Madison turns 3!!!

So unbelieveable: our baby just turned 3 on January 19th. We had a family dinner and party with chocolate cupcakes - just like she wanted. And then she opened presents. With Mackenzie's help, of course. Love you Madi!!!

Dave's 40th Birthday

Dave turned 40 on January 5th, 2009, but we celebrated A LOT! In Utah after Christmas, we had a dinner at the Melting Pot with friends, a family reunion/bday celebration with cake and games, and a dinner out with Steve and Katie Christensen to the Cheesecake Factory. Then, when we got back to Texas, Jill babysat and I took Dave out on an overnight stay to the Four Seasons downtown in Austin. We had dinner out and saw Esther's Follies. The next day we hung out, drove around to Mt Bonnell, and enjoyed the amazing sunshine. THEN, on Sunday the 4th, Dave's best friend Kevin Cloutier, flew in from LA as a surprise for his birthday. We took Kevin to the Oasis and on Monday Dave ditched work and he and Kevin went out and did guy stuff. That night we all celebrated as a family at the Cheesecake Factory (can you guess which restaurant is a Dave-favorite?) and Kevin flew home early Tuesday, the 6th. What an awesome friend!!! The gang at the Melting Pot.
Dave at his mom's house for the family reunion. We surprised him with a "This is your life" game where 3 teams of relatives had to see who could answer the most questions right about his life. Coopers are competitive!
His birthday cake with pearls of wisdom from mom.
Dave and I at Maria Maris in downtown Austin. After dinner, we went to see Esther's Follies. That show is never the same, but is always hilarious.
Kevin and Dave making a big 4-O. Love you Kevin!

The Backyard Project

This is what our backyard looked like BEFORE: DURING: And finally, AFTER: (started right after Thanksgiving, finished Dec. 23rd) Better pictures to come as soon as I get some time to take them!

Decorating for Christmas!

 

The Sunday after Thanksgiving was a perfect time to start decorating, so we jumped in. Dave's mom helped out and the girls absolutely loved putting ornaments on the tree. Madison's little face lit up and she kept giving Dave hugs saying "Daddy, it's Christmas!"

 

Dave decorating the high branches.

 

Marilyn even got a picture of our little family with the tree. Thanks grandma!

Thanksgiving 2008

 

November 27th was turkey day this year. Dave's mom, Marilyn, and my mom and step-dad all came to visit. Steve and Dave fried the turkey while we women made the sides. It was a beautiful, warm day.

 

Dave took his mom and Madison on a ride in his new-ish convertible. Only in Austin can you ride with the top down on Thanksgiving!

 

Dave, Wanda, Linda, and Steve

 

Marilyn and Dave

Visit to Huntsville

 

November 19-23, 2008 Dave had to attend a conference in Nashville, so we girls flew to Huntsville to see the relatives. On Thursday, we drove up to Tennessee and visited with Deana and Papa. That's Madison on the tractor. The girl's most favorite thing was the cats. There were 5 that Deana had been feeding that were just tame enough for the girls to pet (if they could catch one). Then we climbed onto one of Papa's buses (he manages the school buses for Huntland schools) for a photo. I wish we could have spent more time there. I have lots of wonderful memories of Papa's house.

 

Here's a picture of Dad with the girls at Papa's house.

 

Huntsville has this great new outdoor shopping center called Bridge Street. It is absolutely gorgeous complete with a lake, gondolas, high-end shops, and a swanky, new movie theater. Dave had finished his conference and driven down to be with us in Huntsville, so we all (including Dad and Teddy) went out to eat and to see the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. These are pictures of the girls at Ketchup (a restaurant) and on the carousel. It was a cooooold night, so we were all bundled up. This was a very fun night out.

 

Grandma Teddy made a fresh batch of cookie dough and made Christmas cookies with the girls. They thought that was SO fun! They even got to use all the multi-colored and shaped sprinkles. Thanks Grandma Teddy - you're the best!

Random Kid Quotes

We're driving home tonight from Applebee's (where we celebrated Mackenzie's perfect school attendance record with her coupon for a free kid's meal) and Mackenzie flips on this smooth, adult-sounding voice and says: Let me tell you some things about me. I like playing and I like playing with friends. I don't like to be alone. I like to wake you (meaning me, Mommy) up in the morning. I don't like it when you sleep or take rests. And I do like playing with Meredith (her best friend whose backyard runs into ours). End quote. How's that for classic?

Madison does this funny, yet, annoying thing sometimes when you ask her a question. It goes like this: Madison, where did you put your shoes? Answer: Nuffing, Mommy. Me: No, Madi, where did you put your SHOES? Answer: NUFFING, Mommy! So when did a 2 year-old's version of the word 'nothing' become a catch-all expression? She uses it all the time to answer questions like: Where is your blankie? Why did you hit Mackenzie? Why did you take your pants off? Why don't you want to wear your seatbelt?... If it wasn't so darn cute it would be infuriating!!!