June

Noah went to cub camp

Talia finished up her driving hours on our way to Idaho

Grand Tetons visitors center

Noah, junior ranger

Tetons!

Animal watching in Yellowstone

The last time we went to Yellowstone we had fun hikes and visited everything I wanted to see--except the grand prismatic springs.  So, this was my one must-see place.  Ben thought he would just piggyback me up the boardwalk, but there were so many tourists who would just barrel past him, he nearly got pushed off, so I crutched my way up.  If I had bad feelings about tourists before, being temporarily less able certainly has increased my lack of respect for the respectless hordes.  

 Our big trip this summer was up through Utah to spend the day with my sisters (mani pedis and a facial) then up to jackson, WY to drive up through the Tetons and Yellowstone on our way to the family reunion in Idaho.

There is a lovely little gravel road between Teton Village and the Teton's visitor center, and we took that road on our way north.  I was driving due to Talia's lack of experience on gravel roads.  However, the people ahead of us were going maybe 5 mph, and even a brand-new driver can handle those kinds of speeds.  Frustrated with their tortise pace I traded places with Talia, and while walking around the front of the car (and while calling the people ahead of us names) I stepped into a hole and rolled the ankle.  I seemed doomed to always be injured at reunions.  I guess I'm glad I had plenty of books to keep me happy while I elevated my foot and everyone else did stuff.

The reason I was on crutches.  

My view of the reunion.  Lying on the couch watching the pool sharks

On the way home we visited Colorado Springs for a day.  It's pretty in that part of the country!

garden of the gods

 This summer Emma joined the Y swim team.  She is actually a fast little swimmer and in her first meet got 4 firsts, and one second place--which is impressive because it was a 4x25 freestlye and her lap took her team from last place to finish second.  Go Manta Rays!

Swim cap hair.  Pretty!

 The week we got back from Idaho Isaac went to scout camp, Ben, Lia and D went to girls camp.  The picture doesn't do justice to the amount of filth this boy brought home with him.  He had a good time.

Girls camp YCL's

May

In May, Emma's Cool Cats club put on a play.  She was a princess.  

Talia got her eyes checked and dialated

Emma 'moved on' from 5th grade.  You can't call it graduation, because. . . reasons.  

Noah gave himself a haircut

We got to skype with J on mother's day

Feb-April photos

Noah and Sis Adolf at his baptism

J and I spent a day driving to the Salt Mission ruins.  

Happy St Patrick's day!

Paige wrote a book.  Talia read it.  

zoo

zoo

zoo

zoo

Grandma and Grandpa spent the day at the zoo with us

and the aquarium

Zaky, the straight A honor student

tent rocks

slot canyon at tent rocks

Lego club

Happy Birthday, Mom!

This is my mom.  Isn't she cute?  I think this picture was taken about 4 years before I was born.  Just imagine how carefree and happy she was before she had all 8 kids and responsibilities and stuff!  Happy Birthday, Mom!

Once upon a time I heard my Dad say that you never know how good a job you did as a parent until you see how your grandkids turn out.  So, instead of bragging on my mom I'm going to brag on her eldest granddaughter.

This is my D, who is named for her grandma.  Last week she graduated from ElDorado high school, received an award for being the 'Outstanding student in Education & Training' and has 2 scholarships plus an honorarium which should pay for most of her tuition in her first year at BYU.   She was one of 6 finalists in the state for one scholarship, and earned her blue Thespian honor cords.  All while working as a nanny and keeping up with seminary (four year graduate) and being the Laurels class president.  I'm proud of her.  More than all those things, though, I am proud that my beautiful daughter cares deeply about the people around her.  Yes, she gets frustrated when we don't all meet her high standards of behavior and dependability, but she also wants to help all the time.

Neither one of these ladies particularly loves the spotlight, but I think they are both wonderful.  They are both dependable, helpful, caring and hard working.  Whether by nature or nurture!  Either way, my Mom deserves some of the credit for her grandkids, so consider this brag to apply to them both.

So proud!

Jerran's mission

Since some of you have asked how the boy is doing, here's an update:  

First off, please write him!   His birthday is coming up in a few weeks.  

  jerran.cook@myldsmail.net and letters can be sent to

 Elder Cook Alaska Anchorage Mission

 3250 Strawberry Road Anchorage, Alaska 99502

1 April he left us for the MTC . Nae picked him up, he had brunch with Nae and the Haymonds and then, was dropped at the MTC.  Nae said he seemed ready to go to work.  He spent only 10 days in Provo, managed to rip his only pair of jeans.  

His descriptions of the MTC are less than positive, since he is a fairly introverted guy and having a bunch of guys around who never shopped talking, even when he put his earplugs in at the end of the night. .. . I'm sure you can imagine his frustration.  Also, he felt that they didn't use their time efficiently, and as zone leader this made him feel worried, etc.  Can you say type A?  Also, holy stream of consciousness letters!

Week 1 letter:

So the first week was great I studied a whole bunch and learned all about how to teach as opposed to what to teach. The experiences with primary and seminary were important in preparing for life in my companionship and district. Our district is composed of a group of very personable Elders and Sisters and as such they tend to share everything. . .  I sorely want alone time since even during our temple visit this morning my companion talked as soon as we reached the celestial room and we sat for only a few minutes before we moved outside to talk louder (and with the sisters) for the next forty five minutes. I did get to see Vocal Point perform Sunday evening which was fun but odd since they sang 12 days of Christmas and some other non hymns in addition to a few hymns although they were accompanied by piano for nearer my god to thee.  My the spirit continue to assist me.

2nd letter:

So I really miss the family including the cat and especially the alone time. I got stuck with a group of extroverts who expect me to participate actively in all conversations at least the talk over me so I do not need to talk for long including in every lesson my companionship has taught. . . .  And the fact that we are horrible with time management will drive me crazy. . . .  I wish I could stay at the MTC longer to learn how to teach well and use our resources such as planners which the rest of the district thinks I am crazy.  So guess who stupidly only packed on pair of jeans yeah this kid they ripped before I could even use them for service so I wore sweats. I wish I had taken my choir folder because all we have is hymns and I want to keep learning other song and I cannot quite remember parts for This is the Christ or Come thou font. If you could email sheet music that would be awesome (and maybe send jeans to Anchorage). I miss you guys lots tell my siblings and the cat I love them and remember I love you lots.

1 april we dropped the boy at the ABQ sunport

The next week we got a one line email telling us he had arrived in AK.  Then these pictures arrived from the mission president.

J, President and Sister Robinson

The next week he told us he's in Fairbanks and freezing.  He asked for us to send him music CD's as long as they are 'churchy'.  I think he is starting to feel a little discouraged since he thought he'd be teaching and mostly has been knocking doors.  And freezing.  His companion is a former bodybuilder who will not eat carbs, so our bread-loving boy is wondering what they are going to eat.  Especially since he had to pay for his luggage and hasn't been reimbursed yet so he has no money for food.  (except I noticed some charges on his debit card for his personal checking account so at least he isn't being silly and starving himself when he has other resources)

Fairbanks isn't a terribly large city, but it is the second largest in Alaska.  Temps are still below freezing in the nighttime, which only lasts from 10pm to 5:30 am.  I suspect the sunshine at that latitude isn't all that strong, though.  

Haven't heard from the boy yet today.  Probably got eaten by a bear.  

Noah turns 8

The day of Noah's baptism we received a lot of snow.  Nearly lost Isaac since he was outside shoveling around the church and couldn't keep up with the snow, so he just kept going and going and going.