Catching Up!!

I am behind in my blogging - here are some of the other things going on in the Cole house.

Dallin went to Homecoming with Sam. She is a cute girl (I see her every Tuesday) and I know they had a ball! Dinner was served at one of Dallin's friends house with Gabe's mom (who is the bomb and cooks authentic Mexican food) as the cook. All they wanted for dessert was Cinnamon Rolls so that was my part. I love that they do this, not only does it let them save some money on dinner but then we as parents get to interact with them a little more (checking to see if they are gentleman when we are not pushing!) They closed down the dance and danced every dance. I always loved it when the guy would actually DANCE!

Then they went to the park with another group to go ice blocking. Apparently that is against the law in Gilbert not to mention that since Dallin is only 17 he was breaking curfew as I was informed at 12:45 am by the police officer on the phone. So he was sent home in the care of his date, who was 18. The funny part was that since they did not have any other clothes and the boys did not want to ruin their dress pants - yes - they ice blocked in their boxers covered by towels. So when the police showed up and all the kids ran and jumped in to various cars, Dallin shoved his feet into his pants but did not do them up. The police car blocked his exit and when she (yes, the officer was a woman) shined her flashlight into the car Dallin's pants are undone!! At least she did see them ice blocking and the girls did not participate because they did not want to ruin their dresses. What a night!

It is a good thing we as parents have a good sense of humor!!

Dallin bought special vans (shoes) black and white! He was so stylin'!!

Dallin and Kai were able to get extra credit by building and sailing a cardboard boat. They were only allowed to tape the seams, no other waterproofing and it had to hold their weight and cross the pool. They got extra, extra credit for dressing the part.

Scavenging for cardboard.Starting - need I mention it is now about 11pm? They finished up about 2 am.They built some scale models of what would work and had to calculate it out as to how tall the sides needed to be not to swamp the boat.Lots of glue - they glued the boxes closed so the water would not soak quite so fast.
Resting.....

The finished product and the correct way to dress. They thought they were sooo cool.Preparing to launch...A little help from Jake....Don't they look official? Their boat was the best we saw by far. Here is a video on my SIL blog.They took several turns around the pool and then beached it for a while - put it back in and then it really started to take on water. Cardboard only lasts so long when it gets wet!!

Exciting pictures

We love Lake Powell! This year we invited the Darren and Ruth Cook family - which consists of Darren, Ruth, Zach (who is at BUY-I) Elena, Caroline and Julia. They also brought a friend named Macey. We let Dallin and Logan bring some friends so Dakota, Tate and Kai joined the merry group! Zach and Brenn had to stay and go to school :( This is our houseboat - not to fancy but it works really well for lots of kids.

Lunch is always a busy affair.

Macey, Logan, Dakota, Elena, Caroline and Julia

This is a picture of our stuck climbers - the rescue climbers and I are at the top -

This is a close up - Dallin and Kai are on the right - Tate in the middle and I am at the top with the rescue climbers.

As to what happened - Ken and the girls went to the marina and out wake boarding. The boys didn't want to go so they thought they would go for a hike. They scrambled up a little face and climbed as high as they could and waved to the houseboat. Then, thinking they did not want to go back down the same way saw a ledge that looked to be a good height to jump in the water and swim back to the boat. Unfortunately they were not as safe climbing down to the ledge as they should have been and at one point Tate slipped and grabbed Kai's leg, that leg was the only thing keeping him from falling about 150 feet. Kai lowered him to a more stable place while Dallin crab walked on to the ledge - almost falling himself. As Kai scooted over and crab walked like Dallin, Tate climbed up to take Kai's place. Thankfully, Tate knew his limit and since the close call he elected to stay where he was on the rock face. Kai and Dallin decided it was really to high to jump (Yeah, for some good thinking) and started to yell for help. I did not realize how really stuck they were or how serious the situation was until someone went out on the Kayak and saw were Tate was hanging out.

I am disappointed in my lack of stopping and thinking. If I had taken it a little more seriously and thought it through I would have done a few things differently. Darren and I hiked around the canyon trying to find a better way up to the boys but did not find anything. Ruth actually climbed out on the rock and helped me start and I had little trouble getting above the boys - the problem was I brought the only rope I could lay my hands on quickly and it was too small and short for the job. Just as I got up there Ken was being pulled over by a Park Ranger. I have to say we have been boating at Lake Powell for a lot of years and I am pretty sure I have never seen a Ranger so far from the Marina. But, here they were in the very canyon we needed them to be. Logan and Dakota were on the Kayaks at the mouth of the canyon waiting on Ken and told him the situation, the Ranger then went to call for help. I know that was a blessing from the Lord in answer to all of our prayers. The rescue was not fast but they were very safe in all they did to get the boys up. SIL Kirsten (Kai's mom) was in the temple while they were climbing and had put his name on the prayer roll before she started - that would have been when they were doing the risky human ladder and Tate slipping. I know that angels held up those boys - they have important work to do. Ruth pointed out to them that evening as we sat around and they told us the WHOLE story, that they must have work to do on this earth and it would start with their missions.

Ken was not happy that I had climbed up there but the boys told me they needed me there so I was glad I made the effort. I do wish I would have stopped and thought for a few minutes - I would have gotten the sturdy anchor ropes in a backpack and some water and snacks for the boys. As it was I felt kinda dumb, but still protest that I was not stuck!

This is the rock face we all climbed. The Ranger who climbed it first and strung the rope for the others was named Keen - he ask me if I climbed that, I said, "yes" and he said it was amazing what 'momaline' could do. I told him I have climbed a lot of things like that when I was younger and thought is was challenging but not that bad, he told me I did a good job.

The helicopter - the boys were fantasizing about the helicopter and wonder if James Bond would be lowered, then thought it would be better if it was Pussy Galore (hormones), then maybe it would be cool if the copter turned in to Optimus Prime (still a hint of the child). I told them not to count on it but they could dream. After about 5 hours the boys were rescued and we got to eat dinner. What a day. I told Ken, there is always drama at Lake Powell, but this was more than usual.



I think the boys were bored at this point.

How many clothespins can you fit on your face?

Catching air on the wake board - way to go Dallin!

Kai thought he got some awesome pictures for his facebook profile!

Ken relaxing on the tube with his new sweatshirt - can you find him?

Last but not least how can you go to such a beautiful place and not know God is in charge? The water was so still - it was hard to know which way is up and which is the reflection. I love alot about Lake Powell, the beauty of the canyons, the stars at night, laying on the top of the houseboat getting ready to sleep and talking in the dark with everyone. Playing lots of cards and game with each other, reading books, playing catchphrase over and over, listening to the kids play Mafia and just enjoying a simple life with no electronics or other distractions. I always have such a hard time going home. At least I know we will always be back!

Lake Powell is always exciting!!

4 stranded on cliff above Lake Powell are rescued
Oct. 15, 2009 03:28 PMAssociated Press
PAGE - National Park Service rangers say they rescued a woman and three teenage boys who became stranded on a cliff in the Iceberg Canyon area of Lake Powell.
Rangers on boat patrol Wednesday were told by kayakers that four people in their party had become trapped on a cliff and needed rescue.

The boys were with a two-family party on a houseboat and the group had been camping in Iceberg Canyon when the three boys decided to go exploring.

They were about 100 yards from the houseboat when they became stranded and a mother of one of the boys also got stranded while attempting a rescue.

Rangers located one teen clinging to a sheer cliff face, struggling to maintain his footing on a 4-inch wide ledge 150 feet above the lake surface.

Two other teens were trapped in an alcove near the first boy and the woman was trapped on another ledge 50 feet above the boys' location.

Rangers say none of the four people required medical attention. Their names and hometowns were not released.

Needless to say our trip was exciting! I just want to set the record straight - I was NOT stranded. The National Park Ranger would not let me climb down once they got there, they made me wait for the climbers - in a helicopter - What a story. I will post more and the pictures once I get unpacked and the food put away!

Cinnamon Roll Tuesday

So it is no surprise that I am not a great cook, but I do want my kids to fondly remember something they ate at home that did not come frozen from Costco first! I learned to make cinnamon rolls at a Young Women's activity I planned. I am not sure the girls cared but all three leaders were glued to Jessie Merrill as she taught us her magic.

Last year Dallin spent every Thursday lunch at Spencer Kings house because it was Bread Stick Thursday. Every Thursday the wrestling team and assorted others would gather at the King's to enjoy her ability to cook tasty treats.

So he suggested MAYBE I could practice making cinnamon rolls every Tuesday and he and his friends test them out....

Up by 7:30am to mix 2 batches of dough....Roll out and add sugar and cinnamon....I did not get a picture of them all done - the kids came and poof.....First table.... Second table...

And a few in the family room and outside. Not much left now just the pans with the ends.

I could complain, getting up and running by 7:30am - should I confess that since both boys are up and gone before 6:30am and they do not need me I sleep until 8:30 about everyday (isn't that terrible?) -but really I love having all of the kids around and getting to know ALL of his friends and even a few stragglers.

Homecoming answered

This is a little late....

Dallin's homecoming date answered him at school and I thought she was really nice considering he made her walk almost a mile.

She told him to meet her at the flag pole for lunch. When he got there a couple of guys jumped him and saran wrapped him to the flag pole. Unfortunately she did give him a pair of scissors (which he said made it to easy) and sent him on a treasure hunt.

Then wrapped his car in caution tape - I really need to school this generation on how to wrap a car so it stays!! He came home to grab shorts for wrestling and asked me to help anchor it so it would last the rest of the day (he thought it should last since she went to so much trouble.)

On other news Logan is enjoying tennis alot. He slips around in the rankings but came up 6th today. We enrolled him in some lessons and they have helped quite a bit. He beat Ken on Thursday 4-1, Ken said the only reason he won 1 was because it was so dark neither of them could see the tennis ball.

He has another match today and one on Wednesday - he has no time or energy to get in to any trouble.

Monday, Wednesday

School at 6:15am,

Tennis match 3:30-5:30pm,

Homework and on Wed Mutual

Tuesday and Thursday:

School 6:15am-4:00pm

Tennis Lessons 4:00pm-6:00pm

Wrestling 6:00pm-7:30pm

Homework

I almost feel sorry for him except he is having too much fun!

Scott and Lisa had their 3rd on Thursday - Kate Cole came at almost 8 lbs. She is adorable and looks just like her siblings.

Ken and I got to visit in the hospital with Scott, Lisa and Kate.

Headache Day

Really, I wonder how I spent so long in bed (2 years or so) with a headache and when one hits now (thank you Botox) and I spend the day in bed I get really antsy now. Must have been all the drugs!



Been fighting a headache for a couple of days (actually I ALWAYS have a headache but with the Botox injections (I do have the forehead of a 20 yr old) I can mostly ignore it until it gets NASTY, which is only every now and then) and when I got up this morning it was bugging me but not too bad, I took some Motrin and got dressed for church. Well the stupid thing just got worse and worse. I took some more heavy duty medicine and laid down but no dice - I have a drill in my left temple and my eye is killing me. I really hate missing church! I was even ready to go, on time.

So here I lay - Bored to death. TV is bad today - watched all my TIVOed shows, no good book to keep me interested, and music just hurts my head!

Whine, Whine, Whine!!

Ok - I did watch Parental Control for a while and wonder - who writes the scripts for that show? It has to be scripted because no Dad alive would let a boy live who treats his wife so badly! No mother would let a girl act so badly and not kick her out of the house! All of the jokes or put downs are the same. If you have never seen this - they find a family who hates their teens boyfriend/girlfriend and they interview some contenders and set up two blind dates. Then watch with said boyfriend/girlfriend as the kid dates. Then the kid gets to pick between the 3 choices who to date. Who thinks these things up? Who watches? Oh yeah, bored, sick people.

Well they are getting ready to show Dirty Dancing for the 20th time since Patrick Swayze passed away - guess I should watch.

Brenn is 19!

The boys made her a musical card and here is a video of her opening it.

Brenn had to open the card for several of our family who came for cake and ice cream. If you do not watch Psych on television it will probably be less funny. Still all in all it was a fun way to give your sister a card.

Brenn had moved to her Grandma Kathy's house where her puppy is not allowed so she got a fake one to make her feel better. She says she comes over EVERY day just to see her puppy not her family.

My mom saw this saying and had to get one for Brenn - I have a friend who does the vinyl lettering and it will be cute on the back of her Jeep.

Then you have to have the blowing out of the candles - this is for the Grandparents. They were both out of town and I think it is the first birthday they have not been present. Plus I had to make the cakes. Usually my MIL Kathy makes a beautiful cake, Dallin commented that she has made him way more birthday cakes that I have, which is true, she does a much better job!

Homecoming Date

Last night Dallin was preparing to ask his Homecoming date - why is it you can't just go up to the chick and say,

"Will you go to Homecoming with me?"

Instead the guy has to come up with a way to 'ask'....these are teenage boys. They are gross and immature. He really wanted to find some poppers (like New Years Eve) and some springy snakes and rig a box, when she opened it all would explode out and say "Let's Party at Homecoming together." But the afore mentioned items could not be found. So instead he came home with some Little Debbie snack cakes called "Sweet Cakes" and "Honey Buns."

Instead he wanted his Friend Spencer to wear his Speedo and write on his back:

"Hey Sweet Cakes (Sweet Cakes taped to upper back) can I take your Honey Buns (Honey Buns taped to buttocks) to Homecoming?"

Bad idea you say?

Father loading Shotgun?

We did discourage this process - successfully I might add. Although we talked them out of this and a simple poster would not do, I gave them my big box of sidewalk chalk to maybe write on her front porch.

Instead they drew a line she had to follow for about 1/2 a mile before coming upon the food piled in the roadway and a chalk message.

Epiphany #2 -- BOYS ARE GROSS!

I suppose she will say yes, after all Dallin is cute.

Sue's giveaway!!!

My blogging friend is having a giveaway - go check her out!

http://grannysuesnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/sues-300-posts-and-counting-giveaway.html

Still Ridin' High

Sort of slow in my blogging lately....sorry.

So I went to (remembered) enrichment last night - it reminded me of Homemaking of old - light dinner and an enjoyable lesson.

I ended up at the rowdy table. I am always at the rowdy table, does that mean I know how to pick 'em or am I the rowdy one? Also, I was the oldest at the table by a number of years, shown by the fact they had no idea who Police Woman - Angie Dickinson was, nothing ages you like a joke no one gets because they were not born yet!

Anyhoo, the rest of the enrichment was about emergency preparedness - I know sounds overwhelming and a little boring but it was really great! The sister giving the presentation had some ideas I had never heard of, like a red file - copies of all social security cards, birth certificates, shot records and an info sheet on each person in your household. Plus a lot of other handy things to have if you have to evacuate right now and can grab this file. I did get a copy of all of the papers so if you want one just email me and I will attach the file.

She is a big believer in 72 hour kits and teaching your kids where to go if you get separated. I was impressed with the forethought and how organized she is,

I love organizing.

She also directed us to a website prepared by a Stake in east Mesa:

http://www.iwillprepare.com/

Then we had a lawyer in our ward explain some paperwork we all need - to designate power over our medical decisions should we be unable. And a HIPPA release form because of HIPPA even your husband is not allowed to get your information unless you sign a paper at the hospital allowing him. If you are incapacitated or can't make the decision legally you may be in trouble, so she gave us a document that assigned someone to be your agent and recommended you keep a copy in your car. She also included a living will so Ken can pull the plug. The most interesting thing is because Brenn is 18 (19 on Sunday) I am not allowed to view her medical information without this form. It is possible I would not be able to make decisions for her should something happen even though I am paying the bill.

I was grateful for this enrichment - as I usually am, and really glad I went.

It happened - one of my Favorite Things

YES !!

- It happened -

What you say? My husband said those

magic

words......

"Honey, I was totally wrong and you were RIGHT!!"

Now you ask what caused this great man to admit defeat?! Well we have been 'discussing' how much to sell the Beast for...

He said we would be lucky to get $1000 for said Beasty and I firmly told him I thought we should ask $2000 (we only paid $1800 2.5 years ago, but it does have a slammin' stereo and new tires.) He said I was crazy and no one would even consider that - Haven't I been on Craigslist lately??

Well, I did not take that very kindly so I posted the Beast on Craigslist and without informing him listed Ken's cell phone as the contact and asked $2000 - I did put it was fun to drive and that it had A/C but it is not working at the moment. Within 2 hours we had a great offer and it sold THAT night for $1700. At which point I heard those words all wives deserve and rarely get to hear....

Honey, I was TOTALLY WRONG and you were RIGHT!!

Movin' on up...to Tempe (sung to the Jeffersons Theme)

Brenn is moving out today! How in the world will I survive? I will be the only girl, luckliy two of our dogs are girls and I guess Grandma counts too.



Here is her first load. She is moving into my in-laws house in Tempe (they are at their house in Utah) and has found a great roomie in Sydney Brake. She surived the first week of school and is looking forward to being on her own. Since we were not sucessful in buying a house my great Father-in-law came up with this plan and I am so grateful!

Off she goes....I wanted to show a picture of Stella, she is growing at such a fast rate and up until last week was the perfect puppy! Lately she is obsessed with all kinds of people food. Brenn left a capped gatorade in the living room for just a few minutes and she had the cap off and the gatorade (red of course) all over the carpet. She will climb on the table or counters or anything to get food!

This morning Dallin left his protien shake on the table - unfortuanely that must not be good for dogs because she threw it up almost immediatly.

But she is cute and loves to play. Brenn is worried that she will like me best since she will be gone and puppies are not allowed at Grandma Kathys house. She probably should be worried, I am a dog whisperer!

I know Brenn will do well. She is so ready to be on her own.

First day of School!

Okay - I know kinda lame - your mom wanting to take first day of school pictures as you are headed to your first day at College but..... Here she is next to her new car - or should I say Jeep. She was a little nervous but I think will do just fine. I am a little jealous - I loved College, I hope she learns as much as I did and has at least as much fun, Oh yeah, and gets an education.



There is still a big money grubbing black hole or BMGBB over our house but I am trying to ignore it. Hopefully now that Jethro is gone, Brenn has a reliable car and we should pick up Dallin's reliable car this afternoon we can at least quit pouring money down that hole (except Kens truck needs new tires *sigh.*.). This is for Sue, does the period go in the ( ) or outside? what about the *? Really I tried to pay attention in English but my high school teacher was a lady who never showered and acted like Marilyn Monroe, she really had a big mole on the side of her nose! In College I had roommates who were good proof readers and they took care of it. I will try to wrap my old brain around the rules! Mostly I just say, "give me math!"

Ode to a Friend

I would like to wish my bestest friend

Happy

40th!

Jen!

Let me tell you about her - I met her a few years (13-14) back when she and her husband moved to Arizona from law school. As I sat in church one Sunday looking around I spotted her and thought she looked like fun.

So I said to myself, "Self, you should make her your friend."

and I proceeded to...

Luckily we had children the same age and genders (she was prego with Ben at the time) so I invited kids to play. I have to admit when she offered to bring her kids to my house I did not know she was going to ride a bike with a trailer to drop them off. I was amazed it was a long ride and she was pregnant! When I told her I could have come and gotten them she said it was no big deal. Little did I know how much she likes to exercise.

As the years have passed and we raised our kids together I was always grateful she would mother my children and let me mother hers. When our oldest were in grade school we would switch one day a week. On her day the kids would walk to her house after school and spend the afternoon. She taught them piano lessons and only lost Brenn once and that was Ken's fault not Jennys ( he still owes her big for that one!)

She is actually my sister in all ways it counts except for the shared parents - although my parents would be happy to adopt her and I think her parents are great.

There was the Christmas we were both poor and garage saled for presents. Lite brights, easy bake ovens and Rollerblades were the scores that year. That is also the year I stole her tradition of making Christmas PJ's for my kids.

She is one I can share the excitement of a great bargain or is as excited for

BLACK FRIDAY

as I am!! Her love of exercise helps when someone needs to sprint to KB toys for $20 gameboys.

She saved my life when I was down and drugged with headaches. Making sure school things were in order and getting the older kids to their activities and making sure I was still somewhat connected to what was going on.

When she was down with Micah and needed nightgowns I searched and searched for some decent ones, there were none to be found. So I went to Walmart and bought some fabric and made 2 of the ugliest nightgowns but she wore them proudly thru both pregnancies (I am not sure about the current one).

Mostly, she accepts me, warts and all. She knows my shortcomings and still likes me.

Thank Heavens!

If I were to list the traits I admire about her it would go like this:

She is a great teacher. Kids, adults, dogs, whatever.
She is a patient piano teacher.
She thinks playing the piano is no big deal (I can play the radio)
She is articulate. She says what she means.
She has a great husband (that's for you Brad)
She is a great Mother.
She knows what is important and has her priorities in order.
She is giving.
She is generous.
She knows I can't sing, and doesn't judge me for it.
She loves my children.
My husband reminds her of Mr. Incredible (before)
She is a good listener
She has talked on Oprah and was articulate and made a good point. (I've seen the video)
She fulfills her church callings with dedication.
She is a good friend to have on your side.

I could go on and on but that would just embarrass her.

Just wanted her to know I love and treasure her. Thanks Jen. Love ya.

First Day of School

Logan off to start his Freshman year. Love the thumbs up! He will be one of the big wigs now that the 9th grade is the oldest in the school. He is excited to start seminary and of course see all of his friends.

Dallin is starting his SENIOR year! Yikes!! I am not ready for this year to go too fast and it will. Dallin brought home his wrestling schedule already.