1 Year Old Photo Shoot

Yesterday was such a fun day.  My darling Cooper!  As you can imagine, I took a TON of pictures, but I thought I'd post his photo shoot ones today while I try and figure out how to organize the others.  I think I'll be posting pictures for days!  It was just as magical as I had hoped.  He didn't have a clue what was going on, and yet, it was perfect.  I loved watching him be delighted about some things and care nothing about others.  Wow, I have a one year old now!!  And here he is:

Happy Birthday to my Cooper

My little Cooper Grant was born one year ago today.  I've been so enjoying the memories from his birth all morning long.  It was one of the most beautiful days of my life.  That overwhelming rush of love that flooded my entire body when they put him on my chest, breathtaking!  I can feel it all over again when I remember.  

 Now he's one!  And I can easily say that that was the fastest year of my life.

Cooper, you are most infectious, and incredibly lovable.  You've changed and blessed my life in countless ways.  I will forever treasure the gift in my life that is YOU!  You've made all your family members better people just by living.  And given us so much happiness.  

Madeline has always said it best:  Cooper is the best gift I ever had!

Happy Birthday Baby Love.

xoxo

Crochet Elephant

My baby is seriously going to be one tomorrow.  I can hardly believe it's been a year.  I found my bag of crochet a week or two ago and stumbled upon a mostly done project I had forgotten about.  I think Cooper was around 3 months old when I began this elephant.  I decided that since his birthday was right around the corner, I ought to finish the little guy.  I think he turned out cute:

 And now I'm all into crochet again.  I have a fun little project planned for Madeline.  It's cute and includes pink and more pink, and little wings... :)

Maybe tomorrow Cooper can give this little elephant friend a good slobbery love.

Now I'm off to go make homemade sprinkles!!  That's right - his cake is gonna be fun!

The Past Two Days

Cooper loves how his window ledge is low enough to stand at and look outside.  Though he doesn't like watching Ethan and Madeline leave for school.

 He does like when they come back however!

 A sample of Madeline's homework...I thought it was cute.

 Cooper's latest gymnastics feat - climbing up and on the infant car seat I got out to let a neighbor borrow:

 I was only slightly nervous for his safety...okay, maybe a lot nervous, but I guess not nervous enough to put an end to it before snapping a few pictures...

Yeah, he's crying here because he knows I'm about to pick him up.  My piano can only take so much drool.

Love the crazy hair!

And look what these three are doing?  Camping in the backyard!  They are having a blast.  And Ethan and Madeline think Dad is pretty awesome.  That's because he is.

August's Ten Things

Ten Things to Smile about in August:

1.  My sister was still here at the beginning of the month!

2.  First day of Kindgergarten

 3.  Celebrating my Dad's birthday

 4.  Mike and Mellaina's wedding

 5.  Swinging!

 6.  Having a dinner party with our friends and their really cute three month old baby.  I fell in love with his cuteness!

7.  Tubby time

 8.  YOGA!  About six weeks ago, I started practicing yoga and I LOVE it!  My joints haven't felt this good in a decade.  (oh my, that makes me sound old!)  But seriously, I love yoga.  I've been practicing 5-6 times a week.  It's so rewarding.

9.  All of Cooper's changes this month have definitely made me smile.  This month, he's figured out how to:  go from tummy to sitting, from sitting to standing, from standing to sitting, how to real crawl, how to army crawl faster than I can walk, and how to climb over things, and up the stairs.  He keeps me busy!

10.  Sounds of the Seasons Choir has begun!!!  And thanks to my amazing and selfless mother, I get to go.  Since Todd has scouts the same night as the practices, my mom is sacrificing her place in the choir to tend my kids so I can go.  I'll never be able to repay her.  But I feel gratitude and immeasurable joy every moment I'm there!  Concert's on December 7th!

Lots of Pictures, mostly Cooper

Most of these pictures are for my sister since she doesn't do instagram.  There are a few new ones though that I haven't posted somewhere else first.  I cleared off my phone this morning and these are what I found...it appears that I might have a slight bias toward one child but it might have to do with the fact that the other two go to school during the day!  And anyway, Cooper's just in a really cute stage right now too. 

 awwww:

 This is as good as it gets for a picture of all three...

 See?  Cuteness all around

Pictures from the Wedding

Wedding pictures!

Anxiously awaiting the appearance of the bride and groom

 Madeline sure LOVED her beautiful dress made by Nana

 I LOVE Todd's grandparents.  SO grateful for them in my life!

 I love the way Mike's looking at his bride

 My new sister!

 The guys hanging out at the reception

 Madeline was SO EXCITED to get her picture taken with beautiful Mellaina!

What an incredible day.  One of the best, really.  I told my family on the drive to Salt Lake, that going to temple weddings is my favorite thing in the entire world to do.  I feel so lucky to have gone to four this year.  Most years, I don't even get to go to one!  It has been so incredible.  Mike and Mellaina's was no exception.  Truly awesome.

The whole day was a blast.  Crammed with happiness.  I have had so much fun looking through all these pictures.  I wish I had this many snapshots from my wedding day.  Actually, I wish I even had ONE.  Seriously, if any of you have pictures from my wedding, I'd just love to have them.  ANYWAY, what fun!  I'm so excited to have Mellaina as my sister.

Congrats to Mike and Mellaina!  xoxo