Toy Story

Coop got surprised with the Toy Story movie a couple weeks ago and to say he is loving it would be an understatement.  Anything Woody or Buzz related brings sheer excitement and if a computer is in sight, he is pointing for Toy Story to be on.  Seriously, I am thankful for this new obsession as Elmo and Mickey Mouse were really starting to wear on me...

Last night we were all watching football/basketball, so before bed this is how Coop relaxed...

blankie...check, thumb...check, Toy Story...check.  This is the life!

Thanksgiving

I really am ashamed I didn't get more pictures taken at Thanksgiving!  We were at my aunt Trish and uncle Charley's house with everyone there at some point.  Can't believe I didn't demand a grandkid picture!!!!

We went for lunch and stayed all afternoon until it was time to eat again.  We celebrated Nick and Ava's birthdays, got a surprise in between (will share later), boys took naps, girls talked, kids played, I even got in on a game of Monopoly (I was the first one bankrupt, let's hope game doesn't imitate life...ha!).

I listed what Coop was thankful for already and would list my blessings, but don't have the room or time to even start listing.  I truly feel I am living such a lucky, wonderful life.  I have the best family and friends a girl could ask for and at the end of the day that is about all that matters anyway!

This is a "What is wrong with this picture" picture.  I was taking a picture of cousin Brad reading to Cooper.  Of course, the camera comes out and Coop disappears, so it appears that Brad is reading to no one.  Then, over in the corner cousin Will is dancing with the dog??  This picture is our family get togethers in a nutshell, don't be jealous. :)

All tuckered out...Coop ended T-Day in bed with cousins Olivia and Ava watching Toy Story.

Mom and Dad ended Thanksgiving at Tanner's over a few beers with Aaron and Cami...good end to the day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving, full of good food and even better company!  Here are Cooper's Top Ten Blessings in his life, according to him.

- his parents, I mean who could ask for better ones? :)

- his grandparents who spoil him like crazy

- his aunts and uncles that treat him like their own

- his cousins that play with him

- his two great-grandmas that he is so lucky to have in his life

- Lola, his shih tzu, that loves to snuggle and play tug of war

- the DVD player in the car that makes those long car trips on I-70 much more tolerable

- Elmo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Toy Story

- balls...basketballs, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls

- books, this just might be number 1 in his life right now

Click here to see Coop last Thanksgiving, crazy to see how much he has grown in just one year!!!

Our first art project

I decided to get creative for Adam's birthday and it was totally worth it!  Here is the work in progress, you can see the finished product in the next post.  The smartest thing I did...wait until I was at my parents to do it!  Pretty sure it would have been next to impossible to do alone!  Special thanks to Aunt Alli for her help:)

This picture basically explains it all!

covered in paint, unhappy, and headed to the bath!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

We celebrated Dad's birthday last night with Jalapenos for dinner, lots of presents to open, and a few beers with the Nitschkes. We got him clothes, cologne and a "Cooper original."  He is beginning to take after me and plans on celebrating all weekend long!   Happy Birthday Adam/Dad, we love you!!!!!!

Here is the Cooper original :)  

Coop was very serious about opening presents, makes us excited for Christmas!  Please note the flowery wrapping paper, we had limited resources. :)

One more year until the big 3-0!

On the Road Again

Yes, believe it or not, this sign is in our yard!  Our newest destination is familiar territory...

We are headed back to Ft. Worth!  I know what you are thinking, "but you were just there and didn't you just move into your house???" The answers are yes and yes.  We moved last October and have been in our house for a short 10 months.  But, you just never know where life is going to take you and we have definitely learned that over the last few years!  In fact, I posted this here when we moved in!  Adam has taken a position with his former company, Alcon.  This is definitely a bittersweet move for us.  It is an awesome opportunity for Adam, I get to continue my career with Stella and Dot, stay home with Coop and we L-O-V-E-D Texas, not a week has gone by that we haven't mentioned "remember in Texas..."!  Obviously the bitter part is moving farther away from family, but we know we will make it work.

The craziest part...Adam has already been in Texas working for a month now!  He works in Ft. Worth during the week and commutes back on the weekends.  Thank goodness for Skype and Qik video on our phones, because Dad sure is missing his Cooper during the week.  And we are missing him at home!   We do have a contract on our house and if all goes through (fingers crossed), we will close in January and make the full transition down to Ft. Worth.  I will be sure to keep you updated!

Think that is it for now, bet you didn't see that one coming :)

Yard Work with Dad

:Last Saturday, Adam had lots of yardwork to do and needed some help.  Me?? No, I don't really do outside work. I will clean a million bathrooms, but pulling weeds, planting flowers...not so much.  So, I sent Coop out to help his dad., that's good father/son bonding...right?

Those of you that have seen our backyard can understand why Dad had Coopie in the wheelbarrow to haul things up and down the hill.

Coop had so much fun and took his job very seriously.

He is just getting so big, so fast!

Momma's got a J-O-B

Yes, Momma's got a job, well a paying job that is!  My new part-time title is a Stella and Dot stylist and I am loving it!!!  I have the best of both worlds right now, I get to stay home with Coop and get out of the house a few nights a week to style ladies with fabulous jewelry.  Did I ever see myself doing this?  No, but it is the perfect fit in my life right now!  You must check it out at stelladot.com/ashleyjones.  Let me know if you have any interest in hosting a party...the hostess rewards are pretty amazing!  December is the time to book...everyone has a gift list to fulfill and Stella and Dot can get help with that!!!  Hope to hear from some of you soon!  To my family and friends that have already supported me with my new business venture, thank you and love you!

These new bracelets are my favorites!!!!!!!!!

Nap Time Disaster

This is how I found Cooper about 20 minutes into naptime, notice the diaper to the right.  He went to bed pantless because it has been warm and his room gets hot in the afternoon. Never did I think he would take his diaper off, guess there is a first time for everything!  I stood over him for a couple minutes with the great debate...do I wake him up to change him (which means he more than likely doesn't go back to sleep) or know I will find a wet baby and sheets in a couple hours, I took the latter.  Big mistake, there was a mess waiting for me after nap, let's leave it at that...lesson learned.

1st Trip to Allen Fieldhouse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't even know where to begin, so pardon my rambling...

First of all, thanks to our friend Steve for the opportunity to sit in these AMAZING seats and be able to take Cooper to his first KU basketball game!  You'll notice one important person is missing...Dad!  Like always, he was busy working, making money so we get to do fun things like this.  I was shocked when he didn't mind I was taking Coop to Allen Fieldhouse without him, because let me tell you, over my dead body would they have gone without me!  I know that is selfish, but I have been waiting to do this since they put Cooper in my arms.  And yes, I know it was more for me than him at this point, but I can tell you, he LOVED it! :)

I will let the pictures tell the rest of the night!

Seriously, did I mention amazing seats!  I think this is why Coop stayed interested, we were right in the action!

With Grandma and Grandpa, he changed laps about every 10 minutes but made it through the whole game!

He was clapping with everyone (or 30 seconds after)!  To keep his attention, we kept asking where the ball was so he would have to search for it on the court or where the Jayhawk was, he had several to choose from!!!

I almost cropped this picture and so glad I didn't!  How can you not love this background!  For those that haven't been in Allen Fieldhouse, this mural is where the team runs thru to the court!

reading up on his Kansas Basketball history

How could we not get our picture taken here???  Those of you that know my KU basketball history will understand why. :)

Reading up on the Border War Rivalry, probably wondering what that animal is because tigers don't exist in our house.

Even Uncle Bryson and Rusty got to join us!

My dad and I spent countless nights at games here from my middle school years through college.  I wouldn't trade those memories in for nothing, we had the best time!  We saw amazing games, players, coaches from section 14A and loved every minute of it! 

Only bummer of the night...no picture with Big or Baby Jay!  Guess we have to go back!!!

Rock Chalk, it's going to be a great season!!!

Playdate with Anna

These two kids haven't played together in quite sometime.  Although it didn't seem that long since Anna's Mom and I chat on almost a daily basis and follow eachother's blogs.  Coop was loving all of Anna's toys, of course, he found every ball she owns.  Thanks Anna for a fun morning!

Look how sweet Anna's feet are crossed!  Tried to get them to give kisses...didn't work out.

No smiles but they are both facing the camera which equals success at this age!!!

She's found her spot in the car

I know I have posted a pic similar to this before, but just couldn't help myself.  Lola has figured out that Cooper is the only one that tolerates her laptime in the car.  She just jumps on him and snoozes away.  For the most part he loves it, until sweat is pouring down his face and he pushes her down.  Did you notice how beautiful the sky is in the background??? It was a gorgeous day for a 4 hour drive across the ever so exciting stretch of I70.

Where did I put those tabs???

I was filing/organizing papers that HAD to be done one particular morning, so that meant Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was turned on (go ahead, judge me:)) and I got to work.  Well, my little helper snuck in and this is how I found him just minutes later... He had stolen my tabs and labeled himself.  And yes, this is how close he prefers to be to the T.V.  We move him back every.single.time...

MNF - Let's Go Colts!

Coop was in his chair early in preparation for Monday Night Football tonight!  In case you haven't heard, we are Colts fans these days...we will be cheering for #81 - Brody Eldridge, check him out!