Little Man

I feel so blessed that we have a healthy little boy. That was really the biggest concern that I had. Everything went so well I only had to push for 40 min (which only seemed like 20 min.) Granted I have never felt so much pain in my whole life with contractions but after I got the epidural (after waiting for hours) that is when everything just seemed to go perfectly. We were in the hospital for 3 days and I really didn't mind it, I was actually scared to go home in case anything happened to the baby, there was not that red nurse button on my bed that I could press if I needed anything. Well once we got home, we settled right in, Tay and I eased into parenthood a lot easier than we thought. 

We honestly just can't get enough of our little person, he has brought such a sweet spirit into our home. I love to sing him hymns every night and morning. He really is such a pleasant little baby. 

Here are a few pictures of our first few days at home:

His first bath at home:

I just can't get over how little he is, Tay and I just stare at him all the time. He looks like a little doll sometimes.

He sure loves his swing.

All bundled up ready to go to his first doctors appointment. 

Well to say the least I love this baby so much. I love this little new born stage and I cherish everyday because I am worried it will go by so fast. 

Jed & Kenz Special Day

Tay's brother got married two days ago - on 7/11 (they choose that day so they could get free slurpees on their anniversary).

I flew home early that morning from Colorado (which I will blog about later) to make it in time for the wedding. I was just in time. I had to change my clothes in the car on the free way which was interesting considering being 8 months pregnant.

 I was so tired but after the wedding my husband and I had a little date night with just us and it was so wonderful, he made a yummy healthy dinner. We went on a drive around some unique neighborhoods downtown and just had a fabulous time together! I sure love him! To make my welcome home even better Tay cleaned the whole house (he even scrubbed the toilet and bath tub), he even organized all of our sweet baby Owen's stuff. I really didn't think I could love him more then I already did from when we first got married, but I do:) 

Anyways Jed and Kenz are now married! I am so happy for them (and myself because I absolutely love Kenz, she is just so great!). I am blessed to have married into Tay's family! 

Here are a few pics of the wedding day:

Powell 2012

Another year at Lake Powell with the Cook Fam.

This year was a little more rough because of the extremely HOT weather and the wind. Although I wouldn't trade it for anything for the time that I got to spend with my family! I really LOVE spending time with every single one of them! I feel so blessed to have a good family. 

This year we missed Max, Kathryn, & Lora:( Hopefully next year everyone can all make it!)

Precious Red Head:)

Today was a bitter sweet day.

Last week my Great Aunt Hortense died. Today was her funeral. 

She is married to the last patriarch of the LDS church, Eldred Smith. Together they have helped the church grow so much. They were really good friends with Thomas S. Monson (the Prophet of the Church of Latter Day Saints) So we had the great privilege to hear him speak at her funeral and also M Russell Ballard. The spirit was so strong. The thing I enjoyed about this funeral is that it was not sad, Hortense lived a very full, wonderful life. Like President Monson said, "She devoted and gave all of herself, that is all you can do is give of yourself". He said such wonderful things about her and it made me want to be a better person so that when the day comes that I die, I can know I gave this life my ALL. 

(You can kind of see my baby bump, my cute little individual is sure growing fast, gosh I love him! 

And you can see this is my cute red headed Aunt...age 93 and her hubby is 104 we all thought he would go first but he is still living his life to the fullest!)

Here is my cute Grams (on the left) and Mary. They lost their sister but Heaven gained a great missionary!:)

Tata till next post!

Just when you thought it was over..

Well I have been meaning to post these pictures two weeks ago but that never happened...

so here they are folks!

Christmas was so wonderful this (past) year (like it always is)

I am so blessed to have family to make Christmas extra special.

It was neat to spend Christmas Eve with my family, my big brother Ben and his wife, Lora and their boys

joined in on the celebration and I LOVED having them there.

 We had a wonderful breakfast

 sang Christmas hymns 

and opened gifts

I LOVE spending time with family.

Christmas day we started off with Church (perfect way to start the day)

we then went to visit some of the most precious people on this earth..my Grams and

Patty. We enjoyed lunch with my cousins.

Afterwards we went to Tay's family's house..we had such

a delightful time there..like always!

Then to end the day we went to my Dads..

The day was PERFECT. Filled with family and love..best gift of all.

 These pictures are from the little family party we had at our place the night before  Christmas Eve.

We had my family and Tay's family..not everyone could come but we still

had a fabulous time.

Christmas day/Eve

more of Christmas day...

Tay and I got these awesome full body pj suits from my Brother and Sister in law.

We wear them all the time:) 

We played such a fun game with some of our friends..

"guess which one is your husband's ankle"

So fun..I actually guessed Tay's ankle..it seems so weird but we 

were all laughing:) oh how blessed are good memories.

Snazzy Stuff

We are all married! 

It has been so neat to have all my siblings married in the temple. It is so comforting to

know we are all sealed to each other and can be together..forever..(literally).

 (I don't have a picture of my sis in her wedding dress..

this picture of her and her hubby was taken on my wedding day)

All from the two people that fell in love:)

.

There are certain times that I really have a longing for my 

sweet mother. 

Today is one of those times.

I guess it is cause Christmas is coming up.

I just wish she were here with me.

 I often have the urge to put my arms around her and thank her for being such a 

wonderful example to me and everyone that knew her.

One of the greatest blessing I receive is feeling her sweet spirit in my life, 

I wish I could be more like her.

I long for the day that my husband can finally meet her.

Thank goodness we have eternity together.

I love you mom, so glad to know Sam is with you.

A weekend full of thanks & love~

I decided to give myself a break from homework and blog.

Thanksgiving weekend we flew out to spend with my family. We had so much fun..

Cooking

Eating

Bowling

Hiking

Playing games

Laughing

oh it was just dandy.

This post kind of makes me sad.. most of the pictures I took Thanksgiving weekend

at my sister's house were on Tay's phone..and his phone broke so he had to

get a new one..ALL of the PICTURES were LOST.

It was a very sad day. So here are only a few of what I took..

My big bro..Ben and my nephews being all cool and what not..

The newly weds just being all mush..

My cute sis and precious Kate

My sis in law and her handsome little man..

Tay and I:)

Kate...

getting ready to cook the most amazing Thanksgiving dinner ever!

My cute Dad..he had his B-day and we celebrated it while we were in CO.

lookin good papas for 67!

(he is making his famous apple pies..we went through 4 of them..no biggy)

The boys were so sweet to do the clean up!

HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING!

I have so much more to blog about but I am going to make dinner for my man before he gets home!

So till next time..can't wait to share the projects I have been working on!:)

A Golden Leaf

(The past) On our second date Tay took me to his parents house and I got

to meet his wonderful family. When I first walked in I remember thinking:

"I could totally feel at home here in this house..with this family"

I have never thought or felt this way about any one else I had dated.

I also remember taking note of how Tay treated his Mom and his Dad

(I am a believer that how a man treats his mother he will end up treating you)...

I was very pleased and amazed that a young man his age had so much respect

and love for his parents. I just knew he was a keeper:) And he passed

the test with my favorite aunt Patty so we all know that means he fits the glove just right!

(Past/Present) I have been immensely blessed with great in-laws!

I admire Tay's mom for having 7 children in 8 years! Tay's

parents have done a wonderful job raising their children to

be hard workers!

(Present) I love to be apart of such a strong loving family!

Raining LOVE

Tay and I have both been really busy with school. Ever morning

Tay has been getting up at 6 am to make me a yummy hearty breakfast!

He has been so sweet to do so much cooking andcleaning. He really is an amazing cook!!

So grateful to have such a productive man!

I recently just got a job at Pottery Barn..I love it.

They are training me right now on everything

so I can be in the Interior Design area to help clients..which I

am so EXCITED to do!

My brother got married this past week. Him and his
wife are so good for each other.

They fit so well! They looked so cute driving

away off to their honeymoon...some people mentioned

that it they look like Ken and Barbie driving off ha. They kind of did.

They are both georgeous~ Kathyrn looked amazing in

her dress! I am just so happy for the both of them that they get

to experience the great joy of being married!

I really had such a wonderful experience myself on the day

of their wedding. I felt so much love for everyone around me! I really am so
grateful for close friends and family.

on one sad note:

one of my sister in-laws could not make it (she is in Argentina)
Michelle- you were greatly missed and so were your cute boys!

Here is just a small glimps of the day:

I didn't get any pictures of the dancing..but dang my sister knows hows to

DANCE! There was a group of boys break

dancing and Jen said..I can do that..and she showed me how it is done! ha:)

Max~

My brother Max is getting married in October! how do I feel about this........? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...I am so happy it is ridiculous! I never thought any girl was ever good enough for him but now he has found a girl that makes him happy and she is a tough girl..which is great because Max needs someone like her:) I get emotional as I write about this because Max and I have grown up together and we are really close so it brings so much joy to me to know he is happy and is getting married. Marriage is the most BEAUTIFUL gift. It is such a neat selfless relationship between your spouse, you and God. Striving to perfect a marriage takes a life time and can not be done by ourselves that is why we have God to turn to help and direct us.

(I have the a lot more pictures of max and me that I wanted to post but they are not with me...maybe when I have access to them I will post them:)

quick sad story:

I accidently deleted EVERYTHING on our NEW laptop.. Photoshop, pictures, Microsoft word..I mean EVERYTHING....we still have our old laptop (which I am using now)..but of course I couldn't ruin our old laptop..that would be to simple:)

okay just felt the urge to share my frustration.

the end.

much love and happiness!