31¢/scoop night @ Baskin-Robbins makes us SO happy.

Mariah was gone tonight so I took the boys to this, um, marvelous event.

40 minutes in line behind a family that smelled like a porta potty (no joke)

for $1.35 of ice cream. Those that know me know that I would rather have gone tomorrow night, waited two minutes in line and paid $8, but I promised them ice cream.

As you can tell from the pictures, it was worth it to them.

Here's just some recent pics: some of my favorites.

It's Springtime in Utah. (sort of). Two days ago, there was four inches of snow on the driveway; but the boys are itching to get outside.

After we took a walk around the block, Hank found this box from his birthday and said, "HIT BALL! HIT BALL!" in his growly man voice. So we got it out and they love it.




Look at Hank's meaty legs. That kid's built to be a lineman.

Enjoy the attached video (and the overprotective father's voice) These two are hilarious.

PS- It only took a mention from my brother half way around the world to guilt me into getting another post up. Thanks, Judd!

So, in case you haven't watched the news or read the paper, BYU beat Oklahoma on ESPN this weekend! I'm waiting for the media to twist this one.
Anyway, here are some pics of the boys wearing their support all day before the game. Hanky followed me every turn of mowing the lawn. Then we went to the park to burn off some excess toddler energy. Those two could swing all day. And Hanky sure loves to ride the slides all by himself. The big finish to the day was the big game! Enjoy the pics.

PS- Cooper starts pre-school this week and his latest trick is he can spell his own name!

Two words will describe my past week: POTTY TRAINING. The clouds just parted and the heavens opened. Cooper, and I repeat Cooper decided he was ready. He has been GREAT. Lots of candy has been dispensed. We no longer even wear pull ups(except at night-which he has been dry the last 4). Which big boy underpants to wear are now the big daily decision. We have had plenty of missed toilets....plenty of-mom my wiener is peeing statements. Nothing beats two bathroom visits at Costco when I only had to pick up a prescription. That is a two minute errand which quickly became 30 minutes including potty time. So here is to Cooper. Thank you for not doing this on mom's time frame. Thank you for doing it WAY BETTER than I could have ever anticipated. Thank you mostly for saving me the 42.50 dollar box of size 6 diapers that come with like 20 in it. I think I am going to take that saved 42.50 and get me a massage. I deserve it. Okay, I will get some more smarties to fill the potty jar that you keep emptying. Yahoo for Cooper. And a mini yahoo for mom who was READY to do it. Hank-you ready?

Seriously. Chris showed Cooper an old picture of Rich(Chris' dad) and asked him who it was. Cooper replied,"Joseph Smith." We both laughed. Close, but no. Then Cooper stops and says, "Wow, papa looks like a gentleman." What? I fell off my chair. What 2 year old says gentleman-EVER? This was a great way to start breakfast. I am still laughing.

Story 1
Before Cooper went to bed last night he was just a big boy....but today he woke up a MAN. There were so many things today that proved "the change." I was on my computer when Cooper yelled, "I am pooping." I sigh and say, "Do you want to go in the toilet?" "No, in my diaper," was the reply. Whatever, I can't care today was all I was thinking. About 10 seconds later Cooper yells,"I want to go on the toilet." I look up in awe, confusion, excitement, bafflement....I calmly ask,"are you serious?" "Yeah!" We take off running to the bathroom and he pulls off his pants and diaper and sits on his chair. I decide to leave him alone. About 15 seconds later I go to check on him and he yells(notice how there is A LOT of yelling going on...) "Shut the door mom!" I do it. I just stand there waiting, not sure if he really is going to go to the bathroom or not...finally he opens the door and yells,"I POOPED!" I can't believe it. He actually did it. We had candy, books, the potty dance. It was the best. He actually pushed out two more turds at different times to maximize the candy. Smart kid. He wore big boy underpants--until he starting playing 2 hours later and peed a bit. I tried to get him to pee in the potty but he didn't want too. Debra got him to do it for a snow cone. He actually said while doing it,"My wiener is peeing." I am so proud. A big boy indeed.
Story 2
We have been helping Cooper say his prayers for a long time now. He is starting to say more and more on his own. In fact now it starts out with, "I do it all by myself." The first line in EVERY prayer is always Heavenly Father, bless the food. Why correct it for nap time when he is probably going to dream about food...today was different. We went to my parents for Family Home Evening. Cooper said the closing prayer-all by his self. It was amazing. He was thankful for FHE, grandma Debra, today, playing, it was crazy. I was shocked. What a big boy. If that wasn't enough he out did himself for bedtime prayers. He blessed each member of the first presidency, bedtime, Grandma Judy, Grandma Debra, and on and on and at the end he said,"and thanks for Joseph Smith." WHAT?! Are you kidding me? This is the same boy who wouldn't let the nursery teachers take his picture yesterday for anything...he is thankful for Joseph Smith. Right on.
Story 3
This was HILARIOUS. Cooper and Aiden were in the backyard jumping on the tramp. We had had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard three weeks ago. Apparently there was still and egg to be found. Chris came upon this situation. Aiden holding the egg with skittles covered with ants eating them(his time living in Mexico will really help the ant situation) and Cooper saying,"Aiden can I just have UNO." So saying one was getting him no where. He decided to "speak" Aiden's native tongue. I could not believe it. Who comes up with this stuff. I am still laughing.

Cooper loves to sing songs. In fact in the car he is quite the DJ. When I say DJ that means he is yelling out requests to the mom trying to drive safe and please the crowd. His loves to sing I am a Child of God. I tucked him in one night and he sang the entire song to me. I cried. I finally got around to taping it. Enjoy. Also Cooper has watched these two videos over and over. He wanted BOTH of them to be on HIS pictures..the pretty one and the silly one. I really am just a mom slave. So there are two videos. Good thing he is cute...if the video is black just push play and they will work.