June Randoms

June was a super busy month for all of us and the weather was warmer than normal which was something Coop and I tried to enjoy every single day we could. Café Rio became a weekly meal, Coop will eat an entire bowl of black beans and the whole quesadilla. When we got back from our camping weekend we went over to our storage unit, since we didn't have time before we left, to get a few things and when Ry opened it the only thing in there was a box of Ry's mission stuff and my golf clubs. I was shocked, I cried and then I was really upset; all of our Halloween decorations and costumes, Cooper's baby clothes, my maternity clothes and post-partum tools (breast pump, nursing stuff, etc.)all of our camping and boating gear, and most importantly all of my journals from the time I was five, yearbooks and pictures were all stolen. Ryan's little brother borrowed our key to go get Ry's golf clubs a couple of months earlier and left it in the lock so it was really easy for someone to lift all of our stuff in there, I am still pretty sad about all of it and I'm trying really hard to get over it, but i'm constantly seeing things that remind me of things that were taken and it just stirs up the sad sick feeling every time. I just have to know that those kind of people will get what's coming to them and I have to get over it and forgive and try to forget.

 Other than that hiccup we got lots of golfing and swimming in together and had a wonderful kick off month for summer.

Coop diving into his "buhlack beans" "nummy nummy".

Daddy teaching Coop how to pull the pin (it's his favorite job when we got golf) and it keeps him out of the sand.

One of many family fun nights we had out on the course.

Putting together and loving it.

This was after Coop had a really big lunch, he kept patting his stomach saying "bellay bellay" I was laughing so hard I'm surprised my pictures turned out ok.

Picking leaves off of Mae Mae and Boppa's maple tree and chasing Shoo shoo around their yard.

With his bestfriend Kolton, enjoying his favorite part of the pool, "nack time" he would get out probably every twenty minutes to half our for a little snack.

Loving his uncle Kaid!

Bestfriends since they were in our bellies and we thought they were both girls.

Another snack time, my little cheeseball.

Checking out the "fishies" at his two year check up, which he did the best he has ever done, he talked to Dr. Fulks, told him about the animals on the poster in our room and only cried a little when he got his immunizations.

Coop loves building "towers" with his Daddy, and then he can't wait to "knock it".

24 Months and Birthday Letter

24 Month Facts:

• You are 70th percentile in weight, 80th in height and 90th for head size (for that big brain of yours).
• You talk all the time, non-stop and learn new words daily.
• If someone asks you a question lately you say "ummmm..." pause for a while and then answer it.
• You say "like it" anytime you like what we are doing, like the food you are trying or book we are reading.
• You had about two or three days of terrible, awful two's, it was like you were a completely different child. You were so naughty, threw fits like I've never seen you do and completely wore me out. I'm happy to say those only last those few days and you have been an angel for the most part since then, phew!
• You are obsessed with animals and anything to do with outside.
• You love swimming and will jump in to me and go under the water, I think you are going to be a good little swimmer soon.
• You say "careful" whenever you are on the edge of something, or whenever we are walking through a parking lot.
• You know what things people have given you and will say their name when you get it out.
• You love being outside, playing with "wums" (worms) looking for bugs, picking up rocks and sticks.
• You will say "nummy" when you are eating something you like.
• I started teaching you your letters and you can look at the letters A through F and tell me what they are.
• When you are lifting something you'll say "heavy" in a tough, gruff little voice.
• You love going outside to watch the firetrucks and ambulance drive off.
• You are growing so fast and you are such a smart little nugget, you make Momma and Daddy so happy every single day. We love you baby boy!

 

 

 

My dear sweet little Cooper,

 

I cannot believe it has been two years since you came into this world as a perfect little seven pound nine ounce little angel bug. You have changed our lives forever in the best way imaginable, you bring so much joy and happiness to us and we would not be able to live without you. You have developed such a fun and outgoing personality. You are always on the go and never walk you have always run where ever you are going no matter what you are doing. You love all kinds of trucks, diggers, firetrucks, police, ambulances, all kinds of animals and you love making animal sounds. You thrive outside and could not have more boy in you. You are very sweet with other kids, you love to hug, kiss and snuggle. You are so smart and love learning things, you could read with me for hours, you love to take your pillow out of your bed and lay on it while we read. You love music and bob your head anytime you start to hear music, yes, even at church.

 

At every stage you hit (except the couple days after you turned two) I just want to bottle you up and keep you that way forever. I always think to myself "it cant get any better or more fun" and you never cease to amaze me, the things you say and do are always making me laugh. You really have a contagious happiness in your spirit and everyone around you, even strangers in the stores, notice it. I feel like the luckiest Momma in the world to call you my son, I got so lucky to get such a sweet, happy and loving kid. I hope that you always keep you sweet spirit about you and always be a good example to all those around you. You are my best little buddy and I love that I get to spend every single day, all day with you. You keep me on my toes and keep me on the go non-stop but I love it and wouldn't change a thing about you. You wake up happy every morning yelling "Momma, mommy, mommmm" and I love it, it starts my day out right, it makes your Dad a little jealous, but that's okay, you've woken up saying his name a couple times.

 

We have had a very fun and busy year and I'm constantly amazed at well you adjust to everything we do. You are a great traveler, and for the most part you stay on your schedule even if we aren't quite on the right schedule that you are used to. You were so good at potty training and I'm so proud of you for catching on so fast and doing such a great job. I'm sure by next year you will be one hundred percent night trained; you take your nap without diapers now and are doing great! You have learned so much and I can see that you thirst for more knowledge all the time and I hope that I can teach you as well as you need and want to be taught.

 

I think I have passed my love for Disneyland and all things Disney to you. You love Disney movies and yell "dinneyland" at the beginning of all the movies when they show the castle. You love Cars and know all of the characters by name, you've got lots of Cars books and love to read them over and over again. You call Lighting McQueen "Queen" you love Mater and have a few of him in different sizes, you love Mack truck and always want to bring yours in the car. I can't wait to take you to Disneyland, I keep bugging your Daddy about it, it will happen soon enough, I'm sure.

 

I know every year just keeps getting better and I wish time would slow down a little bit. I want to savor every second that I have with you and be the best Momma I can for you. You are the sweetest little bug and I love you more and more everyday, I'm not sure how that's possible, but it is; the love I have for you gives me a small glimpse of how much our Heavenly Father must love us all. Happy Birthday my big two year old handsome little man, I LOVE YOU more than you can imagine, keep being my little angel bug!!!

 

Love,

Momma

 



Happy 2nd Birthday Cooper!!!

After we got semi-unpacked and cleaned up from camping we headed out to my parents for Coop to open the rest of his birthday presents and have cake.

Boppa assisted Coop in his present opening, as you can tell from their cute faces they had a blast!

 

It takes a lot of concentration for those cute little fingers to open the wrapping.

Mareesa made his cake and he was SO excited to blow out his candle, he had been practicing for about a month before his birthday, so sweet and SO cute! I hope he wished for a baby brother or sister.

 

Loving all of his Cars goods and of course licking all of the frosting off the cake, he is his Daddy's child in that aspect for sure!

 

HAPPY 2nd birthday sweet Angel Bug!

Birthday Camping Weekend

After we got our family pictures taken Ry headed back to work for a bit while I went home and quickly packed for Coop'slong camping slash birthday weekend (we left Wednesday and got back Sunday). Mareesa rode with us which Coop was very happy about because that meant he had a backseat buddy to hang out with. We finally got out of town around 4:00PM just in time for a huge thunder storm that came with lots of rain. Since we weren't really in a big rush to get up to Warm River we took our time and stopped in Idaho Falls for some Olive Garden. We got to camp and got the trailer all set up, played some games and went to bed. Coop did not sleep well at all, we set up his pack and play where the table folds down, so the first night was a rough one.

The next morning we went fishing, the weather was gorgeous and super warm, which Warm River never seems to be, but it was perfect. We went down passed the bridge to feed the fish, Coop was amazed, he kept saying "fishy fishy jump" and he'd throw bread out and it would make it maybe three inches out. We also took a drive over to Cave Falls and wandered around there for a while. After that we went down to Ashton and rented a redbox for that night. Since none of us slept well the night before we all took a nap when Coop did. That night we had a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, played games together and all slept much better.

The next morning, Friday, Ry had to leave for a girls basketball tournament which was over in Twin Falls and was Friday and Saturday. So Mareesa and I were left with Coop without a mode of transportation, but we weren't too worried because my family was coming up that night. We went on lots of walks through out the day, wandered around, watched movies, colored, played games and lounged in the sun while Coop napped. Coop loved just romping around in the trees, finding rocks and sticks; he really is one thousand percent boy. While Ween and I were getting ready to start dinner my phone rang and it was my Mom, this is what I heard "Dad... in the emergency room...." I had a million thoughts run through my head, first of which my Dad is having another heart attack and we are stuck up here with no way to get home to him, finally the call came in a little clearer and we found out my Dad got the tip of his finger completely severed off minus one small ligament that it was hanging on by. He went in for emergency surgery with the hand specialist and luckily the doctor was able to save is finger and revasculate the finger as well as he could, he now has a  plate in it and is happy to still have a finger, one that doesn't move so well nor does it look so pretty. Needless to say my parents stayed home while my Mom helped my drugged up Dad. Ween and I made dinner together and hung out with Coop until bed and then stayed up watching GCB, it was a little scary being up there with just us, luckily we had Nana to protect us.

The next day we woke up and had breakfast, it was pretty chilly so we waited for it to warm up a bit before we went on our exploring hikes, Coop loved the Ergo because his legs would get tired and he would just stop and say "hold you". Finally Ry made it back and we went up to Bear Gulch to fish, it was absolutely gorgeous, we hiked a ways to find a good place since they place we normally go is a steep, long hill of rocks and boulders, not so Cooper friendly. I snagged pretty soon after we got there and decided to just hang out with Coop while he threw rocks in the river and played with worms while Mareesa and Ry fished (and snagged a fair share). On our way back Coop had to stop at every rock he thought was cool, about every four feet or so, smelled the flowers, found pinecones and sticks and Ry finally just put him on his shoulders and carried him the rest of the way back. We got to the tunnel and Coop wanted to walk again, or should I say run since that is his only speed, and he tripped and fell and hit his poor head so hard right smack in the middle of his forehead, it had a goose egg almost immediately, such a sad ending to a fun afternoon. We had a fire and sat outside for a while before bed enjoying our last night there.

The next morning was Coop's actual birthday, we had breakfast together and decided to pack it up early so we could go celebrate at home with Mae Mae and Boppa. We stopped at the cemetery to see my grandma's headstone and a few other extended relatives headstones in Ashton before we grabbed some ice cream and Dave's and headed home. We were about half an hour from home and the tire blew on the trailer so we had to wait for Ry's family to bring us an extra and fix it and then we got home and cleaned up and headed out to my parents'.

Finally ready to hit the road.

 

Boo boo loves to fall asleep in the car.

 

The gorgeous Tetons, the sky was so clear most of the time we were there so our views were always beautiful.

Coop's first time trying to fish, he mostly just liked swinging it around, he may have inherited my lack of patience.

My cute almost two year old!

More swinging the fishing pole around...

"Whoa Momma, wazthat?"

Buddies, Nana didn't leave his side, they are so sweet together.

My cute boys fishing together.

Ry caught a fish and tried to get Coop to touch it, he said "gucky" and did not love it.

I didn't catch anything, had lots of bites but no success.

I think this was the most beautiful weather we have ever had up there.

Coop playing in the rocks by the ranger station.

On our way to Cave Falls there were fields and fields of stunning wild flowers...

I'm sure Ry was not annoyed at all when I kept making him stop so I could get out and take pictures.

Looking out at the falls with my little family.

Lower Cave Falls

Bestfriends and sisters!

Love these boys!

My little mountain goat, he would love to hike all day.

Best buds.

Upper Cave Falls

On the way down and of course Coop insisted on walking down, "Cooper do".

Smelling the flowers along the way...

Still coming down...

Still refuses to be carried...He thinks he's such a big boy, and I guess he is getting to be.

Driving with Dad on the dirt road back to the main road, he loved it!

 

More exploring over in the new development across the street from our lot.

Oh yes, she's stuck, it was high-larious!

Our family sitting around the fire.

Feeding the fish by the bridge.

Ah the sunshine.

Love. Them.

Aunt NeeNee trying to snuggle...

Rocks and dirt, a little boys heaven.

I was so surprised when Coop wanted to touch the worms, he usually doesn't like the feel of slimey things, but this kid could not get enough of the "wums".

Stretchy worm... so gross and cute at the same time.

 

"wow momma"

"look"

Inspector gadget.

Dinner around the camp fire.

He thoroughly enjoyed the junk food he got while camping, he kept asking for "mo chips peez".

Roasting marshmallows...

To make 'smores, i'm sure I gained ten pounds on this camping trip.

 

Watching Tangled (the only kid movie that made it into the movie bag) and yep, eating more chips.

 

Exploring...

"a cone"

One of his many sticks he had to haul back to the lot.

Dragging his stick with his bear right next to him.

His face says it all...

So glad I brought coloring books for Mareesa.

More exploring...

Lover boy

We thought it would be a good idea to walk down to the river, it's like a 3-4 mile walk, not the greatest idea, we made it maybe half way there and then it started to sprinkle and Coop was over it.

 

At the train tunnel by Bear Gulch.

One of the few times Coop let Ry carry him while we were hiking up to Bear Gulch.

Looking down at our fishing spot...

The view from our fishing spot, breathtaking right?

A rock that needed exploring...

"One, two...freee!!" and he jumped off, he's got no fear, makes me a little nervous.

Playing in the fire pit.

Meeting his great grandma for the first time, at least that he can remember, i'm sure he talked with her before he came down to us.

Since it was his real birthday we let him open one present in the car and decided to pack the rest home and open them at home. Aunt Nee Nee gave him this his eyes show his excitement.

A mater pillow, still Cars obsessed. He snuggled that all the way home.

Oh yeah, get it Coop, it's your birthday you do what you want!!