Big things are a happenin'

Well, as many of you may already know, we are expecting numero 3 in the Cooprider clan at the end of February 2016. We are calling the babe in utero Coopster and we are hoping to not find out the gender until the little tyke makes his/her entrance. We are putting a little more surprise into the whole birthing scenario.

We told Lucy at around 10 weeks and then decided to experiment with the idea of her keeping a secret. She went a whole week and then told some of our friends who had stopped by to give us some zucchini bread. Then we told the rest of our family. About a week after that we all went to the doctors office to hear the heartbeat and then we announced to it to the rest of our friends. Needless to say we are excited (and a little nervous)! 3 children + 2 parents = chaos! Let's be honest we are experiencing quite a bit of that now...

Here is the picture Lucy drew with a "baby in my belly!" That is how she tells people!

Our other big news is that Jimmy FINALLY received news that he passed his SHRM certification exam. I don't have to tell you how draining the bar exam was before and after we received the results. It was not a self-esteem boost. This is first exam since the bar and it feels so good to see Jimmy happy and confident in himself again! He really is awesome, which we all know, but this makes him see it too!! Hooray Jimmy!

So happy news all around. We are finishing up the summer for which I am grateful. This was a long summer for me -- morning sickness slows me down. But in September we are visiting my sister and her boys in Washington state. Lucy starts some preschool at a local church preschool, and I start some work at Babson again (only 5 days the entire semester!).

I look forward to what the next year will bring.

And there goes summer

Well, I did a fantastic job of not posting anything in July. And we did some things, really we didn't just lounge around at home -- I am too antsy for that sort of thing. So here are the pictures to prove it, with some descriptions to give you a better idea of our what these pictures actually mean...

Millis had a small carnival in town. We thought the kids might like to see some of the rides and walk around. Each kid picked a ride, train for Sam and strawberry for Lucy.

We mentioned Sam's birthday in the last post, but this is what actually happened on his birthday. He opened presents from us -- a backpack and some trains in the morning.

In the evening all the family in town came together at the Coops and we had a lovely dinner and cake. This cake was easy and pretty delicious. Sam loved it!

Then he opened all sorts of trucks, trains and things that move. He has some awesome family, that know him pretty well!

A week or so after we went on a lovely hike at a nearby park. It was actually the park where the young women hiked the week early. The long and short story of that hike was that I couldn't go because Jimmy had some BAD poison ivy! Enough that we had to take him to the doctor because he couldn't open his eye. So we did the hike as a family. We got lost several times, but everyone did really well!

Lucy LOVES maps!

My little climbers!

The day before the 4th of July we went to see fireworks. We heard they were really good in Walpole and with some advice from our friends we found a nice spot on a golf course. Sam and Lucy loved them -- we were far enough away that they were not loud.

My sister Andrea and her three boys came to visit mid-July! They even stayed overnight, which was cramped but worked out pretty well. The next day we went blueberry picking. Everyone ate their fair share of blueberries and I was still able to freeze some (they are gone now!). It was great to see them and meet baby Lincoln.

That next weekend Anne, Tod and Joe were in town. Part of the festivities included candle pin bowling. Lucy even got a strike! We had a fabulous time, even though some of us bowled terribly!

Here is Jimmy with baby Peter! He is such a cute little thing!

The next week (we are nearing the end of July) we went to the Southwick zoo with a group of our friends. They had zebras, and elephants and bears...

But the best part was  little deer forest. There are gates on either side, and you walk right along the trail with all the deer and their giant antlers. Sam was in heaven!

On a recent Monday night we took the kids to the Temple for a picnic and walk. We got a few nice shots -- proving that sometimes they really do get along!

We have some awesome friends with family down near the beach. We had an excellent beach day (late birthday celebration for Sam and his friend Oakley) at the beach near Mattapoisett. It is seriously one of the most kid friendly places to swim. Lots of sand bars at low tide and lots of little creatures to watch. It was fabulous day, even if we did come back a little sunburned!

Here is Sam's friend Isla -- she and her parents just moved away! We are super sad!

Lucy did another dance class this summer. This summer's class was Dance and Tumble. So there was a little ballet and a little gymnastics. Here is Lucy in all her glory. I will posts some videos as well!

And now for the random pictures. Lucy usually falls asleep in our room these days so that Sam doesn't bug her at bedtime. Apparently she needed a light saber to protect her baby from any lingering monsters.

No need for explanation -- he is just that good at climbing.

Carrots and Lucy

Our little sunflower patch and our kids eating carrots.

Isn't she so pretty!

And this is from yesterday (look at me go!). We decided that most of our summer explorations have happened during the week without Jimmy. So we took a trip to Narragansett beach in Rhode Island. It was expensive but a very nice drive and very pretty beach. We had a great time, despite a little salt in the eyes and sand EVERYWHERE!

And that has been our summer -- though I am sure there is more to report (Twin's birthday party, swimming lessons, girls' camp, etc...)! That will bring us a little up to date. Next week we will see Gretchen and Chris and have fun at Old Home day, and then as September comes into view life will become a little more scheduled and structured. Happy summer everyone!