Yard Projects

This summer we began building a fence to (hopefully) keep the deer out of our garden. This is in early June

 

Progress... Mid July



Getting close to being done. Mid September

Working on our new retaining wall and steps

After we got back from our beach vacation, we madly began to work on this so we could have it all done by Conni's birthday party at the end of September. We were laying sod the morning of the party, but we got it all done!

September Beach Trip 2010

After Labor Day, our family went away for a much-needed vacation. It was short, but oh so sweet. We went to the Eastern Shore to one of our favorite camping spots: Kiptopeke State Park. For 3 days, we did nothing but relax. Lots of sand, sun, swimming, reading, eating, and chatting. Here are a few of our pics :





Walking to the boardwalk and the beach.



Here I am taking lovely, innocent pictures of the kids. I told them to just walk. Of course, Abe has to throw me off guard by his lovely, innocent scratch!






Yes, this is Conni and Bear. Yes, he's at the table with her. Yes, she is feeding him sausage. Yes, she knows better, and no, this was not my idea!

Our seafood dinner. We bought a lobster.

Everyone tired and hungry. Eating Tim's yummy seafood dinner. We had scallops, lobster, shrimp, crabs, mussels, and clams.

Crabs that Conni and Abe caught.

Sunset over the bay.

Doing what they love - singing.

Piggyback rides!

Why can't Abe just run like everyone else? Must he jump all the time?

Angi and Abe. Whew! Got some sun, Ang!

Trying to stand with our feet together to get a picture of them. We kept losing our balance and Marci kept cracking up.

Writing my nickname in the sand.

Conni doing what she loves to do - gymnastics.

Sisters. Need I say more?

We couldn't keep Conni out of the water. Even when we were supposed to be taking pictures, she had to put her feet in.

This is an interesting trio of pictures. We wanted to get a picture of all of us in the air. A real challenge since some of us don't jump as high as others. First thing, Abe and I banged our hands together as we went up.

Ouch! That seriously hurt! We both yelled.
Then we finally made it. All 5 of us in the air and no more collisions. Abe and Marci are still arguing about who is jumping the highest. Maybe someone else could make the call on that one.

Yikes! My 15 year old is taller than me!

Conni's yoga pose.

Why is this child always jumping?

Abe - with the sun in his hand.

Our girls.

Our kids. Angi, Abel, Marci, and Conni.

Abe again. This is NOT a yoga pose. Not sure what it is.

Conni. Almost 13.

Walking the boardwalk to the beach.

Lovely view of the beach where we were.

This is the 7th member of our family. Bear. He's Conni's dog and for some reason, we took him camping with us.

This is what Angi did a good bit of her time - studied!

And that's it! We came away refreshed and ready to keep on. Sometimes, you just need to get away from it ALL. We sure did and I'm so glad we were able to do it. Glad we could share our trip with you! Hope you could almost feel the sand on your feet and the sun on your face. I hope you were able to laugh with us a little, too. If you didn't, you probably need to loosen up a little! :)

Doula training in progress...

I (Angi) spent my weekend in Richmond attending a Doula training workshop. I had so much fun learning and meeting the other ladies in the class! I still have to complete a 6 week class that begins tonight, and attend three births, then I can get my certification. I am so close!!  It has been such an interesting journey, and I'm looking forward to learning new things and getting some more experience. I will keep posting about my progress and let you know how it goes!

A sad day in the Cotten kitchen!

Kitchen obituaries for October 22, 2010

Deceased - One 22 year old food processor. This food processor finally gave up the ghost after many long years of faithful service. It had been suffering from a small crack around the blade. However, due to its strong work ethic and loyalty, it had managed to continue to push through it's handicap up until today when it was no longer able to persevere. It took its final breath amid an aromatic recipe of cranberry vinaigrette. The death was witnessed by only one family member - Conni. The cranberry vinaigrette was interrupted for a few minutes to allow for mourning and reminiscing.
This food processor (most used of all kitchen gadgets) has been used on a daily basis for at least 15 years. It is survived by many other tried and true kitchen gadgets, appliances, and utensils. It will be missed by the toaster, mixer, coffee grinder, and tea kettle - all who shared its corner cabinet. They do appreciate the additional room, though.
Our blender, seldom used, is now proud to step up to the plate and take over the many duties of the deceased. We all hope it can live up to the deceased's reputation.
Burial ceremonies have been delayed until this evening when all the family will be present. Location is the Cotten family kitchen. We will gather around the trash can and lay the deceased to it's final rest.
We know many of you have gone through similar heartaches and trials. We appreciate your thoughts and sympathy at this time.

With tears of joy and sorrow,
The Cotten Ladies

Why blog?

Mom and I have always kept journals. We thought this blog would be a good way to keep on doing that, and at the same time our friends and family around the country can keep up with our family, our activities, and our life.

I have read too many blogs that are so peaches-and-cream and rather goody-goody. I know life isn't always like that. We have committed to keeping it real. We'll share our lives - the good, the bad, and the hilarious, and believe me there is a lot of hilarity. We have a lot of fun - sometimes together, sometimes at each other's expense! Sometimes it's even captured on film...

Like I said...

We'll be posting about our latest vacations, projects, activities, menus, recipes, discussions, fights, mishaps, and crack-ups.
We hope you will enjoy getting to know us and keeping up with us. Please feel free to leave comments, and they can be as honest as our postings are! Thanks, and we will look forward to hearing from you as we give this a try.

Hello, and welcome to our family!

Welcome to the Cotten family. We'll introduce you to each one of us. First there is Tim & Sherri (Dad & Mom). We are 44 and 41 years old.

Angi and Marci are next, and contrary to what some people believe, they are not twins! Angi is 20, and Marci is 18.

Abe, the spoiled, only boy is next. He's 15. Last but not least is Conni. She just turned 13.