My Little Dancer

Last Saturday we went and watched Makenna perform at Festival of Trees. She was so incredibly adorable. It couldn't have gone better. She got up on stage remembered the dance really well and smiled so sweetly during the entire performance. OK, so maybe it is because I am a sucker for dancing; but really it was one of the cutest things ever!!! It was one of those moments when you just can't help but absolutely love being a MOTHER!!!!

Dean's Blessing and "GO BYU"

This week was another crazy big one for us. Jon's family came in and we had a full house. 16 of us were sleeping in our house. It was nice to see everyone and Makenna and Autumn loved having there cousins for four days straight. For Thanksgiving Jon's grandma Carol Cottle came and enjoyed dinner with us. It was really neat to hear what she was thankful for and to have her in our home; what a blessing!!! On Sat. Jon and I got to go to the big game with his family. It was so much fun, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, Goooooooo Cougars!!!! Four of us were BYU fans and three were die hard U fans. We had a good rivalry going on. The game was a nail bitter going into over time, but it was wonderful to see a win after watching them loose in our Stadium the years we attended BYU. It brought back many memories of Jon and I's college years and we loved feeling the spirit of BYU again!!!!

On Sunday, we were able to have the very special opportunity to bless Dean in our home. Jon blessed him naming him Dean Richard after his Dad and grandfather. After the wonderful blessing we heard some beautiful testimonies from the Grandpa's and KayCee and Tom. I love hearing the testimonies of family members and feel great Joy that we are able to unite and have those experiences.

Much love to you all for the Holidays with warm wishes of peace and remembering our Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ was brought forth in these latter-days to bring us peace in times of uncertainty and Joy in keeping the commandments. May we all see our blessings during the holidays and remember our Saviors life and live by His example. Merry Christmas

Autumn 2009

We had one of my favorite Halloween's this year!!! We didn't get to host a party which is always one of my favs, but. . . First, I planted pumpkins last April before we went out for the summer and it was amazing, but I grew the biggest pumpkin vine with about 11 pumpkins; being gone all summer. I was very impressed. So we carved our glorious garden pumpkins and I have to say they were the best pumpkins I've ever done. We even put candles in them. The girls picked out the pictures from the internet and then Jon and I copied them onto our pumpkins. Pretty COOL :) Then on Halloween Jon and I walked the entirety of Morgan City with the girls going from our house to all the businesses and back. The girls had a blast getting everything from soda pop to t-shirts. By the time we got back home they didn't want to go out, Makenna especially wanted to answer the door for all the cute little trick-r-treaters. She was adorable.
Since, then Jon went to a training in Boca Raton, FL. I was so jealous he got to lye on the beach while I was up at 2 AM with screaming sick children ;( Sorry for the complaint. When he came home he had a sales call in Cedar so we went down to our cabin and enjoyed a wonderful peaceful electronic free couple of days. Much needed for me. Now we are just getting ready for Jon's Family to come into town for Thanksgiving, we will be having 16 people stay at my house for the weekend. I am actually looking forward to it all!!!
To end I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving; there is so much for me to be Thankful for, my family, our health and abundance, I am very grateful to live in a free country which allows me the right to worship, vote, and be a mother the way I choose. No matter how screwed up the govt. may be I still feel very blessed to live here!!! And most of all I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the Savior that he lived and died for me and for the restoration brought to pass by Joseph Smith which allows the true priesthood to be in my home blessing our family continuously. I love the temple and have found a fire ignite within me to go as often as is possible. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and feel the blessings that come into my life by following Christs example.
LOVE TO YOU ALL, and Happy Holidays

It's My Birthday Shout "HURRAY"

I hate to toot my own horn, but I have had the most wonderful birthday thanks to such a great family. On Sat. Jon took me shopping then to dinner and "Thriller". It was so much fun. I love dance, going to these shows always makes me wish I was in them instead of watching, but I enjoy both. Thanks Honey!!! Earlier at Dinner we went to Trolley Square's Rodigio Grill which was delicious, but the true highlight was seeing Memmo Okur who plays for the Jazz. We thought it would be rude to ask him for a picture, so you will just have to take our word for it. He sat two tables down from us. On Sunday my mom made us dinner and I was able to spend some quality time with the family. Thanks again to everyone who made it special; especially for the babysitting mom so I could go out!!! I am very very grateful. I am getting excited for Halloween, still need to go get trick r' treat candy. Hope you all have a great Holiday!!!

Disneyland Pictures

Disneyland

We have been so busy since Dean has arrived, Jon interviewed and received a job so we decided to do one last family outing before he started work and it happened to be going to Disneyland. Dean was only three weeks old which made me a little nervous, but everyone had a wonderful time and he did awesome. We left on a Friday and stayed at the cabin in Panguitch for the night before continuing the trek to CA. We stayed in a pretty nice hotel right at the main entrance of The Park. It only took us 5 min to walk to the main gate. The girls fell in love with the Disney Characters rode the teacups three times as well as many of the other rides. One highlight was Jon taking Makenna on Splash Mountain. I couldn't believe she was big enough to go and that she actually enjoyed it!!!! My little baby is growing up!!! We also drove down to Sea World where we seen Shamu and got to pet Sting Rays, one of my favorite things :) It was a wonderful trip and I loved being together as a family. It was crazy to say we are a family of 5 when we wanted to get on the rides. Now, I just have to get use to Jon hunting on the weekends and having a 9-5 job during the week. If it is not one thing it is the other, but I am looking forward to this arrangement.

Welcoming Baby Dean Richard Cottle

Finally, we are excited to welcome "Baby Dean." He was born Sunday September 20 at 9:27 pm weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long. Labor was relatively enjoyable and a wonderful experience for Jon and I. I am very grateful for modern medicine to say the least, but most grateful that Dean came into this world healthy.

The past few weeks have been crazy and exciting. We wrapped up summer selling with Jon being arrested and spending time in Jail; it's a crazy story you will have to ask him about. So after hearing that I basically "told" him to come home. Since that moment life has been smooth and really enjoyable. We have been enjoying being united together as a family and the girls were soooooo incredibly happy to have daddy home, as was I. Jon and I did yard work hoping to put me in labor, but it didn't work so I was induced on Sunday after attending Stake Conference. It has been a joy having another precious infant in our home and the girls are adorable little mommies.

Since We've Been Home

Since We've Been Home

It has been so wonderful being home in Morgan. The girls are so happy with all there toys, and beds to sleep in. It truly was like Christmas Morning when we arrived they went around squealing look at this and look at that. I never knew how much we have until you live without it for four months. We are truly blessed or overindulgent one of the two. Since we have been home I dedicated myself to the yard for a week or so. It might not seem like it, but I weeded and planted a few things and weeded some more. I also have been getting the house ready for Baby Dean; Hurray, pregnancy is coming to an end. I am looking forward to having him in my arms instead of giving my heart burn and poking me in the ribs.
I really enjoyed going to the temple dedication and felt it a very unique experience to cancel church. I felt impressed to teach my children about the importance of the temple and so decided to take them down to Salt Lake so they could touch the temple and see the Christus. Makenna knew right what it was about and wanted to dress in her very best. It was adorable :) I told them that is where we get married and how special the temple is for us as a family to be together forever, very important with Jon being gone so long. They girls had a good time and then we stopped for ice cream afterwords which topped it all off.
This past weekend we headed down to Panquitch to visit my Dad and Kaycee who were working down there and to have a little down time. It was very beautiful and a fun vacation for the girls. I even did some 4-wheeling, as much as this belly would allow. Let's just say I wouldn't be sad if this baby came early ;)
Overall we are doing wonderful, Both the girls and I miss Jon a TON!!!!!! But I would rather be here than anywhere else and my family keeps me busy, I have done freezer corn and canned peaches with my Mom, painted a bench she gave me, and continue to have much much help. Thanks SOOOOO Much. We are looking forward to the next few weeks, hopefully I will get another post in before the baby comes!!

Last of Minnesota

Home From Summer Sales

It has been a long time since I updated the blog, but life has been busy. Since I last posted the girls and I attended Nicole's wedding down in Dallas where I got a pedicure, had a bachelorette party overnight, and did Nicole's hair for her wedding. It was so much fun, I haven't felt young like that in years. It was so fun just to be out with the girls. They got marride in the Dallas Temple which was beautiful then had a brief reception at a beautiful hotel. The trip was only over the weekend, but it was so nice to be with the family minus JON. I then came home to Minnesota where I started packing up to come home; we had a lot of fun activities including taking pictures at Lake Josephine and visiting the Butterfly exhibit with dad. Right before we left the office did the annual "Diving For Dollars" where they throw change into the pool and all the sales reps jump in and grab what they can. It is always fun to watch the guys bob up and down. This year dad treated us with ice cream. Thanks for sharing :) The next day my mom flew in and we took the journey home passing through Mount Rushmore yet again. I am now home and loving every minute of it. I only wish Jon were here to enjoy it with me. He will come the first of September, but is planning on doing the extension which could take him just about anywhere. I am due September 25 so he will have to be home by then. The baby has been moving lots and I am going to the Doctor on Monday after not having been for four months. I am sure everything is fine, but very excited to here a Doctor reassure me. Other than that life is simple and wonderful.

Pregnancy Pictures

Today my friend Amanda took me out to Lake Josephine and got some beautiful pictures. It was so fun, It has been a really long time since anyone took pictures just of me. I really am happy to have gotten these photos, because with Makenna and Autumn I didn't get any. So here is my 32 week photos. Hope you Enjoy!!!

4th of July and Much, Much More

We have been very busy, which has been fun and "CRAZY" The pictures explain most of it. A little over two weeks ago we were able to attend the Roseville Parade here in MN with all the wives and kids. It was really fun, HOT, but a really good parade. The kids enjoied each other and the candy :) A few days after the parade we hosted our annual tea party, but this time instead of it being a formal event we did dress ups, frosted cupcakes, and then decorated box cars which we raced to red light green light. It was fun for all the kids. After all this fun we packed up the car and started our journey home for the 4th of July. Whitney drove with us and we went to MT. Rushmore which was a lot cooler than I first had expected. Makenna excaimed when she saw them, "Those are the guys on the money" I never thought she would put the two together. We stayed at a hotel that night and enjoyed the beautiful Black Hills and board walk and sights. Then continued the journey the next day. When we arrived I was gung hoe at getting some weeding and planting done at my house. It was a lot of work, but thanks to much help from my family I was able to do what I wanted. It sure was wonderful seeing our house. Humbling for sure after living in a two bedroom apartment, but it is exciting for us to go back to. While in Utah we did the annual 4th of July festivities and even went swimming at our Aunt LeAnne's which was really fun. Then we started our long grueling drive back. We decided to go up to MT and visit Wendy and spend a day with her and the kids which was very relaxing and fun for the cousins to play. It was truly the first time that just us sisters were together and I was grateful for that opportunity. We are now home and I can say I am very happy to be back with Jon. He works so hard for our family so that I can do these things and never complains that he can't be a part of it. I love him so much!!!! Overall the 18 hour drive there and 18 hour drive back was good with the kids. They travel very well just give them sugar and movies :)
God Bless our Nation this month, what a privilege it is to have the freedoms we possess.

Happy Father's Day!!!

I would like to start off with much love to my husband for being the most wonderful Father to our beautiful little family. I couldn't have asked for someone who is more dedicated to providing and caring for our family. I am so grateful he works so hard so that I am able to stay home with my children and be a full-time MOM!!! Love you so much and I am grateful for you every day!!!
So this week was actually really nice, one of my favorite friends; Amanda Hess, came into town for the rest of the summer and I spent the week showing her around and doing activities with her. We had a blast catching up and realizing her little Taryn and Autumn have a lot of the same character traits. It has been fun, she has also encouraged me to start potty training Autumn which turns out to have been pretty successful; Yes, she has had accidents, but to my surprise she was much more ready than I gave her credit for. Three cheers for Autumn and the Potty!!! However, this week hasn't been all joy. I did have one very unhappy moment late one night. I was so tired and just wanted the girls to go to bed so I put them in there room hoping they would sleep. To my complete horror they not only did not go to bed, but found crayons and decided to make a mural out of the wall. I went upstairs 30 min. Later to find a magical array of what Autumn described as "crowns??" Why does this always happen in the summer time???


So after all this, we did have a really wonderful Father's Day. Jon wanted to drive out to Stillwater where the St. Croix River divides MN and WI. We had a wonderful picnic and walked around the quaint logging town. It reminded me of a small main street Park City only with the river which adds a lot. I enjoyed mostly just being with Jon and our family, but was happy we could tour MN a little more. Hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day as well and enjoy the pics.

Under 100; Pregnancy update

I was so excited when I realized I have less than 98 days to go in my pregnancy. I know I still have a while, but I am a very anxious person. I feel "baby Dean" kick and move a lot and I still can't believe we are having #3, but most days I am excited. Makenna and Autumn are both going to be very good big sisters and Makenna said today, "Mommie your tummy is getting BIG!" She knows that as it gets bigger a baby is in there. Both of them put there hands on my tummy and giggle and say, "He Kicks" whether or not they felt anything. Pregnancy really is a lot of fun with siblings to get excited about having another body in the house! We are very excited for Dean to join our family.

Mall of America and Much MORE

This week we had a blast, it started out awesome with a beautiful day at the beach. We went to the lake near by which has a sandy beach and played for nearly four hours. I loved it and the girls were in heaven. Then on Wed. we attempted the Mall of America, it was pretty cool, it has an amusement park in the middle so the girls got to ride a few rides there and then we mostly just looked around at the stores. The next day we went to the Zoo where they have COMO Town amusement park where I captured a few pictures of the girls on rides. My dad had sent a really sweet card for the girls with money in it to buy an ice cream cone so we got them a Popsicle there. They loved being spoiled :) Then today we went to the library and had all the wives over for an early dinner potluck. I always forget to take pictures of us wives all together. It is quite a site these days, it use to be only women, but now it has accumulated to around 10 kids too in my little apartment. Really exciting!!!!
Hope you enjoy the photos, I forgot my camera at the mall of america, so sorry you'll have to go there on your own to see how big it is.

Wedding in Houston

We had the wonderful opportunity to go down to Houston, TX. To see Jon's brother get married. It was so much fun and reminiscing for Jon and I especially because that is where we first met.
We started with a very long plane ride, but the girls really did great. Autumn kept saying the plane was a rocket ship like off "Little Einsteins" if you have seen the show. Also, we flew with Uncle Tom who was a big help. The girls love him and he loves teasing them :)
When we arrived the first thing we did after getting situated was have some delicious Texas BBQ it has been a while since we had such a delicious TX meal and we loved every bite.
The next day was the wedding and it turned out beautiful. Not only was the ceremony special, but everyone looked spectacular and the girls got to where dresses hand-made my grandma Cottle. They looked adorable!! The reception was at the very chapel where Jon and I first saw each other; we met at institute. It brought back a flood of memories and even the institute teacher, sister Allen, was at the wedding and she remembered the way Jon looked when he first saw me. It was so funny, if you have ever heard Jon tell the story you will know what I mean. After such a big party day the next day we spent swimming, playing with the family and enjoying the famous; RITTERS frozen custard wow!!! I could seriously do some weight gaining on that stuff. Do I ever miss it. More memories. I couldn't believe seven years and three babies later we were back to where it all started. It was like Deja Vu and I can't believe I am this old; I really don't feel like it most days. We really had a wonderful time with Jon's family it was the first time in about seven years that they were all together, according to my recollection. It was a much needed trip. The girls and I also loved having dad around for four days strait. It refilled my cup so I can handle the next 3-4 months.
Thankyou Mom and Dad Cottle for everything you have done for us. We are so grateful for your generosity and help so that we could all come together as a family. Best Wishes to Steven and Marlene. They are perfect for each other and I can't wait to get to know my new Sister-in-law better. Hopefully you will come to Utah often.