Merry Christmas! Again it’s hard to believe it’s been a year, but it seems that that’s the case every Christmas! We have had an exciting year as our family grows and changes.
Mason Arthur Cook was born on February 17th of this year, and we are so happy to have him as part of our family. He has been a great blessing in our life and brings smiles and laughter to our home much of the time. He has not always been an easy baby as his sleeping habits are poor to say the least, but he makes up for it by being so dang cute and smiley during the day! He is already handsome like his daddy, and when we go out we usually get at least one comment about his beautiful blue eyes. Perhaps that’s because blonde hair and blue eyes aren’t the “norm” around here! He does have pretty eyes though!
Brenna is now 2½ and has fully assumed the roll of big sister, and “terrible two” year-old. She has been learning so much this year, and it’s been really fun to watch her develop. She knows most of her letters and the sounds they make (she knows all of them, but she doesn’t always want to say them for you). She is very social and very talkative, but mostly just to people she’s comfortable with. She has recently gained a shyness around people she’s unfamiliar with that is nearly paralyzing to her! She can have quite the attitude, but is very cute and loving as well!
I have been keeping busy being a mom and doing my callings as the Primary pianist and a member of the Relief Society board. I have enjoyed the opportunity to try some new things and get out of my comfort zone a bit, and have seen the growth that results. I have tried to learn some new skills this year as well, trying some new recipes, and some new crafts. I learned to makes ties for Mason to wear, and am starting my first quilt with my mom’s help. I have also tried my hand at recycling some of Jeremy’s and my old clothes into clothes for the kids to wear. It’s been fun to create some interesting things, though not always as functional and cute as they were meant to be!
Jeremy has had a busy year with work. He continues to work as a financial planner at MetLife and, after a slow start to the year, has been working very hard to meet his goals and have a good finish to the year. He is also furthering his education taking advantage of the full reimbursement program MetLife offers. He was called to be our ward’s Scout Master this year, which has given him the opportunity to put some of his Eagle Scout training to work! He takes the Deacons camping once a month and usually needs a break from his “camping break” when he gets home. He also plays stake sports Thursdays, and pick up ball with some friends Tuesdays each week in hopes to keep his “Manly Figure”.
This year we went to Canada to visit family during the summer. The kids and I had fun being there for Canada Day and some family get-togethers. Jeremy was able to come for the last week of our trip so we enjoyed a nice vacation together. We took a day to ourselves while we were there and drove to the dinosaur museum with the kids. It was really neat to see and Brenna’s love for dinosaurs grew tremendously! I’m thinking of making her 3rd birthday cake a dinosaur!
We hope this Christmas season finds you all well and full of the Christmas spirit. We are excited to read your letters and see your pictures and look forward to the year ahead and all it will bring!
With Love,
Jeremy, Lana, Brenna, and Mason Cook
2 comments:
It's a great pic! The kids were passing it around, naming everybody, and saying how much they missed you all. :(
Thanks for the pic in the mail.. we love it! Good idea to post your letter on your bloog. Maybe I'll do the same when I get around to writing mine!
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