Kindergarten Graduation

The very first post I did was of Aspen starting Kindergarten. Now, I am posting about her graduating from Kindergarten. We are so proud of her. She has learned so much this year. I am amazed everyday at the things that she knows. She was fortunate to have amazing teachers this year. One's who truly cared about her and what she was learning. We think the world of them.
Her graduation was bittersweet, just like every new chapter in your children's lives. With each new chapter another one closes. Aspen will never be a Kindergartener anymore but we will remember these days for the rest of our lives. I just have to take a minute to say (and I know I speak for her daddy too when I say) that we have loved every minute of having Aspen in our lives. No other joy even comes close to the joy that she brings to us each and every day. Every laugh, every cry, every snuggle and every jump on the tramp are precious to us. Now if we could only figure out how to make the time slow down just a little bit. She is growing up way to fast for us. Now that I am crying, I will end this post with a few pictures from that day. Congratulations Aspen! You. Are. Amazing!

Aspen and her friend Gentry

Do you think they look proud?

I think she looks proud of herself too. The flowers are from her daddy. He never forgets!

We were so happy to have my Grandma and Grandpa Cooper with us. My grandpa has had an awful year. One surgery after another but he is a trooper.

We were also happy to have Aunt Holly and Aspen's cousin Jeremey with us. She had the day off and they spent it with us.


Thank you everybody for making Aspen's day special. It means so much to her. Thank you mom for bringing the donuts. It is a good thing you did :-).

Field Trip and a dress down day

Last Friday Aspen and I went to the Zoo with her Kindergarten class. I thought it was funny when I asked Aspen if she was excited to go to the Zoo and she replied, "I am, but I am more excited to wear anything I want!" They wear uniforms at her school and they have only had one other dress down day this year and Aspen missed it! I just thought that was a funny thing to come out of a Kindergartener's mouth.
Anyway, we were a bit nervous because the weather wasn't looking so good. It had been raining for days and it didn't look like it was planning to stop anytime soon. It did rain while were there but not enough to ruin the trip. The kids loved it. Their favorite thing (and mine too) was the gorilla's. One of them had wrapped itself up in a sheet to get out of the rain. It was adorable. I took a picture of it but it didn't really turn out because the gorilla was behind the glass and kind of far away. Oh well, you will have to take my word on it. Here are a few pictures from our day at the Zoo.

Aspen, Gentry and Sadie

They really thought they could move that ball!

Alyssa and Aspen

Ms. Eschler (one of Aspen's teachers) and some of her students

Mother's Day

So I know Mother's Day took place about a month ago but I am just now finding time to tell you about it. For Mother's Day, my mom, my mother-in-law, Aspen and myself joined up with Hilary, her mom, her mother-in-law, her grandma and Cassidy, and headed down to Las Vegas for the weekend. The reason for going to Vegas had nothing to do with gambling. We went down to see Phantom of the Opera. It was fantastic. The play is based off the movie which I absolutely love, only in person it was so much better. We stayed in this amazing time share called the Wyndham Grand Desert. For 10 people, we needed a really big place, and this one delivered. The kids had the best time. They swam in the pool, they saw the fountains at the Bellagio and they went to FAO Schwartz! Oh and the temperature reached 109 degrees on Sunday. I think Summer is finally here. At least in Vegas anyway.
Here are a few pictures from our trip.

A Day at the Pool

The Group, minus Susan the picture taker

Playing on the giant keyboard at FAO's

Caesar's Palace

The Gardens at the Bellagio

Hula on Over

Since it has been over a month since I last blogged, I thought I should post something. We had Aspen's 6th birthday party on Saturday May 10th. She wanted to have a Hawaiian Luau. So we ordered the decorations (and borrowed some as well,) we made the invitations:



and the cake:




And we were ready to party. We invited about 35 close friends and family and about 27 people came. We ate Hawaiian haystacks and fruit and listened to Bob Marley. The kids mostly jumped on the tramp which wasn't the initial plan but they had fun.

Aspen got the most adorable presents. Everyone was so good to her. Every time
I ask her what her favorite present was, she says something new. Here
are few pictures of our guests and Aspen opening her presents. I don't
think we could have asked for better weather. It was perfect. We are
pretty sure Aspen had a great day and that is what we wanted.

I had to add a picture of Aspen's hair. I thought it turned out really cute.




The little birthday guests.




My brother Brock, his wife Holly and their little boy Jeremy.


Emily's little girl Kendal


Emily's other little girl Avery (YES! They are twins aren't they adorable!)


The Thank You's


Thank you everyone for making Aspen's day special. We love you all so much.

I also wanted to give a special thank you to my mom, Hilary and Grandma Cam for all their help. We couldn't have pulled off the party if it wasn't for them. You guys
are great.

Zach, thank you for whipping our yard into shape after our sweet dog destroyed it. You did a fabulous job and I know it took a lot of time to do. Your the best!