rob jill caleb hanna claire xen

Tagged

2008-06-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Bubba! Thanks for Tagging me! I am thrilled...
I don't know whether to be offended or honored to be tagged. My life is pretty much an open book, so I don't know how interesting this will be!

Joys
1. My kiddies: Caleb is caring and attentive, Hanna is sensitive and driven, Claire is content and peaceful, and Xen is enthusiastic and inquisitive.
2. Sleeping. In my bed. Late in the morning. Warm sun through window. Cool bedding. Quiet.
3. Cooking...with Robby!!!

Fears
1. Eternity. Indefiniteness. The Unknown.
2. Sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...FOR MY KIDS!
3. Getting in a car accident.

Goals
1. To ride in a bike race with Robby.
2. To pass the Bar.
3. To land my dream job right out of law school (or a job that is on the path to my dream job - which is a job that will help people and make enough money to pay off our student loans).

Current Obsessions (Me obsessed?)
1. Cutting Split Ends
2. Cooking shows: Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, Martha Stewart's Recipe Archives, YouTube Cooking Demos...
3. The Law - I love it!

Random Facts About Me
1. I am a feminist.
2. I am still mourning the loss of my Grandpa Cottle.
3. I like to do so many things that I often start projects without finishing them because I move on to something new before I get done.
(4.) I want to live near all my family (preferably in a cooperative compound).

Now I am supposed to tag someone else. Though Bub thought this was a girlie thing, the feminist in me can't accept that! Robbie P. you are tagged!

Jill's Last In-School Competition!

2008-05-01T22:21:00.001-07:00

I was selected as the President of the Board of Advocates for next year - my final year in law school. I will oversee all the competitions. I have had the opportunity over the past two years to compete in both regional and national moot court competitions. This was my final chance to win and make it to regionals. My teammates an two best friends in law school are Jeanne Chamberlain (left) and Kellie Nelson (center). We took 2nd place in the competition - securing ourselves a trip to Vegas and a chance to compete in regionals this fall! Our friends won 1st place and we sincerely congratulate them! We had the opportunity to argue our final round before three very honorable judges from Wyoming; one of which was a Wyoming Supreme Court Justice. Go team!The first place team - Congrats!

Crazy Hair Day at School!

2008-05-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

The Naughty Step

2008-05-01T22:12:00.001-07:00

We decided to try Super Nanny's Naughty Step. It is really working for Xen! He needs to learn to communicate without using the top of his voice...

What a cutie he is!

Me and My Silly Kiddies!

2008-05-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Caleb's Black Eye

2008-05-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Caleb got in his first fist fight...well maybe not a fist fight but Xen's head connected with Caleb's when he jumped off the bed and landed on Caleb's face. What a shiner!

Our LONG Trip Home

2008-05-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

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The roads from Evanston to Laramie were closing left and right. I had to get back for class - as my absences allowed are limited and sickness, injuries, and competitions had already taken my allotted amount. As such, we had to do our best to make it home safely but swiftly! No such luck. Will-power and determination alone is not enough to beat a Wyoming snow storm. The freeway was closing down behind us the whole way to Rawlins. Once in Rawlins the roads were closed - in fact all roads to or from Laramie were closed. There was no way we were getting home that night!

We finally made it to Rawlins only to find that EVERY hotel in the town was booked and our only shot at shelter for the night was at one of two emergency shelters set up in town. The first shelter we showed up at had a Greyhound bus parked out front and a large crowd of toothless smokers out front. The kids did NOT want to go in - but I didn't really have a choice. They said they could give us a spot on the large equipment hanger floor where some mats and cots were set up. The cots or mats were all claimed, so we would have to sleep on the cold floor. There were no families or children at this shelter and it really was a bit scary. The kids said we should leave, so we left to check out the other shelter. All this time my dad is calling, trying to find us a place anywhere! He is calling hotels, trying to track down a local bishop, and guiding us to the different shelters. We made it to the second shelter, but the roads were so steep and slick we couldn't get up the hill to the shelter and were forced to go back to the original shelter. In desparation we drove from hotel to hotel hoping to find anything available! We ended up at a hotel that is a bit of a dive. I went inside and asked if they had anything available. Of course the answer was "no". I asked if I could be placed on a waiting list until someone canceled or didn't show up. He told me the rooms were all occupied and we would not be able to get in. At this point I burst into tears and asked him what I was supposed to do! I told him that I had four kids in the car and needed a place to stay! It was at this time that announcements got around that all the shelters were full. It was also at this time that a woman came from around the corner and said that she knew there were two rooms that the maids were unable to clean and could be opened up if someone cleaned them. I told her I would clean it! She said it would only take her a minute and would rent it to me if I could just give her a few minutes to vacuum and clean up.

When I returned to the car there were celebratory tears from the whole Garrett Clan! My parents and Robby were so relieved and we were SO grateful - even though it was a dive and we had to sleep in a smoking room.

We finally made our way back to Laramie. It was a scary drive home where we saw the remains of all the accidents from the prior two days. One accident involved 17 vehicles where two burst into flames and damaged the roads. That is why we were stuck in Rawlins for 2 days - as the roads were cleared and repaired. As we drove home we saw the burned out skeleton of a diesel along the way. It was quite an adventure! Very scary! We were glad to be home!

Emilie LOVES

2008-05-01T21:05:00.001-07:00

Emilie is so lovey-dovey! Grammy is loving it!

Claire and Emilie - kindred spirits and oh so alike! (Lucky Jill and Lis!)

Our Visit with the Cottle's

2008-05-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

Our visit with Brady and Brooke and family! It was great to meet Ethan, see Avery, and celebrate Liam's 3-year birthday. We sure love spending time with you!

Our Visit with Ryan and Bostyn

2008-05-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

We had a great time visiting with Ryan and Bostyn at their new house! Wow those are two cute boys! Ryan is such a kind and fun dad!. Bostyn loves balls! Is that like his daddy or what?

YouTube

2008-02-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Caleb and his friend Brandon posted a video on YouTube. A first! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Claire!

2008-02-18T09:50:00.001-08:00

Claire turned 7 on December 27th while visiting Grandma's house. Claire wanted one thing all year for her birthday...glasses. Later in the year she added that she wanted a black suit to go with the glasses. However, right before her birthday (2 days before) she changed her mind and wanted a pink Nintendo DS. The glasses never changed. She got her glasses!

Caleb's Artful Eye

2008-02-18T09:45:00.001-08:00

I downloaded the pictures Caleb had on his camera and found this unique series of pictures. I thought they were so neat I had to share them! There were a few dozen images. I am posting a few of my favorites.

Indian Paintbrush School Performance

2008-02-18T08:14:00.001-08:00

Dad and Xen getting comfortable and ready for the show!

Claire (in the red shirt) is ready to go!

Claire's Performance

Hanna is in the middle in the brown skirt. She has the funnest class!

Hanna's Performance

Caleb is right there behind the microphone. They really had a great performance!

Caleb's Performance

Xen really enjoyed the performance - well, I should say that mom and dad really enjoyed the performance! Thanks Xen!

Their performance took place on the day I broke my foot. I was still figuring out the crutches and it took me 1/2 hour to get into the building. It was worth it! Great job kids!

Claire's Tooth

2008-02-18T07:54:00.001-08:00

Claire's tooth was so loose it was just hanging - dangling. Finally she asked me to pull it (which I DON'T do). She even went and got me a tissue. I told her I would wiggle it with the tissue. I didn't even get to wiggle it. It stuck to the tissue when I put it in her mouth and just fell out. I don't know how this cutie ever ate food!

Han - the Drama Queen

2008-02-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hanna was dressing up and looked very regal.

Garrett's Christmas

2008-02-13T19:07:00.001-08:00

Our two newest bunnies

2007-12-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

A girl and a boy...we think

Christmas 2007

2007-12-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Soccer 2007

2007-12-15T11:39:00.001-08:00

Caleb and Hanna enjoyed playing soccer this year for the Laramie Soccer League. Hanna has been asked to join the Blizzard's comp team for the spring.

Cousins...or Twins?

2007-12-15T11:16:00.001-08:00

The kids love to look at their cousins on Brady's family blog. Xen thinks that most pictures of Liam are him. We thought we should post a comparison of the two to really see if they do look alike. Regardless, Xen is sure they are twins!

Liam

Xen

Liam (and friend)

Xen

Liam

Xen

Liam

Xen

I don't know...too close to call. Maybe not twins but definitely cousins!

2007-12-15T11:07:00.001-08:00

Claire and Xen - Computer buddies!

The apple doesn't fall far...

2007-12-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

Xen likes to come in to our room in the middle of the night and climb in at the foot of our bed. I usually don't even notice he is there until morning. On this particular morning I came into the room to see them both sleeping. I grabbed my camera and took these pictures.

Congrats!

2007-10-29T21:02:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Brady and Brooke's newest - Ethan Douglas Cottle!

Wyoming Life

2007-10-29T21:01:00.001-07:00

I have taken to studying in our car. It is quiet with heated, comfortable seats. There is the remote place that I enjoy studying - as there is nothing to look at but a field. The other day I was studying and found myself surrounded by a herd of antelope. It was pretty cool!

The First Day of School!

2007-10-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

Caleb, Hanna, & Claire are waiting for the bus. Xen is going to his "new school" - the Open School.

2007-10-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hanna - The STAR!

When the fall recreation center magazine came in the mail we were delighted to see Hanna as a "cover girl!" She didn't believe it was her because she didn't remember the swimsuit (come to think of it - where is that swimsuit?)! Hanna has become quite a celebrity in town. We went to the bowling alley and there were stacks of catalogs, Hanna gracing the covers! At the doctor's office... At the grocery store... At school... EVERYWHERE! Today I went to their website and found that she is in two pictures on their site and Xen is in one. Click and see!
http://www.ci.laramie.wy.us/recreation/PumpkinDunkin.html

Hanna also didn't believe it because last year this was the cover of the parks and recreation magazine. Hanna thought it was here but it wasn't - it is her Laramie look-a-like. See for yourself!

August 25, 2007

2007-10-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

For Rob and I's 12th Anniversary we went to Dancing on the Rocks, while Mom and Dad stayed with the kids!

It was...interesting.

It did get better as the night went on.

The live music was REALLY good. And, as you can tell, we had a great time!

Our Salon

2007-10-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

We turned our garage into a beauty parlor for the girls! They had a day at the salon...surrounded by rabbits, bikes, balls,okay, okay! But we had fun!

I did NOT want to highlight Claire's hair, but she wanted it done SO badly that I had to give in!

Hanna, on the other hand, looks GREAT with highlights! She is so spunky, that her hair matches her personality!

T-Ball 2007

2007-10-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Xen the Devil Ray

These pictures were taken by Caleb at Xen's last t-ball game of the season. Xen had a great time! It was fun to see these cute little kids learn a bit about baseball and a bit about team sports. More fun, it was cute to see them in their uniforms!

The Albany County Fair July 2007

2007-08-03T11:10:00.001-07:00

Caleb and Hanna were in the 4-H Rabbit Show this week. They did a GREAT job! We are so proud of them! Caleb's rabbit, Rodeo, won best of breed opposite while Hanna's, Princess, won best of breed. They won the same in Fur and Class 4 (small breeds). Hanna's Princess won Best in Show Reserve (2nd Place) for the whole show. We had a friend watch Xen today - made things a lot easier. Yesterday we were able to have Nate and Lisa Burbidge at the show with us. It was Nate's first time winning Best in Show. It was great to see them! I got the low down on the bar. Things sound just as aweful as I have imagined. On the bright side - it is still 2 years away! Claire had a great time at the show because all the 4-Hers have little sisters her age so she is in heaven! The Rabbits had a costume contest. Rodeo was a cowboy and Princess was in an Asian dress. It is difficult to tell, but there is a plaque on top of Princess's cage. That was her award for Best in Show Reserve (that is the cage on the right in the bottom picture).

What Dogs We Are!

2007-08-03T11:09:00.001-07:00

Robby: