Far Utah

Last weekend we took a super quick trip up to Salt Lake City (or Far Utah as Cole calls it) to visit Alan's folks. The boys were so excited to visit their Grandparents and it was fun to get away from the scorching heat of Vegas and visit with family that we don't see all of the time.

Friday was Lagoon day. Carson stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa and Alan, Cole and I headed up to Farmington. Cole loved having some one on one time with us and it was nice to be able to go on rides without having to switch off all of the time. There were a few new roller coasters there since our last trip. Cole was tall enough to ride The Bat which is one of those coasters where the track is above you and your feet dangle. The other new one is appropriately named Wicked. Holy cow! It's seriously wicked. The ride starts off by shooting you straight up and then straight down the track and then you roll into this crazy corkscrew thing. It was awesome!

A couple shots of Alan and Cole on rides. I made Alan go on all the round and round rides as I got totally gaggy from the Tilt-a-Whirl.

Grandma and Grandpa met up with us in the afternoon and brought Carson. We all went on the log ride and poor Grandma got soaked, like take a shower in your clothes soaked. We had fun checking out Pioneer Village and getting treats; We also met up with Aunt Linda, Uncle Brian, Makenzie and Ainsley. Then on the way out of the park we let the boys play in the water. I think that was the highlight of both of the boys' day. When we were driving home from Lagoon Alan asked Cole if he liked it and Cole said "yeah, but it's not as good as Disneyland". Anyways, I can't believe I didn't get any photos of the kids and their grandparents. DuH!

Saturday we got sandwiches and went to West Jordan Park with the Grandparents and Aunt Angie. There were a bunch of seagulls hanging around so Alan went to the store and got some bread for the boys to feed the birds. Cole of course was wearing his pirate dress-ups and someone got this great idea to put bread on top of Cole's hat to see if the birds would land on his head. So we sent a willing Cole out into the field with bread on his head to wait for the birds. They circled for awhile and were getting closer and closer when the sprinklers came on and scared them off so we never did get one to land on him, lol. All of those photos are on Grandma's camera and I hope to get copies of them because they are really funny.

That night we met our good friends The Pollastro's for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. Cammie and I met way back in the day working in the U of U Registrar's office and hit it off instantly. Anyways, we don't get to see them nearly enough but when we do it's always fun and filled with laughter. Our kids are about the same ages too and so they had fun running around and getting crazy together. It was a fun night!

Our squirrelly pose:

And our normal for us pose:


Sunday we packed up the car and headed back to home sweet home. It was a fun but quick trip!
If anyone has photos would you mind emailing them to me? Thanks!

Last Day of Preschool

The last day of preschool fell on Cole's birthday and it also happened to be "Circus Day". All the kids and teachers dressed up (of course Cole was a pirate) and there was a cute little carnival set up in the classroom. How many kids do you know get a party like that at school on their birthday? Pretty lucky, eh? Miss Terra asked if I would be able to come and help out with one of the stations. Of course! I got to run the beanbag toss. It was so fun to be there with all of the cute kids and see them enjoying themselves; they have really come so far in such a short amount of time. After the games the kids got their certificates and hugs from the teachers and headed on home, official preschool graduates!

Before leaving for school I had Cole pose for a couple of photos which he was none too happy about. I just thought he looked so cute in his new costume custom made for him by his White Grandma. Thanks Mom!

Showing off his new Jolly Roger tattoo.

Receiving his certificate from Miss Stephanie (left) and Miss Terra (right). I feel so lucky that he had such great teachers this year. When I dropped him off to school the 1st day he didn't even know the alphabet and now he is sounding out words!

Good Job Cole! We are so proud of you!

Cole and his buddy Brendan modeling their clown noses. Silly boys!



Monday he started Kinder prep which runs for six weeks during the summer then look out Kindergarten, here comes Cole!!!

Like Mother Like Son

AKA The Diet Coke Snatcher.

If you are drinking a soda around this little guy he will stand at your feet and whimper, whine and beg until you give him a sip. If you aren't looking, he will take your whole drink. You've been warned...

Busted!

Caught red-handed!

Birthdays and Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and belated Happy Birthday which was on Friday the 13th. I really wanted to put up this adorable photo of him and I when I was about 2 years old but my scanner is being uncooperative. I know it sounds cliche to say I have the best Dad, but it's true! I know for a fact that their is literally nothing he wouldn't do for any one of his children. Thank you for always being a strong example to me thru' your actions and your teachings, for loving me unconditionally even when I was a big pain the bum! I love you Dad!

Happy Birthday to my Mom, who was born on Father's Day and my Grandpa always said she was the best Father's Day gift ever. She was born at Nellis Air Force Base and the running joke was that she was delivered by an airplane mechanic (which isn't true). This is her first birthday/Father's Day since my Grandpa passed away and I know it will be a hard one. Grandpa was an amazing Father figure to all of us and is missed deeply. Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

Happy Father's Day to my Father-in-law George. I appreciate you (and Susan too)for raising up a great son (having two little guys of my own I know how hard it is)! I'm grateful to you both for welcoming me into your family and for being wonderful grandparents to my children.
And finally, Happy Father's Day Alan! How blessed I am to know that my children have such a loving and caring Dad, one who is actively involved in their loves, who loves them and makes them feel special. It's a testament to what a great Daddy he is when both boys run up to him as soon as he walks in the door from working all day and they wrap their little arms around him and are so excited to see him.

When I hear the quote "Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad" all four of these great men come to mind.

Stone Temple Pilots

Last night Alan and I went to the STP concert at the Palms Hotel. I love this band! They are definitely in my top 5. It was an awesome show, they did not disappoint, I thought they sounded really great live. I had seen them in concert before (I won't say how many years ago) but it was Alan's first time. Scott Weiland is definitely a freak, but a totally entertaining freak. I think one of my favorite songs they sung last night was "Sour Girl". Oh and "Big Bang Baby", "Wicked Garden", "Lady Picture Show"... I guess I can't pick just one favorite after all.

On a side note, when you have a concert venue full of thirty-something dudes there is a LOT of air-guitar going on.

Happy Birthday Cole

Five years ago today this sweet boy entered the world and our lives have never been the same. He is such a great kid and we love that he is part of our family.

Today he is celebrating with presents from Mom and Dad (and Carson), birthday donuts with candles for breakfast, a class carnival for the last day of school and dinner at Red Robin (yummm) where they will sing Happy Birthday and bring him a yummy dessert. Sounds like a great day!

Happy 5th Birthday Cole, we LOVE you!

Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirate Party For Cole

Saturday we celebrated Cole's 5th birthday (his real day is the 11th) with a fun pirate themed party at Oogles 'n Googles. We booked the party several weeks ago and he has been anticipating it for what seems like forever. He woke up Saturday bright and early and ran thru' the house shouting, "Today's my party, today's my party". You could say he was a little bit excited, lol.

While waiting for all of his guests to arrive a face painter painted faces or arms. Cole opted for a really cool blue snake tattoo on his arm. It was very "pirate-ish".

Then everyone got their pirate costumes on:

And posed for a group photo:

The pirates went on a treasure hunt, did the limbo and walked the plank:

This photos cracks me up, notice the "mustache". The snake tattoo rubbed off on his nose:

Time to make a wish and blow out the 5 candles:

Tastes great (I got a thumbs up after taking this photo):

Carson liked the icing too:

A cute and curious Carson checks out the loot:

I think Cole got more gifts than Christmas! Here are just a few of his favorites, which changes every ten minutes or so.

A scooter:

Matchbox Pirate Land:

Indiana Jones Potato Head:

The rest of the afternoon was spent ripping into boxes, un-wiring all of the toys and lots and lots of playing. Later that night we went on a walk so Cole could take his new scooter for a spin.

All in all it was a great day and Cole enjoyed every minute. He's already talking about doing it again next year.