Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day was filled with lots of fun! Kyle woke up to a breakfast of heart pancakes secretly packed into his work bag. (I'm pretty proud that mission was a success) For lunch Coop & I headed downtown to be with Kyle. After a few failed restaurant attempts we ended up at the GP Cafe in Kyle's building. It didn't disappoint! Kyle & I split a cheeseburger & a turkey bacon wrap. Yum! Coop had a heart shaped PB&J. 

After lunch we went to visit some of Kyle's coworkers. It took Coop a few minutes to warm up to everyone but after a couple of cookies he had a great time. :) We also brought some Vday cookies to share with the office. (Shout out to Erin for always leading each holiday cookie making session) Cooper didn't want to leave but we finally headed out just before 2.

For dinner we had quesadillas. Nothing too special but the night before we had ham, egg, & cheese biscuits. I made the biscuits heart shaped. :) One way to Kyle's heart-Biscuits!

Kyle then presented me with a 2 pound bag of hot tamales & a card. I'm pretty sure I'll have heartburn for the next month! I love them! Cooper colored on some hearts that I cut out. We listed some of the things he loved about Dad on them. "Thanks for always sneaking me cookies" "I love when we go on walks together" "Thanks for always convincing Mom to let me watch TV" etc

We had a great Vday. Cooper got a cute card from his MeMa that has a 'ruff ruff' on it. Also when my dad & aunt came to visit for the wknd they brought some yummy treats!

Ham Egg & Cheese Biscuit

Biscuit Love!

The Pancakes before & after :)

Yummy cookies

Having fun at work with Daddy.

Some of the Vday loot.

MLK Wknd 2013

Oh how I LOVE long weekends! It's so nice to have Kyle home an extra day & I know Cooper loves having more time to be silly with his Daddy.

Kyle took a half day on Friday so we jumped in the car & went to Moms. Before we left we turned Coop's car seat around to forward facing. We left at nap time. Cooper was SO excited about his new view that he chatted & jabbered for about half an hour before falling asleep. It was too cute.

We got to Mom's safely & enjoyed our time. We ate way too much food (fried rice, bbq ribs, ice cream, biscuits, candy, etc). Mom watched Coop while Kyle & I went to Pages on Pine. Not sure if I've mentioned it before but it's this AMAZING book store. All the books are donated (most coming from the county libraries) & all proceeds go back to the libraries. We've stuck gold quite a few times. We make sure we stop by when we're in town.

Mom also watched Coop so Kyle & I could go out on a date. We didn't know what we wanted to do so we just ended up going to dinner at a yummy BBQ joint. We both got ribs. Yum! Cooper had a great time playing in MeMa's yard & all the parks we explored. 

Sunday after church we drove home. That night we went to the Malan's to celebrate Jared's Birthday. Erin rocked out some waffles & fried chicken as well as a German Chocolate Cake.  (She's quite skilled in the kitchen) We had a fun time with the Malans & the Carrons!

Monday was a semi lazy day. After getting groceries in the morning, we came home & all took naps. Once nap time was over we snacked & headed out to another park. I like to call it "Toy Graveyard Park." The surrounding neighborhood families bring their used (but still working) yard toys & leave them for everyone to enjoy. Cooper had such a fun time.

What a fun weekend! So grateful for Kyle's extra time off, for the nice winter weather, the parks that Coop is able to enjoy grass & get his wiggles out, for Mom being close by, for a date with my baby daddy, for great friends, & MORE!

Cooper experienced his first official "time out" right before our trip. I don't
think he got the memo that he wasn't suppose to be having fun...

All turned around & ready to ride!

Big Slide with Daddy

27 Candles

on MY cake! AH! I'm 27!! This can't be real, can it?!

This year we had a little shindig at our house with some close friends. We had pizza, a yummy salad from Sarah, & Erin was so nice & made a delicious PURPLE velvet cake for me. (I ended up freezing half of the cake so I am STILL enjoying it!) When it was time to blow out the candles I couldn't seem to blow more than 2 out so maybe that was the cake telling me that I'm not officially 27 yet. :) (thanks Sarah for helping me blow the candles out. what would I do without you?!) It was so great to have our friends & their kids over for a fun night. 

On my birthday we drove up to Maggie Valley, NC for the Ensign Thanksgiving Bash. While there Kyle & I went out on a late lunch/early dinner birthday date. (if you're ever in the area, you've got to eat at the Sweet Onion in Waynesville) Thanks to the family for watching Cooper for us. I love spending some solo time with Kyle. Later that night we had some cake with all of the family. The cookies n creme cake was SO good!

I am so grateful to have such wonderful family & friends that make me feel so special every year!

yeah those flames weren't going anywhere.

Man I wish I had some more!

Funtimes in Photos

Here's a massive photo drop!

I can't get enough of those teeth!

Cooper telling Liv how Costco Pizza is made.
Liv wasn't very interested.

Cooper has a corner for all of his toys &
books. His room is feeling more & more
like a big boy room.

Cooper loves it when Daddy reads to him.

Taking over Moose's bed.

Enjoying his puzzles from Grandma

Cooper knows how to push Moose's buttons.
Moose has been patient for SO very long.
I felt terrible for Coop & Moose. Both seemed
to forget the incident in minutes. (photo doesn't
really show the damage)

Moose hiding from Cooper.

Snuggling up with Daddy after our dinner at Olive Garden.

Being silly.

We've been making an awful lot of homemade
ice cream. Kyle share with Cooper. Me?
Well it depends on the day. :)

Uncle Bryant & Auntie Jilli came to visit!

Moose & Coop dominating Uncle Bryant's air mattress.

Auntie Jilli reading to Coop. :)

Cooper's first time eating a cracker all by
himself. It was so cute to watch. He figured
out how to bite it. He was pretty proud of
himself & so was I! (If you know Coop,
you know that food doesn't stay in his hands
or mouth for very long. It's swallowed immediately)

Cooper busted his lip open on Saturday. It was
our first 'major' injury. It bled like crazy but I
believe Sesame Street heals everything for Coop. 

:)

Cooper playing peek a boo with our curtains.
It's a daily occurrence.

So there's the last month or so in pictures. As if you hadn't gathered previously, Coop is the star of the show around here. :) Moose plays second fiddle.

A few things NOT pictured:

-Weekly Library visits

-sweaty walks with Moose

-Cooper's breakdowns when we don't get pizza at Costco (the kid already knows!)

-Visit to Kyle's work

-Cooper walking (more on that in another post-if I remember)

-All the books I've read

-All the books Cooper has read

-Late nights with Kyle watching the Olympics

-the enormous amounts of food consumed due to the previous listed item.

-visit from Poppa Marc

-& much much more!

A Party for Cooper

A few Sundays ago we invited some friends over for a little party to celebrate Coop turning 1. We enjoyed the beautiful weather, wonderful company, & delicious food. Kyle cooked up some Lowcountry Boil. It was so yummy! He did a great job & we can't wait to have it again! Then we sang to Cooper & watched him dive into his first cupcake. He LOVED the cupcake but didn't enjoy his party hat. Once Cooper was cleaned up we opened all the great gifts his friends gave him-he's one lucky kid! We didn't want the night to end! Thanks everyone for coming, eating, laughing, giving gifts, & cleaning up. :) We are so blessed to have such great friends here in Atlanta.

Lowcountry Boil!

Cooper loving his party so far!

Luke & Finn (BFFs) having fun smashing the ice.

Cupcakes, banana bars, & ice cream

I made the cupcakes-pretty proud of myself!

Happy Birthday Coop!

"why is everyone singing & what's this on my plate?"

:)

Can't get it in his mouth fast enough!

Our little family!

Luke enjoying his cupcake.

Sarah! Soon enough you'll have a cupcake of your own! :)

Finn!

everyone enjoying cake & ice cream

Happy boy after cupcake number 2! Life couldn't be better!

Argh! Not the HAT!

Gift time!

He's already in love with his new books!

This one is for Mandy & Olivia-Coop loves the straw too!

Love these ladies!