Cooper's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip...

Friday Matt and I both took off work and went with Cooper's class on their field trip to the pumpkin patch. I was not super excited because we've been to this pumpkin patch several times, but it ended up being so much fun.  Cooper was totally different than when we've been with Anna Lauren who could take it or leave it...he really enjoyed riding in the trailer pulled by a tractor, seeing all the animals, and picking out his pumpkin.   

Attempting the class picture...

His teacher, Miss Rachel, is right beside Matt...she and her mom made pumpkin shirts for all of them for their field trip.  I thought they turned out so cute!

On the trailer and ready to go...excited little boy!

I must say I have never seen a bull with horns like this...

Watching the catfish eat some food...

Cooper and his best little buddy, KJ...

Looking for his pumpkin...on the way there, he told us he was getting a "baby" pumpkin...

He thought about a big pumpkin for just a second...

But he knew what he wanted...a "baby" pumpkin...

Proud of his "baby" pumpkin!

After he got his pumpkin, there was a little time to play...he only wanted to swing...not a surprise!

This picture just makes me happy...I LOVE fall!

Something must have been funny...

I think he was most excited about his field trip because he got to take his new lunchbox and have a picnic with his friends.  Too bad I couldn't get him to look at me...he was busy talking to his afternoon teacher, Ms. Jamie. 

Marriage Retreat 2013...

Matt and I had lunch with Jeremy and Christy on Wednesday and during lunch, Jeremy got an email...first 10 customers at Izzo's on Saturday would receive free burritos for a year.  Matt and Jeremy had done this once before...so...we all agreed to see if grandparents would keep the kids so we could  attend an all night "marriage retreat" camping out at Izzo's on Friday night.  This would mean free burritos times two or better yet, $680 in gift cards.

After lunch, I called my mom and she was all for coming and keeping the kids Friday night so we could camp out...the one thing I can say about her is she NEVER tells me no.  ALWAYS goes above and beyond to help me out as well as my brothers.  We would all be in trouble without Nanna!

The four of us arrived at Izzo's around 6:30 PM Friday...no one was in line yet so we sat our chairs out and headed in to enjoy a kid free dinner.  We actually just hung out inside and enjoyed our dinner, visited, got refills, and went to the bathroom several times because we knew it would be a long night.  Around 9:30 PM we headed outside for the night...thankfully Izzo's kept the door unlocked until they were done for the night so we were able to go to the bathroom and get drinks until midnight.

Christy and I in our chairs ready for the night...

Around 10 PM the other 6 came...juniors in high school from Jackson Prep.  Let me just say, they provided entertainment but were the nicest kids.  And...I think their parents that dropped by to check on them were relieved to see some "normal" adults sitting outside for the night with them.

Around 2 AM we settled in for the night...Matt and I had a pallet in the back of the van, Christy had a cot, and Jeremy had a "love seat" folding chair.  We slept from 2:00 to 3:00 and then had to go to gas station to the bathroom.  Then from 3:30 to 6:30, we were out...slept sound.  The boys went to sleep around 4:00 and slept until 8:00ish.  They had a wide range of sleeping gear...sleeping bags, blow up mattresses, inside their trucks, etc.

Saturday morning...Izzo's opened at 10:30 AM.  Thankfully, Nanna and the kids brought us some donuts. What donuts we didn't eat, we gave to the boys...they were gone in 2 seconds!

Receiving my $340 gift card...

Our new best friends!  They quickly put on their new Izzo's shirts and caps...they were proud of themselves and the gift cards they had just received.

Kind of hard to believe you can do something that fun and walk away with $680.  The gift cards are nice, and we will for sure enjoy...but...what we really enjoyed was a night with our dear friends just having fun with no worries in the world!

Back to Jumping...

Our trampoline died over 4th of July weekend.  We had plans to get another one but were holding out until Christmas time.  But...the Bounds are moving and didn't want to store their trampoline while building a house so score...we bought theirs at a GREAT price just in time to enjoy the fall outside jumping.

Thanks to Mr. Jeremy's and Daddy's hard work, we are in business and jumping away!

The little man was just as excited as Anna Lauren to have another trampoline...

Fascinated with the net...our old trampoline didn't have a net...

Many many hours will be spent right here on this trampoline...

Thanks Bounds family...love having a trampoline once again!

1st Grade School Picture...

Anna Lauren was not thrilled with her kindergarten school picture, which was printed in the yearbook (honestly, it was pretty bad), so she was determined to have a good picture this year.  She didn't disappoint...think it turned out pretty cute!

"3" Days of Celebrating "3"...

Although it is hard to believe, our little man Cooper turned "3" Saturday, and we have spent the past three days celebrating his birthday with him!

On Friday afternoon, Cooper had his "party" at school with his friends. Daddy, Mommy, and Anna Lauren were all able to go to celebrate his birthday with his friends.  

He is into two things these days...fire trucks and balls of any kind. He chose a fire truck theme for his school party.

The firemen at the local fire station are ALWAYS so nice...they gave Cooper fire hats to share with all his friends at his party.

Cooper made the birthday board in the lobby of the daycare...

When it got time to sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candles, he decided to be all shy.  Anna Lauren had to blow out his candles. 

A few of his friends enjoying his birthday party...love their faces!

Cooper was not interested in taking pictures so Anna Lauren took pictures with his friends.  This is KJ, Cooper's very best friend!



Tristan, Anna Ryan, Anna Lauren, Cody, and Cooper L...

Ignore Anna Lauren being Anna Lauren...this is the best picture I have of all of his friends. And...this is the closest Cooper would get to them.

Super fun time celebrating "3" with his school friends...now...home to pack for our trip to New Orleans, which is what we decided to do rather than have a party.  He wanted to go to the zoo in New Orleans and see animals...

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning and hit the road to New Orleans.  Since we had to pass through Brookhaven anyway, we decided to stop and have a quick breakfast with Nanna.  Joey, Bently, and Ashton joined us too.  The kids were WILD but it was a fun few minutes of celebrating Cooper's birthday.  In this picture, he is doing the same thing he did at school...hiding his face during "Happy Birthday"...

Pushing his plate to Bently...he didn't want to blow out the candles...

Cooper was too busy playing with some toys at the donut place...BUT...these monkeys were all about taking some pictures!  

Made it to New Orleans and headed into the zoo for a fun birthday afternoon...

We had the opportunity to touch this elephant..but...my kids would have no part of that.  However, it was fun to watch it open and close the gate.

So excited to be on the train...we took a train ride through the zoo! A good way to see a good bit of the zoo without having to walk. Nice break on a "warm" day!

Such a neat carousel...loved all the different animals...

Sweet boy waved every time he came by...

He is so funny...we were looking at the monkeys, and he started making the monkey sound and doing his arms.

The "climbing trees" were just as big of a hit as the animals for Anna Lauren and Cooper...not surprised!

Of course...she had to have her face painted!

The giraffes were really entertaining...they were being really mean to each other...they kept hitting each other.

Tim and Beth, our good friends that live in New Orleans, were nice enough to let us spend the night with them.  Not only did they let us spend the night...they joined us at the zoo and entertained us while we were in New Orleans.  After we finished up at the zoo, they took us to get snocones, then we had dinner at a fun little Mexican place, and ended the night with birthday ice cream.  Cooper seemed to really enjoy his birthday...and...so did the rest of the family!

FINALLY on the street car...her favorite!  I think she would ride it all day long if we would let her.

On Sunday morning, we rode the street car to the "local" beignet place, Morning Call, for beignets.  Love these "random" facial expressions.

Cooper really enjoyed the street car and was just as excited about riding as Anna Lauren.

Anna Lauren had never had or seen a Coke in a glass bottle...she thought that was pretty cool!

Other than the glass bottle coke, think the highlight of the breakfast was getting to put your own sugar on your beignets...

Tim thought it would be a good idea to take a family picture...as you can see, that didn't go so well!

Tim and Beth...the best hostesses EVER!

Before we left New Orleans, we took a quick stroll through the French Quarter.  Here Cooper is sitting by the river and not wanting his picture made.  I did manage to capture this face...hmmm...think we have a handful of a "3" year old!

When we got home, we had one more surprise for Cooper...his birthday present.  We didn't give it to him before we left because we knew he wouldn't go without his present.  In this picture, he is looking at the box that sister is helping him open...think I see excitement in those eyes!

And after a fun but exhausting weekend of celebrating "3", we have a future golfer on our hands...his very own "real" golf clubs and bag!  He's proud of them, and we are proud of him!  Love this SWEET little "3" year old who keeps us on our toes to pieces!