Cooper...as a Girl?

This is what happens when I leave Cooper with my Mother-in-law for two days and my Sister-in-law gets a hold of him.

He's actually a bit pretty...don't you think?

Bottles & Pacifiers

After a year, we are finally free of both of these! Cody & I decided to go "cold turkey" and it took several days until Cooper was okay with out them. I think I suffered more during this time than Cooper did. Glad to have that over with!

Ragnar Pictures

Sorry these took so long to post. Enjoy...

Our next adventure...hiking the Grand Canyon in May.

This is Steve. He's 12 years old and this is his 4th Ragnar Relay. Oh and he was averaging 7 minute miles for 7-8 miles at a time. Crazy!

My Father-in-law found this owl on the side of the road and decided to throw it on top of his car. Everyone kept honking and telling him he had something stuck up there. His reply "Dinner". This random guy jumped on the car in the parking lot and started looking at it. 

Getting my ipod ready so I could run.

Our van.

Our whole team.

Skater Boy!

The neighbor kids have taken up skateboarding and Cooper always watched them with a twinge of jealousy on his face. Cody pulled out his skateboard and took Cooper on a ride and he loved it. His favorite though was when Cody did ollies. Cooper would get so excited and run around the driveway. I think we might have a "skater boy" on our hands.

Mmmm...Strawberries!

I have been completely addicted to strawberries lately and I've tried to share my new love with Cooper to no avail. Cody was eating one a couple days ago and Cooper finally took a bite. He LOVED them! He probably ate six or seven of them by the time the day was done. Eventually I took his shirt off and had to give him a sponge bath afterwards in order to get him clean.

204 miles...1 mile at a time

The Ragnar Relay

Prescott to Mesa

204 miles

12 members

3 runs each

2 vans

31 hours

"Saguaro cactus, red rock cliffs, live bands, and

biker bars. Your team of 12 maniacs will run around the clock in this springtime relay through the Arizona desert. While this 204-miler only runs from Wickenburg to Mesa, the inside jokes may last forever."

ragnarrelay.com

What an amazing and crazy event! Our team consisted of the Riding cousins and friends. We started at 6am Friday morning and "shadowed our runners" throughout each of their runs. We would stop during their runs, give them water, and cheer them on. Paul, one of our runners, said it well "It is 204 miles, one mile at a time." My three runs were 5 miles, 4.7 miles and 3.5 miles. My 4.7 mile run was at midnight. That was crazy because we were running outside of Wickenburg on the freeway with a reflective vest and a flashlight, but it was amazing to see all the stars.

Pictures to come soon...

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday Cooper!!

I can't believe its been a year already. Cooper got great toys from MaMa & Pa Riding and Uncle Logan and adorable outfits from G. Grandpa Frank & G. Grandma Joan, and Aunt Whitney & Uncle Chris. We gave Cooper some bath toys and a blow up pool. We live close enough to Cody's parents who have a great pool, but it will be a nice option to have at home. Love ya Cooper!

By the way, we gave Cooper a cupcake to eat and after touching the frosting he just cried until we took him out of his highchair. He loved the ice cream a lot more.

What we've been up to...

...playing at the park

...preparing for the Ragnar Relay in two weeks
(Cooper likes to watch people and cars so it works out nicely that

I can run and push him in the jogging stroller...it will be really nice to run

using both hands!)

...enjoying the nice weather at the Phoenix Zoo

...the many projects involved with owing a home

...trying to keep Cooper out of trouble since he is walking now

...our callings in the ward & stake

...lots & lots of work

...and Cody's new truck (it's nice to be a two car family again)!