Finally, He is 5!!!

The birthday countdown has finally come to an end!  Man, this one was so anticipated!  We did a little pre-birthday bash with Cooper's preschool and the Tasker/Vickers family...

But, for his actual birthday on Saturday we had a packed day.  I am really working on forming some traditions in our family so here they are as well as some birthday fun!

 Decorating/running-through streamers in morning.

 Early morning hot balloon viewing.

 Balloons with money in them.

 Sprinkle pancakes.

 Buying gifts with birthday money.

 Indoor pool with THREE slides!

Candy-gram of love!

Our gift to Cooper- a much needed new bike just his size!

What a birthday!  I think he felt special, how about you?

For journaling purposes:

Cooperman, here are 5 things we love about you on your 5th birthday!
1.  Your sweet brown-toothed smile.
2.  Your willingness to serve and help around the house.
3.  You still give me loves--probably not for much longer, but for now you still do.
4.  You love to scratch my back.  Makes me smile all over.
5.  You are faultlessly obedient.

We love you to the moon and back buddy!

Love/Hate Relationship

Which one loves and which one hates?

Hates it so much he threw it up and then sat with it in his mouth because we didn't know it.  Nasty!

Give me a treat or I'll trick ya, ARGH!

There has been a pirate theme prevailing at our home.  Cooper insists on being a pirate for halloween.  Sure, that's fine, I don't have to buy anything.  Let's encourage that one.  I love watching the kids talk to each other all pirate like and sword play.  Man, sometimes having 3 boys is so fun.  Sometimes.:)

A Future Beckham?

Probably not but it is sure fun to watch Cooper play soccer for the first time.  We play in that league that doesn't keep score and everyone gets trophies but you know this mom and dad are counting every goal!  Cooper scored 4 goals at their first game--2 for his team and 2 for the other!  And he smiled the whole time!  It's so funny to watch the parents on the sideline get frustrated at the kid's lack of ability but every kid of the field smiles the whole game.  They don't care...therefore I/we shouldn't care.  Oh, but that's hard!

Becoming Like a Child

That's what we are told to be like, right?  Our super fun buddies, the Cardon's, threw a back to school party like I've never been to before.  It was so fun.  My favorite part: Cooper lost all of his inhibitions and totally let loose. It was so sweet to watch him abandon himself to fun.

Sweetness encompassed.

Doing Illegal Things and Stuff

Apparently it is against the law to have any open fires these days here in ABQ.  We like to live on the edge a little bit, though.  So we set up a tent in our backyard (since we can't go out camping without a fire!) and lit up our little chimenea for a smore roast.  It was worth all of the risk!

Cousin Time

We are so, so excited that the Tasker family has moved here.  They are not so excited, but us, we are thrilled!  Jenn took a little T.O. from unpacking, etc., to join us at the aquarium and botanical gardens.

 This dude has some serious dental issues.

Van Gogh's in the Making?

I have been really impressed with Cooperman's artistry skills.  He called me outside to show me something.  He had taken this tiki mask thing and replicated it on the sidewalk.  Look at the details on that thing....and I promise I was not out there and took no part in it.  Pretty much amazing.  Yes, I know I am biased.

Cooper tried to teach Luke how to do it....he has a year to catch up, right?

Utah for a While

At the end of the summer we got to spend a few weeks (well, I was there for 3 weeks and Jake was there for about 3 days!) in Utah.

First up, an incredible Hutchings family reunion!  We stayed at the coolest cabin, with the coolest family, and did some really cool things.

Cool, huh?

Then Jake left and I was on my own for a while so what else to do other than take the kiddos to Brianhead by myself?  Not the brightest idea I've ever had but we survived.

Then we headed up to Sundance cabin with my mom and dad and the Sedgwick family for a little R and R and Education Week!!

Wooh!  I am tired again just looking at the pictures.  But, seriously, priceless memories.