That Big Announcement!

IT'S A BOY!!!

So I'm a little crazy--I realized after last post that I haven't even posted that I'm pregnant yet. After a couple of miscarriages, I was a little hesitant...and then forgot. Anyway...the fact that I'm prego isn't the big news. But today we found out the gender!!!

I wish I had time to capture the moment for y'all, but we are headed on a trip today and I've got to get moving. I'll just say there were some tears of joy--not just by the emotional pregnant lady. I'm so excited for Cory to have his boy :)

Loves!

Holiday Highlights...so far

Neiman Marcus Parade in Dallas. The girls particularly liked "the real batman."
For the second year in a row Ryan has wondered why the present she asked Santa for wasn't what he pulled out of the candy cane basket.

A fabulous Thanksgiving feast--I believe our second turkey ever. The girls were a little grossed out...
until Chef Cory got a hold of it with a special on-line basting technique...
to provide the perfect company with the perfect feast!
Stay tuned for next week's announcement!!! (If I forget, give me a call Tuesday night :)

Boo!

Give all the face painting credit to Cory--the girls were lovin' it up too! (For close-ups you can check out their blogs listed on the right) Notice how Lorin can't break character for the pic.

Pride and Prejudice Doll Party

Strolling in the garden, shopping at the General Store, and having tea on the patio...
Ryan
Izzy

Lorin

My Aunt K'Lynn started a marvelous tradition many years ago--a Doll Party--designed to teach our daughters homemaking skills, etiquette, and often a glimpse of history . Months in advance we are sewing dresses and making crafts to sell at the General Store. The girls end up spending a full day as if they lived in a different time period and country. From getting hair done in the morning to learning how to cook scones for lunch to having a charming dance in the evening, our little women collapse exhausted at the end and wondering when we're going to do it again.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY in......

NEW YORK!!!


I can hardly believe we pulled it off, but thanks to Aunt Jenny's generosity watching our kids and Cory already scheduled to be in New York for training, we got to spend our 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY in the Millenium Broadway Hotel at Time Square! Within 2 days we....

wait for it...

saw Wicked, the Statue of Liberty, and the whole city atop the Rockefeller Center, ate at a couple totally NY joints (the Nook--yummy!), walked 2 hours (and took a nap) in Central Park, took the Met Museum to its knees (and that's not easy--it's massive!!), went to church with the Manhattan 1st ward where, surprise, my cousin Kirsten and her husband were speaking in church (seriously a cooincidence) as well as some of my favorite Michigan peeps happened to be there on vaca also, saw a Mets Baseball game, and hung out a ton in Time Square.

Nothing like doing New York with your best friend! (ahhh, tender!)

Somehow Jenny survived this ragamuff team! Just one split eyebrow to glue together the morning after I got home :)

Where Did Summer Go?

It went to the Maynors and Ingmires at the Lake of the Ozarks;
to the Kofoed cousins in MO;
to the pool whenever we came back to TX;
to the Costley crowd in Utah for Lorin's baptism and Oquirrh temple open house and 4th of July celebration;
to the Kofoed clan in ID complete with 2 camping excursions, 3 family reunions, a doll party, staples in Ryans head and game playing til 4 a.m.;
and then back to Bear Lake with the Costleys!
and two 21 hour through-the-night drives to make it all possible.

Aunt Jenny and Baby Caleb were a summer hit!Ahhh, all shiny and new! (full story on Lorin's blog)A bunch of pyro's at play no doubt :)Yes, all Kofoed grandgirls loving their "French Culinary Doll Party"!!!Moments later found saying: "I think this pink kind of looks very pretty on me." (Ryan's blog has a few more details)Still Idaho...poor chicken went into the watering trough a few times before we caught her.
Kelli, Traci, and I trying to stay young like our cute neices and nephews.

I can't believe I forgot the camera at Bear Lake. Let me just tell you, Grandma C took us on some wild boat rides!

Oh The Fun We've Had!!

Swimming with Capri Sun.









18 rolly-polly bugs in one hand!






















Lorin getting her ears peirced for b-day #8! (see her blog for details)





Izzy's very last spinal tap!











Spring Soccer Season!






Gardening in a rain storm with friends.





















Fountain fun!











Friend :)
















Even clear back to Easter eggs.






Sisters at the Alamo :)







Cory turning old enough to break a hip any day!
We are trying to live it up down here in Texas! School ends tomorrow...let the summer begin!

Costley Family Photos 2009 (By: Mike Baird)

Baby Plans on Hold

So we'll have to put the baby plans on hold. I debated whether or not to just delete the last post, but I received so many cute congratulations from everyone--I thought it was better to let you know and take your prayers instead :) I had a miscarriage. It was sad especially after seeing the heartbeat just a week ago, but we're doing well. We're very optimistic that we won't have to delay too long ;). Thanks again for all your love.

Who Wouldn't Want Another? Surprise!!

Who wouldn't want another one of these cuties? That's right...



We've got another little bun in the oven!! Due December 8!
Cory says "It's another girl and we shall name her Destiny...because girls are our destiny!" Of course he loves all his girls and we have no clue as to the gender yet. That boy keeps us laughing. :) We all can't wait already for December to come. Ryan: "When's that baby comin' out?" non-stop.

Spring Break with Cousins!

A storm of visitors left our Spring Break feeling extra sunny!!

Cousin Kaleb actually pooped in the tub on a night when Lorin was in there too--there were no casualties except for maybe Aunt Jenny's feet, but we had a lot of "ew, that was gross," and "do you think he'll poop anymore?" Cute witto guy!The Medaris Family came to spend their whole spring break with just us!!! We felt loved :) We didn't quit partying either. In fact, Kelli, Bry, Cory and I would sleep in until 10 because the kids would crash late and wake up playing early--they really didn't need us.

The zoo...(with the Hardy cousins too :)

The Rodeo! (LtoR: Lorin, Alli, Bryan, Ryan, Lindsay, Tyler, Izzy, Cory)
Dickie's Barbecue!
And Ryan's 3 year birthday! (For some funny Ryan stories and more pics go to her blog listed at the right)

Sharing the V-day Love

"I lub you too Mommy." Red roses from a busy man. And girls pumped about pink pancakes on Valentines Day. What more could I ask for :)

























(If you're up for a great heroic tale featuring the Costley fam, click on Lorin Lovin' Life blog at the right.)

"Come on baby let's play"

Before I start, I want you to notice the variations (within the same week) of a Texas winter. The shot with the hat and gloves you might be thinking they just wanted to get them out for fun, but no, the weather that day was worthy of the Michigan-like winter get-up. Then, within the same week, panties in the back yard or at the lake--this has been going on for a couple months now.

With Lorin gone all day to school, Ryan and Izzy have become quite the make-believing maniacs together. First thing every morning I hear Izzy say "Come on baby, let's go play upstairs," and Ryan's response is variations of "Yoohoo, that will be fun!" Then if my agenda doesn't interrupt them they can play for endless hours. Here's a few pictures of them hangin' out together:
At the library just maxin and relaxin together! And hangin' out at Lorin's concert.











Some other fun goings on: Izzy's crazy day at pre-school and Lorin's "Flat Stanley" song at the PTA meeting