Easter with the Fam

Alex Joshua Hernandez is here!

Nico and Eliza see their little brother for the first time!  

Holding on for dear life.  How sweet and presious is the life of a new born baby fresh from our Heavenly Father.  

Alex was born at 5:02 PM in Mesa AZ.  Weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz.  21 1/4 " long.  He is heathy and happy to be here.  He brought his love with him.  

Mom and dad so happy with the new addition.  

LIFE IS GRAET IN 2008! WHAT A WONDERFUL YEAR!

Life is great in 2008! We had the most AMAZING Christmas this year. I totally totally loved it!!!!!! It has been such a busy year this year, a hallmark year for the Cooks. We had three graduations, two weddings, a baby, a missionary, Melissa and Brian moving in then move out, Sean and Brodie moving out and Steph moving in! It was hard to get into Christmas this year with Danny gone but by the time it was Christmas I was TOTALLY into it. We had so much fun just being together, playing games, eating and just hanging out. It was wonderful to hear from our missionary Dan. We were able to have a family prayer together even though we were apart. And Danny bore his testimony to us before he had to go. It truly is THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

twas 16 nights after Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, and I feel like a louse.
Cuz it’s 10:30 AM, and not a sole is in sight
My families’ all left me, and that’s just not right
And Marc and her chillen’s, doing all that they can
So sad that Chambry is now in Japan
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave Steph a great reason to head for the slooooooop
Sean Brodie and wives, they flew to Cancun
We already miss them and hope they come soon
When what to my wondering eye should appear?
Yes, all the kids home, but my Danny boy dear
The first gift of Christmas, was a phone call so early
Elder Cook’s on the line, made my stomach all swirly
More rapid than eagles their courses they came
And I whistled and shouted and called them by name
Now Marci now Lissy now Stepher now Sean
On Brodie on Danny, and now their all gone!
They’ve flown off to Mexico and also Japan
To Utah, New York, keepin’ warm as they can.
Now Christmas is over, as I think back right now
Our love for each other grew ten times some how
It was all so complete to have the two newbie’s
And everyone knows you two are such cuties (Erin and Lindsay)
So this year in 09, we will all get a spine
To complete our goals with out any tolls
The days filled with games, food, golf, kids, joy and fun
The ski jump was Adams, but with golf Brian won
And Marci and Carlos the service they gave
With moving, and cooking, and cleaning to save
But the most important Christmas tradition of all
Is the Christ child so humble picking us up when we fall
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
To some other place, so now we just whistle
But I heard them exclaim ere they flew out of sight
Merry Christmas to all, yeah, OUR FAMILY’S SO TIGHT!

SANTA BABY!!!!


Christmas PJ's


How cute is she!


With shoes to match.


Gramps with the GRAND-kids.








Nico, help me blow out the candles.



Happy Birthday Carlos, 31! Wow!!! Melissa is on Web Cam again.

Tempe Town Lakes.
This is our family at As you wish. We made ornaments, plates, and bowls.



It is really fun to go as a family. Eliza is being so careful to not get out of line.

Nico is really working hard on is reindeer.




It was Marci's Birthday on Nov. 25th. We had everyone over for pizza.


Happy 31st Birthday Marci. Even Melissa got in on the action in Tokyo Japan via Web Cam! She doesn't want to miss out on anything.

The field is WHITE!

Elder Gunn and me are walking the icy streets everyday, we have found people to listen to us.  All our numbers have nearly doubled!! (On this day the streets were not so icy but trust me, I'm sure they were.  

Mom, blow this picture up and put it in Nico and Eliza's rooms so they will never forget me K? Ok Marci i'ts your job to brainwash your new little one like I did nico and Eliza into knowing who their favorite uncle is.... ok? Good.

My trainer is Elder Gunn.  He is totally AWESOME!  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!  

I LOVE ROCHESTER!  

My area that I'm serving in is called Irondequoit, north of Rochester, it's a sweet place.   

So I'm here IN ROCHESTER!!!!!  Sooo sick.  and it's wayyyy cold.  It snowed all night and we woke up this morning I got my wish of a "WHITE FIELD!"   We went to the Sacred Grove.  There were no leaves on the trees, they were caked with white SNOW!! We were the first footsteps in the grove today. 

 pic of Danny in the snow at the sacred grove

Dan the MTC man.

Beautiful fall day in Provo Utah.

Missionary mom, Elder Cook, and Stephanie.



New Missioanries, That's ME!!!!


The day we put Danny in the MTC we got up and I taught him how to sew on a button. He later told me he sewed on several buttons for himself and others in the MTC and got a reputation for sewing. I told him my goodbyes that morning because I knew it would be too hard in the MTC for both of us in such a public place. I told him he came from a long legacy of missionaries and that he had been placed with all those missionaries before him for a reason. He had a lot of big shoes to fill and he was totally up to the task. We had prayer and scripture study. I read the last of Alma’s words to his son’s and replaced mine and his names. We went to breakfast at Magleby’s Fresh and had their famous French toast. Steph met us there. Danny finely turned over his phone. He was calling and texting his friends like it was his last time……….cuz it was. I have this vivid memory of going to the car, the radio was playing Via La Vida by Cold Play. He loves that song and thinks it is all about him. I remember him smiling so big and singing, “Missionaries in a foreign field!” We entered the MTC Wed. morning Oct. 29th at 11:00. It was a beautiful day in Provo Utah. About 70 degrees, clear blue skies and the leaves were turning, something we don't see in AZ. We both knew it was going to be hard but their is something really special about putting your son in the MTC that can't be described in words. You are sad yet happy. It is a testimony that the church is true, other wise, our youth wouldn't go and we wouldn't be happy to see them go. I kept thinking of my MTC experience and knew what he was in for so that made it a lot easier for me. Before we knew it, the time had come. He said goodbye to Steph. They have become so close. Then it was my turn. We separated and went to our designated doors. Just before he went through the door we yelled, “Danny!” He tuned with tear filled eyes and waved goodbye. The next two days were hard for me. I was happy for him but two years is so long. But since that day, I really haven’t had a hard time. It’s OK. In Danny’s setting apart, Pres. Coons said, “I bless you that your goodbyes will be sweet.” It really was sweet but for two days it was hard. But I can honestly say, I haven’t had a hard day since. So I guess that is pretty sweet! I am so excited for him. He is doing so well and is so happy, how could I be sad. It’s all good. I love being a missionary mom!

Goodbye for two years

Rhonda, Marci, Eliza, and Jackie, saying good bye to Dan the missioanry man.



























Danny with his BYU Friends the night before the
MTC.
Bye pops, I love ya.












Dan's
Mt. View friends. So hard to say goodbye.

Leaving on a jet plane.

Goodbye Unka Danny. We love you.










Sean and Brodie giving Danny some of their favorite ties.








Elder Daniel Taylor Cook
Rochester NY Mission

Families can be Together Forever.

This was blessing day for Miss Chambry Kay Barnett. Brian gave Chambry a beautiful blessing.




Blessing day for Miss Chambry.
This is a photo of our family outside the Mesa AZ Temple. Danny went through the Temple this day. We were able to all be together in the Temple. It was a day that our family has dreamed about since Keven and I were married. We are so blessed it all worked out. Brian was in Japan and Melissa had just had her baby here. We had a window of just a few days. Danny went through on Fri. Brian and Melissa Blessed their baby on Sunday and they took of for London on Monday. So we were very lucky to have this day in the Temple. We were glad Stephanie could fly down to be with us all. We took family names through and had a very special day.

Temple Day for the Cook Family

Cook Family.

Marci & Carlos have two beautiful children Nicholas and Eliza. They are expecting their third in Feb. A boy. Marci works at Keven's office and helps with the family business, Office Keepers, a new business they put together this spring. They both work so hard.

Melissa and Brian are living in Tokyo Japan and will be there until May. Brian works for United Bank of Switzerland, UBS. They have traveled to London, Singapore and now Tokyo. They have the cutest, sweetest little one in the world who has been ALL over the world. We are looking foward to seeing them at Christmas.

Temple Day for the Cook Family

Brodie and Lindsay were married in May. Brodie is going to school and studying pre-dent. Lindsay is in Nursing school. They live close so we see them often.

Sean and Erin were married in March. Sean is a Pre-Dent student and Erin is working with Special Education Children, teaches Dance. They are so much fun to be around. We love them.



This is all the Cook boys. Danny, Brodie, Keven, Sean, Brian, Carlos and Nicholas.


Cook girls, Stephanie, Lindsay, Marci, Eliza, Rhonda, Melissa, Chambry, Erin.

GRANDKIDS ARE GRAND!!!

IT IS ONE OF THE JOYS OF YOUR LIFE TO HAVE THESE MINI CHILDREN COME INTO YOUR WORLD. I LOVE TO SPOIL THEM AND THEN SEND THEM HOME!

Grandkids, Nico, Eliza, Chambry

NICO IS 4. HE LOVES TO GO TO PRE-SCHOOL AND HAS AN INFECTIOUS LAUGH. HE HAS HIS DAD'S PERSONALITY.





ELIZA IS 2 AND IS THE THE SWEETEST LITTLE PRINCESS. SHE LOVES TO GIVE KISSES AND HUGS. WE CALL HER, BUTTERCUPS.














MISS CHAMBRY IS 4 MONTHS OLD. SHE IS THE BEST BABY! SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT AND NEVER CRIES. WE CALL HER PEACHES. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND WE MISS HER SO MUCH!

Eliza was a very brave little girl.

We got a call from Marci saying that Eliza smashed her finger in the door and severed it just below the fingernail line. It was hanging on by the skin. She starting screaming and wanted to pull it off. Marci had to hold her other hand to keep her from ripping it off. They knew they had to get her to an urgent care stat! Just a few seconds before this happened the garage door chain broke and they couldn't get the car out to take her to urgent care. They had to use Carlos' van that was parked outside. When they got to urgent care they were sent to Scottsdale Care Hospital because they had a pediatric hand specialist and he would be able to re-attach the finger. By the time we got to Scotttsdale her finger had began to reattach it’s self and wasn’t flopping around anymore. I couldn't stand to be in the room when they were reattaching her finger. She called out for me, nana, nana, nana, then screamed, RHONDA!!!!!!!!! She was brave and held still during the procedure. She was a very brave little girl and really did well. You can’t even tell she hurt her finger now.

We got a call from Marci saying that Eliza smashed her finger in the door and severed it just below the fingernail line. It was hanging on by the skin. She starting screaming and wanted to pull it off. Marci had to hold her other hand to keep her from ripping it off. They knew they had to get her to an urgent care stat! Just a few seconds before this happened the garage door chain broke and they couldn't get the car out to take her to urgent care. They had to use Carlos' van that was parked outside with no car seat. They got to urgent care and they to ScottsdaleCare Hospital because they had a pediatric hand specialist and he would be able to re-attach the finger. By the time we got to Scotttsdale her finger had began to reattach it’s self and wasn’t flopping around anymore. I couldn't stand to be in the room when they were reattaching her finger. She called out for me, nana, nana, nana, then screamed, RHONDA!!! She was brave and held still during the procedure. She was a very brave little girl and really did well. You can’t even tell she hurt her finger.

4th of July in Provo

4th of July in Provo

Their is no place better than Provo Utah for celebrating the 4th of July.  Melissa and I drove up to Utah to get some much needed cool fresh mountain air.  We met Danny and Steph who were already there.  Marci and her family drove up too.  It was so much fun to be together.  The night before the parade people were saving their spot on the street.  It tuned out to be an all night "Main Street" party. We went to the Stadium of Fire, with Mile Cirrus.  It was fun.  

MARCI IS ADDING ANOTHER GRANDBABY TO OUR FAMILY!

Marci told us tonight that she is expecting her 3rd! She is due the 22 of February which is Stephanie's Birthday! We are so happy for Marci. It will be great for her to have this new little one to add to her already beautiful family. Marci and Carlos both have been working hard with Carlos's new business as will as Marci working part time at Keven's office. They will have her hands full with three children but I know they can to amazing things. Our family is growing by leaps and bounds.

ELDER DANIEL TAYLOR COOK!

Danny got his call and wanted to open it in Provo. We set up the web cam and made calls to California where Sean, Erin, Brodie and Lindsay are working. Danny was so excited he could hardly read it. DRUM ROLL.............................

ROCHESTER NEW YORK MISSION (PALMYRA)

Daniel Taylor Cook is called to serve in the Rochester NY Mission. He will report to the MTC Oct 29th! We are so excited. It will be a church history mission with Palmyra, the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, the Palmyra Temple and the Pageant all in his mission!!! Danny went there two weeks before Sean and Brodie left for their missions so he knows what it is like. It is the mission just north of where Sean served! Danny is so excited and can't wait to go. We are so excited!!!!!!! It will be fun to pick him up. YEA!! WE HAVE ANOTHER MISSIONARY!!!!!!!

Steph came for the opening of the call. The two "Brown Eyes, of the family have really bonded in Provo. They have loved being in Utah together.

Miss Chambry Kay Barnett Born July 29, 2008

Melissa and Brian had their first little baby girl Tuesday morning at 3:30 AM.
Chambry Kay Barnett
7 lbs. 1 oz.
21 1/2 " long
She is a very good baby and is loved by her family so much. We are happy she is here. Yea!
Brian has been in Japan 6 weeks with his new job with UBS, United Bank of Switzerland. He came home for the birth and had to leave the day after she came home from the hospital. It has been hard for the two of them but they have kept in touch via Web Cam! He will return in 4 weeks to pick up mom and baby and head for London for two months then on to Japan for a year. We are so sad they have to go all they way on the other side of the world. We look forward to our visits there.

Hey dad this is for you way in Japan. I miss you. Hurry and come get me.

My cousin is Popeye!

Maui Hawaii 2008

We decided that we would do a family vacation before Danny went on his mission and after the boys got married. We stayed at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club in Lahina. We had such a wonderful time. We were sad Carlos and Eliza couldn't make it as Carlos's mother came to Arizona to visit. We missed them.

Cook's Whip Cream Night!!!

We had so much fun on this trip. Everyone was assigned a day to plan the activities and the night devotional or activity. We did some crazy things like a family disco on our room. Bloding, and very spiritual devotionals. Our favorite one was the Whip Cream Night. We took a paper plate and put a candy on it and filled it with whip cream. Put our hands behind our backs then the first one to find the whip cream won and got to throw the plate in the others face. OH MY GOSH, WHO KNEW WHIP CREAM COULD BE SO FUN!!!!!! WE LOVED IT.

As you can see I was TOTALLY INTO IT! Keven just got a little whip cream on his nose. Of course after a long time I found the Candy and got the throw the plate. But Keven ducked TWICE! That was the funniest!

We had a contest to see who could create the most amazing hair with whip cream. We laughed till we were silly. Someone walking by said, "I want to drink what they are drinking." Danny said, "We are on LDS!"

Para sailing was a big hit.

One day we biked down Haleakala, a volcano that is 10,023 ft. high. We had heard all week that their had been accedents, even casualties with this bike ride. The first 5 mins. of the ride, we knew why. We shared the same hair-pin turns as cars with sometimes no bike lane! It was a thrill.

Family Fun in the Sun!

Maui Hawaii 2008

Are you kidding me. I don't think I signed up for this!

Why am I here? I love you Fanny but I can't believe I just did that!

Danny was our last child to graduate from MVT! Everyone was their but Sean and Brodie and their wifes. It was a great showing of Toro Pride and gave new meaning to TORO TUFF!

Graduation Day for Dan the Toro Man

It started raining the day of the graduation. All the schools in the valley but Mt. View decided to
divide up the class and have the graduation inside. The students sent a mass text, "We started together, lets finish together. We are not going inside and be divided!" So it rained all night and it was 54 degrees. Very cold for May 22 in AZ. They have a new meaning for "TORO TOUGH!"

Dan the Toro Man with his buddies. What a good looken crew!
Ok, we are freezing! Snap the photo and we are heading for the car!

Seminary Graduation

Danny with his family after Seminary Graduation. Danny spoke at the graduation about what he has leaned in seminary. He bore a powerful testimony of how now they are on their own and can't rely on parents or teachers any more. He talked about how you need to make the changes in your life to get the things you really want. The spirit was so strong you could cut it with a knife. It was if he grow up over night. We were all so proud of him.

Wedding present for the newly weds.

A gift of a painting of the Savior walking on water. Fear not, it is I, be ye not afraid.

The Cook Girls

We have now added two new babes to
"The Cook Girls!"

Together Forever!

True Love!

Love the shoes!

No peeking bobo!

Brodie and Lindsay are Sealed in the Mesa AZ Temple!

Brodie and Lindsay have dated since the 9th grade. When Marci and Carlos were married, Brodie would ask me if I thought Lindsay would make a good wife! I told him I thought she was a nice girl but reminded him is was 14! He would ask me again, and I would say, Brodie that is a long way off. Then again he would say, I know but what do you think mom? He would comb over the brides magazines and pick out silver and china. Eight years later it finally happened! We are so happy for this darling couple and for their bright future. Lindsay just finished up her first quarter of nursing school. Brodie is pre-dental and they both have worked very hard. Brodie married the girl of his dreams. Lindsay has been planing this for years. We are happy to have this sweet girl in our family. They spent a week in Kauai on a Honeymoon and then met the family in Maui the next week.

Melissa's baby shower in Provo

Go forth to serve!

Yippie! We make it!

Graduation day for Melissa and Brian

Melissa and Brian Graduate from BYU!

In April Melissa and Brian graduated from BYU.  Brian from MBA School and Melissa graduated with an Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education degree.  Melissa wanted to be  pregnant when she walked and she was.  We are so proud of her for getting her education. It has her goal for a long time.  She was so happy to be graduating with Brian and now is so happy to be starting her new family.  Brian did his internship in Tokyo Japan last summer.  After the baby is born they will move to London for two months, then to Tokyo for a year.  Brian works for UBS, Union Bank of Switzerland and does investment banking.  What an adventure lay head for them.  We are so proud of both of them

More Cruise

Post OptionsMarci and kids get ready 

to board the boat.  
Dad, you would not believe this ride!  It was intense!

Oh my gosh, like mother like daughter.  Sooooooo cute!  

UMMMMMMMMMMM yeah

Sun bathing at Disney's private beach Castaway Cay.

Marci and Carlos WIN the ARRRRRRR CONTEST.

ARRRRR MATEY, IS THAT THE DOC?

I'm too tired to eat my cho. ice cream, and I'm sticky too!

boarding the Disney Ship Wonder.

Disney Cruise

After Sean and Erin's wedding we went on a Disney Cruise with Keven, myself, Danny and Marci's and Carlos and family.  It was so much fun seeing all the excitement with the kids all the Disney things to see and do.  We sailed to Nassau in the Bahamas the first night and then to castaway cay the second night.  We had a wonderful time seeing dolphins next to the ship and of-course all the food you could eat.  We went to Disney World after the cruise.  

Happy Ever After!

On their way!

Don't smash it in my face!

Two Peas in a Pod!

For Time and All Eternity!

Sean and Erin Wed!!!!!

The sealing of Sean and Erin was wonderful! It was such a  tender sealing.  Sean and Erin  had HUGE smiles on their faces, (TEETH SMILES!) with tears streaming down their faces the whole time.  The spirit was so strong they had a hard time answering the question but did in a wisper. So sweet.  Then Brodie looking at his brother and crying, made everyone cry, but the killer was Steph, she rarely sheds a tear but she was so touched to witness this sacred sealing.   It was a real tear jerker.  After the sealing we were waiting for them to come out of the Temple when we found out that Sean and Erin have the same pioneer ancestors!  John President Porter!  So we told them at the dinner that they were cousins!  You should have seen the looks on their faces.  It was a wonderful reception and well attended as they are both so loved!   Brodie got engaged that night when Sean left for his honey moon.  He didn't want to take away from Sean's day.  They are such sweet boys.  CAN YOU  BELIEVE ALL THIS EXCITMENT!  Life is good!  

IT'S MIND "BLOG-GLING!!!!!!!"

I have over 1,500 photos in the last 7 months with two weddings, three graduations, and two family vacations. (I have everyone's photos!) 

 

 YEEEIOOOOOOOOWWWWWEEEE!  IT'S MIND BLOG-GLING!!!!!!!

  I just don't know where to start.  But I have to start today because Melissa goes in to have her baby tonight.  (She is being induced!)  And Danny's mission call is in the mail!!!!!!!!!  YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAA!!!!!  So I just have to do what I can today and hope it is good enough.  

Everyone was mass texting the day Pres. Hinckley passed away.  Danny got a text that everyone was going to wear Sunday attire the next day to school.  He didn’t have a suit that fit him so he went to the boys closets and dug out an old suit Brodie bought in the mission field for $5.00 at salvation army.  He didn’t quite fit but he felt like a million dollars.  It was something he will never forget. 

 

Melissa 6 months prego

Thanks to Gordon B. Hinckley

I can’t let any more time go by without honoring my beloved Gordon B. Hinckley. He has made an irreversible impact on my life. When I was in the MTC I had a very difficult time learning the Italian language. I became extremely depressed and wanted to come home. I will never forget one Sunday someone gave a talk and told a story about an Elder Hinckley and how he was also discouraged on his mission and wanted to come home. His dad wrote him a letter and said, “Gordon, I received your letter today, I have just one thing to say, forget yourself and get to work!” He said that he received courage from this letter and decided to stay. He had a successful mission and never regretted staying. He said that everything good that happened in his life, he could point to that decision of staying in the field. I will never forget as I sat there thinking, this is me. If he can do it so can I. I stayed, and everything that is good in my life, I can point to that decision and know it was the right one. I just can’t imagine who or what I would be if I hadn’t served a mission. I met my husband, the love of my life there. If I hadn’t have married him, would I have had the children I had? Would I be living in AZ? I know I wouldn’t have been so active in doing missionary work which I love with all my heart. I wouldn’t have had the knowledge and experience to teach seminary, which I LOVE TO TEACH!
I owe Pres. Hinckley so much. Who would I be if I would have come home? Not the same Sister Cook I am today. Thanks Pres. Hinckley, I am so happy you are with your wife again. You have been such an example of enduring to the end. You have shown me how to work hard.
I love you. Sister Rhonda Cook

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR!

It WAS WONDERFUL to be all together again after so many years of missions and such. It will be our last Christmas together for two years as Danny will be on the mish.
I loved our night with the Millers. It will go down in my remembrance book as the night heaven came to earth. The feelings of love and family were so warm and good. The sweet testimonies born about the Savior were unforgettable. It really is what Christmas is all about. Family support and togetherness. That is really what Christmas is all about. I was so worried about making it the perfect Christmas and it really was. Not everyone got everything they wanted. But I got what I wanted. To be together with my wonderful family for Christmas. THAT IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT. Through the years we all will be together......
Now that our family is growing and expanding even though we may not be all together for Christmas, we will always hold in our hearts the times we spent together.
Thanks to all of you for all you did to make this Christmas the most memorable one...... until next year! I love you all, mom

It was thrilling to see the love Sean and Erin have for each-other and how excited they are to start their lives together. It was a jump start to our Christmas eve and got the Holiday spirit going. You guys are so happy and we will can’t wait till March 7th. It doesn't get more exciting than that.

Sean became engaged to Erin Duff on Christmas Eve

Rhonda is opening her gifts.

Melissa & Brian Christmas Morning.

Sean and Brodie excited about Coco Motion!

Grandpa and Nicholas reading the night before Christmas.

Nicholas and Eliza decorating the tree.

Brodie, Keven and Eliza decorating the tree.

Brodie & Lindsay, Sean and Erin at the Jon Schmidt concert.

Jeep tour in Sadona

Danny and Eliza have have fun at Cheesecake Factory

I loved the gift of eternal life we gave to our ancestors as we went to the temple as a fmaily and sealed our ancestors together for time and all eternity. That day will go down in the annals of time as making the difference to those family members though out eternity. Wow! Could we give a better gift than that?

Steph and Marci

Then again, who could forget as we started the season out at Thanksgiving dinner the sweet and tender thank-you from Steph. It touched all of our hearts to hear her heart felt words of gratitude for the support of her family though the last few months. What an example she is to all of us. We love you Steph and are so proud of you.

Danny gets an old timer for his mission. Also a ski package when he finishes wrestling.

And then we have the two "BIG KIDS" Brian and Danny. They loved playing with all the kid toys like the guns and stuff. But to make sure they got good stuff, they bought their own! (remote control boats.) They are the kids at heart. We will be so excited to talk to Danny next year and here all about his mission adventures. We miss you already Dan.

Dad's Leg lamp desplayed in the front window.

But lets not forget the fun of Santa and how excited Brodie was for Christmas as he missed it so much on his mission. I loved seeing him get so excited about Christmas music and making COCO MOTION and his being so excited to see what he got from Santa. Brodie, you added so much fun to this Christmas.

Unless it is giving. I don’t know who was more excited about giving the leg lamp to dad. You have to admit it was the best Christmas decoration we have ever had. People stopped and took pictures. I loved the sweet card dad gave to me with heart felt words and a tear in his eye as I read the card aloud. That is the love that Christmas brings out in all of us. Keven is just the biggest fan of Christmas. Thanks for making our Christmas so fun and unforgettable.

But the best was seeing the two kids of the family be so excited about Santa. Remember Nicholas and Christmas Eve? And Eliza in her leopard dress strolling her baby? Tooooo Cute! Children and Christmas, that is what Christmas is!

Unless it is Melissa and Brian announcing with a Cheen Cheen that they are expecting in JULY!!!!!! How exciting is that! The announcement of a new birth on the Celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. The Lord has blessed them with a perfect timing. We are so happy for you guys. You will make great parents.

Melissa & Brian Expecting in July!

I loved hearing about Carlos & Marci's adventures in Mexico and the Mexican Moses and how he parted the trucks to get them to their destination of delivering Christmas goods to the needy. That is what Christmas is all about. What a great example you guys are of selfless service.

Marci & Carlos

Elder Sean Cook getting sneak attacked by his family

Elder Sean Cook getting into his car. THIS IS HOW CLOSE WE WERE. We were all screaming and ducking but didn't get out. It was the most exciting thing I have ever done. Just a little too close but so much fun. Not recommended.

The girls and I decided that it was past time we did a girls trip. We decided on Baltimore since Steph was there and we would have free room and board. We did the Washington DC thing and had a wonderful time. My favorite day was when we went to Hershey Pennsylvania. We went to the Spa at the Hotel Hershey ! It was an amazing spa. We all got a massage! Before and after your massage you can wait in 3 different rooms. One room has fresh fruit, lots of chocolate, bottled water, hot chocolate, and muffins. My favorite room was the aroma room that smells like Crème Brule. We sat in all the rooms for a while and then went in the hot tub. Then we ate lunch at the spa in the Oasis room, the food was awesome. It was a blast, we were all in heaven! Then we went to Chocolate World and bought lots of candy and chocolate. Sean was serving a mission in Pennsylvania and his apartment was only 15 minutes away from where we were so we decided to go decorate his door and write a note that we were there and to wish him a happy birthday. When we got to his apartment we parked right in front of his door I was freaking out that he might catch us so I told the girls to move the car in case he came walking out. 30 seconds after we moved the car there he was! We were all laughing so hard and screaming that he was right there. It was so fun to see him! We all wanted to jump out and give him a big hug! Of course we had to stick to the mission rules so we didn't get out of the car until he was gone. We were all good and kept the rules. It was so fun to see him. I went to bed that night with a smile on my face thinking, I saw my boy today….he looked so good! He took it really well and wasn’t too mad at us.

The Elders Cook meet for the first time in two yeats

Welcome home Elder Cook

Elder Cook with Danny and Stephanie

Picking up the Elders Cook

Girls Trip

Click on the link below for the video of us visiting Sean's apartment.

Video of Sean's Apartment

Dan the Toro Man. Danny is a Sr. and loves to wrestle and play the base in his band. He is a lot of fun to be around. He is preparing for the mish.

Elder Sean Cook serves in the Harrisburg PA mission. Bro. Mills has no toes, Sean held him up when he was baptized. He has a passion for the work.

Elder Brodie Cook. Yes, that is a horse trough. Brodie is serving in the Louisville Kentucky Mission. He is totaly wraped up in the work.

Melissa and Brian are at BYU. Brian is doing an MBA and is going to Japan for an internship. Melissa is finishing up her degree in Early Childhood

Keven and Rhonda

I am the luckiest mother in the world to have such a wonderful and beautiful family. I am so blessed! I feel like I have a fairy tale story. I grew up in Lyman Wyo. Served a mission in the Rome Italy Mission. LOVED IT! When I returned I dated one of the best Elders in my mission. Elder Keven Cook. After a year of dating at BYU we were married in the Salt Lake Temple by our mission Pres. We both graduated from BYU then headed to Chicago for Keven to go to Dental School. We had our three daughters in Chicago. Marci, Melissa and Stephanie. When we moved to Arizona, Keven ordered twin boys and got them. Three years later we had our bonus baby, Danny. Marci and Carlos have given us two beautiful grandchildren, Nicolas and Eliza. I am so glad they live close so I can see them grow. My twins have retuned from their missions. Danny is a Senior next year. Life is good.