September's Ten Things

I really liked this September sooooo much better than last September!  Last September I was put on bed rest!  This September, I enjoyed a whole bunch of fun activities that made smiling in September super easy.  Here are my Ten Things to Smile About in September:

1.  Enjoyed going to a marvelous Relief Society Activity that involved food and talking.  And lots more talking.  And staying up late talking.  

2.  We had a blast at the cabin with cousins!  

 3.  We celebrated cousin Gray's birthday by doing some awesome climbing!

 4.  Morning dog piles!!

 5.  I've love love singing in my Christmas choir!   I really don't have words.  But my whole soul loves it.  Concerts are on December 5th!

6.  I got to see my brother!  Gotta love when his business trip is in Utah!  Look, my family of origin!!  What a fun evening we had together!!

 7.  Oliver started scooting!  Though he still doesn't get around much.  He at least can and does go forward now.  He'll go across the room occasionally, but he doesn't seem too interested in moving still.  He is definitely not too worried about growing up fast!

 8.  Every thing about celebrating Cooper's 3rd birthday made me smile!

 9.  Brian and Aubree's wedding!

10.  Had a wonderful evening going to General Women's Conference.  LOVED IT!

Such a great month!

Brian and Aubree's Wedding

Last Saturday was such a wonderful day!  Todd's brother got married and we were all able to enjoy the celebration!  I had such a fun time doing Madeline's hair.  She felt and looked like a princess.

 The kids had fun with the photo booth

 LOOK!  My beautiful children!

 And here we are!  The wedding was beautiful.  The weather was perfect.  The bride and groom were glowing and smiling and so cute.  I love weddings.  The whole thing was just wonderful.

 Love these two:

 And of course, Madeline caught the bride's bouquet!  Guess all the other ladies are going to have to wait a LONG time for their turn to get married!  ;)

 Awwww!  xoxoxoxo  Congratulations Brian and Aubree.  So glad Aubree is my sister now.  xoxoxo

Cooper's Birthday

Cooper's birthday turned out to be a really enjoyable day.  He is such a happy and easy to please kid and, just turning 3, had no expectations.  He was delighted by all the simple things and spent the day thanking us for everything.  Before the extended family party in the evening, we had a little present opening party for him with just our family.

 He loved his new crane and construction hat.  Madeline gave him a tube of mini m&ms and Ethan gave him some play dough.  They both made him digger birthday cards and he replied with a, "Thanks Eeeef!  Thanks Mada!"

 "Look!  I am a crucktion worker!"

 He especially loved his cake!  It took all of his self-control not to touch the diggers, but he was awesome and waited.

 He stood there admiring it for a long time.  I asked him which digger he liked best and he said, "I like this one, and this one, and this one, and this one, and this one!"

The weather was perfect and the family gathering was lots of fun.

He got loads of awesome digger stuff and was thrilled!  Thanks everyone!

He was really cute blowing out his candles...

once they were out, he smiled, clapped his hands and ran away!

 And then, the moment he was waiting for!  Digging into his chocolate ice cream with his digger and dumping it into his mouth!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

3 Years Old!

This kid.  Oh how I love this kid!!

 His birthday was delightful from start to finish.  Thank you to everyone who made it wonderful.  I can't believe he really is three years old.

xoxo

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Three years ago today, I had the most incredible experience of my life.  Cooper came into the world and was immediately placed on my chest.  I wish I could say that happened with all my babies, but Cooper was my only baby with whom I was able to have that experience.  And because of that, I think I can honestly say his birth is my favorite life moment.  Cooper.  He's given me so many favorite life moments in his short three years.  I am totally and completely overwhelmed at the joy he brings me.

Cooper is most pleasant and agreeable.  Cooper is happy and funny, clever and polite.  He says sorry when he does something wrong without being asked.  Says please and thank you.  Is honest and loving.

My favorite phrases:

"where us going to?"
"I want to eat toast while me wait."
"It sounds like too much milk in my bowl."  (he says 'sounds like' instead of 'looks like')
"I love dirt.  It's so dirty!"
and during his prayers when we prompt him to say "help me choose the right" sometimes he will say "help me choose the right digger shows."

I can't go a day with Cooper without smiling and laughing.  Without feeling joy.  Without playing diggers.  Without cleaning mud off his hands, legs, and feet.  He keeps me busy.  He demands attention.  He loves being silly.  He requests songs for me to sing him.  He loves when I read him digger books.  He still will only eat noodles for dinner.  He adores playing with his older siblings.  He gets toys for Oliver.  He is delighted every time Daddy comes home and loves going to "Home Peoples" with Dad.  (The Home Depot).

He will tell you his name is Coopey Loop.
He will tell you he is 6!
He will tell you that he loves you.

Oh my darling Cooper.  I love you too.  Forever plus one.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Fun at the Cabin

Saturday was such a fun day!  We went with my sister and her family to their extended family cabin.

We spent the day on ATVs,

 collecting wild flowers,

 and walking to the river and the lake

 where we threw rocks and caught frogs.

 It was so beautiful and the weather was cool and refreshing.

 The kids also enjoyed playing in the dirt

 and playing board games.

 And of course, we enjoyed roasting hot dogs and s'mores at night.

No one really wanted the day to end.

Ten Months Old

One year ago today, I was put on bed rest for this little guy:

I'm so glad it's now and not then. I get to kiss him and snuggle him and watch him scoot on the kitchen floor on his bum BACKWARDS.  He hasn't figured out how to go forwards yet and it really frustrates him!  Yep, he's a bum scooter like Madeline was.  He has absolutely no desire for crawling at this point.  But I think if he can figure out how to go forwards, he'll love scooting around!

 I love Oliver.  I just really do.  I have a lot of days that go by where I feel like I didn't love him enough or play with him enough.  Homework and housework and piano and Cooper often take over.  By I try to take time every day to just love my baby.  In a blink he won't be a baby anymore and I know I'll wonder what happened.

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