Visiting "Ice"

My mom took Laura and I and our kids to a beautiful hotel that is in the area-it was amazing! Decorated beautifully for Christmas. Here they are in front of a gingerbread house, isn't it beautiful?

They are looking at an electric train. They are in awe!

Here are the kids posing in a sleigh.

Cooper is excited about an electric train.

Here is Cooper about to go into "Ice." It's an exhibit that's entirely made out of ice. It was very cold ( 9 degrees) so they were really dressed warmly. I borrowed a parka from the place for Cooper. It's hilarious because it's huge on him. At one point he fell over and he couldn't move with all of his layers on! He just layed there looking at me.

Here's Cooper sitting on Santa's lap. He would actually sit for the ice Santa! :) Poor kid couldn't move and could barely see with his hat.

By the icy candy. I think the kids wanted to take a bite!

Meeting Santa Claus!

We went to meet Santa Claus last weekend. We knew Cousin Ben had done a great job and sat on Santa's lap, so on the drive over to see Santa I kept asking Cooper if he was going to sit on Santa's lap. He said "yes" every time. When we got to the store there of course was a line, so I brought Cooper up and we stood watching Santa for a long time. Cooper just STARED, no smiling, no talking, nothing. I told him to say "hi" to Santa and he said nothing. Then I asked him if he was going to sit on Santa's lap and he said "no!" I asked him a few times and he kept saying "no." Sure enough, when we got up there he clung to me like a little monkey and had a hysterical scream. So I decided not to torture him and I sat in the picture too. I wish I had a picture of him staring at Santa, they had a hard time getting him to look because he just sat on my lap and stared at Santa. I wonder what he was thinking!!

Christmas Tea at Grandma's House

Cooper was invited to a Christmas tea at Grandma's house, hosted by Grandma and Cousin Elizabeth. (It was a few weeks ago, I'm getting behind here on my posting!) I wish I had a picture of the invitation he was sent, it was adorable! Below are all the kiddos who came:

Elliott, Elizabeth, Ben, Josh, Drew, and Cooper

Here they are playing Christmas bingo (Drew, Cooper, and Elizabeth). Cooper actually tried to play and didn't eat his marshmellow markers! I was very impressed, usually even inedible objects go into his mouth!

All the kids feeding the ducks at Grandma and Grandpa's pond.

The cute table. It was all decorated with candy. There was even a small table set up for the stuffed animals they brought with them.

Ben and Cooper posing!

Our December Night-time Routine

Growing up my mom got us an advent calendar every year, so we now have a great collection of advent calendars. Every night in December, Cooper gets to do a bunch of advent calendars! I thought I'd share the experience with you :).



Another one of the traditions that has been passed to Cooper is the visit from the "elf." Here Cooper is getting his present from the elf out of the house. Laura gave me the idea of making this house and putting the elf presents in it. Thanks Laura!


The next picture shows Cooper's reaction to his present. He's very into buses right now so he got a bus ornament.






Opening the drawer in one of the advent calendars. There's cookie cereal hidden in the drawers so he loves this calendar!

Yummy!!!
Another calendar-putting ornaments on the tree.

Putting people in the nativity scene...

Moving the wand down. Each time you move it, it sings a Christmas song.

Putting the tree on the calendar. This is an advent calendar that Laura and I did every year growing up, so it's one of my favorites!

Moving the candy cane. Grandma got him this one!

Moving another candy cane.

Opening a picture.

As you can see, he does quite a few calendars each night, and there were even a few more I didn't take pictures of! He loves them!

Helping Daddy

Cooper has been "in" to helping us around the house lately (washing the floor, laundry, vacuuming, etc..) so I thought it was cute when Cooper helped Ryan rake leaves.

Sometimes he thought playing was more fun though!


Helping Daddy.




Don't you love his hat? :) Ryan groans when I put it on and says we don't live in a frozen tundra!


Playing again.

More Thanksgiving Pics

These are in a kind of random order, but you can get the idea of what we did on Thanksgiving!

Here is Cooper in his pilgrim hat Grandma gave him. He saw it on the table and had to wear it while eating. He LOVES to wear hats and sunglasses. He's showing the turkey cookie he got to eat-he was very excited!


Amy, Jim, Evan, and Emma. Aren't they a cute family?



All of the kids with Amy looking at the fountain.

Cooper excited about falling leaves!

Hanging out in the media room at my parents. Uncle Todd, Cooper, Ryan, Dad, Uncle Scott, and Uncle Ross.

We took some pics outside with the fall leaves at my parent's house.

Another pic in the hat, he was about to throw a major fit-too bad I didn't get a pic of that!

This is what it's like trying to get a pic of all the kids. Doesn't exactly work!

Ryan with Ben and Cooper

Opening presents on our "Christmas" with the family.

Thanksgiving Festivities

We had a great Thanksgiving, I hope all of you had a great one too! My mom's whole side of the family came into town for the holidays, so we spent most of the week over at my mom and dad's with all of the family.

Here are all of the kids. My aunt has two kids (our only cousins on this side of the family) and they're about the same age as our kids, so we have lots of fun with them. It was hard to get a good picture of all of them, so in their seats is about as good as it gets! : ) I think Laura got a better one so I'll try to get that from her.

Ben, Elizabeth, Cooper, Emma, and Evan

Here are Cooper and Evan (9-10 months old)

Cute Emma! (3 years)

All of the kids feeding the ducks at my mom's. Amy and Jim (my aunt and uncle) are also in the pic.

Cutie pie Cooper!