Halloween '09

Halloween was a lot of fun this year.

I was very undecided what I wanted the kids to be. I had originally thought Lexi would make a cute Tinkerbell, but ultimately decided on Snow White. I had wanted Jeff to be Woody, but he wanted to be Buzz. I was a tiny bit disappointed, but liked that he was excited enough to be something.

Once again we ended up in HB. It works out perfectly as half of our family lives on one street or the surrounding area, we get to see everyone. Also, my Tita & Tito, the kids great-granparents, get to see everyone dressed up.

We had a dress rehearsal at Grandma Donna & Grandpa Russell's house. They enjoyed seeing them dressed up and as a Mommy, I got to see any finishing touches we may need. After our rehearsal, we went to lunch. Kellye, Ronnie and Liam met up with us. It's funny to go to a place where Aaron and I used to go when we were dating, and now we take the kids.

As night approached, the excitement grew. Auntie Sonia, Shelly, Aly and Brian showed up and played with the kids. Alexis grew very fond of her Tia Kristi as she made her the trick-or-treating bag, and read her stories for a while.

We got dressed with little to no trouble. This was stressful. We had to dress two kids, and three dogs all while about 10 people watched.

Yes, I said dogs. Stitch was a mailman, Fozzy intended to be Zorro, and Sam intended to be a pirate. Neither Fozzy or Sam would cooperate.

We went and had a blast. Jeffrey enjoyed hanging out with his cousins and Lexi liked being carried by her Daddy and Gampy. Elena opened her eyes to the holiday by giving her M&Ms. Once she realized what she was getting, she was a different child.

All in all it was a lot of fun, and it was great to share it with our families.

Lombardi Ranch

We do not seem to have the best of luck when it comes to visiting Pumpkin Patches, but we decided to try it again. On the advice of some friends we decided to visit Lombardi Ranch.

We went, and weren't sure what to expect. We had to take the back road leaving out of Quartz Hill. Luckily, no one, not even me, got car sick.

We got there and we were completely amazed. There were tons of cars, people, and pumpkins. There were mazes, scarecrows, train rides, hay rides, and petting zoos. We took the kids around, and they were amazed by all the pumpkins, and so were we.

They were also in a funky mood. First off, they both have been fighting for the stroller. Now that Alexis can walk she wants to walk, and Jeffrey is over the walking thing and wants the stroller. And when Alexis sees Jeffrey in the stroller the "Mine" game begins.

You may notice that they both have either cookies, or fruit snacks in their hands. That day they were hoarding, or rationing their snacks. You've seen both of them~they act like we never feed them!

Alexis was not sure what to think of the pumpkins, and wasn't sure if she liked Jeffrey bringing her the pumpkins.

I desperately wanted a picture of the kids in the pumpkin, but Jeffrey complained the stems hurt his butt. And Alexis... well she just complained.

I've come to the conclusion that I will hardly ever get a good picture of them where they're both smiling. This picture summed up the day... a happy Jeffrey and a not-so-sure, don't touch me Lexi.

We did get one good picture of her... too bad her Dad cut off her cute piggy tails : <

Oh well... there's always next year!

Wordless Wednesday

Gampy's Birthday & Universal Studios

Every year my Dad's company goes to some sort of amusement park.

This year we went to Universal Studios and it was right around my Mom's birthday. Sandy & Javier and the kids were able to come as well.

I won't get into the details of how we got in, but let's just say that Arturo and I got in.

We had a good time, the kids got to see some characters.

Some of us were in the true party mood.

We also were able to celebrate Karina's & my Mom's Birthday

Jeffrey even got down with Homer

Mom with her girls

All of us at the restaurant

We had a blast and look forward to many more trips : >

Kris & Bear get Engaged 9/18/09

So, there was an interesting development on 9/18/09

Kristina calls me and asks if we can talk. She then proceeds to tell me that she is engaged. Holy cow! I could not believe it! It was such great news, and I am so excited for them.

After the initial shock, I asked if I was the maid of honor, and yes, I am .

As I write this, it still does not seem real. I have a different perspective to their relationship. I used to sub at the high school when they dated. Aaron used to coach Bear, so it's weird to see them grow up right before our eyes. They've survived 4 years of Bear being in Louisiana. And Bear, well bear has survived my kids. They both have. They were their the days the kids were born, have spent time up here,.... wait perhaps I should stop writing. I know I have major services to pay back to them, so it's better that it's not in writing.

I couldn't be happier. We couldn't be happier. No one has asked if I'm sad that my sister is leaving, but as my mom and daddy know... we all come back. And no, I'm not sad. I'm not losing a sister, but gaining a Pinche, a Big Pinche.

So Congrats Bear & Kristina~ we wish you all the best.

Tennessee Trip 9/12

Aaron has a friend with whom he coaches with, and he has season tickets for UCLA football. I try not to hold that against him, but this year UCLA was Tennessee. He was able to purchase two extra tickets, so off to Tennessee we went. I know that my mother-in-law, Donna, goes to Tennessee, her home, to attend her family reunion. It turns out, the family reunion fell on the same weekend. My mom said she’d help us and watch the kids, so off we went. Aaron & I at the game. No, I could not wear that bright orange. I'm a Sun Devil, we have limits.

The only downfall in this plan was that we had to take a red eye, and sleep only for a few hours. I remember taking a few red eyes during my recruiting trips, and was not looking forward to it. Turns out, it wasn’t so bad. We were able to sleep, and then head out.

The campus atmosphere was completely amazing and energetic. There was bright orange everywhere.

The players walking in. This a huge tradition, and it was pretty cool.

Smokey & Daniel Boone ~ not the ideal combination, but I love that dog. He is so funny, and has the best collegiate mascot wardrobe.

Tons of tailgates, some on church properties and lots of fun. Some of these tailgates were so amazing that it was something out of a sports bar. Perhaps that is the best description is a traveling sports bar.

I forgot how fun college football could be.

The band before the game. To the rest of the stadium, they spelled Vols. To us, well you make your own words.

It was fun going to a game that I was not emotionally tied to. The outcome was not to Aaron’s favor, and I love seeing UCLA lose, but was happy to see the Pac-10 get a win.

After the game, we went to Aaron’s Mamaw & Papaw’s house. Neither one of us realized just how close they lived to Tennessee. We came in to a house that was like we never left. Aaron said it’s southern charm, I think it’s his grandparents. We stayed up talking and showing them pictures of our little babies.

We woke up Sunday to a great breakfast and getting ready for family. I hadn’t seen Aaron’s uncles Dale & David since ’04 and ’06. Of course, it was great seeing them.

The family reunion was so much fun.

Donna, Aaron's Mamaw(Peggy), Uncle Dale, & Aaro

There were many generations present, and everyone seemed to be in great health and spirits.

Uncle David, Me, Aaron, Uncle Dale, and Aunt Charley

Outhouses really seem to give the Cooper men a thrill, so I felt compelled to add this. And yes, people did use this at the reunion.

Mamaw (Peggy) Papaw (Raymond), Aaron and Donna

Aaron showing off his domestic skills

At my family reunions, I know just about everyone. Aaron on the other hand, was meeting some relatives for the first time.

Uncle David, Donna (my MIL), and Uncle Dale

Mamaw, Papaw, & Aaron

He was commonly referred to as Donna’s boy, which I thought was kinda funny.

Aaron & I

We met a lot of family, and had some laughs. I'd love to take the kids and have them meet their other family, and most importantly... their Mamaw & Papaw.

Mamaw, Papaw, Aaron, & I

Labor Day '09

Miss Lexi with her Gampy (And yes, her bow is supposed to be like that)

Okay, so it's been a long time. Probably the longest I've ever gone. Believe it or not, I've been busy working. I was out a week for an infection, but I'm back.

We've tried to have two holidays consistently at our house ~ Easter & Labor Day. These holidays are usually the beginning and ending of the hot, hot summer.

This Labor Day was no different. We had great food, and our families were able to come and visit us. This Labor Day we had to break in our Ping Pong table. Keep in mind our families are extrememly competitive, so I was not sure how it was going to go.

Jeffrey with his Grandpas

Daddy*Russell* Jeffrey

It turned out to be a great! Everyone seemed to have a great time. There was minimal fighting (Mom and Kris, Daddy and Mom..... anyone notice consistencies) It is kinda funny to see her get so competitive.

Jeffrey & Alexis playing on the Slip n' Slide

Jeffrey, Alexis, and Karina

From the top

Aaron & Liam

Jeff, Lexi, and Karina

I look further to the cooler weather, but will miss the family coming up.