Holy cow - I can't believe how far behind I've fallen since Josh left to North Dakota for work. To start off, we have been busy, busy bees around here. With Christmas fast approaching, I had last minute shopping to do, lots of kids Christmas activities to keep up with, a baby to keep happy, and a household to keep, or try at least, running smoothly.
To kick off the holiday season, we spent an evening with lots of good friends in Boulder City enjoying their Christmas parade.
Enjoying his very first candy cane.
Before the weather turned cold, we spent as much time at the park as possible. These two little ones play like brothers - they love each other, but at the same time are irritated to no end.
We've kept busy with birthday parties, too.
Checking out the iguana with Nelly.
Happy Birthday Abella!
Before heading to the gun range with Grammy & Grampy, Cooper decided to act tough.
"Let's fight!"
Mr. Cool
Before the holidays truly began, we spent an evening at the Ethel M's Chocolate Factory with Lindsay, Wyatt, and Dru. The kids seemed more interested in the airplanes overhead than the lights, while us adults were much more interested in what the factory itself made. I ate far too much chocolate that week.
Mr. Coop
Wyatt
Me & Coop in Santa's chair.
Wy Wy
Coop loving the jets overhead.
This year my camera is far more advanced than what I used last year - The pictures of the Christmas lights on the cactus turned out tremendously better.
Later that night the boys managed to cover themselves with their dinners - We promptly threw them in the tub together for the first time. Needless to say, they had a BLAST!
Giggling boys.
Wyatt washing Cooper with the soap.
Cooper trying to get a drink.
I decided we needed a change of scenery for a while and took the short jog up to St. George for a few days to stay with Dave & Theresa, Sarah and Sam too. We spent one evening driving around the city to look at all the beautiful Christmas lights. After walking around the temple, we took a drive out to Tuacahn to check out their festive display, too.
Uncle Sam showing Cooper the lights.
Me & Mr. Handsome
Cooper with Grandpa Dave, Grandma Theresa, & Uncle Sam
Cooper showing Sam how he really feels ;)
The trees lining Tuacahn.
Coop's face is priceless.
Tuacahn's beautifully large Christmas tree.
We spent most of the trip relaxing, when we weren't laughing or eating - Theresa is a wonderful cook and Dave is absolutely hysterical.
Eating yogurt with Grandpa & Grandma Craig.
By the end of the trip, Cooper just wanted his Grandma.
Sleeping baby.
After our exciting trip Cooper came down with a cold, along with not one, but two, ear infections. We spent as much time possible indoors recuperating for the next week. Once he was back to his destructive ways, along with my parents and brother, we headed out to the Springs Preserve to visit with Santa and some reindeer.
Uncle Mike, Grammy, Coop, & Grampy
He refused to sit in Santa's lap.
Spinning my boy around the Christmas tree.
Going for a ride.
Loving the reindeer.
The week before Christmas I finally found time to bring Cooper to Bass Pro to visit with Santa - Ashley brought Aiden along too. Once again Cooper refused to sit on his lap, but we had fun playing with the toys while waiting in line, his favorite was the choo-choo train.
Laughing at the train.
And the wait begins...
He didn't last very long in the cart.
With Santa at Bass Pro.
Aiden & Coop after visiting Santa.
Our family photographer, Tyler Leavitt of TSLclick.com got a new camera light and asked me to test it out for him. Here's a few of my favorites - He's amazing.
The Wednesday before Christmas, my trickster husband surprised me with the best gift of all, himself. He got a week off work and came home for Christmas - I was so happy, I cried. His arrival sure brought a whole bunch of joy back into our house, exactly what we needed for the holiday. That night after calming myself down with a bath, I walked out into the living room to find this, it absolutely made my heart melt.
My two favorite boys.
We spent his time home with the people that matter most, friends and family. Mike and Kris came by for dinner before all the family got into town - It was so good to see them and catch up.
Opening his first Christmas present of the year.
Tis the season.
Ripping the paper, he got the hang of it real fast.
Someone, ahhhemm Grammy, made the mistake of giving Cooper a cookie loaded with frosting. Next thing we knew, we had this little monster running around...
Finger lickin' good.
Rooooaaaar!
Friday before Christmas, my Dad and Val finally arrived from their long drive from Texas. Cooper became my Dad's best friend.
Telling Grandpa what a monkey says.
On Christmas Eve we headed to my parents house to spend the holiday with them.
The Christmas Tree.
Laughing at the mini Pendleton bottle.
Josh & his bronc rider.
My pretty new bracelet!
Michael enjoying his Christmas.
Watching Dad open his Christmas gifts.
Giving Grampy his Christmas present.
Grammy opening her present.
Cooper's turn!
His first "roping kit"
Loving on Uncle Mike.
After opening gifts that afternoon, we went out for our Christmas dinner - wonderful food and no mess to clean up.
Eating a cracker, waiting for his Christmas Eve dinner.
Laughing at Dad.
Enjoying a lemon.
Cooper got ahold of the cork to our wine bottle and made a game out of it - He thought he was hilarious. It still amazes me how silly his personality is - He sure is his father's son.
Our Christmas Tree
Riding his new trike.
Trying to figure out how to reach the pedals.
Coop's new boots!
Josh with a picture of his new spurs!
Coop figuring out his bedroll.
Michael, Dad, & Me on Christmas
Early Christmas afternoon Dave, Theresa, and the kids came over to celebrate Christmas with us. We gave them their gifts, while they waited for ours to be delivered.
Dave posing with his new rain coat.
Father & Son
After we ate an amazing dinner, Santa showed up at our front door at the same time Dave had a few errands to run, convenient isn't it? In order to get your gift, it was a requirement to sit on Santa's lap.
Cooper finally warmed up towards the end of Santa's visit and sat on his lap.
I was so thankful that Josh was able to come home and spend the holiday with us - He even agreed to a family Christmas picture :)
My beautiful family.
The day after Christmas, which was also Josh's last day home, we met up with the Busch's. The neighbors had a front yard full of leaves, so we raked them all together and the girls had a blast jumping into them - I can't say the same for Cooper, he didn't like leaves up to his ears.
After the pile dissipated, we loaded up the trucks and made our way out to Nelson to go shooting.
Cooper shooting his birthday present for the first time.
Elle taking her turn with her gun.
Playing in the dirt.
Learning how to shoot Dad's shotgun.
Hiding under the truck.
Dad showing Cooper how to fill cans with dirt.
I had a lap full.
Monday night we spent the evening at Rick & Pam's for dinner. The kids got a trampoline for Christmas so Josh, being the big kid that he is, hopped up with Cooper and bounced him for a while. Needless to say they both LOVED it.
My awesome husband and baby.
On Tuesday, after Josh left back to work, we took a trip to the Las Vegas Zoo. It wasn't as bad as expected, but it's also no San Diego Zoo. First we visited the birds.
Cooper insisted on pulling the wagon to see the monkeys.
Our next stop was the cat exhibit. They had a Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and an African Lion - Cooper found them very entertaining.
They had an otter exhibit that Cooper loved too.
Before leaving, we stopped into see the goats to let Cooper pet them.
On the way out we ran into these beauties.
After spending several hours at the zoo, Cooper was ready for a nap. After waking up, while dinner was being prepared, he spent the afternoon in the garage on his swing with Grandpa and Grandma.
Look at those chicklets!
Pushing around his new trike since he's not quite big enough to ride it yet.
Wednesday morning Sarah came into town to spend a few days to help me out with Cooper. After spending the rest of the morning relaxing, we drove up to Mt. Charleston that afternoon.
Grandpa pushing Coop around on his trike.
Playing in his HUGE toy pile.
Cooper & Grandpa Gall
Sarah decided to show Cooper how to eat snow - It was hilarious. He didn't quite get the concept at first, but eventually caught on after she demonstrated.
Aunt Sarah licking the snow.
Then it was Coop's turn.
Buster loves the snow - He could play in it all day long.
Kissing Momma.
Aunt Sarah laughing at Cooper playing in the snow.
"This stuff is COLD Mom!"
Buster was nonstop the whole mountain trip.
Mr. Handsome
Our first borns.
We spent the rest of the week enjoying each others company. Cooper giggled and danced around the house while the rest of us watched, very entertained.
Before Dad and Val headed home, we spent the evening at Michael's house. Cooper loves to play with bubble wrap and Uncle Mike happened to have some.
Popping the bubbles.
Eating with Grandma Val.
Starting up his new chainsaw.
Every little boy should have one.
Michael started a bad habit, jumping with Cooper on the bed - They both laughed for hours.
Our Gall family picture, minus Josh.
Before the year was over, Lindsay and I, along with Sarah, brought the boys to Opportunity Village to see the lights and ride the rides.
Wy and Coop
Coop with Aunt Sarah & the Christmas tree.
Mr. Furley
First we took them on a the train. Cooper couldn't help himself but say "WOW, Oh WOW!" the entire ride. Both boys threw a fit when the ride ended and we had to get off.
"Wooooow!"
Wy and Lindsay
Next up was the carousel - I had to step off before it started, luckily Sarah stayed on with Coop - My stomach can't handle spinny rides. The boys loved it so much, they went for a second ride.
Wyatt riding the zebra.
Coop "Wowing" on his horse.
Riding the dragon!
Coop insisted on riding another horse - He's a cowboy at heart.
We spent our New Year's Eve relaxing - Cooper didn't make it to midnight and I spent my night reading a good book.
Happy New Year!
The start of another year marks the beginning of something new. This, right now, is the moment I have been waiting for - A chance to start fresh, focus on the positive, and change my way of thinking. In the past year I have made so many new, great friends, built on the amazing friendships I've had for years, and said goodbye to those who no longer hold a place in my life. I have the best husband a woman could ask for, a smart, hysterically funny, sweet little boy, a wonderful, supportive family, and I couldn't be happier at the direction our life is heading. Longfellow once said "Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear." We are now taking the biggest risk of our lives, but know it WILL pay off. We have so many wonderful things on the horizon that I can't wait to encounter with so many truly great people to share it with. Thank you all for making 2011 such a phenomenal year, here's to making 2012 even better.
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