THE COATES

Truly, Truly, Truly Outrageous!

2011-06-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this cartoon? I used to watch this every Saturday morning (through lots of fuzz; our reception was terrible) in 4th grade!
This summer I found it on the HUB channel and had to show Cali. She LOVE's to rock out and this is totally up her alley. It's filled with music video's and we dance around like crazy, bustin out our best ever 80's moves.

I Look Weird

2011-06-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well K finally lost one of his two very loose front teeth. They have been wiggly for forever! He came into me today as I was sitting at the computer and pointed out that his tooth was getting looser. I pointed out to him that it was dangling by a thread. He then promptly closed his mouth as tight as he could so I wouldn't pull it out.
Now, let me tell you it has been this way with every single one of his teeth that has come out. I haven't pushed him once to let me pull them,
but yet he acts like I've held him down and yanked everyone of them out--not true
(I did do that with Coby a couple of times though : /maybe he was watching??)

Anyways I talked him into sitting on my lap to let me check it out.
With his permission I literally (said like Rob Lowe's character on Parks & Rec)

took it out with no effort.
He ran to the mirror checked himself out, and replied, "I look weird."
What a boy!

Flag Football

2011-02-08T11:53:00.001-08:00

The boys have been doing Flag Football this winter and LOVING it! When it came to signing them up Keenan's only request was to do something where he could run--and run he has! He's earned the nickname "Thunder" on the team. Not to toot my own child's horn, but he is super fast. I'm excited to put him in Track this spring :)

I only have pictures of Keenan, because some other awesome Mom on the team actually brought a camera--I'm not so good with the picture taking.

Coby's experience has been a bit different than Keenan's. We signed him up with hopes that he would end up on a team with his buddies, but much to our shigrin, he was too old and ended up on a kind of "catch all" team. They lost their first game by a ton, and the 4 following were not much better. However, last week they played the team they had lost to the first week and won by 3 touchdowns! They were so excited. I love having my boys in sports!

Muffin

2011-01-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

Keenan said this to me the other day,

"Someday when I get married and have a wife and baby I'm going to call her muffin."

I'm not sure if he meant that he was going to call his wife muffin or the baby. Only time will tell. I love that kid :)

Family Pictures

2011-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from our family photo shoot this year. I wanted a bit of an urban feel, so we headed to downtown Mesa to the Mesa Arts Center. My 14 year old niece Megan took them and I think she did a fantastic job! Cali was a bit of a nightmare, but I was happy to get some new pictures to hang on our walls :)

**please ingnore my odd posture in this photo. I had to put it on here, because I think everyone else looks so cute...especially Keenan with his arm around Cali :)

A Shout Out to my Peeps!

2010-03-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

just had to do a quick post to say how much i love my peeps! they're the best :)

my coby is sweeter than ever. he's such a good big brother and honestly i don't know what i would do without his help. keenan is the funniest kid alive. there isn't a moment in my day that he doesn't make me laugh. cali is my little drama queen. she over exaggerates everything, especially her hugs. i love it! christopher is my bestest friend. i'm so thankful to have him in my life.

needless to say, i LOVE my peeps!

DISNEYLAND!!

2009-12-28T09:46:00.000-08:00

WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TAKE THE BOYS TO DISNEYLAND EARLIER THIS MONTH :) MY MOM FLEW DOWN TO HANG OUT WITH THE FAT BABY SO WE COULD SPEND SOME TIMES WITH COBY & KEENAN. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN. IT WAS FREEZING COLD, BUT THERE WERE NO LINES AND WE HAD THE BONUS OF HOLIDAY HOURSIT WAS A WONDERFUL BREAK FOR ALL OF US :)

HaPPy BiRtHDay CoBy!

2009-09-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Happy #9 Birthday Mr. Coby!

Can I just tell you how much I love this kid. He is the best big brother ever. I love that I can always count on him to do anything. I often look back on the years this little guy has been in our life and know that it just wouldn't be the same without him.

We started the day with Coby's favorite breakfast--PANCAKES! He only ate the the strawberries and whip cream, but that's okay because it was his birthday. It was a school day, and he begged to stay home, but since we are on the verge of a 2 1/2 week fall break, I said no. I felt a little guilty, so Keenan, Cali and I took him subway and sunchips for lunch, and we came back later in the day with popsicles to celebrate his birthday with his class. I made chicken tacos with mango salsa for dinner, and we had cake and ice cream after.

The cake was a bit of an ordeal--I ended up making two. The first one i totally dropped on top of the stove as I was taking it out of the oven to check to see if it was finished cooking.
Note to self: DO NOT attempt to remove cake from oven using only one hand and the other hand to shield 22 month old from touching the hot stove--Put the fat baby in her crib. It's much easier :) Coby said the cake reminded him of giant donut--he was right :)

My Little FUN FAT Baby!

2009-08-15T07:50:00.001-07:00

With the boys at school it's just me and my little fun fat baby! I love this girl. I'm looking forward to having be just the two of us (for 1/2 a day anyway).

2ND Week of School and a Trip to the ER

2009-08-15T07:39:00.001-07:00

Only the second week of school and Coby was hauled of from school to the ER in an ambulance no less! Poor guy tripped and fell running to get in line from recess. Apparently he doesn't remember that part. The part he does remember is mumbling to his teacher while standing in line and then passing out in her arms!! He seriously didn't have a mark on any other part of his body, so it must have been all head on the concrete.

Worst part is, the school tried to call me and I had left my phone in the car while I was grocery shopping--40 minutes after the accident I got the messages, and met them at the hospital. After a CAT scan they decided he had suffered a concussion, but was fine to go home. SCARY!

BACK TO SCHOOL

2009-08-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

A little late in posting, 3 weeks to be exact, but we're back to school! Coby is in 3rd grade, and Keenan is in Kindergarten! I couldn't stand for the little guy to be gone all day, so we got lucky enough to get 1/2 day! The boys have been doing great. They both have FUN teachers and love their school. I was so worried about how Keenan would do, but he loves it. YEAH!

TIME FOR SOME NEW DO'S

2009-07-30T14:39:00.001-07:00

AFTER 2 YEARS OF GROWING IT OUT, MY HONEY FINALLY CUT HIS HAIR! DON'T GET ME WRONG--I THINK HE'S HANDSOME REGARDLESS, BUT HE WAS READY FOR A CHANGE, AND YES, SO WAS I. WE STARTED OUT BY CUTTING THE BOYS HAIR--I THINK CHRISTOPHER NEEDED SOME MORAL SUPPORT. THEN IT WAS HIS TURN. WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO CUT OFF ENOUGH TO DONATE TO LOCKS OF LOVE!

TO SAY THE LEAST I'M THRILLED WITH THE NEW LOOK! I THINK HE LOOKS SO GREAT WITH A SHAVED HEAD!

SUMMER VISITORS

2009-07-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

WE WERE SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME SURPRISE SUMMER VISITORS THIS JULY. MY MOM AND DAD TOOK A ROAD TRIP FROM OREGON DOWN TO THE SOUTHWEST AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THEM FOR A BIT.

WE HAD LOTS OF FUN PLAYING THE WII AND SWIMMING UP AT THE CLUB WITH THEM. THE BEST WAS WATCHIN MY PARENTS GO DOWN THE WATER SLIDE--TOTAL CRACK UP! I WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD MY CAMERA. THEY WERE ALSO KIND ENOUGHT TO STAY WITH OUR KIDDO'S WHILE CHRISTOHER AND I WENT AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS--SCORE!!

THE BEST THING ABOUT THEIR VISIT WAS BEING ABLE TO WATCH MY KIDS WITH WITH THEM. WE DON'T SEE THEM VERY OFTEN, BUT I LOVE HOW MY KIDS DON'T SEEM TO SKIP A BEAT WITH THEM. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THEM TO COME AGAIN WHEN IT'S NOT 110 DEGREES OUTSIDE SO WE CAN ENJOY THE OUTSIDE A BIT MORE!

WATERMELON!

2009-07-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT! WE ACTUALLY GREW MELONS AND CANTELOPES AND THEY WERE GOOD! I HAVE TO GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO MY HUBBY--HE WENT OUT THERE IN THE BLAZING HOT SUN AND TENDED TO THE GARDEN EVERYDAY. GOOD JOB NUGGET!
BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES OF THE KIDS ENJOYING THE WATERMELON. WE GOBBLED UP THE CANTELOPE SO FAST I DIDN'T GET ANY PICTURES.

SUMMER

2009-06-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

THIS SUMMER IS FLYING BY! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'LL BE BACK TO OUR SCHOOL SCHEDULE IN 3 1/2 WEEKS! IT'S WRONG I TELL YA.

SO FAR IT'S BEEN A PRETTY CHILL SUMMER. I'VE BEEN DOING SOME POOL TRAINING FOR A SPRINT TRIATHLON I'M GOING TO BE DOING IN OCTOBER WHICH BESIDES THE OBVIOUS EXCUSE OF THE WEATHER HAS GIVEN US A CHANCE TO SWIM AT THE CLUB PRETTY REGULARLY. THE BOYS HAVE LOVED BEING INDEPENDENT THERE, AND CALI IS A COMPLETE FISH!

BESIDES SWIMMING; WE'VE WORKED IN THE GARDEN, SEEN SOME MOVIES, RODE BIKES AND MOST RECENTLY GOT A CHANGE OF SCENERY AND TRAVELED NORTH FOR A CABIN GET-A-WAY! HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES OF OUR MOST RECENT ADVENTURES.

OUR CABIN GET-A-WAY. THE KIDS HAD A BALL GETTING OUT OF THE HEAT, PLAYING IN THE RIVER, HIKING, LOOKING FOR CRITTERS, PLAYING POOL AT THE CABIN, AND JUST BEING SILLY.

OUR SUMMER GARDEN. THE MELONS ARE GETTING HUGE! WE PLANTED THE HONEYDEW A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE WATERMELON AND CANTALOUPE--AREN'T THEY CUTE!

FATHER'S DAY AT THE MOVIES--WE WENT AND SAW UP IN 3D. FUN TIMES--MOSTLY PACING THE ISLES WITH CALI FOR ME, BUT FUN ANYWAY!

MELONS!!

2009-05-28T13:04:00.001-07:00

I just had to post a few pictures of our growing watermelons and cantelope. We're so excited. We love our little garden, and because of Christopher's insane attention to detail, we have had some good success. In fact he does a fantasitc job with our entire yard.
This spring we decided to try melons for the first time. With this crazy heat they are growing like wildfire. I can't wait to try them in a couple of months--they should be fabulous!

KEENAN IN THE COMFORT OF HIS OWN HOME

2009-05-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

I TELL EVERYBODY THAT I HAVE ONE OF THE FUNNIEST KIDS ALIVE. KEENAN IS MOST FUNNY WHEN WE'RE AT HOME JUST HANGING OUT. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF VIDEO CLIPS I TOOK DURING DINNER.

"THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL"

SINGING "GUITAR HERO"

BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS AND HALF NAKED BOYS--OH MY!

2009-05-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

AS YOU ALL KNOW IT'S SPRING TIME HERE IN ARIZONA AND THE HEAT IS ON! HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES OF THE BOYS RIDING THEIR BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS...BE WARNED SOME OF THESE PICTURES INCLUDE HALF NAKED BOYS. APPARENTLY IT WAS TOO HOT FOR CLOTHING????

I LOVE THIS KID!

2009-05-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

KEENAN PUT ON THESE SASSY NEON SOCCER SOCKS AND PROCEEDED TO RUN UP AND DOWN OUR STREET AS IF HE WERE THE INCREDIBLE HULK. IT WAS TRULY HILARIOUS. I HOPE HE NEVER GROWS OUT OF WEARING HIS UNDERWEAR IN PUBLIC!

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

2009-05-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

I GUESS SHE WAS HUNGRY...

THIS BABY GIRL EMPTIES MY PANTRY DAILY! HONESTLY I LOVE IT! I WILL BE SO SAD WHEN SHE IS NO LONGER MY TINY CHUBBY BABY MAKING MESSES.

Time for a Post

2009-04-01T12:56:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's already April 1st! This year is flying by, so I thought I better put up a few pictures from the 1st quarter of 2009. None of them are in order, but really who cares right?

Morning after my brother's wedding in seattle--visiting the newlyweds a top the presidential suite!
all sassed up for the wedding

Christopher and I with my bro and his cute wife Jamie

my adorable niece Alice

Me and my Ma at the rehearsal dinner

me and my pa

all of my bro's minus one with Christopher

Christopher showin off our Seattle View

Alone at Last

Now a few of the kids in all their Adorable Glory!

cali with her first sucker--num num!

fort building

Soccer in the backyard

a mess--ya gotta love her

waiting for soccer game

Enjoying evening tradition of Popsicles in the bathtub

Crazy kids

Christmas Memories 2008

2009-01-09T11:55:00.001-08:00

We're a little late in posting, but these are some of our Christmas 2008 Highlights. It was a wonderfully simple Christmas this year. We made cupcakes, had Christmas Eve dinner with the Coates, had a visit from Santa and we were set! Seriously my favorite Christmas EVER!

coby made a rudolph cupcake
keenan's was a snowmonster

a few of our other creations

cali's gift from santa--old school cash register!

keenan's gift from santa--super fast remote control car!

i promise this is his excited face, no joke :)

coby's gift from santa--remote control car.

it's amazing how the 2 show their emotions so differently!

my favoite moment of the season...keenan singing jingle bells :)

HAPPY DOUBLE BIRTHDAY!

2008-12-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE TWO DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS IN OUR FAMILY! THE FIRST IS MR. CHRISTOPHER ON THE 17TH AND NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER IS MISS CALI ON THE 21ST.

THIS YEAR CHRISTOPHER CELEBRATED HIS 32ND AND CALI HER 1ST . WE HAD A DOUBLE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE TWO OF THEM.

MY BEST FRIEND SUNI HELPED TO MAKE THE CUPCAKES, AND WE KEPT IT SIMPLE WITH JUST FAMILY. ALL IN ALL, I THINK THE TWO OF THE ENJOYED THEIR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. UNFORTUNATELY I SUCK AT TAKING PICTURES--ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE TURNED OUT BLURRY! ANYWAYS HERE'S WHAT I GOT. ENJOY!

BIRTHDAY MORNING BREAKFAST. SHE LOVES CHOCOLATE!

1/2 OF HER PARTY OUTFIT. I LOVE HAVING A GIRL!

THE CAKE

THE BIRTHDAY PEOPLE

OREGON-- OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

2008-12-30T12:10:00.001-08:00

OKAY SO IT'D HAD BEEN AN ENTIRE YEAR SINCE I HAD BEEN BACK TO OREGON WITH THE KIDS, AND CHRISTOPHER AND I HAD NOT BEEN BACK THERE TOGETHER SINCE WE MOVED FROM THERE IN 2005! PATHETIC I KNOW. HERE IS A LITTLE INSIGHT ON SOME OF OUR ADVENTURES WE HAD WHILE VISITING OREGON THIS LAST NOVEMBER.

WHAT WOULD A TRIP TO OREGON BE WITHOUT VISITING MY OL' STOMPIN' GROUNDS OF P-TOWN. I TOOK THE BOYS ON A TOUR OF MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL, AND CHRISTOPHER AND I VISITED OUR OLD HOMES--THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN AND HIS MISSIONARY APARTMENT (WHICH WAS JUST A BLOCK AWAY--CRAZY I KNOW). IT WAS SO SAD TO GO BACK THERE. NOT THAT I LIVED IN A PALACE OR ANYTHING, BUT WE KEPT THAT HOUSE SO MUCH NICER THAN WHAT IT IS NOW.

CHRISTOPHER IN FRONT OF THE OL' MISSIONARY APARTMENT.

THIS IS WERE HE PROPOSED TO ME ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO!

ME IN FRONT OF MY CHILDHOOD HOME--HOPING NO ONE IS LOOKING OUT THERE WINDOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE HECK SOMEONE IS TAKING A PICTURE IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE!

WE ALSO TOOK A TRIP TO NEWPORT. I LOVE THE OREGON COAST. WE VISITED THE AQUARIUM THERE. I THINK OUR FAVORITE PART OF THAT WAS WALKING THROUGH THE SHARK TUNNEL. WHEN WE WERE THROUGH WE HAD TO STOP AND HAVE LUNCH AT THE FAMOUS MO'S LOCATED RIGHT ON THE BAY FRONT. WE HAD YUMMY CLAM CHOWDER IN BREAD BOWLS--DEVINE! AFTER LUNCH THE BOYS HAD A LOT OF FUN SELECTING THEIR FAVORITE SALT WATER TAFFY FROM THE CANDY STORE ACROSS THE STREET.

SHARK TUNNEL AT OREGON COAST AQUARIUM

THE FAM IN NEWPORT--BURR!!

COBY PETTING SHARKS!

KEENAN IN THE MOUTH OF SOME DINOSAUR SHARK
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF!

OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT WHEN WE LIVED THERE IS HENDRICKS PARK. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF TIMES WE SPENT TOGETHER THERE AS A FAMILY. JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO THE PARK IS "PRES' ROCK". THIS IS AN AMAZING SPOT TO VISIT. I ALWAYS FIND IT FASCINATING WHAT PEOPLE LEAVE THERE AS A TRIBUTE TO HIM. I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER BEEN TO EUGENE AND NOT MADE A STOP THERE.

HAPPY BOYS AT HENDRICKS PARK

ME AND THE BOYO'S AT PRES' ROCK

PLAQUE AT PRES ROCK

THE BOYS IN FRONT OF PRES' ROCK.

CHRISTOPHER TELLING THE BOYS ALL ABOUT STEVE PREFONTAINE

SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS REGRETFULLY NOT PICTURED WERE DREAM PIZZA AT THE HALES AND WOODSTOCK'S PIZZA WITH THE OTHER HALES. YUM! SERIOUSLY YOU HAVEN'T TASTED PIZZA TILL YOU'VE HAD PIZZA FROM OREGON'S BEST!

OH YEAH AND THE CIVIL WAR WHERE ARE DUCKS POUNDED THE BEAVERS!

YEAH, GO DUCKS!
UNTIL NEXT TIME. GOOD TIMES :)

THANKSGIVING TRIP TO OREGON

2008-12-29T21:21:00.000-08:00

THIS YEAR WE FINALLY DID IT! WE SPENT A HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY IN OREGON. FOR WHATEVER REASON WE'VE ONLY SPENT A TOTAL OF TWO THANKSGIVINGS & ZERO CHRISTMAS'S WITH MY SIDE OF THE FAMILY!

IT WAS GREAT SEEING EVERYONE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LIKE FOREVER WE PRETTY MUCH HAD EVERYONE WAS THERE. MY BABY BROTHER JUSTIN JUST GOT BACK FROM IRAQ, AND I EVEN GOT TO MEET HIS FIANCE . IT'S CRAZY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY THAT EVEN THOUGH I'M WITH THEM, WHEN IT'S OVER I DON'T ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN ANY OF THEM. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE FAMILY PHOTO (WHICH KEENAN SOME HOW DODGED--SNEAKING UPSTAIRS DURING ALL OF THE ARRANGING) THERE ARE A LOT OF US. I THINK THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 40 PEOPLE AT OUR THANKSGIVING FEAST. WHEN WE GET TOGETHER IT'S CRAZY! EVEN THOUGH I HATE THAT IT'S ALL A BLUR WHEN IT'S OVER, I LOVE THAT MY FAMILY MAKES ME LAUGH. THEY'RE THE BEST.

THE WHOLE FAMILY

(MINUS KEENAN WHO SNUCK UPSTAIRS--STINKER :) & ADAM'S WIFE MS. JAMIE)

HALE COUSINS

(THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I GOT WITH EVERYONE LOOKING!)

MY SISTERS

CRAZY BROTHERS

THE HALE 11

HAPPY HALLOWEEN & A TRIP TO THE ER

2008-11-02T11:25:00.001-08:00

WELL IT WAS AN EVENTFUL HALLOWEEN TO SAY THE LEAST. WE SPENT THE EVENING AT OUR WARD HALLOWEEN PARTY TRUNK OR TREATING, AND THEN DECIDED TO TRICK OR TREAT THE HOUSES ON OUR STREET. COBY WAS A CLONE TROOPER, KEENAN WAS INDIANA JONES OF COURSE, AND CALI WAS THE MOST ADORABLE LADYBUG (COMPLIMENTS OF NANA). SO FAR SOUNDS NORMAL RIGHT???

WELL HERE'S THE SCOOP FROM BEHIND THE SCENES. CHRISTOPHER HAD COME HOME FROM WORK WITH A MAJOR FEVER ON THURSDAY...WHEN I SAY MAJOR, I MEAN MAJOR! HE HAD CALLED ME EARLIER THAT DAY TO TELL ME HE WAS REALLY ACHY AND NOT FEELING WELL. I ASKED IF HE WAS GOING TO COME HOME, AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T THINK SO, HE WOULD JUST GO TO THE GYM, SIT IN THE SAUNA AND "SWEAT" IT OUT...HE DIDN'T TELL ME HE ALREADY HAD A FEVER. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SAUNA SPIKED THE FEVER, AND HE CAME HOME. HE WAS SO UNCOMFORTABLE FROM THE FEVER AND A HORRIBLE HEADACHE WE PUMPED HIM FULL OF TYLENOL AND MOTRIN AND PUT HIM TO BED.

ABOUT 2 AM IN THE MORNING I HEARD HIM GET UP AND GO INTO THE BATHROOM-I HEARD HIM GROANING, AND THOUGHT "POOR GUY, HE'S PUKING NOW", THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD THUD (MAKE THAT A NUMBER OF LOUD THUDS), I RAN TO THE BATHROOM AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR, I COULDN'T GET IT OPEN MORE THAN AN INCH. INSIDE I SAW MY HUSBAND COMPLETELY PASSED OUT THE LENGTH OF OUR TOILET ROOM, I WAS YELLING HIS NAME AND GETTING NO RESPONSE...HIS EYES WERE IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! FRANTICALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET MY ARM UNDERNEATH HIS LEG TO LIFT IT SO I COULD GET IN THE BATHROOM WHEN FINALLY HE CAME TO. HE LOOKED AT ME LIKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? AND THEN HE REALIZED WHERE HE WAS. HE HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF EVEN FEELING LIKE HE WAS GOING TO PASS OUT. I WANTED TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AT THAT POINT, BUT HE INSISTED ON STAYING AND GOING BACK TO BED. HE SUGGESTED THAT WE COULD SEE THE DR IN THE MORNING SO I AGREED. A FEW HOURS LATER I HEARD HIM GET UP AGAIN. THIS TIME I ROLLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT. I SAW HIM GET ON HIS KNEES IN FRONT OF THE TOILET, SO I THOUGHT FOR SURE HE WAS GOING TO SPEW THIS TIME, I MUST HAVE NODDED OFF BECAUSE THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS WAKING UP TO ANOTHER LOUD THUD...HE WAS PASSED OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME I COULDN'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. WE CALLED THE PARENTALS TO COME WATCH THE KIDS AND AFTER SOME CONVINCING FROM HIS MOTHER, HEADED TO THE ER. AFTER PASSING OUT FOR A 3RD TIME IN THE ER, AND 7 HOURS LATER A DIAGNOSIS--DEHYDRATION (THANKS TO "SWEATING IT OUT" IN THE SAUNA, AND PNEUMONIA. MY POOR HUSBAND. SERIOUSLY,THE MAN CAN NEVER GET JUST A COLD, WHEN HE GETS SOMETHING IT'S ALWAYS SOME CRAZY SORT OF INFECTION. LUCKILY HE'S HOME, ON ANTIBIOTICS, AND ABLE TO GET SOME REST.

I WAS SO SAD FOR HIM TO HAVE GOTTEN SICK ON HALLOWEEN. IT'S HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY, AND HE IS SO MUCH MORE FESTIVE THAN I! GOOD TO SEE FRIENDS, BUT I FELT LIKE SUCH A TOOL AT OUR WARD HALLOWEEN TRUNK OR TREAT. I WAS TOTALLY OUT OF IT FROM THE EVENTS OF THE EARLY MORNING, AND WAS WORRIED ABOUT CHRISTOPHER. I REALLY JUST WANTED TO STAY HOME, BUT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING. OUR KIDS WOULD HAVE FLIPPED IF THEY COULDN'T GO TRICK OR TREATING. SADLY MY EXHAUSTION SHOWS IN THAT THESE ARE ALL THE PICTURES THAT I GOT. ALL IN ALL FUNKY DAY--NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER.

Amazing Boy Wonder At It Again--Yo Gabba Gabba Style!

2008-10-30T23:54:00.000-07:00

I could never get enough of watching this kid dance. As you know he shakes it to most anything...his latest "Yo Gabba, Gabba". My favorite is his facial expressions--so funny to me! You'll also notice that as he shakes it, one of his crackers goes flying out of the package...no worries though, little miss cali takes care of it for him :))

I'm A Witch

2008-10-30T23:47:00.000-07:00

All of my Hale peeps will have an appreciation for this rendition of "I'm A Witch", sung by the famous boy wonder, Keenan Coates. He loves this song. He actually has had me sing it as a bed time song through out this year, so I'm grateful that we now can sing it in season. Coby did a rendition himself, but I promised I wouldn't put it on the blog...I'll be sending it out via email :)) Enjoy!

HOLY UPDATE!

2008-10-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

I WISH I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WAS GOOD AT UPDATING THE BLOG ON A REGULAR BASIS. YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT HAVE A PICTURE FOR EVERY ADORABLE MOMENT IN THEIR KIDS LIVES...WELL I'M NOT. IT SEEMS THAT I TAKE PICTURES ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS , BUT BY THE TIME I DOWNLOAD I'VE GOT 300 PICTURES TO SORT THROUGH, AND THEN I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE HECK I CAN PUT IT ALL INTO ONE LITTLE POST. WE'VE HAD A VERY FULL MONTH. ALL THREE OF MY KIDS SEEM TO BE GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST.

OUR COBY TURNED 8 THE END OF SEPTEMBER. ONE OF COBY'S FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS PLAY GOLF, SO HE AND A FEW FRIENDS WENT TO GOLFLAND TO CELBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY. HE IS PLAYING SOCCER, AND LOVING IT. IT'S PRETTY COOL, BECAUSE CHRISTOPHER IS ASSISTANT COACHING THIS SEASON, AND I KNOW THEY BOTH HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THE TIME THEY GET TO SPEND WITH EACH OTHER.

SINCE HE'S TURNED 8 HE IS SUCH A LITTLE MAN NOW. IT SOUNDS SO CLICHE, BUT IT REALLY DOES SEEM LIKE YESTERDAY THAT HE WAS MY LITTLE GUY CONSTANTLY ASKING, "WHAT DOIN' THERE?" AND MY FAVORITE, "DO YOU KNOW ME?" WHICH WAS HIS WAY OF ASKING IF YOU LOVED HIM. I KEEP THINKING, HOW DID IT GO BY SO QUICKLY? HE CAME HOME THE OTHER DAY FROM SCHOOL PRETTY UPSET BECAUSE A LITTLE GIRL HAD HURT HIS FEELINGS. AS HE TRIED TO TELL ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED HIS BIG BROWN EYES WELLED UP WITH TEARS. I INSTANTLY GRABBED HIS NOT SO TINY BODY ANYMORE, AND PUT HIM ON MY LAP. HE SAT IN MY ARMS AND CRIED, AND INSTEAD OF MY USUAL LETS FIGURE THIS OUT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID KIND OF ATTITUDE, I JUST LET HIM CRY. IN FACT I CRIED TOO. IN THAT MOMENT I LEARNED, SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD TO JUST SHUT-UP AND LET IT OUT. I LOVE MY COBY SOOOO MUCH. I JUST WANT HIM TO STAY LITTLE FOREVER.

IN SCOUTS WITH ME NOW! I AM LOVING IT!
LOOKIN' SNAZZY IN THEIR WHITES!

BIRTHDAY MINI GOLF

YUMMY!

SOCCER WITH DAD.

KEENAN IS FUNNIER THAN EVER. THE CHILD WEARS THE SAME OUTFIT EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHEN I SAY EVERY I MEAN EVERY! HE IS IN LOVE WITH INDIANA JONES. HE'S GOING TO BE HIM FOR HALLOWEEN. HE HAS THE HAT WHICH HE WEARS ALL OF THE TIME. THE OTHER PART OF HIS ENSEMBLE ARE HIS JEANS AND THIS FABULOUS ORANGE PUFFY VEST. IT'S A WINTER VEST, SO THE KID SWEATS LIKE A DOG BECAUSE IT'S 100 DEGREES DOWN HERE IN AZ, BUT HE DOESN'T CARE. CRAP, THE KID WORE JEANS EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE 110 DEGREE HEAT THIS SUMMER, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LOOK "AWESOME" IN SHORTS. HE LOVES TO SING. DOES IT MATTER IF WE'RE OUT AT DINNER IN A RESTAURANT NO, HE SINGS EVERYWHERE AND EVERYTHING. OUR NEW NICK NAME FOR HIM IS OPERA BOY. IF HE WANTS A DRINK, HE SINGS..."MOM, CAN I HAVE A DRINK, BFAUSE I'M FURUSTY?" HE'S JUST ONE OF THOSE KIDS THAT SHOULD HAVE A LIVE FEED ON YOUTUBE...HE'S HILARIOUS TO WATCH.

THIS IS ONE OF MY SPORTS BRAS. HE THINKS "HE'S ARE AWESOME IN THIS".

FAVORITE OUTFIT

POSE AFTER SWEET DANCE MOVE!

CALI, IS 10 MONTHS OLD NOW. SHE HAS HER TWO BOTTOM TEETH, AND SHE NOW HAS THE PLEASURE OF GETTING 4 OF HER TOP TEETH ALL AT THE SAME TIME! SHE'S CRAWLING, CRUISING AND INTO EVERYTHING. HER NEW FAVORITE PLACE IS INSIDE THE CUPBOARDS. SHE LOVES TO CRAWL INSIDE THEM AND JUST HANG OUT. SHE IS IN LOVE WITH HER DAD. SHE HAS GOT HIM COMPLETELY WRAPPED AROUND HER FINGER. I LOVE WATCHING CHRISTOPHER WITH HER. HE LOVES OUR BOYS, BUT I CAN TELL IT'S DIFFERENT WITH CALI. THE POOR CHILD RECENTLY GOT A FLU SHOT, AND WAS PUKING FOR A WEEK AND A HALF! NEVER AGAIN WILL I DO THAT STUPID SHOT! YOU'LL NOTICE SHE LOOKS A LITTLE GREEN IN SOME OF HER PICTURES. SHE IS SUCH A CHILL BABY. OUR FAVORITE NEW TRICK IS ASKING HER TO DO HER "CHEESY FACE". SHE SCRUNCHES UP HER LITTLE NOSE AND SQUINTS HER EYES. SHE IS SO CUTE.

ALL DRESSED UP!

CHEEZIN' IT UP!

I LOVE THIS PICUTRE!

OL' BLUE EYES!

WITH ALL THE CRAZINESS GOING ON IN THE WORLD, I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY FAMILY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PURPOSE MY CHILDREN GIVE ME EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE.

A NOD TO THE CUTE LITTLE BOYS IN MY LIFE

2008-09-17T09:11:00.002-07:00

I JUST HAD TO TAKE A MINUTE AND POST A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT MY SWEET LITTLE BOYS. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

COBY IS A DOLL. HE IS SUCH A GOOD HELPER, AND THE BEST BIG BROTHER EVER. HE HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO ENTERTAIN KEENAN AND CALI. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT HIS EXTRA SET OF HANDS. HE ABSOLUTELY ADORES HIS SISTER, AND THE MINUTE HE COMES HOME KISSES, HUGS AND PLAYS WITH HER. SHE ADORES HIM RIGHT BACK. WHAT LITTLE GIRL WOULDN'T LOVE A BROTHER, THAT SNEAKS HER OUT OF BED WHEN HER MOTHER IS TRYING TO LET HER CRY IT OUT :)

KEENAN IS MY COMIC RELIEF!

HE'S SUCH A CHARACTER, AND LOVES TO DRESS UP. THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL.

CRYING IT OUT

2008-09-17T09:11:00.001-07:00

OKAY SO MISS CALI IS A FABULOUS CHILD, BUT A HORRIBLE SLEEPER! I'M USUALLY A TOTAL WIMP WHEN IT COMES TO CRYING IT OUT, BUT YESTERDAY I HAD TO FOLLOW THROUGH. THE CHILD HAD BEEN UP TILL 2 AM THE NIGHT BEFORE, SOME HOW WOKE UP AT THE BUTT CRACK OF DAWN, AND I WAS DONE.
SHE CRIED FOR PROBABLY A GOOD 45 MIN TO AN HOUR. FINALLY SILENCE. I WENT IN TO CHECK ON HER AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND.

SHE WAS TOTALLY ASLEEP SITTING LIKE THIS. IT WAS SO SAD. SHE ENDED UP TAKING A NAP FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS (MUCH BETTER THAN HER TYPICAL 30 MIN. POWER NAPS). VICTORY!!

GETTING AWAY

2008-09-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

WE RECENTLY RENTED A CABIN UP NORTH IN STRAWBERRY. STRABERRY IS A TINY TOWN JUST PAST PAYSON, AND IF YOU BLINK YOU'LL MISS IT. IT WAS ONLY ABOUT A 1HR 45MIN DRIVE FROM WHERE WE LIVE.

ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I LOVE THE GREEN, AND IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A BIT OF GREEN THAT EXISITS DOWN HERE IN THE DESERT.

THE BOYS DRANK GALLONS OF SODA, WATCHED MOVIES AT NIGHT, HAD ORANGE FLOATS, ROASTED MARSHMELLO'S, GOT TO SEE THE STARS, PLAYED LOTS OF GAMES LIKE, POOL, LOG BALL (SOCCER IN THE WOODS), BASKETBALL, PLAYED IN THE TREE HOUSE, COLLECTED STICKS, WENT EXPLORING AND SWUNG TO THEIR LITTLE HEARTS CONTENT.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO GET AWAY FOR A WEEKEND, NOT TO MENTION ESCAPE THE HEAT!

Update!

2008-08-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

We'll it's been a while since I last updated this fabulous blog, and a lot of time has passed. We spent our summer trying to beat the heat swimming at the club, finally took a vacation, and the kids are now in their 4th week of school.

San Diego was a blast. Originally we were suppose to go with Christopher's family, but ended up getting sick...total bummer. For whatever reason we have really struggled with our health this year...that's another story for another day:) We didn't think we were going to get to get out of this heat, but Christopher's parents were kind enough to treat us to a long weekend at the beach. It was just our little family. We had so much fun seeing Adam & Jamie, eating at our favorite burger place in La Jolla, going to the zoo, digging in the sand, and playing in the ocean. We even got to see a ton of leopard sharks in the water. FYI a little freaky to be only 5 feet away from any ocean animal with the word shark in its name, but relieved to find out they only eat algae and their teeth are like sand paper! I don't know if it was the twinkle in Christopher's eye, but we even got lucky enough to score a beach front room for the same price! SCORE. I love the ocean!

"Da, Da"

2008-08-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

I just had to share her latest. She's been saying it for about a month now, but she finally did it on demand last night. I love her little talking voice!

4 YEAR OLD BOY WONDER

2008-06-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

KEENAN HAS DONE IT ONCE AGAIN! LOVE THIS KID. THIS IS HIM DANCING & LIP-SINGING TO HIS NEW FAVORITE SONG FROM THE DISNEY MANIA 6 CD! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ALSO HIS NEW FAVORITE WAY TO WEAR HIS SHIRTS...YA LIKE IT? HE CALLS THEM HIS JACKETS! THIS IS TRUE ENTERTAINMENT.

Funny Story

2008-05-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

One of my friends gave me this adorable pink bikini for Cali, and I just had to try it on her. We thought she looked so cute in it, and apparently Keenan thought the bikini was so cute. As I was taking it off of her he asked if he could wear it. He loves accessories, so I put the top around his neck like a necklace, he wore it for a bit and then I put it in the laundry.

The next day, I decided I needed to lay down while Cali was taking her nap. I set Keenan up with a snack and a show, and went to my room to lay down. Shortly after he came in asking about Cali's swimming suit. I told him it was in the laundry, and went back to sleep. Later the doorbell rang and I got up to see who it was. Keenan was skipping along behind me, as I went to the door. I looked out the peep hole and it was the UPS guy. He had left something and was on his way back to his truck. I opened the door, waved to the guy and picked up my package. As i turned around this is what I saw.......

(He's not mad that I'm taking the picture, he's mad because I suggested he take it off so he wouldn't stretch it out!)

I about died laughing. Not only had he fished the top out of the laundry basket, but he had put the bottoms on too! The only thing he ask was, "Mom, am I are awesome?" I answered with a definite YES! I couldn't believe that my 4 year old boy fit himself into a 3-6 month size pink bikini. He wouldn't take the thing off for the entire day. He is so quirky sometimes. I asked him why he wouldn't take it off, and he said "befauze, I like it!" Eventually I tricked him into taking it off and hid it. For whatever reason, I had these thoughts of him going through his sisters underwear drawer later in life to steal her panties! Let's hope not.

They'll Dance to Anything!

2008-05-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

My kids will dance to anything. They love to shake it. I have so many video's of them dancing, but I love this one because they're dancing to the opening credits of a movie. It's funny to me because I'm their mom, but I think you'll find it funny too. I love it!

Just a few pictures

2008-05-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything. I just havn't taken the time to download any new pictures. My friend Suni is always on me about getting pictures up, and I told her I had pictures, but I just don't havet the time to sit down at the computer and think of something fun to write about each one. She said just put them on there, so that's what I'm doing! These are just some fun pictures we've taken lately of the boys and ourselves with ms. cali.

OUR FIRST PET & SPRING BREAK

2008-03-24T12:44:00.001-07:00

OUR 2 1/2 WEEK SPRING BREAK HAS COME TO AN END. WE ENJOYED THE PARK WITH OUR FRIENDS, PLANTING OUR GARDEN, WORKING IN THE YARD, RIDING BIKES, PLAYING THE Wii, GOING TO THE TRAIN PARK, EATING LOTS OF ICE CREAM, AND GETTING OUR FIRST PET!

WE'VE HAD A GREAT TIME DURING OUR SPRING BREAK. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING THAT HAPPENED IS, WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION. IT'S BABY BLACK GREEK TORTOISE THAT WE'VE NAMED MR. T. HE IS SO AWESOME! HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE BOYS ROOM, BUT IN ABOUT A YEAR WE WILL MOVE HIM OUT TO THE BACKYARD. HE LOVES THE HEAT! HE IS ONE OF THE SMALLER SPECIES OF TORTOISES SO HE'LL GROW TO BE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A TEA CUP SAUCER. I DIDN'T GROW UP WITH PETS, SO HE'S A GOOD FIRST TIME PET. IT'S FUN TO TAKE HIM OUT AND WATCH HIM CRUISE IN THE BACK YARD.

IT'S BEEN GREAT HAVING MY COBY HOME FOR SO LONG. I CAN'T BELIEVE SUMMER BREAK IS AROUND THE CORNER, AND HE'LL SOON BE A 2ND GRADER! I DON'T KNOW WHAT KEENAN'S GOING TO DO WHEN HE GOES BACK TO SCHOOL TOMORROW. I LOVE THESE LONG BREAKS!

EaSTer!

2008-03-24T11:59:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderfully quiet and relaxing Easter this year! It was just our little family. We spent the morning lazing about, and had fun getting dressed up in the afternoon for Church. When we got home the Easter Bunny had left some things for the boys...they were very excited! We spent our evening having a picnic dinner in our back yard and enjoying the beautiful weather! It was a good day.

Our Little Baby Whale!

2008-02-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

Cali is a little baby whale. I swear everytime she wakes up from a nap she's bigger than when I put her down! She was 6 1/2 pounds and had grown 2 inches at her 1 month check-up! That's quite a growth spurt from 4 pounds 2 ounces in less than a month! She's almost 7 1/2 weeks now and still growing. We love her so much!

Adjusting

2008-02-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

Holy Cow!! Time flies. Things have been so crazy around the Coates household. I don't know if I'm adjusting to having 3, or if it's just having an infant again. Everything seems to take so much time! I avoid running errands, because to put Cali in her carseat and head out seems like climbing a mountain! I'm sure some of you reading this are thinking what's the big deal, and for you I say more power to ya! I hope to be you someday!

The boys are loving their new sister, and are such fabulous helpers! They took a bath all together for the first time last night! So CUTE! You gotta love naked babies.

We really are loving our kids. They're GREAT!

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY!!!

2007-12-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

CALI ROBIN COATES

HI EVERYONE! CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW WE WENT I WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL ON THURSDAY THE 2OTH WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. BECAUSE THE BABY WAS ONLY MEASURING IN THE 3RD PERCENTILE FOR HER 36 WEEK GESTATIONAL AGE THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT THE BLOOD PRESSURE WAS CONTRIBUTING TO HER GROWTH RETARDATION. ON TOP OF THAT THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH AND THE RISK OF SEIZURES OR STROKE WITH THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. THIS WASN'T REALLY A SURPRISE. MY BLOOD PRESSURE HAS BEEN UP FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS OR SO.

THEY DECIDED TO INDUCE ME, AND WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE HER FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21ST AT 3:45 PM (4 WEEKS EARLY)! SHE IS A LITTLE PEANUT. SHE WEIGHED IN AT 4 LBS 10 OZS AND IS 17 INCHES LONG. WE NAMED HERE CALI ROBIN COATES. AMAZINGLY SHE DIDN'T NEED TO BE IN THE NICU. SHE WAS DOING SO WELL THEY LET US GO HOME SUNDAY MORNING BEFORE THE NORMAL 48 HOUR MARK FOR A 36 WEEK OLD.

COBY AND KEENAN ARE IN LOVE WITH THERE LITTLE SISTER, AND COULDN'T BE MORE HELPFUL. IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN TO WATCH THEM WITH HER. KEENAN IS ALWAYS WANTING TO HELP WITH DIAPER CHANGES, BUT SAYS HE'LL HOLD HER "MARRIO" (TOMMORROW). THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM FOR COBY THOUGH, BECAUSE HE LOVES TO HOLD HER ANY CHANCE HE GETS. I JUST FEEL SO BLESSED AND HAPPY TO HAVE HER IN OUR FAMILY. THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT WERE CLUED IN, FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, CALLS AND PRAYERS. WE FEEL SO BLESSED THAT EVERYTHING WENT SO SMOOTHLY. WE HOPE YOU ALL HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS...WE DID! LOVE TO ALL.

PROUD OLDER BROTHER

KEENAN AND CALI

THEY LOVE TO SNUGGLE HER

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE ON HER SIZE! SHE IS SO SMALL!

Yes I know it's been 2 months!

2007-12-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've been a little out of it lately. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, getting ready for Christmas, and that little peanut that is due here in about 5 weeks I've somehow managed to have no time to sit down and blog. I think getting my camera stolen at Disneyland had something to do with it as well!

We've had a little drama with our baby to be. Technically not her, but me. My blood pressure has been up for the past few weeks, and I've been going in for ultra sounds TWICE a week! I'm so sick of doctors appointments. I was really anxious about my blood pressure, thinking they were going to send me to the hospital, but they've been great about just asking me to take it easy. More than likely this little one will be here early, but for now she's still bakin'!

Christopher's Birthday is coming up on Monday! I'm surprising him with a weekend all to ourselves! I'd be lieing if I didn't admit that it's a bit for me too! We're going to a local resort not far from home. I'm planning on having us sleep in, see some movies and just hang out. It's good timing. Between the two of us, we've had some crazy health stuff this winter, and need a break before the new one arrives!

ANYWAY we are so exctied for this Christmas season, and have been so greatful for the prayers, thoughts and help from so many friends and family. I am eternally greatful to have good people in my life!

My crazy boys...Keenan has Christopher's PJ pants on. I think they fit rather nicely!

Ya gotta love that bumm!!

Our pretty tree, compliments to Mom Coates!

I love my kids!

Christopher's mom was so great and did our entire Christmas tree! I love it!! She thought it might help my blood pressure to have it taken care of. I love turning off all the lights and looking at it! The boys are big fans as well!

SOCCER SATURDAY!

2007-09-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while, but it seems like I havn't had any time to sit down at the computer and blog. Things have been really busy with the kids school, scouts, and soccer just started for both the boys. The weeks just fly by! We are looking forward to a break though. We're starting Coby's fall break a week early and taking they boys to Disneyland. They don't know so it should be a fun surprise. We'll have 2 1/2 weeks off after that so, the second week in October we're heading on up to Oregon to visit the family! I can't believe it's been a year since my kids have been there! I've been really homesick, and it will be nice to get out of the heat!

We spent our entire Saturday at the soccer fields in 105 degree weather....it is September right?! Christopher has been taking the boys to the park everyday after work to play, so they we're both pretty siked for their first games. This was Keenan's first time doing soccer, and it was really cute to watch. His practice/game started at 8:30 am, and it was already 100 degrees by then. UGG! Coby's game was at noon, and it was even hotter by then! He is becoming and old pro now, he did so good in his first game. I don't know how he survived the heat. We will definately be bringing some shade and lots of ice for next week!

READY FOR SOME SOCCER.
KEENAN SHOWIN' SOME SKILLS.
TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE HEAT...I NEED SOME SHORTS THAT FIT!
MR. COOL.

CHRISTOPHER & THE BOYOS, MY FAVORITE PEOPLE!
OUR LITTLE NUMBER 6!
COBY TAKING A BREAK WITH A SMILE.
THE BEST PART OF THE GAME. FROZEN ORANGES FOR A 1/2 TIME SNACK!
KEENAN ENTERTAINING HIMSELF DURING COBY'S GAME.

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

2007-08-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

We went in for our ultra sound today....it's a girl! We are so excited. Christopher was right once again! I've guessed wrong on every one of my babies. The boys are so thrilled that they will have a little sister. We asked them for some name suggestions. Keenan suggested "Baby", and Coby said, "Bob" or "Cody"...kind of random! We feel so lucky and blessed to have another bambino!

This is her bum. I thought the way they could tell it was a girl was that it just didn't have a penis, but as you can clearly see her parts are all there!

Keenan Is Starting Preschool!

2007-08-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

So I was totally going to hold off on the preschool thing, but Keenan and I have been such hermits this summer, I thought it was high time the kid have some social time...not to mention he will start Kindersteps next year, and he needs some experience with the whole social thing. There are 4 boys and 3 girls in the class. His favorite new friend is a boy named Cody. His teachers name is Niclole Pickles, "Ms. Niclole". The cutest thing...one of the boys in the class calls the teacher "Mr. Pickles"...it cracks me up. He'll go Mondays and Wednesdays for a couple of hours. The best part is that now that he is on a bit of a schedule, I can help out in Coby's classroom more often!

So excited for his first day of preschool...I promise, he's just my serious boy!
Gotta love the backpack...he felt so official!

Coby's Last Game

2007-08-17T09:50:00.001-07:00

Coby had his last basketball game over the last weekend. It was so fun to watch him play. He was a super defensive player....even when he was on offense. The best part was watching him run full speed down the court while looking over at us to make sure we were paying attention! He was able to play on a team with some buddies from church, so that was really cool for him. Tons of fun. He and Keenan will be starting soccer next month!

Coby and His Papa.
Dad giving Coby some basketball tips! Coby got best defensive player for his team. He thought it was really cool that his coach gave him a "Crunch" bar for that!

Last Week

2007-08-06T11:47:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I don't have any fun picutures to share this time. But here's a quick update on last week.

I was dealing with being sleep deprived early in the week, because Keenan was waking up with growing pains his legs, and a head cold. Poor kid. We did a lot of leg massages.

Then on Thursday night while Christopher and I were watching a movie, I stood up to go pee, and stepped on a baby scorpian. It hurt so dang bad. It was the exact same color as our carpet! I was looking at the carpet trying to figure out what the heck I stepped on, and I couldn't see anything. I was about to put my hand down and run it through the carpet to see if there was a needle or something when I spotted it! Christopher killed it right away! It's funny because niether of us knew what to do. We endded up heading to the hospital, but called poison control on the way at the suggestion of Christophers mom. Luckily, we learned before we got to the hospital that scorpians are 100% harmless, and 200% painful! She told us to turn around and go home and prepare for things to start hurting really bad for the next 6 hours...they didn't. I don't think I got a full sting because I stepped right on top of it. My foot endded up going numb for the night, and felt like it was asleep the next day, but that was it! Needless to say, I called the bug guy out for the next day.

On Friday, we went to see the new 'Bourne' movie. Way good!

Saturday, I woke up with a sore throat, and I was sick for the rest of the weekend.

Other than the movie, it was a pretty depressing week, and now you get to read about it! FUN, FUN, FUN!

Back To School

2007-07-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Coby is back to school this week. I can't believe he's a first grader! Getting back on a routine has been a bit of a challenge, but I think we've got it down. Keenan and I have been super lonely with him gone all day. With year-round school the summer went by way too fast!

We're at a different school this year than last, it's brand new and a lot closer to drive to. His teachers name is Mrs. Bostaph. She's really sweet. This is her first year teaching. She did some home schooling of her own kids and then went back to school to get her teaching degree. They have some pet hermit crabs in their class, Coby was pretty excited about that. We had to get a boundary acception for this school so we were pleasantly surprised when we found out that Coby was in the same class as his good friend Shay from Kindergarten. So far, so good!

My Little Helper Coby

2007-07-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

This week I have been sick on and off. Coby has been my little helper by keeping Keenan entertained on my bad days. He is so creative. I'm so thankful to have such sensitive boys. Hopefully only a couple more weeks of sickness. I hit week 13 yesterday, so anytime now would be great!

Here are some pictures of the things Coby does to entertain Keenan. Usually he makes some sort of weapons with his tinker toys and they play 'Battle Zone', (it's really funny to watch; Keenan totally plays dead when Coby blasts him), but here are some other fun things Coby has thought up for them to do.

Coby has a great imagination when it comes to tinker toys. In this picture he made a drum set, gutiar, and a microphone so he and Keenan could play rock band. He even thought to make it so the microphone could come off the stand. He is so funny to me.
This is Coby in creative mode. He decided to make some hats and a cake out of paper so that he could throw Keenan a 'Thomas Party'.
Here they are in the very creative hats coby made. Keenan loved his so much he wore it for the rest of the day. He called it his 'Thomas party hat'!
The final result. Again with the tinker toys...he wanted his cake to be 3D. The triangles on top are candles. Such a creative boy. Keenan adores him (so do I).

FAMILY VACATION

2007-07-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

We got back Monday from a 6 day trip to San Diego.....I miss the ocean already. We've been lucky enough to go with the Coates Family the past few years. I did not miss the 110 degree plus weather here in Arizona!! The boys had so much fun!! Coby and Keenan could not get enough of the ocean. We watched the fireworks, swam in the ocean, built a sand transformer, went to the aquarium, had a few BBQ's on the beach, launched water balloons, and we even got to see my brother Adam and his wife Jamie.

The Boyo's at Scripps Aquarium. Coby's favorite was the Nurse Sharks; Keenan liked the 'Nemo' fish.
Doing a little shopping at the surf shop by our hotel. La Holla is a really fun area.
Tough Guys!!
Coby and Keenan checkin' out the cove.
Our little family of four... I mean five.

Keenan and Mamma chillin at the beach!
Daddy and Keenan taken on some waves...Coby is that little dot in the middle. He had no fear!
Coby and Chris with the sand transformer...still in progress.
The final result. The lifeguard truck even came by and sang the transformers song over they're loud speaker...a definate highlight for Coby.
Keenan was chaseing this bird like crazy!

Joining The Crowd

2007-06-29T10:50:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I've enjoyed very much you all sharing your thoughts and pictures, and I've decided I've got to join in! Living down here in Arizona it seems only appropriate that I start sharing a little of what's been going on here....especially with a new bambino on the way! Thanks for the idea girls.

I won't say that I'll be as fabulous as you at keeping it up, but it seems like a fun way to share pictures!