Christmas Traditions!

I absolutely love this time of year. I love the spirit that comes with Christmas and I want our family to have traditions that bring us closer together and help us remember the true meaning of Christmas...The Birth of Christ. Going to see the lights on Temple Square is one of my favorite traditions. The lights are so beautiful.

The boys always get so excited to see all the colors. This is the fifth picture I took of them. I could not get them to look at me at the same time.

The temple is always amazing, but put it together with the spirit of Christmas and being framed with Christmas lights, it is awesome to see. During Christmas time Temple Square is filled with all kinds of people with different beliefs even, but no one can deny the beauty of the Temple during Christmas. (or any time)

Here is our Christmas tree this year. Jeff seems never to be satisfied, but I think it is beautiful.

Ashton loved getting the tree. I don't think he knew quite what we were doing, but he loved "play hiking". He wanted to keep going and going......

and going and going. And he didn't want anyone to help him. He could do it by himself.

Dallen wanted to do everything himself, but we wouldn't let him too much because he was so slow. :)...It may have had something to do with how bundled up he was.

We are so excited for Christmas and a couple of new Traditions we are going to start.

Everybody needs a Vacation

For our 5th Anniversary we decided that we should go on a vacation just the two of us. We love theme parks and I love warm weather so we decided to go to Universal Orlando and Island of Adventure. (We couldn't bring ourselves to go to Disney without the boys.) We had a blast. I recommend all parents taking a vacation without your kiddos. You will miss them like crazy, but the freedom is nice. Oh and usually grandparents love their grandkids so they don't mind watching them. (Thanks Grandma Kathleen.) If we look a little tired it is because our flight didn't get in until 11:45 pm. This was at our condo and we still had 4 days to go.

We ate at a restaurant called "Bubba Gump's Shrimp". It was very yummy. There were signs and pictures all over the restaurant eluding to the fact that it is based on the movie "Forrest Gump", but it still took me until after I ordered "Jenny's Favorite Smoothie" before I got it. :) Being a Jennie I should have realized right off the bat. Nobody heard more lines from that movie than someone named Jennie.

On Saturday, our actual anniversary, we went to the Orlando Temple. I am so glad we went. It is nice to remember that LDS people and Temples are the same all over the world. The temple and the grounds were beautiful like always and everyone was so helpful and nice. It was a good experience.

After the temple we headed off to the beach even though Saturday was the coldest day we were there, only 65. It was still fun to go and the water wasn't cold. We were able to see the sunset there, and I got my shorts soaked. It was beautiful and, you know, it was the beach, but I still wish we could have gone swimming. Oh well, maybe next time.

I have a ton of pictures of the parks, but I decided on this one because it was our favorite ride. The is the Jurassic Park River Adventure. Everything was so pretty and so fun. I know it will be a long time again before Jeff and I get an alone vacation, so we will treasure these memories. It made me excited to take the kids in a few years.

5 Whole Years

Five years ago I married the love of my life Jeff Cooper. The past five years have brought us two of the cutest most amazing little boys. We have lived in one apartment, and two houses. Even though I loved St. George, we couldn't be happier where we are today. There have been ups and downs, but mostly ups. We work well together. I love him. This was the happiest day of our lives. (At the time)


We were married in the Manti LDS Temple on November 22, 2003, (the coldest day ever). You can't tell by looking at us but......
...you can tell by looking at these two Newly Wed love birds, that it was really cold. (Sally I couldn't resist this picture. I think it is so cute.)

Here are the troops that braved that cold winter day. Really it was all my fault. I didn't want to wait until Spring to get married and I said if I was getting married in the winter I wanted there to be snow on the ground. Well I got my wish and then some. I love the snow in the pictures though.

If you look closely you can tell how long 5 years really is. Jamie is standing next to me almost a foot shorter than me, she is now almost a foot taller than me. All of those handsome young men in the front

I love this picture because Jeff looks like such a baby. When Jeff and I were dating, (before I knew he could sing), I had mentioned that a man singing to his wife on there wedding day was the most romantic thing. Well my wish came true. I love it when Jeff sings to me. And yes he does sing to me all the time and will for...well...forever.


I think that this picture is typical of our marriage. Me laughing and having a good time, and Jeff with a scheming look on his face. Ha Ha. Really though we have a good time and we try not to fight as much as possible. I love Jeff so much and I always will. (Oh and he loves me too.)

High School Tag

1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? I don't know if I would actually call it dating, but kindof I guess a couple of guys.
2. WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? I rode the bus and drove my moms awesome Explorer
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE TEST ON THE FIRST TRY? Of Course
4. WERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? No, despite what some might have thought.
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? I don't think so. I was never really the chasing type and I was kind of oblivious to flirting.
6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA OR CHOIR? Not in High School, but I was in the Band in Jr. High.
7. WERE YOU A NERD? I think I was a little of everything. I was in academic clubs, and got an academic scholarship, I was a cheerleader (don't judge), played sports and was friends with a lot of different people.
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? Yes, Volleyball, Softball
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED? No, My teachers and Principal loved me.
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG? I really should be able to, but I don't think I could get the whole thing.
11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? Mrs. Oman, Mr. Allred, Mr. Barnum.
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? In the Commons Area. I wasted my money at the grocery store instead of using the cafeteria.
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOLS FULL NAME? Altamont High School
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOLS MASCOT AND COLORS? Longhorn, Red and Blue
15. DID YOU GO TO HOMECOMING? WITH WHO? Our Homecoming wasn't a formal dance, so I didn't go with anyone, or I didn't go.
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN, WOULD YOU? There might be a few things I would change, but no I wouldn't want to do it again.
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? I remember everything a little bit, but nothing really stands out.
18. WHERE DID YOU GO ON SENIOR SKIP DAY? Senior Sluff we went to Sandwash and then home, and Senior trip we went to Lagoon and a Bee's game because they wouldn't let us go on a river trip.
19. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? Who hasn't, no really I want to see them.
20. WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? Cuyler when I was a Junior and Niles when I was a senior. The Senior one is a fun story.
21 ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR 10 YEAR REUNION? We probably won't have one. We didn't have a 5 year, I don't think the class president likes us.
22. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? Nope, just whatever chores my parents could get me to do. I was pretty busy in High School with extracurriculars.

I tag: Katie, Mandy, Sally, Mallory, Deidra, Tara

Happy Veteran's Day

In Altamont today they dedicated the new Upper Country Veteran's Memorial. In the bricks of the Memorial are carved the names of living and passed on Veteran's that served from the Altamont area. Glen Hershal Iorg happens to be my Great Grandfather. The program was filled with lots of emotion. Jeff sang the National Anthem, which was perfect of course. (I love to hear him sing.) There were speaches from numerous people all of which brought a tear to my eye. The children from the elementary school sang the songs that represent each division of the armed forces, while also raising the flag for each division. The announcer had every person that had served in the corresponding division (ie: Army, Navy, National Gaurd, Marines) stand up while their song was performed. It was so awesome to see those that had served our country.

At the beginning of the program they had a Black Hawk, and an Apache helicopter fly over the crowd. It was pretty cool. If you don't believe me look at these faces...

These boys were mesmorized by the helicopters. It was just as fun to watch them as it was to see the helicopters.

Adrianna was in the Elementary school choir so we met her after the program.

Ashton thought the helicopters were the coolest thing and he loved talking to the soldiers. The pilots of the helicopters were so nice. They let the kids pretend to drive. The reason we were able to get these Helicopters here is Tammy Mitchell, so thank you Tammy. She is from Altamont but stationed in Idaho right now. She is also a distant cousin of mine.

Dallen was a little bit nervous when he was close to the helicopters. In this pic Daddy was a little bit too close.

Here is our family on Veteran's Day. Of course Jeff and I are the only ones smiling and Dallen had to keep his eye on the helicopter to make sure it wouldn't fly off.

We are so proud of the Veteran's that have served from our families. Great Grandpa Killian who served in the Navy. Great Grandpa Iorg who served in the Army. Jeff's Grandpa Bulkley who also served in the Navy. These men made today even more emotional especially with the passing of Grandpa Bulkley 2 years ago. It is an honor to remember him on this day. Thank you to all that have served our country honorably.

State Volleyball vs. Halloween

Well I'm sorry to inform everyone that State Volleyball won. Since our ward party was on Halloween and we were going to be at State Volleyball and I didn't want to fight with costumes at the games and my kiddos are still too little to be mad at me....I didn't do costumes. I know, I know, how could I. Oh well, I did get them some cute Halloween shirts and we had a great time watching Aunt Jamie play volleyball.

One of Ashton's new favorite movies is Monsters Inc. This is his monster growl. The only one he ever really scares is Cooper, everyone else just growls back.

For Halloween dinner we ate at Mimi's Cafe. It was so awesome for the kids. First thing they bring you some snacks, which is great. Then they have a kids menu with all the fav's. Then they bring a desert which is called worms in the mud. Dallen dug right in.

As you can see he thoroughly enjoyed himself. I figured since it was Halloween and he didn't go trick-or-treating this was a good compromise.

Ashton watching the game with the best seat in the house, Grandma's lap.

Dallen was so good during the games he got his own seat and he loved cheering for the girls.

Aunt Jamie and her team ended up taking second in State. They did an awesome job. I think they have a #1 fan, but I'm not sure. I have a feeling we will be spending at least a couple more Halloween's at State Volleyball.

Fall Fun

Jeff finally had a Saturday off when we didn't have to go anywhere so I made him take us to the Corn Maize in Bluebell. I really wanted to take the kids in the daylight so they knew what we were doing and the day actually turned out beautiful. Daddy is looking so excited to be here. No he really had fun. Dallen was a little stinker and kept trying to climb up the slide by himself. It is not really for babies.

Ashton thought it was a blast. He probably went down that slide 20 times. I ended up taking Dallen down it a few times and those pipes are not forgiving. Hmmm...I wonder why Daddy wouldn't go down the slide :)

Oh, best buddies. They are so cute with eachother when they aren't fighting.

The terrain was a little rough for Dallen, but he thought it was fun. Ashton was the leader most of the way.

We had to keep telling Ashton and Cooper to stay back by us. Can you imagine losing your kid in a corn maize. Not cool.

This was a little shed filled with corn. Ashton wanted to stay in there forever. I found corn in my washer for a few days after this.

I took this pic right before my camera battery died. We told Ashton to sit down and Jeff hurried and stuck Dallen there and this was the best we could do.

Here they are on the bridge. You can see the whole maize from up there. It really is a fun little activity.

This was a scary with my little Dallen. Ashton found the bridge all on his own.

We ended up having to carry Dallen because he was just too slow. I don't think he minded though.

We wandered around the maize for about the first 15 minutes and then decided to let Ashton lead. He was so funny and matter-of-fact about the whole thing. Sometimes he knew just where he wanted to go and other times he would have to think about it for a second. He led us out of the maize in about 40 minutes. This is pretty good considering some people were lost for hours.

It was a really fun activity for the whole family.

Silly Daddy...

Ashton went with his Daddy and Grandparents to sell calves last week. They were gone all morning and they had taken the fourwheeler. This is what Ashton looked like when he came in. I laughed so hard. He looked just like his Daddy.

Silly Dallen...

Ashton got this cute little "Cars" themes chair for his birthday from his uncle Tyson and Amanda. Although Ashton likes the chair, Dallen loves it. They were watching cartoons one morning and Dallen kept sinking further and further into the chair. I had to take a picture because, well look, you'll see why.

He was so silly. He knows just how to pose when his Mamma has the camera. Love you, you cute little thing.

Ashton's Room

I thought I should do a post of the decorations from Ashton's room because I got some of the ideas from looking at other peoples blogs. I asked my mom to come over and help me this week because I was ready to get it all done and Jeff has more important "honey do's" than this. So thank you mom (what would I do without you) and here are the pictures.

The basketball hoop is a staple in his room so I thought we should do the shelves around them. The frames with scrapbook paper in them are an idea that I got from a blog, (someday they will be hanging on another wall, but I didn't have the brackets you put on the back to hang them up.) The hooks are from Ikea and the baseball and basketball bags are from Easter last year. They were at Walmart for $1. They are perfect to hold his little cars.
The cute little plaques are a fun story. When Mandy was staying with me in April we decided to make them one night. Little did we know it would take until around 1:00am. There was a lot of bonding. And most of the artsy work was done by her of course. It was a fun night though. (I didn't get to sleep in like she did.) So thank you Sally for teaching Mandy and thank you Jill for teaching Sally.

There are still a few more things to do for Ashton's room and Dallen's is almost done. I will put up pictures when it is.