Van Vleet Family Reunion

The last week in June we headed to good old New Mexico for the first ever Van Vleet Family Reunion. It was packed with fun. On Wednesday we met at the parents for dinner and games. Most of the night was spent playing catch up with everyone in the family including some adopted extras that we love - the Ketcheson family, and the Pearce family.

The men took the opportunity to just chill and talk together

Victoria and Cole quickly made friends and got nicknamed "Double Trouble"
Nana reading to some of the grandkidsFree golf stuff from Dad

Thursday was the longest day - 6 hours at the zoo! The kids had a blast. They loved seeing all the animals, being doted on by all the aunts and uncles, and feeding the ducks. We also had a fun picnic while there.

Riding the train with Nana and Papa

Bret feeding the lorakeets
The Lorakeets seemed to like me for some reason
Cole feeding the ducks - he let them take the food right from his hand!
Near the end of the day the adults started to wear out
That night just the Van Vleets met for dinner at Macaroni Grill to celebrate a late fathers day with our dad. We decided with his retirment we should get him some stuff he really needed. We bought him a new fishing vest and tackle box!

Bret and Cole getting the gift ready
Dad checking out his new toys

On Friday we had lunch at Jen and Jared's house and then headed off to do some "high score" bowling. Since most of us had the kids "helping" us bowl only two people even broke 100. But it was sooo much fun. Then afterwards we dropped the kids off with babysitters and all the adult headed to Dad's retirment shindig. It was fun to be there for that occasion. His work spoiled him by presenting him with two new golf clubs and a gift card to one of the golf stores. Retirement here he comes .

Saturday morning we ended the fun with a yummy breakfast and said our goodbyes before Bret and I hit the road. It was a wonderful time! Thanks to everyone.

Cole's 2 year Stats

Height: 36 inches - 90%
Weight: 28.7 lbs - 60%
Head Cir:50.5 cm - 90%


He is tall, skinny, and too smart for his own britches. But we still love this little guy more than anything! Now if only he would actually fit into some clothes for more than a couple months...

And the verdict is...

We are expecting our first little girl on October 20th. We are so excited and can't wait for this sweet little adventure to join our family.

Ranch Art

Sometimes you just can't get mad at your kids even though the situation warrants it. Or so you think. Two nights ago we had baked potatoes as part of dinner and afterward Cole was helping to clear the table. I was talking to Bret so neither of us was paying too much attention to our dutiful son as he cleared the ranch dressing from the table. A couple minutes later a motion in the family room caught my eye and boy was I surprised. My little artist to be had completely decorated my couch and my floor with ranch dressing. It was everywhere, and he was so proud of it! I calmly explained to him that ranch was food and not a toy. He then helped with cleaning it up with a wash cloth and nothing was the worse for wear. I wish I had gotten a picture of his "priceless art".

Pictures

For my enjoyment, uh, I mean your enjoyment :)

Colorado Trip Part II

So on the way to Colorado we stopped for a much needed break and stretch of the legs at Price, UT. It just so happened that they had a little dinosaur museum their in town that didn't cost very much. We decided it was the perfect way to get some energy out of Cole before the rest of the trip. It turns out it was the perfect sized dinosaur museum to start with for a two year old.

This was a little "dig site" in the children's area. Cole had a blast digging up the T-Rex

This is Cole watching the soft shelled turtle that he found in the animal area. We spent A LOT of time watching it. He also found it himself without the parents pointing it out to him. I was pretty proud.
This is a mammoth that they have in the prehistoric area with all the caveman artifacts. It was pretty cool to see. It really was a great little museum and Cole has been in love with dinosaurs since. Can't blame him. When we got home from the entire trip (back to Utah) we took pictures of the 5 big fish we brought home. So without further delay here they are...

Bret's biggest and the biggest of all
My biggest fish and in 2nd place
The two best catches of my life plus the fish.

Warning: Bunny Ahead

Tonight Cole and I went for a short hike together to attempt to get ride of some extra energy. We hiked up the trail and turned around to come home when I saw a cute little cotton tail come bounding, no tearing, up the hill towards us. Cole was in front of me and I just assumed the little bunny would veer off the path when he got to close to us and head down. Boy, was I wrong! He ran head long straight into and then straight up Coulson in his attempt to get away from whatever scared him. I was shocked and poor Cole was terrified. Once the bunny realized he couldn't make it all the way up Cole he jumped off of him and headed up the hill. I couldn't help but laugh at what had just happened until I realized just how terrified my little boy was. In the end I got all the exercise as I tried to carry Cole down the steep hill. He kept repeated "bunny, no bunny" the entire way down. It was kinda sad. So after the hike I took him to Petco to see the bunnies and reaffirm that they really are nice and this was just a freak encounter. It worked. But, really what human gets run over by a cotton tail bunny? Isn't it usually the other way around?