Hayden's 6!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYDEN!!

Hayden's birthday was January 12th and he was one lucky boy to have so many people here to celebrate since they were in town for Clayton's baptism.

 Anyone that has been around Hayden lately knows he is obsessed with Sonic!!  He started loving Sonic after we checked out a Wii game at the library and would do any sort of jobs to earn Wii time. Hayden owns this games now thanks to someone called Santa ;)  Wii is seriously the type of currency I can use with Hayden right now.  If he isn't nice he knows that Wii time is on the line and shapes up real fast! 

 Hayden's favorite place to eat is Panda Express.  He can eat their Orange Chicken everyday if he could.  He was taken out to Panda Express not once, but twice that week by two sets of grandparents who love him and get a kick out of his craziness and spunk!!  Its always fun to feel special and have something done just for you, and both my parents and Nate's have always done this for our kids and they love them for it!!

Hayden is my fun, energetic, hilarious boy who hides his own softy side.  When you receive a hug from him its always a good one because he gives them when he really means it! He is my best helper with jobs and in the kitchen and stays until the work is done.  He seldom complains, unless again Wii time is in question!  He loved being showered with Sonic presents to have fun with and really enjoyed his cake! Happy Birthday H!!

Special Day

Clayton Nathaniel Cottrell

Baptism Day

Saturday,

January 14th, 2012 

 What a special day it was for our family when Clay was baptized!  Both of his Grandparents were there to celebrate along with family and friends that were able to be there on that day.  Grandpa Cottrell gave a talk on Baptism after which Nate performed Clayton's baptism.  Grandpa Ron gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and then Clayton's confirmation was also done by his Nathan. 

 Clay is such a bright and loving boy.  He is very thoughtful and wants to do things right.  He is very smart and has a good understanding of the gospel.  I love his sweet spirit and kind nature to those around him as well as his fun goofy side!!  Both Nathan and I are so proud of him and are grateful to be his parents.  We look forward to ever stage of our children's lives and this is a big one for our Clayton.  Clay turned 8 on December 19th and wanted to be baptized right away, but also wanted his family to be part of it, so he was happy when everyone could come in January and celebrate together.  Clay helped put the program together for his own baptism and had picked "When I am Baptized" for the opening song and "I am a Child of God" for the closing.

Grandpa Ron & Grandma Mindy

 We loved having Grandparents in town to share this day with us and I know Clay felt how proud they were of him and that they love him a lot.

Grandpa & Grandma Cottrell

 I enjoyed putting together the refreshments for the baptism and was able to have a fun time with late night talks with my mom while we were preparing it all!  We served: Cookies, poppy seed bread, chocolate cake pops, veggie tray with dip, pretzels, sweet pickles, strawberries, sliced apples, and pineapple

A Big thank you for friends, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins were who there that day as well.  Clay also has many family members who would have loved to have come as well but couldn't since we live far away.  He received many phone calls, gifts, and congratulations from family who love and care about him and are proud he decided to become a member of:                                                                      The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We had both sets of grandparents, Scott, Kristy & Shayna, Chris, Kacie, Jordan & Ever over after the baptism to have lunch together.  We made French Dip sandwiches with au juice, chips, bevereages and the extras from the refreshments.  So great to mingle, laugh, and enjoy the day together!

Christmas down South

 Smiles like these are constant when we go visit Gr &Gr Cottrell in Louisiana!!  We left cold and chilly Illinois for a warm and sunny Christmas down south! 

 Kristy, Scott and Shayna were there with us as well and we all took a day to go see the big Mississippi and feed the birds.  This was a HUGE HIT with the kids and we were all lucky not to get pooped on!!

 Here come all the birds!!!!  Cover your heads!!

 The French Quarter!!  I LOVE the Flea Market there. As you can tell you can find all sorts of things there!  Justin was cautious about the alligator heads but eventually give them a 2 second touch and snatched his hand right back! I think he thought it was going to snap at him like a alligator game that we have back home does.  We ate some yummy authentic Southern food in a indoor/outdoor cafe.  Mine was Louisiana seafood gumbo...yes yummy

 The French Quarter in Downtown New Orleans, is such a tourist attraction that you never know what you will find. Artist, dancers, jazz musicians, people selling goods, fortune tellers, kids tap dancing on smashed pop cans anything to get tips from spectators.  Here is a guy that made his very own Transformer costume.  His arms and legs had what looked like roller blade wheels on them and the big tires actually ran on a small battery and when he got on all fours he turned into his car and drove around the crowd!!  He would them stand up and flip the front bumper back and transform into the robot.  Clay and Hayden loved it!!



You can always see these funny guys striking a pose and keeping it for what seems like forever to me and then make jerky movements to spook people walking by.  Its hilarious to watch!

 Steve and Diana are always great hosts!  I love making dinners together, playing games, enjoying time in the hot tub, and movie nights, they all are a must.  The kids loved making homemade ornaments with Diana and they turned out so great.  Christmas morning is pajama time, opening presents and lots of WOWS, AWESOME, and THAT'S SO COOL!

Thanks Gr & Gr Cottrell for such a great vacation and Christmas time spent with you!!  We are all so lucky to be part of such a great family!!