Does anyone read this anymore?

I don't blame you... Honestly, using Facebook has made me forget about blogging... I need to get back to it! Especially since it's been a year since I've posted. :) Baby is TWO now! She's still our little sweet sunshine, with a little of the "twos" thrown in there, too. :) Kenna is a singing machine - she adores music! It is such a gift to listen to. Each of her songs brightens my day. :)

Keaton is such a great brother. He takes good care of Kenna while the older girls are away at school. They are best buds and play so well (and adorable!) together. He also is really enjoying our new puppy, Max. (salt n pepper miniature schnauzer) He is getting ready for Kindergarten next year - he is such a smart little boy!

Brianna is our big first grader - boy, she can read! We are so proud of her. Her and Taylor share a room now, as Alex has moved on to another room. They love staying up nights to chat. (I remember loving doing that with my sister!) Still our sweet, giggly girl - we love our Nanna B!

Taylor is in her first year away at school! Although, the class size is quite large this year, she is adjusting well. She is learning tons and we are seeing her progress! We were also thrilled when Taylor told us that she needed a Savior and that she asked Jesus to come be that for her. She knows she will be in Heaven with Him someday because of His perfect gift! We thank God for His amazing work in her!

Alex is getting soo big. 11 now and in the 5th grade! Where has the time gone... She is taking on school for all it's worth and doing a great job! She loves hanging out with her girlfriends now (as much as she can!) and does babysitting for our family. We are so thankful! She is a strong, tough swimmer now for the STORM swimming team. She has found something she really loves! It's exciting to watch her.

Aaron still works hard for our family every day at Rosemount. They love him there - he is such an asset to his team! He enjoys his bowling league on Tuesdays and shot a 299 this year!! He got an award and everything. He hopes to get that much longed for 300 soon!!! He has been taking me out for dates alot lately, too, which we are enjoying very much!

I have been keeping busy, even though 3 of the 5 kiddos are off to school. I am loving my time with the two little ones and feel like I have more quality time with them. I've been keeping busy with my little cake "business" as it's been growing and LOVING it! I'm also getting excited about taking off with Aaron for a week to Jamaica again in April. YES!!! Love that time alone together in such a beautiful place! I've been loving memorizing Romans 8 this year, too. What a blessing to have those verses in my memory! Such awesome truth to have!

I hope to continue to be on this blog more again... Until then, I pray God blesses you!

baby turns one!

Makenna, our littlest, turned one!! She is getting so big and is so full of joy. She has brought so many giggles and fun to our family. What a blessing! Soooo thankful for her! We love you to pieces, Kenna!!

hello.

well, it's STILL winter... it probably just seems longer because of all the snow we've gotten already this year. i think we are only a couple inches away from our average season total... yikes. that's alot of snow!

we've been keeping busy inside, however. Makenna is getting very mobile and is growing up so fast! she turns ONE in a week. WOW. i know, i say it with every kid, but again, where did the time go??? it's been a great year with her, though. what a cutie pie!

school is going well for the girls! they are all doing so well, and we are so proud of them. Brianna can read! i can't believe it. Alex has done lots of fun, creative projects for school already this year, which she really loves to do! Taylor is really getting good at reading and is doing really well with her math. i hardly have to tell her what to do! it just comes naturally to her. :)

keaton is all boy. he is loving his balls, cars, guns, and anything you can hit with any kind of stick. :) he is really enjoying the times he can wrestle and just be a boy with daddy!

we are all doing well here. i am excited to see what God will show us this new year. i am anxious to get into some new books and to read through the New Testament again. we pray for great changes in this year for our family - that we all will be closer to our Savior and more in love with Him!

Wow, it's been AWHILE!

it's been so long since i've posted on my blog, that i'm sure no one even checks this anymore... BUT i will post here anyway. :)

we still are enjoying our five kiddos... lots to do, of course. 2 kids are in a local charter school and i am still homeschooling one. they are doing so well! God has blessed us.

the kids are getting so big! Alex is a couple weeks away from being 10, Taylor is 8 1/2, Brianna is 5 1/2, Keaton is 3 1/2, and Makenna is almost one! we have so many gifts. thank you, God for our kids!

our baby turns one in two months!! i knew the time would fly by... but it's still sad to see our last baby getting so big so fast. but she has been the highlight of the year, that's for sure! everyone adores her and can't get enough of her, especially her 3 little mommies. :) baby did have an accident a month or so back. she pulled a very hot glass of water down onto her lap and ended up in the Children's hospital with first and second degree burns. she is healing up well, though. Praise God!!

we are enjoying getting ready for the holidays! we got the Christmas tree up (a week early!) and lots of lights and garland. how beautiful! we are planning to spend some time with my family out in Colorado this year, too. can't wait!

daddy got a promotion at work! we are so proud of the way he works for God and how he is used by God to provide for us! we are so thankful.

i am thoroughly LOVING my cake decorating!! i even had my first cake order for someone throwing a baby shower! how fun. i really could do this alot.

my snuggle rag business is starting pick up a lot! we are so excited. i love doing the craft shows and spending time with my sister-in-law. we are making new items now with our quilts and pillow sets. we've added raggy bags (purses), diaper bags, and pacifier rags.

here are a few pics to update. :)

Makenna Noelle Cottrell

Makenna Noelle was born to us on January 27th, 2010!!! We are so thankful for this beautiful girl. We are all in love with her!!! She weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches.

Thank you, God for this wonderful, beautiful gift!!

Cakes!

Well, I took a 4 session cake decorating class this last month and just loved it!!! I had to share what I've learned here. This is my first real cake! I made it for Alex's upcoming birthday. :)

Bethany, Lij and Zachy's summer visit

We were so excited when my sister and her boys came to visit this summer!! Here they are here with my kids. All except Keaton, who wouldn't pose for the picture...

We took a picture of Brianna's and Zac's feet to show that they have matching middle toes. Do you see the similarity? We think it is sooo cute! :)
Bethany has always thought she had celiac. Well, lately, she's been wondering if she has it anymore. We think God might have healed her! Cuz she's been eating things with gluten in them and hasn't been reacting!! We hope it's true! While she was here, she tried an oreo. Her first one EVER!

SHE LOVED IT!!!!! :) We took a trip to Mall of America and met our long time friend Mandy for lunch. It was sooo good to see her again!

We had suckers for a treat when we were done eating some Noodles and Company Mac n Cheese. Yummy!

Lij and Brianna became best of friends while they were here. It was ADORABLE to watch them together!

What a good time we had with my sister and family. We did miss not having Jason, here, though. Maybe soon...

See you again in October, Bethany!!