Cooper Family

Outside Fun

2009-08-28T19:41:00.001-07:00

These cool mornings have been so pleasant - and we have taken a few moments outside to enjoy it. These flowers in front of our house were planted by the previous owners - and we are enjoying them. It is so sweet watching Karis pick and gather flowers to her heart's content - and then bring them in to be put in a vase.

Joshua was trying to drop the ball and then swing the bat to hit it...only his timing is a little off. See? The ball is in perfect position - only the bat is behind his body!

The kids call this the bus. It is a ride on toy Craig's parent's gave to Joshua - Charlotte and Karis especially like to ride down the hill of our driveway together.

Cutie Pie!

Joshua is 4!

2009-08-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

What a joy celebrating with a 4 year old boy! A few days ago Joshua turned 4 and we celebrated with the tradition of breakfast out on your birthday. Joshua is crazy about Dunkin Donuts, so we took him to get one on his birthday.

Happy Birthday my favorite little boy!

First Day of School

2009-08-18T19:07:00.001-07:00

Today we started school for another year! Karis started 1st grade and we celebrated the occasion with pancakes. Who knew I could make pancakes into letters?

Joshua had a J pancake. What a goof!

Charlotte had regular circle pancakes - she doesn't know the difference!

Karis and the teacher on her first day of school - gotta have that for memories sake!

And Karis with the principle - a.k.a. Daddy!

Karis did so well today. She was excited and is still very eager to learn. The other children did wonderfully too! I am so thankful. I was concerned about how Charlotte would do since she is into everything now...but in our new home the playroom/school room is perfect for us! She and Joshua played together and side by side the whole time and I sat down and played with her when Karis was busy with some of her work.

Tomorrow might be a different day. I might be anxious, the kids might not do well, but...there will be grace for tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

This morning I read "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are kept safe." This strengthened me as I thought ahead on this school year. I am running to the Lord!

First Icee

2009-07-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Everytime we drive by Weigel's - Karis or Joshua (sometimes both at the same time) ask if we can get an icee. I regularly say no. I am supprised they even ask any more, but they do. Last week, they asked on the way home from a pool day, so I agreed. Much to the joy and suprise of the older two, I pulled over, grabbed my change purse and got them each an icee...even Charlotte! This was her first taste of the frozen, red, sugary treat...and I think she liked it.

She cried when I took the empty cup away.

July 4th Festivities

2009-07-18T20:16:00.001-07:00

This 4th of July was a day filled with family fun! We all went to the Farragut Town Parade which was a hit for the children. We got there a few minutes before it started, and still managed to find a spot in the shade where the children could be by the curb - with the goal of candy catching!

The parade was mainly local businesses and organizations, but the children loved the cars, costumes and did I mention the candy? I think Joshua did nothing but eat dum dums and tootsie rolls all morning! More than we realized!

Charlotte even had fun watching the parade - although she did NOT like the helicopter that flew low and slow to begin the parade!

For you non-Tennesseans - you will get a kick out of this. At the start of the parade - a red neck Sheriff car complete with flames painted on the sides was going to lead the way. I leaned over to Craig and said, "only in Tennessee". Right when the car was supposed to lead the way the (ahem) lady driver stalled the car and couldn't get it started. These guys started to push it up the hill...only to decide to give up and let it roll backwards off the roadway...like I said...only in Tennessee!

Craig loved this car - I call it the back to the future car - he of course knows it's name...I don't.

In the afternoon, we set up a slip and slide - which Karis loved, Joshua hated, and Charlotte didn't notice! We grilled burgers to the sound of our neighbor singing "my burgers are better than your burgers, yes, my burgers are better than yours!" Joshua chanted yum, yum through the whole dinner and Karis kept telling us this was a holiday feast! (really - just burgers, chips and watermelon - but a feast to her)

It was a great holiday for our family! Hope you all had a good holiday too!

10th Anniversary

2009-07-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

June 5th -- Craig and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. I marvel at the goodness of God in giving me Craig! We took a 4 day trip to New York City - my FAVORITE city - and it was a blast!! We crammed so much in to those 4 days and laughed a lot. Thanks Dad and Mom for doing the hard work and keeping the kids for us. I don't know who had more fun - us in NYC or them with you!

Sunset over the Lower East Side of Manhattan from the Empire State Building - a highlight! We stayed up there for a few hours watching the city go from daytime to dusk to city lights.

Another favorite was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It really is am amazing bridge and so interesting to read about how it was constructed. It took over 600 men 16 years to build is often described as the greatest engineering work of the Victorian age. It was completed in 1883. The pedestrian walkway is 12 feet above the traffic below. It is amazing to think of all of the traffic that happens on this bridge that is over 100 yrs old. Apparantly, when the bridge opened many feared for their lives as they walked across the pedestrian walkway so the year after it opened, PT Barnum led 24 elephants across the bridge to prove it was safe!! Wish we could have seen that!

It only rained for a bit on one day and poured one night as we were heading to our hotel. It was wonderful weather. Because it was slightly raining, we got a rather bare view of the bridge.

The last morning we were in NYC we decided to ride the subway all the way downtown again and just set our eyes on Lady Liberty one last time. It was a cool grey morning, but sweet to sit on a park bench sipping coffee from a vendor and look at the Statue of Liberty. In this picture you can barely make her out. A few weeks after we left the city re-opened her crown for visitors for the first time since Sept 11th. I climbed the many, many stairs to the top with my mom as a child - but haven't since. We hope to do that on our next trip.

The Empire State Building before going inside. I love this building too and it's history. It was built in 1931 and took a little over one year to be built in the race to be the tallest building -which it held impressively until 1973 when the World Trade Towers were built. At one point it was dubbed the "Empty" State Building because they couldn't find office tennants...now it is prime office space!

Some of our favorite places to eat:

The Rainbow Room

86 floors up in the Rockefeller Plaza is the historic Rainbow Room where many have wined, dined and danced a NY night away. Craig took me there two years ago for my 30th birthday and what a sweet night that was. We went there again before going to a show and it was as sweet and memorable. The rainbow room has a 360 degree view of all of Manhattan. You can see the Empire State Building in the window which is actually about 15 blocks away!

Carnegie Deli

This was also a memorable place to eat. It has been there for over 80 years and served many a corned beef reuben! We SPLIT a reuben and you couldn't tell we had eaten much of it! And it was $25 - yes you read that right. one sandwich. $25. Ugh. But, if we go with friends ever we know we could share it 4 ways!

Katzs Deli in the Lower East Side

Katz is equally as famous - but a little less known because of it's location. Many movies have had scenes filmed inside this deli - When Harry Met Sally, Enchanted, Elf and many, many more!

It is in the Lower East Side which is a lot less touristy and more blue collar workers - more of a local feel and a little less safe feeling!! A lot of Law and Order is filmed onsite and several scenes have been from this deli. Honestly, I liked it better than Carnegie Deli, and it felt more like what I would imagine old school NYC to be like. Apparantly it had been there for over 100 yrs and before that, the original owner sold corned beef and pastrami from a horse pulled cart. Russ and Daughters - one of the last and oldest true Jewish Deli was three doors down, and we had a great time browsing, tasting and talking to the shopkeepers there. I would definitely make another trip back to Katz.

Inside Katz - the man carving the pastrami

Craig laughs at this picture - this is how tired I was the 3rd morning! We got coffee and walked through Central Park - and I was dragging. a. lot. But, two cups of Joe, and on we went downtown to see the WTC site - which is amazing.

I think this is the funniest picture of Craig from our trip. After looking at the WTC site, and the new freedom towers being built, we walked over towards Wall Street to see Trinity Chapel. We stopped at a cross walk and Craig stood next to the world's tallest man!!! I don't know how tall he was - but let's just say, I don't know where he finds his pants. Good thing he lives and works in NYC so he has some fashion options. Craig stood next to him and asked me to take his picture. Now, my man isn't the tallest - but good grief! Craig was standing as close as one can get without making the guy feel wierd...and look!

This is the last place I saw my brand new cell phone! Yep. Gone on the NY Subway. Remarkably - when we came up out of the subway and realized it fell out of my pocket...lo and behold, a verizon store! So, we got a used one so that we could still be reached by the children!

Ah, NYC at night. What a beautiful sight. Sigh.

I love NYC but I love my husband millions times more! Babe, thanks for taking me to NYC. Thanks for asking me to marry you.

Funny Pronounciations

2009-01-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Here are a few funny ways the kids mis-prounounce words:

Pup-cakes = cupcakes
aminals = animals
So is me = so do I
libary = library

I don't want them to stop saying these sweet kid-isms...but, I know they will.

Extended Family Photos

2009-01-09T19:59:00.001-08:00

Here are a few of the photos of the extended family...

Madie (5), McCade (5), Karis (5) and Jordan (8). These cousins have so much fun together. The three 5 year olds were all born within 7 months of each other and each have a very distinct personality.

All the Cooper Cousins...at the moment. There is one more on the way, but he or she won't arrive until April (Stuart and Jenny - not us!)

All the Cooper Clan

Tyson and Niki, Jordan and McCade

Stuart and Jenny, Madie and Philip

We are very thankful for our extended Cooper family!

Lillian Prince Photography

2009-01-04T04:51:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, we had Lillian Prince take our photos, and they were the best we have had taken in about 2 years! She is very gifted, and so pleasant to have take your photos! These are some of the favorites of our family. I will try to post more of the extended family...they are great too!

Lillian has a great website. www.lillianprincephotography.wordpress.com BEAUTIFUL photos. Can't wait to have her take them again.

One of my favorites...she looks so much like Craig!

Joshua and his cousin Philip. Their birthdays are 6 days apart and they are best buddies.

But, this is also a favorite.

And this one too!

Oh, and this one! Really, they are all so sweet to me.

I love my family.

Last of the Beach...I promise!

2008-11-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

We just had such a great time on our family vacation, that I wanted to post a few more photos. I had not downloaded all of the photos from our trip when I started posting them, so I didn't have these photos ready to post. Looking at these again, I am so thankful for the time that our family had together, and I look forward to another beach trip in the future.

Until next time...

What Makes A Baby Happy?

2008-11-05T05:56:00.000-08:00

The contents of this little can make our little baby giggle!

See?

She loves them!

Prayer Request

2008-11-03T14:36:00.001-08:00

Please pray for my good friend Heather and her husband Dave. They are facing the most difficult trial of their lives as their one month old baby girl died suddenly last night. As you can imagine, they are deeply saddened.

Dave and Heather love God, and therefore are trusting in Him.

More Beach Photos

2008-11-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a few random beach photos...

We attended a Halloween Pet parade which was a hit with the kids... they thought it was hillarious seeing the pets dressed up in costumes. Karis' favorite was a Daschund dressed up in a hot dog costume...that was funny, but I thought this dog was the best. Nasty bull dog in princess/ballerina attire.

Karis at the pet parade - they had face painting, cookies, pumpkin decorating and other activities.

Our family went (by recommendation) to a restaurant called The Red Bar. It was a very odd place - but we had a good time and the kids loved their cheese burger.

Popsicles in Seaside

Joshua on the beach

Charlotte learned to crawl as I was taking these photos. She loved the sand - and it provided all the traction she needed to really learn how to crawl.

Sweet girl in her pretty baby dress

Mmmm. Gelatto!

I still can't believe how big she it!

Joshua "reading" The Gruffalo"

We have a few more photos to post - I hope to do that this weekend

Disney in the Evening

2008-10-27T13:12:00.001-07:00

We headed over to EPCOT for the rest of the evening. We would have returned to Magic Kingdom for the evening, but they were having a Halloween Party there that required a separate ticket - hey Disney knows how to make money!

The kids were a bit young for EPCOT, but we still had a great time. We rode the Nemo ride..

Kids inside of the shark!
They also had a great fireworks show at the end of the night, and we sampled foods from around the world in the part of EPCOT that has mini cities from other nations...I can't remember what it is called though.

The kids were officially the most tired that I had ever seen! Karis went to bed without even changing her clothes! She thought that was funny the next morning when she got up.

Craig is the best at putting the kids to bed! He has a sweet routine with each child. Joshua likes when Craig prays for him , and Karis loves what she calls "Night night snuggles", but she was too tired for those!

So tired!

2008-10-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

Craig gave each children a Disney Hat to enjoy. Somehow we didn't get a photo of Karis, but here is Joshua's Pirate Mickey. So cute!

After all this fun, the kids were beat! We headed back to the rental house for naps, a swim in the pool and some food. The kids barely made it to the car. Karis almost fell asleep while riding in the stroller back to the car!

What was funny (or funny now at least) is that Karis was too excited to eat any breakfast, didn't eat the snacks we brought to the park, and then rode the teacups...then drank an 8 oz bottle of water, then a whole apple juice box...then as we were going to get on the ferry to ride to the parking lot area, her little body couldn't handle it. You can guess what happened after the spinning tea cups and 16 oz of liquid! Thankfully, the dock was mostly empty before all that liquid saw daylight again!

All three kids fell asleep before we left the parking lot!

Even the non-napping princess!

Especially the littlest princess!

So Much Fun!

2008-10-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

The older two and I rode the teacups together

All smiles before it started

Joshua loved it! Karis said it made her a little sick. I didn't get them spinning like some of the other thrill seakers did! Craig opted to hold Charlotte and sit out on this ride! He doesn't like anything that makes his stomach turn. Not in the least!

Karis and I practiced our princess smiles and silly faces while the boys rode the race cars

She has the silly faces down!

Princess smiles!

The boys riding the race cars

Going to Disney in October is perfect! There are very small lines. Joshua liked this ride so much - they waited in line twice to ride it two times!

First Thing There

2008-10-27T12:37:00.001-07:00

Right as we entered the park, we went toward's the castle. To our amazement, we were walking there right as the welcome show began! It was the best part of the whole day. For the children, it was their highlight and they are still talking about it. The show had all the Disne characters (Mickey, Minnie etc) but it also had the princesses and Peter Pan and Capt. Hook - a favorite of my boy!

Mickey and Minnie

After the show - the first thing we did was ride It's a Small World. I distinctly remember riding that ride with my mom, sister and grandparents. My grandmother loved that ride - all the little people!

Karis is still singing that song, only every time she sings it she asks how it could really be a small world when the world is so big?! Too complex to explain! Believe me, ...we have tried!

Craig and Joshua on the ride

This is how Charlotte enjoyed the ride

Exciting Day

2008-10-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

This face doesn't look very excited...maybe because she doesn't know what comes next, ever...

These faces look excited...

And this face sure does. Why is it?

Because this is what we were looking at! Magic Kingdom in Disney World!!

We suprised the children the first day in Florida by taking them to Disney World! What a way to start vacation! We drove from Craig's parents in Atlanta to Orlando the first day of our vacation. A VERY generous young lady in our church gave us tickets to the park. She works there in the summers, and had connections to get us in for free - to us! Thank you Suzie!

As we drove into Orlando late that evening the children started seeing signs with Disney characters on them. Their conversation was hillarious!

Joshua: Maybe we can go to Mickey Mouses' house

Karis: Joshua, you know Mickey Mouse isn't real!

Daddy: Are you sure? Maybe we will see him...

Karis: Daddy, Mickey Mouse is only on TV

This kind of talk goes on for a few minutes.

A few minutes later...

Karis: Why is there so much Disney stuff here?

Daddy: Probably because Disney World is here in Florida.

Joshua: Can we go there someday?

Daddy: Well...(pause) actually...we brought you all the way down here to Florida to suprise you and take you to Disney world!

The kids were speechless. Then they jabbered all about what Disney World would be like for the next 10 minutes until we got to our rental house. This was funny to me because neither one has been there. The funniest was Karis when she said, "I don't know what to imagine Disney World looks like because I have never been there!"

Where are we?

2008-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

We are on the Emerald Coast of Florida - 5 miles from Seaside in a beautiful beach resort area called Seacrest. It is lovely here and we have been enjoying a nice, slow vacation as a family. I was thanking the Lord this morning for this wonderful time.

Baby Yogurt

2008-09-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

We just started giving Charlotte Yo Baby - a whole milk yogurt that is very mild for babies. Karis offered to feed Charlotte one morning.

Hmmm, what does yo-baby taste like?

Yumm!

Charlotte thinks so too!

Family Fun Did It Again

2008-09-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

We love Family Fun Magazine! There are so many ideas of fun activities to do as a family - hence the name. Yesterday we went to the Plewniaks and began this activity. I forgot my camera, but here is the finished product! Tie-Die pumpkin shirts. The process took a full 24 hours (due to dry time on the shirts), but they are wearing them now. Both children got up this morning asking if their shirts were dry to color the faces on the pumpkins.

So, as soon as breakfast was over we began the faces.

Joshua was more excited about the activity than I thought he would be. I love the way he holds a marker!

Pumpkin shirt. See?

Princess Party

2008-09-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

For Karis, the only thing better than dressing up in princess attire - is wearing it somewhere! Last week, Karis' friend Lily celebrated with a royal party.
All the princesses dressed up for the Ball!
A grown-up cinderella came to - all the little girlies were speechless!
Lily at her party

Big brother Zeke- what is he thinking?

Ski

2008-09-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

Let the creativity begin! Karis somewhere saw a picture of someone skiing. She REALLY wanted to try it. Despite my attempts to explain that we can't ski when it is 80 degrees outside, she was determined. The result...indoor skiing with paper plates and mop sticks!
Mom - looks like she might like to cross country ski with you in the future!

Charlotte

2008-09-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Oh, this little one...she is such a joy!

Full Heart

2008-09-20T19:59:00.002-07:00

Recently, I have been reading these journal entries from a Christian mother that fill my heart with gratitude to God for what he has done on my behalf, and with love for my family. Here is an entry that is particularly relavent in my life:

The heart of a child
Awake with fussy, teething baby through the nightime hours--her sweet warmth nestled beside me, finding peace and comfort in this God-given one who loves her day and/or night and delights in tenderly caring for her. Her heart safely trusts in me.

Unable to sleep, I too find a place of quiet rest midst the darkness round about me, in a loving Heavenly Father who neither slumbers nor sleeps, who is the keeper of this heart of mine prone to wander from His side. The keeper of my heart; my hopes, my dreams, joys, sorrows, fears and confusions.... He made me, He knows me, He loves me through and through. There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. The love of Jesus, what it is, none but His loved ones know.

Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will come near to you. And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you....Jeremiah 29:12-14...I continually marvel, at the reality and revelation of God, everywhere--all the time, to those whose hearts are inclined towards Him, in dependence with a childlike trust, desiring His good and perfect will, in all things. Amidst the many doings of my life, it is the be-ing, with this One that loves me dearest and best that keeps me, that sustains me, that causes my heart to overflow, with a love that I could never hope to possess on my own. He takes all that I am and am not, and freely gives of Himself.

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what You are, I am finding out the greatness of Your loving heart. May I ever be, led by Your gentleness. May I continually find rest, in Your love.

Stick 'em up!

2008-09-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Just me - Charlotte!

Note: This was Karis' narrative.

It's Football Time in Tennessee!

2008-09-20T19:44:00.001-07:00

Well, Tennessee Football might not be so great this year, but this boy thinks it is! This morning I told him we were going to watch a UT football game. He said, "Oh! We're going to go? I will yell Go Tennessee!" I told him that we were going to watch it on TV thinking he would be disappointed, but he ran to get his UT t-shirt on - just as happy to watch it on tv as to be with 107,000 fans! I love that boy!

Apple Picking

2008-09-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Last Monday we piked apples as a family activity. we tried a new apple - well, new to us - Mutsu, and loved them! We picked 1/2 a bushel of apples!
Since picking them we have had apple pie, peanut butter and apples and soon to come...applesauce.

Grandparent visits

2008-09-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

This summer the children were able to visit with all of their grandparents. Here are a few photos from the visits:

Karis loves hearing stories from when Craig and I were children. Her Mimi told Karis so many stories from when Craig was a boy, and she still talks about it!

My mom came for a visit on weekend and we enjoyed a few hours at the Cove Park

Holding Charlotte

My Dad took the red eye back from a business trip in CA to spend two days with the kids. We had a great visit. Shucking corn together.

Needless to say - my Dad was worn out! He tried to catch a few Zzz's - but not very many. Joshua climbed on top of him and pretended to do the same.

Papa-Daddy, Mimi, Moo-ma, Grandpa John and Gram Raleigh - we love you all. Thanks for loving the children and making visits special!

School Days

2008-09-20T12:18:00.001-07:00

Karis started kindergarten this year, and I have the joy of teaching her at home.

Photo with her teacher on the first day of school

Hard at work on her alphabet
What does Joshua do during this time? A lot of this! And, he joins in our lessons at times which is humorous. He knows some of the songs that Karis sings as a part of her lessons. Learning to read will probably come easier for him since he will have heard all of her lessons too.

Fenwick Island

2008-09-20T11:52:00.001-07:00

Our annual vacation to Fenwick Island was as always - a joy. We had another year of beautiful weather. The cousins enjoyed each other, and we made more summer memories.

Charlotte enjoyed her great grandfather. I think he enjoyed her too!
Joshua is still a mad man when it comes to cereal. It is his favorite food group - at least he thinks it should be a food group. His favorite? Honey Bunches of Oats...just like his daddy!

Our nephew Aaron. He learned a lot of new silly-ness from his cousins, and shared a few silly tricks with them too!

The littles

If you click on this photo you can see it much better, but I love this one. Craig and Joshua went for a walk one morning on the beach. This is the way back in.

The whole Fenwick Clan

Where have we been?

2008-09-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

I realize it has been two months since I have updated any photos on our family blog...we have been busy! Here is a snapshot into what we have been doing...

A lot of bike riding

A little bit of fishing

A lot of learning

which has been so much fun!

Dress-up

Karis thinks Charlotte likes it too. I'm not convinced!

A lot of playtime

Again?

Sweet thing.

Cooper Kids

2008-07-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Charlotte

Karis

Joshua

Happy 4th!

2008-07-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

This July 4th we kept Madie and Philip for the evening while Stuart and Jenny had a little get-away. The kids had a blast (no firework pun intended!). We went to the Ridner's to swim and watch their neighbors shoot off firecrackers. Here is the patriotic bunch!

The cousins loved their sleepover, and they did really well given how young they are. Karis and Madie talked late into the night - but finally drifted off to sleep. Actually, when Karis got up to go to the bathroom at 10:30 pm, Madie fell asleep. Then, having no one to talk to, Karis quickly fell asleep. We stood outside their door and listened to them talking. It was so sweet to hear them. They were looking at books and listening to Karis' CD. I hope there will be many more times in the future where they will sleep over together as they grow up together!

The boys we didn't trust to fall asleep together! My husband wisely decided to lay them down separately. We moved them into the same room after they were alseep. Smart decision!

I wish I had taken their photos sleeping together, but I was too tired to go downstairs and get the camera once I had gotten upstairs to go to bed...next time I guess!

La La Plewza

2008-07-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

In typical Plewniak style, Elizabeth threw a very creative 30th Bithday Party for Mike! HE was totally suprised to find a whole slew of people partying in his backyard - set up to be like La La Palooza - only this party was La La Plew-Za! Tents for camping out (which we did not stay to do!), live music, standup comedy by Elizabeth, a movie, fireworks - all completed this outdoor fun! Happy 30th Mike!

Mike coming in to the suprise

Craig and Joshua

Us with the little bit

The party wouldn't have been complete with Mr. Crazy Man - Jonathan

And his little girl London

Karis loves babies - especially ones that she can help.

Here Karis is walking with Pearl Clayman

Double Trouble!

Joshua

Live Entertainment by Kevin, Marco and Josh - the balancing mandolin player! It is always so fun to see people you know and love singing silly songs!

Plew - we love you and hope you have a great 30th!

Baby Bungie

2008-07-05T07:25:00.001-07:00

This is our third child to LOVE the Baby Bungie Bouncer! My mom always laughs at the children as it looks like they are marionette puppets. Charlotte loves being able to be upright and watching the other two children mad at play! I am saving the exer-saucer for when Karis starts school.

Boo Boo Face

2008-06-27T06:05:00.001-07:00

I was taking photos of Charlotte the other day and Joshua was trying to get her to smile at him. He thought it would be funny (being a little boy) to growl like a lion at her. She didn't agree with his humor. But...I was able to capture the moment on camera! Charlotte works up to a cry. She doesn't just let it out like her siblings did. She pouts and makes what we call the Boo Boo face...then she lets it out! It really is cute, as much as a baby crying can be.

Here is the progression:

Charlotte looking at Joshua

"I don't like what you're doing!"
Uh-Oh!

Waaahhh!

Oh, there is my Mommy!

Cast Away

2008-06-27T05:46:00.001-07:00

Joshua is cast free! He got it taken off on Monday, and he is a happy boy! I feel like summer just began for us as we are doing outdoors activities again! This is Joshua just before having his cast cut off.
And just after!

That night we had a celebration complete with a cast away pirate cake that turned out to look like a box more thana boat, but he didn't mind!

First of the Summer

2008-06-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

We picked our first tomato of the season. Karis has waited for over a month for this tomato to grow and ripen...and it was yummy!

More of Pop's Visit

2008-06-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

One of the day's that Pop was here, we went to the Museum of Appalachia. The children LOVED it. I was supprised that they did. They loved the animals on the property.

This peacock was a particular favorite. There were several peacocks on the property, and their call is so distinct. The children were mesmorized by the pattern of the feathers.

This sundial was very interesting to Karis

Joshua loved watching the chickens and baby chicks in their chicken coop

He was so tired from all the fun that he fell asleep as soon as we got home. He didn't even make it to his bed!

2008-06-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Before Joshua broke his leg, we had several visits from various family members. My grandfather came and spent two days with our family and that was a lot of fun! I love seeing my children play with their great grandfather - it reminds me of when I was a child and how much I loved being with him...still do of course! Being with my grandfather also reminds me of the faithfulness of God. My 90 year old grandfather has tried his whole live to live in an honorable way and his life commends him. I love my Pop, and I love seeing my children do the same.

2008-06-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know why the photos are posting side by side, but...oh well.

Karis is still trying to make everything out of paper. This is her attempt to make a robot costume out of paper. I actually thought this one was pretty creative. She used paper plates for the shoes, paper sleeves and then she got the kitchen strainer for her hat. This girl is going to love school!

Doing Alright

2008-06-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to get caught up on posting photos on our family blog. Needless to say, updating the blog has been low on the priority list! Joshua is doing well. We are thankful that he is supposed to get his cast off tomorrow (June 23rd!) He has adapted remarkably well. I have been so thankful that he has still been sleeping through the night. I have heard of children who don't while haveing a cast on due to the insatiable itching. Joshua has only one time mentioned his leg itching inside of his cast. That is probably because he has two pennies, and a toy disc in his cast that I know of. Tomorrow we will find out what else he has shoved in there!

I have heard of an online company that you can send the link to your blog and they will print and bind an annual edition of your blog... does anyone know about this? I would love to have a printed scrapbook/journal ...

Poor Guy

2008-05-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we have one sad little guy in our home. Sunday night Joshua broke his leg! He was jumping on our trampoline with several other people, and it got the best of him. I guess he just landed wrong...and broke his tibula and fibula - both the bones in his lower leg.

This sad little boy is doing fairly well though. He is sleeping rather well in light of the circumstances, and we are thankful for that. Karis is driving him crazy trying to take care of him!

Joshua chose to have a purple cast! We thought that was funny. I would have guessed that he would have chosen red - like his favorite race car - Lighting McQueen. But, he chose purple. For two weeks he will have this cast which goes above the knee. And then the plan is for him to have another one that will not go above the knee. The second cast might be water-proof, which would be good so that we could give him a bath, and he could even swim!

For two days, Joshua has been watching movies, but today he ventured onto the floor to play with his cars and airplanes. That was encouraging.

We are thankful that little bones are reported to heal quickly. The doctor said that he should be running around in a month or so. We are praying for that to be the case.

Our family has been so blessed by so many phone calls and e-mails. Joshua's babysitter even dropped off a coloring book to help him pass the time! Thanks Tera!

Cousins

2008-05-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

My sister and her husband came and visited us for a few days this week. We had a great time. I will post more photos of the visit soon.

Ballerina

2008-04-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Karis loves her ballet class. Ann Lamachia teaches 3 ballet classes to different age groups at our church. She is very excited to have her end of the year ballet recital on May 6th. Here she is in her recital attire. Ballet has been very good for Karis. She has learned more than just how to do "tiny runs", "the flamingo posse", "toe taps", and the "cat and mouse". She has learned more about taking turns, remaining quiet in a class setting, controling her body, and participating in group activities.

Karis loves Ms. Ann. She makes ballet artwork for her weekly.

Thank you Ann for all that you teach these little ladies! They are learning more from you than you would imagine! Although the Lord gave you a house full of boys, your delicate nature is teaching my little one and the others as well. Thank you for your investment into their lives and the impression that you are leaving with them. A moment that makes me smile happened the other night as I was putting Karis to bed. She sat up and told me that she was learning a dance to a song that she recognized at church. She told me that it was for the recital and she thought it was supposed to be a suprise. She didn't even notice that if it was a suprise - she ruined it!! But what I loved about that moment was that Karis could sing the song to me and she told me that it was all about Jesus! Thank you Ann.

Tough Guy Joshua

2008-04-21T11:35:00.001-07:00

This is Joshua's tough guy move! He is really becoming a tough little boy. He still wants to wear fairy wings from his sister's dress up collection - but less frequently! Actually, he hasn't wanted to in weeks and instead he has been playing with his army men collection and climbing on anything he can. Recently he climbed on our swing set as high as he could go and tried to jump off! Good thing his second mother, Karis was there to shout at him not to - and I of course was close behind to remove him from the high place!

"Who me? What did I do?"

Here's my sweet guy! His horid haircut is finally starting to grow out!

Here is the jumping maniac!

Worms

2008-04-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

I don't know how it started...but our two older children are very interested in finding worms. They turn over every rock in our backyard looking for them. A few days ago it rained, and when the sun came out I sent them out in their rainboots (a favorite in and of itself). I didn't expect them to find as many worms as they did. With the recent rain there were a ton of worms close to the surface of the ground! They got a bucket and started collecting them.

I know, it is gross to me too. But I am trying not to pass on my aversion to bugs! My mother would scold me if I did!

The worm's fate is as expected...either death by crushing from the not so gentle Joshua, or burried alive in the sand box by Karis - who prides herself on being gentle to them! Too bad we weren't going fishing that afternoon - we would have had plenty of bait!

A Few Funnies

2008-04-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

Karis has been saying a lot of funny things lately. Her vocabulary is amazing to me. To think that she didn't talk until 2 1/2 years old... now she doesn't stop! Here are a few of the funny things she has said recently:

"Mommy, I know you are allergic to real kitties...but are you allergic to pretend ones too?"

At the breakfast table: "Mommy, I know why they call this oatmeal! It is because it is made of oats and we eat it as a meal!" Once I tried to explain to her what meal is and how they roll out the oats she laughed and said, "Roll out oats... that is so funny Mommy"

Sweet Baby

2008-04-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new photos of our sweet little one. She is so sweet. Being 6 weeks old, she is beginning to smile a lot and coo a little too. Karis gets a lot of smiles from Charlotte. It has been amazing to me how great of a big sister Karis is. She is really helpful with Charlotte.

It is hard to catch her smiles on camera because they come and go so quickly and eratically, but here is a blurry shot of the end of one of her smiles. It melts my heart!

This was too funny for me to not post. Charlotte sneezed right as I took a photo!

I took this photo on Monday - and I want to take it again when the light is better. But I still thought it was sweet.

We are thankful for the mercy of God on our lives. There has been so much grace with the addition of our third child. I am continually amazed and humbled as I contemplate the steadfast love of God to an undeserving mom like me!

Mommy's Make-up

2008-03-24T14:00:00.001-07:00

This is NOT a black eye! Joshua disappeared upstairs for a few minutes - and when we went to go find him - this is what we saw!

Seatbelt Lessons

2008-03-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Since we broke into the backseat of our van with the addition of our third child, we began to teach Karis how to buckle her own seat belt. I didn't want to have to climb into the back of the van to buckle Karis every time we went somewhere, so we made a family activity out of seatbelt lessons.

Joshua cheered Karis on as Craig tried to teach her how to buckle. Honestly, I thought it would be a process of her figuring it out, but Craig is such a patient instructor, and she got it quickly! I asked Craig what other little tasks we could teach her!!

A few More Photos of Charlotte

2008-03-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Finally, a few more photos! I haven't beeen able to upload photos for a few days - for some reason the server was down...

A big thanks to Melanie Oldacre who took photos of Charlotte and us the night that she was born and posted them here the next day.

Craig and our three children!!

Our new family of 5!

Charlotte - 2 days old
Karis holding her little sister the day we came home from the hospital. The children love to hold their baby sister!

Charlotte Elyse born today March 3, 2008

2008-03-03T17:33:00.001-08:00

Welcome Charlotte Elyse!
Baby Charlotte was born today, March 3 at 11:38 a.m.
7 pounds 14 ounces
21 inches

Laura said this was her best delivery yet! What an answer to prayer! Thank you Lord for your kindness and the gift that Charlotte is to the Cooper family.

Valentine's Day Tradition

2008-02-16T05:30:00.000-08:00

Sadly, we did Valentine's Day without Daddy this year, but we still had a fun day. This year Karis came downstairs and opened the door into the kitchen and shouted her arrival with a VERY loud, "Happy Valentine's Day!" She loves holidays and gets very excited about them. It is sweet to me that she is beginning to remember the traditions too. She asked if we were going to have heart shaped pancakes and treats in the valentines mailboxes. That meant a lot to me - that she remembered what we did the last two Valentine's Day.

Karis and her heart pancake
Joshua and his heart pancake

Our Valentine's Day mailboxes. This year they had Pez candies, M&M's and a sucker. My sister said I sounded red-neck to say sucker!!! But, that is what they call them down here - no one says lollypop! Isn't that funny?

Karis and I made mini cupcakes the day before Valentine's Day.

She took her job of putting the heart candies on the top of the cupcakes very seriously, and wanted to make sure that we had a photo of just the cupcakes so that we would remember the heart candies on top!

Daddy is home!!

2008-02-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

We're thrilled that Daddy is home from a 4 day trip to the Sovereign Grace Pastor's College... but we are not thrilled that he has the flu! Somehow, Craig picked up the flu virus while he was traveling, and we are being EXTRA cautious with him at home. He is quarantined to Karis' room and the guest bathroom, and Karis and I are sleeping together in my bed. With two weeks and two days until the due date of our third child, we are praying that the flu virus will end in the Cooper home with Craig!

Craig had a great time at the Pastor's College - seeing friends that he hasn't seen in many years, and receiving great teaching from Mike Bullmore, Jeff Purswell, and CJ Mahaney. Who wouldn't have a great time! Craig said that one session Mike Bullmore preached a normal message, and then the next session he taught on why he did the things he did in the message. I know this week will be very helpful to Craig. I am so glad this little girl didn't decide to come early so that Craig could attend the conference.

Ballet

2008-02-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

Tuesday's are Ballet Day and a favorite for the children! Joshua loves to run around in the lobby while Karis takes her ballet class. Ann Lamachia is very kind to teach the young girls in our church beginning ballet classes at an affordable price. And she does a GREAT job! Karis is often making Ms. Ann cards telling her how much she loves her!

Warm February Day

2008-02-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Today was so beautiful - after a few really rainy days, we enjoyed an afternoon outside!

Superbowl in the Cooper Home

2008-02-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

The superbowl in our house was spent in PJ's eating chili and drinking root beer. Well, we were all in our PJ's except Karis - who came dressed for the ball. She would live in her Cinderella dress up costume if we let her!

Joshua was so excited to cheer with Craig! Anytime that Craig cheered, he would shake his fist and scream Go! Go!

Little Guitarist

2008-02-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

Joshua has always enjoyed playing his mini guitar. For a few months he hasn't even picked it up. We are back to him playing it nearly every day! And he has developed his volume over the last few months! This new baby will be able to sleep anywhere with a big brother like Joshua!

Big Boy Bed

2008-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

Recently we switched Joshua to a toddler sized bed. He loves his "big boy bed". I thought that it would be so hard to switch him from a crib to a bed, but he took to it right away. I am thankful for the easy transition as we will be needing the crib for his new sister soon!

Karis was very eager to help put Joshua's bed together. Here she is tightening all the screws.

Joshua helped too by "holding" the headboard for Karis!

We tip toed into the little guy's room after he was asleep to take a photo. It was so sweet to see him all stretched out with room to spare!

Turkey Puppets

2008-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

Joshua occasionally puts on a puppet show with these little finger puppets that Craig's parents gave the children around Thanksgiving. Sometimes the puppets are dolls, or even my oven mits! He has figured out that you don't want your body to be seen - it is really cute. Of course, when he is acting out the puppets, you can't understand a word he says.

Puppets as seen from the audience

More Holiday Photos

2008-01-30T08:31:00.000-08:00

Craig and Joshua snuggled up for a little Christmas Eve snooze

Playing with the newest car additions. Joshua loves playing with cars.

This is so funny to me. This is our nativity scene that we put out every Christmas. I kept finding it set up like this. I would fix it the way I thought it should be, and sure enough, within the day, this is how I would find it. I finally asked Karis if she kept changing it. She said, "Yes, because it was set up wrong! When Jesus was born, they all gathered AROUND him." In her mind, it should be as it really was, not set up like a stage - I guess. I also thought that it was funny the way that she put the animals.

We had Joshua "give" Karis a dress up outfit.

Karis playing with a new playdough set

Long Over Due

2008-01-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well, two months go by in a flash, and I can't believe that I haven't updated this blog. Actually, I can. Two children, one on the way, a busy calendar, and the holidays...etc. I like the idea of the blog as an online scrapbook and a way to keep out of town family updated on the children. So, I will try to post some photos of the past two months, and be more up to date in the coming months.

Speaking of coming month; we are one month away from our expected due date of our third child. We couldn't be more excited! I am also aware of the tired season that is about to come. The sleepless nights and tiring days are still sweet though with that new little one. Craig and I were laying in bed the other night thinking about a new little girl. I wonder what she will look like? Joshua and Karis are so different from each other. Will she look like her own self or resemble one of them? It is fun to ponder.

Today Karis helped me put some clothes in the newly cleaned out dresser that they will share while Joshua pulled out clothes from our recently folded piles! She understands being helpful, and keeps telling me how she is going to help when her new sister comes - feeding her bottles, getting things for us etc. but she has made it clear that she is not interested in changing her diapers!

Here are a few photos from the holidays:

Wrapping paper sword fight!

Christmas Eve

We gave Joshua a bandit set in his stocking. He thought it was great!

This year we gave the children bikes for Christmas. Karis is now learning how to ride a two wheeler (with training wheels, of course) and Joshua loves his tricycle, but is totally unable to stear it! This spring and summer should be fun as we get outside in the warmer weather.

We enjoyed my mom and grandfather for the holiday, and then a visit a week later to see Craig's parents. (I will post those photos next time.)

A few More...

2007-11-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

Joshua and Karis really like to "help" in the kitchen. I love to let them help - but Thanksgiving dinner, there really wasn't much that they could do. Here they are measuring out the ingredients for the stuffing.

The hungry subjects are waiting for their feast! These silly children waited at the table for quite some time!

Notice Joshua's plate. Full. It looked just like that when he was excused from the table too. He is so funny about trying different foods, and I think he is weird about his food touching too. So, for Thanksgiving, he ate 3 rolls and he tried one bite of turkey. He also had a shirt change in the middle of the meal too - spilled drink.

Karis loved the meal. She asked when we could eat more Thanksgiving dinner this morning at breakfast! She especially loved the cranberries, which I can remember not liking as a child. She ate her dinner, and then came up with the idea to make a Thanksgiving Sandwich with her left over turkey, roll and cranberries - and then ate some of it. Actually, the first roll she made was filled with little bits of all of the Thanksgiving foods. When she tried that, she didn't like it! I wouldn't either - turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, broccoli casserole, cranberries in a roll... yuck!

Then there is the goofball. After his feast of bread, he leaned back in his chair and sighed a contented sigh. Notice his full plate. This is after the meal!

A Few Thanksgiving Photos

2007-11-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

During the day on Thanksgiving, between watching the Macy's Day Parade and a football game, the children made a few craft projects. We made a thankful tree, and wrote things that the children said they were thankful for on various leaves. Family Fun magazine is so full of great ideas for projects to do with your children - and that is another activity we got from Family Fun.

After the Thankful Tree activity, Karis wanted to make a crown. She usually does. This time Joshua made one too.

Our Thankful Tree.

Karis and Joshua decided to dance after making the crowns. Karis said she wanted to dance like the lady did during the parade and Joshua was her willing partner.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Children's Museum

2007-11-23T05:54:00.001-08:00

Recently we went to the Children's Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. What a fun, and tiring day we had. I don't think Joshua stopped running whenever he was out of the stroller! This is the reason we don't have any photos of him. Craig and I really enjoyed being together as a family outside of our normal activities.

Karis loved this bunny costume. In this photo she is making animal footprints in "snow". I still don't know what the snow substance really is, but it was fun to play with.

Karis loves craft projects. She sat for a long time and made this crown with scraps of paper and glue. While she was doing her craft project, Joshua and Craig were running through the musical instrument section. In this area, there were giant instruments with buttons on them that you pressed to make the various sounds that that particular instrument makes. Craig and Joshua made quite a symphony together!

Busy hands hard at work!

Forgot to add...

2007-11-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

In uploading all of those photos to the blog, I forgot to mention that Joshua no longer takes his precious "fa-fa" which is his pacifier!!! While he was sick, he didn't want to suck on it because his mouth was too tender. So, three days went by when he didn't take it. In fact, when we would try to hand it to him, he would throw it down. So, I went through the house and found all of the pacifiers that I could and threw all of them out. On the fourth day, Joshua asked for one, and I told him they were all gone because they hurt his mouth. He seemed totally OK with that, and has only asked one other time for one.

I am so thankful to the mercy and kindness of God. That was a remarkably smooth transition. Why not do it when your child is up all night anyway for three nights? Might as well do it that way right?

So, for the time being, we are a paci free home! This is the first time in 4 1/2 years. But, I know that little baby Girl is coming in 4 months, and I am a sucker for pacifiers...no pun intended!

More Fall photos

2007-11-02T07:37:00.001-07:00

To celebrate the Fall we made pumpkin shaped sugar cookies. Both children really enjoy helping to make things in the kitchen. In fact, I asked Karis a few days ago what she wanted to learn in kindergarten and she said she wanted to learn how to climb a tree by herself and she wanted to learn how to cook with Mommy and "chop, chop, chop!"

Tasting is all a part of cooking, right?

Several weeks ago, Joshua and Craig went to the Father-Son Campout with 150 other fathers and sons from Cornerstone. They didn't spend the night, but stayed long enough to roast marshmellows and enjoy the campfire. Joshua made it all the way home from Cades Cove awake! I carried him up to bed and asked him what his favorite part was. He told me it was the "hot, hot". So, I put him to bed smelling like wood smoke from the hot hot fire that he enjoyed.

While the guys were at the campout, Karis and I enjoyed a girly time out. We went to Barnes and Noble to read books and have hot chocolate and I took her to get her hair cut and have her nails painted at the Kidz Cuts. She still talks about sitting in their salon chair and having her hair cut.

On Halloween, we took the children to a few of our neighbors to visit and get candy. I love the costumes - it brings back memories of trick-or-treating when I was a child!

I wore this costume when I was a child. Karis wore it two years ago, and now Joshua!

Thanks Mom for making this probably 30 years ago!

A few weeks ago, we found out that we are having a baby girl in March. For the third time in our journey as parents, we went to Krispie Kreme before finding out the gender of our new baby. Our theory is that if I have a doughnut, the sugar rush will make the baby move around so that we can find out what it is!! The children enjoyed the chance to have a hot doughnut!

Our niece Madie turned 4 a few days ago. She had a cowgirl party. It was a great idea. Stuart and Jenny threw her a "Birthday Breakfast Round-up". It was fun to get ready early in the morning to celebrate with Madie over breakfast.

The children had a doughnut eating race. They were supposed to eat their doughnut while it dangled from a string... but they all needed help from their hands!

And finally, we roasted marshmellows in our backyard a few weeks ago with our good friends the Sanders. This was a hit with the children. Karis was crazy about roasting the gooey treats, but didn't want to eat any of them after they had been roasted. She hasn't developed the appreciation for the fine culinary experience of blowing out your marshmellow and smooshing it between two graham cracker pieces!

Jayson and Pierson Sanders

I don't think Joshua's stick ever made it into the fire. He too prefers raw - unroasted marshmellows!

Don't they look so much alike? No question who she belongs to!

Happy Fall

2007-11-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have so many photos from the last few weeks to put on our blog! The fall is so full of fun activities!

We are rebounding from a fall fever virus, and so glad to play and get outside again. Joshua is full of energy after being the hardest hit with the virus. He didn't eat for nearly 4 days - but he is making up for it now. This morning he ate banana bread and three yogurts!!!

Last week we picked out pumpkins to put on our front porch

I thought the kids would pick pumpkins bigger then they are - but I was suprised, they picked appropriately fitting sizes.

Drumroll....

2007-10-20T07:45:00.001-07:00

It is a girl! Karis is very excited to have a baby sister on the way!

Now, we are in the process of choosing a name, coming up with a plan to get Joshua out of the crib (which he loves!), and rearraranging Karis' room to be the "girls's room"! Karis is very excited to share her room, and we are thrilled for her to have a sister.

Playing Doctor

2007-10-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

This week during Cousin Day, Karis and Madie played doctor. Their impression of a doctor's appointment was very cute. It involved being called from the waiting room, having their heart listened to, and then ended with the prescribed shot!

Madie loves dogs. I don't know how to say that any more emphatically. Madie LOVES dogs! During each of Karis' doctor's appointments, Madie checked Karis over, and then also checked her dog too! Maybe she will be a veterinarian one day!

HIde and Go Seek

2007-10-04T18:56:00.001-07:00

Tonight after dinner, Craig played hide and seek with the kids while I cleaned up the dishes. It was so funny to overhear the game. Joshua has become the echo of the family. He repeats everything you say. If you hadn't just said it, you wouldn't know what in the world he was saying though! He is such a funny kid. When he gets excited, and he is trying to tell you something, he really has a hard time getting any words out!

Joshua and Daddy were on the same team. Joshua did whatever Craig did - including put his head to the wall to "count" while Karis went to hide!

Moo Moo Cow

2007-10-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

This is the Moo Moo Cup. It is a special cup in our family. This was also a cup from my childhood. This particular cup was actually my sister's cup. I think that my cup is still at my mom's house. It is a chocolate milk version of this one. This cup is a "Sippy Straw Cup and Creamer" although we tape over the pour spout when the children drink out of it. Whenever Griffin Sanders comes to our house, one of the first things he asks for is the Moo Moo Cup!

Joshua drinking his milk out of the Moo Moo Cup.

Choo Choo

2007-09-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

Joshua is crazy about trains! He got some new trains and train tracks for his birthday, and he plays them all the time. He actually takes some train cars to bed with him.

There is an old coal train car in Knoxville that runs Christmas rides. I am looking into when we might be able to take him for a ride on it in December.

Monday Day Off

2007-09-19T18:30:00.001-07:00

We're still adjusting to our new schedule with Craig having Monday's off. I am very mixed up on my days during the week. Tuesday still feels like Monday to me. I know that I will get used to it, but it will just take time.

Craig has been trying to plan fun activities with the family on what he calls "Family Day" Karis has been loving this, and asks most mornings if it is family day! This past Monday, Craig planned a morning trip to the Foothills Pkwy. There was a 1 mile hike there that we did with the children to the top of Look Rock. The view was amazing. At the top of Look Rock, there is an observation tower that looks onto the Smoky Mountains - 8 miles away.

Starting out for the path. We gave each child a bucket to collect nuts and leaves along the way. It was funny to see what went into Joshua's bucket. I started out showing him how to put things that we saw along the way. He caught on quickly and starting grabbing handfuls of leaves at a time! He and Karis ran nearly the whole way up the path. They were so happy to be outside!

Taking a photo and water break along the way

Craig and I at the top. It was so hazy - too bad the view behind us didn't come out in the photo.

Looking onto the Great Smoky Mountains

Karis and Joshua on the way down

Budding Photographer

2007-09-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Karis loves to take photos with our digital camera. She is getting pretty good for a 4 year old! She took this one of Joshua about a week ago. Sometimes he is hard to get to smile for the camera, but not for Karis! For her he says, "Cheese Kay-yes" It is so funny how he says her name now, with quite the southern drawl.

Finally a Post!

2007-09-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

Well there are a myriad of reasons that I haven't posted to the blog in 2 months!
A few include: first trimester pregnancy! (due Mar 4th), hardwood floor installations (in other words - turn your home upside down and then try to put it back together, vacations, travels, and Craig joining the pastoral team at Cornerstone Church (more about that later).

With all of that, here are some new photos of the children, and I promise... more to come!

This morning Karis had hot chocolate in the "special cup"! This cup was mine when I was a child. I loved drinking from it on the weekend at my Dad's house. Christmas five years ago, when I was expecting Karis, my Dad gave it to me. I brought it out this morning for Karis. I told her that as she drank her hot chocolate , she would see a suprise.

She was so excited as she sipped her warm yummy treat to find the frog in the bottom of the cup!

All gone! Thanks Dad for passing the cup on for another generation to use!

Wedding

2007-07-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

I am VERY behind in posting photos to our blog. But, I am behind on a lot of things! Travel has come upon us. Anniversary trip, suprise birthday trip, and our beach vacation have been wonderfully exhausting, and we are just getting things back to normal. Or, maybe I should say, we were just getting things back to normal. Right now, our house is in complete disaray. We have having hardwood floors installed as I type. I didn't anticipate how messy this project would be! I will post some photos of the process, and finished result in a few days (hopefully!)

Last month, Karis was the flower girl in a wedding. It was such a sweet weekend. Our good friends Adam and Holly got married, and it was such a tender and joyful wedding. Karis loves them and Holly has babysat for our family for at least 3 years.

I don't have many photos because our camera battery died, but here are a few:

Karis and Griffin walking down the aisle

Holly before the wedding

Karis loved getting her hair done before the wedding. She so wanted to wear make-up too!

BEACH!!

2007-06-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying our family vacation this year with our good friends Jayson and Shanon Sanders at Folly Beach, SC. Today is our last day, and as the children are napping, I decided to post a few photos. It makes me sad that we are leaving tomorrow. At breakfast this morning, we all were saying that we wished we could stay another week!

This has been so much fun! We are staying in a condo at the beach outside of Charleston.

The children have had a blast playing in the surf and at the pool. We enjoyed an evening out in Charleston one night while the Sanders watched the children, and were able to return the favor for them.

Charleston is one of my two favorite cities. Ironically, I got to go to both cities within one week! Last week I turned 30! Augh! I cringe writing that! Craig pulled off a masterful suprise and flew us up to New York City for the night for my birthday. He planned for more than a month, and had so many people involved in the planning process. I had an amazing birthday - dinner on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller Center at the Rainbow Room - a ride through Times Square - an a night's stay in Mid-Town! What an amazing husband!

I am truly the most blessed of women!

Strawberries

2007-06-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

The strawberries here in Tennessee were bit by the frost in April, but not the ones in Maryland! My mom and I took the children berrry picking early in the morning while we were visiting up there. I was so glad to be able to do that late spring activity with the children. They loved it. Joshua ate more than he collected in the bucket. Ok... he didn't collect any that we are aware of. He only ate berries!
But Karis, she was a serious berry picker this year! I think she only tried one berry in the field.
She was intent on picking a lot of berries and filling the bucket!

Thanks Mom for taking us to the berry patch - or as Karis called it, the berry farm!

Our Maryland Trip

2007-06-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

We returned a few days ago from our 10 day trip to Maryland to visit family. It was an eventful week and a half! We spent some time at my mom's house, then a few days with my sister, back to my moms, then to my dads, and then to my moms... then we flew home! Needless to say, we were worn out when we got home! I don't know who was happier we were home, Craig or me!

The children and I did so much while we were gone, but I think a highlight for Karis was going to the National Zoo. This time we didn't let Joshua have peanut butter - so no allergic reactions this year, Thanks God!

We saw the tigers, lions, and panda bears - all awake! This was a wonderful suprise since we were there around noon - the sleepy time of day for animals at the zoo. Joshua growled at the lions and tigers, but they didn't seem to take notice.

More photos to come....

Joshua and Philip

2007-05-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

On friday I watched the cousins while Jenny ran some errands. While Madie and Karis played pet shop - where they took turns being a doggie or doggie butterfly and a kitty cat (accordingly), Joshua and Philip discovered the cabinet in our front room. I had opened it to pull out the cardboard blocks for them to build and knock down towers, but they found that hiding in the cabinets and busting out was much more fun!

In a few days we are off to a week in Maryland to visit my family and then to Pennsylvania to see my sister, her family, and my new niece Rachel! Photos of the visits soon to come...

Popsicles

2007-05-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we enjoyed a Cooper Family Night with Stuart and Jenny. The children played outside most of the evening, and we pulled out the baby pool for the first time this season. It was a hit for all of the children except Joshua who seems timid of the water. But the biggest hit of the spring season so far is the popsicle! On Sunday night, the children had two each and Joshua runs to the freezer at the mention of this sugary frozen treat!

Karis and Madie dressed up in costumes for their popsicles

Joshua

Philip and Joshua

Umbrellas

2007-05-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

The children love to play with umbrellas. Last Saturday was the first real rain shower in a while and we let the children play outside with their umbrellas for a bit. They were thrilled. Especially Joshua - who loves umbrellas!

Note the hip kicked out in the second photo. That is classic Karis - (posing with a silly face for the camera)! She's four!

Cousins

2007-05-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

How fortunate are we that we have family in town? To top it all off, the cousins are the same age! Karis and Madie are thrilled to play together and go on many adventures together. They typically involve being Dogs, princesses, pirates or Mommies - depending on which girl you ask.
The boys - well they are learning to share and play together. This is something that definitely does NOT come naturally! In this picture, Joshua and Philip were playing together. But, Joshua insisted he wanted Match box cars to go down the ramp and Philip was wanting to use only the cars that came with the ramp to go down the ramp. Both were very ardent in their intents! These children really are a blessing and a joy. I can't imagine life without them.

I was struck yesterday as I read Psalm 96 :2 Sing to the Lord, Praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. This sums up my joy and obligation as a mother. Delight myself in God - (sing to the Lord and praise his name), and tell my children of his wondrous grace - (proclaim his salvation), I will be full of joy. What a delightful duty to day after day tell them of his salvation!

Back in the USA

2007-05-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

After almost 8 months in Brazil Larry and Alice are back in the United States!

We welcomed them home last week and are over come with joy and thanksgiving . We are so thankful for all of the prayers from so many people. I never thought that this day would be possible, but in His kindness, God has healed Larry's body and he is still gaining strength.

A few faces of Joshua

2007-04-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

Joshua has many funny faces. They are hard to catch on camera. His expressions are so sweet and funny. Here are two faces that I was able to catch on camera.

Last week Joshua had a bad virus. He was a pretty sad boy for several days. Karis didn't mind it though. She was able to watch more TV than normal, and had several popsicles a day. He is completely back to normal, and we are very thankful. Karis is still asking for popsicles!

A few photos

2007-03-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today, the children and I stayed inside all morning - in our PJ's! It was wonderful. With all of this warm weather we have been having, we have been outside usually right after breakfast, and staying out until lunch time. Then, back out after lunch and rest time only to come in for a bath and dinner. Today, I decided we were going to have a slow and quiet morning inside. It seemed to be enjoyable for the children too. We sat in the playroom and played all morning. It was as if the toys were all new to the children because we have been playing outside so much!

These are a few photos of the children in the playroom. Joshua smiling at Karis.
Karis posing for the camera.

Joshua playing a musical instrument

Karis - posing again! She loves to take pictures and see them. She has been playing with our old digital camera. It is mostly broken, but since she doesn't know how to zoom, it works for her. She spent a lot of the morning taking pictures. We looked at them later in the day and I laughed at what she took pictures of. Anything downstairs that was three feet and under she took a picture of it. What was even more funny to me, was that while we were looking at them together, she gave a running commentary... "The red wall... The brown wall... A crayon... A toy... Another crayon...More crayons..." I love that little girl.

Joshua, I discovered today, is a chatter box. Just like his sister. I have been trying to take away his pacifier except during naps, and the little guy chatters all the time! It is funny to hear recognizable words mixed in with words that aren't recognizable. The best today from him was, "Joshua, time to go night night (for a nap)" And his reply was a very clear, "Nooo, jabber, jabber. No!"

Outdoor Play

2007-03-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

The children are loving the warm weather that has arrived! First thing in the morning, Joshua runs to the door to the backyard and says, "side" which means outside! He does this before having breakfast or even a diaper change. The boy loves to be outdoors!

Karis loves it too. She is very interested in gardening and would love it if we could plant flowers every day - without her brother there to mess them up! Money and property prohibit us from doing this daily, but I anticipate that we will have many fun times this summer doing some gardening projects.

Joshua on the trampoline

Karis and Joshua love to swing while they hold hands. They laugh the whole time - especially when they get going at slightly different paces. Since Karis weighs more than him, they naturally go at different speeds after a short time. Joshua, especially thinks this is funny.

Karis on the trampoline

Joshua usually ends up laying down while Karis bounces him around. He gets to laughing so hard that he gets the hiccups!

30th Birthday Celebration!

2007-03-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we celebrated Craig and Stuart's 30th Birthdays. Jenny and I planned a suprise getaway to the mountains. What a fun weekend! Jenny and I planned for weeks to suprise the guys and bless them with a weekend like none other.

We suprised the birthday boys by having a few of their buddies pick them up at their offices mid-day on Friday. They had an afternoon of bacheloor activities including go-carts, cigars, wings and lots and lots of laughter. Craig said that he couldn't remember a time when he laughed so much.

The guys were led blindfolded into our cabin and we had a wonderful evening with them. What a hoot!! Jenny and I made up new lyrics to "Rocky Top" about our husbands. I'm not sure which was more fun, planning all of that, or acting it out for them.

The next morning we trecked down the mountain (in our mini-vans!) to enjoy a pancake breakfast. Later that day another suprise came - Tyson and Niki and their children came up and spent the next night with us. Again, more laughter!

God richly blessed the weekend. Craig laid in bed after the weekend and sighed, "I had so much fun!" That was an answer to prayer and I was so glad for my husband! I am so grateful to be married to the most loving, kind, godly, wise, forgiving, funny, faithful man I know.

Karis and Madie shared one King sized bed! They loved it and talked late into the night. What do two little three year old girls giggle about anyway?

The Cooper Cousins on the fireplace hearth

Joshua and Philip

Girls hanging out!

The Castro Family

2007-02-24T17:20:00.000-08:00

Meet the Castro Family! These dear friends of our drove 8+ hours to Knoxville to stay with us.

I am having trouble thinking of words that would describe our week together. Here are a few:
Hillarious, Joyful, Tremendously tiring, full of learning, refreshing... did I mention hillarious?

We loved having Dave and Heather here. We tried to convince them to move here from Gaithersburg, MD. Unsuccessful. Dave and Heather are incredibly godly. They are one of the most delightful couples to spend a week with. There was a distinct lack of complaining - even when their 8 month old daughter was up many times one night. Heather is a wonderfully patient and gentle mother to their three year old McKenna. Dave is supremely leading their family. We can't wait to do it again!

The children had a blast too. Karis and McKenna (though they didn't fully grasp Phillippians 2:14 "Do everything without arguing and complaining") played very well together. Here are a few photos of the children. I will post more soon.

Selah Grace
Karis and McKenna in the tub
Joshua on the slide

Let it Snow!!!

2007-02-03T08:39:00.000-08:00

We had enough snow to play in a few days ago. My northern family and friends are laughing at us now... enough snow to play in here was about 1/2 an inch (if that) of snow that was gone by 11 AM, but we still bundled up and played for a half an hour. Karis loved it, and I thought Joshua did until the snow ball in his hand melted. It took me a while to figure out what he was so upset about, but once I realized he had held his snow ball for 15 minuted until it melted, then I understood his cry - Pain! His little hands were very red and cold!

I love those big brown eyes!!

Maybe we will get enough snow next time to make a snow man- at least a miniature one!

Take my picture!

2007-01-31T11:05:00.000-08:00

Karis had discovered how much fun it is to have her picture taken. If she does anything she thinks is worthy of note, she asks to have her picture taken so she can see it. This block tower was worthy of note and hence worthy of a photo. The reason is that Joshua is to block towers as an earthquake is to a 200 year old building on the San Andreas Fault. This particular tower she made and it actually stood for a few moments.

Under the weather

2007-01-31T10:57:00.000-08:00

This was a first for Joshua - falling asleep on the couch. Last week Joshua battled an ear infection/cold, and he was pretty miserable for a few days. One day in particular, he didn't nap. For an 18 month old, this is tragic! My goal the rest of the afternoon became keep Joshua awake until 7PM. I knew that unless I did, he would be up very late! At 6:30 I couldn't find Joshua and almost missed him curled up on the couch. This sweet little pile was precious to see! He is thankfully feeling much better.

Girls Outing

2007-01-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

Recently I was able to take Karis and two of her girlfriends on a girlie outing. It was a fun morning and a treat for me. Jenny watched the two boys (Philip and Joshua) while I took Karis, Madie and Reagan to Barnes and Noble. The girls read stories, played with the train table, drank hot chocolate and then put on a puppet show on the little stage they have in the children's area. Karis talked about this activity for days, and according to Reagan's mom - she had so much fun that she slept until 5 PM during her nap!

Too Tired to Color

2007-01-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

Joshua was coloring the other morning and decided that it is hard work for a little guy to color and decided to try it laying down. I was thinking he might actually fall alseep, but he never did.

Supposed to Be in Bed!

2007-01-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

The other night Craig and I put the children to bed the same way we always do. I usually put Joshua to bed and Craig typically puts Karis to bed. Karis loves when Craig puts her to bed.
It is special time for them.

Craig and I were downstairs after putting the children to bed when we noticed the sound of water running. Karis is only allowed to come out her room to use the bathroom, so Craig went upstairs to investigate. He called from the top of the stairs, "Laura, I'm going to need your help on this one!" This concerned me because of memories of another time when Karis got into something she wasn't supposed to. When she was two years old, Karis did an art project with the contents of her diaper. This was supposed to be "resting" but was instead creating!
Anyhow, here is a lesson learned: Don't leave this on your bathroom counter

Or you might come upstairs to see your little one look like this!

Karis was very suprised to find that sunscreen doesn't "wash off"! That is what she was trying to do when we came upstairs. It was so funny to see her coated in sunscreen. Her jammies were around her ankles. We gather that after using the potty, she thought she should protect herself from the sun that might burn her during the night!

Oh well. Cleaning up sunscreen is MUCH better than cleaning up poop that was masterfully painted onto the walls, door and dresser!

Biltmore

2007-01-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago Craig and I had a wonderful Saturday with a few friends of ours. Jonathan and Melanie Oldacre were kind enough to invite us to join them for a Saturday away. Fun would be an understatement! We laughed so hard all day long with the Plewniaks, Hancocks, and Oldacres. It was a beautiful day and the Vanderbilts were hospitable as usual.

I have a lot of photos to post as we haven't been able to post for the past two weeks... More to come.