Cole's first day of Preschool

Cole started preschool this month for the first time, and so far so good. I'm not sure who loves it more, Cole or mommy. ;-)

He's definitely the cutest little boy in class. Don't you agree?

 

 

Summer in Albuquerque

After our Hawaii trip the kids and I spent a good month visiting Grandma and Grandpa Blacker in Albuquerque. Phoenix weather was absolutely unbearable and Dave had a rough work schedule, so there was no reason not to take off for the hottest part of the year. We had lots of adventures while we were there, the biggest of which were probably potty training Cole, getting Lexi to take a bottle, and teaching Lexi to sleep through the night. Can I get a "Hallelujah!!!"?! Let's just say that as a young mother I feel like a whole new person since we've returned home! Our kids are growing up so fast!

 

Here are a few snapshots from our visit:

 

Lots of time spent in this little spot reading books while Cole was learning how to use the toilet.

 

Modeling his new underwear...

 

 

Rock climbing on Grandpa's wall:

 

 

Grandma took us all to see an old locamotive being restored in down town down Albuqueruque, and Cole wasn't quite sure what to think of it. He loved the train but all the workers and noise were a little overwhelming for him.

 

We also took a trip to the fire station to meet the firefighters and check out their cool trucks. Unfortunatly the firefighter blew the air horn instead of the regular horn on accident and scared Cole to death. He would not stop crying - so sad!

 

Cole feeds Lexi like he's feeding the ducks at the pond down the street. The funny thing is, Lexi eats out of his hand just like the ducks. ;-)

 

I love this picture because it captures the way that Lexi looks at Cole with pure love and admiration. She adores him!

 

 

 

Bedtime stories with Grandpa.

 We LOVED all of the overcast skies and thunderstorms while we were there! Dancing in the rain is one of our favorite things to do together.

 

We were so glad that Dave came out for a weekend visit - we missed him! Mom was thoughful enough to have an early birthday party for him. Happy 33rd honey!

 

 

He got a good workout in too, helping my dad with removing concrete from his broken pergola.

 

 

 

Lexi thought she was such a big girl, getting a ride in the dump truck and playing tractors with Cole.

 

 

 Cole loved making pancakes with Grandma - teddy bears, ducks, frogs and fishes, all covered in sprinkles!

 

 

Shantae also got her mission call right before we left. Sister Blacker is going to San Fernando, California, leaving the end of October. Congrats Shantae!

 

 

Hawaii, July 2013

Mom and Dad took our entire family (brothers, sisters, grand kids and all) to Maui for our family reunion this year. Dave had to come a couple days later than everyone else, and he had to leave a day earlier. Somehow he got out of traveling with our crazy kids. Thank goodness I had Grandma and Grandpa and aunts and uncles to step in and help me out on the plane! We left at 4am, and Cole didn't sleep a wink the whole flight but fell asleep literally as we were landing in Maui. Fortunately, Grandpa didn't mind giving him a ride through the airport. ;-) 

 

 

We had lots of fun adventures, including snorkeling. Here are a few pictures of Dave underwater with the SEA TURTLES we swam with. Lizi even got a picture touching one!

 

 

This was Cole's first time playing at the beach and in the waves, and he loved it. I think Aunt Shantae loved it just as much.

Digging in the sand with his cousins was also a highlight for Cole (he's the one in the hole).

 



 

Peekaboo!

 

Another fun adventure was power hang gliding in Hana. This is Aubrey in the air.

 

And this is Dave.

 

 

Cole even got to hang out in the pilot's airplane with uncle Russell while he was waiting for us.

 

 

Cole loves his uncle Russ!

 

The tractors at the sugar museum were a big highlight for Cole as well. Look at those tires!

 

Shave Ice at the flea market - thank you Grandpa!

 

Family photos on the beach. Look at that cute family of four!

 

Cole was less than thrilled about the ice water at the waterfall. He was like a cat climbing up Dave the whole time - good thing he's a good swimmer.

 

Another fun adventure was the Luau. Here is Grandma and Grandpa with their grand kids in front of the totem pole.

 

The handsome Blacker (and Beutler) men:

 

The beautiful Blacker (and Beutler) women:

 

This is Cole with one of the dancers after the performance - he couldn't stop talking about the war dance where the men stuck out their tongues.

 

Cole also love his hike with the family to the 7 sacred pools. Check out those trees and the bamboo forest!

 

One of his very favorite things had to have been throwing rocks into the water - he could not stop.

 

Hiking to some waterfalls on the road to Hana through the bamboo forest.

 

The entire Blacker family, July 2013