That Stinks!

This January I printed out my blog into book form and I absolutely LOVE it! My whole reason for starting a blog was because I thought it would be easier to keep track of the different things we are doing than a scrapbook. All that to say I have wanted to do a better job at logging some of the things that don't necessarily have pictures to go with them...

Haynes has a special gift...His nose can smell anything and he has ABSOLUTELY no grid for politeness when it comes to smells. He has been know for crawling in our beds anywhere between 4-5 a.m. and telling us our breath stinks. He has told my mom she smells, if he doesn't like what she's eaten! When we were in Park City Brian had spent an extra amount of time getting a Philly CheeseSteak Sandwich at a lunch place we stopped at on our way into Park City. Haynes was asleep in the car, but awoke to the oder of the sandwich. He was so offended by the smell Brian had to throw the sandwich away! (I am laughing just thinking about this story!) After finishing skiing on our last day, Haynes and I walked around the shops at the base of the mountain. We walked into one store and he started screaming, "I STINKS!" We quickly left the store. He is known for coming to check Ella's diapers, but leave gagging because of the smell (really...does Haynes have any room to gag at her?!?) Oh my, I love you Haynes Cole!

I've been reading that children laugh around 400x's a day and adults laugh about 40x's a day! I've been really trying to increase our amount of laughter everyday. I would say that Haynes gives us more material for laughter everyday! We pray more joy and laughter for you today!

MoViE pArTy!

Rug time with cousins

Watching "Good-night Gorilla"

Haynes buying candy at the concession stand

Port buying popcorn at the concession stand

Today was the "Movie Party" for the Giants at Gingerbread. I have heard from so many former students that this was their FAVORITE party. Last year it snowed on the original party day, so I missed it. Port asked if Haynes could come with me to the Movie Party, so we were super excited to come visit today. I think my favorite moment of the morning was when I walked outside with Haynes and his cousins/brother spotted him! You would have thought he was a celebrity! They welcomed him like nothing I have ever seen and immediately pulled him into the tree house with them. They cheered him on while he did the fireman pole "by myself"...it was the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Teacher Skye quickly made Haynes a wallet so he could participate in the movie party.

The kids took their wallets (they had previously made) and paid for movie tickets, candy, drinks, popcorn and hot dogs. I was amazed at how great they all did at figuring out how much money they needed for each thing. They got to watch "Good-night Gorilla" which is one of our favorite books. It was such a fun party and Haynes definitely had a fabulous time!

*Later today I was asking Haynes what he was thankful for for and he chose Teacher Skye. Talk about a lasting impression!:-)

Surprise Whitney!

Whitney's favorite cake

Brooke's fun decorations

Surprise!

Whitney leaves for South Africa in a few weeks! She has been living with us for the last two weeks and we will miss her beyond words! She has NEVER had a surprise party, but always wanted one...so we made it happen! We uninvited her to huddle by asking her to babysit and then all showed up at the Benton's after huddle! She was completely surprised! Then we all got to pray over her and send her off! We love you Whitney! God has GREAT things for you, but know that you will be greatly missed...especially by a few kiddos! Love you!

Baptism

This month we have been talking about salvation and baptism with our kids at church. This week the kids learned about baptism. I walked into the bathroom and heard the boys baptizing each other. I love it when you see the seeds that have been planted are taking root...even in the bathtub!

Our memory verse this week is:

"He who believes and is baptized will be SAVED!" Mark 16:16

Sake...Jake's

Port loved the FIRE!

Haynes...not so sure about it, so he held his ears?!?

We went to dinner with the Bauer's and our roomie Whitney the other night. We thought it would be fun to go to Sake (or Jake's as I have been known to call it). We had a table for just our friends and it was great. The kids loved it...for the most part!

Market with Mom

My mom and I headed to Dallas for a quick 2 day trip to market for the floral department. Our trips are always a great time of finding fun things and shopping. JuJu and Whitney helped my with the kids, they had a GREAT time! Port, Haynes, and Ella spent the day playing with Angie, Dax, and Crew. Angie sent me some pictures of their fun day!! Thanks Angie!

Sledding

Our last day of the trip everyone went sledding together. (Ella and I stayed back...trying to get a good nap before a day of flying!) The boys had a blast!

Ella LOVES snow!

Yummy!

Ella loved the snow! She loved eating it! It was so fun!

Last Day of skiing!

Port and Daddy

Haynes and Daddy

Getting our "gear" to the mountain!

Our final day of skiing, Brian and I took the boys out in the morning. (Let me just preface that getting the four of us to the slopes is WORK!) We did a few runs with Josh and Jenny helping video and take pictures. Lolli and Champ brought Ella and watched us ski by too! After a few runs, Haynes watching Port skiing by himself, Haynes decided he wanted to ski "BY MY SELF!" After a few runs down the mountain with Haynes screaming... Haynes and I came in:-) Brian and Port took one last trip to the top of the mountain, just boys! It was a GREAT trip! Next year hopefully Haynes will be able to ski "by my self!"

Ski School

Ella came to watch ski school with Mommy

First day of Ski School

Afternoon skiing with Mommy and Daddy

To the Top!

Day 2

Brian and I took Port to ski school that morning. Brian hasn't ever dropped Port off at school, so it was a little difficult for us! He did AWESOME! Brian took Haynes out for the morning skiing and I stayed with Ella. Ella had been stuck in our cabin for a few days, so we took a walk down to watch everyone take off. Port spotted us IMMEDIATELY and then spotted Lolli, Champ, Josh, Jenny, Brian and Haynes! After a little reassuring he finished the day great! His "report card" said that he even taught his ski buddy to make a pie!

At the end of Port's ski school, Brian and I took him to the top of the mountain to ski down! He did amazing. We were so impressed with how much he improved in just one day! It made us realize in just a few years we will ALL be skiing together...we can't wait!

First Day of Skiing!

Hot Chocolate after skiing!

Resting before we even started!

Ski Studs!

Our first day of skiing was a learning process for ALL of us! (Notice I didn't take a single picture of us actually skiing!) We decided that we wanted to try and teach the boys ski by ourselves, instead of sending them to ski school. We bought these great harnesses and off we went! The boys did great, but we (mom and dad) quickly decided that we would leave it to the professionals the next day! Our first day of skiing was a huge success! Both boys went up the lift and down the slopes all morning long!

Getting our gear!

Helmets for everyone this year!

teaching Haynes how to put his boot in his ski

trying on ski boots

fitting Port in his boots

We took the kids to get their gear for skiing. The guys were awesome at getting them fitted and excited for skiing the next day. They were great confidence boosters for us that Haynes would perfect for skiing and Ella could too! (Don't worry we didn't even attempt with Ella) The boys loved their helmets so much that they wore them through dinner that night!

Safety first boys!

Flying to Park City

Check out the multi-taskers

Ella and her Champ

We took a trip with my family to Park City a few weeks ago. I think the boys were most excited about flying on the plane. They had their backpacks ready and were the best flyers! Ella on the other hand was quite an hand full. She was the most content playing games on Champ's iphone, I think she sat still for about 30 minutes total:-) That's why I highly recommend bringing grandparents, aunts, and uncles when flying with little ones! Thanks guys for all the help!

Day of 1st's!

I've tried to download the video, but still can't make it work!!!

On Tuesday January 1st, we started our day with Haynes pee-peeing on the potty!! He completely initiated it and did it a few more times through out the day. (We are not working on potty training again, he just decided to do this. Of course, we knew Haynes would do this when he wanted to!)

That afternoon Ella walked across the room to me while I was folding clothes...honestly, I didn't think twice about it at first!! Then I realized, "SHE JUST WALKED TO ME!!!" We finally started walking! One week later she is walking EVERYWHERE and LOVING it! That next morning we left for our ski trip quite early and Brian commented, "Isn't their timing interesting, it was a day of firsts!" Our babies are sure growing up!!!

Hapy Birthday Hartley!

A few weeks before Christmas we were discussing that Hartley's birthday is on New Year's Day, just like her puppies. The boys thought we should throw a birthday party for her, which we actually considered inviting our friends over because it would be so funny! Unfortunately with all the chaos of Christmas and New Year's we didn't plan a party...but the boys did go get her two LARGE bones for her birthday! I'm sure she thought it was the best birthday ever!!!

The other random picture is from when I took Hartley to "Hartley Hotel" as the kids call it! It is truly the most TRAMATIC car ride for Ella every time! I feel like I am reliving the movie "Marley and Me." Hartley get so excited and howls most of the ride (which terrifies Ella), then she will lay on the door until the window goes down. I quickly try to get the window up as she starts jumping out the window! As she gets in I manage to catch her nose in the window, which leads to a scream from all of us...again Ella is terrified! This scene is replayed almost every time we drop Hartley off!! Maybe I should get a sitter for Ella when we take Hartley to the dog hotel!:-)

New Year's with Lolli & Champ

Celebrating 2010

Limbo for everyone!

New Year's PJ's

My mom sent the kids an invitation to a New Year's Eve party. When they got there they had dinner and a scavenger hunt...their favorite! There were plenty of treats along the way, as you can see! We are so thankful for the fun memories our kids are always at Lolli & Champ's!

New Year's Eve

Brooke and Me

Waiting for the ball to drop...or raise?!?

Melting Pot

This year for New Year's my parent's offered to watch our kids, so Brian and Alex planned a fun night out! We went to Bricktown with the Benton's and watched a movie, headed to the Melting Pot for a late dinner, and then walked over to watch the OKC ball drop/raise :-) It was such a fun night!! It was REALLY cold, but we were all bundled up and had a great night!

Brothers will be Brothers

Match 1- Blake the winner

Match 2 (trade sides...Blake eats while competing)- Blake winner

Thanksgiving Day Brian was arm wrestling Kooper, which of course led to Blake and Brian competing against each other. I must admit that most people would have CONFIDENTLY put their money on Brian, but Blake beat him in a matter of seconds! So they decide to compete again because the sides weren't fair?!? Again, Blake beats Brian with in seconds!! I think this just shows that no matter how old you are you always want to beat your brother...

oh the years of competition I have to look forward to:-)

BSF

I forgot to post this...but just found the picture and knew that it had to be documented. Wednesday mornings Port, Haynes, and I go to Bible Study Fellowship together. I love the study, discussion with other women and mostly the children's program. I was sitting in lecture early in December when one of my discussion leader's from previous years came and found me. She quickly told me that Port had an accident and I needed to come! (This is EVERY mom's worst nightmare!) As we are going to get him I start asking a series of questions...

1. What happened?

Port ran into a glass window.

2. Is he cut?

No

3. Is he knocked out?

No

4. Is he crying?

No- not anymore...

At this point I'm wondering why I needed to come get him in the middle of lecture (don't I sound like a sensitive mom). I walk in to find 3 kind teachers loving on Port with hugs, ice, and concern. My first words are, "WOW Port! That's AWESOME! You're Dad is going to be so proud of that bump!" I think there might have been a gasp from the women in the room, not expecting that to be my response. Needless to say, he was fine, but it was definitely a story worth retelling:-)