Family Reunion: Part Two

After another great night's sleep, the Cooper family was up and ready to go on Saturday morning. We decided to take the tram ride to the beach and let Ryan have his first beach experience. (Our camera got a little fogged up, so the pictures are a little blurry. I guess that's what happens when you keep your room at 68 degrees and go straight outside to the heat and humidity.)



Kyle, our little beach baby, was right at home by the waves. I think he's really going to miss the Florida beaches.


It didn't take him very long to figure out how to work the foot pedal on the water hose, either!



The main even for Saturday was lunch at Pelican Beach Park. The Solari Family rented a pavilion, grilled up some burgers and hot dogs, played a sizzling game of beach volleyball, and enjoyed activities on the sandy shore. A few of us even pulled out the Monopoly card game.


Kyle was in heaven, especially on the beach and playing with all the beach toys.




After the picnic, we all headed over to the Zimmerman's to watch USA lose in the World Cup. We all had such high hopes. At least the company was good!


Kyle, not really much into soccer yet, decided to keep himself entertained in other ways. The doggy door became his own secret passageway.

He got in a short workout.


Aunt Em was kind enough to hang outside with Kyle and blow some bubbles.

After all that hard play, Kyle also conned Granna into snagging him some shrimp, M&M's, and other snacks to refuel his energy.


Ryan was content to be passed around, enjoying some quality time with his mom's side of the family.



After the tough USA loss, three of the Coopers (plus Bryan and Lacie) headed back to Miramar. Kyle got to stay an extra night with Granna, Gramps, and the gang.

We all had a wonderful time at the reunion and only wish it wouldn't have had to come to such a quick end. Let's start planning the next one!

Family Reunion: Part One

We had an AMAZING time at our Solari Family Reunion this past weekend!!! I only wish it didn't have to end so soon!

We got to the reunion Thursday night, right in time for the "official" opening event: dinner at the Ron Jon Grill. The Cooper family definitely made an entrance because most of the rest of the bunch was already seated and eating appetizers. We stormed in and were immediately surrounded. How fun it was to catch up and see all of these relatives that haven't been around Kyle in years and were getting to meet Ryan for the first time. I think Kyle had his fill of sitting for the evening from the car ride down, and was more into running around. Good thing we had the entire patio area reserved! We ended up leaving a little early to get our boys to bed--which was a double blessing, since it took a good half-hour (and a migraine) to set up our difficult pack-n-play. Both boys slept VERY well, thanks to being totally exhausted AND some excellent black-out shades!!! P.S. Our room was PERFECT, and I would totally consider taking the family back to this resort for a longer stay sometime in the future!

Ron Jon Resort was a great home away from home. If there was ever a time that anyone was bored, it was their own fault. Between the swimming pool and giant water slide, kiddie water area, lazy river, miniature golf, movie theater, indoor playground, and private beach--we really didn't have time to let boredom set in! Kyle was even worn out, which doesn't happen very often!!!

I was able to spend quite a bit of quality time with my siblings. On Friday morning, several of us hung out at the pool area. Stephen was nice enough to watch Ryan (and soccer) in the room so I could relax--basically kid-free, since Kyle was playing with Granna and Auntie Deb.


There was no "lazy" in Kyle's trips down the lazy river. He preferred to turn it into the "crazy" river and even got in trouble for not staying in a tube. He loved all the fountains, waterfalls, sprays, and dropping water buckets along the way.


On Friday evening, the entire group met up again for another dinner. (I don't have a ton of pictures, but the designated family photographer, Wendi, was busy capturing every moment. I'll be getting more from her when she gets everything put together!)




Ryan was a big hit and was pretty good about getting passed around and around. Kyle also was a star of the show as one of only 4 small children at the reunion. He had a few "friends" to run around with. How grateful we are that Piper and Finley were there, so Kyle wasn't the only rugrat in the room. We did have to leave early (again) since both boys were exhausted (again) toward the end of the event.



Our first full day at the reunion wore us all out, and we slept very well again!

Ryan Meets More Family

It was a big weekend for Ryan--even before his blessing! At the family reunion, he got to meet lots and lots of family members for the first time! (I realized that I wasn't so good at taking lots and lots of photos to coincide with all of these first moments, but there will be more family reunion photos to come once we get everyone's cameras downloaded.)

Ryan and Gramps

Ryan with:

Uncle Brandon and Aunt Melinda

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Lacie

Aunt Julianna

Uncle Matt

Aunt Emmalee

Great Grama Sue

*Ryan also met Auntie Deb; Uncle Mike, Aunt Kelly, and cousin Olivia; Uncle Mark, Aunt Terri, and cousin Rachael; and many more relatives on Uncle Delbe's side of the family!!!

After we got home from the reunion, Stephen turned around and went to pick up Grandpa and Grandma Cooper and Uncle Bando from the airport. Ryan got to meet these 2 guys for the first time, too!

We are grateful and blessed that Ryan has so many family members to love and support him. Thanks to everyone who was able to sacrifice to be here. We can't wait for Baby Ryan to meet (and spend more time with) even more of you!

Blessing Day

Ryan was blessed at church today. We were so lucky to be able to have so many friends and family in attendance. My entire family was able to drive down from the family reunion: Dad and Mom; Brandon and his fiance, Melinda; Bryan and Lacie; Julianna; Matthew; and Emmalee. Stephen's parents and his brother, Jordan, were able to be here, too!



Here's everyone who participated in the blessing.

The Blessing of Ryan Andrew Cooper
Given by Stephen Scott Cooper II
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Miami Gardens, Florida

Stephen gave him the name--Ryan Andrew Cooper--and proceeded to give him a blessing:

"...At this time, Ryan, we give you a special blessing through the power of the priesthood, by your Heavenly Father. At this time, Ryan, we give you a blessing of strength, knowledge, and the ability to choose the right, to know when you have the choices placed before you, that you will make right decisions, that you will do what your Heavenly Father would want you to do and what your parents and family would want you to do.
We also give you a special blessing to be a good brother to Kyle, and that as you two grow up you will be best of friends.....you will rely on family members throughout your life to talk to and to learn about their history and who they are and to learn to be a better young man.
As you go through your life...you will find the importance of an education, that you will become a good member of this world--not only as a member of the church--but as a person on this earth. We also give you the knowledge and ability to go on a mission, that you will have the strength to make it through those years and you will serve our Heavenly Father and most importantly you will serve those of another place and be able to teach them about Jesus Christ.
We also give you the ability and blessings of being able to prepare yourself to worthily marry in the temple, that you will find a young woman and you will be a good young man, prepared to be married in the temple and to live out your life and to have a family and be happy.
Now, Ryan, go forward and do what Heavenly Father and what this church and your family members have in store for you....listen to what is right...you will always have the ability to make decisions that are right for you and...council with your Heavenly Father in those decisions.
Your mother and father are so very lucky to have you, and we are blessed to have you. We love you so very much.
We say these things, humbly, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Ryan was VERY tired during the blessing. I almost had him asleep, but needed about 5 more minutes when it was time to start. As a result, he cried almost the whole time, even though Uncle Bando kept trying to stick the plug back in.


After church, we invited all the family and several people over to our house for a late lunch of--what else?--MEXICAN FOOD! We had a buffet of brisket/pork/chicken tacos and all the fixin's and sides. I'm so glad we have such wonderful friends here who could come celebrate in our joy!

Bags are Packed

We are soon headed off to our family reunion 2010! I don't know if I'll be posting anything for the next few days because I'm sure I'll be having too much fun relaxing and playing here. I am SOOOOO looking forward to having other people to entertain Kyle and to hold Ryan. I might even be able to catch a nap or two! And even though my post-baby weight doesn't exactly make for beach body, I'm hoping to catch a few rays.

We are all packed and just waiting anxiously for Stephen to get home from the hospital. Kyle is quite excited to go to what he's calling, the "super-big park." (Don't let the face fool you. He's just not too happy about me making him wear the hat that completes this ensemble.)

Comedy and Tragedy

Ryan laughed for the first time last night. I found out that he's pretty ticklish. There's nothing like the sound of hearing your kids laugh!

Kyle cried again on the way home from the movie theater today. (I'm 2 for 2 on ending a trip to the movies in tears. Mom of the Year, here I come!!!) Last week's crying was the result of getting in trouble for darting out in front of a car. This time, Kyle was upset because his mean mom made him leave early for not staying in his seat and trying to run down the aisle. (Wait...those weren't just empty threats!?!?!?) Maybe next time he'll believe me when I say, "Sit down and quit climbing on the railing, or we're going to leave the movie and go home!"

P.S. We did get to hear the wonderful sound of Kyle's laughter last night, too. He LOVES watching Wipeout!

Mommy Moment

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciuolsy give other people permission to do the same. --Marianne Williamson

I read this quote in a book and I believe it's also referenced in the movie Akeelah and the Bee. I love its message that we need to "shine, as children do." The same energy, light, and purity that allows children to be oblivious to an audience of their fit-throwing in the grocery store allows them to be free, imaginative, inquisitive, and great without fear. They aren't concerned about, or even aware of, what other people might think of them or how they compare. They simply shine.

Here's a small sample of Kyle "shining." It's amazing how much joy a boy can have with a few empty boxes and a stick.

Angry Elf

Although it's not fun to see (or hear) a little baby cry, I want to remember something about this little guy and his distinct personality. From almost the beginning of life, Ryan was either perfectly content (most of the time) or screaming like a banshee. There was really no middle ground. He continues to be this way today. Ryan rarely whines or whimpers, but sure lets you know when he is unhappy, uncomfortable, hungry, or tired. His crying is either off or FULL BLAST, almost to the point that he is breathless and sucking air. (At first, this scared me to death because Kyle was not this way AT ALL. I worried that when when Ryan screamed like this I was hurting him, but it usually turned out that he was just communicating--LOUDLY--his discontent with a certain situation.) Rather than thinking this means Ryan has a short fuse, I like to tell myself he is smart and assertive and knows how to get his point across in a big way. Maybe Ryan's already learned that with a brother like Kyle, he's going to have to speak up!