Tanner & Catherine Visit :)

I am just going to go ahead and start this off with, "Isn't this just the cutest couple?"--Besides Seth and I of course :).  

Last week we had Tanner and Catherine come to Utah and visit us.  We just enjoyed the privilege to see these good lookin' folks for a good four days, and worked hard to keep them busy.  We had such a wonderful time-wore them out-and completely wore us out-so I would have to say it was perfect!  I think there is something in the weather that just makes you pooped (I'm sure it's the dryness and high altitude).  When we stay busy we are just worn slap out by 8ish-9ish.  Don't judge us.

We picked Tanner and Catherine up from the airport and Catherine was looking a lot better than I do after traveling all day!  She looked very happy and pleasant and Tanner wasn't looking to bad himself :).  They arrived on Seth's birthday (which I shouldn't tell you this, but I just have too--We woke up that morning and I went on about my business didn't even think my wonderful hubs is turning the big 2-3.  I turned and looked while he was reading an email from his Dad-which said Happy Birthday.  I felt so bad-I'm married to the man-Wake up next to him-and his Dad who is 2 hours ahead sends an email telling him Happy Birthday before his WIFE does!  I was rather embarrassed.)  We went out to eat at a Brazilian restaurant and toured a little of Downtown Salt Lake.

Pretty Flowers

On Friday morning we went to the Hot Springs and traveled up to Bear Lake.  It was gorgeous, but extremely windy.  It was basically unbearable with the wind and chill going on.  We had to run to the visitor's center for warmth.

These are two pictures I'm fond of with these two guys.  Catherine and I were looking semi rough (Hope you don't get offended about that Catherine-but I think there is a little truth to that) and our guys were always just too cute.  The picture to the left are the guys pretending to ski.  They look like pro's don't they?  The picture on the right is the snow that they had to step in.  When we took my Mom and Aunt Macka to Bear Lake it was PACKED with snow.  The parking lot, walkways, and visiting area had inches of snow-remember that is where the two lovely southern women fell within seconds of each other :).

On Saturday we went on a hike to the windcaves.  I informed Tanner and Catherine that they would probably just DIE from the altitude and how difficult it was going to be-but it would be worth it once we got to our destination.  I guess I over exaggerated, just remembering the first time I'd hiked the windcaves and almost died.  I was ready to throw Seth over some rocks and hills because he wouldn't let us turn around and retreat on that first hike when I thought I was going to DIE.  I now can just admit that I was completely 100% out of shape.  Catherine and Tanner did wonderful-no complications-no hostility of wanting to turn around and retreat!  It was actually a better hike than I first remember, but it is considered to be a 'difficult' hike in the books-just wanted to throw that out for the viewers.  We were dog-sitting the weekend Tanner and Catherine were here, so we brought Cera with us.  Having a dog with us added a little more maintenance, but we enjoyed it.

The Group :).

A Pretty View

Catherine and Tanner on Top of the Caves.  

After hiking we went to house that we were house/dog sitting for.  We grilled some yummy hotdog/brats with potato chips and fruit.  It was very very good and just hit the spot.  We were all pretty worn out by mid-afternoon of Saturday.  We hung out the rest of the evening and sadly returned our visitors on Sunday.  We had such a good time and wished they could have stayed with us longer!

We are going to be having Seth's parents come visit us in June and are looking forward to that.  We are in the works of planning for their trip and simply just enjoying them.  I'm excited they will be here for Father's Day.  I missed having one of our Mommys around for Mother's Day-so this will be perfect :).

We are also preparing for our 1 Year Honeymoon :).  We are considering going to Moab-staying at a Bed and Breakfast-and being gapper's-as our Friend Jordan calls it (tourist) at Arches and Canyonland :).  Seth and I are both hoping this is what we do and looking forward to celebrating our anniversary.  I think he is moreso looking forward to not having to celebrate our monthly marriage anni's :).

Soooooo Soooo Thankful it is Friday.  We've had a long & busy few weeks and have had little sleep-looking forward to not getting up at 5:03 tomorrow morning :).  Hope everyone has a great weekend.

The Wellsville Mountains-Our Favorite!

Can't forget to end with a pic of us Cook's :). 

Stories.

I felt like doing a little blog-but don't really have the time to do a Tanna and Catherine blog (but don't worry-I will do a blog of there visit soon).


Seth and I went out to dinner tonight on my parent's dime (for his birthday dinner from my lovely parents) to a quaint little Italian restaurant.  It was a perfect meal out after a super busy weekend, and we were able to use it as a date night too :).


A few fun stories:

Thanks to several ironing conversations with Seth's sister (Emily) over ironing everything under the sun-and her ironing Seth's clothes while we were in SC a few weeks ago.  I felt I was denying Seth and myself a little part of life, therefore I pulled out our cheap ironing board and our expensive Rowenta iron and went to town on a few things.  After about 1.5 hours-I folded my final napkin and proudly presented everything to Seth, who acknowledged little difference with the completed ironed items.  He told me it took to much time to accomplish the ironed napkin look-and he thought they had more character unironed.  I'm so thankful he is the kind of guy that appreciates wrinkled shirts and unironed napkins.  But I will continue to throw kudos to Emily for being a dedicated wife-and thank her for ironing my husband's shirts for those occasions when they should be ironed :).







I believe I've mentioned in a previous blog that Seth and I are on a mission to start our own 'library'-So we've been purchasing books any chance we can.  Obviously we outgrew our crates-so we purchased a bookshelf.  Maybe one day we will be able to purchase a large bookshelf and fill it up :).

I have been on the search for a larger 'antique' style/feel Bible.  We look in antique stores-consignment shops-etc and have yet to find a Bible that was perfect and fit in our budget.  We went to an antique shop one day and found the PERFECT Bible-Seth and I negotiated how much we were willing to pay and I walked up confidentially to the cashier lady-ready to name my price.  I was suddenly thrown a rather large number-that couldn't be haggled down and turned my hiney around to put my Bible back on the shelf For Sale!  While Tanner and Catherine were here, we took them to Oasis Bookstore (Christian bookstore) that is downtown.  I saw this Bible and grabbed it off the shelf instinctively ready to haggle with this Christian fella :).  The book was Marked 5--, so I had a blonde moment and thought it had to be 50 bucks-or maybe even 500.  I asked-and was told 5.00 dollars.  I was a giddy child and continued to ask the man if he was serious.  I now have what I consider a big antiquey style Bible for my home-Now I just need to look out for a stand to place it on!

Seth and I have started this game of whoever gets out of the bed last has to make the bed.  He has started JUMPING out of bed as soon as the alarm dings and will tell me that I'm still in the bed-I have to make the bed.  I will have to go ahead and comment that I make the bed very neat and precise-everything is in its own order. I guess he was pooped from this weekend still-so when the alarm went off and he didn't jump out of bed-I did.  I pleasantly told him he was STILL in the bed-and I wasn't-therefore he gets to make the bed :).  I get home and find this.

Seth's Bed Making Skills

I'm sure you can tell the wrinkleage going on here-and the quilt isn't even on both sides of the bed.  The pillows haven't been fluffed or moved from the position they were slept on, my bear is still in his sleeping position, and clothes are on the bed (which isn't there proper place!).  I thought it was funny how bad I thought it was, and Seth of course stated "This is more homey-this just invites you right back to bed".  :).  I have a cute hubby.

I told him to Smile-and This is What I got.

We dog sat this weekend and in their yard they have beautiful tulips.  I took it upon myself to pick some and have them at my table.  They are very uplifting and gorgeous :).

Have a good evening and week everyone!

The Cook's :).

South Cackalaky

Trees...Green...Sunshine...Humidity...Gardens...Sweat...Bugs...Family

Due to a very unfortunate death in my husband's family-Seth and I found ourselves booking flights for the Palmetto State.  Although we hated to go back under the circumstances-it was just what the doctor ordered for both of us.  It was wonderful to see our families-and most importantly to be able to give and receive some loving on.

It is an overwhelmingly joyful feeling to see and hug the people that I love dearly-and haven't seen in 5+ months.  I have such a stronger love and appreciation for my wonderful family and Seth's wonderful family than I have ever experienced prior to our move.  Anywho-enough sappy stuff or I'm going to start crying or something not fun like that.  The point is it was much needed.

The Cook Fam.

I enjoyed the sunshine and even the humidity somewhat.  Just soaking it all in through my little skin cells :).  One thing I haven't experienced in a while was spending a little time getting myself 'to do' (pretty) and walking out the door to a mighty heatwave that causes everything I had previously done to get pretty---undone.  Even such-it was still a wonderful sign that I was in the South.

Cook Siblings w/ Significant Others :).

Mrs. Cynthia's Children and Her Mother.


Let's talk about Troupester-My pup.  Or at least he was-he is now over 2 years old.  When I left him in the care of his grandparents he was a tiny 7 lb fella I'm sure of it.  He was teeeeeenny and such a well disciplined rascal.  Well I come home 9 months later and he is an obese pup.  My parents and brother are all to blame for this situation.  They have spoiled Troupe with T-R-E-A-T-S.  And the dog won't even sit when you tell him too-I'm wondering where all the T-R-E-A-T-S are coming from if he isn't disciplined?

The Troupesta with his Mommmmmmiie :).  There is some true love there.  He even wanted to sleep with Mommmmmiiiee!

Surely you can tell how obese the poor pup has gotten.  He takes up an entire couch cushion now. Anywho he's still a cutey and so in love with his Mommmmmiiieee :).  Of course-My daddy is starting to mention that Seth and I may not be capable of taking care of Troupe when we head back.  Daddy thinks he 'may just have to stay with us'. :).

Zach and Karla

Trevor and Emily

Seth's 'younger' brother and sister with their sweet little sidekicks.

My cute little hubs with Bob's cotton blossom tie :).

Seth and I have been up a ridiculous amount of time for the past 6-7 days.  He was able to catch up a little on the plane rides-but if you know me-that didn't happen.  While flying both directions we had pretty decent flights.  Seth and I bought last minute tickets, so we couldn't find seats together for all of them.  Fortunately, we were able to switch seats or find an open section that noone had claimed so we could sit together-all except our last flight.  It was an excruciating 4 hour flight (which makes me feel a little bad for saying when we were on a flight with a soldier who had just flown 14 hours from Afghanistan).  Anywho-Seth sat between two larger men in front of me, and I sat between two talkative lovely women.  One was a complete Southern lady-who was lovely and enjoyed hearing everything about Seth and I (I mean what kind of girl doesn't like to tell her 'love' story and talk about herself for at least 1.5 hours straight?) and the other lady was a woman who knew lots about traveling and lived in Washington State.  Anywho-after thinking that was the longest 4 hours of my life-I can tell you I doubt I will be flying to Europe and around the world for sight-seeing.  Poor Seth will have to find another buddy.  Flying is definitely NOT good for my digestive system (was that to much?-hope not).

Below is my hubs at 5:55 this morning.  We purchased a 'reading' lamp recently and have used the hound out of it.  Can't you just look and tell how well rested and happy I make him?

Alrighty folks-I am going to head outta here--clean up from supper, head to the good ol Library, and talk to my Momma :).  Seth is gone to put all his clubs together at a friends.  He is soo excited!

The Cook's :).

In With The New...

What a LONG week it has been for both Seth and I.  But at least we have had gorgeous weather to soak up in the afternoons.  We've been grilling out-laying out in our cul-de-sac area-and talking long strolls in different neighborhoods.  We are house/dog sitting for a couple from our church so we have been enjoying hanging out with their dog and their yard :).


This is graduation weekend for all the folks here at Utah State-so it's been pretty hectic and UHAUL trucks every which way.  Seth helped one of his good buddies move out-and we were able to purchase their dryer for rather cheap.  If I haven't told you-they use gas dryers where we live and we were able to find one by the garbage one day when we first moved in.  It randomly died one day on us and we have been without a dryer-lucky enough it has gotten warmer so we can hang clothes out.  

Out w/ the Old...

In w/ the New :).

Although we won't be using it much this summer-because of the warm weather it will be nice when we start going through winter again and have inches of snow on the ground :).


We've been trying to grill out as much as possible lately-I had ran out to the store for a quick item and returned to find my husband soaking up the rays.  He is just too cute in my opinion.

We have purchased new shoes for each of us.  I like to call them 'Jesus shoes' and I did use to bash a joke on the beholder of these shoes.  But at times I find myself turning into a little female Seth and of course these are one of the things that I thought would be fun to try out.  A store around here has a sale every so often that lets you buy the shoes for 5 dollars more than what the store actually pays for them-so we bought me a pair of 'Jesus shoes' and Seth needed a new pair-so I guess these will go for his birthday too.  Here is a picture of my cute husband with his new chaco's as well as what he has been doing in our home for the past few weeks.  

I'm sure he is a putting pro by now.

He received his grips and shafts over the past two days-and he is eagerly awaiting his club heads.  He is similar to a kid right now with his excitement of these golf clubs coming together.  I am trying to smile and listen-but at times I want to tell him to shush his mouth :).

After a very long and frustrating week for me-I came home to a very wonderful surprise :).

One of my favorite flowers-our wedding flowers-and our wedding color :).  It made me somewhat forget my week and focus what really matters.

Anywho-we are planning on going to the gardener's market this morning and getting FRESH local grown veggies :).

Vic and Mrs. Cynthia-We love you Mothers and hate that we won't be able to be with you guys on Mother's Day.  We will be thinking of you both and what wonderful Mothers you have both been to Seth and I-and how much you have influenced our lives for the better :).  MIssssssssssss you soo much!

Whew-It's the weekend guys!  Thank the good Lord for that.

The Cook's :).

Spring Weather Day :)

Hellllllllo World :).  I just MUST do a little bragging right now.  So after much to do with this whole Utah weather deal and complaining about these cooollld days and white flakes..........................................................................


(these dots are suppose to be your drum-roll) we had an absolutely GORGEOUS-BEAUTIFUL-LOVELY-SUN SHINING-SPECTACULAR-LOVELY-SPARKLING BLUE SKY-LOVELY-BREATHTAKING-lukewarm day :).  We reached the upper 50's and perhaps even the low 60's.  Seth and I just got out and walked in it.  I layed out on a cement block and just basked in this lukewarm weather gift.  While ol Joanna was up in the humid 70's-80's-with my parents and brother having sweat rolling down there backs-making them feel like they need to shower 5 times in one day---Seth and I had a PeRfEcT day.  


I tell you-there AIN'T nothing better than this here weather today (I'm just dreading the rain that is expecting to greet us tomorrow).


Seth had a meeting with his committee today-and thankfully they think he is doing well and pushing onward at the right pace-WHOOOOOP!  He is such a wonderful fella-and I'm a lucky lady to have him :)-if you couldn't tell, married life is still absolutely grand.  Still highly recommended.


Seth and I bought two brand spanking new ceramic cups, and I tell you we are both sooo proud of these bad boys.  Utah State had an art ceramic sale on campus-so we went browsing around-and decided if we had enough money we would buy it all.  Pitchers, flasks, coffee cups, glasses, flour containers, whiskey sets, and serving plates.  Anywho-we don't have enough money-so we stuck to our budget and purchased two super neat glasses-that we haven't stopped using.  Hopefully Vic likes these glasses better than she liked our spring plates (she didn't seem to fond of that purchase-but I'm still just downright giddy about my plates)

How Cute :).

Seth has started making another type of delicious bread-called NoKnead bread.  You mix it all up and let it sit in a bowl for about 16 hours or so and then cook it in the dutch oven.  After it cooks-you pull it out and let it cool for an hour or so-but it tells you to listen to it 'crackle' and that means something good in that bread lingo.

I caught him listening to the bread crackle-he LOVED it.

Well that's all I have for today folks.  I mainly blogged because of the lovely weather we had today-that most of YYYYYOOOOOOUUUUU should be jealous of :).  

The Cook's :).

May :).

So-snow still falls in Logan.  Yesssss sir-I speak the truth.  We still are being blessed with those good ol white flurries, and our weather is still being all moody.  It has snowed about 3 different times today and the weather will drop to about upper 30's, and the next thing you know it will become beautiful and sunny and low 50's.  The Lord is surely teaching Seth and I to appreciate warmth-sunshine-and summer days to sooooooaaaaakkkkk up before we embrace our second winter here.  Ohhh, can't wait til the day when the weather forecast says warm warm warm warm :).

MAY-Oh what a wonderful month this will be.  Warmer weather I'm hoping for.  One month closer til July and touching family and the BEACH.  My lovely 9th month of marital bliss (Can you believe I forgot our 8th month?  Completely let it slip my mind-and of course that husband of mine never thinks about it, so he couldn't have reminded me-anywho we will celebrate this 9th month!).  Seth's birthday is coming up on the 19th-so everyone don't forget to call and sing to him.  And as you all know we are having Tanner and Catherine coming to visit-and all I can say to that is WHOOOOOOOOP!

Fun Seth Story-Soooo a few of Seth's best buds call (Jay-Will) and chitter chat with him about what they are doing-what he's doing-guy stuff.  Right after Seth gets off the phone he runs over to me and starts this whiny-cry baby gig and says, "I missssss my buddies.....I traded my buddies in for a wife-and I miss them."  Imagine Seth with puckered out lips, wrinkles on his forehead, and pitiful sad eyes.  It was to cute and to funny (don't worry folks-I didn't take offense to this-and you shouldn't either-there have been plenty of times I cry for home)

Seth and I went consignment shopping the other day and loaded up on treasures (as my Nanny Zel use to call such things).  He got a few golf clubs and golf bag.  Seth is really into getting his own set of clubs-so with loads of help from a great friend (who knows how to do it all) we are ordering the equipment and making Seth his own set-this is for his Birthday.  He has been a giddy Seth lately due to the idea of and ordering these new golf clubs.  I got some lovely springy plates that I am just giddy about myself.

Don't they just CALL out Spring and Warm Weather :).

This almost looks like My Nanny Zel's china-actually :).

Soooo-I have a lot more to say-but we maybe having more COOK's join us in June--and I'm excited and just want to contemplate the idea-discuss it with my man-relax and enjoy the rest of our evening on that WONDERFUL idea :).  

I'm reading several books right now-Seth and I are on this learning-knowledge kick :).  Two that I am really enjoying are Believing God by Beth Moore-Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.  He is currently enjoying The World in 2050-and I don't know who it is by.  

Haven't done our menu in a while so here goes this week-We are having some friends over to let them taste the GOODNESS of Shrimp N- Grits-Ohhhh I can't even wait til tomorrow night for this deliciousness.  We are also planning on some healthy-and warm weather-Grilled Chicken Salad-Yumm.  Enchiladas and Cilantro lime rice for Cinco de Mayo-whoop!  And ending the week with some Baked BBQ Chicken.  Two nights of leftovers are also in that mix. 

Anywho have a good evening!!  We are sooooo looking forward to June now :).  

The Cook's :)

Our Prom Pic Pose.