Melodee Ann

I cried when my baby sister told me she was pregnant.....FINALLY!  

I knew personally of some of her pain of struggling through infertility and miscarriages and the sadness of yearning for motherhood that doesn't seem to want to come.  

I cried when she called to ask if her baby girl could share my name.  It was a honor I did not expect, but could not refuse, especially with the story of both parents dreaming that this would be their first born's name.  

I still haven't met baby Mel, but I'm so happy she's here!  (All 5lbs. 9 oz of her!)

The Rest of July

Sadly, our time in Utah came to an end.  On the way home, I stayed up and helped Aunt Terri finish this puzzle she's been working on since Christmas.  

We got home, and my great summer plans were overtaken by screen time, since we had to keep the house pristinely clean for possible sellers.  The boys changed it up a bit, though.  

We did do some LEGO challenges and a few non-messy science experiments.  

Evan explains his creation: 

We also did lots of cooking together, with the occasional messy treat--homemade popsicles that were SO big because we packed our popsicle making kit!  THAT was a messy activity!!! 

We also did lots of this, which was a lifesaver with everything else that was going on!  

So Many Coopers

Chris and Rebecca came to visit, and I FINALLY got to meet and hold Baby Benjamin!  

We grabbed some dinner, and while we were waiting, one would think Rebecca had a whole crew!  

Worker Bee

Stephen started his own company this summer, in preparation and anticipation of being able to do some contract work in anesthesia.  Worker Bee Anesthesia.  Or else.

It's totally on the up and up!

Braces Off

Kyle was able to get the first phase of his braces off before we move.  He'll have to wait a few years before starting phase 2.

What a difference 9 months will make!  

ELEVEN!

Kyle is 11!  Our first baby is growing into a young man

He chose Chuy's for his dinner, and no one objected! (The Tres Leches cake is a winner!)

We came back home afterwards to open presents.  

Lots of legos, clothes, shoes, games.....and a unicorn onesie!

MORE CAKE!

We are SO proud of this birthday boy! 

Kyle's Birthday Questions:

Name: Kyle Cooper or Kyle for short
How old are you? eleven
Favorite Color: blue and orange
Favorite Animal: octopus
Favorite Book: Percy Jackson Series
Favorite TV Show: Craig of the Creek (because it's new)
Favorite Movie: Star Wars Series
Favorite Song: Hey, Ho...by the Ramones
Favorite Food: Sushi and cake
Favorite Drink: Rootbeer
Favorite Breakfast Food: Waffles!
Favorite Snack: cake
Favorite Outfit:  my creeper onesie
Favorite Game: video game: Mario Plus Wabbit Kingdom Battles; board game: Risk
Favorite Toy: Legos
Best Friend: Seth B.
Favorite Thing to Do: Play games with the family
Favorite Thing to Do outside: swim
Favorite Holiday: Christmas and Halloween
What do you take to bed at night: my blanket and pillow
Where is your favorite place to go? Disney World and home
Favorite Restaurant: 40 Tempura and Chuy's and any Chinese place
Where do you want to go on vacation: Disney World
What do you want to do when you grow up? be a Doctor.
What did you do on your birthday? We had a bagel, egg, ham, & cheese sandwich, we went swimming and played games, and had Chuy's for dinner with a tres leches cake.


Gotta love that unicorn onesie!

Smashing Pumpkins

There was a time while I was in high school that many of my friends were able to attend a SP concert.  For some reason, I couldn't be there, and it's always been one of those bands I've been sad about missing, especially when they broke up in the 2000s and I thought I'd never have a chance.

When an announcement was made this year that they were getting the band back together and touring.......it was ON!


We were able to go with Chris and Rebecca.  SOOO fun!!!  (And one of the longest concerts I've ever seen!)

SETLIST:

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Disarm

Rocket

Siva

Rhinoceros

Space Oddity

(David Bowie cover)

Drown

Zero Speech Interlude

Zero

The Everlasting Gaze

Stand Inside Your Love

Thirty-Three

Eye

Soma

Mark McGrath Vaudeville Interlude #1

Blew Away

For Martha

To Sheila

Mayonaise

Porcelina of the Vast Oceans

Landslide

(Fleetwood Mac cover)

Tonight, Tonight

Stairway to Heaven

(Led Zeppelin cover)

Cherub Rock

Mark McGrath Vaudeville Interlude #2

Radio Intro

1979

Ava Adore

Try, Try, Try

The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning

Hummer

Today

Bullet With Butterfly Wings

Muzzle

Encore:

Solara

Baby Mine

(Betty Noyes cover)

Ovaries.....Out!

We finally found a day that would work for my oophorectomy.  Stephen was able to be there with me, and I didn't have to have an IV!  I had some GREAT anesthesia, but NO pain meds during or after the procedure, as I kept insisting I wasn't in pain.  

It was a success!  

On and Under the Piano

Kids had fun playing under the piano.

Some also had fun playing ON the piano.  After a short lesson, Ryan was off.  Then he played and played and played, so we showed him the keyboard in the basement with the headphones.   

My favorite part was that he composed his own little added ending to some of the songs.  

Sushi Night

Matt & Nicole have a new house!  

To christen is, they had a sushi night while we were there!  

Lacie and I picked up something else, but everyone else had a lovely time making and eating sushi.  Except when there were no more potstickers for Evan.  

A snow cone helped to make up for that.