Cooper's Laser Tag Birthday Party

We celebrated Cooper's 7th birthday with a Laser Tag party.  This was his first "friend" party and I think everyone had a great time!  Cooper had 16 guests playing along with him (Mom, Dad, Reagan, Camden, Annabelle, Maggie, Keira, Joshua, Bubba, Ginger, Papaw, Kim, Byrd, Megan, Morgan, Andy, & Aaron - Mamaw, Gigi & Mandy were there too but didn't play). 

Zappy Birthday, Cooper!

 Getting instructions for playing the game. This is the best picture of the laser tag area, so I put my camera down and just played (and had the best time!)  

 After round 1, it was time to tell Cooper "Happy Birthday"

 He was showered with toilet paper!

 Time for pizza, cake and presents

 Cooper and Camden

 Annabelle, Reagan & Maggie

 Keira & Joshua

 the whole gang

 time for presents

 Cooper chose to have an ice cream cake this year

 decorated with a Creeper from Minecraft

 blowing out the candles

 We ran out of time at the party, so we brought the party home to open gifts

Minecraft figurines from Mamaw and Papaw were a big hit with all the kids

 Tennessee t-shirts from Kim & Byrd

 Legos from Reagan

 giving Reagan a big hug!

 more Legos from Ginger

 a bow & arrow from Gigi & Bubba

 more Minecraft from Mom & Dad

 the party crew!

 Maggie & Annabelle stayed to watch a movie with Reagan & Cooper

 they also had a 2nd round of pizza

 and another round of ice cream cake

Happy Birthday Cooper!  We had a great day celebrating you!

No Shave November

Greg participated in No Shave November this year, and today was "shave day".  Facial hair isn't my thing, but I have to admit...I'll take him either way!

before the shave

 after shave

Black Friday Fun

Greg had to work today, so I took the kids out for an all day adventure.  First, we went the the Fantasy of Trees Christmas Show.  We shopped, looked at trees, watched dancers, got our pictures made and did a few arts & crafts.

Outside of the Convention Center

 the snow globe mural was beautiful

 Cooper loved watching the dancers!

 A little shout out to my work - this tree and scene was courtesy of Donate Life Tennessee

 We saw the real Santa, but the line was too long (not that my kids would sit on his lap anyway!).  Cooper chose to pose with this statue of Santa - Reagan wouldn't even pose with this one!

 they each chose their favorite tree to pose in front of

 A cookie decorating station

 Cooper didn't want to decorate, he doesn't like icing.  He just wanted to eat the cookie!

 Next up was sand art - always a favorite

 Holiday Hissers were the last craft 

 working so intently

 the decorations were absolutely gorgeous!

 so are these kids!

 After The Fantasy of Trees, we went and visited Greg at his new office and took him out to lunch.

Cooper loves to pretend to type

 Reagan thought spinning in the chair was fun!

 We stopped by Barnes & Noble to pick out a couple of new books

choosing their books carefully

Cooper played with a few trains

while REagan continued to read

 the real reason for our visit to the bookstore ~ Cooper's free birthday cookie!  He chose triple chocolate chunk

We had a great day of being together and may make this an annual event!

Gobble, Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving 2014!  We have so much to be thankful for ~ family, friends, health, jobs...and I could go on and on!  We spent this year with Greg's side of the family enjoying lunch and laughs!

our slogan for the day

 Cooper is ready to eat!

 So is Reagan!

 Cooper and Bubba volunteered to sit at trays to give the rest of us a little more room at the table

 I was there too! (very awkward shot of me!)

 Reagan dressed as an Indian for our lunch.  She really wanted Cooper to wear his Indian outfit too, but he wouldn't agree!

 the happy couple!

 the kids took a break from eating to watch a little TV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endure forever.

Psalms 106:1