Christmas 2013
Hello Friends and Family. We hope you are on the receiving end of as many blessings as we are this year. Here's the scoop from 2013.
Jason
Jason is still working for Core Products. They make chiropractic supply equipment. He is in sales and his job has changed a little this year. He still is traveling quite a bit. Outside of work, he's very instrumental in the Galva Sports Wall of Fame. He has coached baseball, flag football, and basketball, all Cooper's teams. He's also become more involved in the Galva Youth Sports Association.
Melissa
Melissa is still working for Kewanee schools, in Neponset again this year. Preschool for the 8th year in a row! She is still involved in doing training for daycare providers, recently branching out into Iowa. She is the Co-VP of her PEO chapter (thanks Mom), still on the library board, and also helping out with the Galva Youth Sports Association.
Carter
Carter is 11 and a full-fledged preteen. He's in 6th grade, top of the school. He earned his yellow belt in Kung Fu this fall. He is an avid gamer, playstation, Wii, WiiU, and the Xbox. He is still very into animals, taking care of his leopard gecko. He got to attend Zoo Camp where he learned a lot and met other animal lovers. He played baseball this summer and is into shooting hoops.
Cooper
Cooper is 8. He is in 2nd grade and tells us he is the teacher's new favorite (after Carter used to be her favorite). He is our sports kid. He loves the Bears (and secretly the Packers, too). He plays baseball, flag football, and basketball. He's into video games too but loves to ride his bike and play outside. He's such a caring and funny kid. He takes good care of Cameron.
Cameron
Cameron is 6. He is in 1st grade and has learned to read and do math easily. His passion is trains, mainly crossings. He loves watching Youtube videos on Daddy's ipad of train crossings. He told me the other day, "I WILL drive a train when I'm a grown up." He wants Mom to ride along with him or serve food in the dining car. He also loves to be outside riding his bike. He and Cooper are racing at losing teeth. They have lost them within a week of each other until now. Cameron still has one top tooth hanging on but Cooper has lost both.
This past summer we went to a water park resort in the Smoky Mountains with Melissa's mom and step-dad. The drive was long but the fun was big. Melissa even tried a big slide and almost got sick going down backwards. A highlight was on the way back in Cincinnati where we went to EnterTRAINment Junction, a huge model train display that the whole family enjoyed. Cameron is still wearing his engineer hat daily.
We have had a nice holiday already, visiting with the Lee side at Melissa's step-sister, Mandy's house and with Melissa's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, Desmond. We'll be spending Christmas afternoon with the Bates side and the day after with Melissa's aunts and cousins. Lots of gatherings with wonderful family. Memories being made.
Hopefully your family is enjoying the holidays, too. Have a safe and happy 2014!
The Bates Family
Melissa, Jason, Carter, Cooper, and Cameron
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmas 2012
Christmas 2012
Merry belated Christmas! With not much time off before the big day, I didn't have time to get our cards out before Christmas. Being busy is the theme for our family these days as I'm sure is the same for yours. With the weekend being right before Christmas Eve. We had a celebration each day Saturday through Tuesday. We hosted the Bates family here on Saturday. Sunday we went to Cedar Rapids to my step-sister Carla's new house to see my dad's side. On Christmas Eve we went to my mom's and got to play with Baby Des, my sister's son. We also went to the 5 o'clock church service. Tuesday we stayed home but hosted extended family on my mom's side. The boys enjoyed getting to stay home and play with all their new gifts.
Recap of 2012
Jason is still working for Core Products remotely in Galva. He has taken on more sales responsiblities. He still travels often. His favorite trip this year was just this month to Boston. He got to tour the Samuel Adams brewery. He has been active on the Galva Sports Wall of Fame and likes to keep up with the Mid-County Cougars, Galva's co-oped football team. For the first time in 12 years, he didn't broadcast football games. He missed it but enjoyed getting to attend games as a spectator. He coached the boys' t-ball team and helped out with Cooper's flag football. He has been doing the Galva news for the Kewanee radio station so you might have heard his voice over the airways anyway!
As the school year came to a close in the spring, I was informed that I would be transferred to Neponset Preschool. Neponset is a VERY small town northeast of Kewanee. It has a small elementary school and one preschool classroom. They became a part of the Kewanee school district the previous year. They needed someone independent and experienced to teach there so off I went. Unsure about the change, I spent A LOT of time there this past summer organizing and making it my "home." I love my aide and the staff there is great to work with.
I graduated with my Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Language and Literacy in May. It was a long time coming as I began the program at the same time as I went back to work full-time in 2008. My proud family all attended, and Mom treated me to a nice celebration. It is such a relief to be done, especially with the learning curve of a new teaching position. Eventually I will work towards a doctorate, but that won't be for a long time!
I've still been providing trainings for day care providers on the side. I have been giving trainings developed by others but began producing my own. I started at the prekindergarten/kindergarten conference in Shaumberg in 2011 and then again this year. Since then I've given several additional trainings, and I'm working on branching out to Iowa. Teaching adults who are also passionate about early childhood is very rewarding, and I get a lot of ideas from them, too!
Carter turned 10 in April. He is in 5th grade and does quite well in school. He still loves science and animals. He and Cooper attended day camp at Wildlife Prairie Park where he got to experience many live animals and ask lots of questions of people who actually have the answers! He played baseball this summer and is getting ready to start kung fu again. He likes to read (Boxcar children is his new favorite!) and build with his many Lego sets as well as play his many video games. We got a trampoline for he and Cameron's birthdays, and he spends a lot of time outside playing on it and the swingset/fort. He is a great swimmer and spent many hours at the pool this summer.
Cooper turned 7 in August. He is in first grade and loves school. He actually does his homework without having to be told (most of the time)! He really likes math. Cooper turned into a fish at swimming lessons, venturing out into deeper waters. He played t-ball this past summer and flag football in the fall. He loves any sport he has tried. This summer he learned how to ride his bike in one day. Once he put his mind to it, he did it! He loves his castles, superheroes, Hotwheels, as well as books. We began taking tumbling lessons again this fall, and he has made great progress. In October, Cooper got to be the ringbearer in my cousin, Mackenzie, and her husband, Jake's wedding. The flower girl wasn't very cooperative, but Cooper dragged her down the aisle anyway. He was amazing, and we are thinking of renting him out for future events ;)
Cameron turned 5 in May. He surprised us by singing at his graduation ceremony and walking across the stage. He began kindergarten in the fall and has really surprised us with how well he has adjusted! He visits the resource classroom some but has already had his minutes there cut back in favor of the regular classroom. It doesn't hurt that he adores his teacher. He knows all the sight words and can sound out words already. He got new glasses for school and looks very handsome in them. He's only lost them on the playground twice :/ He, too, took swimming lessons this summer and made a lot of progress from beginning to end. He tags along to tumbling lessons with his brother and loves it--both spending time with his brother and getting to jump around. He adores Cooper, and they play pretty well together most of the time. He has a best friend and enjoys playdates. He loves music and sings all the time. He has his favorite songs and gets mad when I change the radio station. Cameron is a very sweet and loving boy. Still likes to snuggle which is good since he's our baby!
An exciting event this spring was the sale of our old house which we had been renting since we moved to our current house two years ago. We were so thrilled to be out from under it. It was bittersweet to say good-bye to our first home as a family. We held hands and had a good cry. We are so happy in our new place though and are glad that another family can enjoy the "blue house."
We took our annual Wisconsin Dells trips in early June. The boy had their usual awesome time, and Jason and I tried to keep up! We went on the Duck boat again, played miniature golf, and of course swam in all the waterparks. Thanks Mom and Roger!
At the end of June, my sister Carissa and her husband Matt welcomed their new addition, Matthew Desmond "Des." The boys are smitten and are anxious to see him every chance we get. Cameron loves babies so it is very special to have one be his cousin! We think he looks a lot like Cooper did as a baby so he's really cute!
In July, Jason and I got away to the Osarks for a long weekend. Jason was actually working a show but had some free time so we got to enjoy dinners out and shopping at the outlet mall. He spoiled me with a massage, pedicure, and hair-do. We even got to stay in the presidential suite!
In August, both Jason and I were on our respective Galva Day committees. Galva Day is a golf outing for current and former Galva residents. It was a lot of work, but we both enjoyed it. We got a lot of nice complements. We should be off the hook for several years to come!
We had to replace both of our cars this year so you may not recognize our new wheels. Jason drives the Ford Explorer most of the time, and I just got a Ford Taurus X, a station wagon! We named them Rocky and Belle. We bid farewill to Max and Ruby!
We are very lucky to have our parents so close. My mom and Jason's mom both pick up the boys from school. They've also helped out on days when Jason is traveling since he runs the school bus in the mornings. We couldn't do it without them!
An elf on the shelf named Freddy came to visit our house during the month of December. He came because he wasn't a good toy maker but is a very good behavior scout. Each night he visited the North Pole to report on their behavior. When he came back, he was up to all kinds of antics including turning the milk green, rolling toilet paper down the stairs, making a copy of himself on Mommy's printer, having a wrestling match with WWE wrestlers in Carter's ring, and hiding in all kinds of places. The boys were so excited to find him each morning. His final report put them on the nice list, and they got all their Christmas wishes! We hope you did, too! Have a safe and healthy 2013!
Merry belated Christmas! With not much time off before the big day, I didn't have time to get our cards out before Christmas. Being busy is the theme for our family these days as I'm sure is the same for yours. With the weekend being right before Christmas Eve. We had a celebration each day Saturday through Tuesday. We hosted the Bates family here on Saturday. Sunday we went to Cedar Rapids to my step-sister Carla's new house to see my dad's side. On Christmas Eve we went to my mom's and got to play with Baby Des, my sister's son. We also went to the 5 o'clock church service. Tuesday we stayed home but hosted extended family on my mom's side. The boys enjoyed getting to stay home and play with all their new gifts.
Recap of 2012
Jason is still working for Core Products remotely in Galva. He has taken on more sales responsiblities. He still travels often. His favorite trip this year was just this month to Boston. He got to tour the Samuel Adams brewery. He has been active on the Galva Sports Wall of Fame and likes to keep up with the Mid-County Cougars, Galva's co-oped football team. For the first time in 12 years, he didn't broadcast football games. He missed it but enjoyed getting to attend games as a spectator. He coached the boys' t-ball team and helped out with Cooper's flag football. He has been doing the Galva news for the Kewanee radio station so you might have heard his voice over the airways anyway!
As the school year came to a close in the spring, I was informed that I would be transferred to Neponset Preschool. Neponset is a VERY small town northeast of Kewanee. It has a small elementary school and one preschool classroom. They became a part of the Kewanee school district the previous year. They needed someone independent and experienced to teach there so off I went. Unsure about the change, I spent A LOT of time there this past summer organizing and making it my "home." I love my aide and the staff there is great to work with.
I graduated with my Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Language and Literacy in May. It was a long time coming as I began the program at the same time as I went back to work full-time in 2008. My proud family all attended, and Mom treated me to a nice celebration. It is such a relief to be done, especially with the learning curve of a new teaching position. Eventually I will work towards a doctorate, but that won't be for a long time!
I've still been providing trainings for day care providers on the side. I have been giving trainings developed by others but began producing my own. I started at the prekindergarten/kindergarten conference in Shaumberg in 2011 and then again this year. Since then I've given several additional trainings, and I'm working on branching out to Iowa. Teaching adults who are also passionate about early childhood is very rewarding, and I get a lot of ideas from them, too!
Carter turned 10 in April. He is in 5th grade and does quite well in school. He still loves science and animals. He and Cooper attended day camp at Wildlife Prairie Park where he got to experience many live animals and ask lots of questions of people who actually have the answers! He played baseball this summer and is getting ready to start kung fu again. He likes to read (Boxcar children is his new favorite!) and build with his many Lego sets as well as play his many video games. We got a trampoline for he and Cameron's birthdays, and he spends a lot of time outside playing on it and the swingset/fort. He is a great swimmer and spent many hours at the pool this summer.
Cooper turned 7 in August. He is in first grade and loves school. He actually does his homework without having to be told (most of the time)! He really likes math. Cooper turned into a fish at swimming lessons, venturing out into deeper waters. He played t-ball this past summer and flag football in the fall. He loves any sport he has tried. This summer he learned how to ride his bike in one day. Once he put his mind to it, he did it! He loves his castles, superheroes, Hotwheels, as well as books. We began taking tumbling lessons again this fall, and he has made great progress. In October, Cooper got to be the ringbearer in my cousin, Mackenzie, and her husband, Jake's wedding. The flower girl wasn't very cooperative, but Cooper dragged her down the aisle anyway. He was amazing, and we are thinking of renting him out for future events ;)
Cameron turned 5 in May. He surprised us by singing at his graduation ceremony and walking across the stage. He began kindergarten in the fall and has really surprised us with how well he has adjusted! He visits the resource classroom some but has already had his minutes there cut back in favor of the regular classroom. It doesn't hurt that he adores his teacher. He knows all the sight words and can sound out words already. He got new glasses for school and looks very handsome in them. He's only lost them on the playground twice :/ He, too, took swimming lessons this summer and made a lot of progress from beginning to end. He tags along to tumbling lessons with his brother and loves it--both spending time with his brother and getting to jump around. He adores Cooper, and they play pretty well together most of the time. He has a best friend and enjoys playdates. He loves music and sings all the time. He has his favorite songs and gets mad when I change the radio station. Cameron is a very sweet and loving boy. Still likes to snuggle which is good since he's our baby!
An exciting event this spring was the sale of our old house which we had been renting since we moved to our current house two years ago. We were so thrilled to be out from under it. It was bittersweet to say good-bye to our first home as a family. We held hands and had a good cry. We are so happy in our new place though and are glad that another family can enjoy the "blue house."
We took our annual Wisconsin Dells trips in early June. The boy had their usual awesome time, and Jason and I tried to keep up! We went on the Duck boat again, played miniature golf, and of course swam in all the waterparks. Thanks Mom and Roger!
At the end of June, my sister Carissa and her husband Matt welcomed their new addition, Matthew Desmond "Des." The boys are smitten and are anxious to see him every chance we get. Cameron loves babies so it is very special to have one be his cousin! We think he looks a lot like Cooper did as a baby so he's really cute!
In July, Jason and I got away to the Osarks for a long weekend. Jason was actually working a show but had some free time so we got to enjoy dinners out and shopping at the outlet mall. He spoiled me with a massage, pedicure, and hair-do. We even got to stay in the presidential suite!
In August, both Jason and I were on our respective Galva Day committees. Galva Day is a golf outing for current and former Galva residents. It was a lot of work, but we both enjoyed it. We got a lot of nice complements. We should be off the hook for several years to come!
We had to replace both of our cars this year so you may not recognize our new wheels. Jason drives the Ford Explorer most of the time, and I just got a Ford Taurus X, a station wagon! We named them Rocky and Belle. We bid farewill to Max and Ruby!
We are very lucky to have our parents so close. My mom and Jason's mom both pick up the boys from school. They've also helped out on days when Jason is traveling since he runs the school bus in the mornings. We couldn't do it without them!
An elf on the shelf named Freddy came to visit our house during the month of December. He came because he wasn't a good toy maker but is a very good behavior scout. Each night he visited the North Pole to report on their behavior. When he came back, he was up to all kinds of antics including turning the milk green, rolling toilet paper down the stairs, making a copy of himself on Mommy's printer, having a wrestling match with WWE wrestlers in Carter's ring, and hiding in all kinds of places. The boys were so excited to find him each morning. His final report put them on the nice list, and they got all their Christmas wishes! We hope you did, too! Have a safe and healthy 2013!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas 2011
Happy Holidays! The Bates Family has had a busy year. Here's a snipit!
Carter is nine this year and in fourth grade. School's not his favorite activity but he does very well. He played soccer, baseball, flag football and is beginning basketball. He is still very interested in animals and takes good care of his lizard, Geckilina. We found out from his summer camp teacher that it's a girl which Carter wasn't thrilled about. Melissa got a lizard for her classroom, and Carter helped her get everything set up. He went to Robot Camp and Zoo Camp this summer which he really enjoyed.
Cooper is six and in kindergarten. He made friends easily and loves his teacher and the girls! He's beginning to read and is very independent. He also played soccer and baseball and is convinced his team always wins! Cooper loves to play outside. He loves to ride the scooter and his bike. He had a great time at swimming lessons this summer. Cooper also attended SuperHero Training Camp and Zoo School.
Cameron is four and attends the school where Melissa teaches again this year. He'll go to kindergarten in Galva next year. He loves the movies Cars and Cars 2 and is still very into Thomas the Tank Engine trains. He loves the computer and surfs the net watching YouTube videos! He was excited for Halloween this year and volunteered to wear the Thomas costume. At four and a half he is finally fully potty trained!
Jason is still working for Core Products. He still travels some but the flexibility is perfect for our busy family. He plays a big role in the Galva Sports Wall of Fame and coached soccer, baseball, and flag football for this boys' teams.
Melissa is in her fourth year as a pre-k teacher for the Kewanee school district. She also teaches Sunday School and serves as Vice-President for the Galva Library Board. She began helping with the Parent Involvement Committee at Carter and Cooper's school this year also. Melissa had a few daycare charges last summer but has given up her license since then. Time to focus on the boys!
Our old house is still on the market and we lost our renters but got a new family. We're not sure what will happen in this tough housing market, but we feel lucky that we have our new beautiful home and have been able to rent our old one. Anybody in the market for a 3 Bedroom? :)
That's a recap of our 2011. We hope you have a blessed Christmas.
The Bates Family
Melissa, Jason, Carter, Cooper, and Cameron
Carter is nine this year and in fourth grade. School's not his favorite activity but he does very well. He played soccer, baseball, flag football and is beginning basketball. He is still very interested in animals and takes good care of his lizard, Geckilina. We found out from his summer camp teacher that it's a girl which Carter wasn't thrilled about. Melissa got a lizard for her classroom, and Carter helped her get everything set up. He went to Robot Camp and Zoo Camp this summer which he really enjoyed.
Cooper is six and in kindergarten. He made friends easily and loves his teacher and the girls! He's beginning to read and is very independent. He also played soccer and baseball and is convinced his team always wins! Cooper loves to play outside. He loves to ride the scooter and his bike. He had a great time at swimming lessons this summer. Cooper also attended SuperHero Training Camp and Zoo School.
Cameron is four and attends the school where Melissa teaches again this year. He'll go to kindergarten in Galva next year. He loves the movies Cars and Cars 2 and is still very into Thomas the Tank Engine trains. He loves the computer and surfs the net watching YouTube videos! He was excited for Halloween this year and volunteered to wear the Thomas costume. At four and a half he is finally fully potty trained!
Jason is still working for Core Products. He still travels some but the flexibility is perfect for our busy family. He plays a big role in the Galva Sports Wall of Fame and coached soccer, baseball, and flag football for this boys' teams.
Melissa is in her fourth year as a pre-k teacher for the Kewanee school district. She also teaches Sunday School and serves as Vice-President for the Galva Library Board. She began helping with the Parent Involvement Committee at Carter and Cooper's school this year also. Melissa had a few daycare charges last summer but has given up her license since then. Time to focus on the boys!
Our old house is still on the market and we lost our renters but got a new family. We're not sure what will happen in this tough housing market, but we feel lucky that we have our new beautiful home and have been able to rent our old one. Anybody in the market for a 3 Bedroom? :)
That's a recap of our 2011. We hope you have a blessed Christmas.
The Bates Family
Melissa, Jason, Carter, Cooper, and Cameron
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas 2010
My mom and best friend Amy and her mom surprised me with a trip to Chicago this month! We went to Wicked, ate at the Cheesecake factory, and talked, and talked, and talked!
Cameron wouldn't sit on Santa's lap but liked playing with the mechanical Santa.
This was the best we could do for a Santa picture.
Cooper had no trouble sitting on Santa's lap.
Carter's in on it but sat for a picture for mom!
We dressed at Mrs. and Mr. Potato Head for Halloween.
Papa Pat met us at Boo at the Zoo. Carter was a werewolf, Cooper was Superman, Papa was a crayon box, Cameron was a police officer and Daddy was Mr. Potato Head.
We did not tell Cameron that he had a costume on. He does not like costumes!
Cooper was really into the pumpkin carving this year. Carter drew the face.
Boys in their jammies listening to Skippyjon Jones.
What a doll!
Cameron's first day of school!
Cooper's first day at Vis.
Carter's first day of 3rd grade.
Cooper's new fish tank. RIP 8 fish!
SOLD!
Helping with the move on my birthday!!!
Free labor.
First time to unlock the new door.
Jason went to jail for the freedom fest. We bailed him out!
Cruisin in Lightning McQueen.
Of course one riding toy was not enough!
Serious ball player.
Our trip to Wisconsin Dells
Dino golf
Brothers
Happy Holidays from the Bates Family. As usual, we've been busy this year. It's been eventful but a good year for us.
Melissa
I'm still working for Kewanee Schools. I'm teaching pre-K and it keeps me hopping. I enjoy it a lot though. This summer I did a little daycare part-time. It was nice for the kids to have playmates. We swam a lot and visited lots of zoos, museums, and parks.
Jason
Jason changed jobs this year. He is now working for Core Products. He did business with them when he worked for Scrip. When they asked him aboard, he jumped at the chance. He still gets to work from an office in Galva with some flexibility so it works out good with the boys. He does have to travel more but he gets lots of hugs and kisses when he comes home.
Carter
Carter is 8 this year and in 3rd grade. He is doing well in school and was actually sad to see winter break come! He played soccer this spring, baseball this summer, for the first time, flag football this fall. Jason was his coach. He's become quite a little athlete! He is still very interested in animals and has a frog, a snail, and a gecko.
Carter is 8 this year and in 3rd grade. He is doing well in school and was actually sad to see winter break come! He played soccer this spring, baseball this summer, for the first time, flag football this fall. Jason was his coach. He's become quite a little athlete! He is still very interested in animals and has a frog, a snail, and a gecko.
Cooper
Cooper is 5 and has been attending preschool at Visitation in Kewanee. He is starting to get interested in reading and sounding out words. He got a fish tank for his birthday and we finally got it right with guppies, a heater, and changing the water twice a week! He played soccer this spring and t-ball this summer. Jason coached t-ball. He has taken to playing video games and loves everything Carter does :)
Cameron
Cameron started preschool in May and continued in August. He has made a lot of progress on his speech and is beginning to potty train. He spends a lot of time watching his brother's sporting events. He enjoyed tumbling this summer and fall.
We took a nice trip with my mom and step-dad to Wisconsin Dells this summer. The boys had a ball at the waterparks.
Our big event was moving to our new house in August. We got moved and unpacked before school started and we've been settling in ever since. Carter still pines away for our old house but the younger two LOVE having their own rooms. I love the laundry room, the eat-in kitchen, and the garage. Jason loves his den, his own bathroom, and also the garage. We're hoping to sell our old house this next season.
Our big event was moving to our new house in August. We got moved and unpacked before school started and we've been settling in ever since. Carter still pines away for our old house but the younger two LOVE having their own rooms. I love the laundry room, the eat-in kitchen, and the garage. Jason loves his den, his own bathroom, and also the garage. We're hoping to sell our old house this next season.
We're looking forward to a busy Christmas with Jason's and my families. Of course the boys will be sufficiently spoiled. We hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
Melissa, Jason, Carter, Cooper, and Cameron Bates
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas 2009
Aren't you supposed to write on a blog on a regular basis? Oh well... Here is a recap of our year with the Bates Boys. Jason and I went to Las Vegas for our 10-year anniversary this year. We went to see Kaa (Cirque du Soliel), The Price Is Right, and The Blue Man Group. We had a great time and only gambled $30!
Carter had his first sleepover birthday party when he turned 7 this year. We took his friends to Niabi Zoo (per his request) to sufficiently wear them out. It was a really nice time!
Cameron turned 2 in May. He was so excited about the cake that he climbed on the table and smashed it a little before the guests arrived.
In July, we had Carissa's bridal shower at Her Majesty's Tea Room. Notice the tiaras?
In June my mom and I took the boys to Myrtle Beach for my cousin's wedding. We went to a dinosaur mini-golf course that the boys loved. Carter sweet talked the DJ into letting him "run" things.
We also stopped off in Indianapolis to visit their children's museum. It had dinosaurs, too and was fantastic!
Notice the "ramp" hair style at Carter's Christmas concert. Carter is really into it!
Carter had his first sleepover birthday party when he turned 7 this year. We took his friends to Niabi Zoo (per his request) to sufficiently wear them out. It was a really nice time!
Cameron turned 2 in May. He was so excited about the cake that he climbed on the table and smashed it a little before the guests arrived.
In July, we had Carissa's bridal shower at Her Majesty's Tea Room. Notice the tiaras?
In June my mom and I took the boys to Myrtle Beach for my cousin's wedding. We went to a dinosaur mini-golf course that the boys loved. Carter sweet talked the DJ into letting him "run" things.
We also stopped off in Indianapolis to visit their children's museum. It had dinosaurs, too and was fantastic!
Notice the "ramp" hair style at Carter's Christmas concert. Carter is really into it!Cooper had a concert, too.
This is the best we could do for a picture with Santa. Carter got nervous when he had to tell Santa what he wanted. Luckily mom was there to remind him of the right gifts to ask for! I think this is the last year for the charade for Carter, though. The other day, he demanded "the truth" about the Tooth Fairy.
Carter was the Headless Horseman for Halloween.
Cameron didn't know that this was a firefighter costume. Otherwise he wouldn't have worn it!
Cooper was a T-Rex!
This fall we took a trip to Brookfield Zoo. Carter and Cooper dressed up as lemurs.
We really went to the zoo to see the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. They were robotic dinosaurs. This is Carter's favorite.
Cameron loved the Amtrak ride.
Cooper and Carter enjoyed the rides at the Hog Days carnival.
Carter has been taking Kung Fu. Cooper and Cameron take tumbling lessons.
Here is Cooper at his birthday party.
First day of 2nd grade for Carter.
My sister's wedding was another big event of our summer. Here I'm giving the matron of honor speech.
Carter was the ring bearer.
Isn't Cooper adorable in his tux?
Carter was really nervous about being ring bearer but did a great job!
Carissa and I at the bridesmaid's luncheon the day before the wedding.
Two of my boys, Ellie and Caroline Wimberley, and Molly Bulvanowski (John and Betty Lee great-grandchildren)
Cooper started Pre-K. He LOVES it.
Cooper got Lightning McQueen for his birthday.
The boys enjoyed the pool this summer.
Savor this picture because it took 4 adults and 2 photo shoots to get this picture. Thanks Roger!
I'm still teaching Pre-K in Kewanee. It is really challenging to be at work all day every day but I have a lot of fun doing it. Thankfully, Jason picks up my slack! I'm still on the library board and doing trainings for daycare providers once in awhile.
This is the best we could do for a picture with Santa. Carter got nervous when he had to tell Santa what he wanted. Luckily mom was there to remind him of the right gifts to ask for! I think this is the last year for the charade for Carter, though. The other day, he demanded "the truth" about the Tooth Fairy.
Carter was the Headless Horseman for Halloween.
Cameron didn't know that this was a firefighter costume. Otherwise he wouldn't have worn it!
Cooper was a T-Rex!
This fall we took a trip to Brookfield Zoo. Carter and Cooper dressed up as lemurs.
We really went to the zoo to see the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. They were robotic dinosaurs. This is Carter's favorite.
Cameron loved the Amtrak ride.
Cooper and Carter enjoyed the rides at the Hog Days carnival.
Carter has been taking Kung Fu. Cooper and Cameron take tumbling lessons.
Here is Cooper at his birthday party.
First day of 2nd grade for Carter.
My sister's wedding was another big event of our summer. Here I'm giving the matron of honor speech.
Carter was the ring bearer.
Isn't Cooper adorable in his tux?
Carter was really nervous about being ring bearer but did a great job!
Carissa and I at the bridesmaid's luncheon the day before the wedding.
Two of my boys, Ellie and Caroline Wimberley, and Molly Bulvanowski (John and Betty Lee great-grandchildren)
Cooper started Pre-K. He LOVES it.
Cooper got Lightning McQueen for his birthday.
The boys enjoyed the pool this summer.
Savor this picture because it took 4 adults and 2 photo shoots to get this picture. Thanks Roger!
I'm still teaching Pre-K in Kewanee. It is really challenging to be at work all day every day but I have a lot of fun doing it. Thankfully, Jason picks up my slack! I'm still on the library board and doing trainings for daycare providers once in awhile.
Jason is still working for Kinesio USA. He teaches geography in the spring and was the president of the Galva Sports Wall of Fame this past year.
Mostly we take the best care of our three little gentlemen that we can. We hope that you and yours have a very blessed Christmas.
Love,
The Bates Family
Melissa, Jason, Carter, Cooper and Cameron
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