Future brewer?

Chris brewed his own beer for the first time and bottled it this last weekend. Emma was a big help with capping the brews.

Learning to swim

Emma loves the water, so we thought it was high time to get her more familiar with swimming basics. We signed her up for a toddler swim class at the rec center and she's doing pretty well with minimal crying when she has to get her head wet. We're hoping what she learns sticks with her until next summer!

Ready for her first lesson with mommy.

In the pool and loving the water!

Splashin'

No more pacifier!

This summer has been all about big milestones for Emma, first with potty training and most recently giving up her pacifier for good. She's well on her way to the reward mom and dad promised for giving up the paci for an entire week. We thought we'd treat her to some froyo (her favorite) for making it through the first day without it.

Apple Picking Time!

We got an early start on apple picking this year and boy was it worth it not to wait! The apples were plentiful and so close to the ground that Emma could pick them herself. Grandma and Grandpa Cook along with best buddy Elyse and her parents joined in the fun too. We were even early enough in the season to pick raspberries as well. Yummy!

Enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Emma ate the raspberries faster than we could pick them.

Fun at Clemyjontri

It's been a busy summer but we finally made it to uber playground Clemyjontri in mid-August for some fun with best buddy Addie.

What we missed ...

It's almost the end of September and we haven't updated in almost 2 months. Here's a quick snapshot of our fun times in August.

Waiting for the Bethany Beach trolley

Trolley ride!

Making pizzas at Elyse Citron's birthday party.

Working in the yard with mommy and daddy (go Hokies!)

Two cooks in the kitchen

Riding the wiggly worm with Grandma at the Prince William Fair

Dumbo ride with Grandpa at the fair

Mountainpalooza 2013

Our annual Cook family reunion moved to Mom and Dad's new house in Blacksburg, VA this year and a great time was had by all. The Cook boys and their families enjoyed fishing/canoeing, golfing, visiting the annual Steppin' Out Festival in Blacksburg and dinner at Mountain Lake, not to mention getting some croquet games in with Mom and Dad's awesome view in the background. We can't wait to see what 2014 has in store!

Emma and Davis got along famously

Mountain Lake dinner (also happened to be Dirty Dancing weekend)