Birthday Planning Night

Today mom came over to play with the boys while I was at work. They had a great day and soaked up the sun. Mom is big on playing outside, even more so than me! I had a meeting after school so I got home later than usual. When I got home mom had made dinner for all of us! It was so nice to not have to cook. We had a delicious spread of ribs, baked potatoes, and a yummy salad. The boys enjoyed the potato and a pickle!

On Monday night we took pictures for the boys' birthday invitations. Here are a few of the outtakes! Pretty darn cute!

After dinner mom helped me address all of our bday invites. That was a job!

Kale had the best part of the job... licking the envelopes :)

We got two more packages in the mail today.

Napkins and cupcake picks!

Party hats

This weekend we bought the material to make their bibs and table runners for the food table and the present table. It is coming together! I have never been so excited about planning a party. I do have to say this is even more fun than our wedding. I've looked forward to this 1st bday party for about 3 years!

We also rolled the plastic ware in the napkins.

I hope everyone has a great week. It is hump day! We are almost to the end :) Kale and I leave Friday right after school to head to Dallas. Go HOGS, beat A&M!

-Stephanie

Friday Night Lights

We took the men to their first football game Friday night. It was the Gravette homecoming game against Pea Ridge. They had a great time. Bedtime is seven o'clock, so we knew we were pushing the limits a bit, but once they got settled in they had a wonderful time taking in all of the sights and sounds of the evening.

They especially LOVED the bands and cheer leaders.

Peeking around to see the girls on the field!!

The Lion mascot was sooo cool too. They boys even got to have their picture made with him.

He did a wonderful dance during halftime. Very cute.

They even got to see their prom date, Amanda.

We had a wonderful time sitting with the Denvers. Angie was kind enough to share her pickle with Anderson. Apparently she wasn't feeding him fast enough because he took it from her and just started chowing down!

This was our first of MANY football games!

-Stephanie

90th Birthday

My Partner in crime!

Today would have been my Papaw's 90th birthday. It was a day full of wonderful thoughts and memories of all the wonderfully amazing times we spent together. He was one of the most important men in my life. The love he gave me in my 26 years with him is enough to last my lifetime. There will NEVER be anyone that can replace him. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to love and be loved by such an amazing person.

I called Mamaw tonight to let her know that she has been on my mind all day today. Talking to her was just what I needed, someone to share both smiles and tears with. One thing we talked about was the last time Papaw got to see the boys. He would be playing with one and talking to him and then turn his head and realize... there's another one! He just laughed and kept saying, "Look, another one!" Then he went right back to playing with their hands and smiling at them. What a wonderful memory to have!

Papaw and Fletcher

Papaw and Anderson

Count your blessing folks; and don't let a day go by without telling the important people in your life that you love them.

-Stephanie

Football Date

Last night, Kale and I went with Nick and Ashley to the Razorback game. We had a wonderful time! It had rained ALL day long... steady, but cleared up about 45 minutes before kick off. Proof that the Man upstairs is a Hog fan :) The weather was perfect football weather. A little wet, but nice and cool. We had wonderful seats right behind the team on the 30 yard line, 7th row.

The Hogs won, but I wouldn't say we played "good." In fact, I'm a little nervous about next week's game against Bama. Hopefully our little Piggies can pull it off!

One of my goals of the evening was to get a picture of Petrino NOT screaming and red-faced... I pretty much failed. Lolly came over to watch the men for the evening. I think that they all had an enjoyable time. They were snuggled in nice and tight when we got home. Thanks Lolly :)

My family, the Cook side, are HUGE A&M fans. Each year we meet up for the Southwest Classic in Dallas for some family and football time. It is fun to tailgate in our opposing team gear and give one another a hard time. The thing with family is in the end... we still love one another!

My Papaw's name was Glyn B Cook. Everyone called him B. We noticed that the Razorbacks have a G Cook and a B Cook on the team!

B Cook #74

G Cook #72

How about the Aggies? Do you have a G or B Cook on your team? Don't think so! Even more reason to be a Razorback fan :) We can't wait for the game on Oct. 1st. It will be so good to see and hang out with my cousins. They are the best. We are bummed that we will have to miss our twin friends 1st birthday though. Easton and Addilyn, we will have to have another make up party for you :)

Speaking of parties, we got two of our five Amazon boxes in at the end of the week. We now have party hats and yellow forks and spoons! Birthday planning is in full gear.

-Stephanie

Wonderful Wednesday

Tonight we had a lot of fun hanging out at home. It started with a play session on the floor, which led to a massive toy mess all over the freshly cleaned living room floor! While playing I got our first video of Rooster saying his new word... "tickle!"

Then we had a great dinner which consisted of whole grain rice. The men had rice between fingers, in their hair, up their noses, and even between toes! don't ask... I'm not sure how that happened! A bath was to follow. Most nights the men get bubbles in their bath, but for some reason tonight Anderson was just amazed by them. And apparently they tasted delicious! Take a look :)

After baths we and played in our swings for about 5 minutes. We cut it a little short tonight since it was pretty chilly out there. Yes, I said CHILLY! How awesome is that, feeling like fall!

Now, we are lounging on the couch and enjoying the open window feel with the wonderful cool breeze. Men are tucked away and snoozing right along. Tomorrow is Thursday... and that is one day closer to the weekend. Have a good night everyone!

-Stephanie

I almost forgot! We have a new pet... Can you find it?

Kale found it on the doorstep this afternoon. YIKES!

Walker Wanderin'

Tonight we played outside... all evening! It was perfect. We took the boys out in their walkers and they loved taking charge of the driveway. They were like mad men racing up and down!

Then Fletcher decided he was a big boy and could go on a walk all by himself!

While Fletch was out on his evening walk, Rooster was making his very own water table! He managed to squeeze his sippy cup top to dump all the water out onto his walker tray! What else is there to do but splash in it!

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Stephanie

New SWINGS!

The boys got new swings for their swingset on Monday and they absolutely LOVE them! Pretty sure they rank right up their with their wagon. They are an early birthday present from Gigi and Granddaddy. Thank you so much! We will be sure to put them to great use.

-Stephanie

Labor Day 2011

This past weekend we took the Duo to Newton County for their first Labor Day. They had a great time living it up in the cabin and hanging out with the fam. We left right after we fed them dinner on Friday evening and got to the cabin around 8ish. That was just enough time to run wild in our walkers, get loves from everyone, and be tucked away for the night. We awoke early Saturday morning to Pop's delicious cooking. The boys love their scrambled eggs. Especially with cheese on top! After breakfast we all loaded up and took off for Lost Valley. The double stroller is a little hard to maneuver so we broke out the single three-wheelers! They worked great on the trail. Anderson thought they were so comfy, he even took a nap on the way back to the cars.

After we got back from hiking, we grabbed a bite to eat and had a little resting time. When the men got up we met everyone out at the river. They LOVE to swim, and had a blast in the water with Daddy, Lolly, and Pop. We had to keep an eye on the time, knowing the Razorback game started at 6. We made it back just in time to turn on the radio. The rest of the evening was spent snacking, relaxing and cheering for those HOGS!

On Sunday we went into Jasper and walked around town. The weather was so beautiful that we spent as much time outside as we could. That evening we ate out at the Ozark Cafe. We go there every year, and every year it is just as yummy! Then we returned to the cabin and were entertained by the men jousting with river noodles! Fun had by all :)

This morning we packed up and headed back to the big city. When we got home we quickly unloaded, started laundry, cleaned the house (dusted, vacuumed, dishes, etc.) mowed, edged, weeded the flower bed, and made a Wal Mart run. After WM, mom stuck around and helped me whip out trays of baby food for the next week or so. All in all, we got an entire weekends worth of chores done by 3:30 this afternoon! Since then we have been enjoying the freshly mowed grass and playing outside. What a GORGEOUS day it has been. I am so thankful for family and beautiful days like today. Well, hope everyone had a great extended weekend. Hope the rest of the week will go by quickly and happily for everyone.

-Stephanie