He's 5...or make that 6!!!

Aubrey and the kids were down for Sunday dinner. Matthew and I gave Luke an early birthday present, a double sided light-saber. His birthday was actually three days away, but Luke didn't argue with us about getting a present early. He was THRILLED...and Preston was pretty happy that you could pull the two swords apart and play with someone else.

However, when they got home Sunday evening, Luke told Aubrey that he was 5 and would be 6 on Wednesday. Aubrey told him he would still only be 5. He is insisting he is 6 years old today.

Isn't it funny how when we are little we want to be big, but once we are big, we miss the life of being little?

Luke is wanting to grow up. I am wanting him to stay little.

I hope when he really is big he will look back on his life and know how much he was loved.

He is funny, cute, smart, and full of life...a super-sized, super hero in every sense of the word.

We love our Lukee!!!!

Did you know....?

Christmas is right around the corner and with it comes the monumental task of opening the clamshell plastic wrapping on all those children's toys. (clamshell wrap is what they call the plastic wrap they seal around things so that nothing, including a nuclear bomb, can open it)

Did you know.....

you can flip it upside down and use a standard, rotary can opener to cut open the edges. YEAH! No more fussing with scissors to stop the screaming of the 2 year old wanting their toy, NOW!!!!

1 year later...

...and she is still as beautiful as the day Caleb married her. Caleb's good friend Sam is starting his own photography company. Lauren and Caleb were the models for him. Lauren was thrilled to play dress up again in her wedding dress. Thanks Sam for reminding us of how beautiful she is.

Families are Forever

We had a wonderful day today. Matthew performed the sealing of Tryon Stringham to his parents, Anna and Talon. It was a fun reminder of 2 years ago when Matthew sealed their older son, Treydon to his parents. There were 60 people in attendance, some from our ward, but mostly family members were there to celebrate this long awaited day.

Matthew started out by asking the following question, “What is your first memory or experience of learning about Jesus?” You could see everyone’s faces as they searched their memory for that moment when they first became aware of the Savior.
He talked about how we learn to admire, adore and eventually emulate Jesus from the songs, scriptures, pictures and testimonies of others.

He related the following story. He talked of being 10 years old in Basalt, ID, in 1962 playing with his best friend Clay Stringham. Clay’s mother and dad walked in the door. Matthew noticed that Forrest, Clay’s dad, had on a white shirt, tie and a dark suit, but he was wearing white socks. Matthew asked Clay why his dad would wear white socks with his suit. Clay said his parents had just come home from the temple and that they attended the temple every other week.

Matthew has remembered this example of temple attendance for 47 years. We are all so blessed to have examples in our lives of people who admire, adore and emulate the Savior. How do we teach our children to emulate the Savior, by setting the example in our home. When children see their parents attending the temple on a regular basis, they will want to attend the temple too. When they see their parents serving others, they will grow up being of service. When they see their parents read their scriptures, take the Sacrament or serve in their callings, they will do the same.

The Coil family has been blessed by the example of the Stringham family. Generations later, Forrest Stringham’s white socks continue to have an influence in our lives.

We had lunch with Clay and Cathy following the ceremony. It was a wonderful day. Love my Matthew for his desire to admire and adore the Savior.

Prayer

Preston and Luke are spending the night.

I went to tuck Preston in and found him kneeling, with his head bowed and his eyes closed.

One of those precious moments that I will tuck into my memory and pull out occasionally to feel the warmth that comes from obedient children and grandchildren.

Love Preston for his example.

Love the Savior for His example.

Love that Preston loves the Savior.

Good job Aubrey and Chris.

Fun times in Ohio

Matthew and I spent a week in Ohio.

I had sleepovers in Porter's bedroom with Porter, Carlee and Molly

Matthew and Andy golfed

Matthew and Porter golfed

We cheered for Andy as he ran and FINISHED his first marathon

We ate s'mores

I baked cherry pie for Andy's birthday

We had a party for Carlee's birthday

We visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

We visited the Museum of Natural History

Matthew went to the hospital to see where Andy spends ALL his time

We took turns squeezing Tessa

We laughed at our funny grandkids

Shay and I sewed

Shay and I antiqued

Shay and I talked and talked

Matthew and Andy talked and talked

Porter and Carlee talked and talked and talked

We had a GRAND time

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Fall in Ohio 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sugar n' Spice, Carlee's all girl

American Girl dolls, princess dresses, painted fingernails...Carlee is "Pinkalicious" through and through. We celebrated her birthday while I was with her in Ohio. We had pink everywhere, pink balloons, pink pom-poms, pink ice cream, pink streamers and a beautiful GIANT pink cupcake cake. It was a perfect party for a perfect little girl. We love you Carlee!