Chef Carter, Tennis Lessons, and Smores

Carter is into all things culinary these days. He loves to help me cook, bake, pack Joel's lunch...anything in the kitchen. I love it too. Makes it all more fun when you have a partner. Yes, it makes a bigger mess, but it's worth it to see how excited he gets when I tell him he can help me. I hope he always like to cook...maybe we have a future chef on our hands :)

Coop enjoying the final product of our afternoon baking session.

The Oxford Park Commission has a little tennis class for 3 and 4 year olds, so we decided to sign Carter up since one of his little friends was doing it too. The first class was last week....hilarious! He was so excited. He ran around hitting the balloon and an occasional ball for the first 20 or so minutes. Then the coach decided to get organized and have them stand in line to learn to hit the ball. Carter was immediately in LaLa land. He wouldn't stay in line and kept wanting to hit the stray balls on the other side of the court. He quickly became uninterested!. He had fun, and we are going to stick with it until it's over, but I think it's safe to say that we are about 6 months to a year behind being ready for organized sports :)

Here he is in action!

Loving hitting that balloon.

He was VERY proud of his first tennis lesson and can't wait to go back. Maybe this week, we will cooperate a little better :)

Coop found a friend to pass the hour....Luci.

We bought a fire pit last week and decided to give the boys their first taste of a smore last weekend.

Carter loved roasting the marshmallows.

"So Yummy," he says.

Chocolate and snot...lovely combo.

On a sugar high right before bedtime. Loved his smore.

The Cavnars come to town (and Uncle Stephen too!)

As you can see we had a very relaxing weekend with the Cavnars and Stephen. Everyone came in town for the Alabama game and some family bonding of course. We had a blast, and we were sad to see them leave after such a quick weekend. My boys loved every minute of them being here. Wish they lived closer!

Julie and me on Joel's balcony. Julie and I could talk for hours and hours and hours. We have gotten really close over the past 6 six years, and she has been a God-send to me since having kids! I was the stereotypical first time mother (probably a little worse!), and Julie was there for me (and still is in my anxious mother moments). She is an encouragement to me, and I am thankful she is my sister and my friend.

Anna Kate and Coop at Joel's office

Andrew, Anna Kate, and Julie

One of my favorite parts of the weekend. Carter LOVED playing with Andrew...specifically tackling Andrew. They had a lot of fun together....made me wish Carter had an older brother, or even more, it made me wish the Cavnars were our neighbors.

Coop before church

The beloved Uncle Stephen...well actually only Carter calls him "uncle." :) Carter thanks God for Uncle Stephen EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Stephen came to visit last spring for a weekend, and ever since, he has been permanently added to Carter's prayer list. Plus, Stephen sent Carter Stanley the train in the mail for his birthday, so that pretty much sealed the deal on making him a cool uncle.

Carter after church

Family pic minus Carter...he wasn't in the family pic mood.

Julie and Stephen

I didn't get a single picture of Caroline or Reid. Oops! It isn't because I don't love them, I promise! Not sure what happened on that one. We had a fantastic time with them, and hope they come back again soon!

We love you Stephen and Cavnars! Thanks for the fun weekend!

I can't take it...

...all his cuteness that is!

Pumpkins Pumpkins Pumpkins

I feel like we have been surrounded by pumpkins lately, and I am loving it. We have visited the St. Peter's pumpkin patch, Cedar Hill Farms pumpkin patch, and we even have pumpkins on our front porch. We love October here at the Bell household.

This picture cracks me up. What goofy guy!

Carter loves to race these days. Here they are racing to the pumpkins.

All worn out.

We went with BB, my sis in law, Jennifer, and her kiddos to Cedar Hill Farm. This was the best picture we could get of all the kiddos. Coop is NOT into sitting for pictures lately.

This was the best picture I got of the boys. Pitiful.

Of course we couldn't survive a pumpkin patch without our BB! She saves the day with her help every time.

It's been a fun fall so far. Looking forward to a few more weeks full of pumpkins!

A Little Timeline

I met this handsome hunk six years ago on the Spring River.

We fell in love.

We fell in love some more.

We got REAL comfortable around each other.

So we decided to tie the knot five years ago tomorrow.

The best day of my life.

We went on an incredible honeymoon. Best week of my life.

We traveled....first to Asheville.

Then to Yosemite.

Then to Napa.

Then to San Francisco.

Then to Carmel.

Then we got pregnant....and found out while in Aspen.

Then we had our Carter.

Then we got pregnant again.

And had our Coop Coop.

And here we are five years later....in love and having the time of our lives.

Happy Anniversary, Hub! I love you now more than ever. I know how good I've got it with you, and I am one happy wife because of it! You are a dream, and I am thankful for all that you are. The past five years have been everything I dreamed of and more. Thank you for loving me. Here's to 50 more years of fun!