HAPPY THANKSGIVING

My dad is such a great chef!!! Doesn't the turkey look beautiful!

Yes the turkey is BLACK.....but so moist and yummy inside!

Too tired to even eat!!!

Two pretty girls who love lipstick!!!


April and Chris brought their dog Daisy and Carter loved her!!!

Waiting for dinner. So cute




Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We had a yummy yummy meal!!! We actually had to have 2 turkeys. We had one deep-fried by the infamous Chris Durham, and then Chef Dad cooked his turkey in the oven. They were both so delicious!!! So moist and the perfect amount of spices. It's a toss up between the two different ways to cook the turkey. The fruit salad, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing.....yah everything was sooooo good. And of course I had to have apple pie, and a piece of pumpkin too. So now the 10 pounds that I needed to loose is now up to 15 pounds. Oh well, you have to enjoy life. Carter enjoyed the food too. He has loved being with all his cousins. They all are a little older and so they watch him and really entertain him giving me a nice break.
I actually really did it this year. Ana and I woke up at 4:30 to make the mad rush for black Friday. It was crazy. Target had a huge line and police to monitor the lines and parking lot. Once we got in the store we couldn't even move. But I did get mostly all of my Christmas shopping done. So that is nice. I think I might pass on the early morning wake up next year.
Well we've done it......we have weaned Carter. Cold Turkey!!! He has done AMAZING!!! We are staying at my brother Terry's house and Carter has his own little toddler bed and LOVES it. He goes to sleep by himself smiling so big when I lay him down tosses a few times smiling and then closes his eyes and goes to bed. He doesn't even ask to nurse. The first night we were at our own house and he was up every hour with Brent, but the 2nd night when we were at Terry's no crying. He woke up twice and it seems like every night it gets a little easier and better. My baby is no longer a baby. We are definately going to have to invest in getting a bed. He hates his crib thinking he's in jail. I've been feeling so good about this but yesterday I actually got a little teary because he's getting so big and I miss that closeness. I can't believe that he'll be 1 on Dec. 4th, the time has just flown by! He is learning so many things and is so much fun! He is walking and running like crazy!!! He loves giving us hugs and kisses.
Tonight we had authentic mexican green enchiladas. Ana made them and they were so good. I haven't had them in a while and I forgot just how good they are. I might even try to make them sometime.
Tomorrow will be a nice break from the nursery. Michaela is giving a talk in Sacrement meeting on giving thanks and we are all looking forward to hearing it. I still can't believe she is almost 13 years old. That makes me just want to cry. She's grown up so fast. I remember when she was just so little and playing with her like she and her sisters play with Carter. Life is just so crazy. Well I'm ready to hit my pillow here's some pictures.

Recovering From the FLU

Well this week has been a much better week. It started off a little bumpy. I ended up getting the flu from Carter and Brent on Monday. I was so SICK!!!! It's been so long since I've been that sick that I forgot how crabby I get and how much I absolutely HATE being sick. Brent was so good on Tuesday he took half the day off to come take care of Carter and go and get me some much needed meds. I was finally able to sleep it off since the medicine finally kicked in and I wasn't in the bathroom every 15 minutes. I headed to Twin on Wednesday to help my mom out since it was the final day of all the stress of her parents estate!!!! I know court was extremely hard for her, thankfully she didn't have to take the stand and that my dad was there to help her keep somewhat calm through it all. We are just so glad that it is all over and now my mom and dad can fully put their hearts into spending time with everyone. I love ya Mom and Dad and are so thankful for your examples of unconditional love.
On Friday Carter and I headed back home and today, well, I actually went into Walgreens and worked. They were desperate and since Brent was able to be home I went. I was so so nervous to go back thinking that I would forget all the drugs, fast codes, insurance policies, all the SIGS, and mainly the computer program... but it actually went really really smooth. We were totally busy and I didn't even break a sweat. YEAH I still have it together. I missed Carter so much!!! He really didn't even notice me gone but was so happy to see me and laughed at the sight of me. Oh so cute!!! So I will be filling in every now and then when it fits into our schedule. It's so nice to have that option!!!
We are getting so excited for Thanksgiving and looking forward to seeing family and just relaxing, eating some really good food, (I'll be making my favorite fruit salad thanks to my mother-in-law) maybe even watching some football ( oh did I just say that?). I might even be brave enough to wake up at the wee hours in the morning and venture out to Target just for the fun of shopping and maybe get a few items. We'll see.
Well wish us luck for tomorrow in the nursery. We'll need it. Carter is now getting a little cold and I don't think they'll even want him in there, I don't really want him in there since he's still in the oral stage and puts absolutely everything in the mouth (teething) and who knows when those toys were washed. Oh well, we'll deal with it. Wish you all well. I'll post pix tomorrow.

Long week, onto the next!

We are now onto a new week. Hopefully it won't be as crazy as the last. Our car still isn't fixed, we have a loaner (Honda Pilot) not bad. The first night after the incident was a little spooky for me but I am now okay with everything and feel safe. Brent and Carter had a 24 hour flu bug on Friday making this weekend real exciting! They are feeling much better.
Today we had quite the experience at church. We got a new calling... we are in the nursery with 24 kids and are supposed to focus all our attention on this little girl who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. During the pregnancy this little girl (Kali) started having seizures and when she was born had a stroke. She is 2 years old and really has the mentality of a 3 to 4 month old. This calling will definitely make us grow as we were a little overwhelmed today...me trying to hold Kali, trying to help out with the other crazy kids, Brent trying to help but mostly having to hold Carter because the toys are great for only so long, then he's ready to nurse and sleep. Plus, did I mention that some of the kids are from the Spanish branch and so they don't speak any English. Crying kids that don't understand a word we are saying nor do we understand them. I know some words and phrases so I whipped those out and I think I pretty much puzzled this little girl... she just looked at me like what are you trying to say??? You make no sense!!! So I might be pulling out a Spanish dictionary.
With all the chaos, I really truly realized how thankful I am to have such a healthy smart fiery little boy. I couldn't imagine all the stress that Kali's parents have gone through. Kali is a beautiful little girl who I know is thinking, she just can't express herself. I got her to smile a couple of times and it's amazing what a smile can do. So even though we were a little overwhelmed today with everything and really questioning our skills....I know that I will grow from this calling.
This week I've been making Amish Friendship Bread (takes 10 days) Friday I baked it and oh my goodness!!! It was so good. It made 2 loaves and yah can I say we have a slice or 2 left. Thanks Collette for giving me the starter, now I have gained a few pounds in just the weekend. Oh well who's really counting calories????
Well I better get to bed I think Carter may have an ear infection. He is still trying to cut his eye-teeth and is now crying in the middle of the night and screams when I touch his ears! I guess I'll be making a doctor's visit tomorrow.

WELCOME BREE

We want to welcome the newest addition to the Coppieters. Our little niece Bree Katheryn. Cute as a button. We all wish so badly that we could be there. Brent and I were tempted to just hop in the car and drive up there. It's so hard being so far away. Thank goodness for ichat, sometimes it just makes the homesick blues even worse when we see people eating Chinese food and seeing Bree so close but yet we can't even hold her. Bryce and Lyndsi we are so happy for you and can't wait to get up there sometime hopefully soon to hold that little one. Lyndsi I wish you a speedy recovery and if you are really having a hard time getting back on your feet....I could always go up there and help you out....wink wink. And to all you expecting moms....Sonia, Mo, Amber, Jenny, Jana, Kaylee, ?????, I'm so excited for you guys and the time is flying these new little ones will be here before you know it. Just keep them cooking as long as possible, I know that's not a problem for you Mo, but Sonia keep her in there. We love you all and can I just say I'm jealous of your cute prego bellies even though when your packing that around it doesn't feel very cute.

VIOLATED

Well it's 11:30 and we've already had one crazy morning. I couldn't sleep last night and so after tons of tossing and turning and kicking Brent to make him stop snoring I crawled out of bed and went to the front room couch. I tossed there too and finally was out by probably 1:30. Carter woke up around 3:00 and Brent brought him to me. Brent couldn't go back to sleep so he messed around on the computer for a little bit and then we were all back asleep. Brent woke up around 6:30 to go work out at the gym and when he went to unlock the door to his car....It was unlocked. No biggy, gets in tries to start his car.....key won't go in the ignition......looks closer and realizes the ignition has been drilled out.....SOMEONE tried to STEAL our car!!!! So we called the police, made a report and really nothing else can be done. It's the weirdest feeling. Who knows why they didn't finish the job, but maybe that's why none of us couldn't sleep last night and maybe just maybe that's what spooked them, seeing a light come on or hearing a baby cry or movement in the front room. Who knows! We take the good with the bad and yah we are having to have a tow truck come out and it's going to take a few days to get fixed but atleast they didn't break into our home and hurt us. Makes me wonder have they been watching us......just a scary feeling. Here's a few pictures of the ignition and Carter looking out the window watching the tow truck tow our car away, at first he cried a little bit but then he started waving like crazy to the guy. And a picture of Carter crawling under the table being a little rascal! We are hoping this is the end of it. Ever since we moved we've had nothing but chaos, but this has all been a learning experience and try our hardest to look at all the blessings that we do have. I am so thankful for our family and that Brent is in school and working with great people and a great job and I can stay home, I have a wonderful happy healthy little boy and all in all life isn't too bad. So take the bad with the good and live life to it's fullest. Needless to say Brent and I both didn't get our workouts in today, tomorrow will be better.

"Da Boys"

Here's a few pictures of the boys. We had them over for Sunday dinner along with another couple that Brent works with Tasha and Garrett and their beautiful little baby girl, Haylin. Carter loved to see the baby (even though he's one himself) and I loved holding her too. It's so crazy how fast they grow. hmmm... I know I have a baby of my own but at times I so badly would love to have another one. Only time will tell when baby number 2 comes along. Thanks Tasha and Garrett now you've really made me baby hungry.
The boys love playing together and Dallin and Carter seem to pick on eachother giving Bowen a little bit of a break. They are so cute together and all have such fun personalities. Carter is really trying to keep up with Dallin and walking. He watches him do his little trick and tries so hard to follow in his footsteps. He is actually doing pretty well. He is starting to get off his tippy toes and use his whole foot. Carter has been a little clingy these last few days and I've been going a little nuts only to find out after prying his mouth open that he is getting two more teeth up top. So he now is starting to get the runny nose and hopefully he'll steer clear from an ear infection. Once he gets these teeth he'll have 6 total. Amongst all his fussiness at night time he's finally starting to do a lot better, laying him down in his crib and just looking into my eyes until he falls asleep. I may have accomplished this without having to do the cry-it-out method. Cross your fingers. He still ends up in our bed by 4:30/5:00. But hey I can handle that. Besides now that he has an easier time in his crib....I'm the one lying awake in my bed tossing and turning, hence the late night posts.
Tomorrow comes so fast and there's so many things that I need to get done. So my bed is calling and being that it takes me a while to fall asleep, I better go start the process now. I hope you all are doing well.