Christmas Tree (part 2)

Christmas is officially over at our house. I took down the tree and all the decorations today. I get ansy once Christmas is over and I'm done with the tree. Randi bless her heart liked too many of grandma's decorations, she was drawn to the breakable things. So instead of continually telling her not to touch, it was just easier to put it away. It didn't take as long to take it down and is did to put it up....thank heavens. For as quickly as time flies I'll be putting the tree up again tomorrow.

Bad Luck

The old saying goes something like bad things happen in 3's. Just 19 days from yesterday we did our 360 in Robert's car on snowy roads and then were hit on the driver's side back door all within 1 hour of each other. Well the 3rd bad thing happened yesterday, again to Robert. He was going to work, merging on I-15 from Highway 89. He went over some snow packed on the road and it sent him into yet another 360, he went across all 4 lanes hitting the cement barricade with the back left bumper. Same side mind you as the dent in the door. What a blessing that there weren't any car's around for him to hit, or have them hit him. He also put a crack on the right side of the bumper, how he did that I don't know. He said it killed the engine and so he coasted over to the shoulder, started the car and was on his way. Mind you this happened somewhere around 10:30 in the morning, he didn't call me till after 1:00. I wasn't home, he didn't even call my cell phone. HOLY COW!!! I didn't find out about it until 5:30 or so. At first I thought it was a joke, there's no way he would have that happen again in just over 2 weeks. Well it was no joke, I'm so grateful that he wasn't hurt and that he didn't hurt anyone. Now we have to decide what to fix, the door or the bumper. I hope the saying is right and that we're done with bad things for awhile.

Merry Christmas

The Christmas presents have been open and are strewn on the living room floor. Scott is putting together his Legos Mars Mission, with several hundred pieces he'll be busy for awhile. That was what he wanted from Santa and is so excited to have it. There are still presents under the tree for Whitney, Jesse, Randi & Kaiser. They are opening presents at their apt. first then coming up to our house. It's starting to snow already and we're in for a major snowstorm today, we could get anywhere from 7-9 inches of snow in the valleys, my parents could end up with a foot or more where they live up on the mountain, fun for Christmas day. Not so fun for traveling, which we won't be doing today, unless we can get out and back before the snow starts to accumulate. I get too nervous driving in the snow for long distances.
Hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas day with your families. May I close by sharing a quote that was on the front page of the Deseret News this morning under a picture of the Christus in the Visitor's Center on Temple Square. The quote is from President Monson,
"If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of the sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter's hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we
abandon a doubt and gain a truth."

Christmas card photo

Last night we took pictures for our family Christmas card. Kaiser didn't really like it, nor did Randi. It took taking several pictures before we found one that we could use. Jeana and Robert

Uncle Scott and Randi

The Cobb Family

One of the many pictures taken. Kaiser wasn't too happy in this one. Today Kaiser is a week old.

Sealing anniversary

17 years ago today we took Whitney to the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed to Robert & I. It was a wonderful Christmas present for our family that year. I wanted to scan a picture of her back then, but my scanner isn't working so I can't. Where does time go, now she's a mom with 2 children of her own.

The Arrival of Baby Kaiser

At 1:00 p.m. weighing in a 7lbs. 8 0zs. 19 1/2 inches long, Kaiser Tristin Cobb entered the world. Has dark hair, and all his fingers and toes. He was 3 weeks early, but healthy. Thank goodness for Whitney that she didn't go full term or he may have been a chunk. Mother and baby are doing fine, resting tonight at the hospital. Randi has take up residency at our home for the next few days. We are grateful that he is here and all is well. What a wonderful Christmas present for our family.

Randi checking out her brother for the first time. It's good for now, but when he comes home and steals the attention who knows.

A good morning gone bad

This morning at 6:00 Robert, Scott & I headed to Salt Lake to shop with under privileged children. We started helping 10 years ago with both Whitney & Scott when RC Willey was involved, now it's called a "Bear Hug", after the Jazz Bear. We meet early and are paired up with a child, eat breakfast, the Bear comes in with a grand entrance. We get on buses and have a police escort about 40 blocks from Salt Lake to the Wal-Mart in Taylorsville. We then help the child pick out things to the amount of $90. It started snowing on our drive down to the Wal-Mart and was sticking by the time we headed back. We decided that since we were in Salt Lake we'd go check out a store or 2 for Christmas shopping. We got off the freeway and heading down the road, Robert changes lanes and hits a patch of ice. We start sliding sideways then the back end swings around and we're facing the against traffic. Still sliding we're up on the median, then going across traffic and then back going with traffic again. All the while there is another car trying to avoid hitting us and also sliding. We could have hit that car once in the front of the car and once in the back, but the driver of that car was able to avoid us. I'm scared to death, Robert is calm and Scott thinks its cool, let's do it again. We go to the store and about 30 minutes later are ready to head on. We are at the stop sign ready to turn left, we see a blazer coming to turn right at the street we are stopped on. I can tell that it's not going to make the turn, the driver is going to fast with the conditions and not slowing down quick enought. I was right, the wheels are not turning and it's coming straight for the back door. It hits the car and leaves a dent. I call 911 to report the accident, while Robert is talking with the passenger of the other car. He wants to pay us $200 and call it good. Robert says "no, the police are on their way". We move off the road to the parking lot where we just came from. Robert finds of from the driver that they don't have insurance, we're in a mess now. About 45 min. later the police arrive, and then we find out that the driver doesn't have a license, is a illegal immigrent as well as not being insured. The police tells the other driver and passenger that the car will impounded due to the 3 violations, plus gives him a citation. At this point and time Scott and I just want to get home, I don't like to be out driving or riding in the snow, and the early wakeup was starting to take affect on me. After making contact with out insurance company, we find out that we have to meet our deductible and then our insurance will cover the rest. Our insurance company can go after the other driver to recover what we spend, but who knows witht that. The other people get off scott free, except losing their vehicle which is big. It was a good morning until the accident and finding out we have to meet the deductible this time of the year. There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, tonight we're going to the Mormom Tabneracle Choir Christmas Concert at the Conference Center. Having been to several in years past I know we're in for a really good treat.

Baby Shower

It is the Whitney curse as my sisters and I fondly refer to it. We don't have luck having parties of any kind. It doesn't matter what it's for, we invite many to come and only a few show up. I had a baby shower last night for Whitney, she invited 40 women from our ward and family on top of that. We had Open House style, that seems the best way to have it, with that only 8 women came from the ward. I sent home cookies with those who helped bring them as well as bringing home the ones I baked. I don't know where the curse came from, but it stopped with my family. Hopefully Whitney had a good time, she did get some cute outfits for Kaiser. 11 days now till Kaiser is scheduled to arrive, unless he decides he wants to come earlier.

Temple Trip

Tonight Scott has his first trip to the Bountiful Temple with the Young Women/Young Men to do Baptism's for the Dead. He look so handsome and nervous to go. I know that he'll have a good time, and will want to continue going and doing the Lord's work. We are so lucky to live close to the Temple.

Update at the Stockdale house.

Whitney went to the Dr. today for her weekly check up. The Dr. told her that he'd start her on the 23rd. Not sure if Kaiser will come before then, so we'll have a Christmas baby at our house. I am waiting until he arrives before I take our picture for our Christmas card so Kaiser can be in it. So our Christmas card and letter will be arriving late this year, probably closer to New Years.

Scott plays on an indoor Soccer team on Monday nights. They played their 5th games tonight and had their first loss. Lossing is always hard, especially when their team is the one that is creaming the other team.

Side note: It was snowing today, the first time in a few months, not enough to make a difference, but made it feel more like December then September. That's living in Utah for you.

Subbing 2nd grade

I have decided that I really enjoy subbing 5 & 6th graders. They don't really have to be told what to do all day long, they know how to work by themselves. The biggest thing is that that don't tattle for every little thing that goes wrong. I subbed 2nd grade today and it was bad. The kids were still in that Thanksgiving Holiday mode, they were talkative all day long, they didn't listen to instruction, and everytime I turned around someone was tattling. It made for a very long 6 hours that I spent there. Not all were naughty and I felt bad for them, the whole class has to suffer when only 1 or 2 are out of control. Wait till they see their teacher tomorrow.

Side note: Whitney went to the Dr. today, Whitney feels like she could have Kaiser in the next couple of weeks. If not, the 23rd is the day her Dr. will start her. I'm not even ready for Christmas yet, hang on Kaiser for a little.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is truly a day to be thankful for all that we have. We will be able to eat a nice turkey dinner, enjoy each others company. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our small family we are blessed this day. Robert has a job, we have cars, we have a house, we can put food on our table each day. We have good health, and most of all the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I take a moment to reflect upon this last year, I have much to be thankful for, for the trials and the blessings that I experienced this year. I hope that each of you who read this will take a moment to ponder on all that you and your family have been blessed with.

The Christmas Tree

For years I have put up Christmas the day before Thanksgiving. Usually it only takes a few hours, and I generally don't have problems putting the lights on the tree. Not this year, I remembered this morning that I had a strand or 2 of bad lights. So Scott & I went to Wal-Mart and gone a box of 100 lights. Got that strand on and found another one that was bad. So this time I went to Walgreens in Kaysville and bought another 100 lights. I started this project around 11:00 before breaking to go to Wal Mart. When I went to Walgreens it was around 2ish, when I got home and pulled the lights in only half worked of my new box. Back to Walgreens I go to exchange. These work and I have one strand of 50 lights to put on, I'm not going to have enough to finish the tree. So back to Walgreens for the 3rd time to buy another box of 50, this time I buy 2. Buy the time I finished decorating the tree and putting up the rest of the Christmas decorations it was about a 5 hour project. I didn't get any baking done for Thanksgiving, I didn't think it would take all day to do the tree. Maybe it's time to invest in a tree with the lights already on it.

Crazy 8's, (Tagged by Susan)

8 TV show I like to watch:

Amazing Race
Survivor
Biggest Loser
Life
CSI Miami
Law & Order
Eli Stone
Knight Rider (I watch it w/Scott, it's our show)

8 Restuarants I love:

Cafe Rio
Olive Garden
Pizza Factory - (I agree w/Susan, the one in St. George is the Best!!)
Rumbi Grill
Chili's
Sizzler
Applebee's
Crown Burger

8 Things I did yesterday:

Got ready for church
Went with Robert to interveiw with 2nd Coun. in Stake Presidency.
(He was called as Assist. Ward Clerk in the Young Single Adult Ward...too funny)
Went to my meetings
Went with Robert to the YSA ward where he was sustained, and set apart after church.
Picked up Whitney & Randi brought they to our house.
Fixed dinner, b-cue steaks for the last time this year.
Watched the rest of "Biggest Loser".
Watched Amazing Race with Robert & Scott.

8 Things I look forward to :

Putting up my Christmas tree and decorations with Scott on Wed.
The birth of our Grandson Kaiser (probably in Dec.).
Taking another Cruise with Robert.
A vacation with my family in St. George.
Whitney graduating from High School.
Scott finishing 6th grade.
Seeing my sister Debbie and her family at Christmas.
Spending the Christmas holiday with my immediate and extended family.

8 Things on my wish list :

To not have to worry about money.
Taking a trip to Europe.
A house with a Master bedroom/bath.
A big kitchen.
A dish washer (I know it's unheard of, but my kitchen is too small).
A new car
Warm weather
No debit

I Tag: Tammy, Janeen, Jonelle, Whitney, Jamie, Summer, Michelle, Jill

Bridger blessing

Brandon blessed he and Tiffany's son Bridger tonight at Mom and Dad's house. Everyone but Debbie and Jeff were there. (side note: Debbie, Jeff and family are at Disneyworld in Fl. this week...lucky ducks). We enjoyed each others company along with visiting with Brandon's family. The slide show is of Bridger and Alexa (Julie & Matt's) daughter. The cousins are just 15 days apart, they are in their blessing clothes. Half the fun of the pictures is their different facial expressions. You'll have to indulge me by watching what may seem like the same pose over and over, I just kept clicking as fast as a digital will click.

Bridger Blessing

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my brother Paul, he the big "40" today. Another sibling joins the "40's" club in our family. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Veteran's Day

A thank you goes out to all the Veteran's today who served our Nation faithfully. I thank my father-in-law especially a Veteran of the Korean War. I am grateful that I live in a land where we are free, where I can fly our American Flag everyday out of respect for this Great Nation that we live in.

Happy Birthday

Today my nephew Spencer ( Julie & Matt's) is 9 years old. He's the only boy in a family of 5 girls. So he has to be a bit tough, he's a good kid, loving brother, and his mom's receptionist. Hope you have a great birthday.

Desert Star Playhouse

Robert wanted to take the family to a playhouse called "Desert Star" in Murray. It was started by some friends of ours about 20 years ago and has grown to a huge success since. We saw a parady of "Mary Poppins" called "Scary Poppins" (we saw the last day for this was today), with a hero and villian, the piano playing music for the boo's and the ahh's. Audience participation is encouraged and fun. When the play was over, they did an "Oleo" act, paying tribute to "America", focusing on our Veteran's. We ordered pizza, and drinks and ice cream for deseret. The kids had never been before, they really enjoyed themselves. The "MC" recognized birthday's etc., mentioning Robert celebrating his "50"th birthday. Even though it was a few weeks after his actual birthday, it was fun. The afternoon was spent out in the yard, picking up what we hope was the last of the Walnuts, I think we have hundreds and hundreds of walnuts that fall from that tree, then mowing the leaves. There are still more leaves to fall. Robert and Scott shot off rockets from their launcher that Robert built several weeks ago at a High Priest activity. He just got his compressor this week so the launcher will work. The rockets shot pretty high up, you have to have good eye sight to follow it down. Good thing we have Scott around, our eyes don't work so well.

Scott's 6th grade program

On Thursday Scott participated in his 6th grade program. They are studying Greek, Roman, Egpytian, Mospitina Mythology. They learned all about this thru music and dance, a program well done. Scott was a Egpytian slave and did a good job. Yhe teachers start teaching the kids the songs and dance about the 1st day of school. They really worked hard and it paid off.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Whitney & Jesse, they have been married 1 year. This past year has gone by so fast. We had Randi at our house overnight and took her to church with us today. She's so cute, and her red hair gets everyone's attention. Most people in our ward know who she is and have watched her grow these past 19+ months. She was such a good girl today, sat still most of the time. She took a nap with Grandpa after church, cuddled with her "Melmo" (Elmo) blanket and stuffed animal. She is rapidly approaching the terrible "2's" though, and likes to get into the things she's not suppose to. She is the apple of everyone's eye so you can't get too upset with her when she does get into trouble. We love to be able to spend any time with her that we can get.

Our Walnut Tree

We have a Walnut Tree in our back yard that is at least 100 years old, it drops little furry things in the spring and tons of walnuts and leaves in the fall. Robert & Scott are usually the ones to mow the leaves and seperate the walnuts. It goes on for about a month or so. This is from the beginning of the week when Scott could use the leave picker upper and get them. The next step is the lawn mower because there are too many. Randi wasn't too sure if she likes sitting in the leaves, but did like helping me pick up the walnuts. It's a great shade tree in the summer, and we don't have a problem giving the walnuts away.

Halloween

For Halloween Robert came up with the idea of making Scott a lego costume. He brought home boxes from work and wrapping paper. Thursday night we wrapped all the boxes and then Robert cut out the holes. We use the canning lids to look like the lego parts you snap together. The pictures show the costume in the making. This picture is at Robert's office where Randi and Scott went Trick or Treating, Robert went as 'Colorado Bob', he says since he's never been to Indiana. Ha Ha. Whitney painted a pumpkin on her tummy so her babies could be "Pumpkins". Me I just wear my Halloween vest and call it good. Took the kids to both sets of Grandparents houses so they could show off the costume. Scott didn't wear the logo costume for Trick or Treating, he could hardly walk in it as it was. He just threw a mish mash of things together to go out last night. It's his last time to go Trick or Treating, he went with a friend and had fun. The temp. here last night was in the 50's, so most kids didn't even have to wear coats. It started to drizzle towards the later evening, only a few stragglers were still out by then.

What Color Crayon Are You?

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors. You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius. Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way. While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme. Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorcrayonareyouquiz/">What Color Crayon Are You?

Happy 50th

Happy 50th Birthday Robert, my main man. He's still as handsome as ever.

Happy Birthday Austin

Yesterday was my nephew Austin's (Debbie and Jeff's son)birthday, he turned 4. This picture was taken when he was 2, and I was staying with his family for a week, it's one of my favorite pics of him. I adore my nephew as I developed a special bond with him when I visited my sister 3 years ago in Ohio. I affectionally call him "Austie Bostie". I hope you had a Happy Birthday, Aunt Jeana loves you very much. Big kisses to Austie.

Pictures from our Cruise to Mexico

New YSA Ward

It's official. Today in Sacrament Meeting they announced the creation of the Young Single Adult ward in our stake. The first meeting is next Sunday to sustain their Bishopric. The reality of this is bitter sweet, we have enjoyed working with this age group for almost 4 years. We have made many friends with the YSA as well as the other ward advisors, and stake advisors. I will teach the final Sunday School lesson next Sunday and send them on their way. It will seem like parents sending their Kindergartener off to school on the first day. What a wonderful time we've had serving them, and watching them grow as well as ourselves.

Teresa's Hawaiian Vacation

My sister Teresa and her family as well as her mother-in-law left this morning for Ohau, Hawaii, her first time there.They are spending a week at Turtle Bay and then on to Disneyland for a few days as well as celebrating Halloween. Having been to this beautiful Island 4 years ago I know she's in for a treat. The beautiful sunrises over the Pacific Ocean, 30 foot waves crashing onto the shore, the most blue green water, and playing in the Ocean. I hope that she enjoys herself and makes many memories with her family that they'll remember forever. Happy Hawaiian Vacation Teresa

Trip to the E.R.

Thursday morning around 5:50 a.m. Robert woke me in extreme pain. He'd been suffering with this for over an hour before he woke me. He wanted to go to the hospital not knowing what was causing it. Walking into the E.R. the nurse knew immediately it was a Kidney Stone. Once he got into his room the nurse put the I.V. and started the saline going in, and another nurse put the morphine in. Within a very short matter of time he was feeling better. The Dr. did a C.A.T. scan to see where the kidney stone was at that point. It was through the kidney and resting on the bladder just waiting to pass, it was 4 mm in size, which is small for a kidney stone. That size can pass on it's own. We spent about 2 1/2 hours total in the E.R., Robert had another dose of morphine as he started experiencing pain again. He was given a strong pain pill and sent on our way. He golfed that afternoon with my dad. Friday he went to work and all was well. Saturday spent a whole day working outside. This morning around 8:00 it started again. He stayed home from church and was dying. (A side note: A kidney stone is as painful as labor and delivery) Robert couldn't keep anything down, the pain pill would make him throw up and he was miserable. He was almost ready to go to the hospital again tonight. I got a prescription for nausea and he ate crackers to help keep the pill down. It worked, he's not been in pain for over an hour or so. I am making him drink water much to his dislike. Going to the hospital again would necessitate an I.V. pumping him with liquid. As the old adage goes "this too shall pass". We are waiting for that to happen. Not something I want to go through again. Nor does he, since he was the one in pain.

For all you non-water drinkers. Start drinking or this may happen to you someday.

Stake Young Single Adult Retreat

In August we went on our 4th and final retreat with the YSA to Jackson Hole, Wyo. for 3 days. It was our 2nd time going to Jackson with them, it was our 1st and last one. We had a blast going down the Snake River with our guide from the Mad River Co., and it rained for most of the ride down, which only added to the fun. There was hiking, dirt, mud, rain, and more rain. We watched a movie on a giant blow up screen under the stars, and gathering around the fire each night. We ate well thanks to our Stake Advisors, and our camp cook, dutch oven to die for. I share this with you as our time is winding down after almost 4 years serving as our Ward YSA Advisors. The Church approved that a YSA Ward be created in our Stake and it will happen in just a few weeks. We have had many YSA over the last years come and go. We have seen them go on missions come home, get married, go away to college etc. We have learned much from these wonderful YSA. We have enjoyed getting to know all the YSA from our Stake as well as the Advisors from the other wards in our Stake. We have made friendships that will last a life time. This picture is our last day at Coulter Bay where we camped, and 3 days without a shower. Those who know me know that's amazing. I can't stand to camp let alone not shower for that long. Everyone is smiling and friendships we made and some rekindled. It was worth it all to be with them, and to be able to have Scott go with us. With just a few short weeks left to teach them in our Sunday School class I will enjoy the time with them. Change is hard but will be good for these kids to have their own ward, have to look out for each other, and activate the less active. Isn't the Church wonderful! The other Adults in the picture, our Bishop in the back, his wife next to me with the white hat, to the far right our YSA Stake Advisors who are in our ward. The rest a small group of our YSA, (the rest stayed home, party poopers).

My ride in a convertible

For our Relief Society Enrichment night the beginning of Oct. we had a Service Auction. The sisters were given points based on a questionnaire that they answered, your points were then used to bid at the auction. Our Bishop's cute wife drives a Chrysler Crossfire, gave a ride in her Crossfire, a convertible, up Trapper's Loop to see the leaves changing colors and lunch, for us to bid on . Well, I bid on it and won. Now anyone who knows me knows that I don't like to have my hair blow, and I don't wear hats. So what was I doing bidding on this you ask? I'm not quite sure myself actually. I do enjoy the company of our Bishop's wife and my friend Willey. She is one of the most happy people that I have met, her attitude about life is wonderful. She enjoys everyday, and everything the Lord gives us, the beauty of this earth that she wanted to share. So today we scheduled our ride, we left just after noon and it was in the 60's so not cold. Although we did dress warm, I had my winter coat on, I brought a scarf and wrapped it so it went over my head covering my ears and keeping my hair from blowing off my head. I felt like I was Doris Day, in a Rock Hudson movie. I had such a good time with my friend. She took me first to Snow Basin Ski Resort to see the beautiful colors that were left, and the snow that was covering the mountains. We then went into Huntsville and saw the home of the Prophet David O. McKay. My friend told me her Uncle was President McKay's chauffeur for 8 years. Everyday he would drive him to Salt Lake and then home to Huntsville. We then went to the Eden General Store and had a marvelous Hamburger and fries. My picture shows you how big it was, I could barely get my mouth over it to take a bite. Yum!! We continued our drive down Ogden Canyon and then home. It was about 3 hours of enjoyment and time well spent with a friend. As we learn from little children, take time to smell the flowers. Enjoy the changing of the leaves, take a long ride, and even let your hair blow in the wind.

This home belonged to President David O. McKay in Huntsville, Utah. He commuted to and from Salt Lake each day to his Church Office. A beautiful humble home.
My hamburger that was bigger than it looked, and oh so delicious. Stopped at a General Store in Eden, Utah to enjoy lunch.

A Beautiful Fall Drive

This beautiful picture of snow capped mountains is in the Huntsville, Eden area.
The contrast of the fall colors and the snow on the mountains.
Snow Basin Ski Resort

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law Camille. She has been apart of our family for 21 years, and we are lucky. She is one of the best cooks around, and will cook a meal for many at one time without ever complaining. She always looks for the positive in people and lets you know she cares. She is a good listener when you need to bend her ear, and she's years of experience to share insight to help you. My father-in-law is a lucky man to have found her to share his life. She is the mother of 5 children 5 step-sons and 29 grandchildren with 2 great grandchilren and 2 more on the way. Happy Birthday Camille, We Love you, The Stockdale's

Alexa's Blessing

Julie and Grandma
Grandpa, Julie, Grandma and Alexa Matt, Julie, Grandma & Grandpa with Alexa
Cousin Whitney adoring Bridger, can't wait for her son to be born.

Alexa Blessing

Brooklyn, (Dave and Jen's) and Adalyn, Favorite cousins. Tiffany the proud mom of Bridger, 3 weeks today

Julie, the proud mom of Alexa