Wednesday, December 22, 2010

2010 Cooper Family Christmas Update

Reese and Tammy have had a wonderful year.  Reese graduated from the U in the spring and is working hard to provide for his growing family.  Daniel received a little brother - William James and is a great older brother.  Tammy is the best mom we could hope for and does a great job of keeping her three boys in line.


 Alexis had been living and working on her own for several years and decided to go back to school to become a Surgical Technician.  Changing her work hours to part time to accommodate her class schedule allowed her to move back home for the next year.  We love having her around and spending more time with her.  She is smart, cute, helps a ton around the house and just a joy to be with.


 Katie and Jeff are still in Rexburg, Idaho.  Katie completed her student teaching, graduated with her teaching degree and had our first granddaughter all before summer had ended.  She stays at home and supports Jeff in his school and work.  She loves being a mother and spending time with Kayley Irene all day long.  Next up: an internship somewhere, we will keep you posted.


 Thomas enrolled at Weber State with a full class schedule and also worked full time as an account service rep for AT&T.  He would go to school from 7:30 till noon, do some home work and then work from 2:00 to 11:15 PM.  He had long days and we are proud of his efforts.  He also found time to get engaged to Celia Renee and they are planning an April wedding after Celia graduates from Weber State with her degree in Elementary Education.  We love her already!


 After graduating from High School and spending another summer on the water front at Camp Bartlett, Forrest started school at Snow College in Ephriam, UT and loved his first semester.  He is very involved in their music program, being a part of Cadence (Snow's Performing Small Ensemble) and in A Capella Choir.  He is BSA and Red Cross Lifeguard certified and also First Response certified.  Next spring he will take an EMT course and is thinking of pursuing a career as a trauma nurse.  He is starting his mission papers and will be ready to go right after his birthday in June.  He is so excited and can't wait to get out there and get started.


 Charity has spent the year focusing on her musical talents.  She is learning the guitar, singing, writing a little music and taking voice lessons.  She was in the Jr. High production of Music Man and in our stake production of Savior of the World.  She is excited to work on her driver's license this year and is getting ready for High School.  She is also taking a cooking class and is our own little Iron Chef and will definitely not get "Chopped" from our kitchen.  She is also learning "What Not to Wear".


Christian has been working very hard in school and with piano.  He has participated in two recitals this year and loves to practice.  He will be playing basketball next spring, has an awesome imagination and is a pure joy to be around.  He is a friend to all and shares his joy with everyone he meets.



Faith spent most of the year as the director of Savior of the World.  She had a cast of 95 with many rehearsals and three performances.  The play was a huge success and touched the lives of many, many people, including her family.  She shares her incredible talents freely with everyone and will need to find things to do to fill all her spare time.  However, she will be a service project leader at BYU Women's Conference in April and with a wedding two days later I think she will be plenty busy.


I have been working for Insphere Insurance Solutions, training agents on life insurance.  I usually travel once a week to train individual offices and then work from my home office the rest of the time.  I continue to serve as the Stake Young Men's President.  I played the part of the Apostle John in Faith's production and it had a very profound impact on my life.


We have many fond memories of our dear friends and family, especially at this time of year.  We have enjoyed receiving your cards, letters, e-mail and updates.  Know that we are thinking of you and send our love to everyone.  With joyful hearts we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ.  May each of you feel of His love not only at Christmas time but throughout the entire year.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Lights on Temple Square



Charity, Forrest & Christian
 
For Family Home Evening last night we ventured through the cold and crowds to see the lights on Temple Square.  There is something special about being among the light, seeing your breath - all the sounds and feelings.  It was wonderful!!!  There is a special spirit there that adds to the Christmas Spirit, adding a little magic to the season.

Faith and Me