Our Little "guitar hero"

Back in August when Cooper and I went to Wichita for the Walk for the Whisper. We all went to Cori's and Luke's for dinner that evening. Cooper is infatuated with guitars right now. We has a few objects at home that he grabs and pretends to play. We even have a magnet from Hard Rock Cafe that he will take off the fridge and play. The latest "toy" he found in my school bag: This year our theme for school is "HMS Rocks". The counselor gave us all a little goodie bag and in it we had a "stress ball" shaped like a guitar. Cooper love to play with all of them.

While at Cori's, he found her guitars for Guitar Hero and said, "'mon Nama play wit me." Cooper and Grandma played for about 5 min. I was able to get most of it on video, but have had A TON of trouble getting it on the blog(hence it taking so long). Anyway, I was finally able to get some of it. Even though I did record just over 4 min., I think that only about a min. of it is here. I am still not sure why I only got part of it.

Walk for the Whisper

This weekend was the annual Walk for the Whisper. This is the walk for Ovarian cancer. Cori, mom and dad have walked in it the last three years. Last year Cooper was with them too. Joshua and I have never been able to attend. Last year we were in CO playing softball. Anyway, I was pretty excited that I could actually participate this year.

They start the morning with a silent auction, then you walk, and then you come back for a live auction. It was really a neat event. Everyone who walks gets a t-shirt. Participants/supporters get a white t-shirt with teal writing, and survivors all wear a teal shirt. They always get the survivors together for a group photo. (Cori is in the back with the hat on.) Cori has gotten to know a couple of them over the years.


Here we are lined up getting ready for the 3.46 mile walk to begin. We actually cut out about a half a mile. He had stopped because of a stroller issue and didn't want to come in too far behind everyone else!!!!
This evening, Cooper saw that grandpa was outside, and wanted to be outside too. He quickly realized that grandpa was watering the plants and just knew that he needed some help. Cooper always wants to help, even when it is not really wanted! HA!


I found this shirt at Walmart one day, and just could not pass up buying it for Cooper. This is the first time he has gotten to wear it, and dad got a nice little chuckle out of it!!!

Cooper and I will head home tonight after dinner at Aunt Coris house. Joshua's flight comes into KC about 8:45 tomorrow morning. He should get home around noon. I want to get a few things done that got neglected this week before he shows up and has to catch up on all the family time he has missed the last 7 days.

Long Week

This week, starting Monday the 18th, has been a VERY LONG week for me. Joshua left for Atlanta, his last trip this calendar year. Normally when he leaves it is not the best week for me, but not as crazy as this one was.



This week was not only my first week of school, but also our first week of Volleyball practice. I would have to leave the house about 6:30 in the morning, and I would get home around 7-7:30. I would swing by the house jump out of my car, run in and let the dog out, and then hop in the van and head to Emporia to pick Cooper up from Grandma's house. I would get home around 8:15, go threw Coopers night routine, but him to bed, iron my clothes for the next day, go to bed, and get up to do it all over again. Throw in a meeting on Tuesday and Thursday night and the rest of my week is a blur.

Cooper is such a trooper when daddy is gone. The poor guy gets shuffled around SOOOOO much, but for the most part he handles it well. Occasionally something happens and I can tell that he is missing daddy. This week one of those things happened. I took him up to bed and we did our normal routine: say our "Amen" (this is what Cooper calls saying his prayers), give each other "nuddles" (snuggles), give each other a hug and a kiss, and then Cooper will say, "momma lay down". I lay down next to him for about 15-30 seconds then one more kiss and I leave him. Everything was normal until I left. Cooper started crying and saying, "momma, nigh-night wit you, nigh-night wit you." I said, "no buddy, you need to stay in your big boy. Coopers reply, "nigh-night in mommy's big boy bed." I giggled as I continued walking down the stairs. I did find this all a little odd since Cooper has NEVER slept in our bed......EVER! Anyway, I finished a few things that I needed to get done and was off to bed.

I walked up the stairs and this is what I found..........






Cooper had walked across the hallway and made himself nice and comfy in our bed. It was a very sweet site. I picked him up and carried him to his room without him even realizing it. I think he just wanted to have a little security for the night!!

Cooper's first camping trip

We tried to go camping again this weekend. Of course, it rained! We took Cooper out with us Friday night, and then he went with grandma Gayle late Saturday afternoon and for the night. Friday night we went out on the boat for about an hour. It was awesome being on the water in the dark. Just as we were headed back to the dock, Cooper said, "momma, I go nigh-night." We got back to the camper and he was out before we could even get ourselves situated.

Saturday it rained ALL day. It was raining at 6:30 when we got up, and we did not see it stop until about 8:00 that evening. Pretty much a waisted day. Good thing Charlie, guy we went camping with, just bought a nice new camper.

On Sunday we were able get out of the camper and on the water. A few of the friends that were supposed to join us on Saturday were still able to come out. We were on the water from 11am until 7pm.

Gayle and Cooper did come out yesterday afternoon and hang out on the boat with us.
Cooper loves the water and is starting to get more and more brave. This weekend he finally started to jump off the ladder by himself without holding our hands. Just last week he has started to put his face completely underwater. He is definitely going to be like his father who likes to be in the water as where his mother would prefer to stay on the water.

Birthday and the Fair

Last Thursday was Todd's, Joshua's next oldest brother, birthday. We met Todd and his family and Gayle and Chantal (Joshua's mom and sister) at the fair to let the kids ride the rides for awhile. The Lyon Co. fair comes every year at this time, and other than a couple of events in the grandstand I have never been. Cooper and our nieces (Journey- 5 in Sept., Julianna 2 in a couple weeks, and Lanie 8 weeks) had a great time, well not Lanie, but I could not leave her out.

We started out on the Carousel. Cooper loves to ride anything. I let Joshua have his turn on the rides because he has never gotten to do this with Cooper. I had a turn when we went to TX to visit some friends.





When we got off the Carousal, Cooper immediately spotted the "motorcytals". Cooper is infatuated with motorcycles right now. He sees them on the road, points, and gets so excited no matter if it is the 50th one he has seen that day.

After the motorcycles we took Cooper over to the jeeps. He kept saying, "I drive, I drive." I could not get Cooper to look up and smile during any of this rides, I am pretty sure he was to focused in on driving!!!

Next we took the kids over to the elephants (not even going to attempt to to spell this the way Cooper says it). My sister-in-law rode with Julianna while Cooper and Journey rode together.

This is my favorite picture. Cooper and Journey have such a great smirk on their faces.




Finally, we took them to the big slide. This was a HIT with the kids!!! We ended up having to go a couple of times down this one, and even after the second time Cooper said, "again again." I tried to get a picture of everyone coming down the slide, but of course I missed Cooper and Joshua.

Gayle lives right across the street from the fair grounds, so afterwards we walked over there for cake and ice cream. Christina bought her girls a BIG bag of cotton candy so all the kids shared it. Cooper was not very excited about it at first, but once we shoved it in his mouth he could not get enough.

Baby Lanie did not get in on much of the fun, but I did not want to leave her out of the pictures!!!