Lauren's 5th Birthday

I know..... I have REALLY dropped the ball on this blog.  When I downloaded the pictures on the camera, I did find a few from the last few months... but not many. With the daily grind of school and all we just have not been doing that many exciting things:). But I can say with no doubt that Lauren's 5th birthday is very exciting. It is so hard to believe how fast it has all gone. She is just a joy in our life, and that needs to be celebrated!

Mom put the streamers up..... but Lauren got out of bed before I was aware. So this is her crawling back in....... so we can run threw!

Lauren on her 5th birthday with the BEST bed head :)

Lauren helped me make her a birthday cake. It was enjoyed by all

 Dad, Cooper (7), and Lauren ready to eat cake

 My joy ....... when they are not trying to make me crazy :) 

We headed over to jump city after school on Friday, with Sarah and the girls. We all jumped and had a lot of fun.

Reese(6) having a great time

 Cooper is all boy. If we can shoot it, chuck it, or destroy it, we want it!

 Reese and Lauren playing Dodge Ball

 Lauren getting some Skylar(3) love!

 kids playing with interactive screen.... 

 Cooper and Reese had a great time on the climbing wall. Lauren wanted to, but needs to work on her arms strength a little more.

 Then once we reach the top, we had to launch ourselves off the wall.

Lauren with her new Barbie house

We had a great weekend, and loved being able to celebrate this beautiful, smart, sweet, caring little girl.

Flag Football

We have played soccer for the last few years, and Cooper (as well and Mom and Dad), was ready for something else. So we decided to try flag football. Cooper really seemed to enjoy it, but being such a complex game, I am not sure he knew what he was doing all the time. But he was always smiling, so it was a success.

Here are a few shots from the season.

Almost sacked the quarterback

 Got Him

 Hand off

 Trying to tackle his friend Ethan

 I think you are suppose to go from the flag, buddy

 Got it

 Another Hand off

The smile

 Lauren was always helpful- with Dad marking the downs

 See also had a grand old time collecting sticks, and play with Ethan's little Brother Cody

 Cooper had a great time, and I think he will want to play again... Now I have to prepare myself for Lauren playing soccer. She has been asking to play for about a year. We were able to put it off, by reminding her Cooper did not start playing until he was 5. I know she will have fun, I just am not sure if she is ready to follow the coach's instructions.... or just run around chasing butterflies :). Not that there is anything wrong with chasing butterflies, just not at the expense of another adults sanity.

Halloween Fun

We love Halloween.... what other day can you dress in amazing costumes and get lots of candy.

        This year, as all years we were all over the board on costumes. Cooper had ideas of were ninja, then maybe a superhero. Finally a few days before Mom's given deadline he went with Snake Eyes, a character from G.I. Joe. Lauren was determined to be Elsa, but we tried very hard to change that since we knew there would be thousands of Elsa's. Thankfully one look at a rainbow tutu and we were sold on the My Little Pony costume.
She was very happy with her choice, as you can see from Joel's facebook post.

Joel White

October 30 at 7:36am · Edited · 

Stayed around to take kids to school today. Lauren had this brilliant, confident smile when she got all dressed up in her costume.

When she walked into her classroom, she just paused at the door and stood while everyone checked her out. One little boy, dressed as Thor, said "Lauren you look BEAUTIFUL!"

I threw a sack over that kid's head and roughed him up behind the preschool. He was surprisingly tough for 4 years old.

   We had a jammed packed weekend.  Friday night we meet up with some friends (Tim's Family), and rode around the neighborhood looking at the cool decorations.  Getting up Saturday to get a few new books at the library, and then a sponsored bike ride that ended in ice cream.  After watching a movie we headed out to Trick or Treat.  We all had a great time.

Snake Eyes

 My Little Pony - Rainbow Dash

 Mom with the kids (I believe Joel stated I was the Queen Bee : ) 

 Lauren with Jake from State Farm

 Lauren showing off the back of her costume.

After school earlier this week we were able to get to in a quick trip to the pumpkin patch. Here are a few shoots from there. Luckily we had a beautiful day, and a very little crowd.

 I am not sure Lauren understands the point of the cut outs :)

Quick Trip to Oklahoma

We need to travel more. It is always a struggle to find time, once the kids are in school. Cooper had off one day, so we decided to take a quick trip to OKlahoma. It worked out that Kasey Musgraves was in  Tulsa that weekend, which is someone that both Joel and I have wanted to see. So the plan to head up and see some family in OKC then hit Tulsa Sunday night. 

  

 First stop is the cows.

Lauren getting a little help from Dad

 Starting to get the hang of it

 Just a few more

 Jack and Martha loaned us their TRex off road vehicle. The kids wanted to take it for a ride. Cooper was able to drive around the field. He had a great time.

Now it was Lauren's turn. 

Now we are getting going. Love that smile.

We were able to spend some time at the Science Museum. It seemed to be under construction, but still had some great exhibits. 

Cooper with one (of five blasters) from a space shuttle

 Astronaut Cooper

 Now Rennie

 Cooper building a track to race balls down

 Lauren with her Lego car

 Lauren on the bed of nails - Cooper still not brave enough to try it

 Mind Games exhibit - Did Mom and Cooper shrink?

 Now Lauren's turn

 Lauren riding a segway. It was really fun, and Cooper tried it a several times

 Cooper and Dad in a Tornado

Here is a pic from the concert.  It was great to get back to Cain's Ballroom. Thankfully they had  some upgrades and the central cooling was a great addition. And Kasey sounded amazing.

 We are thankful to Jack and Martha for watching the kids while we got a night out. They took the kids to a movie and McDonalds. It does not get any better for a 4 and 7 year old.

 Kids ready to head back to Colorado.

We had a great trip and now we need to plan more.

Grandparents make it to town

Mom and Dad survive the long journey back and forth from Alaska. Thankfully they were able to stop by and see us for a few days. Here are a few pics from the time they were here.

Grammie and Cooper ready for church

Family ready for church - Thanks Mom for the family photo

 Grandpa and Cooper having a lego battle

Cooper showing off his school

 Cooper - the next American Ninja warrior

 Grandpa pushing Lauren on the swings

 Dad and Daughter swinging

Joel schooling Cooper with his basketball skills

 Cooper and Grandpa hanging out on our deck enjoying the beautiful evening

We were all glad that Mom and Dad were able to stop, I know it was a long trip for them. I think Dad noted his car went from 13 miles to over 10000 miles. I am guessing they will fly next summer :).