Toothless

Cooper had a skateboard injury about a year & a half ago that knocked his front 4 teeth loose. At the time we thought we were gonna have to pull all of them. Luckily they hardened back up but the dentist warned us that since there was nerve damage he could have problems in the future with them. Well a few days ago he started complaining of a tooth ache. He has a high tolerance for pain so we knew it must be bad. We called the dentist and he said get in here right now...so off we went but not before a quick picture

luckily we got that last toothful smile above because within minutes of being at the dentist he was on the table getting prepped for extraction
he was such a trooper, didn't shed a tear. Even the dentist was impressed. His tooth was abscessed so it was a good thing we went in. Now he and Cameron both have the same front tooth missing.
Just in time for Halloween, a jack-o-lantern pose showing off the new missing tooth. Cooper was pretty excited to share his tooth and story with his class so having the tooth fairy take it just didn't seem like an option. He decided to leave a note instead.
Guess what? It worked! He got to keep his tooth and got $5. Yup, $5 - I know a lot more than we got as kids but inflation you know.

11 years

We had our 11 year wedding anniversary on the 16th. We had a great time spending the day together and having dinner at the restaurant we had our first "official" date together on 5/31/97. It's pretty cool to be sharing an 11 year anniversary. Happy Anniversary to us! :)

A quick dinner shot taken by a woman who happened to be having her like 21st anniversary

Us ready for our date.

Where have we been???

Wow...it's been a while. How time flies. It all comes at once and it's been a whirlwind. The kids started school and I started back to work the same day (I am on the school schedule), along with that we started soccer season. This is the first year both boys are playing which meant 4 games a week. So between school, soccer, homework and work you can see why it's been a while.

Today marks the end of the 2010 soccer season. The games got rained out (oh darn) but that doesn't stop the parties. We had a brunch potluck this morning for Cooper's team and are headed to a pizza party this afternoon for Cameron. They both loved the season. They had the same coaches - a husband & wife team with kids the same ages as Cameron & Cooper. They both had lots of their classmates on their teams and loved playing. Cooper was a huge goal scorer and often made several goals in each game. Cameron 's skill improved greatly this season and he had a few goals of his own. His age group is very competitive and the games were VERY exciting. Sometimes us parents thought we were more tired than the kids after the games because we'd get so into it. Cameron's team took 3rd place in a big tournament- (we had 7 games that week)- it was such an awesome win for them. They were sort-of the underdogs going into it and taking 3rd was a huge accomplishment.

Third place... feeling good

Cooper after his exhibition game

Cameron taking control of the ball

Cooper going for it

I hope to be more up to date with photos & such as we love being able to share this stuff with you.

It's official....

...school has started. Cooper started Kindergarten and Cameron is in 3rd grade. It has been a smooth transition for both of them. They both got the teachers they were hoping for and have been loving every day. They both have said on more than one occasion "today was the best day ever!" Cooper has 4 kids from his preschool in his class and 3 from his soccer team - it helps to have friends when you are moving to big boy school. Cameron is in class with several of his dodge ball buddies and 3 guys from his soccer team, so not only did they get the lucky teacher pick but have lots of friends in class too.

A little pose in the first day outfits.

The new backpacks.

This years "bell" picture (last year is below). Our third annual. They both have grown but Cameron just seems like a big kid now!

It's so cool having them at the same school - I mean really, not only does it make drop-off & pick-up much more convenient but they get to play on the playground together before school and see each other throughout the day. Their classrooms are across the grass from each other - it couldn't be better. It makes it a little easier on me knowing Cameron can keep his eye out for his little brother. We are looking forward to a fun school year - we'll keep you posted.

End of the Summer Fun

We made time for a quick last minute get-away before school started at the KOA in Willits. There is not much better than the Willits KOA. You can catch the Skunk train right out of the campsite (it runs from Willits to Fort Bragg - a beautiful route - unfortunately we didn't have time this trip but hope to do it next time). Besides the train the place is full of fun family activities more to do in the 1 1/2 days we were there. Like the 5cent beer pictured above that Eddie found...that was a score!! :)

This amazing play structure with obstacles & tubes for days...

a limbo contest - complete with Eddie as a pole holder & Cooper as a contestant

a hula hoop contest Cooper & I entered....damn if we just had our hoops from home we may have won :)...

a petting zoo...

a fishing trip for the boys...

and Cameron caught one all on his own. Even if Eddie warned him being quiet & patient would be hard for him...

a beautiful hike...

still on the trail...

a little water play with dad...

and a bit of relaxing with mom. Yes, our campsite had a private hot-tub! Now that's what we call camping. A much needed trip even if it was short...(oh...we even played pee-wee golf I'm not sure why none of those pix loaded). Soon..back to reality - school & work. Maybe the routine will feel good?! We booked another trip for October - that place was a blast!

Precious

Adorable! Cooper fishing....

Enough Already!

A week to the day of my mom passing we had to put down one of our 13 year old Jack Russel's - Bonnie. She hadn't been well for about a year -what started as vertigo, the vet believes she had a brain tumor and was living in pain. Poor little 'Bonnie girl'...she was a sweet dog. I'll never forget how motherly she was to Cameron & Cooper when they were born. It always made me feel sad we never let her have a litter - she would have been a great mom. But, the tumor was causing pain and pain can make you angry...

...see. This is how she walked around most often the past several months. She looked like a predator out stalking it's prey. Her prey being Clyde - her brother. They would get into some serious brawls. I'm just very thankful none of the kids (or us for that matter) ever got in the middle of this. It was this behavior that made us realize how miserable she was. Like grandma Patti - she is no longer in pain. So,

Rest in Peace Bonnie - I'm sure Grandma is hanging out with her up in heaven!
Bonnie 8/3/1997 - 8/11/2010