{Camden Turns 3!}

Birthdays are a HUGE deal in our home - it's not unusual for us to celebrate all week long!  I think Camden had a great birthday week - he talks about different events we had every day!  He had a birthday party at home (with family), a party at school and then a party with his very cool parents and sister on Monday!

This year we did a construction theme for his party!  Camden loved it!  I think though he had the most fun with the balloons!  Then on Monday (his actual birthday) we took him to his favorite Mexican restaurant and celebrated there.  Scott and I think he's probably traumatized from the Mexican birthday singing and sombero that we might find it a bit difficult to go back!  (I won't post those pics!

He had a great birthday - thanks to everyone who sent cards and gifts!  It's hard to believe our little boy is getting bigger and is now 3!

{Christmas} Part II

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!

This was probably one of the busiest years we've had!  On Christmas Eve we had The Cole's over for dinner.  The highlight of the night was watching Camden go NUTS over all of the presents - his and other peoples!  Then on Christmas morning we had our own family Christmas!  We made the mistake of letting Camden open Santa's gift (best & biggest) 1st - so he was more interested in playing with it and had zero interest in opening more gifts.  After a big Christmas breakfast we drove to St. Louis to see the Hurst's!  We had an excellent time  - the kids were so good on the drive there and we only went through 1 blizzard.  In St. Louis we had fun visiting, bowling, & going to the zoo.  We love this time of year - it reminds us of how blessed we are to have wonderful friends and family!  We hope the year ahead is as great as 2009 and brings even more health & happiness!

{Christmas} Part I

We had a very busy week with holiday parties, seeing Santa and finished buying all of our gifts.  This year we went to the Graylyn Estate and had breakfast with Santa.  Camden did such a good job telling him what he wanted.  He's still a little afraid to sit on his lap, but had no problem standing in front of him or in the chair besides him.  Bexley was an angel too!   Camden is anxiously awaiting Christmas morning!

{Disney on Ice}

Scott & I thought it would be fun to take Camden & Bexley to see Disney on Ice.  Within the 1st 10 minutes we were there we managed to lose a sock, a pacifier, were told to move – that we were in the wrong seats and had Camden asking when the tractors were coming out.  It’s one of those things as a parent you think would just be a blast for your children, but it ends up being A LOT of work for the parents.  On a good note, the only time Bexley paid attention to the show was when they brought out all the Disney princesses – otherwise she just slept. And Camden really liked Nemo.  It was a lot of work to keep everyone happy, but we did have a fun time and we have many funny stories about it!

{Our Little Thanksgiving} and Birthday!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  This was probably one of the busiest years we've had!  On Christmas Eve we had The Cole's over for dinner.  The highlight of the night was watching Camden go NUTS over all of the presents - his and other peoples!  Then on Christmas morning we had our own family Christmas!  We made the mistake of letting Camden open Santa's gift (best & biggest) 1st - so he was more interested in playing with it and had zero interest in opening more gifts.  After a big Christmas breakfast we drove to St. Louis to see the Hurst's!  We had an excellent time  - the kids were so good on the drive there and we only went through 1 blizzard.  In St. Louis we had fun visiting, bowling, & going to the zoo.  We love this time of year - it reminds us of how blessed we are to have wonderful friends and family!  We hope the year ahead is as great as 2009 and brings even more health & happiness!

{Natural Science Center} with The Mickens Family

Last Saturday we met up with The Mickens and went to the Natural Science Museum!  Anyone here locally should defiantly check it out - it was so much fun!  We were there 3 hours and didn't even get to see much of the inside.  We were too busy seeing all of the animals outside!  We are excited to go back and spend some time inside checking out what they have to offer.  So much fun and so much to do!

{Happy Halloween} 2009

Camden had a lot of fun this year carving his pumpkin.  He helped clean it out and cut it!  He really liked taking the "guts" out and was sure to shout, "Oooohh, YUCK!  It's gooey and slimey!"  Camden's pumpkin was a dump truck and Bexley's was a ballerina.  We did something a little different this year and had a small get-together at our house, took Camden trick-or-treating, then went to our neighborhood party after that.  Camden loved every second of Halloween.  He didn't quite get the hang of saying "trick-or-treat" at the door, but instead rang the doorbell and then said, "thank you!"  Bexley slept through the whole thing.  We had a great halloween and are already thinking of next years costume!

{Fall Mountain Trip} Blowing Rock, NC

Well...we finally got to go to the mountains last Sunday.  The weather was absoulutely beautiful, however the trees were not.  It was a no-win situation - go the weekend before and have 40 degrees and fog/rain but pretty trees or last weekend 70 and sunny and the leaves falling off the trees.  Oh well, it was still fun!  The ride up there had some pretty trees to look at. We had a picnic lunch once we got there, took Camden to the city park in Blowing Rock, NC and took a small hike at the Moses Cone Manor House - oh...and of course I found some time for shopping.  Always have to go shopping!  Love the mountains - even Bexley liked looking around and hiking too!  Camden loves everything about being there because everything to do is outdoors!  The next time we'll be back will be after Thanksgiving to chop down our Christmas tree!  YAY!

{Happy Fall!} and Family Updates

Happy Fall everyone!  We are all festive here at the Cole household!  Today we were supposed to take our annual Fall Trip to the Mountains, but due to weather - we cancelled the trip. (it was rainy/snowy and 39 YUCK! - I know...even this Iowa girl has been spoiled by the NC weather and now thinks 39 is COLD!)  So instead we went to the Farmer's Market, got a pumpkin and our Fall/Winter flowers to plant around the house!  We are going to try to get to the pumpkin patch later this week when it's warmer - today was just too cold to go to pick out pumpkins.  Check back later this week for pumpkin patch pics! 

If you haven't heard by now we've been having some intestinal issues with Bexley.  She is doing about the same and will be going to see a Pediatric GI this Thursday (Oct 22).  Hopefully they will be able to help her!  I will try to keep everyone updated - thanks to everyone who has been keeping her in their prayers!

Hope everyone has a wonderful fall and a Happy Halloween!

{Introducing...} Bexley Brianna Cole

We would love to announce the arrival of Miss Bexley Brianna Cole!  She was born on 9.9.09 at 10:57am, weighing 7lbs, 2oz and was 19 1/2" long!  She is doing great!  We are all so happy and pink saying things constantly like, "She's just so cute!" and "We love her so much!"  She's a really good baby - sleeping all the time, eating good and hardly crying (unless she wants more milk or to be changed). Camden is warming up to her!  He still is adjusting - everyday he does something new with her or making comments.  It will be no time at all that he'll be her 24 hour security guard!  He did think it was pretty cool to go to the hospital to see her, even if it was to quickly say "hi" to her then pretend the bed was a forklift by making it go up and down or pretending to be a doctor. We are really blessed to have our newest addition home with us and doing well.  We want to thank everyone who called to wish us well prior to having Bexley and all the wishes after she was born!  We have the best friends and family!  We can't wait to share more pictures and stories throughout the year!