Trouble-Shooting

This is a scary one and not in the Halloween sense, although it happened at the same time (thank goodness because my school kids just thought I had Halloween face paint issues)!  For a few weeks off-and-on I had been breaking out under my eyes in hives.  At first I thought it was poison ivy because Bruce kept getting it from the dog.  Neither he, nor the dog were ever tenderly touching my face in that region though, so after trying that kind of cream and nothing helping, I moved on.  I tried off and on not wearing certain make-up and eye drops to see what the problem was.  Eventually it got really bad.

This was that night and this picture doesn't do it justice.  Under my eyes BURNED!

When I woke up the next morning (Halloween, mind you), I had this lovely view.  And this isn't even as bad as it really was because I had to make myself presentable first...

I had zero eyelids...or was it all eyelids?  At first my eyes didn't open so well, but got better as I iced them.  I made it through Halloween morning at school--the parade and party, then ran to the doctor. 

 

I am allergic to my mascara!

 

I got a prescription for steroids and Neosporin.  The next day I didn't wear ANY make-up to school.  The poor kids...  Luckily it was the day after Halloween and they were all out of it anyway.  I had to replace my stuff and hang out in Lawrence all weekend, because you can get away with looking like I did there.  Who knew I was so vain?  Anyway, all is better now. The skin under my eyes isn't as discolored and dry (or on fire) and I have pretty new make-up to wear!

Halloween 2013

This Halloween Cooper wanted to be a ninja.  I miss the cute-little-costume-days where he wore what I wanted and had no opinion.  Boys aren't nearly as fun as dressing girls up. :( 

We loaded the neighborhood kiddos up.

 

Bruce got home from work almost as soon as we left. 



The weather was nice and cool and even though I had a boy who was all business, there will little girls that needed snuggled and held when their interest wore out and they got tired.  After we were done we headed  to the neighbors.  We don't get much "down the hill", so I think they were happy to see Coop.  One had baked him cupcakes and the other gave him a ton of candy. 

Not that he needed any!

 

It was a good haul for the night.  Now to add that to the candy from trick or treating at World's of Fun, 2 trunk or treats, a party at school and treats from family!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Every year we head to the local pumpkin patch for Cooper.  This year we went without daddy because he had to work and I didn't know how much longer I could go with the constant nagging from my son.  He got a free pass to go from school and it was a beautiful day, so we headed out on Sunday afternoon.

Taking off in the pig race

Winner two years in a row!!!

His prize

After that excitement, we played in corn, rode buckin' broncs, had a hayrack ride, picked pumpkins, made our way out of a corn maze and had yummy treats.  It was a great day with my little man!

First Time At World's of Fun!

The family met some friends from college and took Cooper to World's of Fun for the first time.  It was the hottest day of the summer, of course, but we managed to have a good time even though I was sweating to death.  (Not kidding--it was miserable).  Having only been to the place once before, I didn't realize that we could have spent most of the day next door in cool water and skinny teenage girls.  Dang it!  We hung out together while Bruce rode roller coasters with the other crew.  That part worked out well and when they went to OOF we had some nice family time aka "mom taking pictures while the boys rode rides".

Riding the train.  My hair will tell you that it was a LITTLE humid that day...

He got wet on the Fury of the Nile.  I bet the two of us rode that ride 10 times trying to stay cool!

He screamed like a little girl and it was SO funny.  All the parents were cracking up.

 

Colorado Bound

We got back from Arkansas on Monday, slept at home and then packed up the kid and dogs to head to Colorado.  Bruce has a Land Cruiser that he is restoring and some parts were in Steamboat Springs, so we turned it into a little vacation since that state is my favorite place in the world.  Mom met us in Salina and took Cooper, Scooter and Lolly.  Bruce and I were on our own!  The drive is a bit brutal through Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, but when we hit Denver and started to see mountains I was a happy girl!

I loooooooove the mountains!!!

We traveled through some different parts of Colorado this time

He doesn't like to pose for pictures like Cooper does

 We stayed in Silverthorne the first night and ate a great supper (and drinks and did I mention there were not kids there???) at a brewery and then quickly outlet shopped the next day.  Bruce in a Coach store was definitely something to see.  Then we were off to Steamboat Springs.  We decided to stay the night there, so we got to look around the little town.  We hiked up to a waterfall, which is what the picture on the old Coors can was from and it was beautiful.  On the way were aspen trees and some had carvings on them.   Once we got there, I would have happily drank an ice cold beer! 

Aspen trees that people carved initials into

Starting to see a river...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

We had to get in it and man was it cold!

My way to cool off

We had a great time, although I thought the altitude may kill me while I tried to make it back to the truck.

 We got the parts for Bruce and then decided to go to the famous hot springs, since I had never been to any.  We went to Strawberry Park, which was beautiful and natural, although after dark it turned into clothing optional...Trust me when I say that we left at dusk!  New people are great, naked new people sitting next to you in water in the dark, not so great.

We saw some reindeer grazing in the forest

And some mule deer--I always have to be on the lookout for Bruce...

We left before dark (mostly because the road there was slightly terrifying in the light of day, much less the dark).  The springs were HOT and a cool place to go.  I can't imagine how good they would feel after skiing or hiking all day.  Riding in a truck and shopping was tough enough for me!

We left the next morning and made it home before dark.  That drive is the worst!  I never thought we'd see Hays, much less home.  We did though and our awesome neighbors came over to visit and make me a new drink, while we fed them chicken.  Life is so good and getting to spend time with Bruce was long overdue.  The next day we had my parents and Seth's family up for the weekend, so it was back to crazy again.  Oh Colorado, I will miss you!

Kansas to Arkansas

For years Bruce's grandparents have wanted to go to Arkansas to visit family and thank goodness it finally worked this summer!  We left on a Friday and stayed through Monday.  It was a little sketchy getting there, but we finally made it and had a great time!

The first day that we were there, we had planned an all day guided trout trip.  I was  a little worried about Cooper going all day, but he loved ALMOST every minute of it.

Cotter Bridge, where we started our trip

My excited guys!



Coop's first catch.  I wish I would have had a video because he was SOOOOO excited

Watching the guide get the hook out.  Notice B had a fish in the background too

Catching minnows in the river while we got lunch ready on the shore

Back to catching fish

The scenery was beautiful.  I could have stayed out there all day.

We made it to the end and only I got sunburned!

 The amount of fish we caught was ridiculous!  Seriously, I bet it was 150-200.  Almost constantly there was a fish if not two or three on our lines.  Cooper had a great time reeling them in and we had fun watching him so happy.  If only all fishing was as easy as this was!

After, there was a natural spring swimming hole next to the dock and we had to play there for a bit too.

He caught a little lizard

Daddy helping him get the rope

Such a brave guy!

There he goes!

 The next night we went out on Lake Norfork and the boys jumped off some cliffs.  Cooper is getting entirely too brave for me!  On our way home, we stopped in Springfield and Bass Pro Shops.  We definitely could have spent more time there, but were ready to be home!

Uncle Fib, Bruce, Coop, and Grandpa and Grandma McDougal

Jumping off into the beautiful clear water

Seriously, beautiful

B from higher up

Taking a break to catch more minnows

This could be dangerous...and it was!

His favorite fish--alligator gar



Ain't scared of no bear!

His buddies!

First Baseball Game!!!

Baseball is a part of growing up and softball was a big part of mine for a long time.  I have been super excited for Cooper to start playing and the time finally came!!!  His first game was amazingly not cancelled because of the rainy weather we've had all week.  He had spent the day bow fishing with his dad, but got to the fields in plenty of time, fueled up with some Mountain Dew and beef jerky (like any good parent would do to wake their kid up) and was ready to play.

Excited about his new shirt and hat

Still working on our stance...but ready for a hit!

His fans Payge and Mya and buddy Aiden

I was pretty proud of him--he had 3 hits off the coach and never had to use the tee.  In the field, he played between first and second, stopped some grounders and paid attention for the most part.  Every time he hit or was on base, he would just stand there and not move, or stand and wait to give a high-5 to the kid running to his base.  My throat was a little sore from screaming, "RUN COOPER!!!".  The last time he was on first base and ran off to go field the ball for the other team.  Such a goof, but what fun memories!