The Koegle Family: February 2009

February 20, 2009

It was a SLO trip!

Last Friday, Cole and I took a trip to SLO to visit the Roughtons. It was a BLAST! The kids had a great time playing together and running around like crazies with home-made super-hero capes on (thanks to Summer) and we were able to pop in and out of the house to do a few things as the weather permitted. We had SUCH a wonderful time and we are so thankful for you, Summer and Todd, Ashlynn and Jeremy, and for your friendship! Thanks for hosting us in your home and making us feel at home too! And thanks for all the delicious meals!! Here are some pics of the weekend...check them out. There are some REALLY cool pictures! Let me know what you think!

February 19, 2009

Birthday Time!

Yesterday, the 18th, was my mom's (29th) birthday and her best friend, Judy, called me a couple of weeks ago with a plan. The plan was to surprise her at work and take her away for the day. So, I called her boss and asked if there was any way we could pull this off and have her take a personal day without my mom actually knowing. She said yes and so the plan was on. And then the plan was off with the weather being what it was for the last week. And then when the weatherman said it was supposed to clear out on Wednesday...it was back on! :) So, my dad took the day off of work, he and Cole and I piled jackets, bird books, binoculars and snacks into the car, picked up Judy and headed over to Mom's work yesterday. We came in singing "Happy Birthday" and I videotaped us going in. And then Dad told her what we were doing and she was SO excited! She quickly shut everything down and we got the heck out of there! We headed up to our fav coastal spot...Carp(interia)...and had lunch at the Cajun Kitchen...SO tasty! We actually ran into Judy's brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Sue, and they joined our table.

After our great meals, we headed over to the Salt Marsh Bird Reserve and walked around for about an hour or so.

We saw the usual birds...Great and Snowy Egrets, a cute pair of Ruddy Ducks, a whole slew of American coots, a beautiful Green-winged Teal, good 'ol Mallards, many Buffleheads and a couple of Great Blue Herons.

Just as we were turning around, Mom called out "Hey guys...I see something HUGE! It looks like a little boat in the water, but I think it's a bird. Seriously, it's really big guys. Come check it out." Judy and I were like, "Sure Mom, okay...we'll come over and look," thinking "Yeah, sure. Whatever Mom." But low and behold...she saw a bird we had never seen before in the wild. It was an almost-adult Mute Swan. They are mostly on the East Coast and around the Great Lakes, so to see one in the wild on the Pacific Coast was certainly a treat. We were able to get right over it on the birding path and take a whole bunch of pictures...here are just a few. :)

And while we were checking out our Mute Swan, we looked overhead and saw this beautiful Sharp-Shinned Hawk. Another first for me. :)

After birding, we headed back to the car to open presents. Probably not the best setting to open presents, but my mom was able to sit down, which was necessary. :)

Then we decided to head up to Lake Casitas and check out the lake area and campground there. They have a pretty amazing campground up there, complete with trailer and boat rentals, a camp store, many playgrounds and nice picnic areas. Just after the sun set, we found a cute Great Blue Heron wading in the shallows looking for dinner.

Speaking of dinner, we drove back down to Carp and ate at one of our fav restaurants, The Palms.

We had a great dinner and then headed home, tired from our fun all-day adventure! Happy birthday to the best Mom around...you are such a great woman, wonderful mother and awesome grandma. I love you SO much Mamua. :)

February 10, 2009

Prayer

On Sunday night, I had the privilege to sing with an incredible choir...the choir from Cal Baptist University. Our GBC choir sang with them on 2 songs and I think we sounded pretty good! After we sang our two songs, Emilie and I sat back in our seats and enjoyed the rest of the concert. As soon as I sat down, I saw my sweet boy, Cole, come down the aisle and join me. I was excited that he came with my mom and dad and was able to see me and Auntie sing! Towards the end of the concert, we had a short prayer time and while Pastor Peter was praying, Cole was SO concerned and wanted to know..."Do you like cheese dogs?!" And the question wasn't whispered. I seriously lost it! It was one of those moments in church where you can't control yourself and you feel like everyone is looking at you. I just laughed so hard that my laugh was silent and my whole body shook. I think he asked the same question, "Do you like cheese dogs?" five times and with each repeat, I laughed even harder. Leave it to the kid to make me lose all control!

February 5, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Cole!!!!

My favorite picture of you as a baby!

I cannot believe you are four years old today!!! It seems like yesterday that I had you in my belly and was so excited to feel you kicking and moving around! And now you are my little man who loves to do everything!! I love watching you play outside, watching you ride your little red tricycle as FAST as you can round and round! I love watching you build tall, crazy building and robots with your Legos. I love watching you sleep. I love hearing you sing songs, either by yourself or with me in the car! I love getting you all cleaned up and walking around with you at my side. I love when you draw awesome pictures of me, write my name on them and then give the picture to me like a present! I love that you like protein milk. I love that you are my boy. I love that you have rad dance moves. I love that you are so polite to (most) people. I love that you make friends easily. I love that you will sit with me and read story after story after story. I love taking you to Disneyland and Magic Mountain and experiencing new rides with you (and old ones too!) I love playing hide and seek with you, playing catch with you and playing t-ball and golf with you. I love teaching you new things. I love your little inquisitive mind. I love to hear you pray. And I love you.

Your first vacation at 7 weeks old!