Roughin It.......Cole Style

We purchased a second house......well a camp trailer. We have been wanting one since we went to Yellowstone and rented one. We used to say that "real camping" was in a tent; but realized the time saved and quality of sleep, makes a happier mom, which in turn makes for a more enjoyable camping trip. We can also start in May and go through September. We weren't really lookin yet but found one in excellent condition and we couldn't help ourselves.

Anyways, we went camping two weeks ago with our friends John and Kim and their awesome three kids. We had a good time! We didn't have to sleep with two pairs of pj's, stocking caps on our heads, and four blankets. We weren't scared of crazies, bears, or cougars. I didn't have to wake up all hours to shove kids back in sleeping bags, because they had their blankets now and we had a heater. No more waking up at six in the morning and dreading the cold walk to the outhouses. It was HEAVEN!

We also had a very friendly visitor the entire weekend. I was afraid he was going to make our three days miserable, but we learned to love the little guy!

He would just walk right up to us. We watched him the first morning and he was over at this one camp and a little boy, probably six or seven was going up to shower and he didn't see the skunk. The skunk lifted the tail and stood on his front legs. Finally about four or five feet from the skunk the boy noticed him. He stopped dead in his tracks. He finally decided to run. It was hilarious......we were dying laughing. But we ran that night when we were making smores around the campfire and he just walked right up to us. Everyone ran and poor Kim's baby was left for a minute in the playpen.

We had fun swimming, sight seeing, relaxing and catching up with John and Kim.

Much needed man time!

Life of the Party!

This was a rock that the indians sketched on way back when.

(Couldn't tell you what indians or when.)

Lesson Taught Every Day...Enjoy the Little Things

That's a pineapple on her shirt, and Cindy said, "Hey you have a pineapple on your shirt."

She put her little eyebrows together and said, "No, it's Spongebob's house!"

Shelby gave me this card for Mother's Day that plays "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

Hallie carries it around like this and sings, sings, sings.

Her new Sunbeam teacher made this for her.

It's a cookie on a stick, stuck in rice-crispie-treats, in the cone.

Such a cute idea.

Grumpy days are normal for me.......my poor kids and hubby. Normally when stressed or tired. But Hallie is always so happy, which rubs off on me. Even the kids agree (they are so great also) that she has a special spirit about her. She is always giggling and smiling. She finds happiness in even the littlest things. My friend Shelby said that with everything she says, she has emotion and expression. We went to dinner one day, Shelby, Hallie, and I; and Shelby pointed out that she even ate her french fries with emotion. It almost seemed like she had a relationship with each one as she ate em. She has us all wrapped around her little finger. She tends to sometimes snuggle with Chad and I and fall asleep with us. Chad doesn't sleep well so he'll tell her "no more". She somehow talks her way into our bed the next night with her sweet little happy cheerful voice and giggles. Chad's NEVER let the kids sleep with us as much as her. I think she was sent to me to remind me that most everything in life is good, and to get over the bad. Anyways, I'm thankful for her spirit in our home and so thankful Heavenly Father gifted me four special spirits. I feel like the luckiest mom in the world.

Skipper & Coco

Meet Skipper

Meet Coco







Brooklyn and Brenton got their rabbits a while back. The rabbits are mini-rex's, which are known for their soft fur. Brenton picked out a black one and Brooklyn a chocolate one. It's cute because the bunnies personalities match the kids'. Coco is fiesty and kinda a stinker, Skipper is so friendly and cuddly. If I would've known how clean and cute they are, we would've gotten rabbits a long time ago. Chad, being the awesome dad that he is, made the rabbit hutch. He made it to hold three bunnies. I love being married to a handy man! As soon as Brooklyn and Brenton get off the bus, they go and feed their rabbits. They have pleasantly surprised me. I think we may have found something for Brooklyn to be passionate about!

My Baby Sis

My sister finally decided on a guy. I think she went through a couple dozen. Jeff is great and absolutely perfect for Kammie. The weekend was perfect. Perfect weather, beautiful ceremony, quiet reception, fun with family, visiting with Jeff's family, and Kamm was actually the most chill and happy brides out of all five of us sisters. (I might live to regret that statement)

Kamm was always such a happy little girl. She would take over Chad when we were dating. If I would get up from being next to him, she would snuggle right in. She was my kids' favorite person for years. Now I look forward to being her kids' favorite person.