6 months already?!!!

My goodness! Where does the time go? It flies by so fast trying to keep up with my three yay-hoos(sp?:))....and hubby! The past 6 months have brought some of the busiest and some of the most fun times of my life!! Hopefully I can make this a fairly condensed recap!

Carter started pre-school this year and is having fun doing "big kid stuff", and getting to go do something that's just for him and not his brother and sister.

Carter also enjoyed getting to do swim lessons to end the summer off big. He did great and definitely overcame any inkling of fear of the water he may have ever had previously! He is now ready to conquer the deep end. We have to keep a close eye on him!

Emily had fun celebrating her 3rd birthday in August. She's at such a fun age for birthdays, presents, and such!
She also loves getting her picture taken all the time! She'll say "Mom, take a 'smile' of me".

Cooper is growing faster than either of the other two kiddos! He is average size as far as growth charts are concerned, which is very unusual for one of ours.:) He feels huge to me!

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

As you can see he's a very happy smiley baby! We love him to pieces!!

A few months ago Jake and I decided, along with a couple of friends, that a cruise sounded like an excellent idea. So, as the result of a somewhat quick, crazy, spontaneous splurge, we soon found ourselves aboard the Carnival Paradise for a 4 night cruise. We stopped at Catalina Island on the 2nd day aboard the ship.

That's our ship off in the distance:)

We went on a semi-submersible submarine and saw a fish reserve underwater.

Formal night on the ship.

The 3rd day we stopped at Ensanada, Mexico. It was fun to get a little taste of a different culture. The shops next to shore everybody spoke a little English, but a couple blocks into the city, nobody spoke English! We were laughed at a few times, I'm sure just 'cause we're clueless gringos!:)

The beach at Ensanada.

Our main mode of transportation at Ensanada.

The last day we were on the ship all day. We enjoyed some beautiful sunshine and just relaxed. It was lovely! It was hard to be away from the kiddos that many days, but it was such a nice-and much needed- break in the middle of this below zero weather!!!

How's that for a "condensed" 6 month update......

Meet Cooper

I am finally posting pics of our new baby boy!!! Meet Cooper (undecided middle name) Stevenson. He was born Saturday, July 17, at 2:40 p.m. He was 6 lbs. 12 oz. Cooper is doing great, and the kids are loving having a new baby brother. They take advantage of every opportunity they get to give him lots and lots of hugs and kisses. And everybody loves his Grandpa Day hair! These are some of our favorite first photos!!!

A New Meaning for "Snow Bunny"

So, Carter has been thrilled that the weather has been warm enough (40's if we're lucky) to ride his bike again. The snow has all melted and the sun even shines sometimes!! Well, yesterday, I put off going outside until after Emily's naptime because I just didn't want to face the cold. But when Emmy finally woke up, it was hailing and snowing outside. Carter was still determined to ride his bike until he realized we could be making snowballs instead. So, our April Fools (with no foolin' about it) was spent building a snow bunny--for Easter-- and big snow balls! It was actually pretty fun despite my bad attitude about participating in winter activities in April. I just hope we don't get the opportunity to make snow flags for the 4th of July!

FYI: The bunny is supposed to be eating a carrot, not smoking a cigar.:o)

It's a Boy!!!!!

...and if I was talented enough or had the right equipment, I'd show you the ultrasound pics to prove it:o) But for now, you'll just have to believe me. Carter, Emily, and Jake were all able to be there for the ultrasound. Emmy didn't know quite what to think, but Carter loved seeing the feet. He was so excited to find out he's getting a little brother! Jake is excited for another hunting and fishing buddy, of course.:o) We're all very excited for a new addition to the family!!!

I just had to post this link to a news special done on the program I teach! This shows a little bit about why I love it so much! Yea Let's Play Music (and Shelle--the teacher in the video and founder of the program)!!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid49625183001?bctid=70864321001

Words of Wisdom From the Little Ones

So I know I hardly ever blog, but I decided I should write a few things down before I forget them, even if it is really short:o)

Today I told Carter I didn't want to do the dishes and asked if I really had to do them. He said, "Yeah, I show you. . .all the bowls are dirty. That's why." He is right. Although, we're down to a total of 5 bowls, I think, so it doesn't take much.

Carter asks me every day what time it is. I have learned he is not referring to the time of day, but rather the time of year. Of course, I have to answer "Winter" every day, and will continue to have to for the next few months (bummer). He'll then ask, "Then what?" I'll say Spring. He asks, "Then what?" again, and I'll say Summer. He gets really excited and says, "And we can play outside in the water and go to Kaylee's and play in the pool?" (Cousin Kaylee has an awesome pool by her house, which thankfully is indoor. We just need to make the 3 hour trip south:)) He used to stop at that, but he recently added another then what. I say Fall, and he gets excited all over again, and says, "And then we can shoot the deer and the elk and eat them all gone? Is it open season?" Yes, I know, 3 is pretty young to be such an avid hunter, but what's a kid to do when his father is gone shooting, fishing, or hunting nearly every weekend of the fall/winter?!

Emmy is quite the screamer and likes to start screaming contests with her brother. She'll usually win hands down. I try to intervene asking her to talk nicely or ask Carter nicely for whatever is making her upset. She then raises her eyebrows, and with the most innocent look says to Carter, "Ask you nicely, Caya?" What a doll.:o)

I sure do love my kiddos and can't wait for number 3 to arrive at the end of July!

Yummy Roll Recipe!!

Here is the roll recipe that has been requested. It is the same recipe my mom has always used. I love it, and it also works great for cinnamon rolls!!!

Dissolve:
1 cup warm water
3 Tbs yeast

Heat to warm in sauce pan:
4 cups milk
1 cup sugar
4 tsp salt

Add to milk mixture w/ yeast mixture:
4 eggs
1cup oil
12-16 cups flour

Directions:
Knead until dough becomes a soft ball. Let raise until doubled (about 45 min.-1 hour). Roll out, cut, place on pan, and raise again (45 min.-1 hour). Bake @ 375 degrees for 12-17 min. Yields approx. 4 dozen rolls.

I've also done half wheat flour w/ half all-purpose flour. They still turn out good, not too crumbly.:o) Happy baking!