An Announcement

I need to win this dress! Maybe I can fit into it by this next spring!


Here is the main reason for my lack in blogging. I am sick sick sick, but in a good way! Baby # 4 will be here in mid June, just in time for us to move!

He made me do it

I know, I know, it's been way too long. You know how it is, it's like saying "Today's the day I'm going to start working out" and then something comes up, or you were up all night with the baby, or whatever you decide your excuse is, and so you just don't do it. That's my story. (Both with blogging and working out.)

Today I got in trouble as I was "blogging it up" (as The Professor calls it when I check out other peoples blogs). He told me I couldn't look at anymore blogs until I posted on my own blog. I know I should. I've got lots to say, we do lots of things, LOTS has been happening with our family, but where to start?

I guess I will try to ease my way back into blogging and please the grandparents with Halloween pictures, and maybe I do some back blogging later.

Zeb as Stitch, and IMax as Blue Batman (muscles included)

Our pumpkins

We worked for a long time on my costume. Next year maybe Burt will join me.

This is the best picture of Chubs we could get. (He was tigger.)

And The Professor went as Captain America
(he had surgery on his foot in Sept. and this is the cast he chose, he's very patriotic!)

So there you have it. If I feel lucky tomorrow I will fill you in on some of the things that have been keeping me from blogging.

Have you seen Nanny McPhee?

She/He is living at my house

Survival Mode

First off, I will apologize for making you stare at that disgusting snail for over three weeks when you click on my blog. Second I apologize for my absence from blogging for so long, I have my reasons.

We are truly in survival mode at the Coltrin household. We have left the comfort of my in-laws home in Utah, traveled back to Michigan only to get in the car (with the help of my mother) and drive 11+ hours to Connecticut, to see The Professor for 5 too short days, and are now back home husband-less and mother-less. Yes for the next week and a half we are only surviving, not actually living. Not to worry though, the children are dressed and bathed daily, but that's about it. No frills. We play outside, ride bikes, and go for walks, but no adventures. For the past two months we have had something planned just about everyday. So, until The Professor comes home we are having a time out from activities. Besides, if you didn't think we had a busy summer already, two days after The Professor comes home we are off on our Great American Road Trip, heading for Disney World and then on to Texas for the BYU vs. Oklahoma game, arriving home the night before school starts. Then maybe life will slow down. Please!

Being back home has been great. The boys have their toys, and their friends. I have my bed, and a house to clean. What we don't have is our dad. I don't know how many out there live a similar life to ours where the father figure leaves for weeks some times months out of the year to go off to exotic places to do research in hopes of finishing a dissertation and winning a job somewhere, but that's how it works at our house. And I'll tell you what The Professor will say to me after he reads that last part about exotic places: "I don't go to exotic places" and then I in return to him will say: "Any place without children is exotic enough for me."

But I know what he means, after being apart from the one(s) you love for a significant amount of time wears on the heart, and in my case the stomach as well. You see The Professor is the main cook at our house. Seriously, I feel like I am eating at a five star restaurant every night, well except on the nights that I cook. But, let's get this straight, I can cook, I just have a husband who LOVES to cook, so I don't. So, what are we eating while our top chef is away? You guessed it, frozen dinners. I came home and stocked the freezer with plenty of high fat, high calorie meals. Am I worried that my children are going to become obese after eating these choice meals? Have you met my children? Let me introduce you to:

Skin and Bones #1 and #2Zeb currently wears a size 3T swim suit and Imax is sporting a size 18-24months


This kid is doing just fine, but we want him to hold onto the chub he's got

We definitely are not worried about childhood obesity at our house. I did however try to select meals that included lots of vegetables and I did purchase items to make smoothies with. Also I figured I would need plenty of comfort foods to soothe my weary heart. Did you check out the cheese cake in my freezer?

It has several other friends that are buried underneath it and stacked nicely on my food storage shelves. I don't feel guilty about eating them all by myself either. Besides, we are going to be walking for miles and miles around Disney World so I can work at least three pieces of the cheese cake off.

Anyway, being without the one you love for this long is not something I suggest. We were lucky to see each other for a few days in the middle, where The Professor reminded me of a favorite new song we first heard while in Utah. I will leave it with you to think fondly of the one you are without.

***The one I wanted to post wouldn't let me download it, so you need to go to YouTube if you want to watch the real one, and you should because it's really funny!

The Coltrins Go Hunting

The hunted

We are staying at my in-laws right now in Utah. They have a very nicely landscaped front yard, but with that comes many pesky snails that eat my mother-in-law's pretty flowers. In years past she has tried different remedies including beer, which only left the neighborhood dogs drunk, but slimy critters still present. So, we have resorted to hunting them at night. Luckily, my kids think this is the greatest activity ever conceived!

Here are the hunters, armed with their BYU flashlights, (thank you Reams) and latex gloves so not to get sliminess on them.

Yes it was the sabbath, but snails don't rest on the sabbath, so the hunt must continue

Matching shoes is not a requirement for this job

One hunter was more interested in his equipment, than the task at hand

Another hunter got distracted by several rollie pollies

In the end, I believe we found over eight or nine little slimy guys, and humanely disposed them in a plastic bag tide tight. But, the hunt continues nightly, because there are always more snails slimming around. Who knows what grandma and papa will do when there little hunters are gone?

A day at Gateway

It was a very HOT day. So we headed down to Gateway to splash around.

Ready to get wet

A little hesitant

Getting even more wet

I'll take you in

Maybe not

Super wet...

and lovin' it!

The Pro

For most of my life my dad has been a professional golfer. That doesn't mean he traveled around playing on the tour with Tiger, but he has competed in several tournaments. Mostly his job has been Head Pro or Director of Golf at several Utah and Colorado courses. Meaning, he ran the pro shop, taught lessons, and ran the course.

When I started dating I had several gentlemen callers just because of my dad's profession. I went on a few golfing dates, only for these guys to find out that I was not much of a golfer, but at least they got on the course for free. (I think that's what they really wanted anyway.)

Well, the days of being a pro are gone, but my dad still found some time to take us golfing (miniature) on a short trip up from St. George. He was kind enough (and patient enough) to give my kids some tips.










Thanks dad for the round of golf. My kids had fun, even though I don't think what you taught them has stuck quite yet. At least they got to spend the afternoon with their grandpa.