A Tigger-ific Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  We have come a long way since last year, click here to see!

We spent Halloween at home since our neighborhood is full of kids and fun people.  Mamaw, Papaw, and the McCormacks came over for chili, birthday cake, and trick-or-treating.  It was a great night!  Took a million pics, but I won't bore you, here are some of my favorites.

Tigger and Elmo!!!

These two started off clueless, probably thinking, "why in the he*& are my parents putting me in this obnoxious outfit and parading me around the neighborhood!"

Belle in her own ride, because that's what Princesses do!

Off to house #1, Coop continued to be clueless.  Usually dropped his bag and headed for the garage, especially if there were toys inside.

Our children were not cooperating for picture time.  Yes, Lola is dressed up as a dinosaur for the third year in a row!  

Coop was very intrigued by everyone's Halloween decorations.  At this particular house, he couldn't take his eyes off the skeleton hanging up on the garage.  This same house gave him this football, the best treat of the night for Coopie!

Tigger is on the loose!

Elmo, Belle, and Tigger with Papaw and Mamaw

Last but not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMAW!!!  We ended the night with singing and cake (courtesy of Aunt Tanya and Emily).

Pumpkin Carving!

Coopie was really not sure at first of the whole "pumpkin guts" idea, but as the pictures show, he slowly warmed up to the idea.  My favorite part...cooked pumpkin seeds, yum!

Cooper has loved pumpkins all season long!  We have a couple in our house and he's always pointing and smiling.  

Dad trying to get him in the 'guts!'

Sure was loving the top, even bit a piece off of it!

Once the Coopster got a couple spoons he was loving it!  Kept stirring in the pumpkin and then pretending to eat off of them, thought he was pretty funny!!!

The end creations, thanks to Dad!

Pumpkin Prowl

Saturday it was just Coop and I and my Mom's Group was headed to a Halloween event at a local community college, so off we went! And, so glad we did!!!  Coop had a blast!  I told Adam, he is really "getting things" now, evident in the pictures below.

Seriously checking out the guy turning balloons into animals.  Cooper got one that was popped minutes after we got home on our rose bush...

Little game of pin the nose on the pumpkin.  Cooper preferred to play run away with the pumpkin's nose!

Ring Toss!  He LOVED getting to pick a (cheap and cheesy) toy out the bucket from each game.  Was just as excited to see them after his nap!

Such a big boy watching the magic show!  That is until he saw the water fountains and figured out how to work them. :)

Despite a fall that ended in a slight bloody nose, it was so much fun!

Temper Tantrums...already?

For a few months now Cooper has been quite opinionated when something he has (but shouldn't) is taken away from him.  His reactions are growing stronger and stronger, see below...

Not sure what he was told no about or had taken from him this time, but so glad I caught it on camera.   This captures the moment pretty well.

Can you say, dramatic???  Check out those flyaways over the ears, somebody needs a trim!

Halloween-Part One

We knew we would be home for Halloween, so during our mini-vacay to Stilwell, we brought Halloween with us!

First stop was to visit Great-Mama Kelly, we are so happy she's home and healthy!  Coop was happy as a lark because she let him play with her cell phone, one of his favorite things to do!

Coop dressed up for Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Alli, Uncle Bryson and Aunt Tara.  No candy here, but he got this awesome book all about tractors and it even makes a brrmm, brmmm noise.  That happens to be one of his favorite noises in the car when we pass trucks.

We went to Ambiance to watch the Stilwell Elementary kids parade in costume with Emersyn.  It was super windy (if you can't tell) and these two were bound and determined to be a part of the parade!!!

Trying to get a picture of Tigger and his beautiful Piglet, but as you can see, he wasn't having it...maybe next year!  

More Fun in Stilwell

We were in Stilwell to visit since Adam had business to run in Lawrence.  Coop and I stayed a few extra days and had sooo much fun!!!  The only bummer...Coopie arrived with lingering pink eye and a new cough/runny nose.  He was pretty quiet the first couple days and then bounced back to his normal self!

Telling Grandma a story...in his own jibberish, which we love!!!  This kid seriously loves books, flips through every page and really loves the ones with flip tabs!  

Sunday afternoon we went to visit Uncle Aaron, Aunt Cami and the kids.  It was a beautiful day and the boys were loving being outside.  Cash was pulling Coop down the street...hilarious!  The pictures just can't capture the moment. :)

Off they go!  Cooper's legs are so long, he had a hard time keeping them in the car!

The highlight of our stay...wedding dress shopping with Aunt Alli!!!  Coop was so good and smiled real big every time Al came out in another beautiful dress!  We can't wait to do it again!

One meal at a time

So, I have known for a while now that I should be giving Coop utensils to practice eating with, however I just couldn't do it.  Hated the thought of the length of time eating would take and the mess made in the high chair and all over his clothes.  However, my Parents As Teachers lady came this week and really encouraged it.  So, we officially bit the bullet today.  Here is what happened.

For a few bites, he really worked to get the food on the fork and transport it to his mouth.

After a few bites, the fork found itself where the sippy cup spends most of its time.

Back to the fingers, we will keep working on it.

Chores Already?

Right before lunch I noticed Lola's food bowl was empty, but let's face it...her food needs are second fiddle to the toddler in my life.  However, Cooper apparently noticed and decided to take action.  The sequence of events follows...

He took the dog food bag out of the pantry and carried it across the kitchen to Lola's bowls.  

Lola followed him every step of the way.

"I got it Mom"

Job done!

You are welcome Lola

Enough said, Poor Elmo

Sleep, Coopie, Sleep

Cooper has always been an awesome sleeper!  From very early on, we put him to bed in his crib and don't hear from him until 10-12 hours later. 

So, this week has thrown us for a loop!!!  For almost a week now, he has been waking up screaming and needed some serious consoling.  Some nights it has just been rocking, but others he has found himself smack dab in the middle of Mom, Dad, and Lola!  Yes, I realize this may be his ultimate goal, but when it's the middle of the night, whatever it takes!  And really, something so sweet to open your eyes to a blue eyed baby hitting you in the face and smiling. :) 

Our guess on the culprit behind this irregularity is TEETH!  I thought maybe ear infection, but audiologist Aunt Tanya crossed this theory off the list tonight with an earcheck.  Not sure what the teeth count is up to...I dare you to try to get your finger in that mouth without injury!

So, this is a couple hours into sleep tonight...let's hope he stays this way!

Where's Waldo

As Coop was trying to maneuver around Adam and I's bedroom tonight, I couldn't help but think of the classic book series, "Where's Waldo?"  Clearly we have not caught up with vacation unpacking and the transition of spring/summer to fall/winter clothes...tomorrow is another day.

We are back!!!

I hope you haven't lost hope on us in the Blogging World!!!  Enjoy these new posts and I will be back this week to fill you in on why there has been such a lull in my blog posts...it's exciting! And, no I am not pregnant :). It feels good to be back, but it's after midnight and my little man will be up before I know it, goodnight!

Maui=Paradise!!!!!!!!!!!

It was Adam and I's 5th anniversary this year and we were lucky enough to get to travel to Maui!!  Adam surprised me with this on my birthday, so exciting!  All his traveling officially paid off, as we flew on his airline miles and stayed with hotel points.  It was amazing, you just can't help being so happy while there.  Everywhere you look, it is the best view, simply beautiful!  Coop stayed home with both sets of grandparents, we are so lucky to have the BEST families!  We knew Cooper was in the best hands and definitely wasn't missing us at all.  Here are just a few of the 200 pictures we took while there, enjoy!

our view at lunch, the resort pools and ocean.  We stayed at The Grand Wailea Resort on Maui and totally recommend it!

On the road to Hana, unbelievable scenery!!!

We went to the Old Lahaina Luau, really neat!  Saw a pig roasting, beautiful Hawaiian sunset, open bar :),  and lots of Hula dancing.

My favorite flower picture

Sad to leave Maui, but knowing we would get to see this face made it all better...

***as a side note: we were clearly not missed, as when he saw us there was a brief smile and then right back to playing with his ball!  However, our sweet Lola did not disappoint, she was beyond excited to see us!

New Trick

So, this all started one morning with Coop picking up and putting his diaper on his head, over and over again!  At breakfast, he continued to do it with the washcloth, he thought it was hilarious!  

in process...

success and excitement, love this face!

The next morning it continued with pumpkin bread :)

Like I said, over and over again!  

He did this for just a couple of days with random objects and hasn't done it since.

Kick-Off to Maggie and Kyle's Wedding

A couple weekends ago, we had wedding showers for Maggie and Kyle.  For Mags, a traditional shower with lots of presents, delicious food and desserts.  For Kyle, a tool shower with the boys, chili and beer.  After the showers, everyone joined up for a pig roast, beer pong, and lots of dancing!  No pictures from the night as my camera died, a few people should be thankful for that. :)

The bride with her ring bearers, I love how this picture turned out!  The oldest will be 2 and the youngest 18 months...should be an entertaining walk down the aisle!

The bride with the Jayhawk boys, Cash and Coop.  

Ava-Grace, junior bridesmaid and Emily, flowergirl.  These two are so cute together!

Pretty proud of the cookies my mom and I made, mostly thanks to my mom!  yuck...do you see the fly?

The best pic Adam got from the tool shower...think how fun wedding day pics will be with these 3!

So excited for Kyle and Mag's big day!!!!!!!