Our Last Wedding This Year

Well, it is done. We have happily attended our last wedding for 2008. Phew! We had a lot of friends finally tie the knot. And we are so happy for them all. Friday was a long and cold day. But we got up in the morning and got the entire family ready and loaded them into the car. We dropped Braxton and his friend Kelly off at school at 8:15. Tristan having fun in the car that morning.


Then took Gabe and Tristan over to my mom's house for her to watch them. She would take and pick up Gabe to preschool. Next it was a drive up to the Logan temple. Now, we haven't been to Logan at this time of year for a long time, so we just took our Levi jackets, and froze the whole

day. What were we thinking?!

Colby and I trying to keep warm in the sun.

What a great day to reconnect with some of my old high school friends. I grew up across the street from Christina Hansen. I am so happy for her and her new husband Kris Bennett. The funny thing was, the elderly man that married them was mispronouncing her name the entire ceremony and nobody corrected him. All of her brothers were laughing so hard. It probably eased the tension for the nervous couple.

Sister Lisa, brothers Troy, Brian and Nate. Kris and Christina in the middle.

Then pictures afterwards and a wonderful lunch. We wish you both the best, and we will visit you sometime because we love Las Vegas!

Basketball Season

So, it's the time of year for preseason basketball games to start. That means soon Colby will be watching a lot more TV. But, it also means that Braxton gets to try his hand at the game. Though, he is halfway done already, I will still keep you up to date with the hilarity of it all. I signed him up in August while we were out of town. And, because I was using a form online, I did not see that you could request a coach as well as your friends to be on your team. Therefore when it all started, all Braxton's friends are on one team, and he on another. And....his T-ball coach, who he had a blast with, is coaching a completely different team. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the coach he has. She is very patient with the 1st and 2nd graders on the team, but Braxton leaves the game crying if no one will pass him the ball. His T-ball coach would have made sure he toughened up. There's no crying in baseball! (Name that movie, and the actor who said it.) And there is no crying in T-ball or Basketball either. Next sport I will pay attention and read the entire city form before I fill it out and turn it in. Next, okay so this is Coed Basketball for 1st and 2nd graders. There is a 2nd grader on our team that is a complete ball hog! It is so frustrating to Colby and I, and Braxton and one other of his team mates. Okay, so you've played before, your dad practices with you all the time, your the tallest, and your coach is boring you with all the instruction for the other little guys. So what! Deal with it. The other thing is that his parents don't even take any steps to urge him to share possession of the ball. He only passes to his cousin, even if his cousin is surrounded with the entire opposing team. The rest of the team is open, but he refuses to see this. His parents just sit and talk, and let their other son play on the court during the game. Can you tell I am aggravated with the situation. His coach does her best yelling and waving her arms at the other open players on the team, but he knows he is the best player on the team, and the glory WILL be his! The first game was so hilarious to watch. The kids are all stealing the ball from their team mates, and passing without looking where they are throwing the ball. It's like watching a game of hot potato. They want the ball so bad, but then they get it and they panic to the point of trying to make a basket when they aren't even close or tossing it to someone else before the other team surrounds them. One of the dads on our team, films every game with his camera and just laughs and laughs. Oh, I cannot wait for next year. Hopefully Braxton will be taller, a better player, and a better sport as well.

The Treehouse Museum

WARNING! This post has a lot of pictures. Feel free to ignore it if you don't enjoy viewing every moment of other people's kids. ;-)

So, because Gabe has been sick the past week, we spent the day out and about yesterday. He was finally clear to be out with the healthy living. So, after a bit of convincing, Gabe agreed to hit the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. We have a membership for this fun place, but we usually end up at The Dinosaur Park instead, Gabe and Tristan's favorite. But I just didn't want to push a stroller all over and rob Tristan of the opportunity to work off some energy.

First a stop at the train tables.

Tristan learning that you can climb on things here.

Gabe is making me dinner, after he washed the dishes and made me toast.Preschool is paying off, he can almost write his name at 3 years old. That's impressive to me.

Tristan growling like a dinosaur right before he gives it a huge kiss on the mouth. I hope those things are clean.

The rhythm and percussion area upstairs is one of our family's favorites.Blocks, Lincoln logs and Lego's. You can't go wrong with those.Here are the boys standing/sitting on the state they were born in. Gabe - southern CA. Tristan - northern UT.

Giddy up!

Ooooh, fun tables for toddlers.A ride for two please!

I got them to hold still for a cute brother picture with nothing to entertain them, amazing! Oh yeah, Gabe is into making funny faces for the photographer right now. You should see the ones taken in preschool so far. Can't wait for professional picture day.

I'd say that this little boy is definitely feeling 100% better.

We had a blast. If you have never been to the Treehouse Museum, you should try to make it there sometime. There are so many hands-on things for them to do, and they nap REALLY well when they get home. Afterwards, we stopped at Costa Vida for some lunch. Gabe and I love to eat here. I do because it is an excellent fresh Mexican grill. And Gabe, because he loves to watch the indoor surfing next door while he eats.

This is for you, Tanya.

Sorry, I have been slacking on my posting due to a sick child. Man, that's a lot of laundry! I am so glad the week-long illness has passed. Anyway, I got tagged...again. So here you go, whether you wanted to know or not.

Rules: Always the same... come up with 7 facts about you, things people don't know and share it with the world!

1. I am a little OCD. I hate it when my light switches are not all the same direction in a room that has more than one set. I will go around fixing them before I go to bed, or before we have guests over. Colby messes them up to bug me, and then laughs while he watches me fix them.

2. I am obsessed with being on time or early. It is a quality that my mom drilled into me, but a good one to have. The bad part is that it irritates me when others are late or don't show without letting you know that they can't come. Or when the don't R.S.V.P., and then show up. I am almost always late to church or any other function that Colby and/or my boys attend with me, and it drives me insane.

3. I am an avid movie lover and collector. For those who have been in my family room, you have seen this: That collection is always growing. And it does not include VHS, LDS/Living Scripture movies, and Blu-Rays. Those are all in our basement. My first full-time job was for Blockbuster Video, which helped me to build my collection at 20% off, along with introducing me to many great movies. My other inspiration was my mom, who is a huge collector in this area, and so I love a lot of good old classics as well as musicals. Feel free to stop by and borrow something. Just return it in a timely manner...which leads me to my next peeve. I love to lend things to people, just return it as soon as you are done. Or at least acknowledge to me that you remember you have it, and will return it soon. I have had a couple of instances where people forget and I never see an item again (movie, book, crafting supply) or it comes back a bit ruined (my first wedding album). By the way, this is referencing people who have never read my blog. So don't fret that it is you.

4. My last name is pronounced Cook although it is spelled Koch. It is a German name that I married into. And it is actually pronounced with a lot of phlegm, but Colby's family tries to make it simple. They tell me "Koch" means one who works in the kitchen. I just take their word for it.

5. My name, RaeAnne, is all one word. I was named after my mom's mother and my mom's sister. I used to hate my name, and wanted it shortened to Anne. Then in high school, I insisted people call me by RaeAnne, and not shorten it to Rae. Now, I love how unique the name is. But only a select few are allowed to call me Rae.

6. I have always been allergic to cats, but I have two. I just love them when they are kittens and I will go through the torture of allergies to build a relationship with them. They are very weird cats, and their names totally suit them. Skitterz is huge and thinks he is my significant other. Twitch is tiny, although full grown, and will ignore me completely but always obey Colby. Skitterz is also OCD, a cat after my own heart, if you pet him and have not washed your hands within the last ten minutes, he will sit and bathe himself completely to get all your cooties off.

7. I have had two different kinds of stones. I experienced the birth of kidney stones while 15 years old, and therefore missed my first day of high school. Then I had the "lovely" experience of having gallstones right before I was pregnant with Gabe. Thankfully I had my gall bladder removed right after Gabe's c-section.

I Tag.........whoever reads this.

What do my boys think of me?

I read these questions on my cousin's blog this morning, and I wanted to see what my boys would say about me.

1.What is something mom always says to you?

Braxton - Get dressed.

Gabe - Be nice to brothers.

2.What makes mom happy?

B - When I clean my room, and finish my work at school instead of bringing it home.

G - Clean up toys.

3.What makes mom sad?

B - When I punch someone, or call them names.

G - I hit Tristan.

4.How does your mom make you laugh?

B - When we dance.

G - Tickle.

5.What was your mom like as a child?

B - That was a long time ago, I wasn't even born.

G - A baby mama.

6.How old is your mom.

B - Never ask me that question, wait...13.

G - 4

7.How tall is your mom?

B - 38 pounds.

G - 4

8.What is her favorite thing to do?

B - Play Wii Fit.

G - He was tired of answering my questions at this point, so he walked away and started ignoring me.

9.What does your mom do when you are not around?

B - Watch TV.

10.If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

B - Playing Rock Band...on guitar.

11.What is your mom really good at?

B - She cooks the best food...but not Koch, a different kind spelled k-o-o-k.

12.What is your mom not so good at?

B - She's kinda not good at playing Lego Star Wars.

13.What does your mom do for her job?

B - Take care of Tristan.

14.What is your mom’s favorite food?

B - I have no idea...Hamburger Helper!

15.What makes you proud of your mom?

B - When she makes me the best foods that I like.

16.If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

B - Daisy Duck on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

17. What do you and your mom do together?

B - We play Rock Band.

18. How are you and your mom the same?

B - We both like Rock Band, and she wore glasses like me when she was little.

19. How are you and your mom different?

B - Hmmm...never thought about that before. Now that she's grown up, she doesn't have glasses anymore.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

B - Because sometimes she plays with me, and she makes me food.

The Living Aquarium

Yesterday, Colby took Braxton and Gabe down to Sandy to visit The Living Aquarium. His mom, dad and nephew Xavier went as well. I dropped off Tristan at my parent's home and attended a bridal shower. I think they had a good time, Braxton hasn't talked about anything but McDonald's that they stopped to eat at on the way home. Gabe came home and told me that he saw sharks! Colby said Braxton and Xavier pretty much just walked up to one tank, gave all the creatures a quick glance and then kept moving on to the next tank, too fast for the rest of the group to absorb anything. I think those two were more interested in being together than observing the water life. This last week Braxton was grounded from friends (including his cousin Xavi) for disappearing somewhere in the neighborhood and not telling us where or when he left. My friends and neighbors were helping me look for him when he sauntered home from the Polygamists' house with a piece of homemade pie. Oddly enough they let him play with their kids, when usually they shoo the kids inside before any from the neighborhood can attempt to play with them. And Xavier was grounded the week before for disappearing up in his neck of the woods. So, they were excited to be reunited no matter where they went. Colby said that Gabe was the one that enjoyed it the most. It was a quiet and relaxing afternoon for me while I hung out with Tristan and got ready to attend the shower. I used to live across the street from my good friend Christina Hansen from age 11-20. She now lives in Las Vegas as a successful saleswoman. I am so happy for her, she will be married next month, so look for more details on the two of them after October 10th. Anyway, I had a blast catching up with past ward members and friends at the bridal shower. It was good to see them all and hopefully we can reconnect more in the future.

Family Outing

Colby and I haven't taken the kids to do anything fun in awhile, so yesterday we decided to have an impromptu FHE (Family Home Evening) out. We packed the whole crew up and took off to have some fun at the Salomon Center/The Junction in Ogden. First, we let Braxton and Gabe do some Mini Glow Golf. Second, we did a little bowling at Fat Cats Bowling Alley. Then we finished off the night with salad bar and twisted bread sticks at The Pizza Factory. They had so much fun, and we enjoyed watching them. We were amazed at how well behaved they were the whole evening. We went back home, did some haircuts and got them all in bed.

(Braxton did not want this picture taken, can you tell?)

What an eventful evening!

Another Wedding.

We have attended four of our friends' weddings in the past year. I have one more to attend in October and then I think we will be done for awhile. Yesterday we attended the wedding of Colby's best friend Ben Johnson. He has known Ben since four years of age. He has had a turn living with us for 3 months in California, and been through thick and thin with us. He is our brother from another mother. And, since he has only sisters, it is the same for him. We were privileged to attend the wedding ceremony in the Bountiful LDS Temple yesterday morning bright and EARLY, and take pictures with the couple and their family afterwards. We then attended the reception held at the Maddox Lodge in Brigham later that evening with our kids in tow. It was small and simple and we loved every minute of it. Colby got to reconnect with several friends from his childhood. We had a great time and are so happy for this couple and their makeshift little family. Deena was a divorced single mother of 3. A 14 year old son, 12 year daughter and 2 1/2 year old adopted daughter. Ben had never been married, and doesn't have any kids, but he makes a perfect father for this brood. The 2 year old knows no other father figure other than him. He is in the process of adopted little Riley, and they hope to adopt one more in the future. We love you guys, congratulations.

First Day of Preschool.

Today was Gabe's first day of preschool. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, refused to get his hair combed and finish his cereal. Did not want to use the bathroom before leaving or get his new shoes on. Tristan and I walked him to school and dropped him off with his other friends. Later, when it was time to pick him up, he was in a much better mood. Besides loving class, Smarties are always a kid's favorite. Thank you Miss Jackie for making his day. I can't wait until Friday for some more peace and quiet, and another very happy Gabe.

It's McBurney Time!

We got the opportunity to have friends visit us this last Sunday from Arizona. We all became friends when we were in Simi Valley, then they moved to Chandler, AZ and a year and half later we moved to North Ogden. They have a daughter Gabe's age, the kids all had a blast playing together. We all survived as much of church as the kids allowed, then back at the house we had dinner, visited and played some rock band together. We can't wait until the next visit, thanks for the good times McBurney's!