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.