Bagged lots of candy.

Surrended it to the Pumpkin Fairy.

You'll be verrrry happy in the morning with what she leaves you.
You were such a good trick-or-treater...no whining and very polite.

I love you Scrrrrreeaaammmmm!

Mommy

Dragon Dash 2011

Coley,
Dragon Dash 2011 was another hit (like there was any question it wouldn't be). You ran fast and hard, your heart practically beating out of your chest. You had a good warm up with your class and I snapped a ton of pictures. I even ran with you this year.

(Cole and Carson)

You're getting fast. Keep running darling...you'll be beating me in no time.

Love you babe.
Mama

T-REX

T-Rex is at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You and Daddy went with Bob and Sharon and the kids. Pretty cool!

Afterwards, lunch was at Steve's Snappin Dogs which became a debacle....daddy knows what I'm talkin about. It's hard being 7 sometimes.

Next, it was time for your soccer game. It's funny and frustrating to watch you play. You simply don't like it and I'm not sure why. We just have to smile and say, "only two more weeks". We're taking the winter off....maybe some snowboarding though.

Love you doll.

Mommy

Pumpkin Carving

Darling,

You and daddy went to the pumpkin patch. You found a perfect pumpkin.
You gave it star eyes and freckles. Love it!

Masterpiece.

Love ya doll.

Pumpkin Patch

Darling,

October is one of my favorite months. There are so many festivities to do for Halloween. I love the fairs, pumpkins, costumes, and candy (I get any and all tooties rolls, milk duds, and twix that you get while trick-or-treating).

You went to the pumpkin patch with Daddy, craved pumpkins together and roasted the seeds (delicious). This weekend, we're headed to Olde Towne Arvada for some candy snatching. Then, we're headed over to Home Depot for their Spooky Trick-or-Treat. We may even find ourselves at Halloween Town. I hope Jack Sparrow is ready for our adventure.

I love you monkey. Thanks for being so awesome!
Mommy

Guess Who?

Wings

Road Trip: New Mexico

(being silly in Old Town)

Coley,

We took a road trip to New Mexico with Grandma. I had a meeting down in Albuquerque and I asked Grandma if she wanted to go down with us. We left Thursday and made our way to our hotel in about 6.5 hours. You did GREAT! You were so excited to be on vacation and in the hotel.
(eating at Sadie's)

You guys had fun while I was in my meeting. Grandma took you swimming at the hotel. Then it was a trip to Explora Science Center and Childrens Museum. You had a blast. There were so many cool exhibits for your play on.

The next day, you two went to the Aquarium and we all walked to Old Towne.

Back on the road Sunday for our trip back!

Thanks Grandma for going with us and spending time with us. We had a great time.

Love you guys,
Mommy

Parent Teacher Conference

Cole,
We met with Mrs. White tonight and she talked about what a good student you are. She echoes the words of your wise 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Ohara, by saying "If he just slowed down a bit, took more time."

Your reading is above the charts but she is limiting how fast you progress to make sure you are comprehending and are able to write about what you read. You hate writing, but you have such nice handwriting when you slow down. Same with math. She says your vocabulary is terrific as are your life experiences. She can tell how much we do with you.

She also said she can tell you've been making better choices about what is acceptable behavior and what isn't. She is very proud of your hard work.

You are so smart and cute and funny and can be such a stubborn smarty pants sometimes. We are so proud of you. Keep up the great work.

Hugs,
Mommy

Monkey Bars

Monkey,
You've been practicing so much on the monkey bars that you pulled your chest muscles. It's called costochondritis, an inflammation of the the intercostal muscles (the muscles between you ribs).

You had us worried though because you kept complaining of sharp pains in your chest so we took you in. The doctor said, "Lay off the monkey bars for a week." And as we left the clinic you said, "Like that's going to happen."

Just glad you're ok. She did an EKG just to make sure and your heart is heathly.

I love you.

Boulder Rez

Cole,
Around lunchtime, we headed to Boulder to bike around the reservoir. It was fabulous weather and beautiful scenery.

Along our ride, we stopped at the model airplane airport and watched people fly their planes and helicopters. It was super cool.

Then, off we went to complete our ride around the rez. You did GREAT.

Thanks for another great day. Love you baby. Mommy






p.s. after more pool time, we headed over to hang with Grandma and the kids to watch the premier of Veronica's TV show, Making Monsters, on the Travel channel. We're so proud of her.

Emerald's Fall Festival

Darling,

Saturday was Emerald's Fall Festival. You played all sorts of games, won 50 tickets, ate two cupcakes, and played at the playground. It was fun to watch you. Principal Taneka got in the dunk tank and a few kids got him to dunk.

After the festival, we went to hang with Grandma and kids. We played outside and watched all three of you create chalk masterpieces on the sidewalk and driveway. You wrote "You are a cool mom"....love it! And I love this picture that you drew too.
Then, it was off the pool and by the time we dragged ourselves home and ate, we were both completely exhausted.

Thanks for a fantastic day. I love you.

Mommy

Sleeping Beauty,
Here are some shots I've taken in the car while you've been getting your beauty rest. I love to watch you sleep. My precious, precious boy.
I love you,
Mommy

Broomfield Days 2011

Cole,

We've been going to Broomfield Days since you were a baby. We sit on the same corner with Grandma. And as the years have gone by and new little ones added to our extended family, they've joined in as well. I know you're getting big. I know it. I say it to you all the time. But, seeing you with Eliana and Parker this year at the parade...you REALLY are getting big.

After the parade, we walk down to the fair, eat funnel cakes, and watch you bounce around in the jumpy castle and watch you go down this really steep blow up slide. I remember watching you go down this same slide a few years ago - fearless at how high you had to climb and what a steep descent awaits you. You did that same slide this year only there was fear. You got to the top and immediately climbed right back down that steep ladder and said "no way"...Then, I told you about the time you rode it when you were 4 years old and back up you went. You loved it!

(2008 Broomfield Days - Super Steep Slide... I love your face)

You wanted me to leave you at the Emerald float so you could walk with your school in the parade. I was terrified to leave you. I walked to the float with Eliane and Parker, dropped you off, and walked back to Grandma with the babies. Then, I just kind of freaked. So, back to float I went and when you saw me, you were so disappointed that I came back. You were probably thinking "I'm not a baby anymore Mom". You told me to go back, that you were fine. I was nervous until I finally saw the float coming our way shortly after the parade started. There you were, with all your friends and teachers, looking grown up and BIG. You hopped out to hang with us for the rest of the parade....and get candy.

This year, we did the 1-mile fun run! Definitely on the agenda for next year. It was a BLAST! You ran great and really kicked it at the end, all the way to the finish - I could barely keep up with you. Next year, I won't be able to keep up at all.

And that's just another sign that you are getting big and growing up. I'm so proud you and I love you more than you will ever know.

Giant hugs,
Mommy

Carson

This is your friend Carson.
He is cute.
He laughs at everything.
You are cute.
You love to make people laugh.

The two of you are giving Mrs. White grey hair.
And your young, sweet, pretty SAC teacher Emma.
Come to think of it, you're giving me grey hair too.

But, I how I love to hear you two giggle and play.
Behave darlings. Behave.

Soccer

Dear Cute, Adorable, Funny Soccer Player,

I love to watch you run the field. You're getting better with practice and Kelli is a great coach. You made friends at the last practice. I hope your soccer career is long and prosperous. You have the focus (when you want to) and the drive (when you want to). Keep up the hard work. Girls dig soccer studs.

Signed,
Your #1 Fan

Spies

I can't believe how far behind I got on blogging. Sorry.

Cole - we met Uncle Joe and Michael back on August 20 and had movie and lunch. We saw Spies Kids which was entertaining, played in the fountain, brought replacement clothes at Walmart, and then had lunch at Which Wich.

As always, a great day!

Backyard Camping

Yes, that's right...I spy Aunt Veronica, Parker Pie, and Eliana

It's OFFICIAL! The Pope kids had their first camping experience over Labor Weekend.

They did GREAT!

Thanks for hosting the backyard camping adventure. We had a blast.
Dinner and company was...AMAZING
Fire pit and S'mores...YUMMY
Getting everyone in the tent and asleep in less than 45 minutes...a MIRACLE
Me trying to make coffee and cinnammon rolls in the morning...AMUSING

Love you guys. Thanks for great night!

Grandpa Jack Turns 60!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

We had a great time when you guys were here. It was so great to spend time with you, Carol and Emma. Cole adores all of you. It was fun to watch the kids plays and eat delicious food.

Hope you had a great birthday!

p.s. to hear how Grandpa can get super cute baby laughs out of Parker, go here.