Happy Birthday Daniel

It' s official - Daniel is 4-years old!  Faith and I had the chance to visit Reese and Tammy for a special birthday lunch with our grandson and the rest of the family.

We dined on pizza, salad and Faith's homemade bread sticks.  It really doesn't get much better than that.  We have included a few pictures for your enjoyment.  So from Grandma and Grandpa Cooper - "Happy Birthday" to the best grandson ever!


The happy family along with the birthday boy and Cookie Monster cupcakes.



Grandma Faith joins in the fun.



New Thomas The Train Engine PJs.  What a sharp dresser!

 

It's Sprig Already? Shut Up!

I love springtime.  The days become warm and inviting, the lawns green-up and I get to play in the yard.  The beautiful flowers start to bloom and I quickly realize that the long, cold winter has finally come to an end. 

The first thing to bloom is the Forsythia Bush with it's ubundant yellow flowers that are so bright in the spring sunshine.  We like to let it grow wild and crazy, it really adds to a festive year!

Next is our Ornimental Plum that is found in the front yard.  Wonderful pink flowers laced with a purple hue.  It aways adds a wonderful smell to the air when we sit on the front proch and watch the passers-by.

 

Then we get the Tulips - What an amazing aray of color with the reds, yellows, whites, purples and oranges. The cooler nights allow the blossems to last for a week or more, enableing all who stroll by to enjoy them.

But as I gaze at the calendar I am shocked at what I see. May? Is it really May? All of the wonderful creations God has allowed mt to have in my yard come to life at the end of March and early April. But May? Yes, it is sad but true. Let's hope the cooler nights last a little longer so I can continue to enjoy all these colors have to offer. I know its not nice to fool Mother Nature, but she has got the best of us this year.

Christian's Concert

Christian has been practicing the piano for about a year now.  He loves the pieces that move quickly and sound exciting.  He doesn't really LOVE to practice yet, but he has a patient mother that sits by him every morning and listens to his scales and works on his pieces with him.

We hope you enjoy listening to "The Tempest" by Nancy Faber.

Grandparent Week

As we continue with this new year, one of the first memorable things (after Chinese food with the Flittons) is grandparent week.  The calendar week runs from February 11th - 18th and is a time to remember our parents and our children's grandparents.  "So what is Grandparent Week?" you may ask.  Strange as it may seem, all four of our parents died in the same calendar week.

  My father, Dayle Wilson Cooper (1918 - 1973) passed away in Valentine's Day
  in 1973. Dad always had elevated blood pressure and cholesterol and had
  suffered two strokes. But on Valentine's Day he had a blood clot enter his lung
  and it hit him just like a heart attack. He passed away at home with mom holding
  his hand.   He gave it a squeeze just before he died. I remember the day well, I
  had been at   basketball practice at Granite High my sophomore year.



Three years later, Faith's father, Herrick Tune Muhlestein (1916 - 1976) died on February 11th and was buried on Valentine's Day. Herrick worked at Geneva Steel in Orem as a maintenance electrician. He was walking down the catwalk at work when he had a heart attack. They feel that he was dead before he hit the floor. Both fathers left behind young mothers and children at home. It was difficult for both families.

Joyce Terry Muhlestein (1934 - 2004) was only 42 when she was left a widow. She spent the rest of her life raising her posterity and serving others. She sang in the Tabernacle Choir among many groups. She served a mission with Marilyn Elizabeth in Louisiana. She loved her eight children and her forty-two grandchildren. I remember sitting on the couch downstairs listening to the Choir's Valentine's Day broadcast that year she died. They sang love songs and as I held her hand she longed to be with her Herrick again. Joyce died of cancer four days later on February 18th.

Mom (Priscilla Hendrix Cooper 1923 - 2007) was the last one. How we enjoyed our visits to Richfield to see her. She was active and always had energy. She was 49 when dad died and had worked for the church, filled three different missions and always raised a garden. She was surprised when they discovered lung cancer around Thanksgiving. It really took its toll quickly but I always thought she would hold on till the week came. And she did, passing away on February 11th. We buried her and dad on the same day, just 34 years apart.

Besides the happy memories of our parents, many other wonderful

things have happened during grandparent week.  I entered the LTM in preparation for my mission to Japan on February 10th - the day before Herrick died.  I started my career with New York Life on February 10, 1983 and have been in insurance ever since.  Faith and I had our first date at a Valentine's dance on the 13th.  We moved to Kansas on the 12th.  My letter from the First Presidency calling me as a Bishop was signed the 13th.

Much of our life as a family has been shaped by the events of Grandparent Week. Each year we look with a little anticipation to see what might come next. This year was very uneventful, but that is alright with us.

My 55th Year

Yesterday was the 1st day of my 55th year.  Being in the life insurance business for the past 28 years I constantly talk about life expectancy tables and mortality tables.  Both of these tables take into consideration occupation, avocations, personal health and family history.  I often refer to my own family history to offer an example.

My father died at the age of 54, as did my grandfather and great-grandfather.  As a 16-year old I thought my father was old. The older I have become the more I have come to realize just how incredibly young he really was.  I always thought that being born in 1918, driving a model T, and fighting in World War II made you old.  My children think that being born in the 50's and listening to the oldies radio station makes me old.  We had a party line growing up, listened to records, 4-tracks, 8-tracks and cassette tapes.  No one had cell phones, computers or microwaves.

I think of my father often, I miss him and wish I would have had him around longer to share my life with.  He once told me that the age 54 scared him and that if he could make it to 55 he could go to 100.  On the contrary I am excited for 54.  My health is good, I give blood regularly (I am up to my 8-gallon pin) and I watch my cholesterol and blood pressure.  In my training classes I always laugh and say "I take after my mom."

I miss my dad and can't wait to see him again.  But I can certainly wait another 25 to 30 years.  2011 has all the makings of a wonderfully fantastic year.  Thomas is getting married, Forrest will go on his mission, Charity will enter high school and start driving.  Not sure about the fantastic part of that last bit.  My job is going well and my wife loves me.  2011 will end on a real high note - I will turn 55!  May this new year bring blessings to each of you and your families.  Lyle

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.

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