Fall School Photo's

Banks & Cooper's 2009 Fall School Photos'

I must admit, for a traveling photo shop, they do a pretty darn good job and I don't have to battle the weekend warriors at Portrait Innovations. I always make sure to purchase each class photo and one of each of the kids (even if they are less than spectacular).

Banks likes to point out his friends in the class photo and make sure I know everything about all of the kids. He is so conversational these days. He always says the cutest things that light up my day and make me want to squeeze him and smother him with kisses! Ms Cooper is also a chatty Cathy and will blame her brother for anything she is caught doing 'in the act.' She is so innocent and LOVES her daddy. She is truly a 'daddy's girl' and Banks a 'mommy's boy'

Cooper looks SO grown up, no more baby face!

I don't know WHY my cheesy smiley, grinny, man is so stoned face??

Have you seen his 3 year old smile? He is totally a cheese head.

Photo's with Santa Claus

We have made two visits to Santa so far this year! The first visit was after our stroll through the 9 degree climate of Whoville at the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord. Banks was the only one to actually sit on Santa's lap; Cooper wanted NOTHING to do with the bearded, jolly man.

Santa asked Banks what he wanted for Christmas, and he responded with, "Narnia (the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe) and Spiderman." When Santa asked him if there was anything else, Banks replied, "And my sister, Cooper, wants Princesses."

Santa glanced over at Cooper, who was intensly keeping an eye on her brother, and asked Cooper if she wanted a Princess for Christmas. Coopers eyes grew as large as saucers and she grinned from ear to ear and nodded yes. Maybe he wasn't all that bad?

Here are photos' from our second visit, a visit with Mi-mi, Kimberly, Kelsey & Megan.

I guess Cooper was more willing to talk to Santa this time, he did somehow know exactly what she wanted for Christmas. :)

I asked Coop to give Santa a kiss ... she pondered the idea...

And decided it was a good idea if she wanted goodies Christmas morning.

So, we tried for a sibling photo on Santa's lap, but it didn't last too long.

And one final photo with the entire gang! This is my mom's favorite family tradition, to take cheesy photo's with Santa every year, I say cheesy in the most lovingly way, you should see the old Christmas sweaters we wore in the early 90's. I am glad she has kept the tradition, its always fun to go back and giggle at our photos.

Love you Mom!

TCU 55, Utah 28

GO FROGS!

Austin is in Kansas, Pheasant Hunting, so he missed out on seeing a GREAT football game. Our #4 Horned Frogs beat Utah 55 to 28...

My family & Austin's mom came over to watch the game. We decorated cupcakes & make purple jello to cheer on the frogs to victory. Banks reminded us during the game that you have to hold on to the ball with BOTH hands so you won't drop it. Today at Target he saw a football player nutcraker and said, 'Mom, I LOVE football.' Who knows, maybe we have a future Frog on our hands? :)

I took some of these photo's with my camera phone so they are a little fuzzy...

The kids have the horned frog hands up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M-dW6EAmc4

Baking with Mimi

Cooper helped Mimi bake chocolate cup-cakes for the TCU-Utah Game yesterday.

She is my little Paula Dean :)

LOOK at this face, I have no idea where the sunglasses came from!

The Pumpkin Patch

Aside of all of the rain, we have had some

beautiful October weekends.

The Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch overflowed with

pumpkins, bounce houses & kiddo's!

Banks sliding down a 5' hay slide (my little dare devil)

These two are hard to snap photo's of together, this is about as close as we got

I think most of the pumpkins weighed more than Cooper!

Mom, Kelsey, Kimmy, the kids & I...and a Fletcher's Corndog!

Halloween

We had a fun carving our jack-o-lanterns on a beautiful Halloween afternoon.

Banks' new 3-year old smile is a 'schrunchy-face'.

Our home team participated in Trunk or Treat at church, the dads took turns handing out candy while the mom's took the kids from trunk to trunk. Half way through, Banks and Cooper called it quits and decided to park themselves on the curb and start unwrapping. It was a crazy candy night!

Banks had to brush all the 'bugs' off...we didn't snap a photo of Coopie Bug.

Viva la Mexico!

For my big 3-0, Austin and I vacationed in Playa del Carmen, MX. It was exactly what we needed! Our agenda included lots of sleep, great food and most importantly white sand & a hot sun. Poor Banks came down with the swine flu when we were gone, but luckily we caught it early and he didn't get too sick. Our families took care of everything for us while we were out of county...so scary to be so far away. Thank God for a great family, what would we do with out them?!

Paradise.














From inside the lobby - the Iberstar Playa Pariso; fabulous resorts, this was actually our 2nd vist. (Sorry Ral - we brought you and Jamie in spirit!)

The Ranch

Austin's parents have a great ranch just west of the Dallas area. The kids love to visit where they can ride the 4-wheeler, play in the dirt and hunt for various wildlife. Everyone always has a great time and the kids sleep like babies after playing so hard. What a blessing to have a quite place to retreat, away from all the hustle & bustle of the city.

Austin saved a bull-frog from the pool filter just prior to us leaving. I dont think Banks was so sure of having the frog in the car.

The new slogan at our house is, 'Sharing is Caring' (great advice from another mom) Cooper extends the principle to the dogs as well.

The kids had a feast on snacks, another reason they love the Ranch - cookies & sprite and they don't have to keep it in the kitchen!

This is VOLUNTARY folks...we took both of the bird dogs, but Cooper and Banks were occupied for a good hour taking turns crawling in and out of the kennels. Who needs real toys?


































Ms Cooper loves to sit in Grandpa Ken's lap; his deep voice usually puts her right to sleep.














Banks actually fell asleep on the 4-wheeler later that day!

Summertime!

What a great summer, we hope you and yours are relaxing, soaking up the rays, yet keeping cool!

We started out with a big bang by taking Banks to Disney World & met up with the Harris family.

We also fell victum to the 'Flower Mound' tornado which resulted in lots of down trees (i think we have over 65 on our lot) and a big huge hole in our pool house ceiling that resulted in a collapsed ceiling & a big fat mess.

Austin and I somehow made time to train and participate in a sprint triathalon 25Jul09!

We have lots of pictures to share with you of all of our summer family fun... ENJOY. :)

The Cooper Clinic Summer Sprint Triathalon

350m swim; 12mi bike; 5k run

Austin - Total Time 1 hr 24 min 26 sec

Michelle - Total Time 1 hr 36 min 43 sec

SWIM: Austin 7 min, 25 sec; Michelle 7 min, 53 sec

BIKE: Austin 42 min; 58 sec; Michelle 51 min, 29sec

RUN: Austin 30 min 26sec; Michelle 33 min, 07sec

Here we are with our good friends, Marc & Carrie

Here's me running a few yards from the finish line; \i was ready to be done and thank God for finishing!!

Champions! :)

Cooper is actually riding in Austin's cozy coupe from when he was a little boy, that is, until Banks decided to take the driver's seat!

Crocidle tears, this is a very sad sister.

Cooper and Gee - any resemblence??!!

Banks LOVES his Paw-paw! He always has something fun to play with Banks.

FOUR generations, Nanny, Gee, Me & Cooper

Four generations, Pa, Rex, Austin & Banks

Ms.Cooper Reesy - She totally melts her daddy's heart with her sweet voice.

Ready to watch Polar Express in 3D!

Banks is a ladies man - and most definitely loves Ava Jane!

Dinner one nigt at Diney with Mi-mi

I love my Ral!

We had the most INCREDIBLE balloon man at dinner - check out the Buzz Lightyear he made Banks, and notice the 'SHhhhhhh' lips.

The Grand Hyatt did not allow us to swim in their lake because of GATORS!

I love this scrunchy nose!

My two favorite boys :)


Banks put on a show at Lego land - he fought daddy & other villans in the store!

Notice the Lego swamp monster...

A Lego RALPH! :)


Of course he had to ride the Choo-choo


Buzz Lightyear to the RESCUE - Banks has an obsession with Woody & Buzz, so he was quite thrilled with the Toy Story rides & GINORMOUS figures.

Leaving Magic Kingdom after a loooong day...


Banks dancing with Woody - he talked about this for weeks afterwards.

In front of the castle at Magic Kingdom

Banks & I in our Mickey Ears - he did not so much care for the elastic strap.



CLASSIC - mickey to the max

There were not many rules at Magic Kingdom, Banks had 2 suckers & an ice cream cone, so he was good to go with out a nap ;)

Pirates of the Carribean - not scared at all and wanted to pose as a pirate with sord

Of course we had to buy the Buzz Lightyear gun at the end of the ride...ALL rides dump you into gift shops. Crafty.

Aunt Ral had a scooter since she is with TWINS; Banks loved riding along and honking the HORN at pedestrians in the way!

On our way into the 3D show with Mi-mi (notice sucker #2)

Meeting Mickey & Minnie - I think Banks didn't know what to do!

Frozen in amazement.

After our train ride

My handsome man!!


Is that a BIRD on my head? Love Banks 'Cheese!'

Banks & Hunter at dinner - they made mask out of tortillas!!