Family Pictures

I have been trying to get family pictures done forever. We had scheduled with my good friend Brittany Cascio (http://www.casciophoto.blogspot.com/) while we were in Logan, and then suddenly had to move a couple days before. I was so bummed. So I finally found one here that I thought we could afford, and who's style I thought would work for us. Her name is Morgan Lamkin (http://www.morganlamkinphotography.com/) and she was great! She got some really good shots, and was very generous with her time, and prints. We are so happy with them! 

Too bad my boys look CRAZY, cause this one would have been really cute.

I love this one.

 I told Wayne he needed a picture for his someday desk.

 Have you ever seen a prettier baby? Really? No, you haven't. 

Graham wasn't as cooperative as Cooper, but I love this one because this is exactly him. 

Finally eating their fruit snack bribes.

And this one is perfect because it IS my real life! 

Thank you Morgan Lamkin! 

Graham's Birthday

This kid is so cool. I'm telling you. He is funny, and he is smart, and he so kind. He has always been a giant and we LOVE him.

 

We had cake (he chose funfetti, naturally) and BLUE BELL full fat chocolate oh my gosh it's the best, ice cream.

There were LOTS of balloons.

We sang happy birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson on Skype. 

Good friends!

Good gifts! 

Good times! 

Graham is such a goof. He loves movies, and he loves to memorize lines and act them out. 


He loves pillow fights with Wayne, so it's good that he is pretty tough. 


He is already addicted to chocolate, he has a blast with his friends in nusery and playgroup, and he is a really really good big brother. He really is a sweet guy. 

Grahamlin (when he's grouchy), Graham-burger, Teddy-Graham, Graham-Cracker, Grahamawama, and Big Baby, are just a few of the names on his ever growing list of nic-names. 


Happy birthday Guy! We love you!

Halloween

This year we were the California Raisins. I have t0 say, Wayne is awesome for always wearing what I want him to. Tights and all! My Mom and I made the costumes out of sheets we found at a second hand store. I actually sewed! A lot! It was a really good learning project. 

Graham thinks pumpkin guts are disgusting. Every year he makes great faces, and noises. Every year I put some on him. Every year, it's funny. 

Trick-or-Treating in our new neighborhood.

Cooper's costume was always in his face. He was a really good sport about it and just held it up :). 

I'm still bummed that everyone doesn't have their gloves on in this picture but whatever! It was lots of fun. 

Cooper's Birthday!

This little guy turned ONE! He is such a sweet kid and a Momma's boy for sure. He still manages to be pretty tough though. He is way more aggressive than Graham. Watching them fight over stuff is kind of hilarious.

We kept it simple and just had Grandma and Grandpa over for BBQ. 

I made monster cakes.

We sang happy birthday of course. Graham helped him blow out the candle.

He didn't eat much of his cake. He was actually really cranky that day! 

About Cooper (AKA: Booger, Coop, Mini Cooper, King Coopa, Little Baby):

He is tiny! He only weighs 20 pounds. That puts him in the 16th percentile. He has a big head though! 

He is close to walking full time now. It's a really, really cute walk too. I should post a video.

He LOVES fruit (espescially blueberries), and chocolate.

He likes to dance. 

He is pretty snuggly.

He is a SUPER drooler. Very slimy. 

And people think he is a girl all the time because he is SO pretty with his grey/blue eyes like his Dad, crazy long eye-lashes like his Grandpa Nelson, and his soft curly hair. 

Happy birthday Little Baby! We are crazy for you. 

Pumpkins

 Every October, my family drives out to this roadside market called DiIoro Farms (www.diioriofarms.com) to get pumpkins. They used to have a big pumpkin patch where you could wander around looking for your perfect jack-o-lantern canvas, and little goats you could pet. I remember being very upset as a little girl when one tried to eat my dress. We always listened to the same Cd's on the way, and it was just a really fun tradition. My Dad was a busy guy when we were growing up and this was sort of his thing. We knew he would take us to pick our pumpkins and I looked forward to it every year. If you have ever heard his FAMOUS (in our family anyway) black widow with an egg sack-right next to his hand-holy crap-he almost died-story, this is where it happened.
It has changed a little, but we still get pretty excited about it. This year I got to share it with my own family, and my brother was there to snap a few pictures. 

The family pictures weren't so hot. We aren't great at holding still, looking in the same direction, keeping eyes open/fingers out of noses, all that good stuff. But these kid ones... I love them!

I am a very happy Momma. 

Scratch That

After 2 weeks or so of serving as the second counselor in the elders quarum presidency, Wayne got a phone call about meeting with the Stake President. I asked Wayne what else they could possibly want from us, since both of us had already taught, received callings, and spoken in sacrament meeting. My jaw sort of hit the floor when the Stake President called him as THE elders quarum president. Didn't see that one coming. It's going to be good though! A lot of work, but good work, and I am sure we will learn a LOT. 

Not much is happening...I potty trained Graham. He did REALLY well, and I am so glad!
Cooper will be 1 really soon, and I still haven't planned anything at all. He is getting be an excellent escape artist, and impressive climber. He has gotten on of every strapping chair we have, besides his car seat (thank heavens). He is really a lot of work since he has to be watched constantly! He is getting more teeth lately. He is up to 2 and 3/4, with one JUST about to come in (very cranky). He looks ridiculous though because they aren't in order. 
We are getting all ready for Halloween and Graham LOVES it. One of his very most favorite movies is Nightmare Before Christmas (Wayne too), so he is really excited to see all the "Jacks".  This year we are going to be the California Raisins and EVERYBODY has to wear tights! I can't wait. I PROMISE pictures. I just found a bunch of purple sheets at a thrift store to make our costumes.

These kids eat non stop. I don't know how we are going to afford it. When we made our budget, I thought we had planned WAAAAAY over for our groceries. Now I'm not so sure...but the free Halloween candy is definitely going to help!

A Million Things

We moved in! Like a month ago...Hooray! We had some help from the ward which made it really quick, which was awesome since it's over 100 degrees everyday. We have been a little/lot out of touch since getting internet setup was a bit of an ordeal. 

My Dad turned 50, and we had a not surprise (he knows everything) surprise party. Lots of black, lots of chocolate, lots of good people :).

There is still pretty much noooo rain here! SO unusual, and so hard on the lawn/wallet. We are constantly praying for rain. 

I just got called as the compassionate service leader in my ward. I was totally surprised. It seems like a big job, especially this week. Wish me luck! 

Wayne is the second counselor in the elder's quarum, Graham freaking loves nursery, and Cooper walked! I don't know how I feel about that...

I really REALLY need to post some pictures of the house, but I don't know where my camera is, annnd the house is a horibble, disgusting, disaster! Soon! I promise... but I DID snap a few pictures of us on my phone hanging out in OUR yard today.

"Rocko rocko rocko and roll"

He has to wear pants cause even though he walked, he doesn't seem all that excited about it and would prefer to skin his knees.

This kid makes me chuckle. All the time. 

He is just too pretty.