A Couple More!

Cooper's talking!

Starting last week Cooper has really started to jabber. He reminds me so much of Ethan because he mimics everything that someone does. It is like we can carry on a conversation with him. Way cute. He even growls back at you which Ethan did all the time. I love it. He thinks it is pretty funny too. Also he is starting to crawl. Since we got home from the ocean he has loved being on the floor. Just last week he figured out how to move backwards and scoot everywhere that way. But starting yesterday he figured out the army crawl and now is moving foward. Thank you Grandma Black for introducing him to crawling. Now we can't keep him still. I kind of hate this stage because there cannot be ANYTHING on the floor or else it goes to the mouth. And let me tell you he can find ANYTHING no matter how small. Good Job Cooper!

Family Pics

Finally our pictures have been a success. We went to the ocean last week and my only request while we were there was to take family pics. Now if you know my husband getting a picture with him is like pulling teeth. He doesn't like getting all dressed up and posing for pics. But we finally did it and I love the way that they turned out. I even got one of each of the boys that I like. Now the project is to get them printed so I can hang them on the wall.

Canning Canning All done (except for juice that is)

Well the past 5 months I have been consumed by canning. It seems like every month there was something more to do. I started in June and finally finished this week (well I still have to do apple juice but I don't do it here). I am so glad to be done. It takes a lot of time and makes a disasterous mess. I do enjoy doing it for the most part though. Over the summer I have had the chance to can strawberry jam, peaches, pears, carrots, beans, salsa, applesauce, apple pie filling, grape juice, tomatoes, corn and cherry pie filling. (I think that is all) It has kept me super busy but I have enjoyed some fun times with my kids, my sister, my husband, and my mom. It is a lot more fun when you are canning in the company of someone else.

I am so glad to have my food storage built up for this year. And let me tell you we enjoy the food especially during the cold winter months. Nothing better than a cherry cobbler or a warm apple crisp in the winter time. YUM!!! Just wanted to share a few pics of the fun!!

Salsa Salsa and more Salsa

Grape Juice

Ethan helping out with the apples

Apple Pie filling

Just a shot from the pantry

So far I have over 200 quarts and 100 plus pints. YIKES! And about 25 gallons of juice still to go. Sounds exciting huh! So much work but will be enjoyed later.

Thankful Thursday!

Lots to be thankful for today. I am going to make this quick though because the kiddos need to get to bed. I am thankful for:
1. My kids and how good they were today so I could tackle my house and get it clean again.
2. My husband and everything that he does and the handyman that he is. Now we get to take on the upstairs bathroom. (not by choice)
3. My canning that I am finally all done with (well besides apple juice). I am glad to have it all done and out of my hair. It is sometimes a pain in the bum but I definitely do enjoy the food in the winter time.

Hope everyone is having a good week and have a great weekend.

Happy 8 months!

Time is flying by. Cooper is getting way to big way to fast. It seems like he has started doing so much in this last month. I just want him to slow down and stay small forever (or at least for a while longer).

He got to experience the ocean for the first time this last week. He loved the sand and also listening to the water. One night he was having a hard time sleeping so him and I went walking out by the ocean. When we got outside he laid his head hown and fell right to sleep. It was way to cute and I love the way he cuddled into me. Oh I love him being small still.

Cooper at 8 months:

• says Da Da and Ma Ma (he only says this one when he is mad)
• scoots across the floor to reach things
• he still has NO teeth
• he likes to rock himself in his carseat or while sitting up
• loves eating anything and everything

The days are going by way to fast and he is growing up and not so much a little baby anymore. Another month gone by and bigger he gets. Oh Coooper!!!!

Thankful-I still have time!

Well here I am posting my thankful thursday with just minutes to spare for it to still be Thursday. Oh well as long as I am still thankful right. Which I am. I am going to make this quick because I am ready to hit the bed. I am thankful for
-VACATION-which I am on right now in Seaside, OR 6 more days to go WOOHOO!
-family to vacation with
-my kids-I love to see them enjoying themselves and having fun
-my heavenly father for creating such peaceful and calming things (like the Ocean)!
Hope this finds all of you well.

Thankful Thursday!

Here I am since I haven't done this in a while. I am a little behind on blogging. Well this week I have a lot to be thankful for.
First off I am thankful for preschool. Ethan is now in preschool and he is loving it and I know sad for me to say but so am I. He goes 3 times a week for 2 1/2 hours and enjoys every minute of it. He was so ready to get out of the house and have learning time and let me tell you he has learned a lot. I love it because while he is at school it gives me time to go workout. So a friend and I go walking once we drop our kids off and I love it. I seem to feel so much better when I do workout so it is nice to have this routine.
Second I am thankful for my husband. He was gone all last week in Denver for work and I thought that I was going to go insane. The kids were sick most of the week and I missed having that extra set of hands when I needed them. He is such a help anytime I need him.
Next I am so thankful for my children. Even though there are times that they completely drive me crazy I don't know what I would do without them. I know that I take them for granted way to often and I am trying to enjoy the little moments with them a lot more. I am learning to drop what I am doing just to read a book or look at something that they want me too. They are the light in my life and they are what keep me going everyday.
Last off I am thankful that this week is almost done because that means I am that much closer to my 8 day vacation next week. WOOHOO! I am so excited to go to the ocean with Brian's family. It should be so much fun. The kids enjoy it so much and I love watching them enjoying it. Well I hope this finds everyone having a good week.