Tractors, Calves and Boats

     The time of year has arrived when there is lots to do outdoors, for work and play. Recently (well, maybe not too recently...it's taken me a while to get this posted) Dalton and Popsey had to work calves, and I took Cooper along to watch the action. We have to start young so he'll be interested when it's his turn.

 Popsey and Daddy hard at work

 Herding cows with his stick

 Walking in the tire track

Cooper -  "Guys what's going on? I want to help." 

 Doing the dirty work

There were a lot of grasshoppers. 

Cooper even had one in his pocket for a little while.

     Springtime also means plowing up the ground to get ready to plant something new. This means that Dalton gets to use the big tractor...which Cooper likes. We took Dalton lunch one day while he was plowing and Cooper got to ride in the tractor for a couple of rounds. I think he liked it, except that he bumped his eye on something while bouncing around on Daddy's lap.

 "Bye Mama!"

And they're off...

     Dalton and Popsey have been working on a little john boat and motor, a fun thing to do with Cooper this summer. Dalton wants to take it on the creek to fish, but for their first outing we took it to the lake. Thankfully it started up and they were able to take a little ride around the dock. They even took the Heartfield kids with them. I think they all had a good time.  I would share pictures, but while transferring the pictures something happened and I lost them. I'll have to share them later.

This picture is after Coop and Dalt got home 

from going to the lake a second time. 

     More updates to come...the garden has exploded and I can't wait to share pictures! God is so good and we are so blessed. I am overwhelmed daily at His goodness and provision. He gives us just what we need when we need it, no more, no less. It's a great testimony to His faithfulness, and helps us not to get too comfortable.

Love Ace's expression

"In Him we live, and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

Horsey

   
     Cooper has a buddy. His name is Horsey, and he's a part of the family...no really, Cooper insists that he be treated like a third child. After Ace came along, Cooper did the baby thing for about a week and then decided that going back to a baby wasn't for him. Not to be left out, he's made Horsey his baby, or at least his little friend.

     At first he was treating Horsey like a baby and putting him in the swing or carrying him around wrapped in a blanket; at one point Cooper even wanted me to feed Horsey too while I was feeding Ace. Now Horsey has grown up a little bit and he's more Cooper's age now. Here are a few things Horsey likes to have done:

1. Putting socks on. When we were leaving Mom and Dad's house I put Cooper's socks and shoes on. He then promptly held up Horsey's hooves and insisted I put socks on him. So Horsey visited the Credit Union with one sock on...the other one fell off in the car (maybe he is more like a real baby than I thought).

2. Finger and toenails need to be clipped. Today, after I clipped Cooper and Ace's fingernails, Cooper held up Horsey so I could clip his too. Luckily Horsey wasn't as squirmy as the other two, so it went pretty fast.

3. Going everywhere with us. Horsey used to be necessary for bedtime only, but now, as a family member, we have to take Horsey with us all the time. I don't mind, he's quiet and doesn't fight the car seat. One place Horsey doesn't go is the backyard. I told Cooper that it wasn't safe for him out there and after a very brief encounter with Gus Gus he and Horsey agreed.

4. Watching TV. The other night Cooper wanted us to change the channel on the TV. We said "No" many times. Then I looked over and Cooper had Horsey. Horsey turned his head and looked at me, then raised his hoof and pointed at the TV repeatedly (the signal to change channels), with a little help from Cooper of course. It was too funny!

5. Hide and Seek. Horsey likes to play hide and seek at nap time. Cooper puts him under the blanket and raises his hands to do the "I don't know?" look. Then we search until we find him.

6. We call him by name..well, sound. When we can't find Horsey, Cooper whinnies and we go searching. Usually Horsey isn't too far away. Sometimes I even hear him whinny back...

7. Drinking milk. Horsey seems to like milk too. When Cooper drinks his milk, he will often stop and put it up to Horsey's mouth so that he can have a drink too. At least Cooper is practicing sharing already. He's also happy to share Horsey with Ace..great big brother.

     So, welcome to the family Horsey! We are glad you are a member. Just don't run away, or we'll be in serious trouble.

Horsey (photo courtesy of Cooper)

"Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

Visiting GG and Papa John

     We recently went to visit GG and Papa John. We left on a Wednesday and came back on a Monday...I know, it was a long visit. But we had such a good time it was just impossible to leave any earlier. Plus, Dalton was working late while we were gone, so we didn't feel like we were abandoning him. We had a great time visiting, swimming, watching Dora and Diego, and even fishing. The pictures tell the story of our visit.

 Catching dust bunnies in the sunlight on Day 1

 Step one: get some cream filling on your finger

 

Step 2: Lick the cream off the finger      

 Step 3: Enjoy

    Papa John with Ace

Hanging out with Ace

Cooper's first time in the pool this year...it was a little chilly

Visiting Papa at work

Horsey..check, hat...check, Iphone...check

Pizza lunch with Papa John and GG, Cooper was enjoying his pizza.
When Papa John got there Cooper imitated him. When Papa took a bite, Coop took a bite..
sometimes of Papa's piece instead of his own.

Cooper is ready for the pool...not sure if Horsey is though

 I cruised around the pool with Cooper for a little while

 Parker, Aunt Rachel and Paige introducing themselves to Ace

 Aunt Rachel helped Cooper get ready to jump

The cousins paying in the pool, so glad they came to visit!

 Cooper and Paige; he wasn't too sure about the goggles

Ace enjoyed being poolside too; very relaxing

 "I'm ready to jump Mom!"

"One, two three, Go!" Parker is waiting patiently. Cooper would walk to the edge and when he could curl his toes over the edge he knew it was time to jump. He did so good.

The ultimate swimmer...Parker stayed in the pool longer than anyone else. : )

 We were all watching 'Guy on a Buffalo' Silly but so funny!
I wasn't going to include this picture, but then I saw Cooper and thought it was funny.
So, where's Cooper??

 We went to visit the Moore's too
Uncle Brian is keeping Cooper from stealing Hank's 4-wheeler.

 Ava was happy to hold Ace for a little while

 Papa John let Cooper take the mower for a spin.

And when we finally made it home from our trip these were waiting for me.
What a sweet husband I have!

 God has blessed us with so much wonderful family all around us near and far. We are so thankful!!

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that." 1 Timothy 6:6-7

Playdates

   A few weeks ago Kallie and Karper came to Graham for a visit and made it to our house for a morning play date and lunch. Cooper and Karper got along really well. It made me excited to see Karper, now 7 months old, and all that 7 months old includes....the sitting up and constant smiling, eating baby food, being tough enough to handle Cooper hanging out around him; can't wait until Ace can do all of those things (ok maybe I can).  Karper is so cute and he was such a happy baby.
   Here are a few pictures from our visit. The next time we see Karper he'll be crawling or even walking. Cooper will really be ready to play with him then!

Kallie is showing Cooper the Elmo app

Karper and Uncle Dalton

     That weekend we went over to Meredith and Louis's house for a get together. The Heartfields came over too, so Cooper got some quality play time with the cousins. He was a little unsure for a while, watching other kids run all over his turf (usually Mere Mere and Popsey's yard is all his), but eventually he started playing.

 "Hurry and take the picture!"

Mere Mere and her grandsons

 Cooper and Graham.. Cooper is just itching the side of his nose 

(that's my story and I'm sticking to it) 

 Cooper's learning to jump with Becca

     The next week I decided to invite some friends over for a play date at my house. Since we live out of town Cooper doesn't get to go to the park much or play with other kids, except at church nursery, so I thought having his friends come to him would be great.

     Three moms and their kids were able to come out and we had such a great time. The moms enjoyed watching the kids play and visiting, and the kiddos enjoying playing with toys and each other. Cooper was kind of a loner at times, but he did ok. We all went and let the chickens out (which was a little comical), and the kids played with Gus and the horses through the fence. Country life has its perks when it comes to entertaining. The scenery keeps the kids entertained.

 Top: Emory, Kason and Ella

Bottom: Krew and Cooper

 The boys dumped all of the goldfish out of the bowls

 Sharing a snack

    After some playtime the kids got hungry and devoured some goldfish. That's when we decided to have lunch. We made sandwiches and the kiddos ate on the kitchen floor..too windy to eat outside. After lunch and a little more play everyone headed home. It was such a fun time and I hope to do it again soon. Where was Ace this whole time you ask? He fell asleep shortly after everyone arrived and slept most of the time. What a good boy.

Eating lunch

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." Psalm 28:7