Monday, June 30, 2008

Are you taking a picture?

Matt and I were commenting about how our kids always think we are taking a picture, when we're really taking video.

And then- WE think that they KNOW that we are taking a video, so they should "DO SOMETHING" funny, but they just stare at us.

Glad to know I'm not the only BLOGGER with this issue.



Was I that confused when I was a kid? No! Because we had a 'diskette' CAMERA that very clearly looked like - JUST THAT - a camera. And if we BORROWED a video camera, it was one that was so big, that only dad could lift it on his shoulder. WOW, times have changed - now it's the same device, and it's so small you can't tell if the little light is green or not!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Don't mess with the best.....

You really can't mess with the best. Jamie came over tonight to defend her "Chubby Bunny" record. Poor Elias never had a chance.......



ELIAS had a very short-lived record -
One week to be exact.

Yes, we did the same thing tonight that we did last Sunday......
Our life isn't THAT exciting.... :)

CAPTCHA

Ok - Have you read my original
CAPTCHA
blog??

I am re-posting it.

Do me a favor, if I comment on your blog all the time - TURN OFF YOUR CAPTCHA!

It annoys me - ;)

DOWNRIGHT Jealous



Yep, that's me.....DOWNRIGHT JEALOUS!!

My dad and Robin will be leaving today for a MONTH LONG Harley trip to California!

Dangit, if we didn't have these kids, these crazy jobs, and a mortgage tying us down - we could go, too!

Drive safe guys! WE WILL MISS YOU!!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Soccer CAMP


Kaitlyn and her friend, Danielle, just returned from a week at Bayshore Soccer Camp, which is a Christian Soccer Camp across the State of Michigan. Grandpa took the girls with him, as annually he conducts this SOCCER camp for kids of all ages. They play OVER 5 games a day, along with soccer drills, and then at night they go to CHAPEL and do PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

I am really proud of the young lady Katie has become. On the last night at camp, her counselor, MARY (pictured above), came up to my dad and said "WOW, you have a really great granddaughter." He said something like, "I know - she takes after me." She said, "No, seriously, we have been doing cabin devotions every night, and Katie has been contributing alot, and encouraging others on their spiritual walk. She is an inspiration to the other girls in her cabin."

WOW - as a parent, you always wonder if you are getting through to a 14 year old. What an affirmation. She must be listening, at least a little bit......

I am proud of you, Kaitlyn!! With a personality like yours, you will go SO FAR in life!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Have YOU ever played CHUBBY BUNNY?

This is funny stuff....

We spend most Sunday nights with our great friends - Elias and AnnClaire - & - Jeff and Kim. (Jeff, the reason I listed Elias & AC first, is because I went in ALPHABETICAL order, so stop whining).

When we hang out - we hardly ever DO anything - we just like, you know - HANG OUT.

Last night - we played CHUBBY BUNNY. This is the game where you try to fit as many marshmallows in your mouth as you possibly can, and then say "CHUBBY BUNNY" afterward.

Dan has tried this in the past - and much to our surprise he could only fit four in his mouth! Which in his language is "WEIRDER THAN A QUEER DOLLAR BILL" - (that's your 'Dan'nerism of the week) - because his mouth is SOOOO big.

These videos are Jeff and Elias attempting to beat the "COOK household record" - which is 13 - held by the FAMOUS JAMIE and ANDY Hulings. (ya, who knew - my family had bigger mouths than Dan's).

This is Jeff's attempt......


Elias tries to break the record......


Yes, Elias is a DENTIST - which clearly gave him an advantage!!

Congrats, Elias!
You know, holding a "COOK Household Record" is definitely an honor!

Ballet FUN!

Last week, Eyliana's cousin, Kelsie, came over to play for the day. When I got home from work, this is what I saw in the living room.



Kaitlyn has learned alot about BALLET over the past 8 years, and decided to spend the day teaching the girls a dance!
They also got to dress up and do their hair and makeup !! It was a fun day for Eyli and Kelsie!!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Try it after you buy it

Ok, so I've never watched that NEWS SHOW - where they try things out, so you don't have to buy them, and then they tell you if it's worth the money. I'm more of the - BUY IT - then if it doesn't work - throw it away and don't complain about it - type of gal.

So, for those of you that know me - this post is not really a true REFLECTION of my character.

'Target' is my downfall. They always DRESS everything up to look better than it is.

You know what I mean. I'm walking down the deodorant aisle, and there's a cool display of this "Clinical Protection" deodorant. I look both ways to make sure I'm the only one in the aisle. (Cause let's face it - who wants to admit that they MAY need "protection without a prescription.")

I've been wanting to try that stuff!!

"Unbeatable Wetness Protection - Dermatologist Tested" - and it even comes INSIDE a box. WOW! It must work really good!!

On the back USES:
  • Reduces underarm wetness
  • 24 hour protection
  • extra effective
SWEET - everything I've been looking for!

So, I paid $7.99 for deodorant. All I can say is - Thank God my grandma doesn't have internet, and can't read my blog.

I threw away the rest of my XX ARRID Extra Dry, and wore my really new WHITE SHIRT.

After all, I WAS PROTECTED!!

Honestly, I have not smelled that bad in years!!!

Unfortunately, I will head back to the store today - to buy more XX ARRID Extra Dry.

As I'm "complaining" to my husband about it - he looks at me with the "I have no sympathy for you" LOOK in his eyes - and says - "Well, really, who's the idiot?"

So, I decided to blog about it.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Wanna SAVE money at STARBUCKS?


I got a great tip for anyone that wants to save money at STARBUCKS.

If - you know that your dad goes to STARBUCKS every day.

And, if - you know the approximate time he shows up there.

Wait in your car in the STARBUCKS parking lot.......

When he shows up, CUT IN FRONT OF HIM in the drive-thru line.

If he's a nice dad, he will: OFFER TO BUY THE 'YOUNG LADY'S DRINK' IN FRONT OF HIM.

NICE !!!

Thanks for the GRANDE CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE, DAD!

Love You!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Sunday Morning Worship

Dan decided he wanted to stay home on Sunday and work in his yard for Father's Day, so we had Church at home - Here is our Sunday Morning Worship.

Monday, June 16, 2008

My bestest bud

You know when you go to buy a new mattress, and they say something like – ‘Now remember, you SLEEP more than you do anything else in your life – so, invest in a GOOD mattress.’

I’ve been thinking about that same concept, when it comes to relationships. You have your friends, the ones you see every other weekend or so. But, really, the people you spend the most time with – other than your spouse and kids – are the people you work with. Right? 9 hours a day – 5 days a week. I know I don’t spend that kinda time with people that Dan & I call “FRIENDS”.

My bestest bud left me today.

Her schedule allows her to be gone most of the summer, where mine only allows 3 weeks off in July. So, here I am, alone in a place, without my bestest ally and my favorite FRIEND.

I will miss her this summer because:

  • She’s everything I look up to in a PROFESSIONAL. She always has the right thing to say at the right time, to keep everyone at ease. She fixes problems instantly by saying one sentence. She’s the perfect role model for someone like me, as I often speak before thinking, and then regret it later.
  • I respect her opinion more than I do my own. No matter if it’s a professional issue, or a personal issue. She looks at things from a practical/common sense approach, (which I’m used to, because Dan’s the same way). She tells me like it is – ALWAYS - even if I don’t want to hear it. She always tells me the truth. Which, in the end, makes me a stronger person.
  • On the days I forget my water bottle – she always has an extra “vitamin water” - that she wasn’t going to drink anyway :).
  • Right after I spend the weekend talking to Dan - (“Maybe, if we sold all this stuff, I could afford to quit my job”) – she comes in Monday morning, and drops a STARBUCKS gift card on my desk, with a note telling me all the good things about myself, and why I am very valuable to the school.
  • I’ve said this before, but it is worth repeating. She is the one that shares her armor with me in the ‘war zone’, as we TOGETHER try to dodge random ‘land mines’. The one that gives me a look, as she walks past my desk, that says, “Hang in there, I know we work in a ‘ONE FLEW OVER THE COO COOS NEST’ ENVIRONMENT, but if you can’t make it today, I will be there for you, and if I can’t make it through the day, you will be there for me – and we will both survive the day” – and all she did was look at me.

Thank you, Carolyn, for always being there for me in this CRAZY life called – WORK.
I could never make it without you. Thank you for supporting me when I can’t support myself. And thank you for listening to the CRAZY-NESS that comes out of my mouth.

Thank you for being my bestest bud!
~Kristie

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day to my husband

If you haven't read
SOCKS
or
SOCK-quel
you won't understand this post.

WHY do I always talk about SOCKS, you ask?
Well, at our house, SOCKS are always a topic of discussion. When I asked Dan - 'What do you want for Father's Day?' - He said - 'SERIOUSLY, the ONLY thing I want is NO MORE SOCK PILE!!'
Because he NEVER reads my blog, I am SAFE to finish this post. Now, what happens when you match AN entire basket of SOCKS?

Right, you have some left over. And you play MEMORY until you can't any more.

Eyliana says - "Dad told me, after you match the socks, you throw away whatever you have left"

Really - well, what if I find the matches some day?? What if they magically appear out of the dryer the next time I do laundry?

Don't tell Dan - but, I did keep them, I STARTED a BRAND NEW (miniature) SOCK BASKET in the Utility Closet behind the door.

HE WILL NEVER FIND IT! :)

Happy Father's Day, Dan!!

Friday, June 13, 2008

'Dan'nerism of the week

Conversation between my dad and my husband - yesterday:

Dad - "On our motorcycle trip we will only be riding about 150 miles each day."

Dan - "Oh, that's A Catwalk, you'll be fine - you don't need the extra large windshield."

Dad - "Don't you mean A Cakewalk?"

Dan - "Oh, is that what it is? I always thought it was A Catwalk. You know just yesterday Kristie told me you're supposed to say - 'Nip It In The Bud' - I always thought it was 'Nick It In The Butt'"

Kristie - (in my head, to myself) (I was eavesdropping)
~"I'm gonna blog about this"~

Dad - "You're kidding me, right?"

Dan - "Well I never said I was the Brightest Tool In The Shed"

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

DOVE bars

When you are eating the greatest food on earth (for me it's ALMOND MILK CHOCOLATE DOVE bars), and you have ONLY ONE BITE left - is there ANYONE you would give it to????

My favorite bite of a DOVE bar is the last piece of hard chocolate left on the ice cream stick. I would not give it to ANYONE, for ANY REASON....

Except Dan, if he REALLY wanted it.

And Dudley, if he gave me his puppy dog eyes.

Otherwise - It's MINE!

What about you?

Sunday, June 8, 2008

'Dan'erism

For the last 13 years, I have been blessed with a husband that is ABSOLUTELY hilarious. He is seriously the funniest person I have ever met. For those of you that are blessed to KNOW him, you will be familiar with the term 'DAN'ERISM. A 'DAN'ERISM is a word or phrase that comes out of my husband's mouth, that would normally be considered BACKWORDS to other humans, BUT - perfectly FORWARD to him.

We have all teased him - "we need to write a book someday - to keep track of all of the 'DAN'ERISM's". My mom had a wonderful idea - she said - "Why don't you just start BLOGGING them - then we can create a BOOK from it later."

So,
A couple days ago, in the car - one of the kids says something - he shouts at them - "FIRE, FIRE, pants on liar!!" The ENTIRE CAR conversation continues - AS IF HE SAID IT CORRECTLY.

Approximately 10 minutes later, DAN cracks up laughing - "Did I say that wrong?"

Saturday, June 7, 2008

How old am I?

You know how on your birthday everyone asks you "so, do you feel any older?" - and you feel LIKE, THE SAME WAY YOU FELT YESTERDAY? You don't feel any older, you still feel 17 - (ONLY with three kids, a dog, a house, a mortgage, a full-time job, and a Harley).

You know when I feel old? It's after experiences, not birthdays.

My baby girl graduated from 8th grade this week. I've waited like 2 days to BLOG about it, as I am an emotional wreck. I'll spare you the BIG LONG POST about my feelings, maybe someday.......

Katie, Me and Carina (her BFF)
Katie, Daddy, and Carina
Katie getting her diploma
The President (Katie) and Vice-President (Shane) giving their speech - (it was actually REALLY good)
BFF's - Katie, Carina and Po (yes, Katie was crying)
Katie and Shane - Her friend that's a boy
With Aunt Jamie - who helped the 8th graders with their CLASS SONG
With Grandma Robin and Grandpa
With Uncle Dave and Aunt Anne and girls
Four Generations, Mom, Katie, Grandma Kim and Grandma Scheffler
The GIRLS
Katie and her 4 teachers
Mom and Dad and the graduate
Katie - Yelling at me - "MOM - Stop taking my picture!"

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The middle child SYNDROME

Middle Child Syndrome: "The middle or second born child or children often have the sense of not belonging. They fight to receive attention from parents and others because they feel many times they are being ignored or dubbed off as being the same as another sibling. The first born sibling is put on a pedestal and the youngest gets away with the most. And the middle sibling is just - there. There are the least number of pictures of the middle child, and the middle child has to work harder in order to be noticed."

Because my husband is the "middle child" (yes, I know this answers ALL kinds of questions for you) - he has opened my eyes to the fact that Tyler may feel left out sometimes. After looking over my blog here - I do tend to highlight the girls alot, so I can see his point.

So, the following is Tyler's HIGHLIGHTS over the last 2 weeks. Thanks to Grandma Kim for taking the soccer pictures - as I was too busy doing stuff for Eyli and Katie to go to the game................ No, seriously - I was........


Field Day - his team: THE WHITEY TIGHTIES - you'll never believe it - a team named after UNDERWEAR took first place.

Tyler's LAST EVER band concert (As I'm sure he will not choose BAND next year) - see

Notice the move his dad must've taught him - pull on the guy's arm till he falls over.



Now - these are the 2 WARM-UP songs - where he got to play the bass drum. You can't hear his part very well, but, you can tell by his foot, that he just about has the BEAT down.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Sunday Night Fashion Show




~Participants - In Order~

Mr. Daniel Cook
Miss Eyliana Danielle Cook
Miss Kelsie Lee Cook
Miss Kaylee Marie Cook
Miss Karley Anne-Nicole Cook

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Bye-Bye Grandma Nancy!

Dan's mom (AKA Grandma Nancy) came for a visit this week, from Florida - and she will be flying back tomorrow :(. We will all really miss her!!

Here are some pictures we took today at our house.

The Grandkids

The Kids

Grandma and Eyli

Grandma and Tyler

Grandma and Katie

Student Council President & Vice-President

So, the WMAAA Student Council President and Vice-President spent the day on Saturday writing their speech for graduation.

Here is a SMALL video of it.



Here is another.




They also spent time watching the 3rd season of LOST, listening to music, checking their myspace pages, calling all of their friends from school, eating pizza, performing lyrical dance (don't ask me), and playing XBOX. Oh, to be 14 again!

Should be a great speech!


See ya Thursday Night at Graduation!

We Made It!

Eyliana and I ran our 5K on Saturday! She had been up all night coughing the night before, so she was not HAPPY about running!

To say "I pushed (pulled) her the whole way" is an understatement, as she cried most of the 3.1 miles.

I prayed most of the 3.1 miles.

I wanted her to finish, but was torn between if I should 1) pick her up and carry her - or 2) leave her behind and run with the other girls - or 3) have her quit and call Dan to come and pick her up.

We both toughed it out, and I am so proud of her!! You can tell by the pictures, she did NOT want to be there! - But, we made it!


Thank Goodness for Daddy's! - The only reason she wanted to finish, was so she could see her daddy at the end!!!