February 11, 2008
Dear Cole,
Hey bug, I just wanted to write down a couple of experiences we have had lately before my brain forgets them. You are such an amazing big brother to Abby, she is so lucky. You are constantly giving her hugs and kisses to make her happy, and she just loves to smile at you. Well the first experience I want to share has to do with what a smart kid you are. About two weeks ago your Dad and I decided we needed to put an extra key in the garage just in case we get locked out. Because lately you had been locking Dad out of the house when he would go outside. But of course we didn’t have a key out there when we needed it. The day had been really snowy and Grandpa Flinders had come over to help me by snow blowing the drive way. So he had started doing this but was struggling with our particular snow blower so I decided to step outside and see what I could do. I had just changed Abby and she was lying on the side of my bed, and I told you that I needed to go outside for a second to help Grandpa. Well that didn’t set well with you because you were having an extremely bad day and everything seemed to make you mad. So I went outside and checked on Grandpa and when I came to go back in the house you had turned the dead bolt on the door and I couldn’t get in. You were screaming because one you were mad and second you all of a saddened realized that Mom couldn’t get back in. So I start having a panic attack because you were running through the house screaming and I was worried you would get hurt and maybe even climb up on the bed and bump Abby off. So I started crying and ran to the neighbors to get our spare key and they weren’t home so now I really started to panic. Grandpa was trying to think how we could get in because he didn’t have a key. I then called Dad in sheer panic and he said he would find someone to come help. Luckily our neighbor Chris saw my panic and came over and he was thinking logically and asked if the back door was open. I said no and it actually had a stick in the door for extra protection. Then he asked if you could open the door, and I knew you could, so I talked to you through the door and asked you to go around back and open the door. You did GREAT! You got the sliding door open, but the only problem was that you couldn’t get the screen door open, and through the screen door all I could hear was you crying and Abby crying in the next room, so while Grandpa and the neighbor were talking about how they could unscrew this or do this I ripped a hole in the scream door so I could comfort my babies. Luckily all turned out well and you were a big boy in helping mom. To say the least I think you learned your lesson because you haven’t done it since, and we now have a spare key hidden in the garage.

You love to sing song and pretend that you can play the piano, which is so cute. You know can sing I Am A Child Of God now by yourself and it is so stinkin cute, but my favorite part is when you sing “Lead me guide me walk beside on the sidewalk” instead of “walk beside me.” It is so cute and you are so serious. I hope that you continue to love to sing church songs and stay close to your heavenly father.

Right now your favorite books to read are “Moose Tracks”, “Bear Wants More”, “Animal Strike at the Zoo” which are all by an author named Karma Wilson. She does a great job at rhyming her books. You basically just love to read and you and Dad lay on your bed every night and read a few books. It is so cute, and Dad reads the books so expressively. I love that you have a desire to listen to books, and hopefully you will be a life long reader like your Dad. He loves to read, and I don’t. I like to listen to books on tape, but reading is too relaxing to me and I usually fall asleep.

Anyways I love you tons and hope that when you are reading this that life is treating you good, and that you know your Mother loves you with all her heart and would do anything for you!!!!!

Hugs and Kisses!!
Mom