Oct. Happenings

Kids being silly

Visit to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard for Sarah’s field trip.

Washington DC. for our 10 year anniversary. Thanks Mom and Dad Cottrell for watching the kids. We had fun time. We took an open top bus tour, hop on on hop off. Great way to see the sights and get around. Capital Hill, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown, Changing of the Guard, Natural History Museum, Monument by Night Tour, Air and Space Museum, Imax, Platinum, National Mall, National Archives, American History Museum, and White House Garden Tour.  Are just a few of the highlights. There is some much to do there. We had wonderful time and would enjoy going back.

Isaac turned 5!!!! He chose a dinosaur cake this year.

Sarah- Queen of Hearts, Isaac-Adventurer, and Adam-Karate Kid

The truck was decorated with milk carton ghost, that lite up with Christmas lights we plugged into the car and pumpkins.

Shorting our the candy of the ward truck or treat.

Claire & Calvin October

Happy End of October!
 This month has been one busy month. We have been gone almost every weekend with trips. I'll try to catch you up and maybe include photos if I can figure out how.
  We've wanted to go to Boston for a long time and finally did. We drove to Oneanta NY for the first night's stay and then just 4 hours to Boston from there. The colors of the trees in southern NY were magnificent, but once we got to Boston, hardly any trees had changed. Our hotel was right downtown and we quickly left our room to walk "The Freedom Trail". Everything in downtown Boston is historical, everything is in walking distance. The Trail began in Boston Commons and was led by a man who was dressed in period clothing of colonial Boston. He even had the accent of a Bostonian! The trail is marked by either a painted red line on the sidewalk, or implanted red bricks, so you don't have to take a guided tour, you could actually do it yourself. But we wanted everything the trail had to offer with information so that's what we did. We stopped at many historical spots, one was a cemetery that had Ben Franklin's family, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, all buried there. We saw the Old South Church, the Irish Famine Memorial, just to name a few places we stopped. It was wonderful and so interesting. The next day we took the "Duck Tour", a bus that converts to a boat. Yes, it drives around the city and then goes out onto the harbor for a spin. Very fun. We then had lunch at "Cheers", yes, from the tv show. It's just across the street from Boston Commons. It's exactly what the tv show is from the outside, but completely different on the inside. The bar from the show is actually upstairs so we went up there for pictures. From there, we drove to the Boston Temple to see it and then to Salem, about 30 miles north of Boston.
  We stayed at a beautiful B&B called "Morning Glory", an original house built in the 1700s. All the rooms are named after one of the women who were hung during the Salem Witch Trials. We stayed in Elizabeth Howe's room. The room was beautifully decorated, but the bed. We looked at the bed and couldn't believe our eyes. I had to get my measuring tape out of my purse.  It was a double! Not even a queen! You know how long it's been since we slept in a double? Newlyweds!!!! We do not fit double beds very easily, so the night was tough. But the days we spent in Salem were fantastic. The first night we went on a ghost tour of the town. The guide took us to haunted places and told of the history of Salem. IN 1692, there was a fevered problem with some of the townfolk who were accused as witches for such silly reasons. Up to 22 people were hung, one was 'pressed' to death. There is a beautiful memorial there to honor them. The next day we took another tour but this was really fun, it was a Segway tour of the town. Yes, we got on Segways! I was cautious at first, having never been on anything even remote like it, not even been on a bike in years but after a few minutes trying it out, it became second nature to us. The guides took us around the town, telling us more history and even showed us spots where the movie "Hocus Pocus" was filmed. The segways were a blast, even in the rain. I want one.
  From Salem we drove down to Newport, RI. There are mansions to tour there from the very wealthy of New York back in the 1890s. We toured 4 of the homes there, "The Breakers", "Marble House", "The Elms" and "Rose Cliff". The homes were amazing. So much money went into them. We did audio tours of each home and each home overlooked the ocean. Quite a spectacular view.
  From Newport, we drove to Rehoboth, MA to stay in another B&B. We went inside to our room and the owner mentioned that she wanted to watch the VP debate that night and assuming since she's from MA, she'd be a democrat. Another older couple stayed there too and they wanted to watch the debate too, so we all watched. No one said a thing as to which way they leaned, until about halfway through and they started commenting on what a buffoon Biden was! And rude and nasty and when it was all over it was very apparent they were conservative! yeah!! The next morning was a yummy breakfast and then we headed to upper state New York to Mt. Morris to stay in another B&B before we headed home.
  This B&B was a home built in the 1830s by one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His house was huge. We stayed in the "Lexington Room". All the rooms had a theme of some sort and beautifully decorated and furnished. The breakfast was no big deal. Then we left to come home and finally got home around 9:30 that night. We were wiped out. I had to teach Gospel Doctrine the next day and then came home and crashed for 3 hours!
  The next weekend we drove to Nauvoo for a wedding. We went a day early to stay overnight in the Woodruff Inn. We've stayed there before, it's just kittycorner to the temple. The wedding was at noon on Sat. We didn't tour any of Old Town since we'd seen so much of it before. Then we left to come home.
  This last weekend we went to the temple with friends and stayed overnight in a crummy hotel, thanks to Priceline! usually we get really nice hotels, but this was a Super 8, which in itself isn't so bad, but this one was old. When we walked into the room, we about died. Another small bed!! What??? In a hotel? They called it a 'full' bed. We thought that would never happen again. But that wasn't the only bad thing that happened that night. People above us ran and jumped and shouted and profaned until 2:30 am, until Calvin couldn't stand it anymore so he went up to the next floor to see where the sound was coming from and sure enough it was the room just about ours. So he went down to the front desk to complain. It was surprising that no one else had complained. THe guy said he'd take care of it and did just that. We didn't hear anymore from them.
  This last weekend was Stake Conference too, so we weren't done travelling. Calvin had to go to Priesthood Leadership and then I came in with a friend for the adult session. We went to Red Robin for dinner with 2 other couples that we've started a tradition with. We've gone to RR for a few years now after Adult Conference and the men drink as many rootbeer floats as they can. The next day Calvin gave a talk and it was wonderful. We came home and then back out again for an open house/farewell for a boy who's going on a mission. He's one of my old seminary students. I loved that boy and so proud of his decision to go. So when we finally got to come home, we got right into our pjs and it was only 4:30 in the afternoon!
  We are home this weekend! But we're still not done travelling for the week. I leave tomorrow for Kelli's. We'll get to go out with Joseph for trick or treating. Calvin is working in Indy so that worked out well. And then November hits. Calvin is gone alot of the month and I have my bi-annual Dear Jane retreat to go to. Plus Thanksgiving, which we're putting off till Sam gets home.
 Speaking of Sam, he comes home the night of Nov 30. Holly is coming in on the train the day before, Kelli and family will come up, Colin is coming down. Not sure about Jacob. So we'll have our Thanksgiving dinner the day after he's home. We are SOOOO excited to have our kid home, though it will only be for a month since he'll head back to BYU in January.
  Jacob and family are doing well. Amanda has had a very slow recovery from her knee surgery. They wonder why Galen explodes in tempers so easily these days, they think he might have a sensory problem. The kids are doing well in school, top in their classes (of course).
  Kelli is loving her new job at a hospital that's closer. She's done with her training so her regular hours are Friday and Saturday night only. Joseph loves preschool and can't wait for Halloween.
  Holly already filled you in on her life.
 And Colin is going to be a Utah boy!!! He got a job with Channel 4 and starts Dec 10. So another move for my poor husband. We're so thrilled for Colin. It's a bigger market, more opportunity in his job and let's be honest, more chance to date a real girl!!! Unlike what Wisconsin had to offer.
  I'm doing well, though my back is a mess. I need a transplant.
  And Calvin is well too, he's got some aches and pains but that's usual at our age. He turned 57 this month. I don't even want to think how old I'll be next month.
 I hope I haven't forgotten anything. Love you all.
 

October from Linda and Mark

Hi  everyone,

Wow, was this month ever busy for us! I am still trying to catch my breath. Here are the 7 top highlights of October:

1. Kaitlyn and Keira visited LaLa and Poppy

Julie and James went to Tennessee and we got to babysit the little girls. I went to Omaha first and then drove them back here where it was easier to take care of them. We did lots of fun things together:

painting nails

painting pumpkins

doing Grammy's nails

fun at McD's with Grammy

playing Indians

dress up time....Julie's kindergarten dress!

reading time with Poppy

learning to stitch

making music with Hello Kitty

coloring turkeys

2. Door County, Wisconsin with Grammy

We stayed at the same place: Little Sister Resort in Sister Bay. It was cold while we were there, which made having a fireplace the most wonderful thing! The colors were the best of any time I have been there- truly gorgeous. We did all our favorites: eating Swedish pancakes at Al Johnson's (didn't see the goats on the roof this year,) British shop in Egg Harbor, Wood Orchard Market where you get to sample things....LOVE their caramel corn nuggets!, ice cream cones at Wilson's in Ephraim, the dairy out in the country where we had more ice cream and watched the cows being milked, car picnics along the bay, beautiful drives to Gills Rock at the point of the peninsula and along the Lake Michigan side, breakfast of stuffed french toast at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, fish and favorite french cabbage soup at the Summer Kitchen in Sister Bay, chocolate marshmallow candy for Mark and English toffee for me at the Confectionery, browsing the cooking store, book store, Christmas store, etc etc. Every night we were tuned into Hannity and Greta etc and also tried to watch the VP debate. Enjoyed hot chocolate and a roaring fire every night...and cold bedrooms where we had to layer blankets! Mom made and took a shepherd's pie for dinner one night and it was delish. Here's a few favorite pics:

Lake Michigan

we saw a few "Obama then, Obama now" signs and roared with delight when we saw this one!!!!

simply gorgious!

driving into Little Sister resort

 

 

 

Green Bay at Fish Creek

3. 5 Days with Adam, Sarah, and Isaac

Greg and Lindsey went to Washington DC for a 10 year anniversary trip and the kids came here during their fall Break. Here's a recap of what we did:

annual carpet picnic. some of you might recognize the 1st ever quilt i made when still a teenager!

pretzel and chocolate treats courtesy of Pinterest

erupting monsters using metallic and neon playdoh, soda and vinegar, also courtesy of Pinterest

Indian sand painting. We also watched Pocahontas this day.

I showed Adam how to sew on his cub scout badges.

4. Brayden's 1st Birthday
This day started with Austin's last soccer game. Brayden was a riot, yelling right along with the crowd! He is Sooooooo cute. Adam and Sarah and Isaac and Grammy were with us. After the game we headed to Jeff's for a bbq....scrumptious deer burgers, baked beans, mom's green beans with bacon and chips. Brayden "opened" his presents and we had cake and ice cream.

pandemonium getting this photo!!!

5. Kaitlyn's 5th Birthday Party
I went to Omaha for K's make-over party. The little girls went to a "booty" salon (via Keira) and got their hair, nails and make-up done. They also had cupcakes here. Then we went back to Julie's to open presents and then we went to Jimmy John's for dinner (yummy subs.) This was a fun day and the little girls were all really adorable!!! Here are a few favorite pics:

  
6. I finished the laundry room makeover!
We love the charcoal gray walls!!! my other favorite thing is the zebra runner.

 7. I love my old lady who swallowed a spider purse!!!
I was dying to do something creative between the Door Co trip and babysitting G&L's kids. Kaitlyn and i had been singing the old lady song and i had the idea to make a purse (with a zippered mouth) that would hold all the animals. I love the way it turned out. I took pics of the process and plan to make a pattern. yeah, yeah, etsy is really going to happen and hopefully November is the magic month.

 

October Holly

So once again, I have proven myself a lackadaisical writer, which is especially unfortunate because that's what I am evidently trying to get an advanced degree in. Shame on me.

This semester was supposed to have been a little "freer," in that I'm done with coursework and should be focusing on exams. Instead, I took on extra jobs to live a little more comfortably (read: to be able to fall asleep without a stomach clenched into a ball of stress), which has the adverse effect of tiring me and making me not want to read the 120 or so novels on my to-do list. I'm thinking this May exam date may not be happening. September is looking mighty fine, though.

I'm looking forward to Sam coming home in about a month. I'll be taking the train from Omaha to Elkhart the week following Thanksgiving. Initially, I was planning on ignoring the actual holiday altogether, but now it looks like Colin will be coming out to visit, and I'm hosting a Turkey Day dinner for fellow grad students who aren't going home for the holiday. So any delusions I had about catching up on work over that break have dissipated.

This Christmas, like last, I'm directing the choir for the program in December. We just barely got started. It's one more thing for me to worry over, but I'm keeping it simple (partly by mandate). I've also cracked open some Christmas music to play on the piano. A little early? Nah. I'm not that good, so I need time to practice before the holidays actually hit. Plus, it's a stress reliever.

'Tis the season of costumes and candy right now, however. I dressed up as 1950's pop art, a Roy Liechtenstein painting. (Look it up.) It took a long time to get the makeup right, and not many people knew what I was (most thought I was some rendition of Pippy Longstocking, Annie, Chucky, or a clown with acne, but I just dub them "uncultured" and go sob in a corner), but I had fun all the same. Won a contest. Ate pie.

My love to all!

FROM THE VAULT!

Our family newsletter is 30 years old!!!

Everyone met in Utah in late August 1982 for a family reunion. During those couple of days we had a Family Council meeting and formed a Family Organization. For the next year, these were the assignments:

Legal Aspects: Jess

Genealogy and Personal Histories: Claire

Welfare -

        Food Storage: Kathi

        Gardening: John

Upgrading Family Home Evenings: Linda

Family Reunions: Mom (Grammy)

Newsletter:Kathi

From that very first issue of the family newsletter, called FORMAN FAMILY FOLDEROL, Sept 1982.

MOM'S NEWS (Grammy)

Mom is back at work after a very lazy week at Kathi's. (The lazy wasn't of her own choosing!) At one point she went out and weeded John's flower bed. She's sporting a new haircut.

COTTRELL CONUNDRUM

Julie is the first grandchild to go to school. How do you like kindergarten, Julie? Mark is digging through all the work accumulated while he was away. Linda is busy as always with projects and is trying to form a Joy School for Jeff.

VAN NATTER VIGNETTE

John is growing a beard! Ian has his first pair of shoes - Snoopy sneakers! Heidi began her second year of Joy School. Kathi is busy making plans for her Christmas boutique - the Sugar Plum Shoppe.

BAKER BAILIWICK

Jacob is happy to be home. Claire is hoping to start a Joy School for him. Calvin is busy catching up at work. Too bad vacations just mean more work.

MOULTON MONTAGE

Annette and Jess have decided that Nette and the babies will drive out with Jess at Christmas.  Annette would be so outnumbered on the plane with two babies that she wouldn't stand a chance! So they'll take it slow and will drive out together. (And then check into the closest padded room!)

I have a set of extras from the 2 years (Sept 1982-Dec 1984) we did the newsletter as a single sheet, so if you want them, speak up, otherwise they are destined for the trash heap.

Greg Cottrell Family

A little update on our happenings:

Adam currently earned his Wolf in Boy Scouts and is currently enrolled in swimming lessons. He was also asked to give 2-3 minute talk for Primary Program on why he chose to be baptized. He did a great job in finding the scriptures, helping write it and giving it.

Sarah is still loving dance and recently enjoyed a  field trip to the pumpkin patch. Lindsey and Isaac were able to join her on the field trip, making it extra special.

Isaac will be turning 5 this month. It’s crazy to think that our baby will be FIVE! He is so fun and keeps us smiling. He also really enjoyed the trip the pumpkin patch.

Greg is trying to finish up a depreciation project at work and recently went to Minneapolis for week for some classes.

Lindsey was just released as Food Storage Specialist and has new calling Den Mother for Cub Scouts. She tries to keep up with kids school work and shuttling them to different activates.