Dear Shelley,

I know there are some thoughts and or concerns going through your mind about your recent trip planned to Utah. Here I am going to answer them for you!

• 1-Will my "warm" blooded kids get to experience somewhat of a "White Christmas"...or will there be snow?

-Yes! This is what we did today during Luke's nap. There will be snow...might be iced over by the time you get here but it will be here!

• 2-Did Kirsti really make the truffles that are to die for?
  
  

-Yes. It's a dirty job, but somebody has got to do it. Two days later and a huge mess; I think I am done in the kitchen for the holidays.

• 3-Will there be any truffles to partake of by the time you get here?

Ahh...little pieces of heaven!

-No guarantees on this one. I did make three different flavors this time, Chocolate, Mint, and Candy Cane. I have heard they are really good, but still have yet to try them. I know...I know I will do it tonight!

You better hurry! I will try to save you some, but I don't think that they will be in such cute little boxes! If I were you I would think about moving up your dates!

Best of luck,

-Kirsti-

Holiday Happenings!

Last year we started a tradition of letting the kids decorate the tree. This worked out really well this year because they put on all the decorations and everyday rearrange them. I could care less because there is no rhyme or reason to it and I didn't have the headache this year trying to make it look good. (which never ends up happening anyway.)

Luke helping to do his part. He practices everyday, and finds way to improve his masterpiece!

Blake is a pro this year! His careful placement of the bulbs are very well thought out.

Job done! Pure satisfaction!

This year we thought we would hit the "Big City" and see the Christmas lights at Temple Square. Blake really enjoys riding the "train" so we jumped on board with the public transportation. Big mistake...this is expensive! This cost us more then parking and gas to get there would have. But Blake was sure excited to show Savannah "NYC" (Blake thinks SLC is NYC), and tell her all about when he gets big he is going to live there. Next time, I am NOT going to remind him that we can take the train.

Enjoying their train ride to the "Big City"!

The boys bundled up for the chilly night.

Looks like we were all enjoying it at some point.

Next, I thought that we could make sugar cookies! Which was a lot of fun, but man this is a lot of work! This took me almost all afternoon. Blake was eating the cookies as fast as he was decorating them. I decided to do it all myself this year instead of getting the store bought cookie mix or the ready made dough. I even made my own frosting and colored it too! (I think my mom has just passed out!) See I do use the pricey mixer I "display" on my counter!

Blake loves doing this. If only he didn't make them look so appetizing and eat them as he goes!

Our finished product. I can't believe they turned out so well! They were very yummy, crunchy on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. I surprised myself! Maybe I'll do it again next year!

Interesting Conversation...

Yesterday as Blake was getting to the end of his homework, I told him to see if he could be done by the time I went up and got Luke from his nap and made it back down. He was not thrilled with my comment and ignored me like usual.

When I got back down stairs he said that he had a new plan for his homework. He informed me that if I would would like to see his homework it was going to cost me. He then said that this was going to cost a dollar and a coin every time! I decided to play along, and said okay let me see it and I will pay you later...nope he needed his money upfront. I never have cash so I was out until Chad got home.

When Chad got home he was explained the situation and then kindly gave Blake a dollar and a penny. Blake took the money and handed over the homework, and then gave this little evil laugh. Then he said I think I am going to write Grandma Cook a letter and tell her to pay me if she wants to read it! As he ran upstairs to put his money in his bank, he said "this is great, I am going to get so much money! "
Where did this kid come from??!!!!

Turkey Trot

Race day excitement...faked

I finished my first 5k and completed my 2 goals for the race. My first goal was to finish the race without walking. Check. Second goal was to finish the race in under 40 mins. Check. We got up Thanksgiving morning to find it raining. So now not only was I going to be cold, now I was going to be cold and wet! Thanks to my fan club Mont and Cheryl for showing up in the rain to watch Chad and I complete the race. I only wish I could have been faster so you didn't have to stand out in the rain so long.

Overall, I think I did okay I finished the race in 30:56! Chad finished the race in 22:47! Chad was so nice to finish his run and then come back to find me and finished the race with me. His last words of encouragement were "Hurry, and you can finish in under 31 mins...push it!" At this point I was dying but the finish line was just a few yards away so I slightly took my speed up a notch. The things I need to remember for next time is to stretch after I am done, and not step on my headphones and ruin them. Arrgghh!

Wahoo!!

After 10 weeks of training I can now run for 30 mins! In the beginning I thought this would have been much easier for me. But sometimes it was really discouraging to get up early in the morning and head to the track only to have the 70 year old man lap me!! (same man every morning) And when I would see him running it looked like he was barely moving his legs. The only thing I could tell myself to keep me going is that he has been doing this everyday for the last 20 years, and I'm just a beginner. So with my upcoming 5K on Thursday I thought I would go out and see what I could do. My goal was to get my three miles in 40 mins or less...I am really slow. So Monday Chad and I set out for the "big run". And to my surprise, it was not as hard as I thought and I completed my run in 33 mins! Thanks Chad for hanging with me at my pace, I know it felt like a Sunday walk for you. So now I am gearing up for the big race in the morning all I have to do is get my race day music on the ipod.

California

While we were in California we were able to fit in a lot of stuff. We were able to spend a day at Newport Beach, and surprisingly the weather was great! The water was a bit chilly at first but after a bit it was really not that bad--even Luke got in up to his chest! I love the beach, but the only down part is that the beach always comes home with you! I found sand in crevices that I didn't even know Luke had!

We were not planing on hitting the Disney parks this trip because it was so short, but then we found a great deal on park hopper tickets that we couldn't pass up. So we did California Adventures in the morning and Disneyland the rest of the day. And might I mention with no lines, we only had to wait 5-10 minutes for each ride! November is the best time for Disneyland, the weather was in the 70's and no wait!

The best part of the trip was seeing my kids get to play with their cousins. It is always a non-stop party! The "big boys" seem to play so well together and the things they come up with to entertain themselves are hilarious! This time it was the human slingshot! They spent most of their free time playing this!

Human Slingshot

I didn't even make it half way on to the beach before Blake was already in the water.

Luke lovin' the sand!

The waves at the beach were HUGE! Chad and Ryan thought they could catch some but I think they just ended up getting beat up. Chad you look nice in Ryan's slim fit rash guard!

Blake and his new favorite pose!

Luke showing his appreciation for the beach...all smiles!

California Adventures

After the Grizzly Bear Rapids ride, Blake got off the ride and said "I loved it and I'm soaked! Check me out mom!"

Luke enjoying his theme park adventure.

Luke and his new shades. Gearing up for the Bugs Life 3D movie.

Family photo.

Halloween

The Cooks

Peter Pan & Company
Chad and I don't really get into dressing up...but the kids loved it!

Luke the cowboy and his side kick Tinkerbell

Blake the Pirate Skeleton, Londyn as Tinkerbell, and Luke the Cowboy.

We were able to spend Halloween in California at my brothers. We had a great time and I don't think Blake has ever got so much candy. Plus you can never beat the weather there. It doesn't get any better then trick or treating in flip flops!