A Boring Update

I recently had a friend ask me why I hadn't updated my blog in awhile. She said she likes to log on when she's bored at work, ha ha. I told her we've done nothing interesting but to oblige her i've uploaded just a few random pictures. Hope everyone's doing well!

Jackson and his good friend Eli just participated in Vacation Bible School at our church. He had a blast! -

Jackson loves to get in Coop's crib after his nap-

Coop's new ball bouncing toy-

Jeff & I celebrated 9 years of marriage in July (wow!) and enjoyed a nice dinner out-

Bailey just turned 12!-

Coop sneaking a cracker-

Emerald Isle 2009

We just got back from a wonderfully exhausting week at the beach. We went with Grandma & Grandaddy, Aunt Kris, Uncle Wayne and Kelsey, Shea and Drew. Uncle Rich & Aunt Holly joined us for a few nights also. Every day was spent with so many fun activities - the pool, riding the waves, playing in the sand, the water park going to the aquarium - whew!! Wayne and Drew even talked me into going on the big slide at the water park, very scary! It was nice to come home and get back into our routine. Here's a few pictures of our fun.

Summertime Fun!

We've been trying to fill our days with fun things to keep the kids occupied! Yesterday Jeff had Jackson outside to burn off some energy. How do you make your own water slide? You improvise!!!

Ready:


Set:


Splash!


Also, Jackson's cousins (Kelsey & Shea) turned 5, so here are the 3 of them at their Princess-themed party. Doesn't Jackson look enthused??



Since Cooper slept through all the fun, here's one of him for good measure. Happy Baby!!!

Preschools' Over???

Wow, I can't believe summer's already here! Jackson's preschool year flew by at lightening speed. He had a wonderful year and learned so much, he's suddenly become Mr. Independent. The kids had a ceremony where they sang us wonderful songs, and then we got to enjoy a picnic. We're looking forward to a fun-filled summer before he starts back in August - 5 days a week!


Jackson and his teachers, Miss Sue and Miss Mary


Jackson holding his certificate


Singing one of the songs

First Year Movies

To celebrate first birthdays, I make a video of memorable pictures from that year. I just finished Cooper's and thought i'd share. Out of fairness, since I didn't have a blog in 2006, I'll include Jackson's movie, too! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Cooper!

What an amazing year it's been! Cooper's actual birthday, April 16, was a normal day for us. He had 2 sessions of therapy and did great. We celebrated his big day on Sunday with family and a BIG cake. He loved it - not timid at all like Jackson was.

Surgeries and Birthdays

It's been a long time since my last post, but this month has been very hectic in the Stow household. Cooper was scheduled to have his eyes operated on at Duke on March 11. I had everything organized down to the minute, or so I thought. Late Tuesday afternoon Jeff came home from work with a bad back. He got into bed...and stayed there for a week! I had to scramble to rearrange who would watch Jackson, who would go with me to the surgery, etc. Cooper did well and recovered like a champ! That weekend we had to reschedule Jackson's birthday party - Jeff's bad back combined with bad weather just made me too nervous. We did however have family come over and celebrate on March 15, he really enjoyed that! The next day Jeff went for an MRI and was quickly referred to a neurosurgeon, who diagnosed a broken disc, with pieces of the disc pushing on a nerve. He was scheduled for surgery the next day. So in one week's time, I sat in two different waiting rooms while my family was being operated on - so nerve wrecking! He stayed in the hospital for 2 days and then recovered at home. Today is his first day back at work since March 10. We are slowly on the road to normal again! Here are a few pictures from our month!