My friend Robyn just recently asked, "What is the best age ?", when talking about our children and today I think 8 months is the answer. Cooper is so fun right now, but I think I am just a baby person. He is starting to really get his own personality. He wakes up super happy and I love how he lights up when he sees me. He LOVES going outside, and he thinks Abby and Carson are the funniest thing in the world (which makes their day). He's crawling all around, but not running, so I can still catch up to him.

He is also starting to have his own "little things" about him, like the other day when he was playing in the tub, Chad took his ball away from him so that he could wash him off , not thinking Cooper would even notice, but he was very upset. Now every time he gets in the tub, he holds on to his toys super tight and won't let go, because he is afraid someone will take them away.

This is just a fun age where all of the learning begins and I am excited to watch him come up with something new everyday.

Ok, 3 years olds are pretty funny too! Carson learned this at school while ago and I finally got him to do it on camera. I'm sorry to say, but it wouldn't be as funny if he had all of his teeth. When I watch him use words like this, I learn to appreciate his struggles. Luckily, we have two more years until Kindergarten. (maybe at least two of his teeth will be in by then)

October

October is finally over. It has been a crazy, but fun month. Here are some pictures of all that we have been up to lately.Fun at the pumpkin patch. Cooper enjoyed his first wheel barrel ride.
We went to the mountains to see the awesome fall leaves. (but had to explain to the kids that the beer bottles were not a part of "nature")

Abby and Carson finished up their soccer season. Abby did great. This was her third year, and the first time they played on the "big field". We were super proud of her. Her favorite part was when she was able to play goalie, because then she didn't have to run so much.

Most of the pictures of Carson are of him "not playing". This was his first year, and he was just funny to watch. We never knew what kind of crazy thing he would do next. He liked playing, but just kept saying that everyone was going too fast for him. . .maybe better luck with T-ball.

We went to Las Vegas to see Amy and Justin, and see their little Kamryn get blessed, we had a lot of fun with the whole family in their little apartment. The kids were in heaven because they could go swimming in October.
We made our best efforts at pumpkin carving. ( these are our scary faces)
Halloween was a blast. Carson was hilarious in his batman costume. He was determined to be batman this year and he definitely played the part well.
Carson and his partner in crime before their big preschool Halloween party.
Abby was so grown up this year. I am the room mom for her Kindergarten class (by assignment, not by choice) and I came to her class to throw their Halloween party. We had tons of fun, and I couldn't help but think about how grown up she is getting. Cooper made is first appearance at Halloween as a pumpkin. We actually had another really cute costume picked out but he grew too fast and it didn't really fit by Halloween. (but when else can you pull off a costume like this and still be stinkin cute? )
Chad and I dressed up as ugly people. I was suppose to be Joe Dirt and Chad was some weird guy with lots of chest hair. It took Chad a couple of days to get my image out of his head.
In Cooper news, he is finally crawling. He made it official on Halloween night as he was watching all of the chaos. He is still a beginner, but slowly he is making his way were he wants to go.

What a busy month! I am just completing my second attempt at single-motherhood this month, while Chad is in LA for another training, but I am still functioning (which is a great sign). Abby just recently had her sixth birthday! She is so big! After her birthday, Abby and I went to Las Vegas to see Amy and Justin's darling new baby. It was so much fun. Abby loved traveling with "just the girls".

Chad's parents have now been gone for a month in Arizona, and we are missing them like crazy! So here are a couple of videos of the kids. . . just so they remember us!

And here is new baby Kamryn. She is four weeks old now, and doing great. We will be going back to see them soon for her blessing. I can't wait.

Chad has been gone to New York all week for work and he finally comes home today! Yeah! I have always had respect for single mothers (and single dads), but I guess it is nice to be reminded sometimes. I propose a National Holiday for the single parents of the world. I would be all for it. I would be willing to buy presents and everything. They could even wear a sash like Ms. America and we could throw confetti on them every time they walk into a store (cause heaven know how hard that is with three kids). So, after a one week trial. . . I solute you, single parents of the world. May God bless you.



Besides Chad's obvious absence, it has been pretty busy lately with soccer games, dance and a lot of school functions. Today Abby had her big "Unusual Pet Show" in Kindergarten (photo below), then Carson had a field trip to Wheeler Farm. Since I was already carting all three of them to the farm, I decided to throw some matching shirts in my bag and take some much needed family photos. (try not to notice Carson's Space Monkey tattoo).
Abby's unusual pet named Micheal (I'm not sure why).

In other news. . .for those of you who don't know, Amy and Justin had their new baby girl two weeks ago and you can see some cute new pictures on their blog. She's darling, and I am super excited to go and see them in a couple of weeks.

My dad is home recovering from his prostate cancer surgery and doing great! He is a super tough guy, I am so proud of him and I love him tons! Everything went very well and he will be doing push ups before you know it.

Chad's parents have also been out of the scene for awhile. After visiting Justin in Vegas, they are now in Arizona for the trial and it looks like they are going to be there for quite some time. We miss them tons and the kids are going crazy! We know how important this is and we just want them to know how much we love and miss them.

Carson just started his first year of preschool and he was so excited (as you can see). He has been dying to use his new Batman backpack for weeks.
He was so funny all morning when he was getting ready. It was fun to be concentrating on him and seeing him so excited. On the way to school he assured me that he would be fine, and he said, "Mom, don't worry about me, because I am going to be learning today". He had a great first day, and all he has been able to talk about is some hammer song that they must have sang in his class. Well, it got his attention because he loves his school and can't wait to see what's next.

We went camping a couple of weeks ago. I know it's shocking! Well, actually the Grundy's had a family reunion, so we decided to stay in a tent, but don't worry, there were bathrooms and showers near by. My crazy kids were so excited to be in the great outdoors.

The kids helped set up the tent and helped to get wood for the fire. They were in heaven!

We also went fishing. The kids had a great time and Carson even caught a fish! Abby was not so lucky, but she liked playing with the worms. yuck!

Although Carson loved fishing, (and tearing the worms in half). I'd have to say his favorite part was sitting in the chair eating snacks. The kid never stops!
Cooper tried to get into the action too.
They had a pool at the nearby clubhouse, so of course we went at least two times. Cooper was loving the water and didn't want to get out.
Well, Cooper is officially 6 months old now. It is going by too fast and it is driving me crazy!

He is super fun, and I can't remember our lives without him.
He starting to do push ups at an early age! I guess you are never too young for some healthy exercise!