Candid Moments with Caiden

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you

2. What makes mom happy? hugging her

3. What makes mom sad? when I make bad choices

4. How does your mom make you laugh? tickle me

5. What was your mom like as a child? she wore glasses

6. How old is your mom? 28

7. How tall is your mom? 5 feet and 7 inches (I really would love an extra inch and a half.)

8. What is her favorite thing to do? help Easton

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? clean

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? singing

11. What is your mom really good at? sweeping

12. What is your mom not very good at? beating Dad at games

13. What does your mom do for her job? help Easton

14. What is your mom's favorite food? ice cream

15. What makes you proud of your mom? she's my mom

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Karen on Frosty the Snowman

17. What do you and your mom do together? play duets on the piano

18. How are you and your mom the same? we both have blonde hair

19. How are you and your mom different? I'm a boy, she's a girl

20. How do you know your mom loves you? She feeds me, makes dinner, buys stuff for me. She takes care of me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? he mows the lawn

22. Where is your moms favorite place to go? Disneyland

Camden's Corner

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you

2. What makes mom happy? That I be good

3. What makes mom sad? That I make bad choices

4. How does your mom make you laugh? she tickles me

5. What was your mom like as a child? I don't know mom, k?

6. How old is your mom? 24

7. How tall is your mom? This tall (arm up in the air about his height)

8. What is her favorite thing to do? work on the computer

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? sweep the floor

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? being helpful

11. What is your mom really good at? making babies

12. What is your mom not very good at? riding quads

13. What does your mom do for her job? sweep the floor

14. What is your mom's favorite food? ice cream

15. What makes you proud of your mom? that she tickles me

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? an animal

17. What do you and your mom do together? jump on the trampoline

18. How are you and your mom the same? we wear clothes

19. How are you and your mom different? we're not wearing the same clothes

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "You just love me"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? kissing

22. Where is your moms favorite place to go? shopping

Enjoying the WHITE stuff

Doesn't this snow just look so pretty? Our neighbors were out this morning taking pictures too saying they've lived in the neighborhood 7 years and never seen anything like this.



Caiden with the neighbors Chad and Blake.



When we went downstairs this morning it was freezing. I had to look at the thermometer to see it was 63 degrees. This picture was after the fireplace had been on for 20 minutes or so.

Easton was so happy to see his FIRST snow too!

Snow in So. Cal

(Our view from our front porch)

It was still Summer last week when we were all wearing shorts and we've skipped Fall and gone straight into Winter. We are so excited to have a little bit of a white Christmas with snow in So. Cal.

Righing Ryan (or trying to)

Dear Santa,

Not sure how I can say this without sounding....ungrateful...; It's not that we don't like what you brought, or that it isn't our style, and I certainly was surprised to see it! And no I didn't break it already either, I guess it's jsut not what I expected.
I've been reading through the letters that we sent to you to try to figure out where we had our misunderstanding, and here's what I've come up with so far.

Ryan - ...something that I can relax and watch sports with......

Shelley - ...Expensive, I've always wanted something really expensive...... trying to work out more.....that could help me exercise...

Caiden - ... An interactive hand-held gaming system that can eventually become a stand alone system with all the necessary AI upgrades......

Camden - ....fast and loud...

Londyn - ...that I can dress up.....I want one that can cry or wet it's pants...

The whole part about the economy being bad for you as well as for us, the cost of reindeer feed, benefits for the elves, and allowing you to get us one big family gift with everything bundled together.......That was just me trying to butter you up so you'd throw in an Ipod Touch!

Anyway Santa, let's say hypothetically I was inquiring about any customer quality guarantees you may have, or maybe an 'in-store-credit' kind of thing you have going on? Could you point me in a direction?

Ebay Item number 200237654077

P.S. Please only call my cell to discuss options!

Easton is 3 months!

Our big guy just keeps growing on us! He's getting his laughing down even more and it just makes us laugh every time. Easton loves his brothers and sister which is just so fun. They can make him smile pretty easily right now and they all love that. Easygoing is what he does best. We just continue to be grateful that he is that way because I'm not so sure I could handle anything else right now. Easton we are so glad that you are part of our family. We wouldn't want it any other way!!

Is this not the cutest little track outfit?! Easton's Grandma Cook must have known how adorably sporty he'd look in it and just had to buy it. (By the way, Ryan really loved this outfit so good pickin'!)


Camden was making Easton smile in this picture here. Easton thought Cam was pretty funny!


Easton started complaining yesterday while he was sitting in the little exersaucer so Londyn gave him his binky and he laid his head right down and went to sleep. Such a sweet man!

Londyn, Londyn, Londyn (often said with a sigh or much frustration)

Trying to look like she's never done a thing wrong in her life and also slightly offended that it's ever been suggested that she has.



Yes that is the way things are going around here. We love her like crazy but she can also make us that way! Every once in a while we hear her speaking like she is the kindest, most mannerized little girl ever. And then there is the rest of the time.....
I remember hearing my parents say on so many occasions, "I hope you have a little girl just like you." I can't think that I could possibly have caused my parents such extreme emotions as this precious face has brought to me. I truly thought that mood swings were more of something that would start with the teenage years but I was clearly mistaken. She's quickly approaching her third birthday and I'm sure that her dramatic attitude changes will come to a screeching halt when she's 3 and she'll always been pleasant and an absolute joy to be around. Right?! Anyone out there that can support me in my fantasies?
As far as having a new baby around, Londyn does absolutely fantastic with him. She adores Easton and is always helpful whenever she sees he's got any spit-up on his mouth or she thinks he could use his binky. Part of me would like to excuse her being such a DRAMA QUEEN on her responding to having a new baby in the house but I don't know.... I think this might just be my parents curse. Although I truly know it's a blessing. Ryan often reminds me of just how much I wanted her. And he's right! I wanted a little girl so bad and crazily enough I really want her to have the sister I never had. Of course that would be fueling our already blazing fire. Happily that doesn't have to be dealt with now. Londyn, I really do love you more than I could ever express. Thanks for being you, just go easy on me, huh?

Soccer Season is Over

It was quite a long season for us but it has now officially ended. We've been going back and forth a lot these days between Caiden and Camden's practices and games and we're glad to have a break for a bit. The boys had such a great season though!! It was Camden's first year playing and I'd have to say he was the STAR of the team! Sometimes Ryan and the coach would tell him to stay back by the other teams goal just so Camden wouldn't keep scoring for his team. After each goal Cam scored our family on the sidelines got a quick jump and 2 thumbs up with arms straight out from Camden! It was so much fun watching him pick up soccer so quickly.




Caiden was also quite the SuperStar of his team. The other night at his soccer party his coach said Caiden was the one he could depend on to play any position and that he felt he could put Caiden anywhere on the field and he'd do a great job. This was the first year that Caiden has played where the games were truly exciting and in a fun way, competitive. Caiden had some great goals including one where it was just to the side and over the head of the goalie. The goalie jumped and dove for the ball but Caiden's kick was too strong and powerful to be stopped. You should have seen the proud parents! Oh, did I mention the Dad cheering (and sometimes probably sounding like yelling) from the sidelines. Ryan came home from nearly every soccer game sounding like he had been screaming at the latest rock concert. This really was such a fun soccer season for both of the boys and we really are excited for next years season. We got lucky and had great coaches which always helps. Caiden has mentioned a couple of times that he'd like Ryan to coach his team again like he did in AZ but Ryan feels like things are just on a different, much more competitive level here in CA and doesn't feel like he qualifies. Ryan really did such a great job coaching Caiden's team in AZ and everyone loved him as a coach. He's just a natural at it, even if he doesn't think so! I LOVE my BOYS!!!

Easton's 2 months old

Our big guy is already 2 months old! He's won us over with his sweet smiles while he's awake and his laughs while he sleeps. Speaking of sleep... he has moved from the bassinet to his crib. We've hung some of his pictures up on the wall now so along with his new bedding I think the room is looking pretty great for our sweet guy. Easton is growing really fast. As of the other day he was over 11 1/2 pounds. That means he's almost doubled his birthweight already. He is getting so snuggly I could just smooch him all day long. Easton we just love you to pieces!!!!

All SMILES

Here it is!!! We finally got it on camera. Ryan and I were playing with Easton this morning and got some smiles out of him. Then we noticed he was looking over at the wall. There was this picture of Jesus and he was just smiling away looking at it. So we took it off the wall and showed it to him close up. It was so cute to see him looking so happy at that picture like he was being reunited with a great friend. It is so much fun watching Easton grow. The kids all adore their little brother! Thanks for the grinnners buddy!!!

Bones

Take a wild guess as to which of these is my new favorite Halloween decoration. Doesn't Easton make a cute skeleton?! We've started calling him Bones when he's in this outfit. Easton officially turned a month old on Friday. We are still loving this sweet man. He has showed off just a couple of smiles and we are just loving them! Haven't yet managed to capture one on camera though.

2 sweet weeks old!

Can you believe it's already been two weeks?! Look at this sweet guy!! We are all so absolutely in love with Easton. He has been such a good baby. He just seems so content most of the time. His little cry is starting to get a little fiestier when he thinks he's been starved too long (if it's been just over 2 hours or so). The kids all love to take turns holding Easton. I think it's taken them a bit to get used to just how often he eats. They periodically ask if they can hold him and it seems like he's always eating when they ask. And of course most of the time they've distracted themselves with something else by the time that he's done eating. Easton has been such a blessing to our family. Heavenly Father has most definitely blessed us.
(Easton and Mom had a little photo shoot today. I'm ready to okay the purchase of some super nice lenses. Our camera is pretty good but I know some different lenses would allow for some really cool pictures. Maybe for Christmas....)

Scrub-a-dub-dub, First time in the Tub

Easton had his first bath on Sunday. All the kids wanted to be part of it and were thrilled when his umbilical cord fell off. Easton didn't seem bothered at all by all his onlookers while he soaked in the tub. I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that he seemed to enjoy his bath so much since the rest of our kids are such water babies.

Righting Ryan (or trying to).

I've heard from enough people now to know that I need to apologize for my recent behavior.
I didn't call anyone when Easton was born.

My wife is clearly upset with me and has let me know that her friendships have been damaged due to my negligence. I was assigned the task of letting friends and family know that we had a new addition and instead of performing up to expectations, I called both our parents and left it at that.
Having worked so hard to earn my new reputation as a traitor to the feminine cause by treating their feelings about babies and phones like it was something I did as an occupation, I wouldn't want to ruin that reputation now by Actually doing the right thing, so instead I put it back on your shoulders.
Anyone is welcome to call my wife and let her know you were so excited to hear the good news. You can even tell her that I called you! (she won't believe you anyway)
But please don't take it out on Shelley or Easton.
If you do feel offended in anyway, I apologize, but I also promise that any future assignments with me and the phone will most likely end in the ladies researching class action law suits.


Then there are some things that I've heard from people that I don't want to apologize for! And I probably won't :)
let's talk Name Claiming!...
It used to be that Names actually meant something to people. They were a way to remember heritage and inspire character within a family line or nationality. It used to be an honor to have someone named after you or a loved one past. But our generation has seen the bestowing of a title turn into a sport of nomenclature, where the object is to score the cutest, most fashionable, or unique name to separate our children from 'other people's children',(you know who I'm talking about) and give our kids an advantage in this world because we named them, and it's not just any name, it's got class, style, sophistication. We're talking names like __________ !(fill in the blank) (I hear a young gorilla saying "okay, he's your baby.")
The Problem isn't really in the naming though, it's in what we go through to make sure that our children grow up with an original name. We resort to name claiming! A process of statutes and addendum's we incorporate into our conversations with others about our children's names, and how no one else should use a particular name if we haven't yet, because of the crushing of dreams that would accompany finding out some other _________ exists in another family that we know.
Threatening friends and relatives with the silent treatment if they dare use a name that we've claimed as our own!
Well..... let me set the record straight.
There's been some discussion lately about how I've 'stolen' names from my dearest of friends, or at least their wives. How we at one point or another had a delightful discussion about names that they've cherished since they were little girls and dreamed about naming their little bundles of ..... joy.
Let me start by saying that if I've ever been involved in a baby names discussion with anyone, I was merely nodding my head and saying uh-huh to be polite, and that I was definitely tuning you out. I'm not trying to hurt feelings, or be rude, it's just that I truly don't care.
In fact, I stopped caring about and discussing names shortly before the birth of our second child because of a 'baby names' conversation with my cousin. I wanted a boy named Dyson (could call him Dice), but after my cousin heard it she had to laugh and say "Dyson Cook? like...dice and cook"....Totally turned Shelley off for life. (love you Shauna! :) )
So now, I'll set out to clarify how we've come up with our children's names, and lay down the rules by which I will govern your using them going forward.

Caiden Ryan Cook
Caiden - we read it in a baby names book ("35,000+ Baby Names" by Bruce Lansky)- Kadin (Arabic; Friend or Companion. The spelling was inspired by a friend in high school explaining how he wished his name were spelled so people said it correctly. We only used the one name though. Didn't even think about claiming the other 34,999+.
Ryan - Named after a great man that I've known my whole life....good looking, charming, funny, humble....... anyway...

Camden Reegan Cook
Camden - Read it in the same book. Camden (Scottish); Winding Valley. (? whatever)
Reegan - Same Book. Reagan (Irish); Little King. (Makes up for the first I guess)

Londyn Jade Cook
Londyn - Heard the name while working as a referee for Peoria Youth Soccer in AZ. Loved the name, and decided I wanted to name my girl London. Shelley inspired the spelling.
Jade - When I was 12 we had neighbors name their little girl Jade, and I loved it. Decided that I was going to name my girl Jade. (looks like I put all my eggs in one basket huh.) - Actually, I have one more name Ashleigh.

Easton Zachary Cook
Easton - Read it in book (guess which one) and put it in a list of names that seemed to flow with what we discovered was a pattern in naming our children. In the end, we picked Easton over Preston and Creighton for no real reason. (we still like the others and they both work with our pattern)
Zachary - Although I'd like to say we named him after a great friend in AZ, I'd be lying...Sorry Zach. Shelley named him after her old boyfriend. (J/K - she's hitting me...) It's just a name that she threw out, and I immediately said "cool, then I can call him EZ" and it stuck.

For those of you that like any of these names, please use them, it's okay. My Dad and his brother have sons with the same name, and it didn't turn either of them into idiots. (well, at least we're sure the names didn't contribute)(My mom and my aunt Andi will understand)
For those of you who hate me or my names, you can file your complaints in the comments section, and we'll see how fast I get to them ( it's kinda like the phone for me... I should really do better with this communication stuff huh.)

P.S. To the husbands -- If you ever need me to turn your wives off to a particular name, let me know the name and I'll work on ruining it for her.

Introducing...........

Easton Zachary Cook (EZ)