Christmas 2010

For Christmas, my brother, Trent and his family, Wendy, Noah, Jonah and Isaac, came to Colorado. Once they had good enough weather to drive, they made it! We all had a great time, and Cole was so happy to have other people to play with.


We went to our traditional movie on Christmas Eve. We took Cole and Isaac to see Tangled. Cole only last for about half the movie and then Jon took him home. I think the singing didn't hold his attention! I, on the other hand, really liked it!

Then we headed home for dinner. Instead of our traditional fondue dinner, we had a Raclette dinner. We had T & W bring theirs and combined with ours, we had enough space for everyone to melt their cheese and cook their food. IT WAS TASTY!


Cole loved Christmas this year. He caught on to Isaac's enthusiasm for opening gifts and I think liked Isaac's presents more than his own!




He got to play in the snow and loved to follow Isaac around.


Did I mention how much he loves his Uncle Trent?

Jon passed his 3rd Test!

In early December, Jon passed his 3rd of four tests for his QKA certification at work. He diligently studied every morning for months and it paid off! We are VERY proud of him! Only one more to go!

Zoo Lights

We went to see the Zoo Lights this year with Faye, Arn, Joseph and Robin. It was a nice night, so we were excited. After an awesome dinner at a shady McDonalds, we headed to the Zoo. When we went up to pay, they told us that it was closed for a private company party. But we had checked the website and it had no mention of the closure. Long and short, 2 other families showed up around the same time. One of the other ladies demanded that since there was nothing on the website, that we all be let in. IT WORKED! It was awesome because there was NO ONE there and we didn't have to pay! We had a great time! You can see how much Cole loves to be with his cousin Joseph!


Uncle Robin was the favorite that night!

Halloween

Cole had a better Halloween this year. He loved wearing his costume and loved Trunk-or-Treating. Jon and I even dressed up this year (kinda!).



I don't think I ever had such a nice Halloween when I was little. I was wearing short sleeves!

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins this year...but Cole couldn't have cared less about them until they were done. I did a stencil for the first time ever and it turned out ok! I will be more confident next year.

This is mine...Pablo from Backyardigans!


This is Jon's creation. It made me smile everytime I saw it!

Climbing Trees and doing all sorts of things with fruit!

So, the people who lived in this house before Mom and Dad planted an apricot tree, 2 apple trees and 2 grape vines. They have never really produced that much fruit, but this year, there was fruit EVERYWHERE! Mom's friend Pat came over and took apples and grapes and made apple butter and jelly from them. Mom and I were inspired to do the same!


We spent a few hours one day, during Cole's nap, gathering TONS of grapes and apples (we had previously gathered about 2 boxes of apples). I climbed up in the apple tree to get the big, perfect apples near the top (I haven't climbed a tree in who knows how long!), but it was REALLY windy. I had to hold on so tight and at times I was swaying all over the place! My muscles were super sore the next day!


So, we became all homemakey and canned apple butter, apple pie filling, grape jelly and grape juice! It was awesome! Tons of work and on those days Cole watched a bunch of movies, but it was great.

I even bid on a juicer/steamer and ebay and won! So, now we are set for next year! Mom had previously canned the apricots...but we have big plans for them next year.

Cole's First Trip to the Movies

Jon and I took Cole to see Toy Story 3 at the theater! We waited until it went to the dollar theater just in case he spazzed out, we wouldn't feel bad leaving. As it turned out, he sat and watched for 1 hour and 15 minutes before he even wanted to wander! It was awesome.

Now that it is out on DVD, we have seen it probably about 30 times (and that might be a low guess!. He loves it! And, even after 30 times, I still get teary at the end....

Pumpkin Patch

We took Cole to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins this year. It was stinkin' freezing, but we had a great time!




Could we live in a prettier place? No way!

Conference

In order to try to get something out of Conference last week, this is what we tried....


It worked for the first hour (however, I found myself sometimes watching Woody and Buzz too!), and then back to regular ol' Cole.

Sleepy

So, I know that all kids get wacky sometimes...but Cole has decided that he won't go to sleep unless Jon or I lay with him. I know, I know....let him cry it out. We've tried--he barfs! I think a lot of it has to do with him getting his last 3 molars.

Last night, he finally went to bed at around 10 (after rolling around on Jon, sitting on Jon's face, etc. since 8:30). Then at 5:22 am, I hear, "Mama! MAAAA MAA!" Totally awake. I tried to lay with him for a bit longer, but by 6:30, he was off the bed, out the door and bugging Jon while he was shaving!

We are tired. And off schedule. Who knows, maybe it will get us on a better night time routine. Enough of this 10pm stuff.

Despite all of this, he is the cutest thing ever.

Cole loves swimming

Ever since Cole's swimming lessons, I have tried to make sure that he goes to the pool often. He loves it. He especially loves going down the big slides. Since we usually go during the day while Jon is at work, I don't get many pictures, but here is one that my friend Lexy got....Cole loves Hannah...especially bugging Hannah!

Cole and Dad

Cole was playing in a little pool in the backyard....it was a wee bit cold and he wanted Dad to hold him. Look how cute my boys are.

Grand Lake Trip

Our friends at Rocky Mountain Reserve asked Jon, Cole and me to join them in their company retreat up to Grand Lake (they had a little extra room!). Thanks to Shauna's family we had an awesome "cabin" (more like a ginormous lodge! Look at the view!) to stay in with lots of fun stuff to do!

Cole got to see and touch real horses...that ended when he stuck his fingers in the horse's nostril and went, "TICKO TICKO TICKO!" The horse was not a fan!

We went on ATV rides, Taylor taught Jon to fly fish and Cole even got to drive the pontoon boat! This is how I imagine this conversation...

TAYLOR: Cole, do you think you are stong enough to drive the boat?
COLE: Are you kidding?


COLE: Look at these muscles!


He was a natural and even tested out the horn a little!

It was beautiful up there! Such a fun weekend. Thanks RMR!

Hickman Reunion - Minute To Win It

The next day, we played minute to win it. If you haven't seen that show, it is pretty fun. Basically, you have 60 to complete a crazy task (we have tons of pictures, so I will only pick a few of my faves!). Such as:

Micah knocking pop cans off the table with rubberbands


Tyler balancing a half-full can of root beer (awesome!)


Jon working an oreo from his forehead to his mouth only using his face


Tara stacking apples


and Jonah stacking 5 nuts using a spaghetti noodle!

It was a blast and we had so much fun! Great for FHE!

Hickman Reunion - Iron Chef

The next day we did Iron Chef. The secret ingredient was apples and Grandpa and Grandma were the judges. It was really fun and everyone made awesome dishes. This is the Apple and Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar chips. SOOOO GOOD! Tons of chopping for their poor team, but oh so worth it! I loved it! (WINNER - Most Original)


Then we had Curried Apple and Leek Soup. Mmmmmm... How can you go wrong with curry, potatos, leeks and apples! (WINNER - Best Plating)



And then my groups creation....Imperial Stacked Pork (yup...we made up the name and the recipe!). It was actually pretty tasty! And the red sauce....made out of red hots. Awesome! (WINNER - Best Taste and Overall winner)



The judges had a hard job!

Hickman Reunion 2010-The Amazing Race

We had a Hickman Reunion here in Colorado at the beginning of July. It was a blast! We had a full house and Cole LOVED being with his cousins! We had planned so many fun activities and everyone had a great time.

We kicked it off with The Amazing Race. We did the whole race on Pearl Street in Boulder. The teams were a little closer than we had planned, but it was still really fun. The teams had to solve the clue and complete a challenge in order to get the next clue. They ranged from riding a pig, eating $2 worth of M&Ms, or spelling out 1917 with their bodies!

Swimming Lessons

Cole took his first Mom and Tot swimming class. The first day was not so good and I was thinking that it was going to be a long 2 weeks! But by the third day, he was jumping off the wall and going down the slides and putting his head under the water!

Now he LOVES swimming! I don't have any pictures, but he loves to go on the slides-big or small. He laughs the whole way down! He is our little dare devil.

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, I turned 31 yesterday....old, I know...and weird to be that old. But nonetheless, it was a great day. We grilled burgers and had a new dessert (which is the main reason for this entry!). It was a chocolate Pavlova. SO TASTY! And, not too bad for you! Only 7.5 points all you WW people out there!


It was such a nice day and good birthday, if only Cole weren't sick (Yup...sick again...croup this time.). Maybe next year...

New Suit

So, my awesome friend Lexy found 2 darling Sunday outfits for Cole on clearance at Target. She snagged them for me (what a good friend!) and look how cute little Cole is in his seersucker suit!!!! And for $6! And no, it doesn't bother me that 3 other boys at church had the same out fit on that same Sunday.... :)

Mother's Day 2010

We had a great Mother's Day today! It was simple and relaxed and we loved it! It was fun to have Grandpa with us all day long (and even at church! Which was announced by Cole screaming "DADA!!" during sacrament meeting!). Jon and Grandpa made a tasty steak dinner for us and even did the dishes. :)

It is fun to be living here with two moms. The celebration was double the fun! We also were able to go to Great Grandma Dunning's house and celebrate with Oma and Great Grandma. It is nice to be so close to family.

It is the best being a mom. Last year, I think I was still getting used to the idea of having a baby, but this year it's awesome! We have the best little boy!

Family Pictures

In April, we finally got family and Cole's "one year" (actually 14 months!) pictures taken. Jeanine took them and they turned out awesome! Take a look at some of Cole's shenanigans!