Fall Family Foto Fun

This fall, my side of the family decided to get some pictures done together. My good friend Angie took these pictures. I think she did an amazing job, especially considering there were 5 kids under the age of 4, not an easy task!

3 Months Old!!!

Cooper has now met and passed the 3 month mark! Here is what he's been up to the past month.

Weight: 14lbs (approx)
Height: 23 1/2"
New Talents: Giggles and Coos. He talks in the most adorable coos and giggles. I just love this stage, before they discover they can make really loud noises with their voices and start screaming in public, just for the fun of it!
Sleep: He has started to do 5-6 hour stretches most nights. His longest stretch is always the beginning of the night. Unfortunately he's ready for bed by 6:30pm and I'm not!
Brother: He absolutely loves Dawson. Anytime Dawson passes by him Cooper cracks a big smile. He loves to sit in his bouncy chair and watch what his big brother is up to. It has been so exciting watching them become friends.

A Fun Weekend

This past weekend was full of activity! On Friday night I went out with a few of my girlfriends for dinner, we went to Redstone. Great food and the best part about it is it's way to nice to bring kids to! (we don't get to go to places like that much anymore). My cousin Chad came up from Calgary to visit. Then on Saturday night we headed to the Festival of Trees with a bunch of our friends and their kidlets. I loved the festival of trees, it definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. Dawson was in awe at all the decorations and most of all he loved the kids carnival they had set up. We will definitely be attending next year! Here are some shots from the festival.

Beautiful displays

Dawson's favorite tree was decorated with fire trucks

The kids posing for a picture (this was not an easy task)
Chad and Cooper

Snowman bowling

The Carousel

Dawson's favorite activity, shooting hockey pucks

(He wanted to spend the whole night there. We had to carry him away while he shouted "hockey, hockey")

Decorating cookies

One Year Ago Today....

Sean

- One year ago today we received the phone call with news that you were gone

- One year ago today we were reminded that our days on earth are numbered

- One year ago today we were reminded that God is in control

- One year ago today we were reminded to hug those we love, because you never know when it might be your last chance

- One year ago today a void was left in our family that will never be filled

-One year ago today you met Jesus face to face, what a wonderful day that must have been!

Birthday Extravaganza!!!

This past week was full of birthday celebrations, Dawson turned 2 and Dave turned 27 (yes I married a younger man). We started with a celebration for Dawson and Dave, along with a bunch of family on the 9th. The we went to visit Great G&G on the 11th where Grandma threw Dawson a little party. We ended the week off on the 16th with a party for Dawson and all his friends! Let's just say we've consumed a crazy amount of cake this past week(no complaints here). So here are some photos of the past week. Unfortunetly Dave's birthday was overshadowed by Dawson's. He did have his own cake and open his own gifts, we just failed to get any pictures, poor guy.

The Family Party

Thomas Goes to the Circus Cake

present time

Hockey time (Dawson got hockey nets from mommy & daddy)

Playdough time

Nice outfit grandma

Washing off after some intense cake eating

A Visit to Great G&G

(note Dawson in the background trying to break into the dishwasher)

The Toddler Invasion
Yummy Cupcakes

Sophie preparing to take on Dawson

Sabrina had quite the slap shot

present time

Happy Birthday Dawson

Today our little monkey celebrated his 2nd birthday! It's amazing to look back at this past year and think about how much he has changed and grown up.

In one year he has gone from:

- crawling to walking and running

-saying momma and dadda to now saying most of the names in his extended family

-eating some solids and breastfeeding to feeding himself and eating almost anything

-calling everything with wheels a truck to now knowing the difference between a car, truck, race truck, race car, dump truck, steam train, diesel train, and motorbike! (a real boy he is)

So what kind of boy is Dawson?

- Lovable

- Caring

-Crazy for anything with motors. On Saturdays he and daddy often spend the mornings visiting motorcycle shops, car dealerships, and tractor dealerships. They come home loaded with brochures. Tonight I read Dawson a tractor brochure for his bedtime story!

- Loves sports, especially hockey. He calls every sport "b-ball"

- Loves to read. Sometimes (if mommy has time) he can sit for almost a half hour just reading book after book.

-Loves watching YouTube videos, anything to do with trucks or trains!

-Loves that annoying show called "In The Night Garden"

- Loves the crowd, but only for a little while. He loves the excitement of playing with other kids, but after about a half hour he's had enough and can be found playing by himself in a quiet corner.

-Loves to be with the boys. Every morning when he gets up the first person he asks for is Daddy, then Grandpa, then Uncle Mark, and then Cooper!

-Dislikes having his haircut, nails trimmed and teeth brushed

-Mind of his own, he has definitely entered the terrible 2's stage, which has been an adjustment. He loves to test his limits (especially with mommy), but I find as long as I keep him busy and well rested we avoid most meltdowns.

Part of me is sad that my little boy is growing up so quickly, but another part of me is so excited to see what he becomes. So happy birthday little guy! We love you so much!

The Biggest Slide In The World

It's been called the biggest slide in the world (at least by one of the kids at the playground) and Dawson loves it. He started out going down with either mommy or daddy. But one day as I was helping him up the ladder he just went ahead of me and down he slid on his own. Such a dare devil!

Jesus Luv Me

A couple weeks ago when we went to visit G& G Peters, Grandpa taught Dawson the song Jesus Love Me. It has now become one of his favorites. He actually only sings the first line. He says "Jesus" really clearly and then "loves me" is a little mumbled! Now he no longer sings "Jesus loves me", but rather can be heard walking around the house singing "Jesus Luv Mommy, Jesus luv CooPoo, Jesus love Dadda" and he continues down the list of all those he loves! What a wonderful reminder from the mouth of a child!

Ps. 8:2a "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise."

Pumpkin Carving?

This year I thought it would be fun to carve a pumpkin with Dawson for Halloween. I kept putting off buying a pumpkin and of course by the time I made it to the store (the day before Halloween) they were all sold out, oops! Rather than frantically drive around the city in search of a pumpkin, I opted to make some yummy pumpkin cupcakes instead. Dawson thoroughly enjoyed helping me bake and decorate them! Next year I'll plan ahead and buy a pumpkin early!

The Adventures of Batman and the Bear

(click to enlarge)

Batman started his day with a visit to G&G Andrus' house for treats! While there Auntie Becky helped him practice his theme song!

Batman preparing for his mission: Operation Sugar

Batman and his trusty sidekick daddy make their first stop at the neighbors' house
Batman loved trick or treating. After visiting the first few houses he realized just exactly what was going on and started to get excited. I thought they would only be out for a few minutes, but they were gone a whole hour!

Batman returns with a full bag. Mission accomplished!
Batman enjoying the rewards of a job well done!

Bear was not to impressed when he found out he would not be partaking in the reward