Cooper and Cole when we were taking pictures of all the grandkids for Grandma. I love this one. And even more, I love that Cooper has darling cousins to play with and love. He and Coley have such a great time together.

Coop loves to play with his soccer ball that he got for Easter - thats what he was doing before I snapped this picture. And Al is just being an awesome Dad/monster.

We got another round of pictures - the last time was when Cooper was 5 months. I love these ones - its a whole new ball game with a toddler. He was a good sport. I don't know who was more difficult, Cooper or Al. jk Al jk. Not much to report, just keeping very busy with life. Annie is still delightful. She had never passed her hearing screening since she was born, so we'd been to the ENT specialist a few times. They could never do the tests that were needed because of persistent fluid in her ears. But thankfully, she had a test where they had to sedate her with anesthesia, and they found that her hearing is 100%. She talks a lot and loves her daddy the most. Cooper is also her favorite - he is a great entertainer. Cooper's latest thing is asking his dad "Hows work?" when he gets home. And "Hows meeting?" is what he asks me. He is my favorite little buddy. ** Our photographer was Amanda Crookston - she is a friend from high school and she is awesome! http://www.amandaandhercamera.blogspot.com/

This is how Cooper gives a "thumbs up".

This is Annie's smile.

Cooper is potty trained! He is a wonderful little 2 year old.

Annie sleeps til 4 or 5 every night, she is such a happy little girl.

For Valentines we went to a Joshua Radin concert. It was really fun to go out to something like that. I hadn't been to a show since we went to Something Corporate 3 years ago (where we were the oldest ones there by 10 years). This crowd was better suited for people our age. Lots of funny people there. My favorite was the girl next to us who thought she was at a Gloria Estefan concert. She was dancing and singing her heart out (out of tune and wrong words) the whole time. I couldn't stop giggling, and at one point, thought we had to move because she was so distracting. This show was not a place to dance or sing along in your white salsa dress, high heels and crazy jewelry. She did not fit the crowd.

We had a great time.

We have a new baby girl, Annie Kate! She was born a few days before Thanksgiving. She is a doll. Dimples, blue eyes, light hair - we are in love again. Cooper has been so sweet with her, he can't get enough. Annie is a great eater but not quite as good at sleeping. Cooper was the easiest baby and Annie is definitely not the hardest, just more typical I think...I was spoiled with Coop.

We had a great Christmas. Lots of family time. Cooper understood Santa this year, and he really had a ball. And for all of you who will be receiving our "Christmas" Card in mid-January, please know that you were not an afterthought - we are just a little behind! I am going to pick up our cards from Costco today. Better late than never, I always say.

Helping decorate the tree.

Cooper and Santa's Sleigh being pulled by his giraffe.

Welcome to Paradise

This place was amazing! We went with some friends to their beautiful home in Montana on Flathead Lake. I couldn't have changed one thing about it to make it better! The surroundings were gorgeous, the weather perfect, and the company was so so fun! It was fun to make new friends and relax in the most beautiful place I've ever been. Unfortunately we only took 3 pictures, so if any of you girls that took more - I'd love for you to send me some!

Think Pink

We found out last month that we are having a girl! Very excited. We will be naming her Annie _____ . Not sure on the middle name.

The Cabin

The cabin was wonderful of course, I love Sundance. Lots of relaxing, eating great food, and fun. This year was so fun with Cooper being so much bigger. He loved it!! He still talks about the waterfall.
Enjoying his first Sundance sucker.

Al switched our blog to private a few days ago, before I was able to invite anyone so that is why you couldn't get on. Although, there are probably only 3 of you that even knew it went private since most have given up on me posting. It's true, I am a lazy blogger!

May

At the San Tan Splash Pad with his buddy Jayne.

This is his "taking care of business" face.

Mothers Day was super! We got to see both our beautiful Mom's and tell them how much we love them. And even though Al was feeling sick he still made me a delicious breakfast and gave me some new clothes to fit my growing waistline. Our next baby is due some time in early December! Coop and this one will be almost exactly 2 years apart. We are totally excited and I can only hope that this next one will be as easy as little Coop. He really is a dream, and this age (almost 18 months) is just the most fun. I always knew I'd love my children but I didn't know it would be this fun!

So much time has passed, there is no way to catch up! Cooper is a speed walker...he totally leans into his walk wherever he goes, it kills me seeing such a small little person take such big steps.

This was from Halloween. Cutest little chicken ever!
He loves to climb and explore, always wanting to be higher so he can check everything out.


Al got him this hat for Christmas, this is Christmas morning. Cooper is the best little pal, I love every second with him.

Newport

We just got back from California with some of Al's family. We had a great time! The weather was great, just a little rain one day. The food was A-MAZ-ING, including Crab Cooker three times and the worlds best donuts. Funny how I never eat donuts at all, but we look forward to the donuts in Newport all year. I am also addicted to Diet Cherry Coke now, that stuff is wonderful. We just played on the beach and ate...that's my kind of vacation.

Cooper loved playing in the sand. Eating it mostly. And all the treasures he found including shells, seaweed, and his favorite, cigarette butts. Between the drool, snot, and sunblock, he had a permanent beard of sand. He was a very good beach baby. Luckily none of us got too sunburned. Al's feet were the only casualties as far as the sun. And now that summer is officially over, I finally have a tan!

weekend

This past weekend was a great one! We started out on Friday going to YC's Mongolian BBQ. I do not recommend it. Stick with Pei Wei's or PF Changs. Then Saturday we got to meet Elder Jeffrey R Holland! He came to Al's parents stake conference and stayed at their house. He is amazing and he gave a wonderful talk the next day at the conference. After meeting Elder Holland we drove up to Cherry (near Prescott) for a BBQ at Al's boss's home. It was so beautiful. Way cooler than the valley, totally green, gorgeous, and the food was to die for. Cooper had the best time crawling around in the grass, dirt, dog poop, etc. There were 6 dogs roaming around and after a while, Coop was enjoying them too. Totally fun weekend!

family pictures

My cousin Emily is a great photographer! I just recently found out that she has been doing this, and she is so talented! She took some of us before Ben left. Cooper was loving her.

Elder Photogenic

Ben, my youngest brother has just left for his mission! He is going to Uruguay. I seriously cannot believe it. He is such a good-looking kid. Not to mention, he is definitely the most photogenic in our family.

A quick update

• Cooper has been crawling for a month or so. It's an army style lizard-ish movement. He CAN crawl up on hands and knees, but when he wants to go fast, he uses the army crawl.

• His favorite thing right now is to pull up on things. It only works if the object is the perfect height, and has something to grip onto.

• His bottom teeth are in and he loves to bite chins, especially mine. It used to be pretty cute but now it really hurts.

• He had his first fever and ear infection last week. Unfortunately he is on antibiotics right now. I tried to wait it out, but the infection did not resolve on its own.

• Climbing all over people, pillows, boxes is very fun for him.

• He has been much more vocal lately.

• Much to our dismay, he has become an active member in a local gang. Kids these days...

Cabin

Some pics from my favorite place in the whole world. The cabin!

6 and 1/2 months

Hi, Dad!

Going after the camera.

Cooper has been sitting up on his own for more than a week now. I think he is teething, but I've thought that for 4 months so what do I know? He is a very happy little guy as long as he is not alone, he likes company and attention. He needs a brother or sister!