Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Charlie Loses His First Tooth
It's always fun to remember the excitement that comes with losing the first tooth. Charlie was thrilled! The tooth fairy was generous...(It was much cheaper in Abu Dhabi since 5 dirham seemed like a lot) $5 for the first tooth lost.
Cairo Reports on Grandma Great
Cairo had a school assignment to do a report on an ancestor. I was thrilled when she chose Grandma Watts. She has a few strong memories of Grandma and I hope through projects like this she will continue to know her and feel the love and bond they had while Grandma was alive.
Endzone Celebration
Jack has some amazing hands when it comes to catching the tough passes. He also loves to celebrate a good touchdown.
Snow Canyon Afternoon
We took off on a Sunday afternoon recently to try to find some warmer weather...The weather was only a few degrees warmer than in Cedar City but the time together as a family and the fun in the beautiful red rocks and sand dunes was delightful.
The boys played football. Cairo found a family full of girls to play tag with and I just sat there and counted my blessings. (And took a lot of pics.) We live in a great part of the world and our family is at a perfect age to go and have fun and play and relax together.
The boys played football. Cairo found a family full of girls to play tag with and I just sat there and counted my blessings. (And took a lot of pics.) We live in a great part of the world and our family is at a perfect age to go and have fun and play and relax together.
We're Armed
Cedar City is a small southern Utah town. It's safe and a very quiet, nice place to live. Since we moved into our home here I've had a nagging desire to get an alarm system. Yesterday we got it.
I'm so happy to have this system that not only keeps our home more secure from intruders but includes a smoke/heat detector that automatically phones the fire department if high temps or smoke are detected.
All this and it is very affordable.
I can lay in bed at night and look at this display and know that our home is secure. It gives peace of mind.
I'm so happy to have this system that not only keeps our home more secure from intruders but includes a smoke/heat detector that automatically phones the fire department if high temps or smoke are detected.
All this and it is very affordable.
I can lay in bed at night and look at this display and know that our home is secure. It gives peace of mind.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Abu Dhabi Memories
Tonight I am speaking to a group of women educators here in Cedar City. Those of you who know me, know I don't like public speaking. When asked to speak of our Abu Dhabi experience, however, I accept. It was such a magical time for our family in such a fabulous part of the world. Many Americans misunderstand the Middle East and Islam. If I didn't share our positive memories and experiences every chance I got I would feel ungrateful.
Now, I've stalled long enough, updating the blog..I'd better go get my thoughts together! Wish me luck.
Now, I've stalled long enough, updating the blog..I'd better go get my thoughts together! Wish me luck.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
First Superbowl in 3 years
We've been in Abu Dhabi for the past 3 Superbowls. Not only are we happy to be back to watch the game and the commercials and to feel the superbowl spirit but we have children that are excited about it too.
Jack found some paper plates that have footballs on them over a month ago. We bought them in anticipation of this day and he has not forgotten.
Each child got to choose a treat they wanted to have available during the game..I had requests for Doritos with nacho cheese and Doritos with cool ranch flavor then Charlie requested Cheetos balls and Jack mixed it up by requesting regular Cheetos..It will be a really healthy day at the Cooks!
In addition we have thrown in Twinkies. What would the big game be without Twinkies..the All-American treat? Diet Coke for me and Diet Dr. Pepper for Brad. The kids have Sprite and Capri Sun to choose from. I'm making home made salsa, there are some nuts (for nutrition), Oreos and pizza for dinner.
All the kids were allowed to invite one friend for the party so we will see who shows up.
There are prizes for the one who guesses which team will win the coin toss, which team is ahead at the end of the 1st quarter and half time, etc..
We're trying to make it as much fun as possible because Sarah and JD invited us to a party at their house and we were all disappointed when we decided it was too far to drive for the game on a school night.
The boys are already throwing passes in the basement and loving the pre-game hype on TV.
It should be a great time. I love this cute family of mine!
Jack found some paper plates that have footballs on them over a month ago. We bought them in anticipation of this day and he has not forgotten.
Each child got to choose a treat they wanted to have available during the game..I had requests for Doritos with nacho cheese and Doritos with cool ranch flavor then Charlie requested Cheetos balls and Jack mixed it up by requesting regular Cheetos..It will be a really healthy day at the Cooks!
In addition we have thrown in Twinkies. What would the big game be without Twinkies..the All-American treat? Diet Coke for me and Diet Dr. Pepper for Brad. The kids have Sprite and Capri Sun to choose from. I'm making home made salsa, there are some nuts (for nutrition), Oreos and pizza for dinner.
All the kids were allowed to invite one friend for the party so we will see who shows up.
There are prizes for the one who guesses which team will win the coin toss, which team is ahead at the end of the 1st quarter and half time, etc..
We're trying to make it as much fun as possible because Sarah and JD invited us to a party at their house and we were all disappointed when we decided it was too far to drive for the game on a school night.
The boys are already throwing passes in the basement and loving the pre-game hype on TV.
It should be a great time. I love this cute family of mine!
Friday, January 15, 2010
CHRISTMAS 2009
Our Christmas began with a nice family dinner of prime rib and crab by candle light. We read our family favorite book of Hoshmakaka the camel and his visit to the manger.
Santa visited and the kids awoke at 4am. I have a feeling Santa barely had time to get back up the chimney before the children crept upstairs.
We opened gifts, napped and enjoyed the morning then gathered our stuff and headed north to visit family.
Santa visited and the kids awoke at 4am. I have a feeling Santa barely had time to get back up the chimney before the children crept upstairs.
We opened gifts, napped and enjoyed the morning then gathered our stuff and headed north to visit family.
Avery was Baptized on January 2. That capped off our holiday visit and we returned home the next day to get ready to go back to work and school.
We had such a great time being house crashers on our cute family in Lindon and Riverton. Ben and Michelle and Cory and Angie were so great to open their homes to the 6 of us and the chaos that naturally follows. The kids had such a great time hanging out with cousins and playing with all the gifts and toys.
Uncle Ben was great to play Rock Band with the kids. He really made it fun for the kids and Michelle and I had a great time watching him be one of the kids.
Fresh snow is just what we all wanted after spending the last 3 Christmas' in the desert. There were snowball fights and tubing adventures.
I loved getting reacquainted with my holiday tradition of cracking fresh Dungeoness Crabs while watching Football Bowl games.
Brad and his siblings and their wives were awesome to step in and manage things while I spent time in Logan with Mom, Dad and my siblings taking care of Mom and helping Dad through the trauma and shock of a double mastectomy that surprised all of us when Uncle Gary found a tumor in Mom's mammogram just before the holiday. Mom and Dad spent Christmas in the hospital and returned to their own home on the 26th. Mom's recovery is going well and has seemed to be ahead of the doctors predictions. Thank goodness we have had Gary and his expertise to track all of us as in breast cancer awareness. His retirement on Christmas Day was inspired as Mom was motivated to get her mammogram before he retired and took a much deserved vacation to New Zealand.
Christmas night brought the traditional Nativity and dinner at Brad's parent's home. His father was suffering from terrible back pain which lead to surgery later the following week.
Over all we had a great holiday season. Thankful for family, good health and the ability to spend time with loved ones. We are happy to be back in the state of Utah and a short drive to all these great people that mean so much to us.
We had such a great time being house crashers on our cute family in Lindon and Riverton. Ben and Michelle and Cory and Angie were so great to open their homes to the 6 of us and the chaos that naturally follows. The kids had such a great time hanging out with cousins and playing with all the gifts and toys.
Uncle Ben was great to play Rock Band with the kids. He really made it fun for the kids and Michelle and I had a great time watching him be one of the kids.
Fresh snow is just what we all wanted after spending the last 3 Christmas' in the desert. There were snowball fights and tubing adventures.
I loved getting reacquainted with my holiday tradition of cracking fresh Dungeoness Crabs while watching Football Bowl games.
Brad and his siblings and their wives were awesome to step in and manage things while I spent time in Logan with Mom, Dad and my siblings taking care of Mom and helping Dad through the trauma and shock of a double mastectomy that surprised all of us when Uncle Gary found a tumor in Mom's mammogram just before the holiday. Mom and Dad spent Christmas in the hospital and returned to their own home on the 26th. Mom's recovery is going well and has seemed to be ahead of the doctors predictions. Thank goodness we have had Gary and his expertise to track all of us as in breast cancer awareness. His retirement on Christmas Day was inspired as Mom was motivated to get her mammogram before he retired and took a much deserved vacation to New Zealand.
Christmas night brought the traditional Nativity and dinner at Brad's parent's home. His father was suffering from terrible back pain which lead to surgery later the following week.
Over all we had a great holiday season. Thankful for family, good health and the ability to spend time with loved ones. We are happy to be back in the state of Utah and a short drive to all these great people that mean so much to us.
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