Christams Day

Christmas Day in Colorado!

The pictures speak for themselves... We had a wonderful Christmas. After all the presents are opened, my dad makes Eggs Benedict for Christmas breakfast (another Cooper tradition)! I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy pigging out on eggs benedict! Then we looked out the window, and we had a friend come to visit...its a normal occurance in CO, but we figured people elsewhere might think it was cool. Then to make the day evern better, we got calls from my brothers on missions.... Shaun is in New Jersey, and Jon is in North Carolina. It was so awesome to be able to talk to them! I can't wait to see them again!

Christmas Eve Tradition

My family (Jen's) has a tradition on Christmas eve... Denny's closes around 3 in the afternoon on Christmas eve, so people can be with their families. Well, my family has chili for dinner and then we go tour the lights of Durango. After our tour, we head back to Denny's where we make egg nog shakes! It has always been fun because nobody is there and we get to be there together and make egg nog shakes.... MMM sounds so good right now. Now that we alternate holidays with Brandon's family, we only get them every other year. I think in makes them taste better!

Here is the family at Denny's enjoying the shakes.

Kyleigh is learning young how to work at the restaurant...cleaning floors, putting in orders!

Random Things about Jen

Ok, Sorry it took so long for me to blog this....
Here are the 6 random things about Jen:

1. I am neurotic about my bedding. I can't sleep if the bed isn't made. I don't care if it is made in the morning or not, but I hate it when the sheets are crooked and have wrinkles when I am trying to sleep. I tuck my side in tight and make sure the the sheets and blankets go over my head and then I fold them down so they hit at shoulder level. I can't sleep if it isn't made, and I will make the bed at two in the morning, and Brandon dead asleep in it. I try not to wake him up, but I can't sleep until it is made the right way. Crazy, I know!

2. I love to sing and dance, but am not good at either! But I love to all the same. I am one of those people belting it out in the car. Kyleigh gets mad and tries to get me to stop, but its just too much fun! I like to dance, but Brandon doesn't like to. I am not good at it, I just think its fun to do!

3. Someday, when the kids are older I want to go back to school to get my masters, and doctorate. I want to be a family therapist... Then, I just want to take any class that interests me. I want to learn to do massage therapy, cake decorating, photography, and take teaching classes... Just to name a few! I love to learn about pretty much everything. I would be a student forever if I could. I just love to learn.

4. I love to bake, but hate to cook. I wish I could cook gourmet food, but I can't. I don't know what spices to use, or how to improvise when I am cooking. But I love to bake! I used to bake when I got stressed out, it just gave me time to be by myself and think. Now, I don't have as much time, but I am trying to teach Kyleigh and let her help. It is no longer time alone, but now I get to do it with Ky and we try to have fun.

5. I just got certified to Scuba Dive and I am afraid of water! I know it sounds insane, but I have never really liked water, and definitely didn't like having my head under water. But I wanted to be able to go scuba diving with my family, especially Brandon; so I gave it a try. I loved it, and now feel more confident in water than I have ever felt before. I can't wait to go to the ocean!

6. I am completely indecisive! I hate making decisions. I know it sounds stupid but I am always afraid of making the wrong choice, or of hurting peoples feelings, or stepping on someones toes. Even if it only effects me, I still can't make a decision. I have to list all the pros and cons and then I try to make Brandon choose for me. There have been many times I am in the store doing the eeny meeny miney mo... Trust me its bad!

I guess thats it, there are 6 random things about me!
I tag Christy Fillerup, Kristie Moeller, Sue McCrary, and Natasha

Christmas Pagent

Every year Grandma and Grandpa Great Harris always have a Christmas party with the kids acting out the Story of Jesus' birth. This year was Kyleigh's year to be Mary! She was so excited! It was all she could talk about, oh and she calles Joseph--- Jophes (like Joe-fus) its so funny, and no matter how many times we pronounce it right, and sound it out she still gets it wrong. Oh well. Brandon had a part in the story too... do you think he was the right guy for the job.? His family sure though so! :) Here are some pics of them.

Our Final Open Water Dive!

WOO HOO!! My sister Shannon, my sister-in-law Colleen, and I all completed our final open water dive yesterday! We went to the Crater at The Homestead in Heber City. It is an old volcano -i think- and they drilled into the side so you can walk in and then there is a natural spring inside that keeps the water at 95 Degrees! It was so warm. Anyways, there is not a lot to see, but it is nice to be able to certify in December, and not have to get into freezing cold water! Anyways, now everyone but the little kids, and my sister Erin are open water scuba certified! I can't wait to get to the ocean and practice and explore! Thanks to my parents for giving us this opportunity of a life-time!!! We love you!!

I also have to thank Dive Utah - Ogden for teaching us all we need to know and putting up with our whacked out schedules!

So, here are some pictures of us before our final dives, and after our final dives!

Shannon and I setting up our gear!

Shannon and I getting ready to do a seated entry in to the water!

Colleen, Shannon, and I after our final dives and still wearing our equiptment! We are standing kinda funny because the gear and tank are pulling us backwards because they are so heavy.