Moments

I have some random photos taken from the last week or so. The kids and I have been busy. Now that the weather has warmed up for us, we have been out and about. One of the outings we have taken was to the Stevenson Farm in Brookstone, WI. It was a beautiful day and there were sheep and goats to watch and feed dandelions to. We went with our friends the Townsends. The kids had TONS of fun. and so did I.

We also went to Trina's 30 Birthday party. It was so nice of her to invite us. I have a photo of her blowing out her musical candle. Even though the wind was blowing and getting cold, the pool was warm and my kids were the last to get out. They loved it!

I also went to a little mother's day program put on by the JK class at Wilson. Muffins with Mom. They sang songs and played a slideshow of the kids. I'm amazed at how big they've grown since the beginning of the school year. I hope you enjoy the photos, I know I did.

Sonia XXOO

Set myself up

So the latest thing that has stuck in my mind lately is a conversation I had with Andrew yesterday. He has gotten very big and heavy, so I don't pick him up anymore. But he had insisted that I give him a piggy back ride from the basement to the upstairs. I tried to reason with him and the following conversation occured:

Andrew: "Mom, please give me a piggy back ride!"

Mom: " Andrew am I a pig?"

Andrew: "No"

Mom: "Then I can't give you a piggy back ride, can I?"

Andrew: "I guess not."

Mom: "Okay, then let's walk up the stairs together."

Andrew: "Wait! Wait! You are a pig!"

I couldn't help laughing. I set myself up for that one! I ended up giving him a piggy back ride, and when we told the story to the other kids and Devon, we all had a good laugh.

Sonia XXOO

Easter 2008

Hello Friends and Family!
It has come to my attention that you're a little peeved that I haven't kept an updated blog for all of you to view. For this I am truly sorry. So here is the latest news on the goings of the Cole clan in Wisconsin.
First off, we have had a wonderful, pleasant Easter. The kids woke up to a fun easter egg hunt and breakfast. They were thrilled at the candy and little craft left for them by the Easter Bunny. Then we were off to get our Easter dresses on and prep for a nice Sacrament program put on at our church. I was singing in the choir, and I really enjoyed it. I think that Easter is one of the best times for me to feel the love of the Savior. And my heart was full. I was also feeling sad for all the upcoming changes in our ward. Several dear friends will be moving away this summer, that I will sorely miss when they leave including Emily, Monica, and Erin, Amber, Elizabeth, who are all very sweet, talented, beautiful, charming, funny, etc. So I was kind of feeling very sad this past Sunday. And also very grateful for the friends who are sticking around for another year or two: Martha, Laura, Leslie, Sarah, Trina (even though I have hardly seen you this past year), Maria, Linda, Shelli, Teneal. You girls are GREAT!
We ate a dinner of fish and veggies, and toasted to the family which went like this: "Let us all get along. Cheers!" And then we Skyped my parents and had a visit from our very dedicated Hometeachers, the Woolfs. It was fun talking to them about Australia and their training here in WI. We're excited that their staying! And we're excited about Spring! We can't wait for our tulips to start blooming!
Devon is finishing up a rotation in Menomonee Falls, and will begin another surgical rotation closer to home, which will be nice!
I have been cleaning a couple of LDS church buildings once a week and watching the cutest little boy, Isaac V. who my kids loveably call "our little brother". He is a real cutie and very good. Here is a photo of him eating his snack in our kitchen. He likes to be nearby, no matter what.
Andrew and Grace just turned 5 years old. They had a small birthday party on the 17th and invited two of their friends. They were a bit overwhelmed by it all, but they told me it was the best day of their lives, so that is good news.
Lynn and LuAnn come home from Australia in only a week! I can't believe how time flies! I will have to get those photos from Australia posted for you all to see. They are amazing!
Okay so that is all for now. I hope to write more soon. Take care, Sonia XXOO

Winter Snows

Snow, as far as I'm concerned, is pretty for one day. Any longer and it becomes hazardous to my life. Things slow waaay down. Not in a good way either. No, school still starts at 8:10 am every morning. My kids however, take longer to get ready to leave. That's because they have to pull on their snow pants, boots, jackets, hats, gloves and scarves. Then they have a hard time walking because of all the extra bulk. Then getting to school is a hassle. Traffic has slowed, and finding a parking spot is impossible. When we finally do, we must walk through three feet of snow from right outside the car door to get to the sidewalk, which is icy. The wind chill is almost unbearable. The only thing to get me moving and the kids walking is the fact that the bell will be ringing in two seconds. No time to complain about the wind, and the snow in my boot, or the fact my hands are icicles because I forgot gloves.

When the kids are safe in the school, I run back to the car, get in and as I slam the door so the snow that has accumulated falls, I crank up the heat and try to look through my frosty windows to see traffic behind me before I pull out.

After a slippery ride home, I heat the water on the stove, pour myself a cup of hot tea and think of all the good things in life. Sandals, shorts, the sun, riding bikes to school. Summer. Oh, how I love it. Then I remember this picture, and I think, winter can be fun too. Especially for these little guys. They are mesmerized by all this snow. They have created a snowy world in our backyard. They are as happy as pie. And they have no complaints, just smiles and cheers.

Sonia

I've been tagged by Laura AHHHHHHH

So I'm supposed to share 7 facts about myself for you all to read and ponder on. And I don't usually share this kind of information with the world, but for Laura's sake, I will. Here it goes:

1. I love music. In middle school I started playing the tenor sax and by high school, I played the trumpet, marching Tuba, Concert Tuba, marimba. I was in the choir, school musicals and band. I even dabbled in writing my own music. Looking back, I should have majored in Music at BYU, but I didn't feel I was good enough to try. Moving on...

2. I should have been an actress. Except for my stage fright. Growing up I could never get up in front of an audience without the shakes. Even now, I'm terrified! You'd figure you would grow out of such nonesense, but for me that will never change!

3. I was once engaged to another. He was a recent convert and he was going on a mission. I met him at church, but we worked at the Movie Theater. He was a projectionist and I was a clerk in concessions. He was my first real boyfriend. He was kind, and funny, and sweet. Yet it was a really good thing he went on a mission, because I was able to work, go to school out of state, and date other boys. I wasn't ready for marriage. I was only 18. And then I met Devon, who I am deeply in love with. We have been married for 8 years now and have 3 children.

4. I used to be Canadian. French Canadian. Laura always laughs when I say it this way. But it is true. I have no accent. And that would be because I haven't lived there since I was a baby. Since my birth, I have lived in Mexico, NewFoundland, Toronto, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas,Utah and now Wisconsin.

5. I actually speak English. And I for a while French. Now the only thing I could do in French is carry on a conversation with a 3rd-grade french student. Maybe. I also took 1 year of high school and two years of college ASL. Oh I took Spanish, some. And studied grammars of German, Japapese, Russian and Shoshone. It was very interesting. Especially to a linguist. Which I am, er I mean, was. I graduated in Genereal Theoretical Linguistics at the University of Utah.

6. My dream job: Open up a small b&b and reception center. I would love to host proms, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, social events, buisiness meetings, and so forth. I would like to make it in the country, far from the city and cook for the guests staying at the inn. I would love to make breakfasts and tea time treats and make it a retreat so that I could love where I work.

7. My secret wish: That I could live in Australia with everyone I know here in the US. Isn't that everyone's secret wish? I love Australia and can't wait to go back with my kids.

Well, there it is, seven facts about yours truly. I put a photo of me when I was 17 years old. I like this picture, even though the top of my head is cut off. I think I look cute. And the expression on my face is of a secret joy that I'm thinking about. I don't remember what I was thinking of, but I always smile when I look at that photo.

Now I'm supposed to post Laura's blog here, she's the one who tagged me:

http://www.curreyfamily.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules to the game: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.•Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Since I don't have many friends who have blogs, here's who I can send them to:

Robert and Yohanna-Tag, you're it! check out their amazing blogs at: http://robertmaddock.blogspot.com/ and http://brianandyohanna.blogspot.com/