Christmas

Christmas Eve in matching pjs.

Hot chocolate and watching Rudolph.

Christmas morning

One happy kid! We had a great Christmas this year. It was so fun to be together!

Haircut

Before

When your mom is saying things like hey I could put your hair in piggy tails and you are a boy it's time for a haircut. Shawn got his first haircut. What a handsome kid! It's our tradtion that Ethan always do the boys first haircut and he did a great job.

During

During

After

Grandma Knutti

My Grandma Knutti died on Tuesday at age 92 and we had her funeral yesterday. I thought I would share a few thoughts I’ve been having about it.

My grandparents watched me while my mom worked the first three years of my life and man did they document my life. Tons of pictures and video. I don’t remember any of that, but in the videos she always had the sweetest voice with me. Some things I do remember are she would always drag her feet a little when she walked. She loved her cats, Grandma Cat and Tailless. At the funeral I remembered that they buried Grandma Cat under the porch.(?) She was great at sewing and made me several doily’s. We used to go over to her house every Saturday morning and mow her lawn. She didn't hear very well and would sometimes answer yes to every question because she had no idea what you said. She was so quiet and meek.
She suffered from extreme paranoia and just the other week my parents gave me a loaf of bread they had bought for her that wasn’t quite right. After which I told them I didn’t want it if it was poisoned. She and my grandpa lived the most humble lives. I have never met anyone more humble. Just a couple of weeks ago we went to see her and I am so grateful that we did. Little did we know that would be the last, but what I blessing to have that. She also received my Christmas card before she died and wrote a nice note back to Ty. Some might say this is a hard time of year to lose someone and it did add some stress, but Heavenly Father truly blessed my family and my Grandma. I also think what a great time when we are celebrating the birth of the Savior who has made it possible for us to be together again. It has been wonderful to see how much Heavenly Father was looking out for my Grandma.

Me and my Grandma on my Mom's ugly couch. We had that thing for way too long.


Me, a small piece of the documentary on my first three years.

Christmas Spirit

So if you looking to have that warm feeling inside this Christmas season our friend Alan Horne made us aware of a family who is in need of some help. Check out the blog. Merry Christmas!!

www.ChristmasForEmily.blogspot.com

Santa Baby

This year with Santa went much better than last. While waiting in line Ty was a little stressed about it and kept saying he didn't want to sit on his lap. So we got there and put Ty on his lap and as soon as he realized that it wasn't that bad he let out all that stress with a big laugh. We saw Santa at the Provo Library, they had an awesome night at the library on Monday. We had a great time!

Ty's Song Gone Bad

Ty is pretty good at learning new songs. He got started learning "Oh Home Beloved," one of the old songs toward the back of the hymn book. Upon his latest performance in front of the camera, he lost his balance and...well, just watch the video.

He's OK and still singing!

Happy Halloween!

Here we are dressed for the Cook's Halloween party. The theme was what you wanted to be when you were a kid, so Rachel went as Jem and Ethan as Chuck Norris. The party was a lot of fun and we were so excited we got to go this year. Thanks JR and Andrea!!

Shawn didn't mind this plastic thing on his head at all. What a sweety.

This year Ty was a remote and here he is pushing the power button. Halloween did not start out so well at our house after Ty threw up twice. So we just took it easy most of the day, which was so fun because I just got to just hang out with the kids. Then we headed out to trick or treat and Ty enjoyed that, even though he didn't feel too well and didn't really like wearing his costume. I've learned to go with something a little more comfortable next year.

Happy Birthday Ty!

Wow, can't believe he is already 3! What a great 3 years it has been. Ty is such a sweet boy and brings so much joy into our home. He is such a good big brother and is just a great kid! We love you Ty! Happy Birthday!

Shawn's Intro to Dogs

So Ethan's parents have a dog, but it's interested in nothing but meat scraps fallen to the kitchen floor. We watched the Jesperson's dog for a day and Shawn had fun seeing what dogs are all about. Ethan put together a video illustrating the introduction. We hope you don't get too weirded out by it.

Camping

So we are crazy and decided to go camping the last weekend in September. It was freezing! We had a good time anyway. Shawn slept the best out of everyone and Ty tried to talk to Ethan all night, thanking him for who knows what and showing Ethan his little flashlight. Its always fun to be together in the outdoors!

Getting to know Shawn

This is awesome. Shawn gets rides from Ty in the stroller. Keeps both of them happy and busy.

This means he is hungry.

Already getting into things! He knocks over our "ghost tree" about 3 times a day.
Boy do we love this little guy!

She's Fa-reakin' Awesome!

I'm pretty lucky to have my girl, Rachel! Have you ever seen a birthday cake for a grown, slightly overweight guy, look as good as this?? Holy cow, it was cool. Rachel worked really hard to make it a great birthday for me, and I really appreciate all her hard work. She woke up early and made me a great breakfast, brought the kids over to work so we could all go to lunch and even made Ty wear signs on the front and back of his shirt that read, "My Dad is 29 today!" (which he loved, by the way.)

She made an awesome dinner and then surprised me by getting me some golf cliz-ubs. She pretty much riz-ocks the hiz-ouse!

Thanks so much for all you do, babe. I've got a lot of planning to do over the next two weeks when your big day comes!

Yes, he fell asleep like that.

Tragedy

So it's been an emotional weekend for Ethan and me. We knew a few of the people in the plane that crashed on Friday near Moab. They where wonderful people who where good to our family while we were in Cedar City. They will be greatly missed by us and the entire community. As I was reading the Ellsworth family's statement I was touched to read of their testimony that families are forever. I am so grateful for the gospel and for those people who were such wonderful examples of service and love. We are shocked and heartbroken, but we too have a testimony of forever families.

Happy 6 months Shawn!

How many other 6 month olds can Riverdance in the bathtub? We love this kid!

Ty Visiting the "Little Temple" + a Song for Everyone!

This past weekend, Rachel's cousin was married in the Manti Temple. While nearing Manti, we kept trying to get Ty to notice the temple, only to hear him yell out, "Look! A tractor, mom/dad!" Anyhow, I guess the Manti Temple has a small building near the actual temple where they let the kids jump around, watch church cartoons, eat fudge sickles, drink lemonade from the drinking fountains, let them play Playstation 3, have them throw darts across the room at a small dart board, let them race go-carts around the parking lot, and many other wholesome activities. While nearing the temple's kidland building, Ty is yelling, "Dad, can we go in the temple?!" He ran up to the kids' center door, opened it and just ran inside. We then had to explain that it was just a "little temple" and that his parents had to go in the big temple while some cousins watched he and Shawn.

While waiting around for the sealing to start, I recorded him singing a couple songs. He's turning 3 years in late October and still loves to learn new songs. Here's one I thought would be fun to have on hand...

Ty Singing (again)

Our Twenty-Fourth

July 24th was a great day to spend with just our little family. We didn't do a whole lot until the evening until we decided to have a picnic at Fox Field (the open field just east of 300 West). It's kinda become our little spot when we want a place to hang out outside of the house. Our own yard doesn't quite work because we're uncertain as to the whereabouts of razor blades, nails, cigarette buts and shards of glass undoubtedly still in our yard -- all leftover from construction and demolition crews who worked on the house before we moved in.

Anyhow...we had Kneaders for dinner and tested Rachel and Ty's project: The Reflector Oven!
We got some supplies for Smores (s'more of what?) and went to it. It worked really well! Ty, of course, could not let the thing alone. Every time we took a break from eating to check on the treat, Ty would manage to rearrange the set up. It was funny.


After we had our dinner, we decided to light some fireworks in front of our house. It was fun, all until we broke out the sparklers. Dad was pretty dumb not to light a sparker first himself to show Ty how sparklers are "not something to freak out at." No, he had to have Ty hold one to experience it firsthand. Anyway, Rachel was there to catch all the catastrophic action with the camera. This shot below was taken right as Ty was freaking out. Ty didn't think to let go of the sparkler before jabbing it into his neck and hand. Dad was able to knock it out of his hand, but not before Ty got burned pretty good on his neck and thumb. But, he's really a tough kid and wasn't bothered by the small burns within a few minutes. We've been watching them close, putting some medicine and band aids on them (much to Ty's approval) and he should be all healed within a few days.Anyhow, back to the reason we celebrate the 24th...we're lucky to both have some great fore bearers who've made incredible sacrifices and strides of strength and faith to help care for their families. We can only hope to do our best to raise a good family and start our own sort of legacy.

The Glasses

I just wanted to say how glad I am some people remembered the glasses. They were a source of a lot of fun. It's been a long time since I dressed up as a nerd or a libarian.

Cute Kid & Growing too Fast!

Rachel brought out some old glasses she used for fun back in school and, of course, Ty had to try them on! We did his hair all slick-lookin and it made for some funny photos.

Ty has been carrying around a little teddy bear friend through the house. He has some good conversations with the thing and loves to have us dress him and talk to him. Anyway, we went to BYU's Bean Museum tonight for family night. Upon seeing the large taxidermied bears at the museum, he was pretty impressed. Rachel said, "That's teddy bear's great, great grandpa." About the only thing he wanted to do the rest of our visit there was "go see teddy bear's great, great grandpa, mom!"

Comcast came today!

We are back! We're still working on getting all settled in the house, but pretty close. This is by far the craziest summer I have ever had, but things are going well. We miss all of you in Cedar, a ton, but we're excited to be close to our friends here! The following posts are some pictures of whats been going on.

Happy 4th of July!The Kellis Reunion!

Just love that smile!

Shawn falling over on the couch and just falling asleep.Ty and his fee-lo in the children's parade.

The hot air balloons on the 4th.

Dad and Ty going for a scooter ride on the 4th.

Shawn taking a nap outside at Grandma and Grandpa Shumways.

Update

I thought I would give an update on our crazy lives. First of all this new post is dedicated to Holly, something new to look at while you are at work. So we are moving to Provo and renting a little house by the Utah Valley Hospital. We are moving our stuff Saturday, but the house will not be ready by then. So right now we are staying at Ethan's parents house waiting to move and our stuff is in boxes also waiting to move. Thanks to all who have helped us out. We already miss you all in Cedar!

Shawn said family prayer tonight.

Ethan took Ty on the Fathers and Sons activity. They had a great time together. Ty really liked the camp fire. He would walk up to it and yell "fire" and blow on it. When they where going to bed Ty just kept whispering to Ethan, "Dad we are sleeping in a tent."

So we are moving...

to some place in Utah County. Ethan accepted a job at the American Fork hospital there. We are excited about the new opportunity, but so sad to leave Cedar City. Ethan really loved his job here and I really love my friends here. Its been an awesome two years and it's hard to believe we are already leaving. American Fork here we come.

Shawn's Blessing 4.20.08

Ethan did such a great job on Shawn's blessing. It was a wonderful day for our family. Thank you so much to everyone who came and supported us! We love you all! Isn't he so cute in his little outfit?

Best Decision We Ever Made

Happy Anniversary Honey! We made 4 years. Its been awesome! (and happy ward conference.)

Shawn's Six-Week Photos

Here are a few of Shawn's six-week photos. He did such a good job during the little photo shoot and stayed pretty calm as long as we pointed a little heater fan on him. Surprisingly, that really calmed him down! Anyhow, the little guys are both doing very well. Ty's love for Shawn seems to grow more each day. Ty loves to alert his parents when Shawn wakes up, is asleep, needs his pacifier, etc. He's also quick to run to Shawn when Shawn is upset, only to pat him on the head and say funny things ("It's OK, Shawn." "Don't be sad, Shawn.")

I think one of our favorites is this one...

I just had to throw this one on here! Shawn is six weeks this week and still dreaming of who know's what. He's been great; still healthy and strong. He's got three big fans (his family members) who are lucky to have him around.