Field Trips

I chaperoned a field trip to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point with Cy's class. This is a fun adventure for the second graders because they work on a large dinosaur project every year and learn more information about dinosaurs than you can shake a stick at. Cy had a great class this year. Good kids, who are for the most part adorable and good. He had his first male teacher, Mr. Smith, who Cy loved and so did I. He was awesome. I happily agreed to do this, but of course put rules and regulations about my volunteering with Mr. Smith. I asked that one particular student not be in my group. He is a hand full. Mr. Smith, being the funny guy he is, made sure to put him in my group. I won't tell you which one he is in the photo. However, he is the one I lost about 4 times. It was a good day despite that. When the kids got tired of going through the museum, I fired up a rock/paper/scissors tournament that was a huge success. I volunteered often in Cy's class this year and got to know the kids pretty well. Great kids, I'll miss them.

Look out!!!!

Trying not to lose anyone, stay together.

The same week, Cole had a Field Trip to the Bingham Cooper Mine. This adventure started out less than desirable. First, I was running late, shocking, I know. Second, I threw away the directions to the place, found it easily though, no big deal. I had some cash with me to get in, a hundred dollar bill and 3 ones. When I got to the gate the women told me it was $5. I offered her the hundred dollar bill, she couldn't make change. So she watched me shuffle through my wallet and console for 10 minutes and I came up with $4.97. She asked me to drive back into to Herriman, about 10 minutes away to go to an ATM. Really, really? I don't think that anyone every owes me anything, but you can't possibly let the 3 cents slide when you know I am on my way to a field trip that starts right now? Or offer to lend me 3 cents or let me ask on of the many parents from our group that were waiting behind me if they would be so kind. Normally, I would probably have a smarty pants remark for this woman or at least I would have at least tried to be very charming and try and to convince her to let me through or propose to her an of the fore mentioned offers. However, this particular morning I just didn't have it in me. Instead I turned my car around, headed to Herriman and started to cry. I pulled over just a few yards away to go through the car one more time. I called Nolan to complain about the situation and instead of saying that is pure ridiculousness and consoling me the way I wanted him to, he said "you really can't find 3 more cents?" I realize this was not rude or ill-willed but it made my cry harder. And I did find three more cents. I found a quarter, a melted milk dud and a action figure in a pocket I had almost forgotten about in my purse. Then because I was crying, Cole started to cry. Oops, not the way I planned field trip day going.

We did make our way up the canyon to the pit. I had never been before, it's pretty amazing. Cole has a class full of all boys. His best buddies are Jameson and Cooper. Such cute little guys. We ended up having a fine time and even had a fun date to Winger's after for lunch and a yummy dessert. It was fun having some one on one time with my little guy.

Bingham Cooper Mine

Pre School Friends

Disneyland - April 2010

As I have posted before...I love Disneyland. Love that it is clean, fun and has always been for us, happy indeed. While it is still full of magic, I will soak up every minute of it. This year, however, we started off differently from our other trips. We kept it a secret from the boys. I didn't think I could do it. Who am I kidding. I didn't really do it all that successfully. I had slipped twice. Luckily, they are easily swayed. I can still blame Nolan for something I did when he hasn't been home all day.
Me and Nolan had packed and gotten everything ready for a evening flight on Tuesday. We both went to work, Cy had school and Cole played at Granny and Papa's, so they were oblivious to all of the behind the scenes planning. I picked them up and told them we had to take Nolan to the airport for business. When I said he was going to go to California, they whined and begged to go. After we drove into the airport, I broke the new. Cole was so funny, he just kept saying "We are going to Disneyland this day. This day. No sleeps. This day." After I convinced them that we were not teasing them, they hooted and hollered. It was so fun for us to surprise them.

None the wiser about what is going to happen.

The first day started out a little rocky. I couldn't get our e-tickets to the park to print. Customer Service said that I could take my confirmation # to the ticket booth and it would be okay. The gas station across from our hotel did not have Diet Pepsi in fountain drink form....tragedy. Then when I arrived at the park to retrieve our tickets I realized I forgot my ID....NO. Luckily, I had two credit cards with my name on them and one is a card with the boys' picture on it. I shuffled the boys up for proof that it was us. Kindly, she accepted that as proof of identification. Then the nice women informed me that the tickets I had bought were for 2 days from the current date. I had to take a time out. I was about to cry. She was kind and got it all straightened out for me. This is really typical Cori antics. I'm not sure why I was surprised. Finally, we walked through the gates. Yay, we were there and everything was going to be just fine.

Waiting for Captain EO. During the movie Cole asked me VERY loudly, "Is Michael Jackson a girl or a boy?" Bless his little heart.

Once inside, everything was perfect. The park was very quiet. We started at Star Tours and made our way around the park. We rode all but about 5 rides that first day. We even took a long break to have dinner with a girl we graduated from high school with and her family. That was fun. We went back after dinner to do a few more rides. We stayed until the park closed at 9 and Nolan and I talked about how surprised we were that we were not exhausted after a full day. The park being slow really helps. Just marching from ride to ride is much easier on the feet than racing back and forth. Great day!!!

Cy, Cole and Josie waiting for Pirates

Day two, we met up with the Jewkes'. It was great to spend some time with them too. It is fun to see their girls so excited on the rides and enjoying all the wonder that Disney brings too. Olivia, was a hoot. She talked herself out of being scared on the rides. It was so cute. We did some Disneyland and then went back to the Jewkes' hotel for some swimming. It was SO cold. Of course, the kiddos braved it like it was 95 instead of 60 degrees. The rest of us stayed bundled up pool side.

Eating at the Rain Forest Cafe. You know you've been eating crappy (expensive) park food when this joint tasted like fine cuisine.

Day three was spent at California Adventure. We ended up doing the Aladdin show there. I loved that and so did the boys. We had never seen it before. I couldn't believe it. California Adventure also has one of my favorite rides, Soarin' California. It is amazing. We hooked up with the Jewkes' again just for one last ride and to bid them farewell. This was the day that all of our running around caught up to me. I was so tired. Still stayed late into the evening though. Even with all of our running around and the short lines, we missed a few things. Didn't see any parades and I had been so excited to do the Hall of Presidents....I have fond memories of me and my Grandpa Jo taking a little siesta during that show, and we didn't even get to it.

Woody. Cole was really excited about meeting him.

Nolan took this picture. It's my favorite. Good positioning, Nolan.

Day four was awesome. We slept in, took our time getting ready. Drove down by the Angels Stadium and had lunch. Then we hung out at the pool for a good 6 or 7 hours. It was gorgeous weather. I sipped Mojitos and insisted that everyone enjoy every second of the sunshine (it was snowing back home.) We even called to have pizza delivered because we didn't want to leave. The boys brought their new Lego's down when they grew tired of swimming. We finished it off with watching a movie in bed and going out for ice cream. If only every day were like this day. Life would be grand.

We spent our last day at the beach. The boys love the ocean. I love the beautiful view. We took the ferry over to Newport Beach. The boys thought that was cool. We played at the beach and then we went on a whale watching tour. It was "pretty much just water." That was Cole's take on it anyway. He was pretty much right too.

We saw a hand full of dolphins, but no whales. Even the dolphins, which apparently are usually social and come close up to the boat, were staying far away. Darn it! Even seeing just a couple though is more than we usually see cruising around the waters of Utah. So it was a win.

Cy had to have these aviator sunglasses. So cool!

It turned out to be a great vacation. Could have used a few more days of it. Real life is just not as much fun as someone else cooking, cleaning your room and making your bed, a pool within a few steps and the magic of Disneyland. Can't wait until next year.

Spring Break 2010

Cy received the Principle's Pride Award at school. It is a small ceremony where the principle presents them with an award in honor of an outstanding project or score. Cy was acknowledge for an art project that incorporated letters into it. Good Job, Cy!

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The second grade puts on a program each year about Dinosaurs. The children work very hard on learning facts, writing reports and learning songs about the dinosaurs. The parents get to go to an assembly with song and dance and then back to the classroom to view some of the other projects that they had worked on. Cy even had a speaking part. "Some carnivores such as allosaurus hunted alone like today's tiger. Others, like the velociraptor, hunted in packs like the modern wolf." He did great. I do not have any pictures from it because I was too nervous for him and had asked to him to keep eye contact with me so he wouldn't be anxious.

Sing it Cy, Sing it!

Telling Dad about the dinosaurs he had written about.

This was the Dino Dance. There was way too much booty shakin' when it came to the freestyle. Someone thought he was pretty funny.

Dinosaur Clay Model. This is obviously an anklyosaurus.
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Right after the time change there was a day that was nice enough to take a walk after Nolan got home from work. We took a trip to a nearby park. It was so nice to be outside and for it to stay light longer. I love the time change.

I took my camera to play with it and got a few cute shots.

I asked the boys to get in the tree and actually got one cute shot before Cole had a melt down. He was scared. Had he told me before he got in the tree, I wouldn't have asked. Poor guy.
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The last weekend in March, we went up to a friend's house who has an annual Easter Egg hunt. It was a huge success. There were so many kids. She had done 600 eggs and then everyone brought some of their own. Good loot was had by all. Here the kids are devising a strategy to grab the most eggs. They must have thought of a good plan because they scored.

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We had plans of going to Price for the Friday and Saturday of Easter weekend. My parents, the boys and I set out on Friday morning, but ran into a accident that had the road closed. We waited eventually turned around to head home. The boys, Cy imparticular, was VERY disappointed. So was I. He loves to go visit all the family in Price and stay at Pam's house. A few highlights; Pam's kisses, turkey and hot tub. As well as some quality time with Darek.

When I told Nolan how sad the boys were we decided to go spent the night at Little America. When I was young, my Aunt Pam and her family would come stay at Little America for Easter weekend. I have such found memories of it, a little vacation 10 minutes from home. I thought the boys might like it to. They did. Swimming is always a favorite past time.

Lovin' Life!!

How cute is that? Cuddled up for bedtime.


Everyone slept well. Cy and I were up and down to the lobby to share a bagel while Nolan and Cole slept until after 9:30! We let the boys swim again and then headed up to the This Is the Place State Park for an Easter Egg Hunt. When we arrived we were told it was held the weekend prior :( So much for that, so we headed across the street to the zoo. The snow storm the day before had left cold temperatures and few animals were out. It's always nice to run around though.

It was a full moon.

We headed home to dye Easter eggs. I love doing this activity. I take it a little too seriously.

Easter morning was nice for the boys. They checked out their baskets and the eggs that were hidden inside. We watched the movie Cole received from the Easter Bunny, Toy Story 2, and I got ready for our annual Easter Brunch with our families.

We found that there were eggs hidden outside after the snow melted.

Cole finished off what was left of the snowman that was built over our so-called Spring Break. Later we played outside, coats on and all with the Super Soaker guns the boys had gotten from my parents. Shouldn't the Easter Bunny always bring nice weather?

Tomorrow is the last day of the boys' Spring Break. What to do, what to do?

January started with sledding and more sledding. First we went with the Jewkes' Family and Kanani and Maile to a small park close to home. It was the little ones, Maile and Olivia's, first time out. They are so darn cute. This trip was extra enjoyable. Why? Both boys can carry their own sleds back up the hill. One of the first transitions from babies to boys that I did NOT cry about. It was awesome. I certainly burned fewer calories, but enjoyed myself much more.

We headed up to Gorgoza Park for Josie's 4th Birthday. A tradition that we have come to eagerly anticipate. If you have not been there, do yourself the favor. It's great. There is a tow rope that pulls you up the hill and then various sizes of hills to go down. Seems a little safer, have never seen anyone crash and again, it is the lazy man or women's sledding. The Jewkes' rent a warming yurt for the birthday festivities which is pretty cool too. Sledding is the only real reason to have snow as far as I am concerned. Once again, the only boys there.....one day they will appreciate this. Look at those cute girls.

Ringing in 2010

We did have a really fun New Year's Eve.....2 and a half months ago. We did not have a babysitter, so instead of hanging out with friends like we usually do we packed up the kids and went to, ready for this, West Valley City. A long 7 to 10 miles away from our home. The boys had their eyes on this new hotel that has a big enclosed slide that can be seen from the outside of the building. I decided to make reservations there for a quiet night of swimming. Thought that we would have the pool to ourselves, it is New Year's for Pete's sake. Wrong!!! Me and everyone else had the same idea. Even saw 2 people I went to high school with. That's always awesome to see someone you haven't seen in 15 years while you are in a swimsuit. We swam, ate, swam, watched a movie and swam again. We were in bed by 10 o'clock. Woke up feeling like a million bucks too. It was so much fun. The boys loved it and so did Nolan and I. We are going to make it a yearly get away. Maybe not always on New Year's, but at some point in the long winter.

Look Mom, 2010!

Tucked in and ready for shut eye by 10:00, it was New Year's somewhere.

Soft Hearted Hippies..........

The boy's are saying and doing the funniest things lately. Most notably is their obsession with whether you are "a hippie, a hobo or a hillbilly." I'm not sure what this means. I mean, at least Cy doesn't cry about it anymore. When he was in kindergarten he came home upset one day because another little boy had called him a "hippie." He didn't know what it meant but he knew that he did not like it. If you have seen the movie Up, maybe you have giggled at the part where the old man yells to one of the people who are trying to kick him out of his home, "Take a bath, Hippie," this has become a family favorite, but I'm not sure where the hobo or hillbilly comes from.



Cole is at the age where I could just freeze him in time forever, although I felt the same way about 2 and 3 years old. As I have mentioned before he is my more aggressive, feisty kid. He is also my tender hearted little man. The other day as we sat in the dark watching TV he wanted me to come into his fort he had built. As he went to lead the way with his flashlight, he flashed it in my face and then said these kind words, "Eww. Mom you like kinda old like that." Thanks Bud, that's not very nice. In his sweetest little voice, "No Mom, I meant kinda pig-ish and crazy." So, I crawled into the fort and pretended to cry. He crawled in next to me and said," I think I am going to have to cry too." The waterworks started flowing. Of course, Nolan and Cy thought his comments were hilarious so they were laughing. After Cole stopped crying, he proceeded to yell at both of them for laughing. He has also cried another time he thought he hurt my feelings, during Avatar and Where the Wild Things Are. The first time I recall him crying out of sympathy was on a road trip with E.T. on the playing on the DVD player. I had looked back to see him looking not quite right but didn't think to much of it. Finally I asked him what was the matter and he just broke down. I had to insist that he finish watching the movie to see that E.T. survives. Anyway, he is really a sympathetic little guy, I just love him.

Then last week Cy had had a nightmare. Apparently, he was still having it when he woke up. He told me, "I'm not even going to tell you what I was dreaming about. It's too sad." Of course, he did and he said that he dreamed that my Dad got a new dog then killed it because it would stop jumping on people (pretty harsh for a softy like my Dad). Anyway, he tried to tell me about it without crying, but was unsuccessful. Cole was listening to this all and then he started to cry. When my Dad got there, Cy was still mad at him. He needed a "few more minutes." Needless to say, I was late for work, the morning started out rough, but within several minutes everyone was okay. Cy loves dogs. I love him.

I want to order a blog book so bear with me while I get caught up. There's much to catch up about, really all of Summer 2009 for this post.

First up, the Brady Family reunion. This year, the first in many years, we did away with the fancy cabins we have rented and took it back to our roots at Old Folks Flat in Huntington Canyon. This was my Grandma Marge's favorite camping spot and had been the site of many reunions. I loved it. We had so much fun. We painted rocks (many, many rocks), the kids did a scavenger hunt and played lots of games, fished and hiked. We did plenty of visiting and eating and just took the time to enjoy each others company. This year Candy and Jenny, my uncle Rick's daughter's, got to come. That was exciting, I had not seen them for a few years. This is a weekend I look forward to each year.

Me, Heather and Richelle

Grandpa Bob and his kids

All the Little Cousins

Cy turned 7. For his birthday, my Mom treated him to a day at Seven Peaks Water Park. Uncle Mike, Cole and I tagged along. Cy is really brave and was hard to keep up with all day. We had a great time. I love my Cyborg so much. He is so thoughtful, kind and smart. I can't believe how quickly he is growing. He makes me very proud.

We held our annual Skibypalooza Festivities with the giant water slide and lots of our friends and family....and lots of girls. Usually the boys are outnumbered 4 to 1. It my favorite day of the summer.

Cole turned 4. I thought we had an agreement about this. Four is the hardest birthday. They just aren't babies anymore. Of course, he'll always be mine. He is a hilarious kid who is at that age where you just want to freeze him in time. He is our much more feisty child but still has a such a tender heart. He's my precious Angel, just ask him.

We did lots of swimming this year. The boys took lessons all summer long. It was Cy's first year of traditional school so we had a long summer. We all had a wonderful time enjoying the lazy days of summer. Look at those tans too. They certainly do not have my pail skin. I love summer!!!

Rockin' On!!

My Mom scored some last minute tickets to the American Idol concert. Cy and Ashlee came too. We went to dinner first and then off to the concert. It was time for Cy to learn how fun concert night is. The concert was surprisingly good. Don't get me wrong, I love me some American Idol but I thought it might be heavy on the cheesy scale. Instead it was highly enjoyable. I am enjoying the days that Cy is still not embarrassed by his mother shakin' her booty. I was the ONLY one in my section to dance it out to P.Y.T. Cy was precious. Dancing and clapping. Although not so much when I needed him during P.Y.T. He was absolutely exhausted by the end of it but he wants to do it again this year (Did ya hear that Granny?)

Cy, Cohen, Cole and Skylee....cuties!

September brought the Skiby Family Reunion, a first. I used my love for event planning to throw this shin dig together. We rented a cabin just East of Park City. It was really nice to have everyone together. We played games, Wii, watched movies and Nolan and I got to sneak out to the Parade of Homes since this landed on our 12th anniversary. We also spent some time in the hot tub which then had us spending time at Insta Care/ER with a case of folliculitis. Darn it. Good times anyway.

The Skiby's


Low light of the end of summer, Cole's crash. Cole was being watched by an uncle, who shall remain nameless, when he crashed on his bike. Yielding these nasty boo-boos. Apparently he was a brave little man. I wasn't as brave when I got the pictures sent to me at work on my cell phone followed by hearing his sad little voice.

Cole played his first year of t-ball. He was more excited than I thought he would be. Also, he was just such a good boy. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say but we had some super naughty kids on our team. So more than I was proud of his good hits, I was proud of him being respectful to his coaches and team mates.

Finally, the Payoff....an awesome trophy.

It was a great summer...cannot wait until June to do it all over again.