FUN AT APACHE LAKE AND GREAT GRANDKIDS PICTURES

Notice how my kid is not cooperating!

Grandma and Caden!!

Caden just loved Kenn he would light up when she was near.

All the BIG BOYS and Caden hanging out!

Packed in like sardines!!

Tillman teaching Caden to play the harmonica

Caden laughing at Kenndogg jumping

Caden got his first bath and shiner at the cabin

Tillman digging all day long

"What you talking about Willis"

Tillman and Caden playing ELMO

Tillman loved the Lake!!!

My brother Seth and his wife April came down last week and brought my nephew Caden. We all headed up to the Cabin at Apache Lake and had a blast. Josh brought his RHINO and we had a blast taking rides on it. Everyone had so much fun hanging out and relaxing. Papa came with us and he even took a crazy ride in the RHINO. Apache Lake memories are always the best. Uncle Bobby, Brad, and Brexen even came for a day too. Jake and Josh got deers but grandpa never got one. Better luck next year hoprefully. I also have some pictures of the the kids and GG and Papa. Enjoy.

Halloween

Here are some pictures from the annual Halloween Party. Tillman was Peter Pan and Kennadee was Tinkerbell. Tillman spotted some balloons that looked like balls for cousin Sharon's game and he wanted them so bad, I finally just asked if I could have one for him. He was so determined to get one of them. Makenna dressed up as Annie and I also included pictures of Dena and Lincoln ( Princess Lea and Yoda) and Holly and Ayla ( Minnie Mouse) It was a really good time and if you want to see what Josh and Kamber dressed up as check out this blog, www.lilestradingpost.blogspot.com Pretty funny!

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Calling all TURKEY TROTTERS.

Want to run 6 miles on the morning of Thanksgiving? If so below is the information. I know I really need to get into shape and this is just the thing to train for before the Holidays. I am going to have my wonderful sister Mareen who has run a full Marathon (26.2 Miles) make me a running schedule so I will be ready. If anyone wants to join me let me know. I have the information posted below. It is at the Red Mountain Park. I will probably run at Highland High during the week but every Saturday I will do the big runs and we can even run those together if anyone wants to do this with me!! We can have seconds on mom's pumpkin pie,aunt Shanna's sweet potatoes, and Kelly's rolls! YUMMY!!!!

Mesa mi amigo's Turkey Trot http://raceplaceevents.com/event.php?event=401002

Thursday, November 27, 2008
Location
Red Mountain Park
7745 E Brown Rd
Mesa, AZ
Directions
Weather Forecast
Events
10K Run, 9:00 AM
2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, 8:30 AM
1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, 8:15 AM
Fees
$18 Postmaked by Nov 18
$22 Nov 19 - Nov 26
$25 Race Day at Park
$12 Kids 12 & Under thru Nov 26 $15 Day of Race
Register Now!
Register online
Download a printable form to register in person or by mail

Happy Birthday Mo!

Tomorrow is my sister's Mo's birthday! Here are the top ten reasons I love my sister!

10. She is the best aunt to my son and daughter.

9. She is great at math and will be able to help my kids with there homework.(I suck at math)

8. She is very generous and always helps others.

7. She brightens a room when she enters it.

6. One time we didn't get to go to Sunplash because our room wasn't clean so instead of cleaning it we both just sat there and cried the whole time. Meanwhile everyone else was at Sunsplash having fun!

5. One Summer while in Washington when she was about 8 or 9 she would never want to leave my side, and I called her HERB(you have to say it with a french accent) the Barnacle because she would stick to me like a barnacle sticks to a whale. (literally sometimes she would hold on to my foot if I tired to walk away she would be dragged along. We still laugh about that!

4. We used to stay up late at night when we were younger and talk for hours. We always had to share a room

3. It's impossible for us to be mad at each other. We got over it really fast. And if we ever do get mad we both cry thinking the other is mad

2. I know that she was predestined to be my sister in this family full of boys.

1. Not only is she my sister but she is my best friend.

Happy Birthday Mareen! It's your golden birthday 26 on the 26th!

Washington Trip

We are finally back from vacation and we had a blast! The weather was a little hot the first week (no a/c in houses like down here) but the 2nd week it was great! We had lots of fun and spent alot of the time outdoors. Tillman could truly be a boy there and explored all day everyday, he was always dirty! He loved it. It was also great to finally see my nephew Caden Michael. He is so adorable and grew a ton just while we were there! Kennadee caught not only her first fish but a lot of them. She had a great time fishing and playing volleyball! Pictures soon to come! :) I guess I was gone only two weeks but still missed out on alot. Congratulations to Jami on her baby boy Parker and also thank goodness that little Sydnee didn't have to have her surgery! Grandma kept me in the loop! :)

HAIRCUT!!!!

Makenna giving Tillman a Bath!!!!

Tillman getting ice cream from PAPA!

My mom's grandkids minus Caden!

Randy decided the other day when I was at work to go ahead and just cut Tillman's hair without my permission. I loved Tillman's curly hair and I had planned to let it grow more before I cut it. Well needless to say much to my disagreeing Randy did it anyways. I guess because he is in the military he thinks his hair should be short. Well I don't like the cut and it has taken a while for me to get used to it, I am waiting for it to grow back out. Here are some before and after pics and then some other random pics, of Tillman, Kennadee and Makenna! (the pics in the green and white shirt are the after pics! It's kind of hard to tell in these pics but trust me it's short!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad Terry's birthday! He is 60! I guess he is officially over the Hill. j/k Here are 10 of the many reasons why I love my dad. Happy Birthday Dad, can't wait to see in a couple of weeks!
10. He makes the best pumpkin pie and pancakes ever

9. He is a kid at heart

8. He is a wonderful grandpa to Kennadee

7. He has the best campfire stories
6. He does a great Donald Duck Impression
5. He is very funny
4. He is a good listener
3. He is a perfectionist and good at anything outdoors
2. He taught me how to shoot a gun
1. I have wonderful memories of camping and fishing with him

Swim Party

Here are some pics from the swimming party we had at my house, Kenn's baptism, Tillman's 1st birthday, Randy's promotion, and then some other random pics! Enjoy! Notice the one with Cal in the swin ring, he thought he could fit! He was wrong!

Thanks Cassi

Thanks to Cassi for making my blog layout so cute! You rock! You should make it into a job and start charging $5 a change! :)

Happy Birthday Josh

Today is my brother Josh's birthday! He is 28! Here are the top ten reasons why I love Josh!

10. He's hilarious
9. He can tell a story and totally make you believe him, and then 10 seconds later he will be like just kidding!
8. He loves kids, and is especially good to his neices and nephews
7. He has a really kind heart and he would always keep me company in grandma and grandpa's trailer at night when we had to sleep there!
6. He works harder than anyone I know
5. He has so many skills, he can do anything he puts his mind to and not only do it well but do it amazingly.
4. He used to play gas up the cars with me when we were little for hours on end
3. He is a good husband to his wife Kamber
2. He is a firefighter and saves lives all the time
1. He is positive! When we were little he would always say "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and he and he is the best brother in the world. Love you Josh! Hope you had a great day, sorry I had to work late and missed your El Charro dinner!

KIDS SAY THE CUTEST THINGS

I have to tell this story because it is way too cute not too! Today was Kennadee's last day of 2nd grade and they had a party day. I called Kennadee around 4:00 like I do everyday and asked her how her day was. This is the conversation......
ME: Hey Kenn what are you doing?
Ken: Watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
Me: How was your last day at school
Ken: (very excitedly)Oh mom it was so awesome let me tell you what happened. We played this game where had to throw a ball up in the air and you couldn't drop it and I made it to the finals. Jacob Adam and Drake all got out mom and it was down to just me and Abby. Do you want to know who won?? Guess who won Mom!
ME: Abby????
Ken: NO MOM I WON! I jumped in the air really high and raised my fist after I won, and then mom it was just like in the movies like slow motion Kayla came running over to me and picked me up in the air and twirled me around in the class becuase I was the WINNER!
Me: Laughing so hard I snorted! Like slow motion mom! :)

And just because I don't want to leave Tillman out his new words are OH YEAH! After everything it's OH yeah!

I love kids the do say the cutest things!
I also want to give a thanks to my mom for feeding my husband and my children this whole week why I am working my long days! Thanks mom!

Jake Graduates

My baby brother Jacob graduated from college on May 10th! He is the first member of our family to graduate college. My parents were able to go back to Jamestown to see him make the walk. I am very proud of my brother and all that he has accomplished. Not only did he graduate but he played football for 4 years in college while maintaining a close to B average. I know that my mom and Cal are especially proud of him as well. Jacob is funny guy who brings laughter, fun, a competitive spirit, and great impersenations where ever he goes. Just ask him for a Nacho Libre, or Billy Madison impression and you will pee your pants it's so funny! I know the future holds great things for Jacob and I love him so much! My sister Mareen and I are so blessed to have 6 wonderful brothers. Congratulations Jacob! You Rock! Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks.

CONGRATULATIONS SGT COPLEN

YAYE! I am so excited today! My husband Randy got promoted! He is now Sergeant Coplen! The above picture is the rank he will now wear! He has deserved this for a very long time and it has finally happened! He has worked so hard for this to happen and it is very well deserving. I am so happy for him I could cry! The best thing about Randy is that even when all his buddies were getting promoted and he didn't get promoted, he was still so Genuinely happy for them and he never gets jealous or wishes it was him. I have never met anyone who is more selfless than him. He will help anyone achieve things even when he is overlooked. I was always saying to him it's not fair, it's not fair, and he would just still be so happy for everyone else. He is truly one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for! Congratulations Babe you earned it! It is time for everyone to be HAPPY for you!