Cooper's Preschool Christmas Program

Cooper's preschool class did a great job with their performance of the Christmas story!

So cute!

Saying a prayer at the end. 

 Mason was asleep in his carseat before the program began and woke up just in time to watch his big brother.  It worked out great because we had front row seats and he was able to see the whole thing from his little seat.  :) 

So proud of my big guy!

Thank you for coming, Mimi!  I know Daddy and Cooper's other grandparents all really wanted to be there as well.  Unfortunately, the program was during the work day.  We texted pictures and of course captured it on video for all of them.  :) 

9 months old!

I can't believe Mason is already 9 months old! 

Time to lower the crib mattress!

Still doing the army crawl but he gets up and rocks back and forth all the time ... so I'm sure it won't be long before he's doing the real thing!  Here you can see him in the "Downward Dog" yoga position... he's been doing this a lot lately.  I figure if he's strong enough to do this surely he can crawl!  Silly boy :)

These are Mason's FAVORITE!  I'm not joking... we've gone through a few cans already.  His sleep is still pretty unpredictable.  He slept through the night two nights in a row but then was up a couple times last night.  We're trying our best to have him "cry it out" more now.  Not fun!  

First Haircut

These pictures are a couple weeks old but still wanted to post them...

Ready for his first haircut at Big League Barbers.

He did pretty well at the beginning, but by the end he started to cry.  I think it was the sound of the clippers that scared him! 

Uh-Oh...Bottle Trouble :(

Bottles?  Formula?  No thanks, Mommy.  

Maybe if Cooper gives it a try...

Still no luck.  Mr. Mason is NOT happy about switching to bottles... and especially if it has formula inside.  I just don't understand why though - he has taken the bottle before.  We went to the store today and bought a different type of bottle that has a nipple shaped very similar to his paci.  . . keeping our fingers crossed that that's the ticket!!   Tried it once, and he just chewed on it.  I mean this little guy is sooo stubborn!!!   It's officially a battle of the wills!!!  (And right now Mason is winning.)  

Basketball Stars

Too cold to play outside - so why not bring the goal inside? 

Mase could watch his big bro dribble and shoot hoops all day long. 

I think we'll always have memories of blasting the Space Jam soundtrack while Cooper and Daddy shoot hoops.  Coop takes it pretty seriously... so funny to watch.  I've gotten some great video footage that EJ won't let me post ... maybe one of these days I'll sneak it on here. ;)

Coop's hero (Daddy's too)   

21 more days....

Til Christmas! The countdown is on!

Ralph the Elf has been busy!  He filled our Countdown Calendar with lots of candy!  

Gingerbread House

Ralph brought us this Gingerbread house kit.  I think I had the most fun decorating it.  Cooper on the other hand liked licking the spatulas full of icing!  Can't blame him.   :)  

Breakfast in Bethlehem

This weekend we enjoyed a special pancake breakfast while watching the story of Jesus' birth! 

Ringing the bell for baby Jesus!  

RALPH

A surprise visitor just arrived from the North Pole! 

Meet Ralph, our Elf on the Shelf. 

He even left a note for Mommy & Daddy asking us to fix a "North Pole Breakfast" - french toast with "snow" (powdered sugar), sausage, and hot chocolate. 

What's hot cocoa without marshmallows?  Love these!

 Cutie pies

Mr. Mason enjoying his cereal puffs... you could tell he was pretty bummed he couldn't eat the french toast!

We're glad we got to have this fun breakfast yesterday morning as Cooper is not feeling well today.  Poor guy woke up with the stomach flu and had to stay home from school today.  He is taking it easy now, and we're hoping he feels better soon! 

Thanksgiving 2011

 Daddy reading the boys 'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving.

Reading his own book

Our Thanksgiving morning breakfast - "acorns" (donuts) and "apple smiles"

*Thanks to Miss Jerri for this adorable idea.

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV.

& Playing trains (love this picture)

Sweet Mason jumping at Mimi & Poppy's house while he's waiting for his first Thanksgiving Dinner.

Cooper, Mimi, and I made these fun turkey handprint cookies I found on Pinterest to use as placecards.

Cooper was a good helper setting the table!

LOTS of cooks in the kitchen!

 The girls :)

Just hanging out with Uncle Jonny!

Great Grandpa Marsh and Poppy

More trains!  Building a cool track at Mimi & Poppy's house.

My parents' Christmas card photo

Pilgrim Coop... ready to lead us in prayer before we eat our meal. 

Going out for a walk with Poppy after dinner. 

All set for our annual Black Friday shopping adventure!

Great picture of Mason and Grandma Loree.  We headed to Winamac on Friday to visit EJ's parents. 

The boys had so much fun playing Grandma & Pop Pop's piano.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed your special time with your loved ones!