Happy 4th Birthday Cooper!!!

The Cheeto dance

 

This is fun, Grandpa. 

But my limit is the driveway.... the road makes me cry.

So sweet

 

You know, I think I've decided that I like cookies.

Yes, I definately do.

Getting so grown up.

Love you bunches, Cooper!

Happy Birthday!

A Double Dose

My lovin'-on-the-grandkids tank was getting pretty low.  It was Cooper and Dexter to the rescue. We were blessed with two visits in less than two weeks.  Grandma's feeling better :)

A week and a half ago they came down (with Sarah and John in tow) and spent the weekend.  Old Settlers was going on so they took in the parade and enjoyed the rides.

It seems the park was as fun for the boys as the rides!

Monday of this week, they came down with just Sarah for an overnight visit, as soon they will be moving twice as far from us and visiting will be a bit harder.  I'm sooooo happy that John won't be driving four hours a day to get to and from work. Lots more family time for them.  Their new home will be less than a mile from his work! 

While they were here we painted some pictures. 

Well, Cooper did.  Dexter did some experimenting with different surfaces for his paint.

We held car races. 

Pretty nice of Grandpa to have that ramp put in for the toy cars.

A walk to the park for a picnic and some play, more outdoor play with bikes and bubbles and chalk.  Coloring, puzzles and Grandma is feeling MUCH better.

I learned again, as I learn everytime grandkids visit, that

- kids grow fast

- kids are pretty darn clever.... it's hard to stay one step ahead

- I don't appreciate all the free time I generally have

- my grandkids have great parents

Family At Easter

All the kids came done for Easter this year.  It was great to see them all together and listen to them talk.  Old stories had to come out again and be retold for the benefit of Adam's girlfriend as it was the first time she was at a family gathering. (Poor Nancy)  And we had our first official kid's table.... and they wanted to sit at it!  We'll see how long that lasts. 

But before dinner we had an Easter egg hunt . . .

 All the kids managed to find enough eggs to fill their baskets.  Except Dexter.  He got sidetracked when he realized there was candy inside. 

Then it was time to move on to our arts and crafts project. 

A large piece of MDF was left over from making a shelf for the living room.  I primered it before the kids got here.  An old bag of Scott's uniform shirts that I had never gotten around to throwing out made great smocks.

 All dressed and ready to paint!

 We had crayons and markers and colored pencils but everyone chose to use paint.

 I plan to cover it with polyurethane and add legs.  It'll make a great kids table for next time they are here.

The two youngest weren't quite as entertained by painting as the older ones.  They moved on.

 "Hop on Dexter! I'm going that way!"

"Fun!"

 "You're a little slow.  I think I'll walk."

 After Lynzee and Caycee got some scrapes and some bandaids, Caycee and Cooper decided the stone deer needed some first aid and bandaids.

Gramma wanted a group picture with all her grandkids.

It was a whole lot easier sitting down in this thing than it was to get out of it.... a tight squeeze!

 Dexter showing off... he can walk on the wall and drink at the same time.

Christmas Portraits

Christmas was noisy, chaotic, and lots of fun.  Just the way it's supposed to be.

This was the last time we were all together, which means it's been about 14 months. With the grandkids being so young, lots can change in that amount of time!   So we set up cameras - I think there were three digital cameras and one flip video camera - and hit the timer buttons and ran to sit down.  FUN!  I haven't seen what the kids got but two of my shots turned out.

After we ate and opened presents (not in that order!), the kids wanted to play picnic.  Go figure.

Happy Birthday Cooper!!!

Happy Birthday to my friend and grandson!

Love you!!!

My Heart Melted

Sarah is visiting.  I took the boys to town so she could have a break..but really so I could have fun with Cooper & Dexter. 

As we walked through town (after some time at the park of course) an acquaintance - we'll call her Sue :)  - stopped to talk to Cooper.  He was busy having a conversation with a stone Frog and Toad outside the flower shop so when asked his name he gave it rather distractedly.  He finished his conversation with Frog and Toad and said goodbye to them.  He then turned to Sue and said "and my friend's name is Grandma"   AWWWW.... I'm thought of as a friend... what a great way to be introduced by my grandson.

Pumpkins In The Park

We attended Pumpkins In The Park Saturday and look what we found!

Trevor brought his Grandma Joeanne and Grandpa Darwin.  All three seemed to have a great time.

Cooper has his face painted. 

When he saw this picture he said "turn my face, grandma, so I can see the spider."

Cooper and Dexter both enjoyed the inflatables, each in their own way.

There were pony rides.

And there were horse and cart rides.

Trevor really liked Mr & Mrs Scrarecrow.

Trevor and Cooper both enjoyed the dogs.

Storms threatened but never materialized.  It was a beautiful fall day in the park and then more visiting at home.  Adam and Scott were there too, just not in the pictures.