The 24th of July

I didn't realize there were pictures from  Roy's shooting activity with Dan, Gunnar and Hyeji a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to share them, even though this has passed.

Update on Barbara Cook:  She still has pain from her shingles and is still sleeping a lot.  Eating is difficult because her tongue is numb which makes swallowing difficult.  She's on anti-viral and anti-fungal and sodium enhancing medicine.  She's very weak, but thankfully, she's thinking clearly.  Continue to keep her in your prayers.

I was reading through some of my family history items that I have saved over the years and I came across this letter from my dad, written to all of his grandchildren.  I was reminded of how remarkable my dad was and how much insight he had of world events.  He was so proud of his posterity and kept all of us in mind, even to his death.  This was written just 2 months to the day before he passed away.

15 December 2014
This letter is to my grandchildren, and for all of my posterity:
It is the Christmas season again, and our hearts are tuned to the spirit of this occasion, the birth of our Savior and Maker.  It is a joyous time, but also a time for reflection on the important things of life.  It is my desire that you should all have a merry and happy Christmas, this year and every year.
As all of you know, I have been working for some time on my published book, my memoirs, and now am writing again on a book that sustains the scriptures, the universal flood, and our own religion.  As I approach the Lord in prayer each night, I ask humbly for His help in achieving a unified family, unified in spirit and belief.  I entreat Him to assist me in gathering my family out of the world and into the protection and safety net of the true and everlasting gospel by drawing attention to the sacred record and its great meaning they have for each of us.
The world is becoming unstable.  There are incessant protests for some cause or another, especially caused by the racial divide.  The Lord is no respecter of persons, and loves each of His children, wishing for them simply to obey His commandments.  I want each of you to know that the safe and right way to obtain happiness in this life and in the life to come is to learn what the Lord expects of us, and do it.  Be humble and obedient, and hold fast to the iron rod for your safety.
May each of you have a joyous Christmas, and give heed to the words of your grandfather.
Love to all,
Grandpa Cook

I put those two sentences in italic because they really caught my attention--he wrote this 5 years ago.  I don't think I realized that so much of the instability of our world was because of racial divide, but in the events of the last couple of months, I realize how in tune my father was to the happenings in the world. (I added this letter to the stories on family search as it didn't appear that anyone else had previously done so).

Last Sunday night we had an impromptu gathering with some of the family at Thomas' grave. Crista was on her way home from Mapleton, and Adrienne met us for eggs.  We were able to visit for a little while.  It was really nice.

Avie celebrated her 2nd birthday this past week.  Roy and I went over to wish her a happy one.

Gunnar's team won 2nd place in the region.  He's the one with his hand in the air.  His team was pretty happy.

Saturday night we had the family over to celebrate the 24th.  On the actual 24th I went to bed at 9:30 and slept till 6:30, then stayed in bed another hour.  We missed Nick's family as they are still

worried about the virus because of Sara's pregnancy.  

Gunnar let the chickens out.  Finn was able to catch this one.  Yuna, Finn and Doyeon

Ila

 We didn't buy any fireworks.  Roy was planning to, but he didn't realize they'd be closed by the 25th.  Jennie had some sparklers.  Greens had already left, but right before Dan's family went home they went outside and lit some.

Jennie and Caitlyn

Jennie and Dojin

Hyeji

Dojin

Jennie and Jordan

Hyeji and Yuna

Dan.  

Yuna with grandpa

 When we lived in Georgia, one of our favorite vacation spots was Tybee Island, by Savannah.  This past week Elise and Andy went there with the kids for a day trip.  Seeing their pictures brought back a lot of memories.

Mav

Max (it's cherry juice, not blood)

Beverly.  This looks like it's done from a photo from when Beverly
was a little younger.  Elise has been doing some digital art lately.

Harvey

Myrtle Beach

Max

Caitlyn captured a cute video of Adrienne, AJ and the kids trying to round

up the chickens, since Gunnar really enjoys letting them out.  

Right before the Green's left to go home, Gunnar came out of my pantry holding a big, 5 gallon water jug (we get our drinking water from the Centerville well because it is so good and so close by).  He said, "Grandpa--can I take this home for a project?"  We don't say no very often, but we didn't want to buy a new one.  We are curious what type of project he would have come up with.  He has a lot of cogs working in that brain of his. 

Flaming Gorge July 2020

I texted everyone last night that Barbara Cook is in the hospital,  She had a growth removed from her neck. Some infection followed which could be shingles, but she also became confused and disoriented. So, please continue to pray for her. 

In Dave's letter he told me of a podcast that his grandson Colin Norton is doing with his missionary companions.  It is called the "Christlike Mic." He sent the link so that we can like and follow.
 In the Christlike Mic, these four missionaries serving in the San Fernando Valley share their experiences and their knowledge about the teachings of Jesus Christ. Episodes are posted on Tuesdays and Fridays. They now have 299 followers. Please follow and share these podcasts. Colin's podcast
This is a good example of missionary work going forward even in the face of Covid.19.
I would also like you all to like and follow our Phineas Wolcott Cook Facebook page.  The Cook Family Organization that I am a part of is going to be posting a lot more things about our Cook ancestors. 
Phineas Wolcott Cook Facebook page

As we were preparing to head to the Gorge this past week, Roy was hectically trying to handle all the loose ends so we could get going.  As usual, he had a lot to juggle.  The old saying, "haste makes waste," is indeed true.  After taking care of the chickens and collecting the eggs, he came in to change his clothes and sat down on the bed.  He forgot he'd put an egg in his pocket.  I had to change the sheets and get them washed before we could leave.  At least I hadn't made the bed yet.  Also, after we'd been gone a few days, we got a call from Crista who was staying overnight in our home as Matt had some business in Salt Lake.  She said that our garage really stank--you could smell it from the kitchen as well as from outside of the garage.  Crista and Dan looked everywhere (including checking the garbage cans) and couldn't find anything.  We called them every few minutes with ideas--"Are the fridge and freezer working? Did you look under the fridge? Did you open the office door and see if there's something up there?"  After about the third or fourth call we asked them to "open the door to dad's car and see if there's something in there."  Unfortunately, there was.  Two packs of chicken that Roy had forgotten to take into the house.  As I said, sometimes it doesn't pay to be so busy and in such a hurry.

Stopping for a break and exercising on the way to Flaming Gorge.
Nick, Caitlyn, Grandma, Ori and Effie

We had a fabulous week in Flaming Gorge with Caitlyn, Nick, Ori and Effie.  We played hard, so there wasn't much relaxation time--we didn't even manage to take our usual hike.  Ori loves Caitlyn so much.  She followed her around most of the time.  Caitlyn would ask her what things she'd like, but she'd want Caitlyn to answer first so she could imitate her.  On the boat one of the days, Ori was drinking a purple Gatorade.  She said to Caitlyn, "Don't you think you need something to drink by now."  Caitlyn answered in the affirmative.  Ori suggested a purple Gatorade.  When Caitlyn decided that she did indeed want a purple Gatorade, Ori said, "Oh, good.  Now I don't have to get a different drink."

The sunsets were absolutely beautiful. 

One evening we were playing the game Ticket to Ride together.  Effie was being entertained by a movie so we could play, but she kept coming over to the game to see what was going on.  Roy, trying give her a little attention, told her, "I want some pizza, Effie, can you get me some?"  Then he didn't give her another thought.  She walked over to the kitchen area, stood on the stool, and then a few minutes later she asked confusedly, "But, how do I make pizza?"

We were able to hike as far as the pond.  Effie put the
grass in her mouth and said she was a cowboy.

Effie:  You never know what the weather is going to do
in Flaming Gorge.  We had a little rain here and there, but
nothing too bad.

Effie, Nick and Ori.  You can see that the girls
were not afraid of the tube at all. 

 They didn't even mind riding by themselves.

Caitlyn forgot her swimming suit, so she drove the 30 minutes down to Manilla first thing in the morning and bought the only possible suit available in her size.  She did have a choice of a couple of colors.  There was one other suit, but it wasn't appropriate on a family boat (or for my daughter to wear).

Ori, Effie and Caitlyn

Nick still has it.

The girls were able to catch about a dozen crawdads, but Nick wasn't interested in cooking them like Dan did.  They threw them back.

An osprey near the cove we swam in on our final day.

Roy, Nick and Catharine

There's no telling how many pictures I have of Roy in the Captain seat over the years.

Ori helped Roy make the dutch oven lasagna, but she
wouldn't eat it.  She really doesn't like meat (well,
she does eat hot dogs and some chicken).

Nick and the girls talking to Sara and Avie.

 When Crista was in the area, she had Jennie babysit at our home while she and Matt were out handling his business.  Jennie fixed Greta and Ruby's hair.  She is very talented when it comes to hair and nails.  They looked beautiful.
Of the picture with Ruby and Doyeon, Crista said, "They look like teenagers."

Ruby and Doyeon

For our date night Saturday night, Roy and I drove up to Layton and went to the Menchie's there.  The one in Centerville is out of business.  We made a stop at Walmart and bought a few groceries.  There isn't a whole lot to do anywhere this year.  Our local live theater is offering parking lot concerts.  They had one at 7:30 and one at 9:00  However, they said that you couldn't run your air conditioning.  We looked at the temperature and it was going to still be 90 degrees or more at 7:30, so we opted not to get tickets.  We did drive by the theater, however, to see that we weren't the only ones who decided it was too hot.  There wasn't a single car there.  It'd be nice to be able to support them, but not if it means being really uncomfortable.

Car dates are becoming very common

Doyeon in her official cast.  Did you ever think that masks would
be the new fashion statement?  Elise said that Beverly wanted a cute one
she found at the store when they were shopping.  I know Jieun has made several
with cute material, but this looks like the doctor's office version.