Koger Family 2012

So my awesome and talented friend Crystal McGuire thankfully got me going on family pictures this year. So I of course have to share her awesome talent and my cute family. I can't believe how big we've grown as a family and individually! So I'm finally going to take some time to write a bit about each of them.
 Isaac is almost 10 and really matured in his schooling, attitude, and manners. He is just a good kid, lots of fun and a bit goofy (like all of us). He is of course drawn to video games, but most of the time he is imagining up some fun game to play with his mario plushes, lego figures, or the best toys ever: his younger siblings! He also loves to read and draw and is still very much into Harry Potter, Lego, Mario, sharks and spiders.
 Adeline has really grown up too. She is a good friend and little missionary. She loves having a baby sister and invents some pretty creative activities for Oliver too. We still have battles over doing her hair, but they aren't quite so epic now that she can do it herself most days. She loves being silly with her friends, playing with ponies and dolls, and anything arts/crafts. Everything is a treasure to her, so she has quite a collection of her creations that we are trying to keep contained.
Oliver is awesome! He LOVES life and jumping full on into any activities, even if it's the mundane things like brushing his teeth, throwing away garbage, helping with dishes, you name it- he wants to be involved! I love having him around as my little helper. He had surgery on his tongue, adenoids and ear tubes earlier this year, so his speech has really progressed recently lately. We all love hearing what he has to say. Oliver is constantly trying to keep up with Isaac and Addie, so consequently he is always trying to play with their marios, legos, or princess phone, or wrestle with them. He is so affectionate and loves to snuggle, especially if it involves a book and his blankie. He is growing into the mischievous stage as well, but it's hard to get upset with someone so cute and lovable! I just wish I didn't have to keep devising new strategies to keep him out of the baby's room when she is napping, and keep him in his own room at bedtime.
Amelia or "Millie" as we often call her is a petite and sweet ball of energy. I can already tell she is going to try her hardest to keep up with her older siblings. She is already picking up on our silly family personality-- giggling and trying to join in (or being dragged into) the imaginative play or wrestling-- she is tough stuff! But she also lets you know when she wants something and you're not giving it to her! She is my only baby with blond hair and blue eyes, kind of weird when lined up with the others, but I'm so glad! She is 9 months old now, crawling (at sonic speed when she spies something to get into) and even pulling herself up to creep along the furniture. She is a good nurser but loves exploring new foods.
I stopped working after Amelia was born, so it's been 9 months that I have been a full-time homemaker! I admit I think about work and miss some aspects of it, but I couldn't fathom balancing that in right now with everything else going on! I feel like I am barely keeping up, but at the same time keeping a good balance spiritually, socially, mentally and physically. I am grateful for this time (because I'm sure it won't last long), to be tethered to home with napping babies- having the luxury to snuggle and read. I have some amazing friends in my life that give me an outlet, and awesome family near and far that I have the time to have long wonderful phone calls with (when the kids allow it). And although  I am still managing our family finances, it's nice not to feel like I have to step in to provide them.
Bob started his own business this year as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Financial. He loves it and is very good at it! He loves being his own boss, meeting with people, all the paper work (!) and legal aspect of it. I'm not sure why we didn't think of this line of work for him before! We know it will be a busy and tight few years, but we have faith that it will all work out, and Bob has definitely stepped up to it! We cherish the time he is at home with us because he is pretty busy with church and civic responsibilities in addition to building his business.
There are definitely days I struggle, but mostly it's hard not to look around and feel very grateful and content with my wonderful family and my life . This is an awesome and fulfilling part of it. Life is good!

Our Family 2010

Here we are! We had a great time taking pics with our good friend, neighbor, and talented photographer Crystal McGuire (and actually her awesome hubby tagged along to ensure the kids had someone to smile and laugh at).
I feel like she really did a great job capturing the kids' personalities. Along with posting their individual pictures, I thought I'd take this time to update a little about the kids and their personalities. So... stay tuned!

A football fan is born

For those of you who don't know, Bob LOVES football. He also loves his alma mater- the Utah State Aggies! So, we were fortunate enough to attend their win against Idaho State. I loved the atmosphere and the company, the kids loved the food and running up and down the bleachers, and Oliver loved the whole new experience. Go Aggies!

okay, so Oliver wasn't so thrilled when the crowd went wild

Ode to Cotton Candy

As a final tribute to summer, we must pay homage to this delectable, dissolvable delight!

(Don't judge me too harshly for letting my 7 month old give it a taste )

My Marvelous Marmy

Thanks for an awesome visit Grandma!
Baby bonding, bike rides, hikes, beach swims, hotel swims, canning apricot jam, scout shirt darts, re-stuffing pillows while laughing too hard, ROAD TRIP (road side emergency stops TWB), Harry Potter, Twilight, Doctor Who?, frozen Custard, seagul-side dining, late night talks, hammock mishaps, lots of phone calls, 6am Grandma cuddles, bowling and being beat by a 7yr old, Temple night....
When can you come back???

My Goofy kids

What more can I say? Oliver, I hope you know what kind of family you landed into! Good luck!

Pictures for my Sis

Okay, I'm terrible about posting pics lately (big Sorry to my Sister Heather)! We've been off having adventures in Seattle and playing with my amazing Mom, and then my camera died (until my jack-of-all-trades hubby just fixed it). So, not a lot of commentary, but per your request- here's a bunch of pictures (mostly Oliver and the "Sisters' Garden) for your enjoyment!

A day for firsts

It's been a great summer so far-- can you believe it's already almost July??? We celebrated Bob's b-day and Father's day. He (and the kids) are loving the hammock that he got. He also survived another summer of scout camp. While he was gone, we played a lot at home with friends, neighbors and cousins.

Yesterday was a particularly momentous day for us (well, as monumental as anything gets in the summertime): Isaac FINALLY decided to ride his bike, and Oliver had his first experience with the sprinklers and slip-and -slide. As much as Bob hates the damage it does to his lush green lawn (and source of all his pride and joy), we have way too much fun with the slip-and-slide on hot summer days. Oliver was okay with it until we took him through the sprinkler part of it. It was hard to get any modest pictures of the event since he was only wearing his birthday suit, but here's the best decent one I took.

Now, about the bike... I can admit to being slightly stubborn at times, and it is a trait my dear children have picked up on as well. Over two years ago we bought Isaac a new bike (Spiderman no less), which he loved for about a week until he left it in the drive-way (which he was expressly told NOT to do), and lost a training wheel as a casualty. I (being a somewhat stubborn, but wanting to teach my child a valuable lesson), refused to buy him new training wheels. What a better time to learn to ride a two-wheeler!? Isaac (being a somewhat "determined" child), refused to ever ride his bike again. Over the last two years I have tried many ways to persuade (manipulate/bribe/force) Isaac to give it a try. It finally worked yesterday. One of his friends came over on his bike wanting to play. I told Isaac he could get out of doing his chores if he would spend 30 minutes learning to ride a bike with his friend. He chose chores. So, I tried again. I promised him if I let go of the bike or let him get hurt during that time, I would give him a whole box of fruit snacks. Reluctantly, he consented. After a few wobbly runs down the street Isaac asks "You'll give me a WHOLE box of fruit snacks if you let go?" "Yep" "Okay, let go." "What?" "Let go!" and away he rode, just like I knew he would if he would just trust me. Did I leave it at that? No, of course not. Our subsequent conversation went something like this: "Isaac, repeat after me: My Mommy is always right. She has me try new things because she loves me. I will never say again 'I can't do it' when something is hard. I will forever more say 'I CAN DO IT!'"

Isaac was happy to comply. He has spent the last two days outside riding (even though his bike is a little small for him now). Ahhh, victory is sweet! Did I mention that in addition to being stubborn, I can be slightly prideful at times?

School's out for Summer!

Yeah! We are all excited for summer! We have plans for a family reunion/road trip to Seattle in August, my Mom is coming to Utah in July, we are growing a salsa garden, having a lot of playdates with friends, and planning on getting up early, staying up late, and everyone taking a little midday nap. Sounds like heaven to me! Here are pictures of Isaac on his last day of school (slyly holding his Elsie's hand, his crush, during blob tag). Addie finished up our neighborhood preschool for the summer. Here is a picture of Oliver and Isaac working on some homework before school was out. Isaac really loves reading now, and plans on spending his summer reading time reading books to Oliver every day. Hope you all have fun summer plans too!

Oliver 4 months

Oliver is already 4 months old! He is still a very happy and healthy little man, great eater and sleeper. He is 13 lbs now, which is the 20th percentile, but he still has plenty of rolls and goooshy cheeks to satisfy me :) He always has his hands in his mouth (like, "I'm so excited I have to eat my hands!"). He loves to laugh and be tickled, and in particular thinks that beeping sounds are hilarious. The kids are great at reading to him and doing all sorts of silly things to try to get a giggle. Adeline thinks that if you sing like the Little Mermaid, Oliver will talk to you. Isaac says you just have to talk to him in slow motion- either way, it's pretty entertaining.