Snow Trip

Mark and I went with Dad one day after New Years to the lumber mills. On the way back, we stopped at a sledding area and found a spot for a quick couple of runs.

Christmas Day

Dad and I slept in, AAAHHH!, so nice. We finally opened presents here at home with everyone after dinner and opening presents at Gma & Gpa Cooley's.

Christmas Eve

Adam and Jess were here for Christmas eve so we planned an evening with everyone. There was gingerbread house decorating, girls visiting, some of the boys hanging out in the office, and even Adam is trying to stay awake for Christmas. We did some amazing crockpot ribs and everyone seemed to go away filled with the Christmas spirit.

Dean Cooley Christmas FHE

One Friday night, the extended Dean Cooley family met at the Zoo and took in the lights and a few of the animals. It was a cold night, but Emmie found a way to get through it. Some of us big kids thought being all snuggled warm and getting a ride sounded like a good idea.

Mike Cooley Christmas FHE

Since I was in Columbus for Thanksgiving, we didn't get our tree up and all the decorating finished, so the fam got together for FHE and helped out.

Playing Catch-Up

I'm a little slow, but I decided I"m going to try to catch up and not get so far behind. There are a few events over the holidays and the past couple of weeks in January, and then I'll be up to date. Well, here goes. . . .!

Christmas Formal

Mark was asked to Christmas formal by Kerstyn Duke. One evening he received a call that Santa was waiting for him to open the door. When he did, Santa came in with his trusty video-camera-carrying elf at his side. Santa then proceeded to have Mark sit on his lap and ask him what he wanted for Christmas. In the end, he was left with a gift that had his invitation to the formal inside. They had a large group involved, a great steak meal prepared for all, and a fun dance with great company. All in all, an awesome time.

Went to Ohio to get a Dakota

In November I went to Ohio to be with Alicia and
Tharon for the arrival of baby Dakota. Leaving
86 degrees to be plunged into 28 degree coldness
was a bit of a shock for this desert rat. Upon arriving,
I found myself dealing with a cold and flu. Luckily,
Dakota decided he better wait until Grandma
was feeling better; so after being induced,
he arrived at 5:24 pm on Nov. 25.



















I was able to spend five days at home
with the little family before jetting off
for warm weather again. I am sure
I could have stayed longer, but food was
running out at home and Dad and
Mark were missing me.

This is the three of us on a ward campout in September. Ah, this is the life!