Hiking to the "M"

New Year's Day our family and Rob's and Charlie's families hiked out to the M on the Mesa. Well actually I begged off since I was freezing already but the crew had a great time.

Looks like this crazy kid is running back up...like I said Crazy!

BBall Tournament

After Christmas this year we got a little mini vacation. Mendis & I and Christina & Jeff trouped up to Cedar City for a 3 day basketball tournament that Hayden's HS team played in. Everyone else left that morning for home so we were free to go. We had a blast doing not too much of anything. We watched Hayden's games. We went shopping since Jeff needed some stuff. We ate out lots! We hung out at G&G's house and had dinner with them too. We just relaxed mostly. We even went to Avatar one night. We had a great time. It would have been better if the Pirates had done better but they did ok after loosing their first game. It was hard after having 2 weeks off. Hayden did get to play in the All-Star game though so that was fun too! This could be a great tradition.

The Christmas Letter

Christmas 2009

I hope this finds you all well and happy. I know everyone is busy but we sure enjoy hearing from our friends and family at Christmas. Keep the letters coming. Every year I think there's nothing to write about it and then my memory comes back abit. Here's the highlights in no particular order cause that's too hard for me:

v Christina graduated from UVU this spring in Elementary Ed. Very exciting!

v Hayden's basketball and football teams went to state this year.

v Ashley & Benjy moved to Tonopah where Benjy is working as a correction officer.

v Rees just turned 2. (our grandson) Atta boy.

v Took an awesome family vacation to Tennessee/Kentucky in July.

v Met up with my sister Beth in Tennessee!

v Ashley & Rees & I drove to Canada this April to visit Mom & Dad.

v We are now super fans of the Biggest Loser, the Amazing Race & 24

v Christina got a job teaching 5th grade in Provo, whew.

v I have discovered blog stalking is fun.

v Last but not least, Jeff returns from his mission in Australia Dec 23rd.

We are busy as usual but we love life. We are healthy and employed and we realize what a blessing that is these days. We still love to travel and just need more time and money to do it. We love spending time with our kids and Rees. We are going to try and get off the couch and loose weight and get in shape in the new year (again). Mendis has discovered smoking (bbq not the other smoking). I need more time to quilt and scrapbook as usual.

So that pretty much sums it up. Have a very Merry Christmas we hope you are all enjoying life too!

Mendis & Debbie Cooper & family

mcdc@mvdsl.com

www.grammydebbie.blogspot.com

Christmas 2009

Wow what a busy Christmas this was! The best part was we had a ton of family here because Jeff was coming home. But lots of people can be hard to manage so it was crazy sometimes.I admit I got a little stressed. Thank goodness for my friend Shelie. Her family went on a cruise for Christmas so she offered me her house to use while they were gone and even after. See if you can keep up with this:
Mom and Dad stayed in the guest room (dubbed the"condo" by Hayden years ago) and Christina stayed in Jeff's room. Then just before Jeff got back Christina moved to the condo and Mom & Dad moved to the Jensen's basement. Jeff came home and took his room back which had just days before been cleared of the food storage that had been there for 2 years! That night Ashley & Benjy and Rees arrived from Tonopah soooo Ashley & Benjy set up house at the Jensen's also. Rees stayed at our house with Christina in the condo so he couldn't rearrange the Jensen's home for them while they were gone plus he could nap and go to bed early here. It worked pretty well but there were people coming and going like crazy.

We baked up a storm before Jeff got home.. I admit I went a little crazy with this. Never will I make so much again. We had cookies on the counters for weeks after. We went shopping and got all ready for the big event (events).We had an open house and a taco dinner Wed 23rd for the whole family so that was fun. I thought I had pics of the awesome spread but I can't find them so I am guessing (hoping) one of my kids has them.
The next day was Christmas eve so that was our annual gingerbread challenge. We all built our own houses. It took about 6 hours to finish up but the results were fantastic. I can't wait to see the video. I'd have to say the best year ever. Well the one year with the road and the train was pretty cool too! We agreed Jeff's Queenlander house complete with palm trees was the winner with a squabble over picking the igloo for 2nd. Voting deteriorated after that and was suspended!

The good news is we had a blast and the bad news is we have tons of leftover candy. When I went to put the turkey in the oven is was still frozen so Christmas Eve dinner was rescheduled for the next day.

Christmas day was fun, fun, fun.

After the extravaganza opening gifts we had the traditional Christmas Sandwiches which are always to die for. We had multiple fillings and breads to choose from complete with the Christmas punch (without carbonation for Hayden). That day we had our dinner where I completely forgot to bring out the Christmas Crackers YET AGAIN!!! So we opened them that night. That afternoon everyone but me, mom and Rees went shooting.

Refer to Ashley's blog for darn cute pic of the jumpin cooper clan! The day after Christmas we got ready for Jeff's mission report the next day. We tried to clean up the house but it basically was a lost cause. But for the record we did try.

Sunday was Jeff's mission report. His first report was for the High Council at 6:30 and parents were invited to that. It was so neat to be there to hear him, Casey Jones, and Devon Millington all report their missions. Probably the highlight of the weekend.
He was not thrilled to learn he had at least 20 minutes to speak in our ward but he did a great job and filled all the time to boot! His talk was followed by dinner at our house for all the Cooper Clan, my sister and her family and many assorted friends. We figure there were at least 60 people when all was said and done. Many thanks and huge shout outs to all my friends and family who offered to help with dinner and brought salads and drinks. It was so fun to see everyone. Looks like Hayden was the life of the party!

Jeff is back!

So I have a little catching up to do here so I better get started. Dec 23 was the big day. We all headed into Vegas to go pick up our missionary. We got there with plenty of time to spare to add to the suspense of it all. I tried to get an escort pass to pick Jeff up right at the gate but I was denied darn it. Shelley, how did you manage it?? Security had fun watching us all and had bets on what we were waiting for.

Hayden was the first to spot him but the rest of us quickly recognized his walk. We were cheering and waving only to watch him disappear into the rest room to freshen up after the 24 hour flight. Hayden was about to storm the security barriers and haul him out but thankfully he appeared before we lost Hayden to incarceration. Elder Cooper looked great but a bit shell shocked from all the hugging and lack of sleep. We asked him where he wanted to eat the most and he said he wanted pizza...well we have no idea where there is good pizza in Vegas any more especially near the airport so we got the phones out and started searching.

After a few minutes of that we gave up and went with the second choice...Sunset station buffet where there is something for everyone. Pizza Hut had to wait for another day!

Thanks for most of the photos Charlie, you did great! It's great to have everyone home again.