Back To The Grind

  Things are starting to get back to normal in the Cook house. Travis has started school back up once again. Church has changed back to 9:00 which we are already missing our beloved 11:00 church. Our New Years goals are made and probably half broken already, but we continue to move forward.
  This last week while Travis was in school the girls and I bonded. Natty wanted to hold Macie for a picture. Macie wanted to eat Natty to sooth her forth-coming teeth.

 

 

  Travis is enjoying being back to school. He doesn't like it, he looooves it!! He sure has been an early-bird the last week or so. He gets up so early that he's got a 10-20 minute wait before I let him out to catch the bus. Still his usual handsome self though!

 

 

  Since Ben has been working the past couple of nights I've let the kids sneak in bed with me. I usually go to bed a little later and just put them down in my bed. I know they don't get to sleep right away because I can here them giggling and laughing in there. As long as they are not being destructive I just let them because they only get to be little once and they are making memories. It's really nice to hear them have fun together. They get along so well. It just takes me back in time to when I was little and all the fun I had with my brothers and sisters.



 



December 2014

It's been a busy couple of weeks at the Cook house. For one of our family home evenings before Christmas we made Gingerbread Men. It was so fun and they turned out great. They even tasted great too.

 

 

 

 

Me and Travis rolled out the dough while Natalie and Macie ran wild and Ben took pictures.

 

 

 

  After our busy night of Gingerbread Man making Ben read the kids a bedtime story. Ben has been really busy this month between work and studying for finals it was a nice break and great family time for everyone. Travis even snuck in a couple rounds of Hide-and-seek.

 

  Macie Jo had an unfortunate incident a couple days later. She was on her belly pushing herself off the ground. She got over-turned by Natalie and her right arm got caught up behind her. Her poor little arm went limp and her face got pale. I was sure it was either broken or dislocated. She took the pain very well. We made a doctors appointment for three hours later. I just rocked her to sleep while we waited. I knew she was really hurting because she never ever lets me rock her to sleep. She likes to go on her own. When she woke up from her nap she started moving her arm again. The doctor still did x-rays to make sure everything was okay and lucky for us it was. She was sore for several days after, but she is a trooper.



 



 

 

  Last Saturday we celebrated our Christmas with Rulan and Kathy. Before Rulan and Kathy got to our house we had a mad dash putting up the Christmas tree so we could be ready for our little celebration. This year Travis was picked to put the star on the tree, but he wanted to let Natty put it on because she hadn't done it before. He's such a sweet boy.

 

 

  I could kick myself. I kept the camera out and ready for when Rulan and Kathy came, but completely forgot to take any pictures. We had a great time with them though. Ben got a pressure washer, I got a lovely new temple dress, Travis got a Ben 10 Blaster, Natalie got a picnic basket, and Macie got an activity cube. We were able to eat dinner and spend some quality time together.

 

  On the 22nd we had a family party with my side of the family. I forgot my camera again, but Chelsie saved the day and got it for me. We had a visit from none other than Santa Claus himself. The kids were excited beyond belief.

 

 

 

  It was so exciting for Santa to visit. The kids felt super special for the visit because Christmas was just days away, but he still took the time to come and visit. All the adults had to get in on the Santa action too.

 

 



  Unfortunately Kurtis was extremely constipated that night and had to make a long visit to the bathroom. By the time he got out Santa had left. We still had a great time. there was lots of presents to go around for everyone.

 

  After the party was over all the boys went out to play. They went to see the latest Hobbit movie and from what they tell us everyone stayed awake.

 

 

    Rulan and Kathy spent Christmas in Seattle so we stayed at their house with Josh and Aubrey and two of Aubrey's sisters. It was so much fun. Everyone made the nice list this year. I was personally worried about Josh, but he made it. It was a really exciting and special time for both our families because it was Macie and Sammy's first Christmas.