Moose on the Loose

I have lived in Utah a long time - in fact my entire life except for a short 12-year visit to Kansas.  Living in Kansas we had many animals grace our yard from squirrels to rabbits and an occasional possum (boy are they ugly!)  Here in Utah we don't get as many, but once in a while we see a deer here or there.

But Saturday morning  we woke-up to quite the sight.

 

We were surprised to see this young bull moose wandering around our house trying to figure out where he was.  He was in the back yard by the trampoline and then came up to the front (see above.)  He then took a stroll down the street (see below) and over to the school play ground. Finding no other moose boys or girls to play with he strolled across the highway and into the next subdivision.

It was nice to have him visit but I hope he found his way back home.

Marathon Men

In the mid 1970s there was a movie with Dustin Hoffman called Marathon Man.  I don't remember him being a long-distance runner - I think he was running from bad guys.

Well hopefully we are the good guys! Michael, Christian and I all participated in the 2011 Northridge Fun Run 5K.  Michael, who usually prefers a bike, was kind enough to join us for his 2nd 5K and Christina ran in his very first!  Luckily for all of us I did not have a heart attack but lived to see another day.

Thomas Lyle & Celia Renee - Enchanted!

On April 30, 2011 Thomas Lyle Cooper and Celia Renee Verbitski were married in Salk Lake City.  It was a beautiful day - full of sunshine, smiles, two great families coming together and, of course, those little events that make the occasion memorable.  But we made it through the unexpected bumps in the road and the wedding, dinner and dance were wonderful.

 After exchanging vows it was finally time to exchange rings and tie the knot.  Thomas is a lucky man and we LOVE having Celia Renee as part of our family.

 Celia Renee enjoyed a dance with her father Michael.  Do you think he is smiling because Celia now belongs to Thomas?  Well, having given a daughter away I understand the joy that comes from with a day like this and to see the joy on your little girls face.

 

Faith enjoyed a very memorable dance with Thomas.  A little bitter-sweet when you let you son go but you gain a daughter.  Tears of joy.

The entire Cooper Clan was all decked-out for the occasion.  It was so nice to have Shane and Kris join us from Nephi.  Forrest was best man and everyone joined in the dancing and festivities.

The Army of Heleman

It is official!  On Wednesday July 6, 2011 Elder Forrest John Cooper entered the MTC in preparation to leave on July 26th for the Oregon Eugene Mission.  He was excited to leave and is very well prepared to be a missionary.  It is something he has been preparing for his entire life.  There were no tearful goodbyes, just lots of smiles and happiness.

We received his first letter and quoting Elder Cooper "I love it here."  His MTC companion is Elder Johnson from Canada.  Half of his district is going to Eugene and the other half is going to Canada so there are seven Canadian Elders in his group.  One Elder said he had been to Camp Bartlett - and Forrest remembered finding his glasses at the bottom of the lake!  Lots of fun times ahead.

The Turner Award

Charity has always been a wonderful daughter.  But as school ended we were able to share part of her wonderfulness with the rest of North Layton Junior High.  At the end of the annual Awards Ceremony they give out The Turner Award to the student who shows excellence in academics, extra curricular activities and most of all, humanitarianism. 

The award recipient is selected by the teachers as they observe the students throughout the year.  They look for acts of kindness by students who are always putting others before themselves and looking out for those who are often left out.  They referred to Charity as the queen of random acts of kindness.  She was very surprised to be selected.  As they were describing the award winner she kept thinking "Who is this person" not realizing that it was her.  We were so proud of her, not for just getting the award, but for being the kind, giving and loving person she is.

July 10, 2011 - Happy 24th Anniversary

It seems hard to believe that after 24 years, raising 7 children, participating in three weddings, moving to Kansas and back - and last but certainly not least - putting up with me, Faith is still smiling.  As you can tell from the above photo, Faith ages much more gracefully than I do.  Either that or I married her right out of Jr. High.

The truth be known, marring Faith was the greatest single event and the greatest blessing to ever take place in my life.  She has cared for our home and our children while I work, she studies the gospel and then shares all her new found insightes with me and most of all, she reaches out to help others.

I love my wife with all my heart.  She is my soul mate and my eternal companion.  She is my better half and will always be my guidance and inspiration.  Twenty-four years is such a short time when compared to what lies ahead, but I think we are off to a pretty good start.  Happy Anniversary sweetheart.