Growing

The tiny tree in our front yard is still growing. 

And so is the rest of the Cole family.

The boys were game to take a photo in front of our giant evergreen, but Katie was too busy arranging Peppa and friends on the sidewalk (while wearing her Peppa shirt)........priorities,  You might say that Katie is a little bit of a Peppa fan. 

Fall Break

On October 1st we pulled out the pumpkin/fall décor and Jacob said we were celebrating fall break.  Our neighbors put a pumpkin on their front porch and Jacob said they were also celebrating fall break. 

Since we love fall break so much, we also decided it was the perfect time to go to the zoo.  We took this opportunity to squeeze the majority of the family into a tiny train.......I acted as the designated picture taker. 

There were some wild creatures at the zoo and we couldn't believe how close these kids got to us!  We also some zebras before getting to the most important parts of the zoo (carousel and playground).

While Jacob worked off all his energy at the awesome playground, Katie and Matty played in the little kids padded (and shady) play area.

The next day of fall break, we went to Lowe's to decorate pumpkins.  Someone was so proud of her creation that she asked to have her picture taken.  Sweetest girl ever!  And look at that masterpiece.....resembled the masterpieces of the past. 

So then of course Jacob needed a picture with his creation.  While Katie was very liberal with her application of stickers, Jacob was very cautious......so reflective of their personalities. 

And not to be outdone.  Matty also applied stickers (he is advanced like that) or possibly he had help from siblings.  Only time will tell where Matty lands in his sticker application tendencies.

Also it should be noted that Hurricane Matthew hit Florida this year and simultaneously our own little Hurricanes were busy in middle TN.....with only slightly less damage. 

September Mishmash

September is here!   

Kindergarten is fun and Jacob is liking his teacher and classmates.  Katie is still infatuated with Peppa Pig and Matty is his sweet self. 

Katie loves to play house.....but usually up high so Matty can't reach it!  Matty is crawling and pulling up and generally a brave soul to deal with his siblings. 

And Jacob dressed up like a pirate for school! 

And you can't commemorate a childhood without some good old fashioned bath pictures......mostly to be used for bribery later in life. 

It was great fun to put ducks on the kids heads.......guess which one wasn't participating in her parents' amusements?

Love these three and love their personalities.  The best babies ever!!!!!!!!!

Jacob's First Day of Kindergarten

When Jacob was little bitty we thought the days were just dragging, but we blinked and we now have a school aged boy.

We are very proud of Jacob.  He loves to read and play and as far as we know he has the Kindergarten curriculum mastered before he even steps into that classroom.

Jacob's teacher is Mrs. Parker and she seems to be just the right kind of temperament.  Jacob was ready to meet his classmates.

Here is our precious boy on his first day.  At classroom drop off, Katie wanted to stay with Jacob.

Jacob is 5 years old.  His favorite color is green (and sometimes red like Lightning McQueen).  He loves to play cars and has always loved to build things (snap circuits, tracks, legos, puzzles, etc).  And he said he has no idea what he wants to be when he grows up, but hopefully he has a little time to think about it since we really want this growing up thing to slow down.

We love our Jacob!

Fourth of July In Florida

Over the fourth of July weekend this year, we went to FL with Babcia and Dziadzio.  On the way there, we drove through the night and it wasn't too bad since most of the crew slept and ate. 

Matty is such a good baby!  We can't get enough of this cuteness and perfectly round head!!!

Babcia and Dziadzio showed us around since Florida is their second home.  They walked to the beach with Jacob one morning and we made it back to the beach one other morning and one evening.  We even went swimming in the condo pool one afternoon.

To say that Jacob loved the water would be an understatement.  Even the few mouthfuls were met with a smile.

Katie also got in on the beach action, but she preferred the sand and digging.  She did try the water as well.

Katie is a cutie.

Oh how we wish the beach was closer.

What fun Jacob had rolling around in the water!

We also went to Orlando and spent time with great grandma and great grandpa!!!  This was the first time they met Katie and Matty and of course Jacob was pretty small the last time they met. 

Matty almost outweighs great grandpa!

Aunt Elizabeth came over and Matty loved her by napping on her shoulder for a while.  Even Aunt Margie, cousin Ania and little Colby came to play.  It was a full house and we loved it!  How many people can say that their great grandma got on the floor to play roll the ball with them?

It should be noted that Jacob and Katie got some sand toys and of course everyone wanted the same ball and bucket and boat.  Luckily there were multiples of the balls and buckets and these were the beloved toys of the trip.  It is over a month later and the boat is still played with daily.

This was a wonderful trip to FL.  We spent time our family and went to the beach.  Can't get much better then that. 

Preschool Graduation

Jacob has graduated from St Rose Preschool!

Jacob knew that graduation started at 6:30 so he arranged to get a ride from Babcia to school since he knew she would also take him for a special graduation treat after the ceremony.  According to Babcia, Jacob was a little hesitant to go into his classroom, but Ms. Judy chatted him up and since he loves Ms. Judy so much he told Babcia she should go now.

The PreK program included a picture of the class on field day and their names.

While we waited for the graduates to file into the school gym, we read the program and played on the bleachers.  The lady next to us held Matty for a bit because he is a precious (if not slightly giant) baby.

Finally our graduates filed in and were positioned on stage.  It was dark, but Jacob is on the top row.

They performed some little poems and songs.  Jacob even did his hand gestures!!  All that practicing paid off!

Then they filed back out of the gym to get their caps on.

And then it was time for DIPLOMAS for our most distinguished Preschool alumni. 

Our graduates and their diplomas.....Right now our little scholar would like to be a race car when he grows up!

And then we were introduced to the preschool class of 2016 and high school class of 2029.  Some of us hadn't done the math so it was a bit of a shock to think that in 13 years we hope to be doing this again.

Here is Jacob with the best PreK teachers on the planet.....Mrs. Flowers and Ms. Judy.

Jacob, we pray you are blessed with a strong desire to learn and an inquisitive mind.  We are so proud of our Jacob and are looking forward to see what Kindergarten holds for us!

And of course after graduation we all celebrated with drinks.

Four Month Old Baby Alert

Our dear sweet baby, Matty, just turned FOUR months old!

Poor thing is definitely a third child so the pictures are fewer and of lesser quality since Matty's parents are just trying to keep everyone from injury.

But Matty is thriving and he is HUGE!

Our four month old is a champion eater and soooooo handsome!

By all accounts, Matty remains a very calm baby. Katie loves to talk to Matty and often tells him "Matty's so soft.  Matty's so happy.  I love Matty.  Matty's upset."  We are pretty sure that Matty will never have to talk. 

And for the most part, month 4 was a month in which only part of Matty's head would fit in the pictures.

We love our sweet boy.