Another Year Older...

Yup, today's the day. One year ago (at 11:16pm for those of you playing at home), our family got a little bit bigger with the arrival of yours truly. It's been a great year and I'm glad you've all been able to join me for the ride. Elmo and I would now like to invite you to view our memories of the first annual Cooper Day Celebration!

I like to read to my friends to get the day started. Elmo is a very attentive and appreciative listener - note the big hug he's giving me.
After breakfast, we went to have our portraits done as a way to commemorate CJB Day. Then we had a nice lunch and an even nicer nap. After napping, I was ready to roll and Mommy, Daddy and Gammy didn't let me down. We went to really neat place where the toys are all inflatable. At Jumpin' Beans, kids are encouraged to play and bounce. You don't have to wear your shoes and they even let the parents in on the fun. We had a blast!

Yeah, I'm a Gadget Guy

I now have my own TV remote!

And a new cell phone - c'mon Mommy, hurry up!
OK, so what's my cell number?
Do the muppets do ringtones?
Mommy and Gammy just don't understand puzzles - they keep trying to put the pieces in the puzzle frame - adults sure can be very puzzling (Hah! Get it? Puzzling! - note my more sophisticated sense of humor now that I'm a year old).

Happy Birthday to Me!

The hat may not be my favorite, but I'm certainly ready for what comes next!

A chocolate cupcake with mint icing, red sprinkles and a burning candle on top - I might be able to take one hand off the remote for that...

Let Me Eat Cake!

Diggin' in

Upside-down birthday cake.
OK, now we're talking!
It's not officially a birthday until you immerse yourself in chocolate cake.
OK, no mas, I give up. Time for a bath!

My First Building Blocks

My friends Rich, Lisa and Ariel sent me my first building blocks. I think they were supposed to be for my birthday, but Mommy and Daddy let me open the box early ;-) After all, the box said it was from Fat Brain Toys, so we were all curious as to what might be in there. Once opened, it only took a couple of minutes for me to have blocks all over the back room floor.

Who would have thought that you could build a tower this tall from a box six inches on each side?

By the way, it didn't take me long to get my juice down from up there.

Cooper Claus

Remember to be extra special nice to me this month - or I might just fly right on past your chimney...

Sugar Claus

Seasonal Colors

What happens when you mix a spaghetti dinner with a green-frosted cookie? Why, you get Holiday Hues, of course!

Look Who's Walking!

Our hike on Saturday got me in the mood to take a little hike of my own. I may have taken a few hesitant, shaky steps on Thursday morning, but by Saturday I was ready to roll. I can now walk at least 6 feet without sitting down.

In fact, I even threw in a couple of dance moves for Mommy and Daddy... check out these moves, ladies!

A Hike in the Park

On Saturday, Mommy, Daddy, Sugar and I headed out for a hike with some really good friends of ours. Holden and Phoebe brought their people, Suzanne and Criag, to hike with us. We went out to Eno River State Park and hiked for a couple of miles on a cool but beautifully sunny day. The doggies had a great time playing around with each other. Phoebe and Sugar may have even tired each other out a little bit ;-) Holden and Sugar had a great time swimming in the river and even Phoebe got her feet wet. This picture was taken on a really neat swinging bridge that went over the river. Daddy had to hold onto the handrail cables while we walked on the bridge, but I went all the way across without holding on!

Extreme Makeover Raleigh

Look for us on January 21st when the show airs! Mommy, Kristine and I went down to the ABC Extreme Makeover home for the big reveal today. The Riggins family got to see their new home (with the stone front) for the first time today and we were there to welcome them home.

Here are a couple additional shots of Ty showing the Riggins' their new home.
You can read more about it on the Homelife website.

St. Nick's

Who knew there was a holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmas (other than my birthday, of course)? Until today, I had no idea there was a gift-giving holiday in early December. Well, there were a bunch of presents for me this morning, so I'm now a big fan of St.Nick!

Creative Climber

Pushing the box across the floor until it came to rest against the chair made climbing onto the chair just that much easier. Too bad Daddy got to the sparkly dangly things before I did. I had to settle with grabbing the lamp just after this picture was taken - unfortunately, Daddy put an end to that fun as well...

Building a House

Grandma Jean and cousin Max needed my help constructing the perfect gingerbread house. I'm known for my artistic eye, sound engineering know-how and attention to detail. I assessed the situation and knew just what changes to suggest.

Hey, wait just a minute! These building materials are EDIBLE!
Grandma knows I work best on a full stomach.

Me and The Fat Boys

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the annual Fat Boys Hash in Atlanta. Now, this is my kind of hash: no running, frequent stops, good weather - and don't pay attention to the donut powder...

Hey look, there's my foot!

Here's the feathery toy I found along the way.

Sometimes Daddy tries to get artistic with the camera.

OK the hash was fun, but the best part was hanging out with Mommy afterward...

Thanksgiving in Atlanta

Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta and a bunch of crazy people run either a half or a full marathon early that morning. Luckily for us, members of the Atlanta Hash House Harriers always get together at the end of the run to cheer on their friends, eat donuts and enjoy a beverage or two. Below you will see a picture of me outsmarting Mommy - she thought that putting me on her shoulders would keep me from getting a donut - silly Mommy.

Later in the afternoon on Thanksgiving Day, Grandma Jean invites a few of the hashers over to her house for Thanksgiving dinner. This year there were only 80 or 90 people...

Here's a shot of some of the food available - the other half of it is on the other counter.
Seven tables and a bunch of borrowed chairs help make eveyone comfortable.
Note who's heading up his own table. Too bad that big bottle was just out of reach...