Cutting Firewood

Robert, Nate, Brad and Lance went firewood cutting today. It was so nice to know that we would have wood and not have to spend a fortune for it this year. They had a great time up there. It is odd to think that not long ago, Nate and Brad were small and helping. It is good to see that Lance is a great worker and enjoys going with the guys.
Lance did have a hard time understanding why the guys went uphill from the truck and rolled the logs down. He'll catch on.

Sporting gloves and all. They filled the trailer pretty quick.

Papa trying to help Lance into the trailer. By the time they got home, he was in and out on his own.

The guys worked very well together splitting the wood. Lance controlled the lever and left the lifting and wheelbarrow to the big guys.

It's good to see family work hard. We are very grateful to our boys for all they do for us.

Burgandi and Vincent

Vince and Burgandi are so cute together. Burgandi will probably do better when she is a little bit older. Vince thinks she is great, but not sure what she is. We love grandchildren and really enjoy them.

Our Bat Experience

Robert, Justin and the kids walked under the bridge where the bats were flying above them. Brave on their part. But, the whole thing was pretty cool. Robert and Brenda went to a bridge in Austin this year and watched bats fly, but here they were closer and easier to see. Who knew we had them here in Sparks.

The bats flying out for their nightly feeding. Go get those bugs, please.

Boca Dam

August 30, we took the boat out for the first time. We went to Boca Dam with lunch and fun in mind. The guys are excited to get out and ski and test out the boat. Good luck guys.

The best part of the day is what we do not have on camera. This was the maiden voyage for the boat. Once they got out into the middle of the lake, the boat quit. Brad was out in the water ready to ski and the boat was drifting away and he was having a hard time catching up with it with skis and all. Lance kept saying that they were going to die at sea, which Papa pointed out that they were not at sea and the shore was visible. After a little bit, Shyanne suggested they say a prayer, so she did. They were then passed by boats that helped them drift to shore. When they reached the shore, a truck came down and the man in it asked if he could take Nate to the other side to get his car. He left his wife, kids and dog there and took Nate. The moral of the story is prayers work, even if boats don't.

Shyanne was a fish. She would have gone out to the middle of the lake if we would have let her. Lance was more conservative about the whole thing.

It was windy, but we did have fun. This is all of the group tearing down and getting ready to go back to town to go to the Rib Cook-Off. Can't wait for those ribs. Kathy, Brenda's sister and Scott, Kathy's husband along with Grandma and Grandad are going to the Rib Cook-Off with us. It is a family tradition for us to all go as a family.

Kandice's Quilt

Kandice asked Summer and Brenda to help her tie her Hawaii quilt. Kandice bought squares when she went to Hawaii in 2006. We started late and had such fun talking and quilting. It is always good to get together with friends.

Brenda hiding under the quilt. It took up most of the room.

We got pretty silly as time wore on.

Allie's Baby Shower

Kandice and Allie being goofy as usual at the shower. It was so good of Bonnie and Jill to come up from Southern California. Allie was glad to have some of her friends from out of town come to the shower.

Shyanne loved helping Allie open the presents and see all the cute girly stuff. She is very excited to get a new sister.

Even Turley girls need to get ball outfits. Kandice gave Allie this A's outfit. Nate and Lance will love it.

Before School Starts Fun

Sydney and Mason were Lance and Shy's guests to go bowling. Lance, of course, feels like he should always win. We did other activities this last week, but I did not get pictures. We played tennis, which was real funny with Lance and Shy having never played before.

The kids love to bowl, but notice how they bowl and then do not even look to see how they did. Shy really does not care how she does. Lance, of course, is always wanting to win.

Shyanne bowling

Lance bowling

Trip to Colorado

After a long ride from the airport in Denver to the cabin, the next day we decided to go to Creede. We stopped a nice girl and she took our picture. It is hard to get all three of us together without help. We looked at every shop in Creede trying to find a small cabin to take home to Lance. He had asked Brenda to bring Aunt Phyl's cabin home to him. We did not find one in Creede, but found one later.
Thursday night, we went to the Blue Creek Lodge. Aunt Phyl traditionally likes to go here to eat. We were thrilled because this particular night there was a couple playing the sax and keyboard. They were playing big band songs. The food was great and the entertainment was super.
LaRee's grandson had a birthday on Friday and so we went for lunch, cake and to watch him open presents.
Every night we would cook dinner and clean up. Working in the kitchen together is a great way to get to know each other and enjoy each others company.

Aunt Phyl and Brenda were taking pictures of each other. Here's a darling picture of Aunt Phyl.

As we sat and talked, Mom and Aunt Phyl would talk, sing and we would laugh. They started singing this song that was just hilarious. Brenda tried to get them singing it on tape, but they laughed more than they sang. Brenda loved being with them both so much.

We took about eight takes on this picture. It was so hard to hold the camera and get all of us in. We laughed and kept trying. This one turned out the best.

Peggy and Brenda had such a great time and it was so good to visit Aunt Phyllis. This is her cabin. The night before we left, we found tracks from an animal up on the table and front deck. Overall, it was just a great trip. Thank you Aunt Phyllis.

Peggy and Aunt Phyllis said a last good bye on the camera. They are so cute.

Vince's Blessing

Kandice, Vince and Justin at Church for Vince's blessing.

Fourth of July

Shyanne and Abbie feeding Russ' dogs.
Jody and Kandice just visiting.

Russ, Dad and Kandice

Grammy and Shyanne so cute together.

Justin out playing with Lance doing tricks.

Grammy holding Vince.

Lance playing with Justin.

Grandad with Vince. He loves to grab him before anyone else can. He absolutely loves Vince.

Justin's Birthday

Justin was surrounded by the kids as he opened his gifts and cards. He is so good with them.
Lance and his dad, Nate, playing ball as usual. Lance loves to play with his dad.

It's a Boy!

Justin could not stop smiling. He is such a great guy and was so attentive to Kandice.

Great grandparents, Ben and Peggy, were there for the occasion. We were grateful that Uncle Russ was able to bring them into town.
All the grandparents together. This is Colleen and Mark's first grandchild.
Kandice and Vincent right after his birth. He is so sweet.

Vincent LeGrand Coates. He was born 6/7/08. 5 pounds 12 ounces and 19" long. He has some respiratory problems, but the doctors say he will be just fine. He decided to enter the world a little bit early, but he is darling.

Justin and Kandice waiting for the big moment to meet their baby and finally know whether it's a girl or boy.

Shyanne's Kindergarten Program

Shyanne's kindergarten program was fun to go to and see the singing and her smile. She was so funny and made faces. I think she may have been a little excited or nervous, one or the other.

Shyanne loves to sing and so this was great to see her know the songs and sing out.
They got too loud one time, so they had to put a bubble in their mouth. This quieted things down pretty quick.