Our Christmas!

This year for Christmas it was just our little family. We spent Christmas Eve at Aunt Celeste's house playing games and having fun. (Thanks Aunt Celeste! :+)But on Christmas Day it was just the 5 of us! This year we got to sleep in until 8:00am. How sweet it is to have older children who let you sleep past 4:00am. (How how I remember the days.) The whole morning was spent opening presents and enjoying each other's company.






And then the rest of the day was spent setting up all the technology...

Fun Times in Vegas

While we were in Vegas Grammy and Grampy took us to the Lion Exhibit at the MGM Grand and the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay. The Shark Reef helps kids develop a sense of wonderment and responsibilty for the earth's Marine environment. I love the quote, "In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." Going to the aquarium helped us to understand how important the marine environment is here on earth.
Here are just a few pictures from there...




Yes, that really is Keri touching a stingray. It just so happens to be the same kind that stung her in California just a year and a half ago.

Vegas Bowl

There's no doubt about it, the Coopers are BOISE STATE fans...
This season has been so exciting-to watch our team advance game after game, in the hopes of a shot at the National Championship. (Even the Rose Bowl seemed to be their consulation prize.) But in the 2nd to last game of the season Boise missed 2 field goals and ended up scheduled to play at the mud field in Las Vegas.
As disappointed as we were in the outcome, we as Coopers decided to look on the bright side. This gave us an opportunity to go enjoy the game together as a family. What made it even sweeter was that we met Grammy, Grampy, and Aunt Lynette there.
On December 22nd we made the 6 hour trip to Vegas just in time to check into the MGM Grand,

finish up our sign (in the hopes of getting on TV), and head out to the stadium...

The whole day leading up to the game we braved the wind and rain. There seemed to be no end in sight to the storms that pounded down on us. I thought for sure we were going to get soaked! Lucky for us Grammy came prepared with ponchos and gloves.

But once the game started the rains let up and we had an awesome time...




The first quarter was pretty intense but then Boise pulled it together and gave us a great game...
FINAL SCORE: Boise 26 Utah 3

Carson's 11th Birthday!

On December 20th Carson turned 11 years old. Even though we had a party for him in October we still celebrated the BIG day with a birthday cake and one present. He wanted a Wii game that just came out called, Donkey Kong Country Returns. I can't believe kids still play Donkey Kong. That was what I used to play on the good 'ole Atari System years ago. But Donkey Kong is now faster, cooler, and a lot more fun. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARSON!!! :)

Carson's Arrow of Light

A few weeks ago Carson earned his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts. This is the highest rank in Cub Scouting. It is the only badge that you can wear on your Boy Scout uniform. The ceremony marks the transition from Cub to Boy Scout. The "Arrow of Light" Ceremony was performed during Pack Meeting in December right before his birthday. Carson and one other boy got to participate in this special experience. During the presentation they each received different beads. These beads represented the experiences and knowledge they have gained while in Cub Scouts. After the ceremony his new group in Boy Scouts welcomed him in. What an amazing night!

Mac's Cheer

Keri's competition season for Mac's All Star Cheer is now in full swing. This picture was taken at the competition she had at Murray High School right before Christmas. I couldn't believe how packed that gym was. There wasn't a place anywhere to sit. I didn't get any good pics and video taping was out of the question. It wasn't like this at all last year. Holy Cow! But in the end, her team took first place. :) GREAT JOB Keri! Now Mom just has to pull it together with the picture taking...

Thanksgiving Holiday

This year for Thanksgiving my parents came out for a visit from Pennsylvania. It was so nice to spend some time together and catch up...
Usually we spend Thanksgiving at my sister, Celete's house. But this year we decided to change things up a bit. so everyone came over to our house for the celebration. This was quite a task for me. But I think I did OK...
There was a lot of hanging out together...

Playing games...

Watching football...

And of course, the food. Lots and lots of food...

Here's the "Kiddie" Table we set up for the little ones...


I love Thanksgiving! The smell of turkey baking in the oven, the chance we get to stop all the chaos for a day and just hunker down with our families. President Monson said, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it."
I am so grateful for friends, family, the gospel, our home, Christ, and so much more...