Christmas prep

We brought out the good old artificial tree for our first Christmas in our new home. This is against Ryan's wishes; however, his woodburner in the living room would kill a live tree in a matter of days, so its a compromise. Paige is so excited for Christmas and could hardly wait to start putting ornaments on the tree. She did a great job of putting hooks on, helping me 'fluff' the fake branches, put ornaments on, etc. 4 years old is apparently the prime age for Christmas. She's so excited for Santa and everything else that goes with it. She's been talking about leaving him cookies already (chocolate chip) and how he will still find her at Grammas if she's there on Chrismas. Cooper was a typical man and had limited Christmas excitement! Rather, he sort of napped and looked halfway interested as we decorated much like an older version we also have. Now that we are mostly done, he does like the bright lights everywhere.

A day to be thankful

Dad and Ryan carving the bird

Mom & I--a rare photo I am happy Bonnie took for us



My beautiful children on Cooper's first thankgiving.

My family

It has been a wonderful year for our family with lots to be thankful for. We have been blessed with our first home and our second child. We have wonderful families and friends who helped us with the challenges we faced with another baby and remodeling over the summer. Overall; it has been a wonderful year for our family and we are thankful for all the good things that have came our way this year. 2010 has been a great year for us and we are very thankful.

Smiles

This is what I am blessed with seeing very frequently these days. Lots of smiles by my little guy. He wakes up and when he sees us he smiles and starts to coo. Its hard to be sad about 6 am with that much happiness radiating towards you.

A busy week

Cooper this morning helping me cook a little breakfast and being a big boy in his Bumbo chair.

Miss Paige and her Santa bubble beard. She's getting so excited for Christmas.





Sort of caught one of those smiles he's giving out lately.


Mighty deer hunter

The last week was a busy one for us; with some nice weather, a brief snowfall, and now more sunshine. The mighty deer hunter was successfull his first afternoon out. He says he was in the right place at the right time. It made me happy as I had a husband to hang out with all weekend and wasn't a 'deer hunting widow.' We used the time on Saturday to go over to Hettinger and visit some family we hardly see. We spent several hours with Bob and Jean; so they could meet Cooper and I could get the tour of their place. We had a great afternoon with some wonderful people.

The week brought about my first out of town meeting; and Ryan had to drop Paige and Cooper off. He remembered the milk so all went well! The down side of this week is Cooper is getting a stuffy nose and is congested. He's been sleeping pretty well, but we are still in the early stages of his cold I believe.

We are spending this weekend catching up on stuff. Pictures, laundry, dusting, all the fun stuff.

Cooper 2 months

November 2nd. Roughly about 12.5 pounds!

Here are the monthly horse pictures of Cooper. Paige and he are in the one together for comparisons sake! He is doing really well and is a good baby. He's starting to have great neck control and we've put him in the Bumbo chair a time or two and within a few weeks I think it will be his favorite new place to hang out. He can sit there now; but his neck gets tired and he starts to tilt! Cooper is sleeping so well I can't believe it. We've started swaddling him super tight and we've had countless all nighters because of it. I enjoy getting 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep and am getting spoiled! He is starting to be more alert and likes to 'sit up' and watch his surroundings. The biggest thing he's been doing is smiling. Of course I can't catch it very well with a picture; but he's starting to be very 'smiley' and reacts to our voices with huge smiles. He is starting to coo more and will sometimes 'talk' back to you. Overall, I feel he's phasing out of that newborn stage and starting to be a fun baby. He's starting to get his own little personality.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween--that's we had. Paige was primed for trick or treating and did a great job of saying it and thanking people. It was a beautiful night and we didn't have to wrestle with snowsuits! Plus, the reptiles liked to cuddle earlier in the day!

Trick or Treating Practice

Today at preschool, they were in costume and went trick or treating at the courthouse. Paige has been teetering between being a dragon and a princess. Thanks to the movie, "How to Train a Dragon" she thinks they are pretty cool. I was just excited to think we may not have a princess for a 3rd year in a row. Thanks to Kim we smuggled Kyler's dragon costume out of the house and can borrow it. The problem is her son can't know we have it as he doesn't want anyone else to wear it. That's understandable, however, they go to preschool together. So Paige was a princess today to eliminate any costume drama. She wasn't any old princess though. She was a rodeo-cowgirl-princess. Belle dress, black cowboy hat with tiara, black leggings and pink boots. Kim curled her hair before they left and gave her 'big' queen hair. I am told she was so excited that she kept saying, "I just can't stop smiling!". They did well trick or treating and she came home with a bag of goodies. She has declared she will be a dragon on Halloween though. Cooper is going to be Kermit the Frog; so I guess its a green Halloween for us!