Chad, Jaycie, and Kids

The Polls are In...

2010-06-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Meet the new VP!!!

Congrats Trace! You worked hard and deserve it!

Trace for Vice President

2010-05-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by the Committee (Nate and Brittney Singer) for Trace Cole

SpRiNg!!!

2010-04-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Love, love, loving this weather,
My kids,

and our growing petting zoo!

We now have 2 pigs, 8 chickens, 6 rabbits, 2 cats, and a lazy dog!

Chad's latest find, our Fairlor!

BFFs

2010-04-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Cindy invited Brooklyn to go take pictures with Cara for Cara's birthday. I snapped a few before they took off for a fun day of posing. They are the cutest cousins together.

Cindy brought them shopping too and bought them matching outfits and BFF necklaces!

Two Foxy Kids

2010-04-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

I'm way behind but had to post for family far away....

Brooklyn was in another play, Snow White. She was a forrest friend and was assigned to be a fox. She did great as usual.

Trace felt like being foxy when he dressed up for spirit week. He pulled it off great too!

COLE COOKBOOK

2010-03-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Not trying to take over or look bossy, BUT if you are part of the Cole family, then don't forget to get in your recipes to Kathy for the Cole Cookbook. I'm only reminding everyone for my own selfish reasons....I want everyone's tasty recipes. So she needs them asap!

And if you aren't part of the Cole family (which is too bad for you), but would like a cookbook or few, let me know and we can order you one. One auntie thought maybe they were $7 but I'm saying plan on $7-10.

Thanks!!!

"Oh How Romantical"

2010-03-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Chad and I smell TROUBLE.....with sweet Hallie Bear. We caught her dancing and smooching the vacuum, she constantly points out hot guys and tells us they are "cute" (in her sweet lil high pitched voice), tells us she's going to marry Cason, and now tells us to "tilt" our heads when we kiss. The other night she grabbed Chad's head and said he had to tilt it when he kisses me. The next morning as Chad was walking out the door we "tilted" our heads and gave the one second kiss and we hear Hallie say, "Oh how romantical."
Chad is not finding this so cute anymore. Funny coming from a guy who never went through a "girls have cooties" stage.

Lil Bit of Hope

2010-02-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Love reading stuff like this........ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35254774/ns/health-diabetes !

Hallie Hallie Hallie

2009-12-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

Brittney was going to take pics of Hallie, but Britt didn't feel well. So Hallie and I ran outside and snapped some in less than ten minutes.......it was soooooo cold! She either had cheesy smiles or freezing frowns, but oh well it was fun and she was awesome! Now I need a good editing program for my pics. :)

Brotherly Love

2009-12-02T11:17:00.001-08:00

Hallie was begging Brooklyn to paint her fingernails. Of course Brooklyn wouldn't do something nice like that so I asked Trace to do it because I was cookin dinner. He informed me that "he is a guy and guys don't do that!!!!" I asked him to please do it for me and that it would make her so happy. He told me he couldn't do a good job, and I told him to pretend he was painting. Trace, being the nice brother and person that he is, finally gave in. It was so cute I had to secretly take some pics, but he wasn't too happy after the flash went off. :) We love you Trace!!!!

B-Day Boy & B-Day Girl

2009-12-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Hallie & friends.......Sara, Maddie, Hallie, & Brooklyn (oh and Brenton drowning in the back)

Shana made the dress modest because G-ma Kappel requested it that way! I love that about Deby! Thanks Shana and Deby for the cake!

We celebrated Brenton's and Hallie's b-day's together. Brenton turned the big "7" and Hallie the big "4". Aunt Shana put my pirate ship cake to shame with Hallie's beautiful Barbie cake. Hallie thought it was "the best". They had a blast and we are done with b-day parties for seven more months! Wahoo!

Hallie Bear's Life @ 4

Barbie and the Three Muskateers

friends Kaylee and Emma

her Daddy

running around in only her undies

DANCING

SINGING

messy hair

coming in Mom and Dad's bed in the night

her giggles

staying up late

chicken nuggets every day for lunch if I'd let her

26 pounds

helping mom with dinner EVERY single night

loving her new cousin "Little Brittney"

McDonalds

Christmas lights

Brenton's Life @ 7

good student

loves to read and LOVES math

loves to help Dad outside

Wii of course

Webkinz

top bunk - that's important

soccer

draws pictures

snuggles

diving off the high dive

taller than Brooklyn & going to pass up Trace

loves G-pa & G-ma W's crazy dog, Pogo

Pixos

HaLLoWeEn FuN!

2009-11-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

Another year down.......

Trace the rodeo clown & winner of a costume contest he's been tryin to win for years

Brooklyn as Dorothy and her baby as Toto

Brenton as a freaky mummy

Ariel as herself

Shoe Party

2009-10-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Shoe Party

My House

Friday 6:30 - 8:00 Drop in whenever!

Cute Shoes and very inexpensive

myshoeshoppe.com

2009-09-30T12:39:00.001-07:00

WELCOME TO THE.....

Trace showing his pig, Buffy!

Reserve Grand Champion for fitting and showing. The judge was tough at this fair!

Brenton even showed, but he's considered "Primary" so they didn't compete against each other.
They all got blue ribbons. He did awesome, we're very proud of him!

Brenton and Oreo

We tell the kids that fair isn't about the money, BUT Brooklyn had a good experience selling her market rabbit. She was terrified of the market rabbit with it being huge and white with freaky pink eyes. So she was afraid to hold it out in the arena by herself. I've never seen her doubt herself like that. Anyways, she was dead last to sell out of the entire fair. I was bummed thinking that everyone would be out of money. I kept reminding myself, "It's not about the money". But as a mom, I feared she would be out there dead last and no one supporting her. A older gentleman that helped the kids in the arena told me that with her being last, it might actually be a good thing. He said not all the time but sometimes there are companies trying to get rid of extra money. Well the rabbits were going for $300 - $450 (Grand Champion rabbit), which is outrageous compared to Grant County fair where they went for $100 - $300.

So she goes out there and these two guys start bidding each other up. One wanted it for his daughter and the other one kept saying as he was raising his arm, "Well if she wasn't so cute." (Some people wonder if he had a little to drink) By the time it got to $700 I was on my knees in shock! The older man that helped with the kids kept patting me and reminding me each time it climbed higher. I'm proud of Brooklyn because she carried that bunny with a smile even though she was scared, but who wouldn't smile I guess when the bidding was nuts. She was a trooper. She walked outta there $900 "richer" as she says. The older man came up to me later and said that he had done the fair for years and never seen a rabbit go for that much.

Brooklyn's not quite used to the idea of only getting ten percent, giving ten percent to the Lord, and the rest in savings for college. Poor Brooklyn! :)

100% Chad

2009-09-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

Brenton's after school activity.......

Chad and all his cousins, uncles, brother, etc. are trying to put a race track in Warden. They did a fundraiser at community days where people paid to hit a car. Don't quite get the excitement but must be testosterone related. Anyways, Chad was the one that found the car so we had it for a while before he disposed of it. So everyday after school Brenton put on the safety glasses and grabbed his hammer and went crazy. Must be fun I guess, because he did it everyday until Chad took it away.

First Day of School & Dance

2009-09-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

First day of school.

Waiting for the bus.

First day of new dance year.

Fair in a Nutshell

2009-09-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Trace did awesome with Oscar, especially since he's never done this before. His pig was at weight for a month, so he walked him everyday and put him on a diet. Within a couple days that pig tightened right up (wish it was that easy with my bum). He really bonded with Oscar, we'll just leave it at that for respect of Trace! :) His pig got a blue ribbon for market. And for fitting and showing he got, according to his big ribbon, "Champion round"; basically it was a call back for the grand champion round. We were proud he got that far. He really worked so hard.

Brooklyn did better than expected with it being her first year as well. The rabbit barn supervisor had been working with her all summer and he said he thought she had a shot at Grand Champion. She almost did it.....ended up getting Reserve Champion for fitting and showing. The judge said she is the one to watch out for next year, so we'll see if she keeps up her momentum. We're proud of her, she absolutely loves her rabbits, it's the first thing she does in the morning to take care of them. Also Courtney, NiCole, and Brooklyn (the Warden girls) got the Supervisors Award. Thanks NiCole and Courtney for showing Brooklyn the ropes.

Brooklyn, Courtney, and NiCole

This little guy is the newest member of our rabbit family. His name is Jersey.

We stayed in the camper at the fair all week....never left and when we did on Sunday morning the kids whined. On Wednesday during fair Brooklyn was already saying that she didn't want to wait for next year, so against Chad's wishes I guess we'll be going back.

Rewind

2009-08-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

I never did do "part two" of our Seaside trip, but have to just wrap it up mainly to say a big "Thank you for putting up with us" to Brent, Cindy, and kids, and also Jeff, Lilli, and Emma! They were perfect to spend eight days with......we never got sick of them. :) Now they maybe can't say the same.............. but we don't want to know!

Bonfire & Smores

Family Photo Session

Newport Aquarium

Brooklyn, Brenton, & Trace.......

.........oh, and Hallie!

Holy smokes, look at Chad's legs compared to his arms HAHA!

One of my favorite people......

And another.......

BFF

We had such a blast despite Cindy's occasional throwing of attitude! :)

I love you Cindy!!!

Way Back When....

2009-08-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

I married possibly the best man! The most unselfish man....caring....nonjudgmental....all about family....chill....smart....happy....gentle....hardworking....wonderful father....honest as they come....and the list goes on. I credit it all to his wonderful mom, dad, and grandparents. Thank you for shaping a cute little freckled face boy into an awesome man! I'm convinced they are hard to come by anymore. And I'm convinced that I'm the luckiest girl! Here's to 13 good years! For me anyways! :)

A Week on the Oregon Coast w/ Great Company (part 1)

2009-06-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Day 1:

Fish hatchery off the Bonneville Dam.....a must see.

We arrived at the beach house and we ohhhed, awwwed, squeeled, jumped up and down, yada yada yada. Cindy and I were the most excited I think. Brent and Cindy got the master suite, Chad and I got a quiet room downstairs, Jeff and Lilli were across the hall, the girls got the bedroom with the two bunks, and the boys got the loft. It was a beautiful home.......

Let's not forget the hot tub.....

We walked a couple houses down to the beach at sunset....

Day 2:

Toured Astoria, shopped at Costco and went to the beach...

Chad said I'll look like this after I lose all the weight :)

Day 3:

Toured downtown Seaside....

Trace had his evil face in every bumber car picture!

Hallie was very protective of her tickets.

Day 4:

Explored Fort Stevens and saw pelicans...

Day5:

Went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, visited a lighthouse, "The Octopus Tree" and enjoyed the coastline...

Just for the record, Brooklyn threw a fit everytime I tried to take her picture; so she is not left out of this blog by my choice!

Thank You Ladies

2009-06-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the info ladies and especially Erin for making me feel normal. I'll give it a try sometime when I have a couple hours. :)

Help.....Anyone?

2009-06-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm frustrated because I wanted to post videos of the girls dancing but it won't. Any suggestions? I have the video on our mini dvd video camera. So I put the dvd in the drive and I select the file and it says it's uploading but it sits there doing that for hours!

Roughin It.......Cole Style

2009-05-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T13:10:00.001-07:00

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.

Just Call Me Senorita Betty Crocker

2009-04-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

I came back from a long weekend out of town to messages on the answering machine. One from Jackie/Chad's aunt/RS president/good friend. I love Aunt Jackie, so I was excited to call her back and talk for hours like we always end up doing. Well, she was hesitant to ask because I have a busy week with Kammie's wedding coming up, but she asked me to not go to the store for a week. The point, to see how prepared I am. Ha!

My first thought, "How can I get out of this? I have so much going on this weekend."

Second thought, "Okay, I'll do it because I love Jackie. But if I need something, I'll ask my awesome friend, Shelby, to pick it up for me. It's not ME going to the store." See Shelby is my grocer anyways. She calls me all the time to ask if I need anything from the store. Thanks Shelby! I love ya!

Then I find out Cindy is doing it also. So I call her and she is getting ALL into it. They were even talking about making their own dog food!!! Talk about putting me to shame! I felt like a lazy *$%. Cindy inspired me and she doesn't even know it. So I bucked up and tried to take this like a pioneer woman!

Last night the kids wanted tacos. I was thinking, "Perfect, I know I have everything for that." I started cooking the meat and beans, chopped up the toppings, and pulled out my TWO tortillas. I break out a sweat. We can either each take a third of a shell or make them. Then I remember that Cindy gave me her recipe for homemade torts. I was actually excited to try it. The kids are so picky and always like the same stuff, so I expected them to complain. So I told them that the church asked us to do this and I need the practice with this Swine flu going around. I begged them to be good sports and expect the worst! They were awesome about it.

I made the torts and it was fun. VERY proud of myself! Can't imagine doing it everyday like these awesome mexican women - I was plum tired after rolling and rolling to get them thin. Not to mention as round as possible. It's hard to get those suckers round. I remember Cindy saying that she got elephants and giraffes when she rolled hers out, and she has the royal mexican blood in her!
Anyways, I have to say that it excited me to be more brave and that MAYBE we could survive on tortillas if needed. BTW, the kids loved them!

Oh yeah, check out those babies!

The Dreaded Science Fair (Mom's Opinion)

2009-04-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

There are certain blogs that I refuse to read because I feel like all they do is brag. That's one reason why I took a while to start a blog because I didn't want to look like one of those people. Saying that, I don't want to brag but am proud of Trace. He has entered the science fair almost every year, and every year it is the SAME kids that win. (Of course, it really isn't the project. It's how you present it and what all you know. Trace is a shy and nervous kid so this is rough on him!) He has a very competitive class. He wanted to win so bad this year. He presented his project, mummifying a hot dog, to 50 kids and two teachers. He felt like he did great until I asked his science teacher how he did. She said he didn't answer a certain question right and it might have costed him going to the final round in front of the judges. He was devastated to put it lightly. But he found out the next day that he made it to the judges. Well, so did all the SAME kids. He spent all night practicing, while I spent all night reminding him that his chances were nill and not to get too excited. I was trying to make it easier on him when he lost, instead of being the good supporting parent of believing that he would take it all! The next morning I found him in the corner going over it. I reminded him again to just do his best. He presented it to the judges that day, and later that night we went to the science night to see how they did. Brenton made it to the judges also. They normally pick two winners from each grade. This year they gave a Grand Champion and it was TRACE!!! One of the judges came up to me and said that the judges were so impressed by his knowledge of his project, that they actually went to the teacher in charge and told her that he deserved something more than first place. So they decided to do Grand Champion. I thought it was a simple project but she said that his knowledge behind it was at a jr high to high school level. I think him screwing up earlier, caused him to strive to be better and it paid off.

Brenton won in his grade! His was "The Camouflaged M&Ms". He threw ten of each color of M&Ms on colored construction paper and had Conrad and NiCole eat as many as they could in ten seconds and see how many of each color were left over. So the red paper would have the most red left, the yellow paper have the most yellow left, etc.

Brooklyn's project was to see if an alka-seltzer would dissolve faster in cold, warm, or hot water. Brooklyn tied with another girl to go to the judges and so the teacher did something to decide who went on. She didn't get to go on, but she has won the last three years so it's all okay!

Chad Who?

2009-04-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Brenton - Go Cougars!

Trace - Go Cougars

Brooklyn - Go Fireballs
The last four months have been busy. Like never talk to the husband busy. I think it was two or three days before I told Chad my uncle had to go in for brain surgery......bad I know. But Trace is a soccer lover, so he had to play spring soccer. Brenton wants to follow in Chad's footsteps so he did wrestling for only a couple weeks, because then soccer started and he wants to follow in big brother's footsteps. Brooklyn has been begging and begging to do soccer but I reminded her how she started t-ball twice, and both times wanted to quit after a week. I reminded her that it's all running, but she didn't care. So she did soccer and dance. Hallie just doing dance. Then 4H and scouts!!! Chad reminds me that this isn't good. Oh, not to mention that he coached middle school wrestling January and February. But the boys are done with soccer and Brooklyn will be done tomorrow. Now me and Chad time! (Oh, with Hallie in the middle. She sits between us when watching tv, squeezes between us in the middle of the night, squeezes between when we hug so she can have "family hugs", and comes on dates with us because she won't stay with a babysitter unless it's Uncle Nate or Kelly!)

Boys to Men

2009-03-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the classic movie "The Sandlot". Been a long time since I've seen it last, but I found it in the $5 Wal-mart bin (actually Britt bought it for Nate and that gave me the idea). Anyways, we brought it home and the kids were excited to watch it, Brooklyn and Trace having already seen it. I thought it would be this fun little show and enjoyable of course. But Brenton was scared bonkers by the dog, I think they call him "The Beast". He had his blanket over his head the entire dog parts (half the movie) and had it ready just in case for the rest of the movie. Somehow we have to toughen up our two boys (Trace would cry watching Lion King and Winnie the Pooh). Chad says I did it to them......... but I guess I always liked a guy with a sensitive side. I figure we need to work them more and give them more responsibilities, so they joined 4H. Trace doing pigs and Brenton showing the rough and tough bunny. I know it'll take much more than 4H, but I hope we can eventually turn them from boys to hard working men.

The Skunk & the Snobby Countess

2009-03-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn wanted to try for the Missoula Children's Theatre again. No suprise there, but her chances were pretty slim of getting a part. She was now eight and was going for the bigger parts instead of the kiddy parts. So we weren't holding our breath, but she was practicing the night before saying her name loud and being dramatic. (Her everyday life is dramatic, but when doing this she fights us to practice.) Brenton was coaching her and Chad asked if he wanted to do it, boy did he light up! I didn't really consider him just because, well anyone that knows him knows that he is too easily distracted and I knew this was a major commitment. So that night he was in bed, and Chad and I were watching tv and Brenton kept yelling out his name and age. Long story short he definately got the part of a skunk. Brooklyn had to really fight for her part, a snobby aristocrat! What perfect parts for both of them! They both did awesome at show time, until Brooklyn didn't show up on stage for pictures because she was backstage puking from the aweful bug going around!

Slideshow

2008-12-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

2008-03-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what I'm doin, but I've been encouraged to do this. I have to admit it looks fun, so I'll give it a try!