The Bates Family

Veterins Day

2009-11-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

Zack's school had a really neat Veterans day program. They invited all of the Veterans of Wellsville, who came in full dress. The kids sang each of the armed forces songs and the veterans of those stood and were honored. It totally made me cry especially during the air force song (because of my Gramps).

Brandon kept asking me why we were there and why do they keep singing about America? Who are those men? I told Brandon they were heroes who fought for freedom. He was vary interested. We had visited Grams that past weekend and I had shown him Gramps medals and told him all about Gramps being a hero. Brandon was pretty proud to be named after him.

On our way out of the program, we saw a man in full navy dress from WWII. Brandon was in awe. The man was so nice and stopped to talk to Brandon. We were walking out and Brandon asked if that man was a hero, and I said yes he is. Brandon asked if the hero had heard the songs and I told him he had.

Later that night I heard him telling Abbey that he had met Gramps that day. I said, "Brandon, that wasn't Gramps." and he replied, "But he was a hero." I explained that he was and so was Gramps, but Gramps died. Then Brandon had lots of questions about death and where we go. We had a deep 15 min talk all about death, our bodies and spirits, and resurrection.

Brandon now call veterans Super Hero's.

O what do you do in the summer time?

2009-08-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousands words. I hope so because I'm a few thousand words behind. Summer is now over and I realize I have not written down one moment of it. That is a sign of a good summer. We really have had a full and fantastic summer.
Here are a few of the highlights...

Every good summer starts with a good camping trip. Our camping trip was about fifteen minutes from our house at Mantua. It was a gorgeous campsite and had a small river near by that the kids (Earl included) and the dog could wade in.

All of the kids had a blast! They all loved it. The three older kids slept in Zack's new birthday tent, while porter kept us up all night and got us up at 6am. Not a fan of camping with Porter.

Porter James got his first hair cut. I did it, and it didn't suck.

I love the pout!

Earl did allot of fishing at the beginning of summer. He and his brother David found the most beautiful spot to fish. I'd tell you where, but then I'd have to kill you. They spent many nights fishing for the big one until the wee hour of the night.

Zack & I were lucky enough to be invited, once. Zack out fished everyone, catching 6 mud cats (a type of catfish, a translation for those without necks the color of red). Earl and I didn't pull in a thing, but David caught some big ones.

Abbey, me and the boys all had fun at a neighbors summer kickoff party.In June we drove south to the middle of nowhere,(Panguich?) and joined Earl's family for a real redneck reunion. lots of guns, four wheelers, dutch oven cook offs, and paint balls. It was a blast!! Grandpa Gary (AKA Earls Dad) Brought six four wheelers including a mini for the kids to ride. THEY LOVED EVERY MINUTE. I even played paint ball with a the guys. We had such a good time. Porter kept me up at night and got me up before 6am. Not a fan of sleeping in a cabin with Porter.

But Porter did a great job with all the driving!

Brandon was always dirty!! But man did he have fun.

Zack discovered he is "in LOVE" with four wheeling.

He did a really great job on it.

Earl tried to talk me into a hand gun. Tried, but failed. Although I have to admit I liked target practice, I just don't want one in the same house as Brandon.

Abbey loved playing with all of her cousins. She was in heaven.
I liked hanging out around the camp fire and learning too much about Earls family.

When we got home it was work as usual for Brandon. "Work is Play mom!"

I decided to do summer school with the kids. That lasted as long as most great ideas, about two weeks.

Summer was filled with water parties. We constantly had kids over.

I love my kids. They are so dang cute!

I don't know about you, but I can never have enough pictures of Earl wearing poultry while playing cards.

We got 6 baby chicks at the beginning of the summer. Each of the older three got two to take care of . Brandon cared for them a Little too much and we soon had an "Of Mice and Men" moment. He loved them and hugged them and soon they were, no more. Soon after a raccoon broke into the coup and killed both of Abbey's and one of Zack's. The kids now HATE raccoons. So this little guy was the last. So he was a little lonely and became attached to Earl. Sadly a dog ate her.

One of my best friends that I grew up with Sue, lives in Smithfield, about 30 min from Wellsville. She has had to go to Primary Children in SLC, for complications with her pregnancy. We've had the privilege of having her two cute kids, Alli & Jake over a few times. It was so much fun and Brandon discovered that Jake is his best friend.
Earl calls them the fox & the hound. They have too much fun together!

For the 3rd of July we drove to Evenstan Wy to buy some really cool fireworks, than went to Strawberry reservoir to catch some crawdads, aka crayfish.

Earl & the boys tied chicken legs on strings and tossed them ten feet from shore. They also had a few traps. They pulled out over 60. They are like little lobsters. They taste like it too. They were really good!

Abbey didn't really care about crawdads. She picked wild flowers and hung out with me & Porter. She's my buddy. Porter was dying to get in the water.

They turn red when they are done. We then drove down to Spanish Fork and spent the 4th with my Mom & Dad. We had a picnic in the park and then had an incredible firework show at my dads. It was so much fun with all of my family, except Rebecca & Jeff who we missed.
This was my first summer of swim lessons. I put the older three in and then after the first lesson of chasing Porter around the side of the pool, I decided to do mommy and me. I had so much fun! Brandon was fearless as always and loved being in a class.

Abbey freaked me out with her dead man float. It was like this but on her stomach. She learned a ton.

Zack had so much fun with his teacher, that he decided he wanted to be a life guard when he grew up.

My sister Eleisha and her husband Ashley were parents for a stake trek, so we watched two of her six kids. They were a huge help. Jackson is Zack's best friend/cousin. It stinks they live two hours from each other. Zack loved having him here for four days, but wished it was longer. I loved having the help.

They were so good I gave them a messy meal.

We also took them to Willow Park Zoo.

They had fun playing in the sprinklers.
Cute Kids!

I had fun with my flower garden this year.

The kids seemed to always have some friend over. Look carefully for abbey's feet.

Porter would always take his bath in the kitchen sink, if it weren't always filled with dishes.We had my families reunion at Bear Lake over the 24th of July. It was with cousins I haven't seen in almost 10 years. We had three cabin/condos and it was awesome! Again Porter isn't my favorite person to sleep with.

The Lake was the fullest I've ever seen. My uncle Kris brought a boat and my Dad brought two Jet ski's and rented two more. Unfortunatly on the first morning we started the jet ski and didn't know the plug wasn't in and flooded the engnie. Earl, Jeff and Ash spent the whole first day drying it out. Other than that , it was so much fun!!!

Zack had a blast with his cousins on and in the beach.

Zack, Brandon, & I rode the bannanna behind the boat. My sweet uncle flipped us and the boys Frecked out. We all hit heads as we hit the water hard. They never wanted to ride those again. They loved the Jet ski's though.

My Poor Cousin Luke. He was on the tube being drug by the boat, and lost his swim suit. He had to fasion a new one from a t-shirt and life jacket.

Man, he was a good sport.

This is one of the few times Abbey was out of the water. She did spend HOURS just riding on the boat.
Even Porter had good cousin time being buried by cousin Matthew.

Unfortunatly I got sunscrean on my camera lens.

In the beginning of August, Earl & I excaped for a date and went 4 wheeling up willard peak. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Thanks Gary & Becky for the 4 wheelers and babysitting.

Earl & uncle David, took the three kids out fishing to Mantua. They all caught fish and had a great time. Now Brandon asks Earl to take him fishing everyday.
Yea Abbey!
Look at those proud kids!
In August we drove two hours to just past Kamas for our ward campout. It was a long drive, but a beautiful part of Utah I'd never been too.

My sisters, Eleisha, Betsy, & Rebecca surprised my mom for her birthday. We arranged with my Aunt Jenny to take her out to lunch to Gardner's Village and we surprised her there. It was extreamly rare for us to go to lunch togther because we live two hours apart. It was well worth the drive just to see my moms face. I love my mom!

We Made Her Cry!!! That means we did a good thing.

We missed Alex's wife, Becky she was at Disneyland(some people have messed up priorities).

I love the Logan Temple. This is just a picture I took as we've been driving around looking for fixer uppers. We're looking for another fixer upper to try and flip. The kids accually like doing this. Abbey asked me the other night if we could drive around and find ugly houses.

We had an end of the summer party at Grandma Becky's. The kids all invited friends and then just played with each other.
Porter looks supper Bad! Oh look who learned to walk! 15 months, just like his sister and brothers.

"Summers over, are you kidding me?"We had a great summer!

Zack and the mad scientists!

2009-06-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Zack Turned 7!!

OK it was back on may 14th, I'm never going to be on time with my posts, deal with it!

I brought Zack's class 28 cups of dirt with worms. The kids were excited, but some girls said "we have to dig through dirt to get the gummy worms." It was just chocolate pudding with ground up oreo's and a gummy worm. Easy, but really yummy.

Zack was so happy when I brought in the trays.

His class sang to him and he was just beaming.

Right after school we had Zack's "friend" party. Zack couldn't have a normal birthday party. You know, the kind with a pinata and pin the tail on the donkey. No, he wanted a Mad Scientist Party. Complete with crazy experiments and the messy meal (that's where we ditch plates, utensils, and any ounce of civility and eat spaghetti with our hands).

Everyone who showed up was given a "lab coat" and a pair of gloves. Than a little hair gel, and walla a dozen mad scientists!

Earl got a little carried away with Abbey's mad scientist hair. Zack wanted an all boy party, but of course that doesn't exclude sisters.

We did some experiments around the table with milk, food coloring, dish soap, and other little things. The kids got a kick out of using droppers.

Zack thought the experiments were the best part. I guess we didn't need to make a cake or buy presents.
Brandon was so quiet around the big boys, but really loved being included.

Than we did some messy experiments outside. Each kid made his own volcano, and we made geysers with diet coke and mentose.

Than it was time for the MESSY MEAL.

Holy cow did they have a blast!!

Pictures just don't do it justice.

They got so stinking messy and at the end wanted a food fight. Earl was not to excited about that, but when I looked at them I couldn't imagine getting dirtier. I was wrong.

You can't really tell, but they were ORANGE!! They had sooo much fun and we just hosed them off.

Sally Girl, Our Dog

2009-05-18T13:35:00.001-07:00

We have another addition to our family, Sally. Earl told me about this guy at work that had a new batch of puppies, lab and pointer mix. The guy picked out the cutest and drowned the rest. I thought that was disgusting and Earl thought that was the all clear to "rescue" the remaining puppy. So he brought her home without discussing it for just a "trial". I kept saying no No NO!! But he said he'd take her back. Well of course the kids loved her and of course she was cute. But she was really good and didn't poop inside or bark, so now we have a dog. But the craziest thing is that it isn't a big deal. She's not alot of work and she is a really great dog. She is now part of our family, the kids even pray for her. I even love her. Weird.

Happy Birthday Porter!!

2009-05-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Porter James Bates is ONE!!!

Porter didn't understand it was his birthday, but his brothers and sister were very excited for the big day. My mom and dad drove up from Spanish fork with cousin's Jackson & Tyler. Earl's mom & dad,Gary & Becky, came over and so did Emily & Pete.

Porter was a little intimidated by the attention, but loved his presents. His favorite's were the balloons and wrapping paper.

I was just going to make him a smiley face cake, but Earl thought that was too boring, so a bath tub cake for the boy who loves baths.

I made it with blue Jello Jigglers. I was surprised at how long it took to make, but also how excited he got for it.

He loved the cake & made a mess of himself.

He looks drunk with cake.
It was a fun day. I can't believe its already been a year.

Man I love this kid!!

March: the good, the bad, and the snow

2009-03-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is from one 24hr storm!

March Came in like a lion. We had no snow one day and than two feet the next. Earl was bummed because he had already winterized the snow blower. I think he meant summerized?

The kids burrowed through the two feet like rats making tunnels. Abbey was really upset that morning. She had come downstairs dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. I told her she couldn't wear that and she said "why not" I pointed outside and said because of the snow. She started crying and said "winter is taking forever!" We feel her pain!

But within a couple of days there is no sign of snow and nothing but sunshine and bikes! The most exciting thing happened; Zack learned to ride his bike without any training wheels!!

He was really nervous at first and wouldn't even ride on the grass until I put every knee, elbow and head pad in place. He caught on really fast and soon I found these on the grass.

He is feeling so confidant on his bike and is excited to ride to school.

We now have snow again so we'll have to wait for the "real spring."

Help Mom! No I have to take a picture first.

Brandon and Abbey were so proud of their brother they told every person who walked by that Zack could now ride. Many didn't know who Zack was, but still said congratulations.

Porter loved the walks and fresh air, but at 10 months he was still easier inside. He did not like the feel of grass. He would not leave his blanket, which you'd think would make him easy, but he did whine and cry to be held.

Zack loves to read and Abbey loves to be read to.

Brandon is crying because Abbey won't let him work. How rude!

We had SO SO much fun for about three days. We took tons of walks, played at parks, ate Popsicles and got sun burned. It has snowed for the last three days. Abbey suggested that we pick up all the snow and put it in garbage bags. We are now craving spring!

Disneyland!!!

2009-01-23T07:11:00.001-08:00

For all you nags out there, thank you for bugging me enough to get me to post our Disneyland pictures. For Christmas this year we took our kids to Disney land. We spent three days there and one and a half at the beach. January was the best time to go. We had NO lines, cheep hotels, cheep gas, and it was in the 80's!!! We had so much fun together. Earl & I love travelling with our kids. It's coming home that is the hardest part!

The first night we spent in St. George with Earl's uncle Ron. We got there around noon and spent the afternoon hiking around Snow Canyon. It was beautiful! The kids rolled down the sand dunes and Zack came running up spitting sand and said "Don't do what I just did with your mouth open!!"

Awesome slot canyon in Snow Canyon

We were shocked when we drove into Anaheim and it was 83 outside. I though it was going to be in the low 70's so I packed jeans and short sleeves, but no shorts. We didn't even expect to go in the water at the beach. Thank goodness for Target and Walmart. New swim suits, shorts, sandals, and short sleeve shirts. Oh well at least I have a jump on the summer shopping.
The kids LOVED the beach, almost as much as Earl. they loved digging in the tide pool and I even found a live hermit crab with his shell. Earl of course had to try and bring it home. It died that night in our hotel.

Porter's first time at the beach. He so wanted to dive in!

Brandon was so excited to meet Goofy, but when the time came he was terrified!!

He was scared of almost all of the characters.

Abbey finally got to meet her heroines!

You got to love Dumbo! Abbey is still mad Zack got to drive.

Zack really was frustrated he couldn't pull the sword out. If you look close you can see his tongue out the side of his mouth.

Zack and Abbey meet Mini but Brandon was too scared.

Zack was Extremely excited to go to Jedi training. He was chosen to go on stage and be trained by a Jedi night and to fight Darth Vader. Abbey got to go just below the stage to be trained and she fought Darth Mal. Brandon was way to scared to do this and sat on dad's lap in the audience. When Darth Mal came out on stage swinging his two sided light saber he saw Brandon and B lined it straight for him. It would have scared me, Brandon clung for dear life to Earl. That night Brandon and I were sitting on the grass eating a pudding cup and Brandon says. "Mom, Darth Mal is the baddest guy ever. " I smiled and said, "yea?" "yea, I like Goofy, he's a good guy." I guess after Darth Mal Goofy didn't seem so scary. Then we hit pay dirt, "Mom, I like Disneyland. It's my favorite."

Porter was so good! We were worried about taking him, but he loved the excitement and attention. He was so happy all the time!

Porter and I were sitting waiting for Earl and the kids to ride the rockets, when who should appear but his fairy god mother. She never broke character. She was so sweet and loving to him. I was impressed. Abbey was bummed she missed her.

The Jungle Cruise was great for the whole family. We were shocked at how many rides we could take Porter on.

All of the kids were exhausted after the first day. Brandon was completely satisfied!

Brandon finally was excited to meet someone!

Oh not excited anymore.

I turned around from taking the kids picture and found Porter bonding with Mickey!

Zack after the Mullholland roller coaster. It's allot like the mouse one at lagoon. He LOVED IT, Earl and I hated it. Zack was tall enough to ride every ride at Disneyland. He went on everything Earl and I did, except California Scream'n. He loved Space mountain, but was spooked out by Indiana Jones. Like Indiana he doesn't like snakes.

Abbey didn't love the roller coasters, but she is not afraid of heights like me. She loved this one and the swings that lift you way off the ground. I about died watching her on these.

The double stroller was heaven! Porter was so good! Brandon kept being told he was too little for the big rides. Brandon already has a little man complex, he fights with Earl and tells him he is bigger. So this hurt his feelings to be told he was too short for the rides. When we got to Thunder Mountain he was determined that he was big enough. The lady help him stretch just a bit more so he could reach. Brandon LOVED Thunder Mountain. He went on it 3 times. The last one as soon as the train started moving his arms were in the air and he was hollering with joy!

One of my best friends from High school, Melissa lives minutes from Disneyland and she and her cute girl Audry met us for half a day. It was so fun. Brandon insisted Audry was a boy. When we pointed out she was wearing pink he said "no that's not pink, that's boy orange."

We loved our beach day!!! It was in the 80's and the beach was deserted. I guess people think because it's January you shouldn't go swimming!

The kids favorite part of the beach was spending over an hour walking up and down the beach with dad collecting sea shells. The day we got home Earl made each of them a wind chime/ mobile made of their shells. I slept, but what ever.

Abbey was mad again because Zack drove on Mr. Toad. Poor Abbey.

Our longest line of three days at disneyland was to see Tinker Bell. About 35 min.

Zack loved splash mountain. He is soaking wet here because he just went on it 3 times!

SO MANY RIDES, so many many rides...

The last night we were about to leave and we caught the pixar parade. The kids LOVED it!! It was so much fun. We had the best trip. Now back to reality.

Zack, Zack, He's our Lego Maniac!

2009-01-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

Zack is a thinker and a tinker. He got Lego’s and connects for Christmas and puts them together on his own and in good time. He asks for my help, I think to make me feel included,

but I can’t figure out the 3d picture instructions. Good thing he has dad.

For Home work this week he had to hand write a page report on Barack Obama. He had it half done when he brought it home. It said things like, Barack Obama is the 44th president, he has two kids, his age, that he loved to learn. I didn’t know what else he could add to that and told him he had enough, I mean the kid is in 1st grade. But no Zack is vary literal and had to fill up every inch. So I said, “He is the first black president.” Zack looked slowly up at me in disgust. “ Mom” he patiently explained, “I prefer to say He is the first African American president.” Well excuse me mister politically correct. It’s a good thing my 1st grader can keep me in line.

Mac and Cheese

2008-12-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

Abbey’s first annual

Macaroni and Cheese Party

So Abbey has been talking about doing a macaroni and cheese party for about six months. What is a Mac and Cheese party? We really didn’t know so finally we decided to find out and let her plan one.

Wow Abbey has mad party planning skills!!! She instantly was delegating. Zack was in charge of the crafts/games, Dad was in charge making the Mac & Cheese, Mom and Brandon were to make the cake, and Porter was Moral support. Abbey decided she would not be in charge of any one thing because she was responsible for everything. So she had a note book and pen and made sure we were all on task. She was hilariously professional as she praised our work and made checks on her paper.

So we had hearty hamburger macaroni and cheese for dinner. Then we made crafts using macaroni noodles. Zack told us we were to make a picture of what we were grateful for. Then we popped pop corn and watched Prince Caspian. Then we had a cake in the shape of two macaroni noodles (a circle, a bunt cake). Earl and I had so much fun. It was the best party we’ve ever been to. Our kids worked well together and no one cried once! We were vary proud of our party planner!

Best Mac & Cheese EVER!!!

Earl, Earl Earl...
This is a video of our Mac and Cheese art!

2008-12-05T06:36:00.001-08:00

Brandon the Builder

Brandon is 3 and hilarious! He is the hardest working 3 year old I’ve ever met. He can’t say his R’s so he calls work, wowk. He loves working, especially with his dad. Last week Earl took three days off to go to my parents for Thanksgiving. When Brandon heard he was vary upset not because he doesn‘t like dad, but because he loves work. “No dad you need to wowk! You need to wowk!”
A couple of Saturdays ago the kids were watching a movie and I stopped it for Breakfast. Well I came in and Brandon was watching This Old House and came running to me “Mom I found a wowking show!!” I’ve never seen a kid so excited about a cartoon as this one was about a working show. He wouldn’t let me put the movie back on. The others were not happy with Brandon.
I was on the phone with my dad and Brandon was yelling at me “Mom I want to vacuum!” “Not right now Brandon I’m on the phone.” Again he yells “I WANT TO VACUUM NOW!!” “Not while I’m on the phone.” to this my 3 year old angrily replies “Fine but I’m doing da dishes!” My dad was laughing pretty hard at the mother getting chewed out for not letting her son work.
Brandon even associates nature to work. The other morning I told Brandon he couldn’t get up until the sun was up (They had been getting up around 6 am and had been very grumpy kids). So Brandon was cuddling with me in my bed and I told him the sun was getting up and so could we. When I got down stairs he was looking out the window and looked troubled. “Mom da sun isn’t wowking,” I smiled and asked “It’s not working?” His dimpled face said “Mom da sun is Bwoken.”
Brandon is my most active and difficult child yet, but holy crud is he sweet!! We just can’t get enough of the terrorist!

Primary Program

2008-11-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

I always love Primary Program Sunday. This year I had to sit on the back row with my class while Abbey (5) was on the very front row and Zack (6) sat right in front of the Bishopric. I had a great view of the kids and Earl in the audience with Brandon ( 3). on his lap and Gary next to him holding Baby Porter. Just before the program started I see Earl go out with Brandon and Gary left with the 6 month old. Oh I hope he doesn't start crying! Ok, things are ok. Then the program starts but Earl does not return. Abbey confidently told the ward she was grateful for flowers, still no Earl. About fifteen minutes pass and Earl comes back with Brandon and they are both wearing different pants. Turns out Brandon had been sitting on Earl and had just peed. While Earl was getting mad at him as they were leaving Brandon innocently looks up and says “don’t worry dad, it will dry.” Then I see Zack pull out a rubber snake from his pocket and see him terrorize the girls around him. I then see Abbey’s teacher try to keep her dress down. I felt so helpless. But I still got chocked up as they sang and did their parts. Primary programs are wonderfully unpredictable!

Meet the Bates

2008-11-10T15:06:00.000-08:00

After years of resisting this newfangled technology I've given into the BLOG. I have to admit that I am a little intimidated and don't know where to start. So here is a snap shop of our family life right now in November 2008.

Earl Bates

Also known as, the chicken whisperer, Shrek, Bob the Builder, hey you red neck, and Daddy.

Natalie Bates.

That's me, Mom. I've discovered that I love being a mom. Sometimes don't like it, but I always love it.

Zackary Earl Bates.

Zack is 6 and loves first grade. He loves Star Wars. Zack and Brandon were Lego's for Halloween. On Sunday he lost both front teeth, we call him a Zack-O-lantern. Zack wants to be an engineer and an inventor. He loves building Lego's and filling his inventing note book with inventions like Peanut butter makers, trash compactors, and water cleaners.

Abigail Rebecca Bates.

Abbey just turned 5 on Halloween and had a Royal Party. We went to IHOP for lunch with dad and they sang to her. She was so thrilled she said "This is the best day of my whole life!" After lunch we went trick or treating on main street and again at home. Abbey is the life of our family. She loves preschool and all of her MANY friends. Her best friends are Zack & Brand. She has Dad wrapped around her finger.

Brandon Loren Bates.

He is the hardest working three year old. Brandon is Bashful, but with Abbey he is fearless. He loves being a big kid with Zack & Abbey. He adores "his baby" and calls Porter, "Quarter James." But his best friend is Dad. He tells me he is big and strong like dad, but then he comes and cuddles with me. We love Brandon Bear.

Porter James Bates.

He is now six months old and so FREAKING CUTE!! All of us have loved having a baby in the house again. And what an easy baby he has been, THANK GOODNESS! He loves watching his brothers and sister play and cries when they leave the room. And when he hears Dad's voice, no matter what he's doing he will turn and smile.