Cook Family: 2012

Silly Faces

Dominic 2 1/2 yrs old

Constance 9 yrs old

Jordan 4 1/2 yrs old

(The kids ages when all this happened: Constance 10, Jordan 5 and Dominic 3)

Jordan is my least picky when it comes to food. If there is something he has never tried before he will ask if he likes it and of course, I tell him yes, and He will eat it. He is also my fruit and veggie lover. On this particular day I went in the living room and found him with an apple in one hand and a pear in the other.

I went into the living room and found the boys had decided to build a tower. Underneath all the pillows are all their toys dumped out and in the middle.

The boys came in my room one afternoon very excited. I noticed Dominic was carrying something in his hands and it seemed like it was a bit heavy. When I sat up, I saw him carrying this container in his hands and inside with the lid on was Blackie, our little dog.

Dominic loves his Daddy. He came in with this backpack on and one of the straps in hand telling me it was his backpack blower.

Our kids love playing with the girls next door. Sierra is close to Constance's age and then her little sister River is close to the boys age. One afternoon after the boys were out playing with River they came up to me and Jordan wanted to show me his beautiful artwork -- it just so happens that beautiful artwork was on Dominic's arm. Evidently River got hold of a pen while they were outside playing and they decided to draw all over each other.

Dominic is extremely picky when it comes to food and eating. I have had to be a little bit creative in trying to get some fruits and vegetables in his body. He absolutely loves tomato soup. One day he found a can of V8 juice sitting on the counter and grabbed and proceeded to empty it. He looked at me, smiled and said, "yummy, tomato soup". Whatever works.

Jordan wanted a turn on the little kayak all by himself. He took off and was flying all over the pond. I was shocked at how quickly he caught on and how well he did. He was so pleased ... he had the biggest smile on his face.

These are the newest addition to our family. At the end of the school year they asked if anyone was interested in bringing home some crabs. Constance really wanted to and after we made sure she was aware they were her responsibility -- we added 2 crabs to our home.

One of afternoon I took the kids out to let them play in the kiddie pool and sprinkler. All the kids went out with shoes on their feet, they just didn't keep them on. About 30 minutes into their playtime, Constance comes crying over to where I was. Her barefoot found a bee. I got the stinger out but evidently she had a reaction to it. This is what her foot looked like 2 days later when we took her to the Dr.

This is what happens when little kids get a hold of a stamp. River (Little girl from nextdoor) had one and they proceeded to cover each other in stamps. Dominic even had one on the top of his head and one his ear. Jordan had stamps all over him as well, they just didn't show up as well. It was funny, because Jordan, River and Dominic all came up to me and lifted their shirts to show me their beautiful tummies. I just didn't have my camera ready to get all three.

This is what happens when you stub your toe and your big sister is your Doctor. Boy did they baby him. Of course, they ended having to clean up the toys without his help because of their babying. He seemed to think he couldn't possibly get up to help after sissy got thru.

Nothing like driving in the car and hearing "look, there are two hookers". Jordan saw the two receivers on the back of a truck -- he just had a different name for them.

This is how I found Jordan when I went in to check on him before I went to bed.

With only having one car and that car being a one-seater, you have to be a bit creative in how you hitch a ride.

Jordan watching very closely to make sure Blackie poops ok.

Dominic saw this rock and was excited it was a pizza rock.

It's Not Everyday

One of the afternoons when we were out at the farm swimming with family, Carol asked me if I would put her eyeball in a bag in her car so she didn't lose it.

It isn't every day someone asks you to take care of their eyeball. I had to laugh ... thought it was funny.

The Trap

It is amazing how their little minds work. My boys were so excited. They came running into the kitchen to tell me about the trap they had made in their room for their sister. This is what I found when I went in their room to see.

This is what their closet looked like too.

Memorial Day 2012 It was nice to have all my family together for Memorial Day! Malia and Thel and their family were in town for Thel's parents' mission farewell and Leif and his family came up also. We went to the farm and spent the afternoon/evening just having fun.

Our boys are a bit hesitant when it comes to water and Mike was sitting with Dominic by the pond trying to get him to be a bit more comfortable.

Saara (Leif's little girl) and Constance enjoying the water.

When you walk thru the shallows you could end up with some leeches, as Ben (one of Leif's boys) discovered. We also discovered putting salt on them gets them off pretty good. Which was good, because I ended up having to do the same thing to Constance when she walked to the rocks to get out. Her feet were covered.

We were really trying to convince our boys the water wasn't so bad. I asked them if they wanted me to jump in, they were quite excited about the thought. So I did. Sofia had my camera and did a great job catching me in motion. I hate getting pond water up my nose, so yes, I did have my nose plugged.

Ben (Leif's son) and Wiley (Kam's boy) sharing a kayak.

My brothers, Kam and Leif.

Leif and his youngest girl, Emma.

We got Dominic in the water, but he wasn't too happy and wanted out even with me holding him.

Leif and Samuel.

Wiley and Leif dogpiling on Samuel

Wiley Jumping backwards off of Leif and Samuel.

We discovered one way to get the boys in pond is to put them on the little kayaks. They are as happy as can be and are willing to go around the pond all day as long as they are on the boats.

Carol and I took Mary and Anna on the kayaks.

Our Sweet Maddie was also there -- Our Family was complete! I love the picture of Maddie and Sidney holding hands as they were getting ready to jump into the pond.