GT Bray Christmas

I found information about a city of Bradenton Christmas shin-dig at a local park named GT Bray. So the first Saturday in December (2008) we went to check it all out. They had tons of free games and activities that the kids could enjoy. We ran into some friends...(Mrs. Claus is really Sister Gaborik from our ward!), played in the snow, played games, made our first Christmas card, waited in long lines to sit on Santa's lap (Caleb had to get out of the stoller to and start pushing it himself to help get the line moving faster) decorated cookies and ate pizza!

It was a fun afternoon/evening.

Cooper Christmas Gift Exchange

It's a tradition in my family to draw names each year for Christmas gifts. After a few years of the women doing all the shopping for the men or receiving thoughtless presents, we changed the "rules" and exchanged with same sex only. Once again the "rules" changed this year and hopefully they'll stay this way for quite sometime...

Cooper Christmas Gift exchange "rules"

1.Give and receive with same gender
2.You give/receive to/from the spouse of the spouse your spouse gives/receives to/from. (ex. Mark gives to the husband of whom I give to and we receive from another couple)
3.We rotate each year by women's age order. Oldest giving to youngest and youngest giving to the next woman older than her and so forth. The following year you give to the next oldest in family age order
4. Price limit and if a gift is store bought or handmade is up for vote each year.

This year (2008) it worked out beautifully, we held it Thanksgiving weekend along with the normal feast and also included a family trip to the park, early morning shopping and of course we all watched the Gator game! It was a blast! I look forward to many more gift exchanges with all of our Cooper family! We love you guys!

In 2008 the Cooper women made and exchanged homemade gifts with eachother. I'm not the craft-y-est so it was a bit of a strech for me to figure out what to give "my person" this year. I was greatful that I had Stacie's name this year. She is so fun and easy-going. She seemed to love all of my "creations". I ended up giving her three hand sewn "Lana" designed original t-shirts. She was such a sport that she even wore one of them to the Gator game party we had! I also made her the apron (pictured below) and a personalized water bottle (for all her workouts). In the end I was proud of what I had made (even if they weren't perfect). The more practice I have at this homemade thing the better I'll become. So here's to Christmas 2009!

This is Stacie opening the homemade reversable apron I made her... it's checkered for all the racing around she does with 3 kids!

My Mom had my name this year so I was spoiled rotten! She is so talented on the sewing machine and creative. This is a cute business card holder that she made me which included my own personal business cards already printed up for me with all my info on it.

Caleb received this Backyardagains guitar and LOVES it! Too bad Bella did too, but later they learned to share (after Bella got a fun toy too)! Thanks Peers cousins!

I'm "March"ing to Catch Up!

We are forever behind on posting our happenings.
So the next few are catching you up on our lives since Nov. 2008!
Happy St. Patty's day!

The Dahles (and Salisburys)

Back in November on our way to Gainesville for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend we spent the night with Mark's family in Orlando. We captured a few family pictures

and even a few shots of Mark and MaryLynn.

Meanwhile, Caleb was up to no good.

My November visit to Gainesville

November brought tons of fun and spending time with our families. I started the month off visiting my family up in Gainesville while Mark was busy with his calling.

We had the chance to go to the Spring Arts Festival downtown with cousins Miles,

Shelbie
and Coral
, Aunt Stacie and Ponka.

It was great to be outside on such a gorgeous afternoon and tryout all the free crafts. It was fun trying out painting for the first time said Caleb and Coral. Their works of art were quite nice for being so little. They shared Caleb's bib since the smocks weren't small enough.



Then Miles and Shelbie tried the Fireman's relay. What a hoot! As we toured the street filled with vendors we bumped into old friends and even my Aunt Carol (who was raffling off tickets to win a quilt from her Bee. That is what I love about going to visit Gainesville, it always will have that small town feel because you're bound to run into someone you know.

Then we ate at one of my favorite local spots downtown, Louis' Lunch. Those crispy burgers and crinkle fries were a trip down memory lane for sure. As a child I remember choosing their cuisine for a special birthday treat. Even Caleb enjoyed every minute of our adventure. We were so glad we had come and got a chance to play with our Gainesville family.

The last day of an Era

The Porges, Hamlin, Knowles and Prouty days of our life officially end today. We have enjoyed working with them for the past couple of years and are excited to embark on a new "really great adventure" in our family's business career. Mark has agreed to begin working for the new Najmy Thompson law firm starting immediately. We hope that this brings great growth and experience. We are honored and grateful for this opportunity. Mark's office location will not be changing, just the name on the door and letter head. So if you're ever in the area and want a will or trust for your large or modest estate drop on in!
Thank you to all of our family and friends who offered much love, support and many prayers on our behalf as we made this change. Good luck honey!

November

It can't be December 1st already! Ugh! We didn't even take a moment to write one entry in all of Novemeber! Oh, the guilt I feel for ignoring our readers for the entire month. We have been out in the "field" busy gathering stories to bring to you, but then forgot our camera or to post at all! Our Novemeber was action packed to say the least. So we'll do our best to fill you in on our adventures. We are greatful that you are willing to share in our joys this season. We are greatful for all of our friends and family with whom we spent this glorious November with. Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all! We are thankful for you!