THE COOPER FAMILY

Monday, February 6, 2012

The big 3-0!

Well folks- we've made it to Thirty! It's funny- I don't feel much older, or I should say I don't feel much more mature. There are still days when I feel like a little kid that still doesn't have all the answers to life's questions and problems it throws at me. But there are also days when I feel really old and tired- but perhaps that's just carrying around this extra parasite inside me. (Not that I don't love this cute little leech). But I am feeling it! Whew -wee, two months left! But I had a great birthday- that ended with an even greater evening in which I spanked everybody at bowling and got a score of 154! That's right! I beat Josh by 4 pins! I think that might be one of my best scores ever- might need to bowl when pregnant more often. I have been in nesting mode I guess... because I have the urge to paint nearly every surface of the house. I am showing restraint for Josh's sake, but hope to get the Boy's room done before the little one appears. Other exciting news- Annabelle cut the corner of her eye on a filing cabinet and we had to take her to the ER. They had to sedate her to put some stitches in. The ophthalmologist came and did them- I was very grateful. And we were very blessed because it could have been much worse. It narrowly missed her eye and hit the very corner where the eyelids come together. She had 5 stitches put in, and should be good as new soon. It's scary when things like that happen, but it's also part of being a parent and having little ones! I am so grateful that it was not worse- someone was looking out for her. The boys continue to keep us entertained and are starting another season of soccer next month- bring on the rainy games! Josh is busy with work- which at times like this is a blessing! The chickens continue to grow- and we are hoping any day now we will get that first 'golden' egg! Extra worms to whoever lays it! I can't promise there will be an update any time soon, but at least there will be in 2 months!

Big Momma bowling!

Beautiful birthday cake courtesy of my amazing sister-in-law Dawn!

All stitched up!

Evidence of her favorite food- toast with JAM!

Annabelle with her favorite person!

The wall I stenciled behind me- have to take a picture of the whole thing-
thought I did, but pregnancy brain tricked me!

The cutest boys ever!

Family photos taken Dec. 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Chickens & A Baby!

The girls!

First day of school

Making friends at the zoo!

A frog finds a home in my garden

beautiful savoy cabbage from the garden

How does your garden grow?

If you've checked my facebook page lately you will have noticed that we are expanding our family! We got CHICKENS- oh and we are expecting # 4! Due April 10th, 2012. We are so excited to be having another child. Although there is some trepidation too- not sure how I will be able to handle four little ones. But thankfully the boys are both in school now, and next year Ryan will be all day. This had been the hardest first trimester of any one my pregnancies. I have had constant nausea since about week five- unable to get out of bed some days. Thankfully I have had lots of support and help from my sweet Mom, sister and friends. I made it to 12 weeks and now and have been feeling MUCH better! So good in fact that I have been able to get some canning done, and am considering doing some scrapbooking. My last post was about my garden- and I have been so proud of it. Despite being severely neglected in August (not the time of year to neglect a garden) because I was so sick, it has given me tons of tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, broccoli, lettace/spinach, cabbage, carrots, etc. And I will be harvesting my potatoes in the next few weeks. Yum! Now on to the chickens... I have always wanted to have chickens. Convincing my husband was another matter. He finally saw the light of day and we got 5 cute fluffy chicks. A rhode island red, buff orpington, golden sex-link, blue laced red wyandotte, and a plymouth barred rock. I am so excited about those cute girls. They have currently taken over our downstairs bathroom with their giant cardboard box. They are still too young to go out to their coop. But are starting putting on some more feathers and will shortly will be entering their awkward stage! They should start giving us eggs right about when the baby is born. I can taste the omelets now!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

While I can't compete with the beautiful new babies that my sisters have ( which I am sooo excited about & can't wait to hold!), here is the latest of my hard work! I am so excited! My garden makes me smile every day- and I love tucking it in at night. Josh was laughing at me last night because it was raining and almost pitch black but I had to make sure everything was okay. Apart from the occasional slug, things have gone pretty well! I still need to lay down some more pea gravel, but it's looking good. I have been a little disappointed in the poor showing of my carrots, but since there hasn't been much sun I guess it's to be expected! But my broccoli and potatoes are going strong, and when my spinach and lettuce bolt I am thinking about putting in garlic. If you live close let me know if you want some salad greens! Happy Gardening!

beets & onions

Onions! Red, Yellow & Walla Walla sweet

Broccoli

beautiful cabbage

budding red potatoes

Tomatoes! Can't wait!

herbs- mostly cilantro

Thumbs up for Daddy and Annabelle

And I can't forget a big thank you to my husband for building the amazing garden beds, and a shed that will be coming this summer too (right honey?)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Oh life...

So I have been chastised as of late for not keeping this silly thing up to date. Sometimes I wonder if deciding to blog is something that I should have undertaken. But here it goes... This has been a great summer! I can't believe how quickly it flew by! The highlights include Disneyland in June with the whole Kiser family, culinary adventures in cheese making, canning, a visit from my best friend who lives in another state- and sewing come cute pillows, and just enjoying being with my family outside! When I last posted I had all these grand schemes and ideas of turning my family into part time vegetarians. Did it work? Not really. But I did acquire some great recipes for my arsenal- and am grateful for a family that will try everything. And most of the time will actually enjoy it! (When your son asks you for seconds of cabbage and enjoys vegetable curry life is good)! I truly was busy most of the summer canning. And not to brag- but I did a great job! I am so proud of all my gleaming jars of beauty! I made (are you ready)... canned cherries, pears, peaches; strawberry, raspberry, & blackberry jam (both frozen and canned); blueberry & blackberry pie filling, blueberry & blackberry syrup; peach butter; canned tomatoes; salsa; concord and white grape juice; and two different kinds of spaghetti sauce! Wow- seeing it all written out makes me tired. But I am so proud of all my work. I love the peace of mind they give me too- because you know I am the disaster girl! I had the best intentions of making applesauce too- but store bought will have to do for this season. And now it's fall already! Riley is my adorable kindergartner! He just finished his first season of soccer and loved playing the goalie- he was pretty good too! He also just turned 6 at the end of October- holy cow! Ryan is loving pre-school (and I just had a conference with his teacher and she said he was academically advanced for his age- which I have absolutely no idea how, but am still proud of)! And Annabelle continues to dazzle us with everything she does- but she does have a little fire under her too when she gets upset. She loves yogurt and talking about everything she sees. She is starting to put 2-3 words together, and loves showing you where your eyes and nose are! My biggest undertaking last month was a Halloween Party! And I wish all my friends and family lived close so they could attend! I must admit- the decorations were pretty fabulous! And not to be forgotten- my amazing husband! Who is hilarious, exasperating, wonderful, a hard worker, the best father, and of course my best friend! So that's the life of the Cooper's lately- that should get you pretty much up to date in a nutshell! Sorry about the procrastination in updating this. I would promise that I will update it again soon- but I don't wish to break it! Love to all! (Oh- forgot to mention I cut my hair short too- I love how it turned out but can't find the pictures of it- Sorry Rachel. So I will take an up to date photo and post it soon)!