The Cottle Chronicle

Today is the day we post about Tallon...

2010-03-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

I've decided that I would blog a bit about each of the kids and have chosen Tallon to go next. I have thought long and hard about what I would say about Tallon and have come to the conclusion that there isn't enough cyber-space available to fit it all in, so I'm trying to scale-back my comments! Firstly, we love this kid and have often joked that he is Father in Heaven's cruel joke on Brett and I. Tallon should have been our first so that I would have been equipped with the energy of a 25 year old! He's loving, kind and has a beautifully tender heart yet he never stops until he's asleep.

My Dad used to say he wished that he could bottle Tallon's vim and vigor! Dad was pretty weak and not much of a go getter when Tallon was a toddler so with Grandpa as a captive audience; Tallon's favorite thing was to fill Grandpa's lap with whatever he could find. That sweet 18 month old and my precious Dad would do this little dance inevitably during our every visit and gently and tenderly a loving Grandpa would sit and encourage and cheer Tallon on the entire time. Then item by item, shoe by shoe, toy by toy and book by book, Tallon would put everything away. I can still picture his little chubby self busy at work, so intent, toddling all over their apartment so happy and joyful. This memory of my Dad's interaction with Tallon is one of my most cherished memories...I hope Tallon will feel the same one day when I share it with him and show him all the pictures. One of the few moments that boy as a toddler was ever still was wrapped in the frail but loving arms of his Grandfather...miss you Dad!

Climbing the Rock Wall at Dick's Sporting Goods at the Gateway! He actually made it to the top!

Tallon say's he'll have a big dog like Dustin's when he grows-up!

Bean Museum! Field trip with his Dad.

First day of second grade...where did my baby boy go?

Jumpin Jacks... my kids love this place but I feel they desperately need a "Purell-dip" after playing there!

10 things about Tallon!
1. He always wakes up happy...always!
2. Tallon is the most responsible and loving brother to Tess! He holds her hand as they walk to the car and then helps her in.
3. Loves X-box!
4. Loves Pepperoni Pizza and would possibly eat it for every meal!
5. Draws very well.
6. Wants to be an Army man, a Pilot and a Artist when he grows-up.
7. Hates to go to bed at night...can't stop, he might miss something.
8. He's got a great sense of humor!
9. Falls asleep at night holding his sister's hand.
10. Would sleep outside with Boomer if we'd let him!

That's my boy...

Tess Lover!

2010-03-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is my girl...I decided that today I would record a few things about TESS! She happens to be the only girl around her besides her Mom, so her and I must stick together! She's the apple of my eye and I just can't begin to express my love for my bestest little gal.

Last night we were watching "Dancing with the Stars" and Tess noticed that I teared up a bit when Shannon Doherty spoke about her dad. Tess crawled over to me on the bed and wiped my tear and snuggled right down in my arms. "Why are you cryin, Mom?" "Oh, I said, I just thought what that girl said about her dad was really touching." "Me too Mom, but you don't have to cry about it..." She's the absolute sweetest girl when she wants to be...but look out! She can even give our Gunar a run for his money! (I guess you could say she had a good teacher on how to be a little stinker!)

Happy Halloween....she loved this Kitty costume. I'm no Martha Stewart but gratefully she couldn't have cared less!

Face painted at Circus Circus in Vegas...she's our little blossom!

Such a pretty girl...even though Gage say's he's prettier!

I wanted a girl so badly and this is what I got, boy am I blessed beyond my furthest stretch of my imagination!

10 THINGS ABOUT MY LITTLE BLOSSOM!
1. She loves music.
2. She loves dancing.
3. Mac and Cheese wheels are her favorite.
4. Ice cream and Frozen treats are a food group! Good even for Breakfast...
5. "Ba-bees", Pet Shops, and iCarly make her world go round!
6. Tess loves her Daddy!
7. She prefers I don't answer her when she's playin pretend in her playhouse.
8. She can zip and button her own jeans...I can do it Mom!
9. She starts most sentences with, "Guess what..."
10. She tells me that she's going to live by Grandma and come visit me and Dad.

What a girl...

Just a few more photos....

2010-03-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

I have been dreaming about blogging lately. No, not dreaming in a good way, but having nightmares about getting caught-up! I intended to use this as a way to "chronicle" the things that go on in our lives but as is typical, things have not gone as planned. However, I've decided to placate myself with a few excuses...I'm a busy, involved, working Mother of 4; I obsess about the way my house looks to the point of driving my children into therapy; and, I like to read books so sometimes my discretionary time is otherwise engaged. There, I feel better....don't you? At any rate...please hang in there with me and know that I would love to blog weekly if not daily but that is a lofty goal for someone who can't ignore the fact that my son's bathroom needs cleaned and there's laundry to fold and put away! Thanks for loving me despite my mental illness...

Our Princess in her new Castle....Thanksgiving in the Suite.

Gage as The Riddler!

This is a project Brett was working on at Mity...he made this into some chairs for a Gymnasium on an Air Force Base. They're for the Basketball Team! Nice huh?

Life is just movin too fast for me these days...

2010-03-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to "Spring Forward" and I have not even gotten around to posting pictures of Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the other goings on around here...

So, with no further stalling, let's get caught-up!

The following are a few photos from things we've been doin! Thanks for hangin in there with me blog readers, I've missed you all peekin in on us Cottles.

This is the Suite at Caesars where we spent Thanksgiving Day...WOW!

I've come home!

Tallon getting his "Tat"! It's only semi-permanent...we'll see!

A ride for Tess on the Carousel at Circus Circus Fundome!

That string of cars rushing by had Tallon and Gunar aboard!

Trick or Treat!

2009-11-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

Halloween Parade at the kid's school.

Tess and some her "fwends".

Gage and the always darling and super cute Alex!

This year Tallon's costume was truly a labor of love. (If I didn't adore that kid, he'd be dead!) Don't ya just love the one-piece jumpsuit though?

SUPER COTTLE!

I can't tell you how much I love, I mean LOVE, Halloween...

The constant, daily, changing-of-minds over costumes, the endless scattering of candy wrappers EVERYWHERE and the fact that my daughter was 45 minutes late to school Thursday due to a wardrobe malfunction! (She will be my undoing!) At any rate, we had a wonderfully festive time of it and we got to set the clocks back so all is good in the land of Cottle!

I really do love this time of year, with it's chill in the air and the delicious smell of pumpkin'esque baked goods swirling all around! What's a few crazy family mishaps and a little stress, right? It's all worth the fun they have in the end!

Vacation of a Lifetime!

2009-10-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

Some of the ruins from Pompeii...this made me cry. Those poor people, Vesuvius completely destroyed their amazing civilization with no warning

This is Gaudi's Sagrada Familia started in 1877 and they are still working on it today. Funded mostly by donations this project will most likely finally be ready to allow people to worship inside by 2010. Too amazing....

This is Brett and I posing ever so dorkishly over-looking BARCELONA, SPAIN!!!!! That's right, I said Spain! We were treated to a tour before we headed to the ship just after a 9 hour flight from New York's Kennedy Airport. We appear a little disheveled but trust me, we're extremely thrilled to find ourselves in a beautiful city with so many wonderful things to see...

Some more stuff we did!

2009-09-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday America...what better way to celebrate than by watching your 16 year-old, along with his father and some other totally mature members of our neighborhood, burn it down!

Get along little "Cow-girl"!

Summer Primary Activity...she loves her big "broders"!

My future Lead Character Artist for DC Comics hard at work! He's good, ain't he?

Some of the stuff we did this Summer! We had a ball!

2009-09-16T08:41:00.001-07:00

Poor Boomer...he was DYING in the heat this summer! Brett tried just about twice a week to get rid of some of his winter coat....we seriously could have knitted a sweater for him out of his own hairs!

Look at all that!

Wow...I think I may actually have a real green thumb. Finally!

Hiking the up to the giant Cross in Spanish Fork. Tallon kept up the whole time...he's no wimp!

There are no words sufficient to describe this picture. Gotta love that kid! You're the bestest Wiss!

2009-09-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again....GO DUCKS!

I can't begin to tell you with what excitement and anticipation I'm looking forward to Oregon Football 2009-2010! It's going to be a great ride!

It's the First Day of School...again!

2009-08-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

So...school started today for us here in the Nebo School District and to be frank, not with much joyful expectation of a new year from my kids! I guess I should give credit where it's due, so I will mention that the "teens" were up right on time and ready to go and out the door with no complaints...they even let me take their picture! Shocker...I think they are much better prepared for this year since we've lived in Spanish a year now. They really do seem to like it here...plus they are both at Maple Mountain and I think they're secretly happy about it!

Tallon woke promptly at 7 only to be ready 20 minutes later leaving him with an hour to kill by watching cartoons! (No complaints from him about getting to lay on my bed and eat toast until it was time to go.) Gage and Gunar trotted off for the bus together at about 7:15. I'm so pleased with how good of friends they really are. (Don't tell them though...they claim to hate each other!)
He's grown up a ton this summer...he's the one who didn't want a picture this year!

Now Tess' story is a sad one all together because the most excited one of the group still has to wait another week for Kindergarten to begin. She was so sad this morning when she wasn't allowed to jump in the bath and get dressed in a new outfit! (I can't be sure if it's school and her teacher that she's so thrilled over or if it's all her new duds!) At any rate, now she's sitting happily and contentedly at her table singing and coloring...she's quite a girl! She has literally asked me every morning for about 2 weeks if it was her "school day".

I love this time of year when everything gets back on schedule and we look to Fall and the beautiful season changes to come! Good wishes to all and a collective sigh of relief from all us Mommies that we're back on task! WOOT WOOT for us! :O)

2009-08-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all...this is me turning over a new leaf. I know I have been so completely awful to the point of failure at this Blog for too many months so...I decided to get going again! I don't plan to post a "catch-up", however I may post some photo's and information from the past now and then. Sorry to all you faithfuls that have often checked only to find me being berated by my loving son! Hope you will all come back and continue on our life's journey with us! Yes, the one we are told to find JOY in! Love you all...B

Water Gardens

2009-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Look. Another post by Gunar!

We were coming back from Rumbi and a movie in Orem and stopped for Krispy Kreme, after we got them we needed a place to eat the donuts. :D We stopped at the water gardens or whatever the eff their called. It's really beautiful there. Plus, they have this amazing panel thing where you can push all these buttons and the different water-efficient sprinklers go off. :D

There's that little panel. I look like a retard. :|

They had these little model houses with water saving landscapes, and *gasp* you could go in them!

Tess. Our little model. :P

Impromptu family portrait. Ignore my hands, Tallon's hands, and Tess's pose. (:

New Yard Additions

2009-06-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Gunar again. :P

We were sick of the bleh landscaping of the house, so we planted some trees and flowers. :D

I'll have my mom edit this and put the fancy names of the plants and such.

I like this one.

Woot! Purple.

Here's 2 of the trees.

Here's another tree.

This is EPIC.

Here's the last little tree. (:

New Design. :D

2009-06-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Gunar here... (:

I changed the layout around on here. Hope you like! (:

The song happens to be my mother's favorite song at the moment. You should listen to it. [Girlfriends - Single File]

I promise I'll get her to post something. Soon.

[rant]

Blogging is stupid. It's so like 2004. Everyone should be on Facebook. You can share 200 pictures at a time. People can comment on each one. You can write notes [like blog posts] with pictures in them. Blogging takes too long, and you can't do anything except write and read retarded things on it. Facebook is win. Blogging is fail. Blogging is such a mommy thing. :|

[/rant]

Follow Me!

2009-03-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

So today I, err Gunar made me sign up for this amazing website.

Twitter. :)

It's really cool. It's like Facebook status updates, but much more convenient, you can "tweet" in from your phone and even get other people's tweets directly as texts.

It's like amazing. You should all sign up.

Gunar: http://twitter.com/gunarrr
Me: http://twitter.com/cottle6

After you sign up just go to my profile and click the little "follow" button under my picture.

By the way, Heidi, this would be awesome for book club! Ask Alli about it, she'll teach you. :P

Go to mine. :)

2009-03-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Since there isn't anything new here and there wont be anything new here.
You should read my blog thing. :)

http://gunarrr.posterous.com/

Yeah. That's right. I just told you what to do.

-Gunar. :)

Wow.

2009-02-25T18:01:00.001-08:00

Gunar here. Just dropping into say that my mom never blogs.

It's been 86 days since her last post. :|

I officially can't do this any longer...

2008-12-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

Seriously...who in their right mind ever thought a woman could work full-time and care for a family of 6? I just wanted to let you all know that I'm busily loosing my mind and training for this "part-time" job...still! I hope to regain my sanity by next week and then maybe I'll get to blog. I can't take that I didn't finish the month of gratitude either. Gunar says I have "thankful fail" Nice...

After the week I've had...

2008-11-21T19:15:00.000-08:00

I actually wanted to take just a minute and blog the things that I have been grateful for during this especially crazy week. I have been so blessed this week with everything in my life going so smoothly I needed to take the time to thank those people around me that made that happen!

19. I'm grateful for good neighbors that can help out in a pinch and watch my little darling for me. My neighbor and friend, Becky, took Tess Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, this week for me. (She is actually one of the moms that sends her daughter to school with Tess.) So, it was perfect for me that she drove carpool for me this week too and allowed me to bring Tess over at 9:30 so I could get to work by 10.

20. I'm grateful for new friends at my new job! I started at Orem Community Hospital in the Same Day Surgery Unit on Tuesday and everyone was totally nice and super accommodating! (They even made me a big sign and hung it in the break room.) And...the lady who is responsible for most all of my training was actually totally sick all this week yet she kept coming in to be with me to make sure I was trained properly. And...she wore a mask all week just to make sure I didn't catch what she's got! Thanks Gayle!

21. I'm SUPER grateful to Brett and the kids for putting up with me being gone until past 5 every night this week and understanding when we didn't eat dinner until late! Thanks guys for helping me keep the house and stay semi-caught-up on the laundry...I love you all for letting me have this time away to adjust to my new "Friday only" job! Training can't possibly last much longer, could it? Brett was great to adjust his schedule at Mity and make sure we had someone home to run teenagers and be home for Tallon and Tess after school. I couldn't have done it without him! We even managed to all stay happy and we were nice to each other too this week! I can't believe it!

22. Last but not least, I wanted to thank my Father in Heaven for all the many ways that he sees fit to bless me and my life. I don't have words sufficiant to express my gratitude. I totally applied for this job on a whim never believing that I would interview for it let alone be hired. When I went for my interview I had the most delightfully laid back experience I've ever had in an interview. The 3 ladies I met with made me feel so at ease, I later told Brett that I felt like I was out to lunch with friends. And...if you'll allow me to toot my own horn for a moment, Cynthia, my new boss, told me on Thursday that she was so glad that I had applied. I love it there and can't believe how everything just worked out so perfectly.

I have sooooo much to be thankful for that sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with how much my Father in Heaven must love me! This has been a long week but one that has strengthened my testimony in many, many ways.

Thanks for Daddys!

2008-11-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude for Brett and how much he brings to our lives. He's a great Dad and we are blessed to have him take such good care of all our needs. These photos make me smile cause I love to see him play with his kids! Thanks honey, for all you do. I love you!

I like to move it, move it!

2008-11-18T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is silly but I'm grateful for music and dancing.

We around the Cottle house really do love our music. So much so that we regularly argue over who gets to choose the radio station. Thank heavens for MP3 players for Tess typically wins the radio station battle. Let's boogie....

Grateful Friday, Saturday and Sunday....

2008-11-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

This is my Tess...I'm grateful for little girls that are so completely prissy they're just about to burst!

This is Vicks VapoRub...I absolutely love this stuff...I put it on my lips every night before bed and various other times through out the day just for good measure! Plus, I simply adore the smell of it!

I'm grateful for little boys and their dogs.

Dailey Gratitude continued....

2008-11-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love the Holiday Season and all the crazy preparation, parties and festivities that go with it. I wanted to post Tallon's Christmas List and express how thankful I am for him and his precious innocence. We have adopted a saying in the Cottle house, one we heard from some dear friends of ours; it goes like this..."if you don't believe, you don't receive!" I know Tallon believes and that makes Christmas so special for Brett and I to get to surpirse him. Even if he does wake up at 4 A.M. We are so blessed to have the loving, kind and rowdy little bugger in our home! We love you Wiss...

These next two pics speak for themselves...I'm grateful for teenage boys and all the mess that comes with them. I'm finding such joy in this journey and as I contemplate how quickly it will soon be over, I can't help but get a little misty. I love them inspite of their messy bathroom and find myself wishing the day it stays clean after I clean it will just wait to come a little longer...

Daily Gratitude...I'll never catch up!

2008-11-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

One of my bestest good friends has started doing this on her blog and I thought it was an excellent idea and opportunity so I'm going to do the same...forgive me for trying to catch-up all 12 days of November in one post, but I wanted to get started. So, here goes...I have way more than a month's worth of things to be thankful for so I'll only attach one photo....

1. First and foremost is my family...duh right? I guess this goes without saying...I'm so blessed!

2. Tess singing and dancing and jumping up and down on the couch to music.

3. Warm showers on cold mornings!

4. Book club

5. Friends

6. Memories...

7. New neighbors and friends and our new Ward family!

8. Missing my hubby...

9. The vacuum.

10. Boomer...and the mess he makes in our backyard with all his toys and the "fluff" from his kennel!

11. Blogging

12. Fudgesicles and Otterpops!

Who are you?

2008-11-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

I have yet to decide if I will be seeing this movie or not. I guess it will all depend on what my book club gal-pals decide to do. (I'm such a huge joiner when it comes to these ladies. I must always consult them on serious matters such as what to see and what to read!) At any rate, the quiz is fun so take it. I never considered myself to be like Alice while I was reading these books; never saw it comin...however, she was one of the characters I liked!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

What can Brown do for you?

2008-11-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

This is Alex and Gage at our house Saturday before the dance. Yep, I am "that" Mom! (The same Mom that cried on Sunday when she heard her son's voice as he blessed the Sacrament for the first time.) Alex and 5 of her friends dressed as UPS "drivers" and their dates dressed as their "packages". It was super cute to see all the girls in their brown uniforms of different seasons...some had shorts with funky tights under. They got the uniforms from a Dad of one of the girls. Gage was home before mid-night (cause he's such a good boy...) and came in to where Brett and I were watching a movie to tell us all about his evening. (I love this part about being a Mom...) Anyway, I guess now-a-days when you go to a dance you don't really go to the dance you only show up long enough go to get a photo and then you leave to go play games and have the "dance" at someone's house. This is curious to me...but whatever! He was covered in marshmellow dust that resembled paint ball splatter from their marshmellow, blow-gun war. Good times evidently!

I love this...

Trick-or-Treatin and candy eatin!

2008-11-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

We just love Halloween at the Cottle house. The endless hours of relenting about what they're going to be, the changing of their minds at least a million times, and my all-time-favorite, desperately wanting to be something else 30 minutes before they're meant to leave to go out trick-or-treating! Yes, ladies and gentlemen...I loves me some Halloween! None the less, we made it through virtually unscathed left to look ever so forward to next year...here are so pics of my cuties! Enjoy...

Rockin those glasses Gunar, aren't ya? Hey...I think I may have had some exactly like that in the 80's!

Gage and Alex...they're so stickin cute!

And what could make a mother more proud than her baby boy all dressed up like a zombie doctor who recently operated on his own brain? Nice job Wiss...

Geek Squad! Totally...

2008-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Introducing Gage and Gunar's parents...OK, at least their alter-egos! I'm only kidding...I could never wear those pink shoes with that skirt! Actually we were on our way to a Halloween Party some friends of ours were throwing and Gunar wouldn't let us leave without immortalizing us for posterity. It is my understanding this will be the photo of us that the boys choose to show their future families! Brett and I really can pull of the "nerd" thing, can't we? We make that look gooooood! Happy Trick-or-Treating all...we can't wait till Friday!

He said "yes"...

2008-10-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

After some thinkin and a schemin...Gage and I decided that we would lovingly borrow an idea that we have long admired. (Thanks Aunt Jenny in Boise for this one!) Brett brought home some long sticks and he made some legs and feet out of them...

This is Gage pluggin in his head. Yeah...it's too funny. We used a light-up, fake pumpkin with a face carved in it. We put Gage's "legs" and "head" in Alex's yard with a sign that read, "I'd be head over heels to go with you". Needless to say this very quickly became the highlight of the neighborhood and no doubt began to collect everyone's interest. Alex wasn't home when we did this so I can't wait to find out what her reaction was.

Here he is...head over heels!

So, I guess this means we'll be sending our son on a date here real soon. I've still got some "brain-wrappin" around that one to do...I'll let you know how that works out! We have just had a blast helping Gage with this. It was a group effort and I think it turned out super! Our neighbor even came out while Gage and his Dad were stuffing his legs and offered more "Walmart" sacks. This should prove to be quite the adventure...

Do I really have a teenager old enough to date? Really?

2008-10-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I'm being forced to finally come to terms with the fact that my baby, my first-born son, has reached that ever pivital age...16. Yes my loyal Cottle Chronicle followers, he is now able to date!

And so it begins....Gage has officially been asked to his first dance!

Our neighbor's daughter Alex invited Gage to the Masquerade Ball that's November 1st. I can't wait to see them in their costumes...trust me, there will totally be pictures on the blog. This is too good not to document! (Wait till you feast your eyes on the pics of Gage's answer!)

Of course his bed wasn't made...are you kidding me?

Trick or Treat was the theme...she querried little riddles and he had to figure out the solution in order to spell her name and see just who was doin the askin! Gage had actually caught wind of the rumor circulating that she had asked if he had been asked so he's been a tad nervous waitin and wonderin if she'd ask him or not. Good thing friends of a boy that a girl might like to take to a dance can be trusted with top-secret information...thanks Jake! At any rate, she delivered her message while Gage was away at his SCUBA class and that evening he and his Mom got to plannin! To be continued...

I love the Fall!

2008-10-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today after church we decided to take a drive up Spanish Fork Canyon to see what we could see and pick some leaves for pressing! Gunar has been under the weather with Mono and came home directly after church with a headache and fell into bed. So...reluctantly, Brett, Gage, Tallon and Tess and I all jumped in the car for a quick drive. I took some pictures of the absolutely beautiful mountains that we are fortunate enough to be able to call our backyard! These pics really speak for themselves. I love the Fall and being out in the gorgeous day we had made me miss the Northwest. Oregon is lovely this time of year yet Utah has it's own special charm that I have grown to love having lived her now for over half my life!

I took these at the Spanish Fork River Park that is only about 10 minutes away from our home. How lucky is that? Brett and I now know that having revealed this location of campgrounds so close to the house there will be no getting out of camping many weekends next summer.

I absolutely adore all the different colors!

I feel badly posting this picture without the Gunar, but I'll capture a precious moment of him and post it soon. He was snuggly buggly in his bed...back to school and work for him Monday.
I'm clearly not as great at the photography thing as Gunar but with this beautiful of surroundings, it's hard not to take a good shot. I just can't believe that this spot was just right there all this time waiting for us to discover it. I'm disappointed that we didn't go treasure hunting sooner. We are however, looking forward to many more trips to that park! Happy Fall all...loves!

"I belong to the Church..."

2008-10-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

The day Tallon had asked me about for a week straight finally arrived...he literally asked me every morning before school, the week before his baptism, if he was getting baptized tomorrow. So dang sweet! We just love this kid and are so pleased and proud of his decision to be baptized!

So...these are the pictures of the Baptism day. I had Gunar, our family photographer take these and I'm so pleased with them. Tallon got Scriptures from his family for his baptism and here he is reading them waiting to go to the church. You can see in the background some of the cards and goodies that he was given. He got so many nice things and was so excited during the week every time a card would come in the mail. Thanks so much to everyone who sent him something to make his day special. We would have preferred to have you all here in person, but we totally understand!

These are his new clothes. Doesn't he look so handsome? Brett and I took him shopping for an outfit on Friday and got his haircut and took some time with just him picking out his Scriptures. We had a nice time and I just couldn't beleive how cute he was while we were shopping for his stuff. He has pretty great taste, if I do say so myself!

The Cottle Family...Saturday, October 11, 2008!

I love this picture because of our smiles and how it fully captures the joy, peace and happiness we felt that day. I also love how Tallon and Tess are hugging! They are such good friends...they really love each other. (Plus, Brett and I are so blessed and this picture is really represents why!)
Tess just kept loving on Tallon that whole day. I think she could feel the spirit with us and she knew something special and important was happening for Tallon, but she didn't know what it was exactly, so for her, hugs were the best way to express what she was feeling!

Tallon and his Dad! Don't you love Brett's socks? Everyone was giving him a hard time but his feet were freezing so he kept the dress socks on until he slipped into the font! I think he thought no one would notice...duh! Trust me...we all noticed!
This is Tallon with his good friend Mason Sipe. They met just shortly after we moved in but you would never know they haven't been friends since the day they were born. The Sipes live just over the fence from us and Tallon and Mason are constantly jumping the fence going back and forth between houses. They're super cute together and Brett and I are grateful that Tallon has such a good friend!

I just wanted to end by telling everyone who came to support Tallon on his special day thanks for loving him and loving our family. We are so grateful and blessed to have family and friends who came so far to be with us. Love you! And to the many new friends and neighbors who have been so wonderful and kind to us...Thanks for making this decision to move to Spanish Fork one of the best we've ever made for our family!

Tallon's getting baptized...

2008-10-06T19:54:00.001-07:00

I just thought I would quickly mention that "Wiss" is being a good example to his baby sister and taking the plunge! In other words, he's getting baptized! I sent out some invites, but I wanted to post it here in case the USPS lives up to their timely reputation and didn't get the invites to the big day delivered.

See below for all the particulars!

Announcing the Baptism and Confirmation of Tallon G. Brenner Cottle
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Maple Meadows First Ward
1822 South 2000 East
Spanish Fork, Utah
10:40 A.M
Tallon would love to have you join us for his special day!
Family and friends please plan to arrive by 10:15 A.M at the Cottles, thanks.
(The Stake Center is the building west of our house.)

This is me...which Jane Austen gal best represents you?

2008-10-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

I found this on Heidi Udall's blog page...I thought this was pretty cool considering how bookish most of us are!! I guess this character below is most like me or maybe it's that I'm most like her. Anyway...who the hell is she? Yikes, can you beleive that I just admitted that? Take the quiz...you'll probably know the character you are!

Take the Quiz here!

Happy Sweet 16 Gage!

2008-10-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

Gunar took this photo of Gage a while back and I have loved it so I decided to use it for todays belated birthday wishes for Gage! Gage turned 16 on Thursday of last week and I had bugged and bugged that kid prior to his birthday to see what he wanted to do. He was content to take the day off from school and do a little shopping and then that night Brett, Gunar, Gage and I went to dinner at Macaroni Grill. It was tasty but we lucked out and got the brand new waiter who, as of yet, couldn't distinguish his butt from a hole in ground! It made for an interesting evening...we did get some free deserts and some "be our guest" coupons out of it, so it wasn't a total loss. Besides, we had a blast picking on the poor guy....
He ended up buying a iPod touch with his birthday money and since the two have not been more than arm's length away from each other, I guess it's fair to say that Gage has a new best friend! He also received some iTunes cards which he promptly emptied! I have to admit that little gadget is actually quite fascinating...I'm shocked at what all it does. However, I'm getting up there in years now too, so it doesn't take much to make me think, "Wow!"
Anyway...I just wanted to let Gage know what a fantastic kid he is and how grateful Brett and I are that he chooses the right and by his example, shows us how good at this "parenting thing" we must be! Kidding...actually Brett and I marvel everyday at what a remarkable young man Gage is and wonder how we got so blessed to have a son like him. He's a great big bother, although somewhat of a tease and he can draw like nobody's business. Happy Birthday Gage, we all love you!

Bienvienidos a Republica Dominica!

2008-10-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

This was actually taken the day we were leaving. I just knew that Brett and I hadn't taken a descent photo together the entire trip and sure enough when I got the chance to look at what we had taken during the trip, I was glad that I had this one snapped at the last minute. The area that we are standing in is in the lobby of the resort just above a huge staircase that leads into a common area with a bar and seating with all the restaurants just below. The resort we stayed at was beautiful! The weather was in the high 80's everyday with a 100% humidity! I swear I must have sweat in places on my body I didn't know a person could sweat in! Del-ish!
This was our room. Super nice with lots of space to relax and take a bath right out in the middle of everything...Let's just say these rooms aren't meant for people whom aren't already intamately aquainted! Totally no privacy...so if there were any issues about using the bathroom or shower in front of each other, they are now all gone! Brett had the best time all week relentlessly teasing a guy he works with who just happens to be unmarried and brought a good buddy along for the trip! Andrew and Brock were great sports about the whole thing. There were no shortage of "couple" jokes for the week...
The view from our balcony! Could you not look out on that everyday? I think I could get used to that view!
This is Raluca. (On the left. That's my friend Stacey on my right.) Raluca is just the cutest, sweetest, ex-pro tennis player, Romanian girl we meet in Punta Cana. She works for a local tourist magazine there and was gracious enough to take us to a place for shopping, show us around and then bring us back to our resort. I just fell in love with her! I met her totally by accident. She happened to walk by and I asked her about a piece of jewelry she was wearing. She ended up taking us to the place I bought my Dominican Painting at! I can't wait to have it mounted so I can take a pic to show it off! It was great to talk to a local and get all the dish on the country. She has lived and worked there in the DR for 2 years. We exchanged emails, so we plan to stay in touch. What a doll!
I think this pic speaks for itself...pool area! What a blast. I swear the pool was as long a 2 football fields! Can I go back now? Brett and I just wanted to thank Jake and Cassie for coming and staying with our brood. We were so grateful to them for holding down the fort and making sure our children were cared for! Also, thanks to Gage and Gunar for being such big helpers while we were gone. Even if Gunar did take an unathourized day off from schoool...but that's a whole other blog entry!

My baby starts Preschool...and boy was she excited!

2008-09-02T16:33:00.001-07:00

Tess started Preschool today and she couldn't have been more pleased...she woke up early and layed out her outfit and from 8:30 to 10:45, she asked me at least a million times if it was time for her to go! She swore to me that she was going to be late and kept asking me what the clock said. At one point I had her lay down on the bed to watch some TV to distract her and she fell asleep for an hour...thank goodness! I don't think I could have stalled her much longer... I spent from 10:50 to almost noon letting her rest and when I woke her she got dressed, had her hair curled and ate some soup with just a few minutes to spare until her big day! I love these pictures cause she was so happy! She has been talking about her first day since we moved here and now it has finally arrived.
I'm ready...I'm ready!

"Come on Mom...lets go!"

Checking things out...finding her spot.

Joining her friends on the rug for puzzle time...

We spent our Labor day...laboring! Not really...

2008-09-02T15:58:00.001-07:00

What better way to make a day happy then by baking...and "Sprinkles" cupcakes are just the ticket for a tasty bit of yum!

Ali came over for a bit on Saturday and added a ray of sunshine to our weekend...

Ali is just too darling and can I just say that she's grown-up into quite a lady! Must be something to do with those parents of hers!

Almost done...don't they look delish?
This was Gage's weekend project. I wanted to be able to use this framed version of the Proclamation somewhere in the house but it was in an awful oakish frame... so I got the hair-brain to just paint the frame and distress it a little...it turned out fabulous and makes an eye-catching addition to the laundry room! Thanks Gage...you do good work.

S'mores anyone?

2008-09-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

Last week we left Tess with neighbors while we ran to Tallon's first soccer game. She has fallen deeply in love with Kassidy and Kerstin who live directly across the street from us! (Seriously, we're barely able to convince her to come home at night!) While being tended, Tess was lucky enough to attend a Scout activity and as fate would have it, they were serving Smores! What more could I have asked for since we needed to take her directly to her Preschool Open House as soon as we got home? We picked her up in a rush to find her wearing her little friends Cassidy's clothes (which she lives for...) and enjoying her delicious treat!

I guess from here, I should just let the pics speak for themselves...

You should have seen her...she was totally enjoying this yummy Smore!

We were lucky to have taken Gunar with us for Tess's Preschool Open House and he captured Tess and her battle with her Smore! I think the Smore won...
Mommy is always prepared...always! Needless to say, we made it just in time to catch the end of the festivities and she is thrilled for school to start!

Perfectly Picnicing in the Park!

2008-08-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Tess and I met with some of my girly friends from when we lived in Provo. These are our children...darling, I know! Barry, Tess, Fin, Sylus and Will all played like they had know each other for years. I guess in their Mom's hearts they have! We had a great time at a beautiful park in Springville...

Sylus and Fin are just too cute...what loving brothers! (Shauna, I had to post this so you could see how adorable they are!)

Yes, that's my friend Shauna trying to get a good shot of the festivities...I guess I'm the one who got the good shot now, aren't I? Rebecca and her sweet little Sophie joined us until Sophie had to leave for school and Heidi just couldn't wait to get to the pizza as usual! (Hee Hee!) Oh Heidi, I'm sure glad you know how much I love your guts! Seriously readers...we all know what a great Mom Heidi is and that she was taking care of Barry and Will, right? What a treat gals...good times! By the way... I expected to see pictures of our adventure on the slide already posted on someones blog! What up?

For the latest in "Cottle" developments...

2008-08-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

...please see Gunar's fine blog! I have just had so much going on since school started that my blog has really suffered the consequences. Gunar's is about current to date, I think! I hopefully...ok, I will get on-the-ball here in a day or two. Until then, please enjoy all the highlights at "le blog de gunar". Thanks for bearing with me...oh, you can link to his on my blog buddies list.

It's here, it's here....The First Day of School!! Finally!

2008-08-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Don't they look happy? I know they loved that I took their picture but damn it, I paid for those clothes and their smiles for that matter, so I should get at least one photo of the first day in their new schools! Really! You'd think they were teenagers or something!
I'm not quite sure what is up with this photo of the Wiss...I took another one and it's just as bad. I tried Gunar's camera later in the day and when I get that pic I will post it. He sure does look cute though...despite the blury photo! LOL! I guess I should leave the picture taking to our resident expert....

A visit from our friends....The Steogers!

2008-08-09T21:41:00.001-07:00

Don't we have a cute bunch of kids? That's Shay and Gunar, Baby Zac, Tess, Gage, Tallon, Ben and Carter! What good pals! That's Gage's tough-guy face...he and the little boys used to play for hours in our back yard which the 3 boys just loved!

We have been wanting to get together with our good friends from up north since we moved in but since I'm a bit of a freak, I wasn't ready for company until recently. (I just wanted everything to be in it's place and stuff. I'm sorry it's just a thing with me I can't help it!) I realized however, that this wasn't going to be the case for a good while, so my desire to see Shelly and her family got the best of me and we had them down for an afternoon! Our family and the Stoegers lived just a few houses away from each other while we were living in Roy so we've been a bit out of sorts since the move. It was great to see them and to catch-up. Gage and Gunar totally love Sam and Shelly and enjoy teasing, talking and snapping random pictures of Shelly when she's not looking! We are so blessed to have such a great time with them...thanks for the visit guys! Let's do it again really soon...

This is all of us...well most all of us taking a walk down to the river bottoms after lunch! As you can see, the wind was really blowing us away! (Aren't Tallon and Ben so cute holding hands?)

This is lunch...as always, there was WAY too much food. But boy was it good!

Posts without pictures...Yuck!

2008-08-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

I typically hate posting without photos but I've decided to go ahead and blog away anyway! Hold everything...I have the perfect photo...Gunar took this one day while we were driving...Just some random, hidiously colored sedan. We all wanted it! I love that she was fine driving it...yikes!

First of all, Jenny Cottle, married to Brady...if you are reading this just know how glad we are that you're back...to blogging I mean. I never thought in a million that I would be better at this then you and I totally stink! (Besides, we were sick and feakin tired of those old pics!) Yeah Cottles...come see us for heck sake!

OK...quick Cottle update. Last week we went and got Tallon registered at his Elementary. He is very excited and we took the opportunity to stroll around the school a little so he could see where everything is and find his class. His teachers name is Mrs. Martinson. He thinks she looks pretty nice. He was very glad he hadn't been assigned to one of the "mean" teachers he's heard so much about all summer from the neighborhood kids! Please...

Brett and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on the 4th and he actually remembered and spoiled me rotten with a shopping spree and other stuff that can't be revealed on this family blog! We just wanted to say "thanks" and "love you" to all our family and friends for remembering it too! Only kidding...

Anyway, we got Mr. Happy registered, I mean, Gunar and because of his criminal record...I'm only playin...the lady in the office sized him up pretty well and said she knew he was a good student just by looking at him! Let hope! It counts now you 9th grader you!

Gage officially becomes a high school student next week. His registration is actually the day after he gets the rest of his braces off. I must say he's turned out rather nice! I know he's looking forward to being able to smile in his school photos this year!

And for other big news, the count-down to Dominican Republic has started and we leave in just over 6 weeks. I can't wait! I have been walking and tanning in preparation and with my anniversary shopping spree I feel ready to go for some fun in the sun! I'm sure when we get back I'll be better photo prepared to post!

Happy Birthday Tess...Our little Princess!

2008-07-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Birthdays wouldn't be quite complete without a bicycle now would they? Especially one with Princesses all over it! Help!

Oh we have such a good daddy! Aren't we lucky?

Of course she loved it!

Pretty girls ready to party! Tess decorated her birthday chair. Isn't it beautiful? Trust me, she thought so!

All of Tess's new girly friends. They have been so sweet to her since we moved in. Thanks for being my friends and coming to my party. (Hannah, Maggie, Cassidy and Ashlyn.)
What a gracious little hostess she was...even though minutes before the girls arrived she was trying to close her eyes! Yikes, I knew a melt down might put a hasty end to the festivities but she did great! Happy Birthday Tess, we love you! Every squeelin bone in your prissy little body!

Here are 4 things you might not know about Tess, in honor of her 4th birthday...
1. She loves to change her clothes FREQUENTLY throughout the day! (From one outfit to her swimsuit and then into something new; repeat!)
2. She recently trimmed her own bangs! (Pictorial evidence to follow!)
3. She absolutely loves to take pictures, as you can tell by our blog.
4. She is loving and sweet and ultra girly. (If she's in a mood however, seek shelter immediately!) I'm telling you like girly like I never thought I could have a girl.

Tagged...I guess I'm it!

2008-07-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Tagged

Heidi tagged me and I'm tagging you -- Here are my answers. If you have a blog post yours or post them as a comment. Have fun!

Two names you go by:1. Bren 2. Jean

Two things you are wearing right now: 1. Smile 2. Flip Flops

Two things you want very badly at the moment: 1. To spend money at the Nordstrom half-yearly sale 2. Haircut

Two people who will fill his out:1. Shelly Steoger 2. Angie Wright

Two things you did last night:1. Watched Tess and Tallon play in the rain. 2. Baked Cookies

Two things you ate yesterday:1. Chocolate Chip Cookies 2. Milk

The Last Two people you talked to:1. Gage 2. Tallon

Two things your are doing today (or did):1. Chew Bazooka Bubble Gum 2. Tan

Two longest car rides:1. Beaverton, Oregon to San Felipe, Mexico 2. Beaverton Oregon to Banff National Forest, Canada

Two favorite beverages:1. Strawberry Lemonade 2. Pepsi

I love my Broders!

2008-07-16T21:42:00.001-07:00

Could they look any more alike? Gunar and Tess have the exact same nose! If Tess's eyes were brown they would be dead ringers for each other! Right down to the 10 little nose freckles...

Gunar took these of Tess and Gage and then of Tess and himself and I just couldn't help but put these on the blog...they're fully blog worthy if I've ever seen it! Tess is our very loving, kiss givin girl...and Gunar and Gage are two of the bestest big brothers ever! Tess is running out of pinkies to wrap men around...

We waited and waited and we waited....

2008-07-16T20:55:00.001-07:00

Here's the proof...he may act like a big person but as far as Delta Airlines is concerned he's still just a kid!

I knew Brett would freak over this picture of Tess laying on the carpet at the Airport...it's a germ-a-phob thing...yuck!

Are we having fun yet?

Let's go to the DMV after this and wait in line there!
This is what wiped-out looks like!

OK all...Public Service Announcement time...

Never, I mean never, go to the airport without preparing your handbag first! But, if you do...be prepared to give away or should I say, have many valuable lotions, potions and spendy lipsticks taken away!!! I begged but the guy wasn't about to save my stuff so I could come back to get! Crap that sucks! One of my lotions was brand-stinken-new too!

Gunar got go to my Mom's last week and being the world traveler that he is now, I figured we just drop him off and wait to hear from him when he landed safely in Vegas. However, we found out he's still considered an "unaccompanied minor" on Delta Airlines until he's 15. It was a good thing I didn't just try to leave him at the curb! (I bought the ticket on-line where there is no mention of this minor-business unless you specifically look-up information on kids traveling alone. I thought it was 14, but on Delta it's 15.) So, 100 dollars, a wrist band and a blood speciman later, and we were on our way through security. All 5 of us! This would have typically been no big deal except for the fact that we got to the airport after a long day at the dentist up north and then to pass time until needing to head to Salt Lake International, I let the kids swim at Cottle's all afternoon! By that time Tess and Tallon had had it! So had Mommy....

All about me "flickr-style"!

2008-07-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

This was quite an adventure...mostly due to the fact that I'm a tard at the computer somtimes...no, actually ALL the time! Great idea Heidi Udall...I would love to see all my blog buddies try this.

These are my answers...1. Brenda 2. Chinese 3. Beaverton High 4. Pink and Brown 5. Kevin Costner 6. Pepsi 7. Scotland 8. Cream Brule 9. Mommy 10. Family 11. Bossy 12. Cottle

Here's how you can play too:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.b. Using only the first page, pick an image.c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab's mosaic maker.

The Questions:1. What is your first name?2. What is your favorite food?3. What high school did you go to?4. What is your favorite color?5. Who is your celebrity crush?6. Favorite drink?7. Dream vacation?8. Favorite dessert?9. What you want to be when you grow up?10. What do you love most in life?11. One Word to describe you.12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)

Just random photos of the goofyness that abounds around here...

2008-07-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are definitly making quite an impression around here. Especially with Tess riding her bike all over the neighborhood in her bathrobe! I think her and Tallon were playing "Star Wars".

That cute girl with Gage, no not Tess although she is pretty cute, is McKenzie. She just a special friend of the Cottle family and I wanted to embarrass her and Gage so I put them on the blog! Love you guys...oh, and that's Gage in Tess's cami...boy was she furious!

Nothing like a nap on the sac!

2008-07-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

I had to post this...how could I resist? She's been suffering with allergies the last few days and this is what happens when Mommy gives her a "pill" in the middle of the afternoon. I leave the Benadryl on the counter until she finally decides it's her idea to take it and then assist by helping her wash it down with a gulp of juice. Actually she's better at the medicine thing than any of my boys have been. I can't tell you how many times Brett and I have been bathed in amoxicillin....

Tallon two stories up...and up some more!

2008-07-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Holy cow...is this boy not afraid of anything? I'm thinking I should have been younger in order to survive this dare devil... We went in to Dick's Sporting Goods while we were at the Gateway on Saturday last partially because Brett likes to say, (really loud) while we're shopping, "LET'S GO TO DICK'S!" and partially because it was so bloody, freakin hot we needed a place to entertain the kids for a few minutes and cool off! We never dreamed in a million we'd end up watching Tallon dangle from 2 stories up! This was the best two dollars we ever spent. He got part way up and looked down at his Dad and said he wanted to come down...Brett told him he was just fine and he should just keep going...Tallon climbed a little further and looked down again. "My arm's hurt!" He made it just ever so shy of the tippy top and when the guy finally lowered him down he crumbled onto the floor and said, "I'm tired!" What a champ! His efforts even earned him a rousing round of applause and shouts of encouragement from a boys volleyball team visiting from Puerto Rico. They were so cute we decided to have a photo op with them!

Gateway Fountain Fun!!

2008-07-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

So here are the cuties at the Gateway last Saturday passing the time and enjoying some water-loggin-good-times! I had to force them to hold still for this last pic and as you can see they were none to pleased!

A month since my last post...ridiculous!

2008-07-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

This is just a few of the "good-times" we're having here at the Cottle's!

OK, OK all you regular blog viewers...I feel as if I owe our loyal fans some sort of explanation! I have been relentless in begging Gunar to give me access to all the great and wonderful photos he takes so that I might have them to blog with. (He is actually quite good at this picture taking thing!) At any rate, he has informed his computer-challenged mother that in order to do this, I must select the photos I want so that he can save them in an area of the computer so that I can readily retrieve them for those times when I want to steal from his photographic genius! So...I'm providing a lame substitute until he returns from Las Vegas on Friday.

We have just about finished with all the painting and are finally feeling like we belong in this house. As you can see clearly from the photo...Tess wasted no time at all getting started on "unpacking"! We put in the "Cottle" version of a theater room in the basement and let me be clear when I say that I never knew a movie playing with the added bonus of a "sound system" could make it sound like a jet just landed in your basement! I absolutely love the paint colors I chose and feel very lucky they turned out as they did for I took a total stab in the dark making such bold selections! I can only pray that my elegantly talented brother feels the same...he loves his sister so I know he'll be kind.

I have included few shots that I took myself, so please don't be to harsh with your reviews! I wanted to showcase my new flooring and thank Tess for expertly getting to the task of "breaking-it-in" with her new scooter! Tallon is such a big boy and regularly likes to prove it with feats of strength! He is his dad's biggest helper! Love to everyone and miss those special people in our lives we don't see often enough...More later, Bren

Rockin-baby...gotta respect the guitar solo!

2008-06-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

I just had to post these snaps of Tess. She and Gunar spend hours taking "silly pictures"and as you can see she loves it! Gunar has gotten pretty good at taking photos but he's really bad at sharing them...I always have to beg to have them put somewhere on the computer where I can get to them. Usually they are so cute and plus he's good at remembering to bring his camera with us when we go somewhere, so he always has all the great "kodak moments"! Love you Gunar...

:)

2008-06-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, you should check out my blog, since I take the time to update it. :|

http://daily-drag.blogspot.com

:D Thanks
-Gunar

Lagoon Day...don't scream alone!

2008-06-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Gage rode this ride with Tess and I so that I wouldn't feel quite as dorky with my feet draggin along the ground...what a good son he is to his Mom! So, this looks pretty tame compared to about 3 hours earlier when Gage and Gunar drug me on Wicked. Yes, I nearly died. OK, maybe not died, but I did nearly wet myself! It was a damn good thing I had emptied my 40-year-old-4-big-babies-hatin-it-tincklin-bladder! Seriously...

So, with all the movin goin on around the Cottle ranch, you're probably wondering what the crap we are doin at Lagoon. Let's be honest people...Brett and I were wondering that very same thing! Really, we just needed a break and the kids deserved a treat! So, we blew $300 dollars and went to Lagoon for the day and had a ball...as evidenced by the photographs!

Things are actually going well with the move and we are unpackin, painting and getting to know our new neighbors, who, might I add, are super nice and have spoiled us rotten with meals and all kinds of help! We have yet to make it to Church for the first time, but are looking forward to it as soon as Mom finds the "church clothes"! Loves to everyone...we miss you family and friends. We'll try to keep updated...check back often.

New Dog!

2008-05-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally gave in and got a dog. He's a Welsh Corgi, and quite a cute one at that! Yes, an odd time to get a dog (in the middle of a move) but we couldn't resist, he was the last one! He's about the size of a big football, and is the mellowest little thing ever! We decided to name him Boomer.

Here's a bunch of pictures of him: http://drop.io/boomerthedog when it asks for the password, just use cottlefamily.

Binkie Be Gone

2008-05-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

It's def-con 5 at The Cottle house and we're running to the Walmarts at 11 o'clock at night to plug the hole under Tess's nose! (So much for buying Baby Alive with the old binkie...she came home that same afternoon and found one we'd been looking for since before she could speak!) I've decided to call A&E and we're scheduling an intervention while Tess assumes she's only agreed to be in a documentary about addiction. I'm convinced that this is a reflection of my stellar parenting abilities and the control freak in me in seriously FREAKIN OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Send reinforcements...I'm thinkin Tess will go down in history, in all her binkie lovin glory; published in The Guinness Book of World Records as the only college freshman with a bink. I guess that would be an entire blog entry of it's own!

Gunar...

2008-05-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wow, this kid can't keep anything the same for 2 minutes!!

He has a new blog, he says he broke the old one, (you might want to check his more since he updates it quite a bit.)

Click

:)

Tallon Gives His First Book Report

2008-05-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

Curious George was the book and he had that class absolutely rivited! I could not have been more proud...I guess all those opportunities to speak in Primary have paid off. Tallon made a mobile (that's Mrs. Franks his teacher holding it) with the help of his brothers and mommy doing some of the coloring, then he took it to school and "retold" the entire story from memory and turned the book around as he did so, so that his classmates could see the ilustrations. He made quite the librarian! Super confident and not nervous one little bit! He got a 20 out of 20 on it too! Way to go Wiss!!! We love our little dude!

High Flyin Pizza Pie!

2008-04-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

Pizza Man...yes, that's a grown man in a Pizza Suit! People seem to be willing to do almost anything for a group of darling pre-schoolers!(That guy was soooo nice! He made us all pizza and treated the kids so cute!) Tess's class went to the Papa John's just up the street from our house on a field trip last week and I got to looking at these photos and they were too cute not to share. She has loved school so much and loved her teacher, Miss Cindy too. Tess is quite the smartie, she has learned a TON and she's such the little social diva with all her friends! Every morning her second question is, "Is it my school day?" Of course the first and optimal question of the day is always without fail, "Where's my daddy?" She just loves that daddy person! What a girl...who knew Brett and I would have this much fun...

FrontRunner: I've Ridden It, Have You?

2008-04-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today, right after Wiss got out of school, we ran over to the FrontRunner station and hopped on! We got on the train going to Ogden, had to wait there for another train, and after that Tallon was DONE... he had been anticipating the train ride to be this rocket like experience and when we didn't get to go fast all he wanted to do was get off and go home to play! The idea of riding all the way to Salt Lake became uttterly unappealing after we had waited to get on then waited in Ogden. It was cool to ride for the short ride we took. It goes along very smoothly and it was fun to watch out the windows and see things you don't normally get to see. Tess was tired and wasn’t in the mood for pictures. She actually found her best friend in my purse (binkie) and quickly nestled in on Daddy's lap for a nap! Depending on her mood, Gunar can get her to ham-it-up for the camera and take "funny pictures"! So since she appears in only one photo, I'll let you decide what mood she was in...

Tallon's First Shiner

2008-04-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today, Tallon ran smack dab into a friend, resulting in a nice shiner. While I was taking the picture, Tess decided she needed a 'mug shot' too.

We sold...we sold!!

2008-03-27T10:00:00.001-07:00

Well...here ends another chapter in the life of the Brett Cottle family. We officially accepted an offer on our home last friday and things seem to be progressing along nicely! The family that bought our home has 4 young children and the father was thrilled with our outside extra garage because he builds Hotrods! We couldn't be more pleased to move back down to Utah county and reconnect with our friends both old and new...moving isn't going to be easy however, Gage and Gunar have both made very good friends here in Roy and it is going to be tough on them to leave them behind! They are both such amazing young men...I wonder everyday how I am able to be so blessed. I appreciate them for their maturity and willingness to make this sacrafice for their family. Brett is still willing to commute to keep them at this end of the vally but we know in our hearts that we must be closer to Mity-Lite to enable him to be a bigger part of the things we do as a family.

I will also have a hard time leaving...I have been fortunate to develop relationships here with a number of remarkable women whom I am grateful to for their example! (Mary Jo and Shelly you know who you are so I won't name names!) Thanks for being my friend and showing me what it means to be a righteous woman of our Heavenly Father!! I have also been able to be blessed to serve with a group of the coolest young women on the plant whom have humbled and taught me more times than I can count!!! I love my girls and I hope they know just how much...

As a family we have been able to attend a good deal more of the Cottle Family functions and we have loved growing closer to our family memebers both new and old! It seems like we have added a good deal to the Cottles just lately...it's Chase's turn to add us a new sister-in-law! (Tess is especially fond of Baby Andie...we will miss being able to have her over to spoil!) Brett's family has been great and it has been so nice to live close so that the kids can be friends with their cousins. Plus, added bonus of getting to love and squeeze on babies shared with us by Jenny and Josh and Cassie and Jake!

Now, don't get me wrong, it sounds like we are moving to Siberia! We are going to Utah county however and it's still just tough to see everyone when you're an hour away. I guess that means we have to plan a lot of stuff at our new house!! (Brett will love that!) Wish us luck in our search for a new place to live, love and laugh. Thanks to those who visit our blog and love us...we love you too and miss those we don't get to see often enough! Bren

Winter Slideshow

2008-02-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

Let's play ...Who's the worst blogger ever!

2008-02-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

That would be me ladies and gentlemen! What do we have for her Johnny? Good thing this isn't a job or something I get paid for cause I doubt I'd get my option picked-up! I love the idea of this but can't seem to find the time to devote to my page to make it just the way I want it. I always want to sit and post and make cute on the blog but the "perfect" time never seems to arise. So, since nothing much to tell is happening around here, I'll just quickly go through some of the "news". So, the kids are all doing well and we have managed to stay surprisingly well. We have had a few small colds, but no huge illnesses. Some friends of ours have had RSV in their home, so I am grateful that we have been spared. Brett is actually our latest casualty and is in bed nursing the flu as I sit here this morning. Winter came and came again and still decides to bury us now and then with even more snow. If we haven't risen from drought status as a state than I don't think there's enough snow possible to make that happen for Utah. We had a recent "passing" at the Cottle house. Now, now, don't get too worried...if was only Brett's car. Yes, the one he has driven around the world six times in. So, we have paid our final respects to the Passat and have moved up and on to a 2006 Sonata. We got a smokin deal on it. The salesman even ran out to our car after us as we began to leave the dealership. I am so savvy! Even to the point the one guy helping us said I shouldn't be allowed to gloat! Love it! It will be a nice, safe, reliable car for Brett for the time being until Spring gets us moved and then we will pass it on to Gage. Oh my gosh, did I just type that? Someone please pinch me...wake me from this nightmare! I couldn't possibly have 2 boys in their teens! I'm so blessed however. I couldn't ask for better dudes! Well, as for the rest of us, nothing much to report. I stay busy with my calling and the fam and all that that implies. We have been able to have quite a bit of fun with the snow so I shouldn't complain too much! I never did get my Christmas card sent, so I guess you'll be getting those next year. I need to be cloned. If anyone can help me out with that would you let me know? That would make things go so much smoother around here. One of me would always be working...and the other sleeping! Well, we love and miss you all. Endure the rest of winter. Tallon tells me Spring is coming! We can only dream...Loves, Bren

Snowman

2008-02-03T16:42:00.000-08:00

Today before church (at 1:00) we had a little fun with the stockpile of snow that we had recieved. Tess insisted on the tiny nose made of a baby carrot. Yes, those are badminton rackets for arms.

Blog Catch-Up

2008-02-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, sorry long time no blog. I haven't posted for over a month so here is a quick catch up.

Sledding
Quite a while ago we found a rather large hill, (the junior high) so we took the kids and had a blast!

Christmas
Wow how long ago it was, but yet a great time we had. Although I was about "up to here" with the kids, and wished it was school time again it was a lot of fun.

New Years
We suck, we did nothing for New Years except sleep right into it. The kids had their own parties to attend and came home in the wee hours of the night. No pictures for this one.

Snow
It has been snowing for ever! I want winter to end! We've had a ton of snow.

Build A Bear
Over the break grandma took Tallon and Tess to "Build A Bear" because Tallon had been begging for days. Tallon chose a moose and named it Bullwinkle, Tess got a pink hippo and named it Wishy.

Marathon
As some of you may know I've been training to run in the Ogden Marathon this May. Just a heads up, no pictures for this one either.

Strawberry Picking

2008-02-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Well we've recently taken up a new profession, strawberry picking. Come and taste some Cottle Farms Fresh Strawberries. Just kidding, while at the market we stumbled upon these. What a nice coincidence.

Preschool Program

2007-12-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last night was Tess' preschool Christmas program. I was crawling all over the floor trying to get the best shot with the camcorder! =)

Snow!

2007-12-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

Well, Winter is finally here and we have the snow to prove it! Once those first few flakes (and I mean few!) were on the ground all the kids were out there playing around! Only to come in and out of the house 3 MILLION times changing clothes! Tallon and Tess had a great time, especially eating the snow off of the trampoline! Yuck! They built a snowman only to have Gage tackle it in a display of his most manliness!

Snowman Tackle from Gunar performed by Gage on Vimeo.

Could we be any more ADORABLE?

2007-11-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Trick-or-Treat! Baby Andie and her biggest fans! Tallon and Tess just love her! We all actually think she is pretty cute! How could you not? We Cottles and the Jake and Cassie Cottles and some MacArthur's too, all met up at the parking lot of the Ward house of the Grandparents Cottle for some Trunk-or-Treating...many pounds of candy was had by all!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

2007-11-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

Good Fall...ya'll! I hope everyone is doing well and finds this season nipping them in the nose with it's pre-winter chill. I love this time of year; for some reason you can move the girl to Utah but taking the Northwest and a love of sweaters and boots out of her is impossible! I have always loved Fall. However in Oregon I remember it being a bit more wet! We have actually been having spectacular days here. I will miss the 60 degree weather here soon when we are sequestered for the long winter!

Besides...how does a Fall get any better than watching the Oregon Ducks kickin' some major butt and takin' names all over the Pac-10??? Come on...seriously, I ask you? I can't tell you how tickled yellow and green I am!! GO DUCKS!!! See you all at the National Championships!

So, let's get to the more serious matter of the latest Cottle update! Gage is officially 15. And, he is quite the ladies man...just ask him! Tallon is certain now that Halloween is over Santa is just moments from gracing our doorstep! Tess is so excited about life that she doesn't require any particular holiday or good fortune to be thrilled everyday just to get up! What a dolly. My Mom used to say that I was a breath of fresh air coming in the door everyday after school. Now I know what she meant. I have a breeze all of my own...As for Gunar, he has become such the "frequent flyer" as to warrant his own account in which to accumulate his miles! What a kid. Courtesy of Grandma Gordon, Gunar was able to escape the blahs of Utah for a few days and head to Vegas. (He did the dinner show at The Golden Nugget to a sold out crowd the whole weekend!) Actually, he went and hung out with Gram and Uncle Brian and Uncle Jay and Aunt Sharon. We are blessed with good family to take and treat our kids far better than they get treated at home. We love our Gram! He came home with new shoes and an even better re-charge for the start of the new semester at school. Thanks Gram! Let's see, who have I left out...Oh, Brett is still making the ridiculous commute to Utah county everyday down to a job that he loves. Not so bad I guess. Me, well I'm up to my old tricks. Trying to find a way to convince myself that the millionth time I turn a sock right-side-out it will be my last! I love my children! Any estimates on how many tons of laundry I've done in my "mommy-time"? (Just a rough extimate would suffice...let me know.) I can't complain too loudly though. My hub takes excellent care of me and let me trot off on my own on a little weekend trip. I was able to go to Boise over the weekend of October 20Th-22ND to see little miss Shannon get married. This was a BIG deal to me and to Shannon for I have felt like this girls mother #2 since we met way back when she was just a baby of 14. It was a beautiful wedding in the park and a great weekend to catch-up with old friends. Shannon was a beautiful bride! She has grown into the woman I dreamed she would! Love you Shann! Congrats to her and her new man...Steve is a super guy and I am tickled to welcome him to the family! I guess that is about all that has happened around here. We are boring as ever...nothin much goin on around here. (PLEASE!) We love and miss family and friends far and near. Oh, I did have the blessing of reconnecting with an old college roommate this past month too. Dani lives with her family in Georgia and to my utter dismay right near the airport where Brett and I spent 3 hours laying over on our way home from the cruise. So close...yet so far. Oh well...we plan to connect in person soon. Who knows, maybe we'll meet at Grandma's for a good ole "Vegas" weekend! Grandma is going to have to start collecting rent! Loves to all...Bren

Can you believe how blue the water is?

2007-09-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

I can't...I still marvel at the beauty of the islands we visited. This is in Antigua...the most beautiful beach, sand and water I have ever seen. We plan to go back and take our family to the Grand Pineapple Resort! Wanna come with?

Scootin Along the Caribbean on Big Mable

2007-09-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

Stacey and I actually paid a complete stanger to pull us behind his boat doing Lord knows how many miles an hour and had a total blast! We had life jackets on...what could go wrong?

Hello from St Lucia

2007-09-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings Duck Fans! Are you not loving the 4-0 season so far? I know I am! Sorry...moving on...

Well doesn't this just look like the life? Oh, it was...I promise! Brett and I just returned from the Caribbean about a week ago. In this pic we are laying on the beach at a Resort in St. Lucia relaxing and soaking up the sun! Stacey works with Brett at Mity and the goofy white guy is her hubby Ryan. They are good friends of ours and we had an incredible time with them compliments of Brett's company Mity-Lite! The kids were superbly cared for by their number one grandma despite her having thrown herself down the stairs of our home just a few short days to our departure in a futile attempt to get out of staying alone for a week with our 4 terrors! I'm kidding...she actually did take a short tumble down our stairs only to find out a few days before we got home that she had compressed 3 discs in her back. Ouch! The 4 terrors part I say with the utmost of love! So, no wonder her back had been giving her fits... And she just thought it was cause she isn't as young as she used to be! I guess we should have checked about bringing some of the drugs back we were offered rather than the lousy shirt and flip-flops! Come on, the flip-flops were hand- beaded for Pete's sake! Brett and I are grateful to her for being there for our family and making it possible for us to go and spend some real quality time together. It is nice to go and get to know each other again. Plus the island were beautiful and I got to buy jewelery! That made it all the more wonderful! Things here in Utah are as we left them. Tallon and Tess are getting excited for Halloween and Christmas. Tess has quickly learned that all those wonderful Dora toys she sees on TV can be easily acquired by batting her eyelashes at her daddy! Yikes! We also have a big day coming up for Gage! He will officially turn 15 on October 2Nd even tough we have been giving him "credit" for acting like a 15 year-old for months now! We are so blessed by such a good kid and are entertained on an hourly basis by mini-Brett! Don't even get them started in front of the computer watching Will Ferrell or old "In Living Color" sketches with Jim Carrey on You Tube. They are truly two peas in a pod! Tallon is loving the first grade but not all the homework that comes with. It is really cutting in to his social engagements. He's got a bike to ride (new for his b-day) and his peeps to hang with! Gunar...well let's see, I guess I don't need to tell anything about Gunar cause he maintains his own blog. Although pictureless, I suppose it's still a blog. He's doing great from mine and Brett's vantage point and remains ever diligent on his quest for the promised lap-top he'll get upon completion of his Eagle Scout! He is the merit badge earning fool! We are looking forward to the Holiday season and hope to be able to see many of you. We love and miss you all...those near and far. I'll put some more pics on of the Cruise and of the Birthdays and stuff. Take care...Loves, B

Playing In The Water

2007-09-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Tallon and Tess playing in the water.

Tallon's First Day Of School

2007-09-01T19:27:00.001-07:00

Tallon's first day of school. With his friend Tanner.

One More Post Of Tess's Birthday

2007-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share this little video of Tess blowing out her birthday cake candles.

Tess Is More A Princess - Now At 3

2007-07-21T16:57:00.001-07:00

Today was Tess's 3rd birthday! After putting her new kitchen together for 1 1/2 hours she had a little pink party with her friends.

Park City Adventures

2007-07-02T23:12:00.000-07:00

Look-out...here we come!

2007-07-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

2007-07-02T23:02:00.001-07:00

Gage too!

2007-07-02T23:02:00.000-07:00

Gunar playing in his Piano Recital June 2007

What's new at the Cottle Mansion!

2007-07-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

Wow...I totally thought I would be better at this than I have been. I had every intention of posting once a week at the very least and it's been a month! Sorry...we have just been extremely busy around here. Since my last posting we have had a lot of good times! Gage and Gunar both finished up with piano lessons for the year and displayed their talents at a recital at the 1st of June. They both have done very well and played beautifully! That following week we spent 4 days with Grandma in Park City and got crazy on all the rides! Even Grandma took a spin on the new Alpine Coaster!! Check-out that grin! She mush have had a good time...or maybe she got flashed by a moose on her way down, we will never know cause she's not talkin! Following a short break at home, I left for 4 days at Girls Camp. We had a wonderful time. I love the opportunity that serving in the Young Women's gives me to spend time with the girls. There is nothing like being in the wilderness, working together to teach the girls and sharing in the special spirit that attends us while we are there. I have pictures of me and my shaving-cream Mohawk to be attached later. I have to get them from one of the girls that was responsible for documenting our trip. I haven't seen them yet...I'm actually a little nervous! From what I could tell, you could only see our eyes after we were done! So funny! The following Wednesday, Gage left on his Teacher/Priest retreat. The group of 7 boys and 5 leaders hiked 22.4 miles in the Death Hollow in Escalante, Utah. This is no easy task considering they must pack in all their necessities, including enough water to get them through the first 8 miles of the hike on the first day. They used water sources they found along the way for their other water. Most of the boys had packs that weighed at least 45 pounds. Gage really manned-up! He came home with a gigantic smile on his face and an improved countenance for having proved to himself that he can do hard things! Brett and I were very pleased with his decision to push himself and do this! He has really grown-up into a fine young man. He was also recently put in as President of his Teachers Quorum. I guess now he'll be expecting us to refer to him as President Cottle. Yikes! Let's see...what else can I bore you all with...Oh, poor little Tallon went off to spend a few days at Grandma's while I was away at camp, only to come home early with an abscessed tooth. I took him to the dentist on that following Monday and spent the better part of my afternoon watching our friend/dentist pull 2 teeth, cap 3 others and fill 5 cavities. So, I guess the secret is out. No, we never take Tallon to the dentist, and now that we have we will never go back! Seriously, we figure he is just blessed with his Mom's week teeth! Sorry bud...but what a trooper! 2 hours in the chair and not a tear! He is such a little toughie! So, I guess that about brings us to today, July 2, 2007. We bar-b-qued with Cottles tonight lucky enough to get to spend some time with Brady and Jenny who were down from Boise. I am just now getting some quite as I have managed to get 5 boys ranging in ages from 15 down to 6 into bed! I am a total stud! I rock at this Mommy thing! They even needed snacks and showers and I succeeded in a 10:30 (or so) bed time. Let's pay they sleep until at least 9 bells! Bye for now and love to all our family and friends both near and far. I will try to do better next posting...Bren

Visit Our eSnips

2007-05-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, we made an eSnips so we can have more pictures of the fam. Check it out.

www.esnips.com/web/cottlefamilypix.

Update...the latest about the "other" Cottles!

2007-05-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I just thought I would take a minute and let you all in on the latest around here. We took a last minute trip to Grandma Gordon's Memorial day weekend and did some treasure hunting in her garage. It was a fruitfull weekend evidenced by the knight head radio that Tallon came home with! Mom is hangin in Las Vegas enjoyin bakin her brains out in the 100 degree weather so we thought we would take advantage of the time and give her a nice tidy garage to return to here in few weeks. Most of you know that we have our home for sale in hopes of moving closer to Brett's work so as to rid him of the daily 150 mile commute from Roy to Orem. We have our house on KSL.com, so give it a look-see! We had a relator and he turned out to be worthless as, well...this is a family sight, so I won't go in to that! Anyway, we are FSBO now so lets pray we get things movin! Hope everyone is doing well and getting a hoot out of our blog. We are all doing great and the kids are already enjoying Grandpa and Grandma Cottle's pool and sleeping outside on the trampoline...that is until the spinklers come on. I could have sworn Brett said he turned those off. OOPPS! Love to all...The Other Cottles

Hershey Tsunami...A.K.A Tess!

2007-05-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

No one told me about this when I asked for a little girl! What the heck was I thinkin? I know...thank goodnes for Pergo flooring and wet swiffers! This is what happens when you leave your precious princess alone for the sum total of 3 minutes...you think my floor looks bad, you should have seen her! Sorry...before I could think to take a photo I whisked her off to the tub! I challenge any of you mommies out there to top this mess!

Tallon's Kindergarten Program

2007-05-28T20:42:00.001-07:00

These are pictures from Tallon's last glorious days as a kindergartener! He is officially a big boy now and is ready to start 1st grade tomorrow. In fact, he has been asking me since Friday, " Mom, does first grade start monday?" I love this kid...there is never a dull moment!

Best buds!

2007-05-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

Tallon and Tess patiently waiting for Mommy; she's been busy cleaning-up after the 2006 Cottle Christmas disaster!

Hangin' With Mac King...

2007-05-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

For our Spring Break adventure we went down to Las Vegas and visited Grandma Gordon in her new crib! While we were there, Gage hit the jackpot at Harrah's and we got complementary tickets to the Mac King Comedy Magic Show! OK, so maybe Gage didn't hit the jackpot but we were lucky enough to see the afternoon show where I was promptly called on stage by Mr. King because I neglected to pay attention for a few seconds while he was doing a trick. (I guess that's what you get for asking to be upgraded to better seats!) He completely fooled and baffled me along with the entire audience and I think the boys got a kick out of their ole' Mom on stage. The boys and I would highly recommend seeing Mac's show if you get to "Sin City"! Remember...what stays in Vegas is probably not worth talking about anyway!!!