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.

Race

Baby cakes,

You had your first race on your new Ripper X BMX bike at the Valmont Bike Park. Everyone came to watch you. The race wasn't long, but you were totally into it. Check it out here.

You rock. Super proud of how good you are getting with your bikes. Go Daddy for pushing you beyond what you think you're capable of!

Love you,

Mommy

Grandma's B-day

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Thanks for coming up and watching Cole race. Next time, it will be longer. Gotta start somewhere.

Hope you had a great day!

Love ya.

Entomologist

Cesar took you and Daddy to the field to catch interesting things. You caught a couple hissing cockroaches. Just typing the name gives me the creeps.

You may just end up a scientist.

Love you,
Mommy

Back to School Night

(Cole and Dyana)

Cole,
It was back-to-school night on Thursday. We got to meet your teachers, see your classroom and your desk, meet some new friends, and see some artwork that you've been doing over the past two weeks. We finished the night outside with otto pops.

Assessment is coming up and I'm excited to see how much your reading progressed over the summer. Now we need to work on spelling and handwriting.

I love your self portaits. I have your kindergarten and your 1st grade ones hanging in my office. Here is your latest self portrait.

Love you monkey,

Mommy

Second Grader...really?

Cole,
You started second grade yesterday. Impossible. But true. My big second grader. I'm still in disbelief. I asked how your day was and you replied, "It was the best day ever!"
Cheers to that.

Love,

Mommy

Painted Room

Cole,

Daddy has been telling you that for your birthday, you guys could paint your room. Gone our the baby colors from 7 years ago. The orange we picked is PERFECT...totally matches your personality and looks like a big boys room - you're no baby anymore. You worked hard with dad and it totally paid off. Love you sugar.

Mommy

Camping

Cole,
Daddy took you camping up to Brainard Lake but the campground was closed - under construction. Bummer. But that didn't stop you guys from camping. You just did it closer to home....like backyard close! You guys pitched the tent, had hot dogs, s'mores, movie in the tent, and you must have slept pretty good because you snored in daddy's ear all night long.

Love you doll,

mommy

Fia's Celebration

Cole,
We helped Sofia celebrate her birthday today at the rec center with pool party. You guys swam, rode the slides, eat pizza and cake, and gave big hugs.

She hops on a plane tomorrow so you'll only see her through Skype for the next five months. I hope it goes by fast. School starts tomorrow so we'll be in fully swing soon.

Here's sending the Nufio's lots of love. You can practice your writing skills by writing to Sofia. Totally cute if I can convince you. You love getting mail and I'm sure she will too.

Dena & Fia - Be safe.....and please, please, please - don't move to North Carolina permanently.

Hugs,
me

Daddy Turns 43!

Cole,

I can't believe your daddy is 43 today. He doesn't look like he is in his 40's. Although, Sofia did say that she thought he might be 88 today! You and dad went to breakfast and then saw Planet of the Apes. After Sofia's birthday party, we celebrated with a delicious dinner at Haciendo Colorado and you got him the two last books in the set he is reading.

This is for daddy - "Thanks" and Happy Birthday!

You argued with dad pretty much all day so I'm sure bedtime was the final cap to the day. I bet daddy is enjoying the the silence and finishing his book. Rest your old bones, poppy.

Love,
me

Skating

Dear Cole,

Grandma Carol, Grandpa Jack, and Aunt Emma are in town. We've been spending time at the Uncle Derrick's visiting them. You've been such a BIG cousin playing so nicely with Eliana and Parker....and giving Emma lots of love. I love to watch you.

Today, Daddy took you and Sofia to Skate City. I love this picture that Dad took. Sofia will be leaving on Monday for five months....so sad. She is celebrating her birthday tomorrow (a month early) so all her friends can help celebrate.

We've been busy. It will be nice to get back into the routine of school. I can't believe you're going to be in second grade. I love you Mr. Seven.

Mommy

VA-KAY

Cole,

We went camping this past weekend to the Royal Gorge with Michelle. It was a BLAST! We drove down Saturday, found the campsite, pitched the tent and headed for the Royal Gorge. We:

• 
  
  took the tramway across the Gorge (you were scared...but it was cute)


• 
  
  saw Elk, white buffalo, long horn sheep


• 
  
  petted the goats


• 
  
  rode a horse


• 
  
  watched crazy people ride the sky coaster


• 
  
  walked across the bridge


• 
  
  drank an icee


• 
  
  rode the carousel - (what do you do when an lion, girafe, and zebra are chasing you? Get off the merry-go-around. HA HA. Remember that old guy at the gas station told us that one)


• 
  
  Rode the train

Then, we played back at the campground. You:

• 
  
  rode the go-karts with Michelle


• 
  
  went down the BIG slide


• 
  
  ate pizza


• 
  
  roasted marshmellows


• 
  
  got your feet washed (yikes)


• 
  
  and finally slept

You woke up a couple times and said, Mom - look at all the stars...then went right back to sleep. It was funny!

The next day, we went to Garden of the Gods which was awesome and FREE! You were the official photographer and you took some amazing pictures....including a few of my butt...on purpose.

You told Michelle she was pretty....awwwww!

We just had the best weekend. Too many pictures to post but I'll add them to your next book for sure.

Big hugs,

Mommy

Junior Ranger Adventure Day

Cole,

You and Daddy went with Cesar and Sofia to Junior Ranger Adventure Day on July 30 at Walker Ranch Open Space. You:

1. Helped the rangers solve the crimes that happened in the park.

2. Ran the obstacle course.

3. Built a bird feeder out of recycled materials.

4. Met the special search and rescue dogs that work for the parks.

5. Explored a real ranger patrol vehicle.

Made a pledge:

"As a Junior Ranger, I promise to appreciate, respect, and protect our natural lands, here in Boulder County, and in the natural world, wherever I go. I will help keep wildlife wild, I will leave rocks, plants and historical objects where I find them, for everyone to enjoy, for myself and for future generations."

Love you Jr. Ranger Cole,

Mommy

Clouds

Dear Cole,

I had a window seat on my flight home from Boston last night. I usually have a aisle seat which means I don't get to the see the beauty of the sky during flight. But last night, I did. When I looked out after a while of resting my eyes, we were so high above the clouds. Big, fluffy, pillowy, cotton balls....everywhere in the blue sunlight sky. I wanted to jump on them with you, play in them with you, hear you laugh and giggle, tickle you on them, lay on them, bound from one to the next forever....I imagined us doing those things I pretended that we could play in the sky and it was a beautiful moment. Thank you for being there with me. Later in the flight, we went through different clouds that were stretched and dense and dark from the setting sun. Gone were our fluffy bouncy cotton balls.

I missed you darling. I love you so much!

Good night Monkey,
Mommy