The Year in Review

January

• Found out we were pregnant
• Went to see Wicked in Cincinnati (it was GREAT!)
• I started my Pre-Practicum Field Placement at Cardinal Valley Elementary in an ELL Classroom
• Tyler worked at Dan's and I continued the morning YMCA Program at Southern Middle School
  

February

• Morning sickness set in...
• Tyler decided White Castle would be a good celebration for Valentine's Day... (it was fun anyway)

March

• Hamilton Family Trip to Park City, Utah
• Still sick...

April

• O.A.R. Concert!
• Still sick...

May

• We found out we were having a BOY!
• Morning sickness started to fade and the eating started!!
  
• Julie's wedding
• I attended summer school
  

June

• Hillary's wedding
  

July

• We celebrated our 1 year anniversary! July 21st, 2008
• Cooper Family Reunion
  

August

• Hamilton Family Reunion
• Tyler's 26th Birthday
• Shelly's wedding

September

• My 23rd Birthday
• Axl was born!! September 19th, 2008

October

• Conference at Tar Fork
• Cousin Elena Cafrin was born
• Axl was blessed at church
• We moved to Tom and Bonnie's house
• Tom and Bonnie left on their mission
• Tyler started his new job at Columbia Gas while continuing all Dan's eBay sales
  

November

• First date night since Axl's birth
• Trip to Tennessee
  

December

• Trip to Detroit
  

It's been a great year...probably the best yet!!

Since it's already New Years...

...I better get my Christmas stuff up!!

Our first Christmas with Axl went really well! It was hard not to wish he was a little older for his first Christmas so it would be more meaningful for him, but we still had fun pretending like he knew about all the traditions we were carrying on and that we were showering him with the best gifts ever, ha!

I definitely bought adult Gymboree pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve :)

Right before Christmas, Axl met his Aunt Catherine for the first time!

Rockwell, Asha, and Ava came over the Monday before Christmas to decorate sugar cookies--They did such a great job!

Each year, the Cooper family celebrates Christmas together on Christmas Eve. This year we started a new tradition since there are grandkids in the picture of celebrating at my parents' house. Nanny, Janet and Bud, Mom and Dad, David and Paula, me and Tyler and all the kids were there.

The best Christmas present of all!

Madison got sick on the way...so she had to get into her jammies a little early :)
Janet in shock over her awesome diamond!

Madison deciding the presents would make a good seat...

My mom thinks she's funny... this hat says "No Hair Day"

Exploring her stocking...

Papaw and Madison

We didn't get any good pictures of Axl's Christmas Eve pajamas

2nd Annual Christmas morning run. Last year we ran from the trailer to Tom and Bonnie's. Since we now live at Tom and Bonnie's while they're on their mission, we ran from there to Jay and Brooke's. I used Christmas money from Tom and Bonnie this year for a jogging stroller so we got to make the run as a family and take the kids' Christmas presents to them so they didn't get lost in the shuffle later in the day.

The girls opening their presents

Catherine enjoyed Cabbs' present a little more than she did...ha
Christmas Day festivities were at the Hamilton home where we are currently living. Everyone came over for a late lunch and all the food was GREAT!

The redheads :)
Cabbage, Rockwell, and Minx

My mom and Dad dropped in for lunch

Aunt Mary and Catherine

Needless to say, after all these festivities this second Christmas together was fabulous! I'm sorry it's over, but the next time I turn around it'll be December again!

December Fun

On December 13th, we had lots of couples over for a fun night that Tyler planned. He had the idea of having people over and asking each couple to bring their favorite pizza. We had a pool tournament, played rock band, and some had a great time playing ping pong as well! The night was a great success and I think everyone had a good time--we'll have to do it again soon!

John had to come as a bachelor as Erin was out of town for the weekend

Daniel playing ping pong

Winners of the pool tournament-- Rachel and BJ Cox
Daniel, Rob, and John

Sierra and Blaine
While Axl was awake he had a great time!
Rachel, Sierra, Blaine, me, Natalie (hiding), Kate, and Shannon

Trent was obviously having a great time...haha

The next week on the 16th the Calls had several people over to go sledding in their backyard. It was the best time we had had in a long time! They had these circular discs that you could slide down on and the freezing rain we got the day before made for a VERY fast trip! The guys ended the night in the pond, but it was so much fun!

Tyler brought me a cattail

Heather and Dennis

Bryce and Gwen

A Gift of Pure Love

I found out about this late, as Christmas Eve is only two days away. But in hopes that some of the readers of my blog who haven't seen this yet will take part, I'd like to post this link for Rob, Natalie, and Branson Call. I'm sure they would appreciate any service you might share this Christmas season. Use the e-mail listed in the post- ncnataliecall@gmail.com

A Gift of Pure Love