Our Last Goodbye

Last week Cooper and I flew with my mom into St. Louis and crossed the border to Illinois. We went for my Great Grandma's estate sale. The trip was so bittersweet - It was great to see so much family, but at the same time it was our final goodbye to Grandma. As soon as we arrived we started cleaning out cabinets and closets to get ready for the auction, Cooper decided he needed to help.

Emptying the cabinets.

Mom and Cooper decided to played the washboard to keep everyone entertained.

Playing music on the porch.

Cooper making music.

We took a break and walked to the park. Since it's in such a small town they have all the old fashioned toys, a merry-go-round, teeter totters, slides, and swings - Cooper loved them all!

Just a swingin'

Running around the park.

Riding the horsey with Grammy.

With Uncle Brian on the merry-go-round.

Teeter tottering with Mom & Grammy.

Going down the slide!

Coop's final go on the swings.

On Friday while everything was being moved out of the house Cooper and I went for a walk around the block. He LOVED taking a ride in the Cozy Coop. We made it back to the house just before the big rain started falling.

Oh I'm goin' for a ride... Gonna sit behind the wheel :)

Mom taking her yearly shower.

Coop & Grammy dancing in the rain.

Saturday was the big day. After everything settled down and the auction was over, we sat around the enjoyed each others company - I love having such a close family.

Uncle Brian, Cooper, and Me

The Fam

I went along with my cousins, Brett and Shay, to go fishing while Cooper got to spend quality time with his Great Gramma & Papa.

Fishin' at Great Grandpa's pond.

Look how green - Oh how I miss this!

Shay Shay fishin'

I caught 3 :)

My not so large, large mouth bass.

Brett smoked us all.

After getting cleaned up we all met up for dinner at Hook, Line, & Sinker.

The Group

We spent some time out at my Uncle Berdell's & Aunt Pat's house - They have an awesome pond in their backyard so we did some more fishing. Cooper has learned so many new things in the past few weeks - He's now able to walk steadily on uneven ground, he's getting better and better at baby sign language, he now knows how to drink from a straw, he also knows the sounds several animals make, loves to read books, and he can point to the different features on his face. I'm so proud of all he knows, but that means my little baby is growing up :(

Cooper signing "more"

Grammy & Cooper on the dock.

Shay & I going for a paddle boat ride.

Cooper drinking from a straw :)

Mom & Shay

Me & the Coop

Brett's catches of the day.

Takin' a ride on the golf cart.

These flowers are so beautiful - they're some type of lily and were popping up in the middle of the yard, I couldn't help but take a picture.

Lillies at Grandma Lillie's

I love driving down the road and seeing all kinds of farms and beautiful green fields. Everything is so old, yet is still used. People learn to live with what they've got and are happy about it, I wish everyone could be so lucky.

An old red barn.

And its partner, the shed.

What a neat old marker!

Cooper got to open his first present for his birthday from his Great Grandparents - he tore the paper to shreds. 

Happy 1st Birthday little boy!

Playing on Great Great Grandma's swing.

Me & My Handsome Boy

Playing tag - he loves to run away from me!

We visited the cemetery where most of my Grandpa's side of the family is buried. It's awesome that I'm able to visit the grave sites of my Great Great Great Grandparents, not everyone can say that! We also took a drive to visit Great Grandma & Grandpa Busche, oh how I miss them!

Cooper eating rocks @ Zion Church.

Before starting our journey back to St. Louis I let Cooper stretch is legs and run around the yard, of course he ran right for the swing!

Happy as can be!

Coop & Uncle Kevin

Uncle Kevin is such an amazing wood worker - for his hobby he makes rocking horses for all of the kids in our family. We had one as little kids, so as soon as Cooper was born, one was made for him too. Since we live so far away, we have to wait for all of our goodies to be driven out to Vegas.

Gramma riding Cooper's new horsey.

We stopped in Ruma, IL at Mary's & The Ruma Mill, my Aunt Peg's bars, as our final stop before heading to the airport - The food is absolutely delicious! Brett and I spent a few nights here too, now that's what I call a good time!

Mary's

Cooper with his Great Grandparents.

How often do you see one of these??

"The Ruma Mill" across the street from Mary's

On our way to catch our flight I saw this amazing sight...

The Gateway Arch

Cooper did so well on the flight home, I couldn't ask for a better baby. Although I was ready to go home to my husband, I wasn't quite ready to leave. My heart will always be in Illinois.