Happy New Year!

As 2009 comes to an end, I am almost speechless thinking of all that has happened in our lives. It seems that we have been on the move for an entire year... first moving from Germany, then to NY, then to SC, back to NY, and finally back to SC (which, by the way, is where we will be happily calling home for the next few years). Michael returns in February and I can't tell you how excited we are to have our family together again! I thank God for the wonderful family and friends who have offered unconditional love and support during this year! I am positive that we could not have made it without you! I am thrilled at the promise this new year brings and pray God blesses each of you with health, happiness, and a spectacular 2010!

Pre-Christmas Photo Op...

Jack: "Seriously, is this really happening?

Luke: "Oh, come on, it will only take a minute. And, they say we get a special treat after."

Jack: "Look, I've been around a little longer than you, kid...I've done this a few times.... it's not worth the sucker!"

50 shots later.....

Luke: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, COME ON! I have things to do, woman. I have to rearrange the kitchen cabinets, and throw my bro's fav race car in the potty. Speaking of potty- hey Jack, say you have to use the potty so we can get up already.

Jack: "I told you- it ain't worth it... let's just get this over with. The sooner we surrender the sooner we can take off these matching outfits.

Merry Christmas 2009

Love, Jack and Luke

Funny Man Luke

Luke is our little funny man. He is always doing the silliest things. Like, last night when he decided to sit in this bucket. He brought the bucket in from the playroom and put it in front of the Christmas tree. He had the cutest little mischievous look on his face as he tried to figure out his approach. He put his milk in the bucket first, then managed to wedge himself in, too. I was laughing so hard... I grabbed the camera and started shooting. Then, yes, he fell back into the Christmas tree. He wasn't so happy after that :o(

It's been a while...

Well, it looks like we went straight from Halloween to Thanksgiving! I have been terrible about blogging over the past several weeks... I don't know where all my time goes :o) These boys are getting SOOOO BIG! Luke is a little busy-body getting into (and on top) of every thing! He loves to run around like a wild man when he's diaper-free... super cute, but makes getting the diaper back on a challenge! Speaking of being diaper free... Jack is finally potty-trained! He does expect a potty-prize after every performance and I'm not yet sure when that stops. Jack loves riding his bike and playing outside in the leaves that Grandpa rakes for him. Not much else to report. All is well... we are all ready for Michael to come home. Not there yet, but every day we are getting closer :o) Can't believe Thanksgiving is this week.... we really do have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Trick-or-Treating

Believe it or not, this is the best picture we got of our trick-or-treating adventure. It was pretty warm last night and Luke was burning up in his chicken costume... that's the thing about Halloween in SC- you never know if it's going to be hot or cold! But, we had a great time! Jack and Luke got some super cute treats from all of the wonderful neighbors. His friend's dad even took us for a ride around the block on his Halloween Hay Ride (trailer pulled by a lawnmower). It was a lot of fun and Jack just loved passing out all of the candy to our trick-or-treaters. Time to start planning for next year..... Daddy will be here for that one :o)

Our Halloween Pumpkin

This is the pumpkin that Jack made at school today. He had so much fun that he wanted to make himself a pumpkin, too :o)

Here is our Halloween Jack :o)

I haven't decided if we are going to attempt to carve a pumpkin this year.... stay tuned. We'll definitely be waiting on reinforcements to arrive.... Aunt Christy and Uncle Mike are coming in on Saturday just in time for trick-or-treating fun! It should be interesting.... Jack says the scary decorations in the neighbors yard are, and I quote, "so pretty!!" Sweet little Luke is scared to death of them! Happy Halloween to all!

Daddy's in Georgia!

We were SO excited to see Michael last week in GA! He ended up having to go there for a court and it was an added bonus for us to be able to see him! We had a great week! Luke stayed in SC with Grammy and Grandpa and no worries, he had his share of spoiling! We missed Luke terribly, but Jack, Michael and I had such a great time! We were even able to get to Mobile, AL for the weekend to see some great friends! Only four months 'til he's home for good!

Back in SC

We've been back in SC for a few weeks now. It's getting cooler but we are still enjoying the beach!

GO BILLS!!

Michael won a contest sponsered by Perry's Ice Cream for the biggest Buffalo Bills fans in the country. There were 10 first prize winners and one grand prize winner. Michael was one of the 10 first prize winners that scored two tickets to the first home game, an awesome "50 years" commemorative jersey and a once and a life-time chance to see the pre-game on the sidelines! Unfortunately, they would not postpone the game until Mar. '10 when Michael returns. So Michael's mom and I did him proud! We had a blast and had some great seats! All of the people we met were incredible and all thought that Michael should have won the grand prize of season tickets and and invitation to Jim Kelly's private tail gate party. The grand prize winner, Bill Fox, was actually a pretty cool guy and offered to get something autographed by Jim Kelly for Michael! Here are a few of the pictures... I'll try to post more later. I have tried to post this for several days and my computer is acting funny with the picture uploading.

Yes, this is T.O.! And yes, we were that close to him! But, apparantly being an "ULTIMATE Bills Fan" isn't enough to score you an autograph.

Our Camping Trip

Michael and the kids and I had a great time "camping" by Seneca Lake while he was home. I use the term camping loosely as we had indoor plumbing and a refrigerator in our cabin. The place was actually great for kids with the indoor pool and the jumping pillow. They also had a couple of cool playgrounds. Grammy and Papa even came up one afternoon to babysit while Michael and I hiked the nearby falls. We even adopted a fine furry friend..... this stinkin skunk would NOT leave us alone.

Grammy and Grandpa Cooper

My parents flew up to see Michael while he was home. It was great to see them and so nice for them to get to see Michael! Love you guys :o)

Daddy Shark!

Jon and Heather's Wedding Celebration

Here are Jack and Daddy in the mountains of PA. We were just leaving Jon and Heather's wedding celebration, which was wonderful!


Congratulations, Jon and Heather!

Jack and his cousin, Lucy, checking out the stream.

Daddy's Home!!

We had a blast with Michael over the last two weeks. It's hard to believe that our two weeks are up... he left this morning out of Buffalo at 6 am! We enjoyed his brother's wedding celebration in the mountains of PA, went "camping" by Seneca Lake, spent some wonderful time with family and friends, and really just enjoyed having our family together again! It was so sweet when he got home... Jack went right up to him and said, "DADDY!" Hopefully these next six months will pass by as quickly as the first and we will finally have our family back together again. Hopefully I can get these next few posts done quickly for those of you waiting to see the pictures :o) There are tons of pictures to go through, so please be patient :o) Seriously, there are over a thousand to pick from..... yes, we had that much fun!!

Crib Wrestling.... brotherly love at it's finest!

Artist Jack

Jack has really been getting in touch with his creative side lately. Here he is painting rocks for Grammy's garden.

Cayuga Lake with Kelly and Cate

We went to Cayuga Lake in Aurora, NY on Wed. to see my good friend Kel and her 7 week old baby, Cate. We had a great time and it was great to see her and finally meet her husband! The weather was great and her in-laws were wonderful hosts. We had a great lunch outside next to the lake and watched the kids chase each other around for a few hours. Thanks, Kel and Dustin... we had such a wonderful time! Cate is absolutely beautiful and I can't believe the only picture I have of her she is covered up with a blanket! Hope to see you guys again, soon!

Blueberry Hill

We went to Blueberry Hill yesterday and got to pick our own blueberries! It was lots of fun and Grammy is making a special blueberry dessert with them. We can't wait to take Daddy there when he gets home!

We Made it to NY!

We made it safely to NY..... one 90 year old great grandpa, two grandparents, me, two kids and a dog... :o) We are missing Papa, Grammy and Grandpa Cooper but having a great time with Grammy and Papa Felsen. The weather is really nice and we got to swim in the pool this evening!

And, yes, that is Papa Felsen lowering Jack into the garbage can.... don't ask :o)