..in a while. A lot has changed but some things have stayed the same.

I still have my awesome nephew, the Cole-ster. He is now over one year old and is touched with the ability to make everyone in the same room with him absolutley die laughing at his unintentional hilariousness, and be in awe of his seriously cute self. (at least i think so..)

And now we have sweet little Isabelle who is so adorable and cuddly and precious and beautiful..but a totally different "vibe" than Cole. She is real snuggly and fragile and sweet and she -no lie- sounds like a sweet kitten when she cries..its probley even sweet at 2am, right Holly?..

I will have to say that Dad and I are totally pumped about having an excuse for going trick-or-treating again. This year i actually dressed up, (which i was way unnaturally exited about..of course), and took Cole out with Dad around the neighborhood.

So it was me: Aunt Katie-pirate, Cole: miniature sleepy-pirate, and Dad: speed-racer as he pushed Cole from house to house super-speedily as if he thought all the candy would run out in the first 30 minutes. I know people thought we were nuts..dad didn't want Cole to miss the experience of ANY,(did you get the ANY..), of the spooky houses.

When we came to the next one that was at the top of this GI-GAN-TOR hill, will this rediculous amount of like a trillion tiny/steep stairs that you had to brave all the way up, in order to even GET to the long waiting line of crazy parents and kids..i didn't even look at Dad cause i knew this house looked to popular for him to pass up.

Dad ended up pushing Cole up this nutty hill while I ended up waiting in the line and holding out the candy bucket at the top of the stairs. And even though i called back over my shoulder- Real Loudly- " SAY TRICK OR TREAT COLE!", it was clear that Cole was now taking me trick-or-treating, and i was the craziest of all Aunts..We had a blast.

There is another girl now working at the fire Station which i was really nervous and wierded out by at first, which is kind of strange to admit. It took me by surprise that i would feel like that about there being,"Another One", (as the guys put it), i think because i have been the only "One" for so long, and what if she was mean or competitive or something? (Ok maybe IM the one who is competitive..)

But after i met her and she is now on shift..i really, really like her! It is so strange because now when we go to do our shift work-out on work mornings, i have a buddy -another "ONE"- like me to chatter to about as many girly things as we wish.

Work is still enjoyable but im really trying to "hang in there" till i get into nursing school, and then i can just focus in on school.

I do like my job and being able to do it..being able to be "Tough" i guess while working with all these guys. But maybe one of my most favorite and interesting things about getting to work here as well as becoming good buddies with them after all this time, is when i have brought around guys i was dating.

Its so funny because usually, i tell them about guys i like or date and they always laugh or imput there opinions on my dating affairs, (which im always eager and fasinated to hear cause who better to ask for advice on a guy situation than a guy?), so when i have brought up the actual guy i have been telling them about..its always really secretly funny to watch them meet.

Usually when i have brought in my dating-interest, (or outside/personal-life guy), in the station, they stand and shake his hand firmly while both looking at eachother also firmly in the eye. It was even worse when they met Scott last year, (All of them made a point to stand and shake hands with him), cause they knew he and i had become good buddies and could tell i really liked him.

I love it cause all the sudden i realize i am witnessing a total guy thing and i feel..protected or special or something but definatly..like a girl. Not that i forget that i am one at work..but it just really doesn't factor in anymore at work to me-i guess i've just been here to long. Its kind of embarrasing to admit, but its like my secret enjoyment- The whole meeting-process thing and me just being a total girl for a split-second.

Man. Does anyone else ever wonder, "Where was i a year ago in my life?" And then realize how much has changed and all the stuff that has gone on and THEN wonder, "Will there ever be a year when i will be able to think back and be able to say- not much in my life has changed this year, things are pretty much the same as the last..."

So far for me, it looks like that last thought will never be the case. Which i'm not sure is actually such a bad thing. I guess i'm getting used to all the crazy. Keeps things exiting and well..crazy.

On that note, my lovely sis Holly is prego with another little sweetpie, (which is what she calls Cole..), which is shocking but more exiting by the day. I can't imagine loving any little boy or girl more or thinking any cuter than our Coley though, you know?

I have been living with the Davis family since August and i must say, its been pretty awesome for me and i am super lucky for such a truely generous and just GOOD people for taking me in..its been really great for me i think. It has also been really cool to get to know them better because sometimes i am kind of reserved and maybe never would have gotten the chance to get to know them as well as i have. :)

They also got a super cute furry-fuzzy white girl puppy dog named Penny, and we are friends.

Work is always..hmm..interesting. Fires happen every once in a while, lots of medical calls that we respond to, and i have yet to wreck Station 2's Fire Engine which is a relief.

On a sad note though, i went to a funeral for a retired Battalion Chief today that had been sick for the past 3 years with cancer. He was a really kind and faithful man, and when i was a new recruit he was very encouraging to me and helped me believe in myself more.

I had a close view today of our Chief bending down to give his Wife a folded American flag as he was saying something to her about the man he worked closely with for 25 years. Then he picked up his friend and co-worker's fire helmet and handed it to his teenage son who was standing up beside his mother.

Even now i think about how i may never see such a real and touching scene as that.

Wow..something lighter and frivilous now...i got my stinkin long hair cut and its pretty short, but not too short. Im lovin it. Its actually longer on one side but dont be scared cuz its not too crazy i dont think. I couldnt do a haircut that was too plain and normal though, i wanted it to be a little different and off..kind of like me i guess. ;)

So..whats up with you guys?

I got Mr. Cole a cute little shirt that says,"My Aunt Loves Me", but he is yet too small to wear it. He is getting so big though!

Today me and Holls went to the mall with him, and made him go to Clares and Ann Taylors because he is also still too small to whine about being dragged to girly stores :)

He is the coolest accesory though because when you are holding such a cute little boy like Cole, everyone smiles at you and you feel so special! I'll keep you updated on his cuteness..i can't help myself ;)

Marlyn, Flapper girl, Helen


Katie Jean and the Colester

This picture says it all...that my nephew is amazingly cute and everyone needs to witness it!! :)