Flag Football 2011

Those who know the Coates family, know that our boys are in sports almost all year long. This spring we put all three of our older boys on flag football teams to stay in shape for tackle in the fall. It was a really good experience for all of them. They all grew in agility and speed.

Warren coached the 2nd/3rd grade Kansas City Chiefs team for Preston and his friends. We are in a really competative league. This team made it to the top three out of 25 teams. They got to play on the finals day. Not very many teams make it this far, and we are really proud of them!!!

Go Chiefs!

15 Years!

August 18th was our 15 year anniversary! About 17 years ago I met Warren Coates at Spa Fitness in Orem, Utah. Once he looked past my hot bod., he found out what a great spirit I have! I was attracted to Warren instantly because of his good nature, sense of humor, and desire to do good in this world. His huge biceps also helped a little.

We have always enjoyed being together. Warren is a doer. He doesn't like to sit around. There is always something going on at our house, or we are leaving to where there is something going on. He is my love and my very best friend. I love this man more than life itself, and am glad that we found each other! Happy Anniversary Sugar!!!

p.s. Warren loves to take pictures of himself. I find them in my camera all the time. Here is one of many!

Carlsbad Beach 2010

We met up with the Bonds one of the days on our vacation. We always enjoy hanging out with this family, and Kendra doesn't seem to mind tagging along with all of the boys. We really had a good time!

Throwing rocks.

Boogie Boarding

They spent hours finding sea shells and crabs.

Dane was a total poser at the beach.

Disneyland 2010...The Rides!

We had such a fine time at Disneyland this year. Everyone in our family thoroughly enjoys "The Happiest Place on Earth". However, I think that Warren gets more excited than anyone to go. He never went as a child, and I think he is making up for it now! There are no pictures of me on this vacation for some reason...don't cry, we'll take more of me on the next trip!

This is what Dane looked like the entire time. We were worried about taking him, but he opened and closed the place each day with the rest of us! He is SO ready for California Screamin'!

This is what happened every time we tried to take a picture with all four boys. What you don't see is the group of Asians to the left cracking up, and taking videos of us trying to get our four boys in a picture together!



Tyler is our first child who is totally into the characters. It was so cute. He wanted to wait in the little character lines and get pictures with some of them. I loved it!

Tyler and Tigger!

This was one of Dane's favorite rides. We went on it over and over and over!

It was fun this year because most of our kids wanted to go on all of the scary rides. We got Fast Passes and Switch Passes, which made getting on and off all of the rides quick. We love nothing more than spending time with our little family. We had an awesome time!

Flag Football 2010

Here are the Eagles. They went undefeated their entire season, until the championship game. They fought long and hard, but ended up losing by ONE POINT during the last minute of the game. Yes, it was a heart breaker! We were so thankful to have such a great group of boys who learned how to work hard and work together. My boys are also always so happy to have their dad coach them. It was a fabulous experience for our entire family!

To my best friend....

You constantly, consistently amaze me! Every second of your day is devoted to your children and to me. You have so many wonderful talents and traits that I wish the world could know. You are an amazing woman and me and the boys learn from you daily. We love and appreciate you so much! Eighteen years ago, I prayed that one day I would find the girl of my dreams. Now each day I pray thanking Heavenly Father that I did. You're the best friend, wife and mother anyone could ask for. Thank you for being you!!!

PS. Even if you erase this post or change your password, I'll find a way to post it again. You deserve all the spotlight you can get. You're simply the best.

Love you,

Me and the boys...

My Husband is a Rockstar

As I was out for Enrichment last night, Warren got the boys ready for their Father and Sons campout. They all went out to buy supplies for the trip together. Here is what they bought...

3 six packs of pop, Gatorade, two 10 packs of candy bars, a king sized bag of gummy worms, a big bag of Twizzlers, two cans of Pringles, 1 package of Oreos, one "super cool" new flashlight for Warren, and 3 of those little lazer flashlights (yes, the ones that can make one blind).

Please keep in mind that we are relatively healthy eaters. We don't usually even keep pop in the house.

I asked Warren, "What are you going to do when they get hungry?" Warren replied, "Eat Pringles and Oreos!" He also said, "Monica, I don't really care. Tonight I was a rockstar dad. The boys kept telling me over and over how much they love me!"

You just can't argue with that!

Disclaimer...If you are in my ward, and your son or husband comes home blind tomorrow, it's probably from one of our lazers. Warren's cel. phone # is 480-735-9992.

Just ask for the rockstar!

Happy Birthday Warren

Happy Birthday (on March 29th) to my one and only. Thank you for all of the good years. You are my best of friends. I love you more today than ever, even on the hard days. I know that you LOVE lots of attention on your big day. I hope that we did not disappoint this year!!! Happy Birthday Warren!

Lovely Locks

Warren's dream has finally come true! Dane's lovely locks are gone...sniff, sniff. Though some believe our baby Dane's hair was so long because of my need for a girl, they can't be farther from the truth. He is actually our only child that inherited my wavy hair. The rest of the boys have extremely straight, Asian hair (Just like Warren's)...not that there is anything wrong with Asian hair.

When Dane's hair began to curl at the ends, I just couldn't cut it. Thus, the ongoing question of whether or not to cut his lovely locks. Finally, I gave in and gave Warren permission.

Spring Break 2010

We spent most of Spring Break this year in Strawberry at our family cabin. We took the Goodfellows along with us. We always have so much fun with this family...we are so glad they came with us again!

Bowling in Payson! Woohoo!

The kids.

Yes, that is Warren rolling down a hill! Our kids did this for a good hour.

You can't visit Strawberry without going to the goat and lama farm.

Warren and Brad felt very manly cutting up some fallen trees on the property. They got to use chainsaws...arrgggg!

Campfire.

Although the kids didn't want to leave the cabin, we came back and spent the last few days at Jump Street, Golfland, and movies. Warren took an extra day off to spend with us. We had such a great Spring Break!

Thriller In Mountain View Park

The other day Cody was invited to a birthday party. We found out that they were going to play Capture the Flag in the Mountain View Park later that night. Growing up in a family of Scouts, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity!! We called the Rasors, pulled out the stockings,and this is what we came up with...

Warren and Joe unscrewed all of the lightbulbs, and quietly waited in the pitch black park for the boys to walk down. Just as the game started to organize, these two characters slowly walked towards them. Me, Michelle, and the younger kids quietly waited in a parked car nearby. I want to tell you that I have NEVER seen such scared boys in my life. They all screamed like a bunch of girls. It didn't help that the boys were already under the assumption that two "kidnappers" were on the loose in Mountain View. The older the boy, the more scared he was! I have not laughed so hard in a long, long time.

After about five minutes of pure chaos, Cody saw Warren's wedding ring and they started to settle down...kind of. This is when Michelle blasted "Thriller". I think that the boys will remember this for the rest of their lives. It was so, so funny.

Hey, relax...we're just preparing them for future Scout campouts!!

Pinewood Derby 2010

Cody had a fantastic time participating in the Pinewood Derby this year! His favorite part is always working on the car with his dad. It was the first time in several years that Warren and I were not involved in running the Derby. This made it more relaxing for us. We were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. It truly was a show. The Cub Scout leaders in our ward pulled out all the stops complete with everything computerized and on full screen. Awesome job guys!

Cody and a couple of his buddies...check out the Hummer on the far right.

Waiting in the "pit".

Cody and "Flamin' Forces". This year Cody's car was fast! He won an award for "The Most Patriotic", and came in second for the Bear Den. According to the times, his car was in the top five of 30 or more cars. Well done Cody!!!

Pinewood Derby Time

Cody and Warren have been working hard on Cody's car this year. The derby's at the end of this week...hopefully I can show you a finished product by then. Notice the intense concentration. They had a great time working together.

On that note, a friend of mine watches a movie called Down and Derby before her boys race every year. Our family watched it last night. We were literally on the floor laughing. Anyone who is involved with a Pinwood Derby MUST watch this movie. Here is the website...http://www.downandderby.com/. Go there to get just a little taste of the funny flick!