Tradition!! (sing to yourself this song by Fiddler on the Roof as you read)

Every year we go to the festival of trees as a family. It's always fun to see how creative and how generous every one is. This year we picked out trees to match everyone.

Michael didn't like it as much, but his tree was labeled, "Herd the Nerd." There were pictures of Einstein and other intelligent people. We thought it was a compliment.

Mine was a skiing/snowboarding tree... see the lift behind us?

Thomas loved the Thomas the Train tree... he was even trying to take some of the wooden trains home with him. The lady had to guard the tree very closely against this mischieveous 7 month old!!And of course, this would've been Lizzy favorite! She likes treats and puppy friends!!

1.Thomas isn't afraid of the mean old grinch, are you?

2. Little elf, gotta love the ears!!

3. Thomas is a good kisser!! He greeted his papa with a big wet kiss!

4. He also enjoyed a piggy back ride from his aunt Megan.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT THE COOPERS!

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE.....

I have been wanting to write a post about my christmas tree for a couple of days now, but I've been just too dang busy or tired!!! So, bare with me and pretend like it is Tuesday night. Which was the most wonderful night in a while.

When I was a little girl my family would go to the Christmas Tree lot and pick out the most gorgeous christmas tree of the year. I loved the way it smelled, looked and felt. And then when I got older my mom purchased a fake tree and that's the way it has been ever since. I bet my two youngest sisters don't even remember ever having a real christmas tree.

So, ever since I've been married I've wanted a "real live christmas tree." And on Tuesday evening, the night of the wonderful snow storm, we went and picked out a tree. We loaded it onto the roof of our rodeo and drove home. I was so excited!! It was like I was a little child again, jumping up and down with excitement about my real live, pine smelling christmas tree!!

I love the way the lights reflect off the window. We probably used about 2,000 lights!!

Decorating to Christmas music is the best!

Christmas Lights

Before we went to the football game yesterday, I finished putting the Christmas lights on our house. Well, I'm almost done. We're going to put lights up in the windows, but we'll do that tomorrow when we buy a real live Christmas tree because the lights are connected. Aubree's really excited to have a real tree this year. I also might add some more colored lights to the porch railings. We'll see.I finished just in time to get ready for the football game. Thomas went to his Great Aunt Michelle's house. He was really excited for the game. He was decked out in all of his Utah gear.
The game was really exciting. Things didn't go our way. The two pass interference calls during BYU's winning drive were unfortunate. We were sitting near the top at the other end of the field, so it was hard to tell what really happened. However, the BYU fans seemed just as surprised that the second PI went their way. Utah fans can complain about those calls all they want, but really, we could have ended the game when BYU had a 4th and 18 during that same drive. Growing up, I didn't really care much about the BYU-Utah game because I was an Aggie fan. The first rivalry game I went to was in 2000. It was Lavell Edward's last game. In that game, the Utes were up near the end of the game. BYU had the ball last and ultimately won the game. The Utes could have ended that game when BYU had a 4th and 25. I don't particularly like this pattern. Oh well.

Tonight, we made some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. I realized tonight that when I have oatmeal cookies, I prefer them with raisins. I like chocolate chip cookies, but without oatmeal. That said, I'm not exactly gagging as I down way too many cookies. I also think I might be going blind. We asked a neighbor for some eggs because I overlooked them in the fridge. I was also going to make regular chocolate chip cookies because I overlooked the carton of oatmeal until I was part of the way through the recipe. I'll keep you updated. Hopefully I don't go completely blind.

After we finished baking the cookies, we went to Temple Square to see the lights. I wanted to see what it looks like when professionals do it. They were gorgeous. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Let me just say that Thomas was really cute. He could barely move with so many layers and blankets. He eventually did find a way to kick his feet out from under the blanket so he could put them against his stroller tray. He likes to put his feet against things. It's kind of funny.

A poem written by a member of our bishopric....

Today in sacrament meeting the 1st counselor in the bishopric stood up to give his talk. He started it by reciting a poem that he wrote yesterday. It was so good that I wanted to share his wisdom with all of you.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Some don't like the refs and some do

That's all for now! :0)

Utes 10 Cougars 17

Well, any of you that saw the game today may feel like I do that they got a taste of deja vu. Again, with less than two minutes left in the game the cougars were able to pull out a win. And, what do I have to say about it? Good for them. Yes, I am a little bitter about the last couple of calls made by some refs obviously routing for BYU, however, they did play well. Would I say that they are better than the U, not exactly to any degree.

It was fun though, the weather was okay. I got a nice red sunburn on my face that I'm sure will last a while and a sting in my heart from losing that will last a little while longer. My parents and some friends of our won't let me live it down too fast that we lost. But, it was a good season and good game. Until next year...

But wait!!! I just realized that this will be my last year being in the MUSS and going to all the football games. SAD!! Next year we'll be in another state far, far away. What a sad realization. I haven't really missed a game since 2003 when I first started going to the U. :0( We'll have to have good tv where ever we are!! Go UTES!!!

UTES vs COUGARS-- any bets?

Now, I don't want to jump to any conclusions... but I'd bet my bottom dollar on the UTES to beat the cougars on Saturday. This is a game I've gone to consequetively for years now and wouldn't miss it for the world... almost. Here are some pictures from last year's UofU games and this year's-

This is my friend Lyndsi with us. We both had longer hair last year. :0)

My friend took this one of Thomas... everyone likes to touch a pregnant belly!

Now we have a cute little baby ute to bring to the games (sorry it's so small, cell phone picture.)

We were only able to take him to a game once this year before we realized how hard it was and how much he hates loud noises. Which is a real big problem when you sitting in the middle of the MUSS!! The other times we found family to watch while we went. Saturday he will be with his great aunt Shell in Provo. :0) Thanks aunt Shell!

These are our friends Steve and Melanie with their Ute pride wigs on, gotta love it!!!

GO UTES!!!!

Pumpkin Rolls

This weekend Michelle came over and watched Thomas so Michael and I could go to the football game. (Thanks again Michelle.) Go utes!! We have some fun pictures coming our way from the game as soon as my friend emails them to me, (cause oops, we forgot our camera.) Anyway, when we got home Michelle decided to teach us how to make delicious pumkin rolls.

They turned out really yummy!! Michael accidently dropped one of the pans on the floor, but don't worry... Lizzy helped clean it up. What a great helper!!

My neighbor, Aubree actually made a switch with us. She made us an entire pumpkin pie and we gave her some pumpkin rolls. (Thanks Aubree!) It was a pumkin weekend. I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner, I bet there will be a real treat. And thanks to my new wonderful job I will get to enjoy all of Thanksgiving day and be conscious for it too!! I can't wait. It'll be the first time in years. Nurses really get the brunt of all holidays, ya know?

By the way, Thomas likes to cook too!! He's especially good at eating the food. :0)

Here's the recipe straight from Deanne's kitchen:

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

-Cream together (3 eggs, 1 c. sugar)

-add 3/4 c. pumpkin

-stir dry mixture in (3/4 c. flour, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt)

-Mix well and spread flat onto cookie sheet (put wax paper on cookie sheet)

-cook for 15min @ 350 degrees

-spread powder sugar onto flat dish towel, then when done cooking put pumkin spread upside down onto dishtowel

-take wax paper off if stuck and roll the pumpkin spread up in the dish towel while it is still hot and let cool for 30 min or (place in fridge to cool if you're impatient like me)

-while cooling make frosting: (whip 8oz cream cheese & 1/4c. butter, then add 1c. powder sugar and 1 tsp vanilla)

-unroll dishtowel and spread frosting onto pumkin spread. Then roll up into a delicious pumkin roll.

Try it! I promise you'll like it!

Hanging out with mom...

Since I work so dang much, every day with my little bug is a gift, and I think he thinks so too. I wanted to share with you what goes on while Thomas and I are alone for the day. He loves being right by me and when he isn't he can get quite upset. So, while I am doing my hair and make up in the morning he stays right with me. Happily sitting in the sink by my side.Someday he'll have enough hair to comb too.

We take naps together and run errands together and play with Lizzy. He is lots of fun to be around. He is a great eater, and lately he eats 2 or 3 full containers of baby food per meal. He's the cutest little piggy around.

Tonight we're at my parents' while Michael is at work. His aunts are being really disgusting in their effort to make him laugh. It wasn't that funny. But, I thought I'd show ya in their embarrssment anyways.

Well that's all for now. Ciao!

Gum

I'm at work right now, so I won't write too much. I'm depositing a monolayer of lipids at the moment, and all I can do right now is wait for the machine to pull the prism out of the water, so I thought I'd post a few thoughts.

I watched Thomas during the day yesterday while Aubree was at work. I really enjoy spending the day with him. We were able to meet Grandpa Cooper for lunch at Brookside Broiler. It was nice to see Grandpa and to eat some good food. Thomas was flirting with the waitress. He does that a lot. He sure seems to get a lot of attention. How could he not with Aubree's good looks? His personality isn't too shabby, either.

We had a little outing as a family after Aubree got home from work. She left something at work, so we drove there together to pick it up. Even Lizzy got to come. In fact, Princess Lizzy got shotgun. On the way home, we went to the store to pick up some needed items. It was nice to go to the store together. Since Thomas was born, I think that we've gone to the grocery store together twice now. I could be mistaken in that, but that's the number for at least the last couple months. It may sound weird, but I enjoy going to the store together. We're able to talk, and to be honest, I attempt some humor with whatever inspiration I find at the store. As we were checking out, I tried to sneak a pack of gum into our pile. I was caught, but Aubree let it slide. When we got home, I opened the gum and took more notice of the name. It's Orbit gum, and this particular flavor is called Crystal Mint. I think they were going for a frosty, cold type of imagery, but what actually came to mind when I looked closer at the name was crystal meth. It's just too close. They should have thought more about that when they chose a name. Who knows, Frosty Mint?

Is Thomas a bully?

I'm at home watching Thomas right now while Aubree is a work. He's taking a nap, and I'm working on my personal statement for law school applications. I need a little break, and I realized I haven't posted anything myself for a while.

I took Thomas to church this morning. There was a young family that sat in the pew directly behind us. They have two little twin boys. They are only one month older than Thomas. Thomas was trying to make friends. He was standing up against the seat back, facing this family. He gave them big smiles and was very friendly. He even started to talk to them, making some small squealing sounds. Then, he made one sound that was probably better described as a scream. It frightened one of the twins, causing him to cry. So, is Thomas a bully? Of course not! He was just trying to be friendly. It was maybe kind of like how Lizzy tries to be friendly. She gets so excited it comes across a little strong some times. (Maybe that's where Thomas learned it.)

After a short play time, Thomas fell asleep in my arms. I really enjoyed cuddling with him throughout the rest of the meeting, but he is getting really heavy. Definitely worth the cramped muscles, though.

After church, we came home and played with Lizzy. She missed us while we were gone. At one point, we were laying in bed because Thomas was acting a little bit tired. Lizzy decided that the best place for her to lay down would be on the pillow directly above our heads. (Mom, I know that we had a discussion recently about the proper term to use in different situations, be it lay or lie, but I still don't remember which one to use. I hope that was right.) There wasn't a whole lot of space between the wall and our heads, so needless to say, Lizzy made it a bit cramped. She just really wanted to be by us.

Aubree has done a great job posting on this blog, and she has been very inclusive with the main events in our lives. I've been very busy working and preparing for presentations at work. On top of that, I've been trying to work on my personal statement for law school. Everything else is pretty much done. I need to make some revisions to my resume and write an addendum about why I missed two years of school because that is a common question on the applications. I've also been wrestling with the decision to apply early decision to George Washington. My new LSAT score makes me competitive at some top 10 schools. George Washington is a great school and is ranked 22nd by US News and World Report. However, I've talked to a few people in the law profession that suggested that it I may want to wait and see what all of my options are before I limit myself to George Washington. The deal with the early decision program at George Washington is that they guarantee me a three year full tuition scholarship along with a housing stipend for the first year if I'm accepted through the early decision process. The catch is that I commit to attend there by applying through the early decision process. If accepted, I also have to withdraw my application from all other schools. I've thought a lot about this, and while it would be nice to know what my options would be from all schools, with the distinct possibility that I would receive some sort of scholarship offer from higher ranked schools, I don't believe that I would get anything as lucrative as that being offer by GW through the early decision process. I realize that job prospect and future earning potential could offset the costs of attending a higher ranked school, but I think that is more applicable if I wanted to work at prestigious law firm in NY or LA. I don't want to do that. We want to move back to Utah. The pay at law firms here obviously isn't as high as at the very top national or global firms, so debt would be more burdensome here. Obviously, there are a variety of factors and variables that are included into this decision, and I guess what I'm really trying to get at is that after taking all of these variables into account, I along with Aubree really feel like applying to GW is the right thing to do. I'm get really excited thinking about going to school at GW and living in the DC area. Now, the real obstacle is making sure that I get accepted.

On a related note, I told Michelle last night that one reason I'm excited to move to the DC area is that come election time, due to the electoral college, my vote will mean more on a national level, however it is I decide to vote. One thing I don't remember from my US history class or just from general knowledge is how residents of the District of Columbia are accounted for in presidential elections. I'm sure Kyle (as well as others) could tell me.

Aubree said to me that I'm not supposed to write about political topics or current news events on this blog, but I don't really have another forum at the moment, so you'll have to forgive me for one short rant. This week, the senate confirmed Judge Michael Mukasey (I guess it's now AG Michael Mukasey) to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General of the United States. During his confirmation hearings, there arose controversy around his answers regarding the legality and constitutionality of waterboarding. For those of you who don't know what waterboarding is, it is a form of torture in which the victim is placed in a setup where they are essentially drowned. The perpetrators are able to suspend the process before death actually occurs, but the physical and psychological suffering is immense. The United States, in particular the CIA, has engaged in waterboarding during interrogation of detainees. One of the earliest uses of waterboarding was during the Spanish Inquisition. It has been used by various tyrannical governments since. It disgusts me that representatives of my country have used this technique. Michael Mukasey, while admitting that waterboarding is repugnant, wouldn't accept that it is a form of torture when asked directly if in fact it is torture. I suppose you could argue it's a matter of semantics, but I believe that the US should be an example of moral character, especially if we claim to be so, and engaging in techniques such as waterboarding just doesn't live up to that standard.

First Tooth!!

Thomas got his first tooth today!! He's been teething FOREVER it seems like and we finally saw the first little signs of a white tooth. Our little boy is growing up. (sigh) Not too long and I'll be playing the tooth fairy because they will be falling out. He is such a cutie!

Little updates, he is sitting up extremely well by himself and rolling over. He laughs lots and especially thinks it's hilarious when Michael does the sumo stomp and tickles him.

He really needs to stop waking up at 6am though. Ever since the time change he can't quite understand that he REALLY, REALLY needs to be sleeping at that unearthly hour. Grin and bear I guess. How can you do anything but that when he just smiles up at you with those cute chubby arm outstretched toward you in his crib?

He still doesn't like to ride in the car, but is doing a little better. He especially likes to listen to classical music on those long car rides? Michael and I have said good bye to Country and Alternative music lately. But that's ok.

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings. It's kind of hard to stop when I'm talking about my little bug!

You might be a nurse if...

your friends call you for medical advice.
discussing dismemberment over a gourmet meal seems perfectly normal to you.
you have the bladder capacity of five people.
you have your weekends off planned for a year in advance.
you believe that "ask-a-nurse" is an evil plot thought up by satan.
you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if the phrase, "wow, it is really quiet" is uttered
you mutter, "great veins" when being introduced to a complete stranger
you think that caffeine should be available in IV form.
you have ever had a patient look you straight in the eye and say, "I have no idea how that got stuck in there."
you have ever had a patient say, "but i'm not pregnant, i can't be pregnant, how can i be having a baby?"
your feet are flatter and tougher than Fred Flintstone's
your immune system is so well developed that it has been known to attack squirrels in the back yard.
you always try to schedule days off around the phases of the moon.
the hems of your scrub pants are held in with 3-0 chromic or steristrips.
you are the only one at the dinner table NOT allowed to talk about your day at work.
your idea of fine dining is anywhere you can sit down to eat
you've ever had a patient with a nose-ring tell you "I'm afraid of shots."
you believe that the sight of a full moon can ruin a perfectly good day
your family members must have a fever of at least 105 or be missing a limb with active bleeding in order to receive your sympathy.
You've ever told a patient to 'move toward the light.'
You've ever used an ABD as a makeshift sanitary pad
You constantly feel the veins in your girlfriends or wife's arms, boasting, "I could hit that one easy"
You believe that all the patient needs is some vitamin A (ativan)
You've ever run out of linens, syringes, IV fluid, meds, and patience all at the same time
It IS as BAD as you think, and the patients ARE out to get you
You ever told a patient he didn't need to be dead to donate an organ
You do the "only-27-more-minutes-of-the-shift-from-hell happy dance"
When you need the money, your shift is cancelled; when you have a weekend planned, you have to do overtime.
You believe the more equipment you see on a nurses belt, the newer they are.
You always follow the rules, but be wise enough to forget them sometimes.
You believe there will be problems.
You can't cure stupid.
You believe if it's wet and sticky and not yours, leave it alone!
You believe that idiots that get into car crashes are the first ones to complain how bumpy the ambulance ride is.
You believe there is no such thing as a "textbook case"
You believe the best way to give someone a nice warm feeling deep down inside is by using warm water in the enema bag.
You have seen more moons than the Hubble telescope.
To you the phrase "divide and conquer" means getting two co-workers to help you change the bedsore dressing in the crack of a 400 pound patient.
You ever, secretly, wanted to mix crazy glue into the lube while inserting a foley on a patient that has pulled out three catheters on your shift while restrained.
You own at least three pens with the names of prescription medications on them
You never get into an argument with an idiot, because they only bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience
You hide on Thursday nights to you don't have to translate all the terms on "ER" for your friends/relatives.

You know you are a night nurse when:
You live for the thrill of always driving in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic.
You can drink a pot of coffee and still go to sleep in the morning.
You are willing to beg, borrow, or steal not to work the night daylight savings time goes into effect.
You want to throttle anyone that states: Night shift must be so boring, all the patients do is sleep.
Your sense of humor seems to get more "warped" each year.
You can only tell time with a 24-hour clock.
You believe the problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
You've ever thought, 'Patients, God love 'em, because today, I sure don't!'
You believe that saying, 'It can't get any worse' causes it to get worse just to show you it can.
You wash your hands before you go to the bathroom
Everything only happens all at once.
Most everything can seem humorous...eventually.
You know that the North American Wannabe is really an eight-month pregnant woman that is tired of being pregnant, as in, "I wannabe in labor."
You can tell the pharmacist more about the medicines he is giving you than he can.
You've ever thought a blood pressure cuff would be an excellent gift for Christmas.
You've ever spent more money on a stethoscope than on a car payment.
You've ever been telling work stories in a restaurant and had someone at another table throw-up.
Your family stopped talking to you because every time you open your mouth it sounds like a recital from a medical dictionary.
You write a patient report and have to translate it to medical records because of all the acronyms in it.
You notice that you use more four-letter words now than before you became a nurse.
You think it is acceptable to use "penis" and "vagina" in a normal conversation.
You look in your closet and can't find anything non-medical to wear.
Every time someone asks you for a pen, you can find at least three of them on you.
You can comfort anxious patients with, "I know just how you feel. It's my first IV, too."
You believe any job where you can drive to work in green pajamas is a cool job.
You believe all bleeding stops...eventually.
You don't get excited about blood loss-unless it's your own.


**Just a little bit of nurse humor... I had to after a very VERY long day at work!! None of you will probably enjoy this posting as much as I do. And that's ok.

What a Beeeeeeeeee-autiful Family

Everyone ought to step back every once in a while and look at what they have. A very wonderful family... we just got our family pictures taken. It was a little bit of a chore, but I'm glad we have them. My mom and sister gave us a bad time about having Lizzy in our picture, but our family picture wouldn't be complete without our dear little Lizzy girl. By the way, you all know that Thomas can smile, the photographer just couldn't get him to do it. Bummer!
After 2 1/2 years Michael and I are still happily married!! We realized that we haven't had our picture taken together since our engagement and wedding pictures. Michael is the best husband and daddy in the whole world!! I'm so thrilled he's my man! And isn't he handsome?

Lastly, we had to get a picture of the 2 Kevin Thomas'; Kevin Palmer Thomas and Kevin Thomas Cooper. Can you see the resemblance? That's one proud grandpa! He has said numerous times that he has bypassed my sisters and I in his will and given everything to him. Silly grandpa!

Princess Lizzy

Just a quickie... michael and I got ready for bed and went into the bathroom to brush our teeth. When we got back Lizzy decided that our bed was her bed tonight and had actually laid herself down with her head right on Michael's pillow!! What does she she think, she's human?

Michael and I started laughing so hard when we saw her. She kinda lifted her head off of the pillow when she saw us with a look that said, "Ya snooze ya loose!" I guess we got to bed too late.

Lizzy won, and before we knew it Thomas was crying and that left all four of us cuddled tight in our king size bed. Lizzy, Michael, me and then Thomas. What a night!!!

Raking Leaves

We decided to have one last dive into the leaves this fall!

Because, I took the rake out of the garage today and decided that I really needed to start raking some leaves; if you saw my post from a few days ago you can tell how many leaves I really do have and how badly I needed to rake them?

Thomas was very helpful in this process. He helped me smash all the leaves down.
Isn't he adorable?

We had so much fun playing in the leaves. I told him that when he gets older I would build him a huge pile of leaves just so that he could jump in them, like my grandpa Hirsche did for me.








Thomas loves lizzy so much. She wanted to play in the leaves too. Let's just say it took a long time to get all of the leaves raked! I ended up with ten bags of leaves. I'll give myself a little pat on the back for that one. It was fun, if I dare say so myself.

I'm glad Grammie was there

to help watch Thomas while

I did it. Thanks mom!!!

I hope getting a little dirty

was worth it. :0)