Down, Set, Hut

Cooper wanted to show everybody, on New Years Day, what you use a football helmet for (as I mentioned in a previous blog, we have to take the helmet everywhere). He asked mommy and daddy to play with him, but grandma "volunteered" first. Cooper and Grandma had done it a couple of times, but Cori only caught the last one.....OUCH!!!

I rock out!!

I didn't realize that dad had captured a couple videos of Cooper playing the guitar on Christmas Eve.

New Years 2008

We actually had a lot planned for this New Years. We haven't really done anything the last couple of years and of course when I am pregnant we have several things planned.

To ring in the New Year Cori and Luke invited us to a friends house for his annual New Years Eve party (they knew we would be in town and Luke was excited to have a DD....yeah that's me). I knew who many of the people at the party were because Cori has been friends with them for several years, however, Joshua and I have never really had a chance to meet and hang out with them (pretty much everyone in their wedding was at the party so it was nice to officially meet some of them).

So, Luke was supposed to pick us up at mom and dad's a little before 10 pm (Cori was at the WSU basketball game with some of them). Luke had not been feeling well and opted out of going to the game so he could rest before the party. At about 9:30, Luke text us and said he was on his way. With in about 15 min. I got another text saying, "sorry, I am really not feeling well and better stay home." Cori called shortly after that asking us to still come and gave us directions. Joshua and I left, and got there about 10:15 pm. We felt a little uncomfortable at first, and just kinda hung around Cori. I forgot to mention that this was an 80's "costume" party. Joshua and I had a good time looking/laughing at everyone dressed up.

So, we had just kinda settled in downstairs by the bar watching everyone play Nintendo (original Nintendo) when Cori popped up and says, "well guys, I think I am going to go home to see Luke." Okay, here we are it is 10:45, we don't really know anybody THAT well, and the person who invited us wants to leave. We understood, but looked at each other like....what do we do now? Josh had paid $5 for all the food and drinks he wanted and just opened his first beer. Cori proceeds to tell us, "these are very nice people, don't feel bad staying." Cori says goodbye and leaves.

While I sit there, I am thinking: Okay, Josh is going to finish his beer then I guess we will leave. However, what are we going to do when we leave? Do we just walk out the front door like we don't know anybody, do we say something to Keven (his party) and him think after we leave, "I didn't invite you anyway." What do we do???????

Shortly after all of this goes threw my head, Donnie (Josh had met him playing basketball with Luke the night before) came over and started talking to Josh. A few minutes later Keven walked up and joined the conversation. All is going really well.....we are feeling comfortable. Cori was right, they were really nice people.

We are having a good time, laughing at stories, when Luke walks in the front door. We all look at him and are like, "Cori left about 10 minutes ago." He turns and walks out the front door. Luke decided to come to surprise Cori and Cori went home to be with Luke. Luke ended up calling Cori, she came back, and we all spent the New Year together.

I know that in some of these pictures you won't know the people, but I wanted to share some of the outfits with you. Joshua and I did the best we could do. I found what I could fit into, and Joshua went threw mom and dad's basement.

This is Cori and Phyllis. Phyllis, is like a second mother to Luke and a very good friend of Cori's. They were friends before Luke and Cori started dating.

The next three pictures are of Bryce and his family (Bryce and Keven are Phyllis' sons). Bryce, his wife, Stacey, and son, Maverick (Cooper went to his birthday party), dressed up as Fantasy Island.....they looked really good. We did not get a picture of them all together.

This is Angela and her boyfriend Chad. Angela will be one of the bridesmaids in the wedding.

Keven and Donnie dressed like the Blues Brothers. They even did a little performance for everyone.

We had a good time and were home and in bed around 1 am.

On Thursday, Cori had an open house at her house for some of the family. Our cousin and his wife that live in Seattle were able to make it to KS for a few days. Cori volunteered to have an open house so that some of the family could come and see them. Cori did a nice job....she loves to play hostess.

Several members of the family sat downstairs and tried there hand at Guitar Hero World Tour. It was quite entertaining watching them play.

I got caught explaining to dad what to look at.

This is the Bahr family. Michael and Kathi live in Seattle (sitting in the middle). Aunt Tammi, Uncle Tim, and Mickey (mom, dad, and brother) live in Tallahassee FL. It was so nice to have them all together and spend some extra time with them. We only get to see them once a year at Christmas.

Uncle Carl gave Mickey an accordion that he had had since he was 7 years old. He was showing Mickey how to play it. Cooper thought he could help.

Michael and Kathi

Brother-in-laws to be: Luke and Joshua

We talked Luke into putting Cooper's helmet on his head. Do you think they look much alike?

We had a great day with the family, visiting, eating, playing games etc. The Bahr family stayed the night at Cori's and left around 8 the next morning. I wish I wouldn't have had to work on Friday (and drive from Wichita to Herington) or I would have stayed the night with them just to hang out for a little while longer!!!