It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

This Christmas flew by WAY too fast, I feel like we barely got to enjoy that Christmas feeling. I love this time of year and the reminder we get to reflect on our Savior and his birth along with all of our many blessings. Christmas is even more magical having a baby, Cooper loved everything about Christmas; the lights, the music, the tree, ornaments, gifts (mostly the paper and ribbon), and all the family we were surrounded by. Ry's family has a family Christmas party the day before Christmas Eve every year, but sadly, this year we were unable to make it. Both my boys were super sick, Ry was achey, feverish and literally could barely drag himself out of bed, and little Coop had a cough, runny nose and just didn't feel well, so we stayed in and I took care of the sickies. Coop started feeling a little better for Christmas Eve but Ry still felt pretty crappy so we couldn't go to our annual Christmas Eve day movie with his family. After resting all day, Ry rallied and got ready for our Christmas Eve festivities, still feeling bad, he was such a trooper. We started our traditional progressive dinner at my parents house with delicious appetizers, wassail and egg nog. Cooper fell asleep for a while while we were out at my parents and I was hoping he wouldn't stay asleep the whole night, because I was so excited for him to enjoy his first Christmas Eve. After my parents' house we headed to the Wood's for yummy soup, salad, bread and rolls. We ended at my Grandparents' for the main course and my personal favorite ris a la mande, which I did not get enough of this year. After dinner my Grandpa read the Christmas story from the Bible, we sang some Christmas songs and opened gifts and enjoyed being with our family.

 Cooper enjoying the tree and playing with his presents, he started sitting by himself on December 5th, such a big boy!

 One of Coop's favorite decorations was the mistletoe, he had to touch it every time we walked by.

 He would much rather stand that sit and thinks he is much bigger than he really is. He gets very frustrated when he's on he tummy reaching for a toy because he can only scoot backward and hasn't mastered forward movement yet.

 You can tell from this picture he was not feeling himself, poor little guy. I cannot believe he is already six months old!! This has been the fastest six months of my life, I really wish time would slow down a bit so I can savor all the sweet moments with Coop.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

 Happy Christmas Eve family photo op at my parents house.

 Great Grandma snuggling our little tired gummie bear before he crashed...

 Christmas Eve naptime...

 My cute Grandparents.

 Ry playing with the Wood's kids, he's such a kid at heart.

 Uncle Marcus enjoying some quality time with this little nugget.

 Cooper loved feeling the tree and looking at all the lights.

 Cooper enjoying his books from his Great Uncle Scott.

Coop with his Great Grandpa Miller and the outfit he picked out for him. My Grandparents gave Coop this darling track suit and have been VERY excited to give it to him since they bought it a few months ago. My Grandpa kept asking when he was going to wear it anytime I would visit and I had to remind him it wasn't Christmas yet, so Coop didn't have it.

 Uncle David and Uncle Scott

Coop enjoying some more wrapping paper.

CHRISTMAS DAY 2011

Christmas morning was SO fun, Ry and I enjoyed watching Cooper with all of his new toys. Santa brought lots of fun things for Coop this year, he will be entertained for years to come with all of his fun toys. We could have got Cooper a water bottle and some wrapping paper and he would have been just as happy, and we decided for next year we won't go so overboard with all the toys. After we opened our gifts at home and had a nice Christmas morning together Cooper and I went to church (Ry was still feeling sick so he went back to bed). Toward the end of the meeting I saw my phone light up, it was a text from Mareesa saying that Mckaid was on the phone to hurry out there. Since Ry was still feeling bad, I ran to the car with Coop and hustled out to my parents so I could talk to Kaid. He sounded so great and it was so nice to talk to him. He's such a wonderful missionary, he has a cute little accent and we could tell he is loving everything and everyone on his mission. I miss him so much and can't wait for his return in nine months!

Mckaid sent us this pic for Cooper, he's is so excited he's an uncle and is looking forward to September so he can't meet him in person.

Kaid playing with baby lion cubs, SOOOO darling!

 Unwrapping gifts...

 Coop and his Christmas morning haul...

 Coop's Christmas teddy from Ry's parents.

Opening gifts at Ry's parents.

Coop opening some gifts from my parents...

 The day after Christmas we went shooting together. My Dad, Mareesa, Kirsten, Uncle Scott, Sheridan, and Marcus.

 Ry and his 22, he hasn't shot for almost two years now.

 Marcus trying out his new rifle, his Christmas present to himself.

 Scott trying out Marcus' bow...it's much harder than it looks.

 Me shooting my Christmas present, it's a little revolver that shoots 45's and 410 shot gun shells, love it, thanks Ry!!!

Cooper with all of his Christmas loot, he had a fabulous first Christmas. We had such a nice time with all of the family that was able to be here. Ry is finally feeling better and Coop is back to his happy little self.