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 :).