First of many

Darling,
You FINALLY lost your first tooth at 7.5 years old. We've been talking about it coming out all day and while snacking on an apple watching Toy Story 3. All of the sudden you exclaimed, "Mom, I lost my tooth" and pulled it out of your mouth. So exciting! You had been pushing that darn tooth always backwards for a few days and finally it came out without no pulling needed whatsoever.
Love ya babe!

Girlfriend

I picked you up from school today and we had a date at Red Robin - special request to go to the one where your girlfriend Megan works. So off we went and in usual RR style it was a mad house but we got to sit her section.

Watching to two of interact is awesome. You love her and she loves you. She asked you who your Valentines were and you said "my mom and you." It was really cute. You saw this supermodel on TV and said "mom, you're prettier than her." my little charmer.

Thanks for a great night. We laughed a lot!

Hugs, mommy

New

New haircut AND new teeth!

The thing I love most about this picture are your eyes. Beautiful! Love ya baby.

Welder

Darling,
Dad is teaching you how to weld. You have your own welding mask and everything. My little tradesman!

Monster Trucks

Baby doll,
Dad took you to the Monster Truck show last night. You guys had a great time. It was loud. Which ones were your favorite?

Slopes

Darling,
We headed to Eldora today for your first real experience on the "big" mountain with your board. Dry roads, 30 degrees and sunshine and NO wind! We couldn't have asked for a better day. You did great minus two minor meltdowns. Cole low on food is not a happy Cole. We fueled up and were back on the slopes. We got in five runs!

So proud of you monkey. Thanks for a great day!

Engineer

Coley, you built this Lego aircraft all by yourself. Very focused and creative when it comes to legos....writing homework,not so much.
Love you babes!
Mommy

Lobsters

Darling,
We helped Grandpa celebrate his retirement after 38 years of government service.

You ordered lobster and you even got to hold one. You were sooo excited.

Congratulations! Watch out route 66, the mustang's a coming'.

Hands

Darling,

Dad snapped this shot of you. He sent another one with your hand up by your face and he let me in on a little secret. You have his hands. You are so much of your father, from your skin, to your hands, to your BIG personality.

I love you baby.

Mom

Happy New Year Coley!

Love,

Here is what we did this weekend:

Friday night: Movie Night at Emerald Elementary. They set up in the old gym, featured "How to Train Your Dragon", dished up ice cream and popcorn. You and Carson hung out and I actually watched the movie...even though we'd already seen it.

Saturday DAY: puzzles, IKEA, lunch, bikes and parks. We started our morning off by completing two puzzles you got for x-mas. Then, we took Grandma to breakfast at Ikea //kind of yucky food//and then met up with Uncle D and crew and ALMOST made it through the whole store but didn't quite get there because you know who had a meltdown. I'll give you a hint, it wasn't me. We'll go again Grandma.

Then, we all headed to lunch at Red Robin's. You, Ellie, and Parker sort of ate food but were mostly interested in the video games. Ellie and Parker will pretty much follow you anywhere. Thanks for lunch Uncle D and Auntie V.

Next up was a good bike ride and park fun with the Pope's and then it was time for.....

Saturday NIGHT: Sleepover with Sofia at the our place!! We picked up Sofia, ordered some pizza, and you two played for four hours before it was time for lights out, include having a dance party that I recorded. Watch it here.

SUNDAY: Sofia-time, movie-time, library-time, bath-time, bed-time. The morning was filled with more play with Fia for another five hours. After we dropped her off, we took a walk and it was CHILLY. So we decided to stay inside and watch Super 8. Thanks Dad for the great movie! Then, we were off to the library. You LOVE the science room. Then, we had some quiet time and you read some of your new books. Bath time and then Bed time.

I love you soooo much Monkey. We had a great weekend.
I miss you tonight.
Big hugs,
Mommy

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