Play Date

The other night, I had to go get some groceries after dinner. Cooper asked me if he could stay home with Bryce. He told me that while I was gone they were going to have a play date and do whatever they wanted to do. He was so excited to spend time with his dad!

When I got home, they were sitting on the couch watching Wall-E (Coopers Favorite Movie right now) I brought them some chocolate covered doughnuts so they could have a dessert for their "play date."

Bryce took Cooper to his kindergarten check-up last week. Cooper had to get 4 shots in his legs, which he did not appreciate. Bryce said he sucked all the air out of the room. The doctor said that Cooper was doing well. They had him write his name and draw all the different shapes. The doctor said that Cooper needed to know his phone number and address before he goes to kindergarten. He also said that Cooper is in the 100% for his height. Imagine that. Both of our boys are tall! Afterwards, Bryce took Cooper to the store where he picked out 2 transformers. I am glad that Bryce took the time to go and be there with Cooper for that doctor appointment!

Cooper will be five in April and he is growing up way too fast. He is such a good little boy and Bryce and I feel blessed to have our boys. Cooper is a good helper to me and is very responsible for his things. He loves to help me cook. His favorite thing is cracking eggs and he is very good at it. Most nights, we read the scriptures with Cooper and if we forget, he reminds us. He always asks the most thoughtful questions and we are always excited to hear what he will say in his prayers at night. He told me the other night that, "I just want to learn more about Jesus." He also asked me when Jesus was going to come again. The other night his prayer went like this...."Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you could protect my family. Thank you that my family has healthy bodies. Thank you that the Spirit could be with us. Please bless that the bad guys could feel the Spirtit. Thank you for all you do. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." So cute. Had me in tears. He amazes me everyday and I am so blessed and grateful to be his mother.

Cooper loves for Bryce to make him a hideout with the blankets. It reminds me of when I was a kid...we made huge hideouts out of all the blankets and pillows in our house. It was so much fun. Cooper likes to watch movies on his little DVD player while he sits in his hideout.
Cooper got a DS for Christmas and he can't get enough of it. I have got to set some time limits on it. He likes to sit in Clayton's bumbo seat and play it while it is charging. His favorite games are Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

Cooper is loving school and excelling in his letters and sounds. It is great that he is recognizing most letters and numbers now. And he can now write his first and last name all by himself. He seems to be catching on quickly and his teacher says he does a good job.

Another one of Cooper's past times is photography. He loves to take pictures with the camera I gave him and he does a great job. I love to see what he decides to take pictures of...random things most of the time. Here are a few of his shots:

Ward Christmas Party

Hollywood Connection

As many of you know, it is kind of hard to juggle your time when you have a new baby. One of the most common questions I get asked, is, "how is Cooper adjusting to the new baby?" Well, Cooper is doing great. I feel like Cooper has adjusted perfectly. It is me that is the problem. It's just hard because obviously Cooper isn't getting all that one-on-one time with me that he used to, but that is understandable since I have two kids to split my time with now. Anyway, Cooper does not seem to notice so we must be doing ok at spending time with both kids.
Well, last week Jacqui watched Clayton so I could take Cooper and we could spend some time with each other and his cousins. We went to an indoor theme park called Hollywood Connection. Steph lined up all the reservations and got great prices for everyone. Thank you Stephanie for planning and providing the fun activity for all of us. We had a great time!

It was nice to be able to spend time with Cooper. We rode on a dragon roller coaster. We also went on the merry go round. One of our most favorite activities was the laser tag. I wore the vest and Cooper held the gun. I would just follow him around and he would shoot everyone. He thought that was the coolest thing ever. He had fun hiding and then jumping out and shooting people. He ended up in second place out of 10.

He also loved playing the minature golf. Jocelynn showed him how to hold his hands correctly and after that he would concentrate and try to do it right. He did a great job. He would tee off and then go pick up his ball and put it right by the hole. Then he would hit it in. A great strategy I thought!!!

Mom, Jocelynn, and Stephanies most favorite ride was the dragon roller coaster!

Big "Helper"

Cooper has become such a big boy and helper since we brought Clayton home from the hospital. The first day we came home, Cooper proceeded to get bread, ranch, and mustard out of the fridge and make himself a sandwich for lunch. He ate the whole thing and then put everything away. He has also been setting the table for me at lunch and helping me cook eggs and quesadillas. I am so proud of him. He helps me so much and I am so thankful for him.
He has also spent lots of time with his cousins since the baby has come. He has such a great time with each of them. In fact, every night he prays to Heavenly Father: " thank you I could play with my cousins today. " He has so many awesome cousins and friends!

Father- Son Campout

Bryce, being the good dad that he is, decided to take Cooper camping last weekend. Just the two of them went up for one night to Mantua Campgrounds. They roasted hot dogs over the fire and Cooper had a great time climbing the nearby hills. Bryce said Cooper was completely covered in dirt before he even got things set up.
The next morning they went on a 4-wheeler ride up to Willard Peak. They called me when they got to the top and Cooper was having such a fun time with his dad. On the way back down the trail, they came upon a wreck. An older couple had been drinking and rolled their 4-wheeler. Bryce was the first on the scene. The lady was responding but the man was face down and not responding. He had blood coming out of his ears and he had a cut on his face that was all the way to the bone. Bryce had Cooper sit over on the 4 wheeler, so he would not see all the blood. Bryce helped mobilize them until life flight and first responders came. The police showed up and gave Cooper a silver badge for "waiting patiently" while Bryce filled out a bunch of paper work.

Bryce and Cooper made it home safely and had a great time together. I am so thankful that Bryce took the time to spend the weekend with Cooper. He really needed that special "one on one" time and attention.

A Funny Story

My good friend, Jacqui, watched Cooper for us while we were at the hospital. She brought him up around 9:30 pm the night I went in to have Clayton. She took him on walks and did a puzzle with him to help keep him entertained. After Clayton was born, and they saw him, Jacqui took Cooper back to her house to sleep. They left the hospital around 3 am and while driving home, Jacqui rolled through a red light. The cop pulled her over and while walking to the window to ask her what she was doing that late in the morning, Cooper started talking to the police man. "We were just at the ospital. I have a baby brover. He is dis tiny. He is ho cute." The cop said, "I don't understand him." So, Jacqui translated and the cop said, "Ya'll have a good night."

So, although Cooper does not pay hardly any attention to his little brother, I guess he was excited enough that night to help Jacqui get out of a ticket!

On Monday Night, we taught Cooper about Samuel the Lamanite. He taught the people that they needed to repent. He stood on the city wall and the people threw rocks and arrows at him, but the Lord protected him from those rocks and arrows. Anyway, it was Cooper's turn to say the closing prayer on our Family Home Evening. Here is his sweet prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that I can listen to my mom and dad. Thank yhou that when Clayton comes out and he comes home, when he cries, I can make him happy. Thank you that when people try to throw rocks at me, you will protect me. Thank you that everyone in the world can behave.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

I Love You Because.....

**we were getting ready to run an errand one day and you said, "Mom, I need to get my (stuffed animal) puppy and his car seat." You came out of your room with your little puppy stuffed into your cowboy hat...you held it up to me and said, "Isn't he so adorable?"

** when you woke up a few mornings ago, you asked me if I had had any good dreams, and then you preceded to tell me about your dreams (which you do all the time)

** a couple of weeks ago, you wanted to name the baby "Cooper". I told you that that is a cute name but that that is your name....you said, "well, we can have two Coopers....and then a few days later while driving in the car, you said, "i know what we can name my brother....Mr. Fantastic!"

** Two of your most favorite things to do right now, is play Super Mario Brothers and Ben 10 on the computer...you always say, "mamma, please help me...this is a really hard part."

**You love to spray me with the hose while I am trying to wash our car....you think it is so much fun

** you are a very polite boy...you always say "excuse me" when you burp or need to talk to someone....you are also very good about saying "please", "thank you" and "welcome"...this makes me so proud of you!

** Right now, you love to say "Okey Dokey Artichockey", "knock, Knock Jokes" and play the "I Spy" game while we are driving in the car...you always keep me entertained

**you are so thoughtful of your little brother...you pray that you will be a good brother to him when he grows up...you even painted a rock for your brother "Clayton" (that is what we are naming the baby)

** We were getting ready to say the prayer on the food last night and Bryce asked Cooper to say it...Cooper said, "you can say it dad" So, I preceded to tell Cooper that Dad is in charge and if he ask you to say the prayer, then you say it. He looked up at me so innocently and said, "But mom, you are in charge of our house....i thought you are in charge of everything." Bryce thought that was so funny!

**This morning I went out to pull weeds in the back yard, so I told Cooper I would be back there if he needed anything...He said, "Mom, I will be in the computer room if you need anything...Just call my name if you need help and I will put on my shoes and come out and help you." You are such a good boy!

A "Reel" Fun Time

We took Cooper to a "drive-in"movie a few weeks ago with our friends, Vic and Ruth, and Jacqui and Jared. It's the first time we have gone since we were married. We just parked the cars, sat in our lawn chairs, wrapped up in warm blankets and ate some candy and popcorn. Cooper had a blast and we will definately have to do that again sometime. We watched Monsters vs. Aliens.

Gone Fishin

Cooper got a Spiderman fishing pole for his birthday, so I decided to take him fishing last weekend. We also took Reese, Jaxson, and Landon along for the adventurous trip. We got to the little pond, got all set up with weight, bobbers, hooks and bait. I helped the kids with casting for a while. There were alot of people there at the pond and I never saw one person catch a fish. So, needless to say, the kids were bored very quickly.
Reese decided that she was going to sit down and keep practicing on her casting skills. She was doing very well, until she casted the hook into her finger....she preceded to run around and scream and dance and the more she danced the more the hook went deeper into her skin. We kept yelling at her to stop moving, but that didn't work. It wasn't very deep when I pulled it out. Jacqui told her, "If you would have stopped jumping around like a moron, it wouldn't have gone in deeper." It was so funny. Landon had a great time watching everyone until he took a nose dive off the little chair into the pile of small rocks. The poor guy was all scraped up and was crying so hard. I decided it was time to go since everyone at the lake was looking at us because our kids were being so loud! Next time, I think we will wait till the pond is stocked with fish!

Easter Weekend

We celebrated Cooper's 4th Birthday on Saturday! We went to the Fun Park and let the kids play on the soft play. We at pizza , cupcakes, and opened presents. The kids had a great time and it was fun to watch them play with each other. Cooper received some great gifts and we want to thank Ty, Reese, and Jaxson for coming. Jaden and Addey were out of town, but Cooper got a neat bubble set from them.Cooper, we are so lucky and blessed to have you as our son. You have made the past four years the best years of our lives. We have been blessed with your great smile, your fun personality and your loving attitude towards us. You are growing up too quickly and sometimes we wish you were a baby all over again. Thanks for making us the proudest parents. We are so proud of you and the person that you are becoming. Thank you for being such a good example to your mom and dad. We love you!

Part 2

Lee's Marketplace put on a easter egg hunt for the kids in the community. Cooper had fun seeing the Easter bunny and going around the store with dad while mom shopped for food.

On Saturday afternoon, we had a Douglas family Easter egg hunt. The kids had a great time looking for the eggs. Each kid could pick up 10 eggs. When Cooper finished, he said, "Did I win?" He only opened two of his eggs. It's nice because he didn't eat much of the candy.
Next, the kids got to decorate nests. Uncle Bruce and Aunt Tara made little birds nests' out of shredded wheat. The kids got to fill their nest with eggs and a little peep to go on top. That was a fun activity. Thank you Bruce and Tara for organizing it. Marilyn made a great ham and dutch oven potato dinner that night for everyone. It was so good and we had a nice time with the family. We missed those who were not able to be there.

Later that evening, we had round two of Cooper's Birthday party. We got him a cake and he was able to blow out his four candles. It was fun to have most of his cousins around for that. Thank you all who made that a special day for Cooper.

Coopers Craziness

The weather has been pretty nice that last three or four weeks and we have spent lots of time outside. Cooper has enjoyed riding his scooter. I make a race car track on the drive way with the side walk chaulk. Cooper and I will chase each other around the track. He also has enjoyed jumping on the trampoline and taking mom and dad for walks on Sunday afternoons.

Cooper got this hat when he was down in Texas. He likes me to put mine on and then he gets out his horses and we ride around the house playing cowboys. In fact, tonight, he got out of the bath, and the he came running out to see me in his "nothings" and cowboy hat on!

Trick o Treat

This year for Halloween, Cooper chose to be Bumblebee from Transformers. This past week, his Joy School hosted a halloween party and he got to particapate in many fun activities. The kids got to make hotdog mummies.(we called them pigs in a blanket). Cooper thought that was kind of neat. Then the kids tried to eat a donut off a string. Cooper tried and tried and finally used his hands. Once he got his hands on it, he devoured it.
Next, the children painted small pumpkins. Cooper really enjoys painting right now so it kept him entertained for quite a while. And his pumpkin was very pretty and colorful. The kids also did a pumpkin walk. The party was alot of fun. Thanks goes out to all those who made it go!

On Halloween night, our ward had the infamous trunk o treat. It was actually a stake thing, so there were tons of people handing out candy. Afterwards, we took the kids (Reese, Cooper, and Jaxson) trick o treating to houses. That brought back lots of memories as the kids ran from house to house. And they were so excited. It is probably the first year that Cooper really got the whole "trick o treating" experience.
We then went and ate dinner and played games with Jacqui, Jared, Amy, and Aaron. It was so much fun and we enjoed spending time with our friends.

I thought this picture was so adorable. Little Landon in his skunk costume! (Jacqui's baby)

Weekend in Reveiew

Bryce had to attend some training on "mold" on Friday and Saturday in Smithfield, so we spent the weekend up there. On Friday, we stopped and saw grandma and grandpa and of course, made our trip down to the barn to chase the chickens and walk through the cow manure. By the way, for any of you who don't know, I love the smell of my grandpas farm. It reminds me of when I was little and we use to visit Utah during the summer!

After grandma's, we stopped by the Pumpkin Walk. Its a tradition is Cache Valley where people make "scenes" out of pumpkins. Cooper and Jaxson loved the Batman and Kung Fu Panda scenes. I couldn't believe some of the neat things they could create with pumkins. This is one of his favorite books. "Where the Wild Things Live" We also went to Mike and Tami's to play in the leaves. I used to play in the leaves when I was a kid, so I raked a bunch of leaves and covered the kids up. They thought it was alot of fun. Again, brought back lots of memories.
On Saturday night, we went with Jocie and Steph out to the Heritage Farm. They had alot of Halloween activities for the little kids. Cooper got to go on a train ride with his cousins.

They also played in a hay maze and Cooper enjoyed jumping of the bales into alot of hay. We also walked through the corn maze and we all sipped on hot chocolate next to the fire. The kids did not like the "headless horseman" or the scary "monster" that chased them. But, we had a great time.