Road Trip

My cousin, Shannon McDowell, got married this past Saturday in Logan, Utah and I was fortunate enough to be able to attend.

On Thursday Cooper, my sister Breanne, and myself went to the airport (thanks, Azure for the ride!) and caught our flight to Salt Lake City. The rest of my family drove and we all met up at my uncle's house in Spanish Fork where we stayed the night. Apparently, in Utah they have some privacy issues. The home builders don't automatically build a fence around your house, you have to put that in yourself. Along with the front yard and the backyard. Sheesh. Talk about getting to know your neighbors. The next day we drove to Brigham City to spend the day with my great uncle Keith and great aunt Barbara. It was so COLD! There was snow everywhere! I've never seen so much snow in my life! I thought I would freeze to death! I even had to sleep in my big coat! We drove around in Uncle Keith's cars (poor Bre and Brooke had to sit in the rumble seat outside - needless to say they were popsicles by the time we got home!) and ate Aunt Barbara's wonderful food! I had fun helping set up the church for the reception in between visiting with family, running to the store for citric acid and chasing my son around. The wedding was in the Logan Temple and it was beautiful! My great uncle was the sealer. It was a beautiful sealing and it was so much fun to see all of my family! The luncheon was at a place called "The Bluebird" and the food was delicious! It was a little crowded in there, but the food was worth it. Plus I sat next to my cousin Tana and her husband Nathan which was lots of fun and laughter. The only draw back was that Randy had to work and couldn't make it. And the 12 hour car ride home with and 18 month old - now that's an adventure I'm in no hurry to relive. Actually, Cooper was really good for me. I even got to finish a book in the car on the way home, he was so good! It helped to have my parents and sisters there to take him off my hands every now and then. Anyway, the trip was lots of fun and I'm so glad I was able to go and see my cousin be sealed for time and all eternity to a really great guy. It reminded me how lucky I am to have a temple marriage with a really great guy and to be sealed to my beautiful, crazy, energetic little boy.

It's ok Ma, I'm only bleeding

The other day I was in the living room folding laundry while Cooper was playing in his bedroom with 2 other kids his age. All of a sudden, I hear Cooper crying and he comes running on his tiptoes into the living room sporting a brilliant black eye. (see below pictures) The other 2 kids came out right after him. I'm not sure if the wound was self inflicted or if the other children lent a helping hand. He seemed fine so I let him go back to playing. To add insult to injury (or maybe just injury to injury) a couple weeks ago Cooper was in the backyard playing while Randy was barbecuing and again I heard the injured cry. Cooper came in the house behind Randy and when I asked my husband what was wrong his reply was "I don't know, he just started crying." I went to look at my son and his chin was all bloody, but I couldn't find the source of the bleeding. I patched him up and sent him on his way. The next day while in Sacrament meeting at church I noticed that Cooper had chipped both his two front teeth (hence the crying and the bleeding). I swear my child will have a concussion before he turns 2. Hopefully, he'll have teeth, too.

I baby-sit the cutest little girl. Her name is Michaela and she's 2 - just a little older than Cooper. They get along just like brother and sister. Today Michaela brought bunny ears with her and so she and Cooper spent the day running around in them. Have you ever seen a cuter Easter bunny?

Meet our little family - Randy, Ashley and Cooper Conrad. Randy and I have been married for 3 years and our little boy, Cooper, is 17 months old. We currently reside in good old Queen Creek, AZ and really enjoy our neighborhood. There's a tot lot right across the street from our house and Cooper just can't seem to get enough of it. I literally have to drag him back to the house kicking and screaming every afternoon. I grew up with 3 younger sisters, so raising a little boy is like living on another planet. I'm learning quickly, though. I'm gradually getting used to having dirt everywhere and having my house look like a bomb was dropped on it. I at least stopped following him around with a sponge and stain remover, ready to drop to my knees and clean up whatever mess he's just made. I do still, however, pick up the toys as soon as he quits playing with them. Gradually, remember? Even with all the broken furniture and messes I still wouldn't trade this little boy for anything in the world. He's the love my life (along with his dad!)