I've Been Tagged....

The rules are:

1. go to your pictures.

2. upload the 4th picture in the 4th folder.

3. post an explanation of picture.

4. tag 4 friends.



This is a picture of Stetson one Sunday after church when Matt and the kids were being silly and trying to see how many grapes they could fit in their mouth. I'm not sure what brought on this perfect shot, but Stetson came skipping into the Living Room singing "Here I Come to Save the Day!!" and we were lucky enough to snap it just in time.

I tag....Tara, Ilene, Brooke, and Jonie.

Frosty, the Snowman...

Winter is coming on us in full force. We got our first snow of the season yesterday, we awoke to a beautiful blanket of white on the ground. The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to get out and play in it. I assured them it would most likely be all melted before they would even get a chance. Which, of course, it was....



But, we went into Grammy and Papa's house tonight to see Uncle Erick and their backyard was still snow covered. It didn't matter that it was already 8:30 p.m., it was freezing cold out, and they were all dressed for bed. They just had to go out and play in it! And, of course, they just had to build a snowman!



I love how easily kids get excited. Their love for life is what keeps me going sometimes!

Halloween is always a fun time for kids and I've always tried to make it a priority to have the best costumes for my kids. This usually involves alot of money spent on fabric and patterns for costumes I get to stress over for a couple of days anyway, and I don't think I've had a full nights sleep on the night prior to Halloween for a good six years, at least. Well, this year we are so lucky to live in a ward and neighborhood that is the best in all the world! One of our Enrichment Meetings in September included a Costume Exchange, so that all those costumes we keep in storage could get a little more use out of them. So, all of our Halloween expenses came to a whopping $5 for a shirt we got from DI for Stetson's costume, and I didn't even have to break out the sewing machine. HOORAY!!


Sydney made a very lovely Geisha Girl, and got to use the pretty Oriental Umbrella she got from the State Fair.


Stetson finally decided on the Phantom of the Opera for his costume two days before the big day, and it turned out to be very cool!


Sadie got the cutest Lady Bug tutu and accessories from her aunt Racquel for her Birthday, which goes perfect with our little Sadie-Bug!


McCrae kept telling me the week prior to Halloween that he was going to be a golf guy, but I just wasn't up to making knickers for him and didn't know exactly how else to pull that one off. We had borrowed a Spiderman costume from a friend for him, but when we were trying to get everyone else ready for the big day he went down to the dress up box in the playroom and brought up our very old Superman costume, this picture was taken before I fashioned a cape for him using some of Sydney's red athletic shorts, which actually topped off his costume quite nicely.


Matt got his costume from our Stake Clothing Exchange back in July, he thought it was the greatest. He loved lounging in this gown around the house, and actually wore it to the pool as a cover up one time...that is when I kinda misplaced it after washing. But, after much searching, I finally found it in the 'junk' room with a few other DI items. I'm so glad I did, it turned out to be a great costume for him.


Everyone else was all dressed up and ready to go, and I was feeling a little left out with no costume, so I ran to my closet and dug out my red gingham shirt, denim overalls, put my hair in pig-tails, threw on one of the kids' dress-up hats, and drew on a few freckles...voila, Ellie Mae!


Here we are at the end of our Trick-or Treating adventures at Grammy and Papa's house, McCrae had had it and will not cooperate for the picture...notice he is now wearing the Spiderman costume. What a fun filled day!


And this sweet picture of Sadie-Bug sums it all up. This is how we all felt after our Halloween shenanigans.

SMASH--the Scary, Hairy Monster!!

**Disclaimer: I debated on whether or not to publish this post because it may gross a few of you out, but I just couldn't resist. So, anyone with a weak stomach who may be reading this, just don't read the last paragraph and you should be just fine!

Meet my monster, Smash
When I look at my Monster, I see a square head, a round body, three sharp claws, and four wheels for his feet.
When I hear my monster, it sounds like screeching wheels, and scary growling.
If you were to taste my monster, it would be like drinking curdled milk and sucking on a rusty nail.
My monster Smash smells like a big old sweaty dog.
If you were to touch my monster, it would feel like cold, hairy metal.

**Stetson, had an assignment for school to make a monster, write up a description of said monster, and draw a map of his monster's neighborhood. He had a lot of fun designing and bringing his monster Smash to life. When we were writing the description for his monster he wanted it to feel hairy, so I asked him how we were supposed to make him hairy. Then the thought came to me for Stetson to go ask his dad (just to be funny!) if we could shave his back for the monster. Matt, of course was more than willing to oblige, and I was stuck with this crazy little idea of mine actually coming to fruition. So we went forward with the shaving of Matt's back, and he thought he was going to be funny and have a big patch of hair off his chest as well, against my advice. Smash turned out to be a pretty cute and hairy little monster. Meanwhile, Matt has been dying from the itch of a freshly shaved chest (not so much back, just chest); hence my advice on not shaving the chest! Anyway, I thought about posting pictures of the shaving but worried that might be a little too gory! You know, body hair just seems so...gross. EEWWWW!!

Hee Haw Farms

Last Friday Night we had the opportunity to go to Hee Haw Farms with Stetson's teacher, Mr. Goodman, as part of a class activity. Of course, when we pulled in to park I realized I had forgotten the camera, so SORRY, no pictures. Mr Goodman got free child admission with a paying adult tickets, so we took advantage of a family pass coupon we had and took the whole family along. Matt, Sydney, Sadie and McCrae enjoyed the Courtyard Activities (i.e...Animal Alley, Hay Jump, Mini Maze, Pedal Karts, Corn Box, Corn Cannons, Boo Junction, Slides--including a 30' Haystack Slide, and much more) while Stetson and I got to go with his class on a Hayride and then through Cornevil Night Terrors. The hayride was alot of fun, especially since I was able to talk with one of the other moms and make a new friend! But, the whole night terror maze was just AWESOME!! We wound our way not only through the haunted corn maze but also into a section of haunted woods with ghouls, goblins and monsters all along the way to jump out and scare us. One of the coolest things to me was the scarecrow which stood so tall above the corn, and then suddenly started coming after us. There were also a number of guys along the way that would pop out of the corn and chase us with chainsaws, one of those times I tripped over someone elses feet and fell with Stetson falling over the top of me. It was a riot!! I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants, and all the kids (Stetson included) were so scared, I think they almost peed their pants too!

My Crae!

Last weekend I went on a GNO and a couple of the other girls were talking about their little boys and some of the things they do. Well, one of the mom's brought up McCrae and said how he is just an angel....and of course I had to agree! I pondered on her comment for a second but all I could respond with was, "Yeah, he is!"
So, I wanted to honor my little McCrae and the good boy he is; he definitely has his moments when I would like to lock him in a closet or something. But, those times are few and far between. I love my Crae boy soooo much!!







Isn't he just the cutest, most adorable, and fun-loving kid you've ever seen?!:)

Halloween Cruise

Last night we went down to Provo with some friends to go on a Halloween Cruise. I was a little surprised to learn that they have been doing this little Halloween Cruise for nine years now, and this was the first year I had heard about it. It was pretty fun, we were all crammed onto the riverboat with a Pirate as our captain. As we sailed along the Provo River there was scarey music playing in the background, halloween lights strung overhead, and over 100 carved pumpkins on display. We were entertained by our captain and two other pirates who jumped aboard along the way with pirate jokes and story telling. Although McCrae slept through the whole thing, it was a fun experience for the entire family. Thank You Sliders for inviting us to tag along, and for the pie and ice-cream afterward. We're so glad to have friends like you!!

Happy Birthday Sadie!

Sadie turned FIVE on Saturday, October 11...we had so much going on that I'm finally getting around to posting about my favorite little bug's big day. The following picture was taken on Sunday when we had some of our family over for cake and ice-cream.



The top ten reasons we LOVE Sadie sooo much...
1. She's always so bright and happy.
2. She's got the cutest smile and most infectious laugh.
3. She gives some of the tightest squeezes.
4. She's got attitude and personality +!
5. She is such a little smartie.
6. She's got a very tender heart.
7. She is a little social butterfly.
8. She's got beautiful blonde hair and it has grown back so cute
from her many chop jobs.
9. She knows sign language and teaches it to all of us.
10. She always reminds us to say our prayers.



In the above picture, Sadie is enjoying her chocolate shake from Chili's. We went in celebration of not only her birthday; but also Stetson's awesome football season, and Matt passing his SSW Licensing Exam. YEAH!!



Sadie opening her present from Grammy and Papa. She is so excited to be five, she tells everyone she sees, "I'm five now!" and this morning when we were getting her ready for preschool she said "I should be in Kindergarten now mom, cuz I'm five."
I had to explain to her just like I did to Sydney at that age that Kindergarten only starts up once a year and she gets to stay in Preschool until it starts again next fall. She was pretty happy to learn that when she goes to Kindergarten she'll be one of the oldest kids because then she'll be turning six.

End of Season Team Party

Saturday was Stetson's last football game of the season, and he went out with a BANG! In the first few minutes of the game, the second play to be exact, Stetson was given the ball and, escaping the grasp of the Vikings teammates, ran a touchdown from the fifty yard line. It was so awesome--what a way to start the game! I could've ran right down the center of the field with him had I not stopped to think about what the referee's would say to it. I wish I would've thought to take the camera (which we are using for the time being since we haven't had any calls to claim it), he had the biggest grin and you could just see the pride he felt! I absolutely loved it, and was just as proud.

Seriously, putting all prejudice aside, Stetson was one of the strongest players on the team; even after starting two or three weeks into the season. I was always hearing comments from the coach's wife and the team mom that they just need to give Stetson the ball. He was the best runner, punter and hardest tackler. What can I say...he's just AWESOME!!



Above is a picture of Stetson with his coaches after receiving his trophy and treats. We had the Legacy Center swimming pool reserved for our team party and the kids had a blast. Following is a picture of Stetson with his friends Blake and Payton, just being goofy.



Sadie was pretty happy too, thinking we were there to celebrate her birthday. Here she is with her best friends Brooklyn and Asia.



Matt and McCrae lazing in the kiddie pool.



Sydney, just chillin'!

Hello All

I'm still alive, and I can't believe how disgraceful my blog is, without a new post for almost two weeks. I am very ashamed of myself! We've been a little bit busy but I've also been kinda lazy at times...so, I apologize.
Thinking back on some of the happenings around the Cox household takes me back to the night just before McCrae's B-day which I never took time to post about. I was lucky enough to go on another little GNO with some of the girl's in my ward. We went to JCW's (out by Thanksgiving Point) for burgers and shakes, and met two of the girls that have recently moved out of our ward there. The plan was to hang out for a bit and then go to Bonnie's house and watch 'Made of Honor', but Liz kept us all so entertained that we never did make it to Bonnie's house. We sat in the corner of JCW's talking and laughing until they kicked us out. While we were there we were lucky enough to see two Utah Celebrities...Rick Aaron(?) Fox 13 Sports man, and Ryan Shupe without his Rubber Band!
The majority of the next week was spent cleaning house (cleaning carpets, scrubbing bathrooms, washing sheets and towels, and everything in between) and getting ready for our dear friends from Bear Lake to come visit. They arrived Thursday night and the kids were so excited they were bouncing off the walls 'til about midnight. Friday morning Tara had to go to a Yoga Training Certification Class at American Fork Rec. Center, so I had the kids at home with me. Yes, I let my kids sluff school on Friday...what else are you gonna do when you have good friends staying with you that you only get to see on such occassions. Our plan was to go to Jump On It while Tara was at her class but they didn't open 'til 2:00, so we just hung out here at the house for the morning and then went to Boondocks in the afternoon. We didn't have much time though so we just let the little kids play in the Kiddie Cove and Sydney and Jaycee had fun playing the arcade games. That night we got the kids put to bed much earlier and Tara & I went shopping. Hooray for case lot sales!!!
Saturday morning we all went off to Stetson's football game, and Tara's mom come and picked them up about half way through. We had a great time together, I just wish we could've done more or have them stay longer!
Then Saturday evening while I went to the R.S. General Broadcast, Matt took the kids up A.F. Canyon and hiked half way up to Timpenogos Cave. Just after coming down from their hike they found a camera laying on the side of the road, so if we can't somehow track down the owner, I may be the proud new owner of a Nikon CoolPix camera! Which is definitely better than what I've got right now.
So, that's about it, nothing much for this week aside from homework, housework and laundry. I hope you all are having much more excitement in your lives right now, because I could really use some good reading material!! HaHaHa :)