John's First Christmas

We had a fun first Christmas with John, even though he had no idea what was going on. It was our year to be at my parents' for Christmas. We started the celebration on Christmas Eve with a delicious ham dinner. Everything was great except for the fact that Kevin had to work until 10. After dinner my dad read the story of Christ's birth and we had an impromtu reenactment. As you can see we weren't very prepared. We'll put them in costumes next time.

Mary and Joseph with Baby Jesus

After the story the kids got to open their Christmas pajamas. Brindy had been excited to open her present all night, she did such a good job waiting patiently.

Brindy, John, and Tate in their Christmas PJs

Christmas day started with John throwing up but luckily he didn't let that get him down.

As expected paper and boxes were John's favorite "presents."

John fell asleep half way through us opening presents.

We had a delicious prime rib dinner then spent the rest of the day playing games. It really was a great Christmas. I'm grateful for all the time we were able to spend with our families.

Big Price Weekend

We had a busy weekend in Price. We headed down on Friday for Quinn and Cami's open house. Once again everyone and everything looked great.

Kevin's dad made this fireplace for the open house

The refreshments

We had family pictures on Saturday. Sadie and John were not fans. I don't have the pictures but we did get a few good ones without crying kids. That night we exchanged gifts.

As you can see John has learned to sit by himself

He hasn't figured out how to open gifts yet

but he loves the paper

Jonathan, Wade, Brian, and Cayli

Jordan, Quinn, and Cami

On Sunday we went to church and enjoyed a great Christmas program. Then we went home for Christmas Breakfast. We had it early because the married kids won't be in Price for Christmas and Jonathan got his tonsils out on Monday so he won't be enjoying anything but liquids for awhile.

John and Sadie after church enjoying Wonder Pets

A New Hussey

Kevin's brother, Quinn, got married on Friday. It was a great day and everything and everyone looked beautiful. We're really excited to have Cami in the family.

The Happy Couple

Quinn and Cami with their parents

The Husseys waiting outside the temple

John and Kevin at the reception

The Cake

Oh Christmas Tree

We finally got our Christmas Tree. It is beautiful and the house smells great. Tree decorating is not one of my talents but I have a good time doing it.


I'm hoping John will become the official tree lighter so I got him acquainted with the lights early.

Since I know this is a long shot I'm crossing my fingers for pre-lit real trees.

This Is Why I'm Hot

Like all babies, John loves looking in mirrors. The other day Kevin "asked" John if he sings "This Is Why I'm Hot" when he looks in the mirror. When I put this new sweater on him it confirmed to me that if he isn't singing it he should be.

Bring on the Cereal

We introduced John to the wonderful world of food last Friday.
He's a fan.

Book Club

I really like it when Jessica shares what she does at her cooking club so I thought I would share the books I read with my book club.

This month we read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. It is an old Newberry Award Winner. The lady who chose it had really liked it when she read it as a child and wanted to read it again to see what she thought of it as an adult. It wasn't one of my favorites but it was good and a very easy and fast read so you can't go wrong there. I think everyone else liked it more than I did.

Next month we will be reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This was my pick thanks to a recommendation from Cassie.

Getting to Know Me Christmas Style

I've been tagged so now you get to know my deepest and darkest Christmas secrets. Enjoy.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial? Real all the way, Kevin hasn't broken me yet!

3. When do you put up the tree? About three weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog? Is that even possible?

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have two the surprise trip to
Disneyland and a porcelain doll wearing a replica of my blessing dress. The doll was actually a disappointment for a second because I wanted a horse but it didn't take long to get over it.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? Brindy and Tate, my niece and nephew

9. Do you have a Nativity scene? I'm sad to say no maybe this is the year.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither and I'm with Cayli Christmas cards without pictures (or a little update) are no good.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of one

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A couple of weeks before Christmas

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love it all but I guess I look forward to my dad's peppermint shakes, prime rib and Kevin's mom's Christmas breakfast.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, is there anyone who doesn't put lights on their tree?

17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Mostly stay home (or our parents' homes) but when I was eight we came to Utah (from Wisconsin) and two years ago Kevin and I spent Christmas in Europe.

19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? I think so - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Until last year I didn't have anything on the top of my tree because I couldn't find anything I liked but I finally found a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One present Christmas Eve the rest Christmas Day

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds at stores

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like Santas

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Prime rib

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't really have any big ticket items this year just the usual clothes, books, etc.

Chicken Legs No More

I was looking back at some pictures I took of John his first month and all I could think was there is no way John has grown that much in five months. Now all you seasoned mothers will have to forgive the ramblings of a new mom. I know the rapid growth of babies is old hat to you but I am still in shock about it. Here are some pictures to show John's rapid growth.

Then (July '08)

Now

Then (July '08)

Now

Check back in another five months, at this rate you may see a giant or a sumo wrestler.

Baby Bear

John was a bear for Halloween. This is as close as I could get to a smile the kid would not crack tonight.


However he is well on his way to becoming a male model. For all you Zoolander fans out there I give you blue steel.


Here he is trick-or-treating at our door.

John's costume was actually mine when I was a baby. Four of my mom's friends had babies around the same time that I was born so one of my mom's friends made a bear costume for each of the babies. Here I am in the bear costume circa 1982. I'm on the far right on my mom's lap.

Vernon Family Pictures

My family had pictures taken two weekends ago. Here are the results. I actually really like having family pictures taken but may I say family pictures with young children is not so easy.

John's First Pumpkin

We had dinner over at my parents' house yesterday, which was delicious by the way. After dinner we carved pumpkins and the kids painted pumpkins. Many may think that John is too young to paint a pumpkin but I wanted to give him a chance to express his inner Monet so I hooked him up with a paintbrush.


He did get some paint on the pumpkin but apparently he is more into face painting. The poor kids' eyebrows are so blond they are practically invisible so who can blame him for wanting to try eyebrows on for size.

The Lost Art of Knitting

Back in their day both my grandma and Kevin's grandma were master knitters. Unfortunately, neither of them are able to knit now. I thought about taking up the art for a second. Kevin's grandma actually taught me how to knit a couple of years ago. However, after two dish rags I realized I didn't have the patience to get to the point where I could actually knit a sweater that someone wouldn't be embarrassed to wear. I had come to terms with the fact that John would not have a sweater knitted just for him when much to my surprise a lady I worked with gave John this sweater and hat. I loved this gift and am so glad that there are people who are keeping this up.

Robert John Gilbert Cooper

Kevin's grandpa died last Thursday. He lived in Canada so I was only able to meet him twice but that is all it took to know that he was a wonderful man. He was kind, caring, funny, and he loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A picture of Grandpa Cooper from our trip to Canada last summer

We drove up to Canada for the funeral with Kevin's mom and his brothers, Jonathan and Jordan. The drive up was awful, it snowed the entire drive through Montana, that added 4 hours to the already 12 hour drive. John did pretty well considering the circumstances but every time we got in the car after that for short drives he cried. We were so scared for the drive home but he was awesome, partly because of a stuffed kitten. Kevin's grandpa collected stuffed animals and we were given this one to take home. John loved it. I hope he hasn't become too attached, I'm having scary visions of John as a college freshman snuggling up to this kitten in his dorm.

John in his carseat with his kitten

Great Grandma Cooper and Grandma Hussey playing with John

John, Kevin, Jordan, Grandma Cooper, Robin, and Jonathan

Happy Birthday Chet

Yesterday was my brother Chet's 24th birthday. His girlfriend, Mary, threw him a surprise party. Unfortunately we weren't looking at the door when he walked in so my 4 year-old niece was the only one who yelled surprise. Luckily, Chet wasn't too mad. We had a great time at the party and the food was awesome. Happy birthday Chet!

Chet and Mary

So Long Summer

We took our last wakeboarding trip of the summer on Saturday. This is always sad but it was especially sad this year because my wakeboard season didn't start until July 24 when I finally got the go ahead from my doctor. This is John's first trip on the boat when he was six weeks old.


I know you are all thinking who takes a six week old on a boat but more importantly who takes a six week old on a boat without a life jacket. I can't put your minds at ease about taking John on the boat at six weeks old (what can I say I'm a die hard) but I can tell you he did wear a life jacket. John was only without a life jacket for a second while we took a picture of his adorable boating outfit (thank you Sarah). Below you will see proof that John does wear a life jacket while on the boat.

John and me with his cousins Brindy and Tate.

I know he doesn't look very comfortable but he actually didn't make a peep the entire time we were on the boat. That lasted through August. I don't know what happened but our first time out in September he figured out the life jacket wasn't as comfortable as advertised. He still does great on the boat but I have to entertain him a little more when the boat is stopped. I'm a little nervous for next summer I'm thinking at one he is probably going to absolutely hate the life jacket.

This is John on the trip we took on Saturday.

This is me wakeboarding.

I'd like to tell you I was above the shot but I'm actually over to the left. It is pretty hard to time action pictures just right with our camera, I'm thinking it is time for a new one.