First Day of School 2016/17

I find this a safe place to document our milestones. Maybe one day I will have them printed into yearbooks but for now I know I can look back and treasure these sweet moments that seem to slip by so fast. 

Today...September 6, 2016 was the start of a new school year. 

Our family now contains a 4th grader and a 2nd grader and as you can see below they are pretty amazing. 

Heading into 4th grade Rylie is excited about her year and 2 new teachers. She has one of her very best friends in class with her and is full of Hope this will be a Super year. She truly does love to learn and be with her friends so hopefully having the support of one or two other classmates will allow her the confidence she needs to keep completing the goals she has set. 

Wyatt is a little nervous this year. He has a new teacher and a lot of new kiddos in the class. He makes friends easily and we hope he will be able to find a good support group in his class as well.  It does amaze me that after three years at school and living in such a small town we still know less kids then we think. But we know he will continue to do well,  have fun, and be a positive influence for others. 

So here we go....off to another year. 

A year of growing, learning,  and meeting new people. 

We sure hope its a great one!

Christmas 2014

Oh wow, where do I ever begin. After a third Christmas in a row of being cold and sick last Christmas it was decided ( by me) that this year we would spend Christmas in Hawaii. Spend it warm and swimming. After a year of saving every penny we were blessed to fulfill this dream. A trip of a lifetime for these kids. A trip I am pretty sure they will never forget. 

Technically we traveled for about two days. With a snowstorm headed our way we left Pagosa around 4pm Sunday and arrived in Hawaii at 11pm Monday (or 2am Tuesday in Colorado) The kids were total troopers.

And were so excited to see our cousins!!

A Hawaiian Christmas tree looks much like a Colorado tree.
Skinny but perfect.

First day was a little rainy so we headed to the aquarium.

walked a little on the beach of Waikiki, saw a real live pirate ship...

Christmas eve we headed downtown to Honololou City Lights.

Shaka Santa and the Mrs...

Carnival Rides on Christmas....pretty fun!

We woke up Christmas early before the sun.....

and then did what most people do, (wink wink)

headed straight to the beach....

This is where most of our days where spent. 

A convenient 5 minute walk from The Coates residence Lanakai Beach is ideal for these kids. Calm, clear, and warm....

We wanted to take the kids to the Pillboxes. A hike we had done last summer, which was pretty amazing. You get a little history and an amazing view. It is fun to let them see something different from the top of a peak.

We then came home to this cutie pie ready to ride some bikes...

and of course head back to the beach...

Our last goal of the trip was to visit Pearl Harbor. It was really amazing how many people arrived there on a Monday morning. We arrived at 8:10am and over 2000 tickets had already been sold. 

It was an amazing week. We hope to go back one day, now that Uncle Gray is there!!

New Years cards with more pictures coming you way soon!!!

Rylie turns 8!!

Before School in her favorite outfit!

How does this happen so fast. 

From baby to 8 overnight!

This big girl had a wonderful day and is looking forward to a great Christmas!

The kids had planned a "show" for us.

The show started with a book and ended with a song.

She loved ALL her gifts.

and read her cards. This girl love cards.
Words of affirmation may be her Love language.

She got some new running shoes....

and then cake!!