Squirrel!

Recently the David Osmond Cook family reunion was held in Wyoming. We were on Jackson Lake, Coulter Bay, in the cabins on top of the hill. We were there from August 3rd -8th. This little blog is about our picture day of the reunion.
I have many cute little nieces and nephews. They are full of energy and a love of life. They are very close in age to each other, ranging from 2-6. While we were getting ready to get our pictures taken, I was reminded of the movie, “Up.” In the movie there were dogs that would be easily distracted by squirrels. The voice box on the dog actually said what the dog was thinking. The dog would be paying attention to the matters at hand and then all of a sudden yell, “SQUIRREL”. Troy and I have older kids, and we were very amused by the little cousins running around after squirrels. Our sister-in-law is the photographer trying to get the kids all placed and ready for the picture. Her kids were leading the pack for the majority of the time. The kids kept after the squirrels. Someone would yell SQUIRREL!” and it would be a mass congregation at the place where someone saw a little critter. It was very fun to watch, because it wasn’t our kids running around.
For the rest of the trip the kids were running around after squirrels. Here are a few pictures that we captured of the kids running around trying to find those furry little creatures. Notice the smallest of them all, a 2 year old, keeping up pretty darn well.

The BIG 6 0

The BIG 6 0. My dad reached this milestone recently. My father has always been the young guy, the skier, the active participant in life. He still is. “Age aint nothing but a number” is what really comes to my mind when I think of my dad. My parents have always been the youngest parents. My mom and dad were the parents that came outside while I was young and played games with the neighborhood children. My dad worked at a hardware store and he would bring home wood pallets and we would have BOMB fires in the backyard. Not bonfires but BOMB fires with gasoline and everything. We would play kickball in our backyard. I had a very charmed childhood being raised in the same hometown as my grandmother & my father. My dad used to let us skip school on Thursdays and go skiing with him. I have fond memories of a great day on the slopes and then we would stop on Provo Center Street and pick up postum and a bagel. (Postum is gross, but the bagels were great.)
60 doesn’t seem old. It just doesn’t.
My mom organized a surprise open house on Sunday July 25th, 2 days before my dad’s birthday. I don’t know how she did it. She can’t keep those kinds of secrets. We started the day with a family dinner and when we pulled up to the house Jenny & John were here from Texas were bringing rolls around from the backyard. It was the GREATEST surprise. It had been almost 2 years since I had seen them due to their overseas adventure in Australia. We had a very quick family dinner and then something was up. All of us kids jumped up to clean up so that we could get ready for the open house.
My very awesome in-laws showed up first and they came bearing a carrot cake. Carrot Cake happens to be my moms and my husband’s favorite dessert. We hurried and I am grateful for my mom Stark. She helped us all get ready for the open house. Many people came to wish my dad a happy birthday. People I haven’t seen in years. Remember I am from a small town and everyone knew me growing up including during my amazingly awkward stage. There was ice-cream from BYU and Utah State Creamery. There was a huge cake and a family staple the candy “bar”. The Cook’s always go big.
It was a wonderful day to mark a great milestone in Dad’s life. I am again reminded how blessed I am to have the family that I do on both sides.

Service Star

This week I won a very awesome award. My employer's Service Star Award. It recognizes individuals whose actions support the company's mission of providing user-friendly services and promote a work environment based on the Company's core values: Service, Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Communication & Profitability. I won for the Utah/Idaho/Montana market area for the month of June for service. I know I always tell people how awesome I am, but this was a very humbling award.
This is what was written about me,

"Tiffany has always been a great resource and help when it comes to just about any question I have. Specifically lately, it has been with understanding High Bandwidth. Mostly understanding what is put on the contract vs. what product do I really need to choose in ICC and why. It doesn't matter how many times I ask her the same question (I feel it’s always the same question) she is always very cheerful and patient with me - I only do about 2 or 3 high bandwidth products a month, but still, she is always explaining why this product instead of that one,' which I really appreciate. I always understand better if I am told 'why' rather than just do it this way'. Last week, when I had some questions in our training about High Bandwidth, I asked some questions that she wasn't quite sure about, so she had a list of things to find answers for me on. She will always say if she doesn't know and will go out of her way to find an answer rather than just giving me an answer to be done with me. I think she represents the company's core values in more than one area with her work ethic and how she treats coworkers as well as customers - Service, integrity, communication and respect. I think she should be recognized for always doing her best and being helpful and understanding as she helps other's understand what is going on. Thanks!"

Natasha & The Vacation

It was 107 degrees when we were eating. Natasha didn't want to eat and I am sure she will be thrilled that I posted this picture. We ate outside because all of the older people were inside where the A/C was running full blast.

Natasha shopping is like Tiffany shopping, we are in and then OUT. Neither one of us loves to shop. But we had a smoothie and a credit card, what could be better than that?

I had a great time hanging out with my daughter. She is fun! I am so glad that we got to spend time together.

St George

I had the opportunity to take my daughter to St. George to see the outdoor plays at Tuachan this past week . My youngest is starting her senior year this coming fall and after that she will be going to college. It was a great trip. I needed some R&R and Troy wasn't able to come with us.

Natasha and I packed up the truck and headed down. The trip didn't take too long, we were there in time to check in and head to Tuachan. It was 104 degrees when we pulled into town. We rushed up to dinner at Tuachan provided by a Buffet place. We weren't very hungry this entire trip, cause it is hard to eat when it is hotter than Hades. Then we settled down to watch Cats. Neither one of us read the program, or else we would have known the story line but we just didn't get it until after the whole play. There was a girl sitting next to us that was about 6 or 7 and she sang badly, off-key the entire time during the whole play. What fun for me... The costumes were cool and the girl that played one of the leads, was the most beautiful singer that I have ever heard. When she got finished singing "Memory" everyone around us just said, "WOW". She is a Grammy award winner & Tony nominated for something or other, but that girl has talent.

The next day we went shopping. I like going with Natasha because she won't let me buy Grandma looking clothes. She doesn't have a problem telling me that the clothes I pick out are ugly. So that was a lot of fun. She picked out some great clothes for me. It was 107 degrees.

The next night we went to Disney's Tarzan. It was amazing. The music was awesome and the flying actors were awesome. It was a great setting for this play to be performed. The stage was perfect for water & storms.

The next day we were smarter and went to a movie in the A/C it was 106 degrees outside. We stayed in the room and read and relaxed. What I like about St. George is the beauty of nature. Natasha took these pictures and really it was hard picking out a few, Utah is a very beautiful place.

The moral of this story is, maybe St. George in July isn't the best place to vacation when it is over 105 degrees.

Art City Days

One of my favorite memories of growing up in the small town of Springville is Art City Days. It was the first real weekend of summer vacation. The sun was out and I was free from school for another whole three months. As time went on, I wasn't free, but it was still the beginning of the summer fun season. I have tried to be there every year the first weekend of June.
In the Cook family we have a tradition to go to Art City Days. Our day starts very early at 6:00 am where we go to the Jr. High School to watch the hot air balloons take off. One year I was able to go up in the balloon courtesy of my father, (cross one off the bucket list). It was amazing. The air was clean and there was a slight breeze. We got to "help" fill the balloon up. This is hard work. My little sister Kim and I went up together. The view from the sky was beautiful. Springville is a great little city, lots of trees and well kept yards. Thank you Dad for helping me cross out one more of my things to do before I die.
We usually we go to the Fireman's breakfast at 8:00 for pancakes, eggs, and orange juice. We then drive over to the hardware store to watch the parade that starts at 10:00AM.
I have pictures over the years of us at the parade in front of Utah Service, now Sunroc. I have pictures of my children over the years sitting & watching the parade. The motorcycle police start the parade every year, followed by the American Flag carried by soldiers or scouts. My heart always fills with pride as I watch everyone along the parade route, remove their hats and stand with their hand over their hearts. There is a hush over the crowd as the American Flag passes.
The Springville marching band follows soon after and the parade really begins. The cute thing about my folks is that they know everyone in the parade and shout out things to the people in the floats or cars. I really do mean everyone. They are more vocal with grandkids on their laps, or now with a teenager, my nephew, we all try and get him to waive at the pretty girls. There are high school reunions that are always passing. This year it was 1965, which my brother yelled out to me, "Hey, isn't that the year you graduated?" Payback will be fun next year.
After the parade we usually go to the carnival. We go there specifically for the scones that over the years have become part of the tradition The grandkids ride the rides and I usually shop for miscellaneous stuff that people are selling.
Around 7 or 8 we go over to the Art Park by my old high school and we watch the program. Sometimes the Army band is there. There has been comedians & dancers and singers over the years. At 10:00pm the lights go out and the music starts up. We all "ohhhhh and ahhhhh" over the fireworks. It is a long day, but so much a part of what we do every year.
This year was very rainy. It didn't rain on the parade but it was a downpour after. We waited for a while to go to the carnival. The fireworks almost didn't happen, due to the weather. But they did.. this year was awesome like every year.

We did it! We bought a huge truck. We bought a 2007 GMC Sierra Classic with 4 Door Crew Cab, Duramax Diesel 4x4, Fabtech Lift Kit, Leer Custom Shell w/Browning Limited Edition Custom Kit. That’s right I have a gun rack in the shell- I don’t own a gun, but I have a rack. The sound system is so awesome! Premium Sound Kit 6 Disc Changer, Alpine In-Dash DVD, & XM Radio. This is just about the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. The best three things are Automatic Floor Rails, remote start, & the leather interior. It is a pretty color, inside and out. We can go camping and not be eaten by bears.

Side note: Going camping is not my favorite activity, I have always been afraid of being ripped out of my tent and being mauled and eaten by a bear. Irrational you say? No it happens all the time. August 28th, 2009 a 78 year old man was attacked in Carbon County. April 13, 2006 a black bear broke through a camper shell in Strawberry. I could go on & on but I can’t find any more news stories on KSL. OK, so maybe it is a LITTLE irrational.

Back to the truck

I am very excited to drive it & even a little nervous to drive it. I can’t wait to tow stuff. I just have to find stuff to tow. More pictures to come… hopefully with short little Natasha standing by it.