Meet Mackay: I

Soooo....How long has it been??  Hmmmm...Let's just look over that issue and start with the good stuff :)!

Meet Mackay Nicolas.
Our Nephew.
A Bundle of Sweetness.
I Adore this Kid.  Even from 2,000 Miles Away
He Melts My Heart.

Isn't he just the cutest little fella you've ever set eyes on?  Well I obviously think so.  He'll have a pretty interesting story to tell as he grows up :).

Remember this picture?

Many of you already know the whole story, but basically it all boils down to this.  For most of the pregnancy Eason and Brittany thought they'd be having a little girl to love on and raise. Seth and I thought we would have a sweet, sassy, dramatic, but lovable little niece to spoil.  The grandparents were ready to dress her up in smocks and cute monogrammed dresses.  

Then January 14th arrived and Brittany delivered a very shocking but exciting surprise :).  In the delivery room the doctor shouted out "It's a BOY".  Eason did some jumping up and down, fist pumps, and shouting for the first little bit.  Then he had to figure out how to tell the families.  Shortly after they found out the news Mom called Seth and I to share with us.  It was hard to believe the exciting news, but after seeing a picture and the evidence we knew we had a precious little nephew!

In February, Seth and I, were able to take a direct flight (amazing-I think all flights should of course be direct! and I hope all flights I take in the future will be direct!) to the Carolina's for a belated Christmas and a meet Mackay trip.  I tried to be a photo-phan-atic while on this trip, so I'll share our trip with pictures.

Our first time meeting Mackay.

An Uncle & Auntie Picture :).

My hunchback Self with Ganma, Mackay, and Brittany.

After visiting with Brittany and Mackay most of the day, Seth and I headed out to Greenwood to spend the weekend with our Cook family.  While in Greenwood we got to see some of our Buddies.

Due to my camera being a bit outdated, I didn't get a good one of the whole group :(, but I did get a few odd and end ones.

Seth's Buddies.

Jay & Cute Stephanie

The Greenwood Boys.

 Catherine & I.

Saturday we hung out with Seth's family.  The guys went and played golf while us girls went out moseying around and shopping in Abbeville.  It was a crisp, beautiful, sunny day.

Karla & Mrs. Cynthia.

Emily & I.

That evening we took family pictures.

A bearded one.

Facial Hair is kinda a big deal in this family.  Mr. Jimmy's had one for a few months-but has had a mustache since I've known him.  Seth's had one since November of 2009 (He grew it out after Emily & Trevor's wedding), Zach's one of the original bearded ones-coming back from New Mexico with a pretty thick Amish looking beard.  Trevor's always had a beard on and off since I've met him.  So, it was only a logical idea for us all to have beards in a family picture :).

A Silly Cook Photo.

Finally a Normal One :)!

Wheewww, and we've only gone through the weekend!  It was a loaded trip, but very fun and much needed. Soooo, I'll conclude this post at that.  I'll finish up our week and the rest of the photos SOON!  I Promise!

The Cook's :).

New Year's Goals.

I'd like to start this blog off by first stating:

--Go Clemson Tigers:  Whoop Whoop!--

Now, moving along...

Happy 2013 Everyone :)!

I'm not sure if many of you have made New Year's Resolutions or not.  I usually try not to make Resolutions (or so, I'd like to think) but I do like to try and set goals (it's not the same thing, right?).  This year I was a little ambitious and decided to set several.  

When Seth and I got married he thoughtfully gave me a journal.  My word, we were moving 2,000 miles away, and this girl talks to her Mom about everything.  I guess he didn't want me to talk to him as much as I talk to Mom, so he gave me a journal to write it all down (kidding of course).  We were starting a new adventure in Utah, and I wouldn't have my Mom right down the street to catch up with Daily.  He gave me a journal to pen down what's going on in the Cook home or what's hanging out in my head.  It's been fun to record, check back in with later, and see how things played out. 

Anywho, on New Year's Eve I thought of all the possibilities for us Cook's in 2013.  Man what a year we May or May not have!  Careers, Moving, Staying, possible Kiddo, No possible Kiddo, Precious New Niece-watching her grow, New Cousins, Looking for a Home?, Possible purchase of a home?, Marriages/Weddings, New Sis-In-Law, Possible engagements?, and the list can continue on and on.  It was a lot of fun to consider all the possibilities that God may have in store of us in 2013 :). 

After contemplating all these fun possibilities, I decided on a handful of goals:

1) I LOVE receiving cards and letters in the mail.  They make me happy.  To know that someone purchased a card-thought of us-wrote in said card-and mailed it to us only days before is just plain fun.  Unfortunately, I think of people without the follow through :(-sorry folks.  I go through stages of doing well with sending cards/gifts, and then get ridiculously lazy.  So, I would like to first apologize to all those that have not received letters, b-day cards, gifts, etc.  We certainly can't blame my cute Man, b/c I have to remind him when it's his own birthday :).  My first goal is to be intentional.  Mail cards: birthday, encouraging, thank you, anniversary, Just because etc.  Also, Remember gifts for those that are in the gift category, and send them on time!

One of my very good friends, Ashley W. Height :), Always sends me fun little cards for many occasions.  Birthday, Christmas, Just Because.  Thank you!  Getting a card from you always brightens my day.

2) Memorize Bible Verses.  I am going to memorize at least one verse per week. Hopefully, I'm not being unrealistic, but that is my goal.

3) It is cold.  Extremely, miserably, unbearably cold.  As many of you know, we've been living in negative degree weather for the past week or more.  We've tried to do the bear minimal in leaving our apartment.  The cold and I don't function well together.  So, due to the beyond freezing weather along with me being under the weather for a bit, I haven't been working out.  Part of me can't bear the idea of walking out of the gym sweaty and that sweat immediately freezing on my skin...Yikes!  Anyways, another one of my friends-Laurie-has decided to start a workout blog for a few of us.  We work out and then blog about our workouts and what they entail.  If one of us doesn't update our status on the blog all the other girls know and that individual immediately becomes embarrassed and feels called out :).  That is my next goal.  To get back into my workouts regularly and not be 'called out' by my blog workout friends.

That concludes the goals I have set for myself in 2013.  

Fun News for 2013:

Seth and I will be heading to South Carolina SOOON to see our families and meet our Niece!  Tickets have been purchased :). Whoop Whoop.  Can't wait to see everyone!

Hope you all have a great week and such a wonderful 2013! 

The Cook's :).

Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

As many of you know for the past several years, Seth and I have lived in Utah :).  

During these years we've stayed in Utah for Thanksgiving, unable to get back to South Carolina.  For the past two years, we've been blessed by being able to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends of ours-mostly Southern folks that have moved to Utah :).  This year was extra extra special because we were able to celebrate with Family in our Own Place.

We started Thanksgiving week by picking up Seth's parents from the airport and taking them to Seth's favorite restaurant Red Iguana.

Yummm...

Seth and I have come to the conclusion that others may not be as infatuated with Red Iguana as we (my husband) are, but hopefully it is enjoyed none-the-less.

After Red Iguana we went to see the Temple.

In front of the Salt Lake Temple.

After seeing lights set up all around the temple, we assumed they would be turned off after dark.  The lights are everywhere and beautiful, so we figured Mr. Jimmy and Mrs. Cynthia just had to see the temple in all it's Christmas Decor.  We went across the street to the City Creek mall and mozied around while we waited.  Once it was dark and the temple lights did not appear, we safely and sadly assumed they were just waiting until after Thanksgiving to begin lighting up Temple Square :(.  But at least City Creek was lit up and we got this pretty picture.

After the temple we took our guests over to a local hole in the wall gem called Bruges Waffles, which serves Belgium Waffles.  Seth and I were introduced to this little treasure a while back by some friends of ours.  Seth and I always enjoy these waffles.  I'm only guessing Mrs. Cynthia enjoyed it as well, since she left her purse at the Waffle joint, just to have her and Mr. Jimmy travel back down to SLC the next morning for another Belgium treat :).

During the week we went on campus for pictures with the Wellsville Mountains.

Beautiful.

Mrs. Cynthia & Mr. Jimmy

Cook's :).

Mrs. Cynthia with the Mountain Man.  

We said it was her brother Will :).  I've mentioned in a previous blog that this marvelous creature was in front of Seth's environmental building but was recently replaced by a business woman.  Obviously, the business woman had more money than the mountain man.

Thanksgiving was filled with cooking, cleaning, eating, and hiking :).  It was beyond perfect.  Seth and Mr. Jimmy smoked a local raised turkey (that we'd purchased from some of our farming friends).  He also made some delightful croissants. Mrs. Cynthia and I made sweet potato casserole, cranberry orange sauce, rice/pea salad, dressing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin cinnamon streusel coffee cake.

Seth prepping the turkey.

Mr. Jimmy & Seth working on the croissants.

Thanksgiving Dinner Layout.

:).

After our dinner, Seth and I got to take a little nap and VuuWaaLaaa everything was cleaned up!  

We then each wrapped up in warm clothes and headed out for a little hike.

The View.

The Cook Crew.

My cute man with his wonderful parents.

Seth & I.

Thanksgiving week flew by faster than we wanted.  We had such a great time and are so thankful Seth's parents came out to spend Thanksgiving with us.

We're shipping them back to warmer climates.

Bearded Cook Men.

Bearded Cook Men & Bearded Cook Mother :).

Thanks for coming out Mr. Jimmy & Mrs. Cynthia!  What a wonderful holiday it was.

Next Holiday: 

Merry Belated Christmas!

-Cinnamon Rolls from us to You-

Seth and I stayed in Utah for Christmas this year, due to very exciting events that are to occur in January :).  We will become Auntie E and Uncle Seth in just a few short weeks.  And as much as I'd have loved to be in SC with family for Christmas, it just couldn't compare to pushing our trip back just a bit to meet our lovely, beautiful, perfect, so much like her Auntie E, beyond adorable little Mackayli Nicole.  I can not even begin to describe the excitement that is building up in both Seth and I as the time is drawing near :).

This here is Eason and Brittany.  They may be cute chaps here, but my little niece will be wayyyyyy beyond cuter! We so can't wait to meet, love, and spoil her.

Anywho, so that little girl is why we postponed our trip and spent Christmas in Utah.  It was a quiet, cozy, white, and simple Christmas.  


A Cook family tradition is to have finger foods and nibbles for Christmas Eve.  We had Christmas Eve plans already, so we had our Cook finger foods and nibbles the night before Christmas Eve.  We watched Christmas movies and enjoyed our nibbles :).

Many of you may already know or notice, but Seth and I have Kitchen Chairs!!!  We've been wanting these bad boys for over two years.  When we were first married we ate dinner in lawn chairs for a few months, until we finally purchased a card table just for the plastic chairs.  We've been using those uncomfortable chairs for several months.  We wanted to get Kitchen Chairs for our anniversary, but couldn't find any we liked.  We walked into an antique store the week before Christmas looking for gift ideas, and low and behold we saw these amazing, matching, good quality kitchen chairs.  We long forgot those we intended to shop for and focused all our attention on these beautys.  Seth and I were sooooo beyond ecstatic after making this purchase.  I tried to talk Seth into not using the chairs until Christmas, but Seth WAS NOT having that.  These chairs had to be put to use immediately since we haven't used appropriate chairs at our dinner table for more than two years.

We went to a Christmas Eve service at our church and then had a yummy dinner with friends, then we rushed home to skype with my family.  Many ages ago, my parents began to exchange gifts to each other on Christmas Eve.  My brother and I have always enjoyed watching them exchange and see them joke with each other during the exchange :).  I'm glad we got to be apart of that tradition 2,000 miles away.

Christmas morning we woke up to light our advent wreath, eat Breakfast Casserole, skype Seth's parents, read Luke, open presents, watch movies, skype my family, take a chilly walk around our snow covered neighborhood, watch another movie, prepare for our Christmas dinner.  We both missed being with our families, but it was actually a nice change.  We enjoyed our Christmas in our home on our own time at our own pace :).  It was delightful.

Christmas Dinner

I enjoy taking pictures of our food and layout, so hopefully you all enjoy it as well.

Merry Christmas!

The Cook's :).