Homemade Stockings

December 19, 2009 I decided to make stockings this year because our previous ones were from the dollar stores that we've had for a long time. My friend Nan helped me with the pattern and getting all the things I needed. My sister, Shelley, came over today and helped me whip them out really fast. A lady from my ward, Bonnie Hale had an embroidery machine and so this week I took the white fur (that you see on the top of the stockings) over to her house and she embroidered the names of everyone on them. I am very appreciative of all their help. Don't they look nice? Just don't look too close because you might see all the little flaws!

Our Handsome & Beautiful Children!

 LUKE (3 months)

ALEAH (2)

QAIDEN (5)

 RACHAEL (8)

JACOB (10)

Winter 2009 photos: Jacob (10) is in 5th grade, Rachael (8) is in 3rd grade, and Qaiden (5) is in Kindergarten. I took a picture of their professionally taken photographs, that's why there is a glare on them all. Jacob's and Qaidens were really terrible and so I had to do retakes. Jacob's first photo was sooooo funny....he took his glasses off like I asked, but also seemed to have opened his eyes as wide as they could go, and looked like a zombie!! Qaiden's hair was all askew, so these look a little better than the other ones. Aleah's picture was taken at Sears Photography but this picture I took myself while getting them done. Luke's picture is soooo cute and it was taken at Target. I liked his the best of them all! I think I'll go to Target for all of our future pictures!

THANKSGIVING

November 26, 2009 we celebrated Thanksgiving will just our little family. Richard and I were still a little under-the-weather (sick) but we wanted to still have a great big feast as is tradition, so we slaved away making all the usual, such as: deviled-eggs, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, buttered corn, homemade rolls, olives, sweet pickles, cheese-stuffed celery, mashed potatoes with gravy, and not forgeting the turkey! After that delicious meal, we talked about the Pilgrims and had a short presentation with pictures and all went around telling what things we were grateful for. We had the cherry/rhubarb (both from our backyard) pie I made later that day with vanilla ice cream. It was a nice meal, but the day wasn't the best...the kids were fighting with each other all day and we weren't feeling well, so it wasn't the most relaxing day. The next day was Friday and we always decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, so that's what we did ALL day + clean! Finally I was able to rest on Saturday and we were able to finish the 1000 piece Presidents puzzle we have. I LOVE puzzles! We had a better day because we were feeling a lot better and just relaxed all day! All I can say is that I hope next year will be a better Thanksgiving...maybe we'll go to my parents for Thanksgiving because they'll be home from their mission.

FALL FUN...

Our kid's new yearly tradition is to fill the jungle gym with all the leaves we rake and leaf blow from our ward...they invite the neighbors and have a BALL jumping and hiding in there! Levi(Jacob's friend) and Tate Crowley live next door.

The Cooley Christmas Poem 2009

It has been a year of plenty and full of such great fun,
So let us start with the eldest right down to the little wee one.

We’ll call him Captain Cooley for in June he so became.
He still is in the Air Force Reserves which stayed quite the same.
We took a road trip to Missouri this summer to visit his family,
Attended his High School Reunion as well and so much we did see.
We’d never been where his family grew up, so it was such a treat.
To mingle with family and friends so kind, was really rather sweet.

Charise started the 2009 year off with news that a baby would come.
Helping a sister with her wedding in March kept her busy but not a ton.
Spring was spent planting our garden, and touring more of Utah.
Ensign Peak and Goblin Valley State Park are just two of what we saw.
Still attending her Book Club each month keeps her love of books burning bright,
She loves to stay in shape, so works out with all her might..

Jacob LeRoy is our 10 year old, is such an example for all.
To siblings he’s kind hearted, always answers when his parents’ call.
He’s in the Webelos, Cub Scout Troop of our Ward,
Takes piano lessons but tends to get quite bored.
He scored so high in his IOWA test he may qualify for advanced class.
And come this January he will begin to learn Karate at last.

Rachael Anne turned 8 this year so chose to be baptized by dad.
Her grandparents couldn’t be there so she was a little bit sad.
They were called on an 18 month mission to Mozambique, Africa they went.
We know they are as proud as us, but so far away they were sent.
She’s in the Spanish Immersion program where she speaks only Spanish half day.
She also started piano this spring and will start Gymnastics and stay.

Qaiden John is our energetic 5 year old and the funniest of boys.
He started Kindergarten this fall and loves to play with toys.
He’s becoming more reverent in primary class for his dad is his teacher still
While I’m taking a break from his class since at that time Luke gets his meal.
We plan on getting him into wrestling sometime in the coming New Year.
For we know that it would channel his energy and cause us no big fear.

Our 2 year old, Aleah Reese is such a joy to raise,
She is always happy and so laid back, and it’s not just a phase.
As some may recall she has hypotonia, affecting every muscle she has there.
We teach her sign, speech and PT and only cause we care.
Although she may be slower than some other kids it’s true,
She gets stronger every day and makes progress in speech too.

Luke William only 3 months old, is such a happy thing.
Now he coos a lot and lifts his head, what a joy he can bring.

At this special time of year, we want you all to know
That we care and do love you all…so...
May the New Year bring you all happiness of plenty.
For the Lord is ever watchful even if we do not see.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love, The Cooley Clan