My New Living Room

I began this remodeling job the day Creed started feeling better, it took me one whole week, but I have it just the way I want it. The best thing is the only thing I purchased was paint! I had everything else, I just got creative...which is difficult for me :)

I went from a frosty purple color to Warm Stone on the south and west walls and Sun Dried Tomato on the north and east walls.

I took satin black spray paint to the shelf and small table

and the corner shelf.

Now, I have another small table and spray painted it black to have near the t.v console and it holds a small beaded lamp.

Rob isn't fond of the tiles across the wall but for now that is what we have.

The ultimate plan is get the awful t.v. out of there and have this room as our parlor/music room, and of course, beautiful espresso colored leather furniture...in due time. For now, I am so pleased with the warmth the colors bring and it is so relaxing.

Phew! What a Week!

I am so glad and thankful to be starting a new week. Since we returned home from Utah, if it hasn't been one thing it has been another.

Micah got really sick on the trip home, we thought it was due to the movie they watched going through Montana (he is prone to motion sickness anyway, not a smart idea on our part) I am sure that didn't help any, but little did we know...

Four days later I was up to my eyeballs in VOMIT! Sunday night Creed woke up around 9 puking, this was new to him so naturally he was a bit scared. He became very familiar with it because for the next 6 hours he puked on average 2 times an hour. Right about the time Creed was puking his last (around 2 a.m.) Rob was in the bathroom not knowing from which end it was going to come!

Thankfully, Rob's lasted no more than an hour...we thought Creed was through with it as well, but little did we know...

Monday I had a very tired little boy and I honestly didn't know how it was to go, Creed has never been sicker than a runny nose. So being with him was so strange, he was laying around, quiet and sleeping all the time. Must have been the hand of God granting his little body strength for the next round.

Tuesday we were back to vomiting, than it hit Emma late that night (again, thankfully Emma's lasted about an hour and we kept her home from school Wednesday). Wednesday Creed was still vomiting, Thursday diarrhea and vomit, Friday I took him to the clinic because it was visible that he had lost weight(according to my scale he was down 3 lbs.) He had a good day so I thought he was on the mend, only to start up again Saturday night with more diarrhea and vomit. By Sunday I was on my last leg, and Rob sent me to be with my SIL Sandy as she needed a ride to Fargo to fly home. Rob kept Creed Sunday all day and other than being a bit "crabby" he had a good day. Monday he was back to normal and boy was I ever glad to have my boy back!

We have never had the flu so bad before; I was really concerned about Creed. I don't know if it attacked him so violently because he had never had even a touch of it before or what, but I pray for his sake (and mine) that he can withstand the next time like the rest of us.

Tonight as I was laying him down for bed, we went through our nightly routine and he reminded me of his music (as if I had forgotten before) and then said "Good night, Sweetheart!" Oh, how I love that boy!

Winter out at the Farm

While we were in Utah we had a ton of snow come through and left a hefty amount of snow behind.

Sure is beautiful!

5 foot drift in front of one of our sheds.

There was enough snow up against another shed that the kids were able to just about reach the top.

Another old shed covered by the snow.

Ice Skating 2010

Emma has been in dance for the past 4 years, unfortunately her dance teacher is no longer willing to commute 70 miles to teach 3 days a week. Can't say I blame her, but I am sad, she was an excellant instructor.

Emma's best friend Reise has been in figure skating for some time and really enjoys it, it was an easy sell to Emma. Other than the super freezing cold she really is doing well and likes it alot. We started her out in snowplow 1 for beginners and she easily moved into Reise's class basic 3 within 2 short weeks.

>

Their first recital is sometime in April (I think) so they are well ahead of schedule on their formal pics, which is nice.

Victory Bells

Emma playing Victory Bells

One of the numbers she will be playing in February at the Music Festival.

She needs work on the dynamics and timing a bit, but she is doing really well.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

My darling Sister In Law Angie gave us the most fun and creative gift this Christmas...

It all started with Creed's gift~If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff

She then decided to make Emma and I aprons and then wondered what to make for the boys...what about baker's hats. She and her mom did a wonderful job! Thanks, Brenda!

Each of their gifts included their homemade item along with their cookie cutter initial, and necessary ingredients to make lollipops.

Rob didn't get a baker's hat, but he got the recipe and lollipop sticks in his gift box.

What a wonderful family project, we are hoping to do it soon.

Here's too...If You Give Angie a Book! LOL!

Wolf Creek~Eden Utah

Mom and Dad rented a condo @ the Wolf Creek.

We were so excited to return to the Wolf Creek because 12 years ago March 29th Rob and I had our first date from the Wolf Creek where Amanda and Ryan were married.

It was fun to bring the kids there and tell them the story of our family's beginning.

It was cold but bearable comparative to Minnesota.

M had so much fun snowboarding down the nice hill.

I really love and appreciate the Utah Mountains.

Cottrell Christmas Family Photo Shoot~Brigham City, Utah

Dad's friend Ashleigh Price took some awesome pictures at the local train station.

We had a whole lot of fun!

Grandma and Grandpa got some great shots of their family.

My brother Jacob and his beautiful wife Angie

I can't remember when the last time the 4 of us had a shot together.

Love it!

To Celebrate the Saviors Birth

Our Christmas Eve tradition is to celebrate Jesus' birthday with a special cake, some christmas carols and fireworks.

This year we added a prayer list and then we spent some sweet moments in prayer together.

Thank you, Rob for loving to do this for us year after year, I know how hard it is for you to go out and play with fire :)

Glory to God in the Highest...

Micah, a shepherd, reading the Christmas story for the Sunday school program.

He did such a wonderful job, I am so proud.

Picture by Stacie Hoefler

I was reminded of Micah's first time in the Sunday school Christmas program, he was barely a month old, he was baby Jesus. He is still playing such an important part!

Some of you may not know this but for the past 3 years Micah has told us that he wants to be a shepherd when he grows up; I have often thought, "OK, a shepherd, huh! you have so many more talents, but I am not going to shoot down your dreams." Than Micah's Auntie Val (who is a foreign missionary) told us that maybe he will be a Pastor. After hearing that it has opened my eyes to a whole new understanding of my son and can totally see how this could be his calling. Rob and I have prayed nightly for years that the Lord would minister to our children's hearts and minds and whisper His words of love, comfort and direction for their lives. So it doesn't surprise me a bit if he really knows this in his heart of hearts.

T-I-M-B-E-R

Some after supper play...it is always entertaining!

Celebrating Creed

Our Baby Boy

Creed Robert

December 2007

Creed's 1st Birthday Cake (He didn't really get a birthday last year) Oops!
December 2009~2 Years Old...Already!

I have a picture now of all 3 of my little ones "reading" at this age.

Singing "happy birthday" to Creed, he sang along with us :)

Blowing out his candle,

Opening his gift from us,

Puzzles from Tia Angie and Tio Jay

We used this day to celebrate M and E's birthdays with the family. This prevents 5 separate parties, within 2 weeks and 5 days from each other.

I served up Tacos with Spanish Rice (thanks to Rice-A-Roni) and Apple Cider.

It was a little different not having Katie, Isaac, Gabe, Jacob and Zach there.

My, how time changes things.

Christmas Picture Card 2009

Yay for Noelle @ Shots and Thoughts! She is amazing and I have a load of pictures to prove it! Not to mention that we were in and out of there in no time flat! That is what matters to me! Go check her out; Located in Crookston, MN

A little of this...A little of that...

Following picture by Emma:

Creed and Erik

Girls Night Out to see Time Traveler's Wife

Brandi, Me, Stacie and Stacey

Micah's Birthday bike

Isaac, Creed (listening to my iPod) and Katie trying to hear what Creed is listening too.

Self-Portrait

Rob sleeping in Church...just kidding his napping at a wedding :)

E practicing her Victory Bells

M learing the guitar

Piano Lessons