Cook Family: The Christmas Story

Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Christmas Story

A few years ago we started a new tradition with my family. My brother and father have purchased some land a ways out of town. My brother has a barn and some animals you would expect to see.

Just before Christmas ... depending on when all of my family can get together ... we go out to the farm to read the Christmas story in the loft of the barn. There is something about reading/hearing of the manger and smelling the smells of all the animals that creates a lasting impression.

The time and the energy my parents put into the preparation is amazing. It is a wonderful reminder why we celebrate Christmas.

Along with the surroundings, my parents have gone through the trouble to have the food be similar to what they would eat ... which the kids have absolutely loved. (surprisingly)

From the Christmas story, to singing Christmas songs, to enjoying the food and the other Christmas stories shared ...This is a tradition we all love and look forward to each and every year. It is nice to take a step back from all the hustle and bustle and enjoy the peace and to remember. I am so thankful for that gift. It is priceless.

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Gotta Love Em

Going to check on the boys and having Jordan see me and say "UH-OH"

Jordan locking the van door on mommy, then Constance asking "Mommy do you love Jordan better when he was little or now?"

Jordan riding his fire truck into his baby brother and knocking him over.

Jordan learning "mine" and laughing while saying "no Mommy, Mine."

Dominic smiling at Jordan and Jordan getting so tickled.

Dominic rolling onto his side and Jordan pushing him back onto his back.

Jordan standing behind me on the chair and leaning over my shoulder asking "Gandpa stinky", "Sissy stinky".

Trying to type while holding Jordan and while he is dancing.

Constance getting very concerned because mommy's voice is going ... and just certain Mommy would have to go to hospital.

Getting ready to go somewhere ... Jordan trying to grab Dominic, just to make sure I don't forget him.

Jordan jumping in his first mud puddle ... the smile on his face ... and then the shock on mommy's face as he runs and jumps in the van, climbing all over the seats with his nice muddy shoes.

Laughter: Lightly running your fingers up and down the back and tickling the neck and the laugh that could make anyone smile.

Jordan helping put the pacifier in Dominic's mouth, usually it is facing the wrong way and he is shoving it into his nose.

Asking Jordan if he is stinky ... his reponse "No Thank you" ... there is a pretty good chance he needs his diaper changed because he is stinky.

Constance asking: "Didn't Heavenly Father promise Noah that he wouldn't flood the earth again? .... It's not supposed to flood."

Jordan wanting to kiss Dominic while I am holding him. He kisses his feet, then he kisses his bottom, then he kisses his hand, ...

Jordan: "no mama" or "uh-uh" while shaking head side to side

When I told Jordan it was his bedtime ... he said "uh-oh" and took off running.

Going in to Jordan's room to get him up in the morning ... pants on ... diaper half off ... and he is soaking wet.

Constance had turned the TV on after school. Jordan snagged the remote and ran. I heard Constance running after him telling "No Jordan".

Jordan climbed up on our bed (which is elevated) ... sat down and said "good job".

Finding Jordan naked from the waist down in the kitchen... he has figured out how to take his pants off and diaper off. He just looks at you and smiles and laughs.

Jordan came into Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen, grabbed his pants, said "Please, Stinky" and then grabbed his nose.

New Dog, Princess, Jordan grabs her leash and proceeds to lead her around the house. Princess follows all the way to her "bed" where she layed down as Jordan dropped her leash.

Jordan comes into my bedroom covered in white powder and puts his fingers in his mouth and says "mmmmm" ... turns out it is baby formula.

I tell Jordan "I love you", His response "uh-uh".

Jordan gets into things he knows he shouldn't. When I call out "Jordan" he says "Thank you"... tell-tale sign he is getting into trouble. There is water in the pan around our water heater. When I hear splashing I say "Jordan" and I hear "Thank you"

The other day when we were leaving our dog, Princess, kept licking Jordan. Jordan kept saying "no ... sit ... no ... sit ... no... sit"

Jordan trying to give baby Dominic "fives" ... trying to pry open his little fist to do it.

Jordan plopping himself in the baby swing and saying "weeee".

Constance telling her daddy "Jordan has brown hair and daddy has gray hair."

During renovations, Constance saying:
"Uh-oh, grandpa's writing on the wall" (he had drawn the layout of our bedroom on the old sheetrock)
"I want a bathroom in my room."
"Your bathroom is bigger than mine."

Jordan found sissy's box of skittles and accidently dropped them on the floor ... as he was cleaning up he put one in his mouth ... "mmmmm". Not many of them made it in the box after that.

Walking in to Jordan's bedroom during naptime to find him standing there with his pants off, diaper off and poop smeared on his sheets. Then to top it off he is smiling and puts his finger in his mouth and says "MMMMM". Bathwater was run immediately!

Little Lessons Learned

A 2-year-old with crutches is a dangerous thing...Watch your shins and your head!

2 kids and a container of cinnamon/sugar ... you are bound to have a big mess.

A 2 year old on the end of a water hose is a quick learner.

When mixing up snacks in bag ... make sure it is sealed.

No matter how clean you think you floor is ... a toddler will always manage to find some piece of dirt or food to put in their mouth.

Dry clean only + babies = spitup.

Never ask if things can get worse.

Sitting down to eat or relax ... baby will start to cry or one of the others will need something right then.

Jordan running to mommy means ... he has taken something of sissy's and she is coming to get it.

Kids and puddles ... its only a matter of time before someone gets wet and muddy.

Jordan doesn't understand soft means he shouldn't lay on top of his brother to give him kisses.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Christmas Story

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