House Guests!

Dad, Tracy, Calvin and Hannah came to visit for the weekend (yeah!). Hannah and Cal were very excited for Zach to get home so they could play tickle monster and video games.



For Zach's birthday, the fam got us a new flag for our backyard.

On Saturday the girls had a "spa day." We painted nails and even did nail art designs. Hannah enjoyed her R&R.

Zach has been craving Olive Garden for a few months now, so we decided that was the destination for his birthday dinner. The closest Olive Garden is in Buffalo, NY so.....road trip! After an hour and a half drive to Buffalo, an hour wait for a table, and many trivia/word games to pass the time, we made it! Those bread sticks never tasted so good.


Thanks so much for coming guys. We had a great time and miss you already!

I can't find the Cook kids!

A few months ago I started tutoring two boys. They are from a family of seven so there are many little Cook kiddos running around. Generally, when I arrive, the younger kids will be hiding so we play a quick game of Hide and Seek. I absolutley love this game so I get into my seek mode and hunt them out. Last week I couldn't find the two youngest kids for the life of me. I was searching all around when I heard some giggles coming from the t.v. area. I opened two cupboards and look what I found!
Here is a picture of me with the two boys I tutor.

Any teacher knows, you have to do a silly picture after the nice one. :-)

Wedding Fairies, Sun Poisoning, and Grits...

I headed down to Florida with my mom and Aunt Linda for my cousin, Lindsey's, wedding. Linds and I grew up together so I was really excited to support her on her big day. When we arrived we found that she had several "last minute" tasks she needed help with. We were glad to help, and help we did! We ended up staying up until after midnight every night working to prepare for the big day. We put together gift bags, labeled name tents, assembled favor boxes, set up the rehearsal ...etc. We ran many errands, and given our poor sense of direction, we got lost many, many times. We became known as the "Wedding Fairies."



After the rehearsal we ate dinner on a catamaran sunset cruise.



The beautiful bride, Mrs. Ryan Read!


I got out in the sun one afternoon fully sun-screened up, and somehow got sun poisoning. I had itchy bumps on my arms, feet and stomach... (I'll spare you the pictures.)
We went out for breakfast after the big day and talked and laughed about the week. I ate grits for the first time and loved them. I think I feel a Southern twang coming on y'all.

GR visit

We headed to GR for a quick visit to see family and friends (and change our oil). Zach and Hannah had a great tickle battle- Hannah was fearless!
The next morning we went out for a family breakfast and then hung out together for a while.
It was super fun to see all the kids interacting..there's never a dull moment.
Jayne was in the center of all the action.




Basket rides!!