Don't Forget the Annual Cook A Rama this week!

I hope you have all reserved Thursday, Sept. 29, at 6:00, for dinner and a family history presentation at the annual Cook A Rama.  It will be held in Bountiful at the brown church across from the cemetery (200 West and about 2400 South).  Dad's famous sloppy joes will be served.  Families are invited.  I hope I'll see all of you there.

 I received a couple of Halloween Previews this week:  Effie is in her "Princess Leia costume (note the hair-do).  Max is in his Pikachu costume (spelling?)
I have heard that Ori is going to be Luke Skywalker, Ollie is going to be a dragon, and Gunnar--a knight.

Ori with Effie and her Starwars blanket (made by
grandma.  Sara gave me the Minkie material and when
I found Starwars to match, I couldn't resist.

Yuna and Doyeon.  Yuna might not be in dance class, but she
can dress like it, can't she?

Max and Mav in the sand while on their morning walk.

Ori, Doyeon and Yuna at the park. 

My week was largely uneventful.  My heart goes out to Kim and Chris Saling at the loss of their baby.   I have forwarded my brother's letter for this week so you can read the tender feelings that he expresses.  He also expresses his gratefulness for the blessings we have enjoyed as a family.  I echo that.  I feel so greatly blessed with the wonderful family that I have. Having righteous loving relationships is a large part of the happiness we have in this life.

Here is the next edition of the family vignettes put together by Steve:  Maude and Alonzo are my grandparents.  Kim's baby was named after this wonderful man.

Fourth Generation

Alonzo Laker Cook

Born In Cov’t: 6 Oct 1882 Swan Creek,Id

Baptized: 6 Jun 1891, Swan Creek, Id

Service: Texas Mission

Endowed: 7 Jun 1907 Salt Lake Temple

Died: 22 Oct 1963, Bountiful, Ut

            A.L. Cook wrote: “I am convinced that the best sermon, and the one that will always resound, is that of the personal virtue of our lives.

            Not by what we say, but by how we live will the imprint of our lives be left upon the world. I therefore pray to our Father in Heaven to help me to live so that my children and even my wife shall admire my life forever. If this condition prevails in my home, I have no fear but that my neighbors and the world outside shall praise the Author of it all.”

            He also told this story: “Directing my attention backward, [I] saw our third boy writhing and struggling with convulsive motions. Instantly I brought the machine to rest and sprang to the child who seemed in a dying condition. I snatched him up . . . started to run for the house that was nearly a mile away, with the bleeding, crushed and dying child. . . . [A] thought struck me and I knelt on one knee holding his body on the other knee and took the flattened head in my hands and, with intelligence not my own, brought the head into shape and in the name of Jesus Christ I repeated a few words of administration while holding the head in my hands.” The 1500 lb. tire had caused a complete fracture of the skull but he was healed by the power of God. Autobiography of Melvin Cook.

 (I'll have to add a picture of my grandmother, later).

Alice Maude Osmond

Born In Cov’t: 28 Feb 1884 Bloomington

Baptism: 2 June 1892 Bloomington, Id

Service: Stake Relief Society Pres.

Children: 9

Sealed: 7 June 1907 SL Temple

Died: 13 May 1971 Salt Lake, Ut

            Maude, the eldest of 7 children, wrote: “I cannot recall a single unhappy incident. I was carefree and well satisfied. I had many books to read, I could sew whenever I cared to.” I had many fine experiences while serving as counselor and president of the stake relief society for almost thirteen years. “During my term as president, the war was on and we were curtailed in many of our activities. There were nineteen Relief Societies in the stake – some of them were eighty miles away, and we were told not to make visits. We kept in contact with the organizations with monthly bulletins, telephone calls, etc. Much welfare sewing was done during this period. Many boxes of used clothing were sent overseas. . . . – children’s dresses, re-made coats, men’s and women’s coats, suits, dresses, etc.,. . . quilts and layettes.

            “In my own home, however, I have found my greatest satisfaction . . . all of [my posterity] a joy to look at and to know. . . . For all the disappointments and pains, life has been good to me and I am grateful. I am especially thankful that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and of the mission of Joseph Smith, for I believe with all my heart that God lives and will always be mindful of us.” Autobiography of Melvin Cook.

Back to the routine

Do 17 month-old children really understand the concept of
"They're taking my picture, I need to make a cheesy face"
The answer is obviously, "YES"

Oreo eating an Oreo

Mav--so determined to walk.  He's barely 8 months old
It's frustrating he can't quite keep up with Max

Taking care of the boys while Adrienne went to a Doctor appointment

 Several of the family were able to get to the State Fair this week.

Jieun and her girls in front of her State Fair entry.

Ori and Nick and Sara found Jieun's art.

Yuna--it's not fair being the youngest.  Doyeon gets all the fun.

Friday Night walk with the Nick Rasband family

 We're back into our routine that we fall into when school starts.  It'll be interesting to see what happens in a couple of years when school doesn't define our schedule.  It probably won't be a lot different, since winter and Roy's job have a way of defining our schedule as well.

We have been making what seems to us to be slow progress on the house.  Below is the outside, showing that the brick is completed.  We are waiting for rock for the remaining front panels of the house.  Then there will be hardy board to finish up the look.  The finish carpenters were there only 2 days out of 6 this past week (they were there for a couple of hours on Saturday).  There's a chance they could be done by the end of next week.  I met with the cabinet maker.  He works in Idaho and so is less expensive than a lot of the cabinet makers around here.  We thought that he wasn't going to be able to make our cabinets because his 3 (almost 4) year-old daughter has recently been diagnosed with brittle bone disease.  She has been breaking a bone each week. I spoke with him on Friday.  He and his family seem to have a great attitude about this difficult trial that they're facing.  He said his daughter has a sweet disposition.  It broke my heart when he said that she said, "It's okay if I don't walk daddy, I can crawl." I guess it's a disease that so far has no cure, one that she will live with her entire life.  We feel blessed that he has chosen to make our cabinets.  We've seen his work and feel good about having him do it.

The front of our home

The back

The creek is looking better--still a lo. t of work to do

 Steve Christensen has gathered a lot of stories of our ancestors.  I thought it would be fun to include a few with some of my letters.  That way you can read them a few minutes at a time and get familiar with some of those who have gone before us.  These are vignettes with their testimonies.  I think you'll enjoy them.

I love that he starts off with my parents.  You all know a lot about them, so it's a good place to start.

Third Generation

Vernon Osmond Cook

Born In Cov’t: 30 Jul 1921, Bothwell, Ut

Bap: 1929

Endowed: 1941 Salt Lake

Mission: Northeastern States

Service: Navy World War II, Ward Clerk

Death: 11 Feb 2015, Salt Lake City, Ut

           

 When Vernon was 14 years old he was handing tools to his father who was changing the concave teeth in the belly of

a machine. With each effort, Vernon was

complaining and acting very poorly to his father. After one of these complaints, his father came out from under the equipment and put his arm around his son. He said, ‘Vernon, you have a dark spirit about you today. Why don’t you go over behind the shed and kneel down and pray that you can have a good spirit about you.’ Vernon thought about this and when there was a lull in the farm activity that morning, he followed his father’s advice. He kneeled behind the shed and prayed for help to have a better attitude about his work. The rush of good feeling that came over him began a pattern of seeking the Lord’s blessing in trying times. This experienced has influenced Vernon ever since. He came away from that shed with an improved attitude about his work and noticed that his father appreciated the change in him. He wrote: “Through my early years and young adulthood, my testimony gained first place in my life, and I could not and cannot be shaken from that position. I was gaining a firm testimony that the Prophet Joseph Smith actually saw and experienced the events he described so beautifully. As I read the Latter-day revelations and the Book of Mormon, I

receive continuously the confirmation of the Lord’s gift to us of the Holy Ghost to guide our lives. I am thankful for the Savior’s sacrifice for mankind.”

Ila Nan Clyde

Born In Cov’t: 26 Feb 1921 Springville Ut

Baptism: 12 May 1929 Springville, Ut

Service: Rel. S. Counselor, Primary teachr

Marriage: 5 Jun 1945 Salt Lake City, Ut

Children: 7

Death: 24 Jul 2004, Salt Lake City, Utah

            “I want to leave to my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is true and very precious to me. I know that Christ lives and gave His life that we might have eternal life. As we strive to live the teachings of our Savior, we can and will inherit the Celestial Kingdom. As we grow, precept upon precept, keeping His commandments, striving always to improve our live each day, we will be blessed. Joseph Smith was chosen to restore the Gospel in this, the last dispensation. He was and is a prophet. As I study and learn, my testimony is strengthened and I have great joy, and a stronger belief that it is true comes into my heart. My testimony did not come as a flash of light. I had a desire to know of its truthfulness and attained such a testimony by study, prayer, and trying to live its principles. So over the years it has become stronger. Many of my prayers have been answered. My greatest blessings have been my marriage to Vernon and the family I have had as my stewardship. My greatest desire is to have my children and their families live the principles of the gospel so we will be together as a family in the eternities.” The Gospel has brought me peace of mind, a calm assurance that the Lord knows what I need. With the Lord’s help, our trials always work out for the best as long we keep His commandments.”

Steve has some nice pictures of each ancestor, but they didn't copy onto this blog, so I had to find one I had on file.

If any of you want Steve's file for your records, I can forward it on to you.

Sunday:

Short week, short letter

This past week went by quickly--and especially as far as this newsletter is concerned as I wrote the last one on Wednesday.  I do have a few things to write about for those few days.

Thursday is my new designated skating with the grandkids day.  This Thursday didn't work out very well, however, because I found out that I had to meet the finish carpenter at the house at 10:00.  I was supposed to meet the grandkids at the rink at 10:45.  I thought maybe I could get done in time, but I ran late.  Luckily the kids skate well enough that they don't really need me.  They don't really want me to teach them, either.  Jieun and Adrienne got there and got Ollie, Doyeon and Yuna on the ice.  I finally made it and got on the ice in time to skate with them for 10 minutes before I had to run to lunch. Christine and I were taking Nan out to lunch for her birthday that day.  It's wonderful to have sisters.  We get along so well.  We had a great time visiting for about three hours. 

                     (I'm not sure what to do when they start eating the ice shavings)

We played so hard and so well over this past few months, that it felt good to get a little bit done around the house(s) on Saturday.  Roy went over to the lot with a few boys from his previous scout group and had them weed and pick up trash, and I stayed home and finished picking most of the fruit and cleaned the house.  I also had a Cook Family Organization meeting in the morning.

Roy had his shed installed on our new lot this past week also, so he could start using it for storing various things.

It looks crooked, but it's level.  It's the ground around that's not.

The brick on the front of the house is looking really good.  I keep thinking I need to put some updates on the blog, but then forget to take any pictures.  Maybe next week.

Saturday night Roy and I spent our date night with three of our grandsons while their parents attended the U of U / BYU game.  We had a "movie night" with them and ate popcorn on the couch together.  At one point Gunnar pointed to his big toe and asked, "what's that?" I answered, "I think it's dirt, and I proceeded to wipe it off his toe.  He let me do it and then said, "I think it's a booger."

Other than that rather disgusting but funny incident, we had a good time with the Green boys.  They play pretty well together and Finn puts up with a lot from his older brothers.

Ollie

Finn and Gunnar

Gunnar

Sunday was quiet.  We had regional conference.  Elder Ballard was the presiding authority and gave a great talk about our responsibilities as members of the church in the headquarters of the church.  We had a nice long nap and had dinner with just Roy and I and Caitlyn and Jennie.  

I found out from reading Phil's letter that he had back surgery this week.  I wouldn't know if he didn't write letters each week.  

Here are some cute pictures that have been sent to me recently:

Maverick, standing already--trying to keep up with Max

Max and his almost endless train track

Doyeon on her first day of ballet--apparently Yuna was
so jealous that she was mean to her sister all day.

Ori, learning how to grind wheat to make bread

Summer--the last hurrah

Too much weight on the raft :)

It's amazing how quickly summer turns to fall.  Nearly every year we go to Flaming Gorge for Labor Day weekend and nearly ever year, the pattern is the same.  It's a little cool Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then Bam, fall hits and it is noticeably cooler on Monday.  Roy says that one year we even had snow in Dutch John on Labor Day, but I can't remember it.  We were able to take the boat out on Saturday, and though it was a bit windy, we had a good day.  It was a little rough for boarding and skiing, but okay for tubing.  We put a little too much weight on it the first time around-- Nick, Caitlyn, Hyeji, Doyeon, Yuna, and Ori.  Roy could tell it wasn't going to work, so he slowed down. As he slowed, the tube started to be pulled under in the front, so he started going again.  It still didn't look quite right, so he slowed again.  This time all the riders were thrown in the water.  If you know Flaming Gorge at all, you know that the water is COLD.  No one cried except for Ori.  But none of the kids would go on a tube ride again.  They did give in and play on it when it acted only as a raft.

Yuna preparing for her first tube ride.  I think she had an interesting
idea of how to use the handles.

Saturday night while Nick, Dan and Jieun were getting the kids down, Caitlyn, Roy and I took our favorite walk.  It was pitch black.  It would have been impossible without flashlights.  Even so it was a little creepy :)  We had a good time, though.

Sunday it rained off and on.  Some of us went to the visitors center during the rainy time, and of course, church kept us indoors for about 90 minutes.  It cleared completely in the late afternoon and we had a beautiful afternoon and evening.

Monday we packed up to go home.  Dan and Jieun and their family went with Roy and I on a tour of the dam.  Caitlyn, Jennie and Nick and Ori headed directly home.  I always thought my grandfather's company had built the dam, but in looking it up on the web could only find one connection--George Dewey Clyde was governor of the state of Utah at the time it was built.  There is a picture of him looking at blueprints of the dam.  I think maybe WW Clyde and Co. did build the bridge but I don't know for sure.  Does anyone reading this know?  What about the bridge at Lake Powell.  I have always claimed that one was built by my grandpa?  The internet said they built the green river bridge. This could apply to either lake.  I've been on the dam tour before, but this time it was nice and cool outside, so it was very pleasant, and of course, the scenery was beautiful. The girls really enjoyed feeding the fish.

When we arrived home we had a little bit of work to do picking produce.  We lost quite a few peaches because no one picked while we were gone.  We still have a few to show for our labors.
They are seriously the best peaches I've ever had--except other years from the same tree.

Peaches and plus from our garden

I had a nice visit earlier in the week with Stephen Hunsaker.  My first cousin (son of Vera and Ray. Vera was my dad's oldest sister).  I always thought Vera and Ray were divorced, but found out that was not the case.  Uncle Ray died when he was in his 60's.  Two of Stephen's siblings also passed away when they were in their 60's, my cousins Connie and Duane.  Duane's wife Carolyn lives about 1/2 mile from where I live in Bountiful.  Stephen and his wife took me for tacos at a restaurant near his home.  His wife also loves to quilt and I got a tour of her sewing room and saw several of her quilts.  I told him I'd come again and bring my sisters or Roy.  He said, why not both.

More pics from the weekend:

Roy in his traditional Captain pose

Proof that Jennie was with us

Ori in the hammock

Church was interesting.  Being in the primary
room with the sound piped in made it
 a little hard for the little ones
to take it seriously.

Hip Dance