Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! MiMi and Pop came to our house Christmas Eve afternoon. MiMi, Dale and I got into the kitchen and prepared a feist, we had so much fun cooking with you MiMi! The boys loved it too! Dale and I are big on setting traditions for our kids, we had such a good time with this one, we have all decided that this will be our Christmas tradition from now on! So MiMi and Pop, we will see you next Christmas Eve! Same time, same place!

Santas load that he dropped off!


Our tree filled with wonderful gifts for all!

Yeah, I know it has taken me long enough to get this post up, as someone pointed out to me this morning! Sorry guys, but I have been in the bed sick since before Christmas. I didn't get to attend any of the Christmas gatherings or the Christmas dinner that was held at my home that I helped prepare! I really missed seeing all the family from both sides. I especially missed watching all the kiddos open there gifts at Dales family gathering and at my family gathering! I hope that Santa was good to all of them! Here are a few pics!

Jackson helping Clete ride his new Dirt Bike

Jackson with his new football(we go through footballs and baseballs like you would not believe at the Cook house)


Britt with his VISA card


Dale reading Clete "The Night Before Christmas", a tradition at our house



MiMi helping Clete open gifts at family Christmas

I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and kids! They have all pulled together and taken care of me during my illness. I love them all so much and am so very proud of them!

A Very Special Thank You!

We would like to send out a special Thank You to a very special lady! Dale and I had a wonderful time preparing all of our Christmas fiesta with you! MiMi and Pop arrived at our house about 2 PM Christmas Eve, we began cooking shortly thereafter and continued cooking until about 12 noon Christmas Day! Out of all that cooking came an awesome Christmas Eve supper of fried chicken and an even more awesome Christmas Day dinner of ham, turkey, dressing and ALL the fixings! Mom we had so much fun with you cooking in the kitchen, it really reminded me of how it was when my Grandmomma prepared Christmas dinners. Dale and I have decided that this is going to be our new Christmas tradition, so we will see you both on Christmas Eve next year to do it all over again! We love you both so much and are so lucky to have you in our lives!

Christmas Activities! Well, the ones we have completed so far anyway!

Last weekend we braved the freezing rain to take Clete to see Jolly Old Saint Nick! He did a great job and very enthusiastically told Santa that he wanted a "Handy Manny Work Bench". Britt and Jackson looked overjoyed to have their picture taken with Santa! Oh well, what Mama wants, Mama gets!

On Tuesday, we went over to Phenix City to watch Jackson perform in his Christmas concert. He is playing the saxophone in the band at PCIS. He is 1st chair!! Way to go Jackson! Of course, we had a camera malfunction so no pics.

Today, we went to Clete's Christmas program at preschool(First Baptist Church Opelika) and his Christmas party afterward. Clete did awesome in the program! His character for their little "play" was Baby Jesus! He did exactly what he was supposed to and sang his little heart out! The party afterward was full of Clete's favorite snack: SUGAR!! The kids did a great job, as well as the teachers, we are so fortunate that he is able to be part of such a wonderful program!

Clete's class singing there little hearts out! They were so cute!


Clete enjoying his cupcake at the Christmas party


Clete chompin on his chocolate chip cookie


Christopher, he is the son of good friends of ours Chris and Angel
He is 1 week younger than Clete and such a cutie pie!

Tomorrow we have a birthday party for Jesus at preschool, then Clete's daycare Christmas party! Wow! All this so far and we haven't yet made it to Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!!!

The Big Tree


Stockings hung by the chimney with care!


The kids tree. Every year I put up a special tree for all the kids ornaments they have made over the years.

Dale's outdoor masterpiece!

2009 Christmas Parade

I am so glad that the Christmas parade didn't get rained out! For the last several years our boys have ridden on the city council float with Uncle Eddie. It has become a little tradition for them. Dale usually rides with them, but due to his injuries he couldn't this year so Britt filled in for him. Britt and Clete looked so cute up there together. I thought that we were NEVER going to get there though. There was a little miscommunication about where to meet, but we made it! After all the drama of trying to get to the float was over we settled on a nice spot just up the street that was free of strange noggins, but wouldn't you know it after all that trouble our kids ended up on the other side of the float so I was only able to get 1 picture of them! They had fun though and that's all that matters!

Clete and Britt riding on the float


Cool old fire truck


My bestie Leah and my beautiful Goddaughter McCall


OHS Band

Me and Clete before the parade

Thankful for sooo much more!!!

Recovering Daddy and Clete

Thanksgiving was just last Thursday, I posted about how very thankful I am for my family. On Sunday I was reminded exactly how thankful I really am. Sunday morning Dale, Britt, Jackson, our friend Matthew and his son Doss went hunting. The 2 younger boys had gotten kind of "ancy" about leaving, so Dale decided to take them to see a really old granite wall that was built as a dam on the creek. Matthew was still pretty far out in the woods hunting. As they were walking across the top of the wall to get to the other side of the creek, Dale stepped in a hole and fell about 8 feet to the rocks below landing on his head. The boys(Britt, Jackson and Doss) rushed to his side to see if he was ok, he was not. Dale knew however, that the boys could not carry him from the woods, so he somehow got to his feet and walked until he was close enough to an area that Britt could get the truck into. The boys then got Matthew on the radio and told him to hurry!

After Matthew got them on the road he called me. Trying not to freak me out to bad, Matthew said that Dale had hurt himself and that he was taking him to EAMC. I immediately thought that maybe Dale had twisted an ankle or something, but I wasn't quite prepared for what I was told when I asked what happened. My 1st response was "Is he conscious?" When I found that he was that made me feel alot better. I then began preparing to race to EAMC! I called my big brother Jeff, he immediately without a thought rushed over to get Clete. He and his family love all my boys, although I am sure they were all pooped by the time Clete left! Melanie, Matthews wife immediately jumped into action taking care of the older boys. We are so blessed to have friends like them. I knew that all my children were taken care of so that I could focus on Dale.

When I got to the hospital Dale was still in excruciating pain. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to watch. As the doctors came for him to run the many, many x-rays and CTs, I prayed that he would be okay. Thankfully all the tests were negative for any fractures! Dale left the hospital with staples in the front of his scalp and a pretty bad cervical sprain! We are so thankful for this.

That night after all the kids were down for the count and Dale was passed out in the recliner from all the meds, it finally hit me. I had come dangerously close to losing my best friend and the kids their father! The outcome of all this could have been very different! How would I have explained all this to a 3 year old and what could I have said to comfort the 2 that witnessed it? I am so very, very thankful that I don't have to. The Lord has once again blessed us with the best gift, the gift of life. All I can say to any of you out there is this: There are no guarantees in this life, please whatever you do, don't take any person in your life for granted, not even for an instant! Love hard and faithfully and don't worry about what others are thinking or doing! I am just HAPPY for those that I have and am going to take care of them no matter what the cost!

Dale, I love you more than life itself and am so proud that I have you in my life and our kids lives!

Little Stinker!

This post was not planned, but once I saw these pics I couldn't resist. I few mornings I have come into the living room to find Clete with my camera. I never looked at the viewfinder because I didn't know that he KNEW HOW TO TAKE PICTURES!!!! Here's some of his handy work!

Thanksgiving 2009

What a wonderful day it has been! I am so thankful for all the many, many, many blessings that God has given to me! Dale fried one delicious turkey this morning, my brother Jeff made some awesome dressing, Momma baked a wonderful ham, Pete provided yummy fresh veggies, my oldest niece Tori baked a sweet potato pie using my grandmothers recipe and I did a pretty good job with the deviled eggs, mashed potatoes and pies. These were just a few examples of the bountiful food that filled our home. Everyone had a great time! The guys talked sports all afternoon while me, Tori, Tiffany, Taylor, Wanda, Joan and Momma mapped out game plans for the dreaded Black Friday! Our tummies were full of great food and our hearts full of love. I had originally planned to take some family pictures, but with all the hustle and bustle, never got around to it. They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, I think that I must do a pretty good job! I love it when my husband and boys keep coming back for seconds and thirds and fourths...... The best part of the day for me however, is right now, listening to the sweet sounds of my husband playing the guitar with the boys. Those 4 guys are what I am most thankful for. Dale, Britt, Jackson and Clete, I love you more than you will ever know!

Britt's 17th Birthday Party with the Family

Britt had an awesome birthday full of fun, good pizza, good cake and presents!

Britt with his birthday cake, MiMi Nicky baked it for him.

Matthew stuffing his face!


Me getting ready for the party, Dale went a little picture crazy!


Poppa and MiMi Suzzanne waiting on birthday cake.


Clete enjoying his piece of cake.

Britt, Poppa and Clete

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRITT!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to our oldest baby!! We love you Britt! Happy 17th Birthday!

Britt with his giant pumpkin cookie he baked at school

Britt and Clete at the lake

Britt, Dale, Clete and Jackson

Britt and Clete on Halloween, Britt drew and carved our giant pumpkin

I can't believe that my baby is 17! It makes me sad to think that I really don't have all that much time left to have him all to myself. Pretty soon he will be off to college(HOPEFULLY) and will probably be living somewhere else. I think that I will most probably have to attend counseling when this happens! Britt and I have grown up together. He has always been my little sidekick, he has been there to witness my greatest accomplishments and to see me through my greatest disappointments. I am so lucky to be his mother. We love you and know that everything will be okay!

We Will Always Remember

To our precious Angel,

It was 1 year ago today that God called you Home to Heaven. That day forever changed our lives! There is not a SINGLE day that goes by that I do not think of you! You were such a wonderful surprise to us. We know that you are in a perfect place, a place far better than where we are, but we still are selfish and would have loved to have you here with us. Your brothers would have loved you so, they love each other fiercely and would have loved you the very same. One day we will be there with you and we will be able to hold you and all your brothers and sisters close! Until that time comes Precious ones hold each other and the hand of God! We will always remember you!

We love you!
Momma and Daddy

It's Deer Season!!!

Deer season is once again here!! This weekend is "Youth Hunt Weekend". Here are all the boys ready to go, Clete included. Clete is still a little young to go on the hunt, but his Daddy has made sure that he has all the required gear anyway!

All the boys!!
Pop, Daddy, Clete, Jackson and Britt

Dale, Clete, Jackson and Britt
Dale is so excited about this weekend! Hoping Britt gets his buck and Jackson gets his 1st deer!

Good luck guys!

Halloween 2009

WOW!! It's been a while since I have been able to post, it seems like forever! Our home computer developed a virus, thankfully Dale finally brought our computer from his office home. Hopefully I can keep up with all that is going on with our family a little better now!

Halloween was great this year. Clete decided early on that he wanted to be a construction worker! This year Opelika decided to do the city wide trick or treat on Thursday, October 29, we also celebrated my birthday that night. Mimi and Pop always come to our house on trick or treat night to see Clete, my Mom also comes over so we decided we would celebrate while everyone was under the same roof.

I had a wonderful birthday! I have been blessed with the most awesome group of guys that anyone could ask for! On Monday, November 2(my birthday)they cooked a wonderful dinner for me and topped it off with cheesecake. They definitely know how to spoil Momma that's for sure, and most definitely spoiled I am!

Clete with all his tools, don't be fooled those tools have also captivated both Daddy and Pop!

Clete beside our giant 70 lb pumpkin!


Clete and Britt with our pumpkin, Britt was the artist that carved the face!


Britt with his giant cookie that he baked at school. Tasted pretty good!

This and that

Clete and Daddy leaving to go to Clete's 1st Football Game!


Clete and Daddy ready to go to Clete's 1st High School Football Game!

Last week was a pretty busy one for Clete. Aside from all the routine events like preschool and daycare, he experienced a few new things. On Tuesday Dale took him to see his 1st football game! It was a rec. league game that a friend of ours son plays in, he had a ball! On Friday night, Dale took him to his 1st high school football game. They went to the BHS game since it would be a little less crowded than the OHS game. Clete had a great time, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Sharon were there with their family. Their granddaughter Abby was in the homecoming court. My these kids are growing up fast!! Saturday morning Tyson and his mom came over to play, his dad helped Dale repair Britt's truck. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching football of course! The afternoon ended with a Hot Fudge Sunday for all, YUM!! On Sunday we took Clete to the Monkey Park to play, as always, he had a great time. We will see what the upcoming week has in store for us!

Clete's Daycare Pictures

It seems these days that one thing we are not lacking in is pictures of Clete!! This is one from his daycare photo session. I have the disk now from his 3 year pics and will post them soon!

Labor Day 2009

This weekend was awesome!! The football was good, the family was good and the food was good! This will probably be the last weekend we spend on the water. Undoubtedly, the dove field and football will now take over our lives on the weekends! Clete had a great time playing with his cousin Karlee, their fun day ended with a nice bubble bath together, given by MiMi and Granna! War Eagle and Roll Tide to you all!

Pop holding Clete after his nap!

Clete and Karlee playing in the sand


Clete, Karlee and Erin

Our Granny!