Give 'em CREDIT

On "Parent's Night" at school, we got to see some of Cooper's projects. The pic above is a clever idea that was on each child's desk. When you lifted each letter it had a picture that Cooper drew to represent that letter--so let's review his name in reverse. R-rocket. E-egg. P-pencil. O-octopus. O-octagon. C--CREDIT CARD!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? AND LOOK AT THAT PICTURE HE DREW! CRACKS ME UP TO NO END!!!

This is some of Coop's art work when they were studying LINES! His teacher told me she asked the class to describe what a LINE is....Coop raised his hand and said, "I know, it is green and you put it in margaritas" SERIOUSLY!?!

How bout them apples?

We have had to move the fruit bowl b/c Millie won't stay away from those apples!

Brady's first homework

Can you see how excited he is to have homework!!! He just loves it and is ecstatic each time he has "homework" from preschool. Brady has really blossomed the last few months. His speech therapy is making a big difference. I'm not certain if he just hears everything Coop learns or if he is just a quick wit, but that boy busted out and counted to 100 without missing a beat. We still get excellent reports on how sweet and helpful he is at school. He still beats to his own drum and if you ask him what plant he is from, he will say "pizza planet". Oh and he still prefers to be called Brady Boo Charles Johnson!

First Day of First Grade

We didn't quite get moved in our new home before school started, but we wanted to start out walking daily with our new neighbors. Besides having lots more storage, I think the thing we were most excited about moving was having more neighborly neighbors and being able to walk to school! It was a CRAZY morning because Brad had to be at a different construction site for an inspection at 7am, so I had to get everyone ready and hope/pray that Coop didn't have a repeat Freak-out session starting school, drive to new house, then walk with everyone.

I'm happy to report....all went well! It was perfect. Cooper wouldn't pose for the neighborhood kids photo and wouldn't hug the principal, but marched right into his classroom. What a relief!

Mrs. Scaife--what a blessing she is! So laid back and friendly. And her son is in preschool with Brady so he thinks that is super cool!

Meet Fantasia

This is our new pet at the cabin. This sweet deer would walk right up to us. The deer was named by the painter staining the deck---can't quite figure out why he chose that name for her!?!

Chillaxin at the Cabin

This past summer was quite crazy because we were so busy building our new home. But we did make certain we found some time to relax.

These pics were taken the last day before the new school year started. It was a fabulously relaxing day, lounging, eating popsicles, lounging again.

Camille was a handful on the boat this year. She did not like being held when the boat was moving and by the end of the summer she figured out how to open the cooler....and drink all the juice boxes!

Posing on the deck of the cabin. That is one of my favorite pictures of her.

The boys with their summer "burr" haircut

Lizzy even joined us for a water gun fight

pirate brady

last but not least, pirate brad

Cousin Time

We had a great summer visit from our Schindall cousins in August while they were traveling to & from summer camp in Branson.

Uncle Adam and Camille. He spoils her and would get her from her crib if she was crying while she went to sleep. I mean, seriously?

The Wonderplace!!!v

Another great weekend with Grandma and Grandpa this past summer. You can tell they love to climb and wrestle on Grandpa!

Red, White and Blue

This Fourth of July we celebrated at the Martin's house. Camille, Elle and Tinsley (who escaped the camera) loved lots of watermelon. Brady and JT had a blast with water balloons and fireworks. Cooper was still recovering from tonsillectomy so he just chilled out on the deck.