Jordan and Trey are Engaged!

Last night Trey proposed to Jordan! I have been a part of Jordan's life since she was in the 8th grade. In the last few years, my family has gotten to know Trey and love Jordan even more. Jordan would bring Port treats home from Disney World when she went to nationals. A few weeks ago they both agreed to watch our kids for us, and the boys LOVED playing with Trey. My family loves these two with all our hearts! It is so fun to see someone I have known as a little girl grow to be an amazing woman of God. I am so excited to see the amazing things God is going to do through them as He unites them in marriage! We pray abundant blessings over your engagement and marriage to come!

(I had other pictures but this was too cute!)

Haynes' Music School Performance

Haynes actually sat still for the whole hour production!

My dad's comment was whatever we pay them, it's not enough:-)

Haynes' favorite song was the elephant march from Jungle Book. This is the song that finally made him like school. The teachers said the first time they sang it he jumped up and lead the parade and never cried again! He was pretty shy today, but look at those big boys he was singing with!!!

Haynes had a great audience. JuJu brought Braxton, Sutton, and Preslee to watch. I think Preslee would have preferred to be on stage with Haynes! Lolli, Champ, and Granma came to watch his performance too! We thought it would be best if we hid at the back because we thought he might have a hard time if he saw us...

Haynes actually spotted us on his last song, "Five Little Speckled Frogs." He did a great job singing on this one! I think he wasn't sure if we were there on the first one! After his song he ran out to the audience and hugged me, Brian, and Champ. Then he ran back on stage and finished the performance. We were so proud of him! Love you Haynes Cole!

3 Baby Racoons

It's AMAZING what Grandad and JuJu find in their backyard! They have some major problems with animals digging up their flowers, so they have some traps that they can catch and release the animals. Wednesday morning Bob found 3 baby racoons in the trap with the Mom sitting on top of the cage! Brian thought it would be fun to bring to my parents house and show the boys. They got to go release the racoons that night too! No pictures with the boys...wasn't quite sure if they would try to get in the cage with them!

Happy 60th MiMi!

Brian's aunt Nancy, Mimi, had her 60th birthday surprise party on Sunday night. All of her kids put together a movie surprise party for her, they did a great job. Nancy was completely surprised and everyone had a great time. We are so blessed that Mimi is a part of our lives. My kids think of her as if she were their Mimi, I am constantly reminding Port that she is Dax's MiMi. I am thankful for the way she loves each member of my family well. She has helped shape my husband from a young age even to now. I have always felt extremely loved and a part of the family because of Nancy. My children are abundantly blessed by the way she pours into them. Happy 60th Birthday Mimi! We pray abundant blessings over you for MANY years to come!

This was the AMAZING cake! Isn't that the cutest thing you have ever seen!?!

What A day!

To my mom's horror I am posting this, but it's just too funny to not! This is what can happen in a normal day with three kids:

Thursday before we left for our family trip my mom offered to help me get a few things done by watching my kids in the morning. I woke up Thursday morning SO sick (no I am not pregnant!) After trying to work out I get a call from my mom...

#1-Port stuck a small plastic broom in Ella's ear. After visiting the ER, Ella just has a scratched eardrum. Port is now learning that no one is allowed to stick things in people's ears except real doctors...no Anna is not a real doctor!

#2-As I leave to go run a few last errands Haynes gets his head stuck in my parents bucket they keep fish food in. His feet are in the air when my dad finds him!

We went to Bricktown to take the boys pictures with my friend Shannon. I start feeling really sick, but my mom came with me to help. After we are done taking pictures I have to go sit in the car, so my mom offers to take the boys to the jumping water to play while we wait for Brian and my dad. As I come to find them I discover Port is soaking wet!

#3-My mom is letting the boys throw money into the Bricktown Canal. Port spins and throws the money, looses his balance and falls into the water. He is completely submerged and my mom has to pull him out of the water!

By the time my dad and Brian got there my mom and I were collapsed on a table! My mom is a trooper that she is such a help to me, we don't know what we would do without her. But a day like that can't go without telling!

First Family Trip

The boys insisted on carrying bags, great training huh?!

We left Thursday night from OKC and drove to Joplin, Missouri. We pulled in around 10:45ish and were trying to get kids in bed around 11:00. I was really sick, so absolutely no help to Brian. We had two full size beds in the same room and Haynes could not understand why he couldn't sleep with us. I rolled over to find Haynes climbing into our bed! Brian is about to give in to his request when Port comes climbing in, because if Haynes is going to do it then he is too! I laughed so hard I cried!!! Eventually Brian took the boys to their bed and fell asleep with them. And guess what time my sweet boys were up...6:30 a.m. :-)

Branson Bass Pro...ROAR!

Our first stop on our way into Branson must be the Original Bass Pro Shop. I have many memories of visiting Brian at kamp and thinking "why are we going through here again?" The boys loved it, but we were disappointed that most things were under construction. With these kids who needs exhibits when there are wild animals displayed all over the store!

Riding the ducks....Haynes quickly fell asleep!

Brian and I both had sweet memories of Riding the Ducks, so we were sure that was something the kids had to do. As we boarded the bus/boat they informed us our ride was 70 minutes long! That was not part of our memory! Port loved riding the duck and actually got to drive the boat once we were in the water. Haynes fell asleep after about 10 minutes, but at least we got a small nap in him!

Next we headed to Kamp and made a stop at the blueberry farm! The boys loved picking blueberries, I think Haynes ate everything he picked. We got to enjoy some blueberry frozen yogurt and muffins at the end. They sell cookbooks with their recipes, so I can't wait to make some muffins!

Our last stop for the day was K-West. We got to spend a little time with Ward and his boys Michael and A.J. My boys LOVED kamp! I can only imagine that they will be like their daddy and not want to come home. Only a few more years....they say age 6 but I don't know if mommy will be ready for that yet!

I must tell that Saturday morning my kids woke up at 9:00 a.m!!! I woke up startled at 8:20 and Brian said "Don't move! I've been awake since 6 and I can't believe they are still asleep!" We ate muffins for breakfast from the blueberry farm and then headed to Silver Dollar City!

The boys were so excited that VeggieTales were going to be at Silver Dollar City. It was our first stop once we were in the park. They both absolutely loved it!

They had a kids area set up with different crafts you could do. We made some gooey play-dough, which the boys LOVE. There were so many fun projects that both the boys enjoyed doing. There were also great rides that both kids could do! We thought we would only be there for a few hours, but quickly realized we could have spent at least one full day there!

Branson has a new Riverwalk area where we stayed. We had dinner and walked around, it has a great family atmosphere. There is a great water and fire show every hour so we timed it so we could have ice cream and sno cones during the show.

It was a great family trip, but we missed our sweet little girl a ton! The boys talked to strangers about their sister! Brian and I would catch ourselves waiting for her cry after the ROARING contests in the car! We are abundantly blessed!

Picnic at the Park

The last few weeks we have been doing a picnic at Lion's park on Tuesdays. I love Lion's park! The kids usually pick at their food and then play until they can't go any farther. (which means a great nap time for Mommy) Millie met us one week. The boys are so funny when they see Millie. They get so excited they run to hug her and usually someone ends up on the ground, sorry Al we'll work on that!

Baby Dedication

Ella Rose

Haynes Cole

We have decided as a church that we are doing child dedication at the Cluster level, so this summer we had quite a few kids to dedicate. The first week we dedicated Haynes and Millie, which was really fun to do together. Then the second week we dedicated Ella, Sophie, Asher, and Gracie. Each family had a verse for their child and had someone read that over the kids. We then had a time of prayer over the kids. It was super sweet to hear our college students saying that they would play an active role in raising our kids.

Trip to Waco

Elizabeth Kate

Haynes and Jade playing on Baylor's campus

Anna and Port...quite the entertainers!

We decided to go to Waco for the weekend so that Brian and the kids could meet Elizabeth Kate, see their house, and try and help with the kids. It was a pretty relaxed weekend, but I think our kids thought it was the greatest thing we have done. We loved getting to see you guys and hopefully we were a little help!

Swimming with the Billingsley's

Annie, napping by the pool

Lunch time

We have loved having a few swim dates with the Billingsley's this summer. This time we went to Lolli and Champ's pool and Lolli made everyone lunch. My mom is always the best host when I invite my friends to the pool...or anytime! Lainey and Port are quite creative and always have a great time together. Haynes and Beau are pretty funny to watch as well. I can only imagine what it will look like next year with Ella and Annie running around as well! I'm super thankful that our kids like each other so much, because the mommy's might have more fun than the kids when we get together:-)We are super blessed by the Billingsley's, love you guys!

Brick Oven Pizza

Lippoldt and Hartsock kids

Ryan and Becky Lippoldt built a brick oven in their backyard. Brian has been talking to them about it, so they had us and Jake and Kourtney over for dinner. They made little individual pizzas and it was FABULOUS! I have to admit that I didn't think it would be that much better than pizzas on the grill, but I was wrong. Our kids had a great time in their great backyard, especially Haynes in all the red mud. (I'm sure you can only imagine what he looked like at the end of the night) We can't wait to get together again!

Week of Babies!

Elizabeth Kate Hartsock

July 14th, 2009

7 pounds 5 ounces

20 inches

Grace Elizabeth Grigor

July 13th, 2009

7 pounds 7 ounces

19 inches

Gerod and Kerri had their sweet little girl on Monday. It was such a fun day I won't ever forget between going back and forth to the hospital multiple times, Gerod's dad entertaining Port, praying with their family, and most of all meeting little Gracie. That night we met the Ray's at the hospital to welcome Gracie with her "Groupie's". She is ABSOLUTELY beautiful and has more hair than you could possibly imagine. We love you Gracie!

Blake and Marci had their sweet little girl on Tuesday, so I drove to Waco to meet little Elizabeth. I know everyone thought I was a little nuts to go and come back in the same day, but I just couldn't imagine not being there. It was really one of the most special days, I will always treasure the day that Elizabeth Kate was born. She is absolutely beautiful and looks just like her mommy!

Allison's Lime Birthday!

Allison had a "30th Lime Birthday Party." We had a great time, but the ice cream cones were by far OUR most favorite part of the party. We've already tried to make them a few times because they were so yummy! These boys were just too cute sitting on the side of the pool enjoying their treats. Thanks for a fun party!

Let's celebrate one more time!

Frog hunting

Birthday gift from Josh & Jenny

Movie Night

Let's sing again!

Go Kooper!

My family has taught me that NO MATTER WHAT we celebrate the actual date of your birthday.  We had Port's party on Thursday night, so Friday night we just planned to go to Lolli and Champs for swimming and gifts.  Port's gift just happened to be a outdoor movie screen, so we included friends and family!  We had dinner at Johnnies, Hartsock family favorite, because that's where my water broke when I was pregnant with Port.  Grandad, JuJu, Alex, Brooke, Asher, Whitney, Allison, and Millie joined us for dinner.  Port's cousins, Benton's, Whitney, and my family joined us for swimming.  Megan and Emma joined us for the movie part of our night!  We got to watch a Disney movie and frog hunt, it was definitely a night to remember!  Thanks for being a part of ALL our celebrations!  

Swim Lessons

Every day this week the boys have been going to swim lessons.  Port has taken swim lessons from the same teacher for the last two years and we are always amazed!  Haynes would love to be able to swim, if he could just get past me leaving him alone with a stranger...The first two days were a little painful but thankfully he got over it!  I am so impressed to watch my two year old REALLY swim and my four year old learning different strokes!  If you ever need recommendations for a swim teacher, I recommend ours highly!!

Port is 4!!!

Port and Poppy

Lunch at Redhorse

Panera breakfast

A NEW Bike!

Friday morning, Port woke up early as usual when he knows there are fun plans for the day.  He has been looking forward to his birthday for weeks!  We have been counting down by listing all the people that will have birthday's first!  So for his birthday Brian left a ribbon trail to find his final gift... a new bike!  After gifts Port decided to go with daddy to get breakfast at Panera (his favorite) since Haynes and Ella weren't awake yet.  

I let Port choose his lunch plans too!  We met Lolli, Champ, and Poppy at Redhorse for lunch.  Lolli made a cake, because she said we can't celebrate without a dessert! (Wonder where I get it from?!?)  

Treasure Hunt Birthday Party

There's nothing like a birthday with your best buddies!

Happy Birthday Port Robert!

We actually found a buried treasure!!!

Beware of Pirates!

One of the clues was in the pinata!

Let the hunt begin!

Really...do they get any cuter than this?

My great party helpers...

Whitney, Laura, Skyler, Mer, and Koda

Port LOVES treasure hunts right now, NOT PIRATES!  So my wonderful brother and sister-in-law helped create a great treasure hunt through Grandad and JuJu's backyard.  There were so many great clues from digging through a cake, breaking a pinata, fighting pirates, to actually digging up a buried treasure chest.  It was definitely a warm night, but it couldn't have been more perfect for our birthday boy.  After a great hunt all the kids cooled off in the pool!  Port is so blessed by all the people that are in his life and love him so well!  Thanks for all your help with our fun birthday party!

Happy 30th Allison!

Allison, one of my best friends, is the first of us to turn 30 this year!  She is amazing in so many ways...her love for Jesus, the way she loves Bryan, how she parents Millie and soon little Owen, her love for her sisters, and our spiritual community.  I am blessed to call you a friend, thanks for the way you pour into my life and my family!  

We went to Cheever's for dinner to celebrate on Monday night.  We hoped into the car with the Rays at the last minute and when we got there Brian realized that we didn't have our wallets!  So instead of paying for the birthday girl, they had to pay for us!  There were many laughs throughout the night, so thanks for dinner Rays!  It was a WONDERFUL meal and great company.  One of my favorite nights out in a while!  We love you Allison!