Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve at the Cook household. This year was reminiscent of the Mac childhood days. We usually spent Christmas Eve with the Mac side of the family and nibbled on Hors D'oeuvres. The food was always a large variety but an all time favorite was water chestnuts wrapped in bacon then broiled until crispy-yummy. This year Mark and Michelle brought the water chestnuts, Joyce brought a wonderful olive plate, bread sticks and vegis (presented the way they should do it on a cooking show! Beautiful) Jeff brought a pecan pie. Jim and Kelli brought some BBQ meatballs and I made fried raviolis, then Gorgonzola cheese on rainforest crisps with pear or kiwi drizzled with honey. Add to that a lot of cookies and goodies, hot apple cider and good conversations and we have a good time.

More Holiday Madness

We enjoyed another get together with the Taggarts and the Nixons who hosted a lovely Christmas party. Where Nixon's are, there is sure to be great food. The Taggarts contributed greatly to this as well and they opened up their lovely home to just a few (50+) friends. Thank you Nancy and Doug, Jim and Kelli for the wonderful evening of food and fellowship.

Home Fellowship 2008

This year we hosted our Home Fellowship group for our annual Christmas get together.

We all brought tasty food, shared some of the highlights of 2008 from our prayer journals and had a fun ornament exchange. I think one of the biggest laughs of the evening was when we asked Daniel to take our group picture (with multiple cameras of course) He finally exclaimed "I can't work with you people." Ah, but we have fun! We have prayed for each other, cried with each other and share each others joys. We are so blessed to have each and every one of them as friends.

O Come Let us Adore Him

I think this picture says it all. Thanks again to Kimberly Haugen for the wonderful picture.

Age to Age

What a blessing it is to participate in our annual Christmas presentation at church. I was privileged to sing a duet with David Stauffer and watch as little silver starlight dancers danced around our feet. Here are a few photographs from an amazingly talented photographer (she even made me look good), Kimberly Haugen. For more pictures please go to Here is the link to the Christmas program photos:http://littleknoll.smugmug.com/gallery/6809994_V8c4c/1/435959952_9qYgm

Password: Christ Child

We give Thanks

There is so much to be thankful for even this year of ups and downs. God is faithful, He love his people and we are blessed to be called his children.

Just a few things I am thankful for:

• The Lord Jesus Christ
• A terrific husband who I adore and still love after 23 years
• Wonderful children and grandchildren
• A brother and sister who I love and respect for who they are (and their great families too)
• Parents and step-parents who love us and pray for us and we do the same for them
• A Church family that provide love and support and uphold in prayer
• A worship ministry where we love the Lord, sing praises and serve others
• Friends who have become family

This post is not necessarily well written but it is from the heart.

Update in the Bonesteel House

So I finally figured out my log in for Mom & Dad's blog! : ) And since it isn't up here I just wanted to make sure you guys had the address for our blog for the updates in our crazy house!

www.bonesteelnews.blogspot.com

Lots of love!

Jenn

Lifting for Tanzania

It's hard to belive that it has been a year since Phil lifted with purpose for Tanzania.
He did awesome this year. His total bests were: Squat 281 lbs, Benchpress 220 lbs, Deadlift 424 lbs for a total of 925 lbs. I am so proud of him. Way to go Babe! Here is some video. On the benchpress, one of the judges leaned over to me and said "tell him next time to add more weight". I explained to him that Phil injured his shoulder in the Spring meet and he was just taking it easy, but yes, he sure did make it look easy today. Be sure to stop the music player so you can hear the grunts and the cheerleaders. Mark, Michelle and Peri even stopped by and saw Phil do his benchpresses and then I gave them the painting of Matthew. All in all, it was a great day. We both give God all glory and honor for the accomplishments of the day.

Freedom to Vote

I am so grateful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to vote for the things we believe in and the things we believe need to change. It may not always seem like a fair system, but I am grateful that we still have a voice. But more importantly, I am grateful that we have a heavenly Father who hears us 24x7. We dont need to stand in line for our opportunity to be heard. We simply need to call out to Him. Our country still needs the Lord so my prayer this morning comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

So, this morning I went to vote, to be heard, to speak what I believe in. The picture is a little dark because it was still dark outside. My other prayer today is that I hope everyone that is registered makes their voice heard and that the polls will be a safe place today.

Tour de New River

It takes a lot of Sandford's to handle the balloons for the finish line.

The first set of riders for the 70 mile ride left at 7:30am. The second set for the 40 mile ride left at 8:30am. Fred Beasley sent them on their way after a word of prayer. The first riders coming in and the great volunteers that cheered them on.

Jim and Matt rode 70 miles - The did a great job!

This past Saturday, Phil and I spent part of our day helping out with the Tour de New River. This event raises funds for two villages in Tanzania through two bike rides and a family hike.

To learn more about this event, go to http://www.tourdenewriver.com/

This is also the event that Phil piggybacks on with his weightlifting event. Usually they are the same weekend but happened to fall differently this year. Phil's event will be next Saturday at Westwood High School in Mesa. Come on by to cheer him on.

Phil is 50!

Hard to believe but my sweetheart is 50 years old. It took a lot of hard work but we managed to surprise him with a party at home; with a lot of help from Jenn and Daniel.

I had Phil to myself all afternoon for lunch, some shoe shopping and a movie (it wasnt very good-the movie I mean). Then I told him we were going back to the house so we could change clothes into something nicer for dinner and that we would have dessert with the kids later. Shane called from New York to deliver his birthday greetings and to tell us how the band trip was going - it sounded great. Meanwhile, back at the house, Jenn and Daniel were working hard on the list of tasks to complete before the guests arrived. They did an excellent job - Thanks kids.

What good is a party without friends? We had the Sandford's, Taggart's, Crum's, Rich's, Powell's with special guest Dylan, Cheryl Woodring and her nephew Dustin. What a blessing it was to spend the evening honoring Phil with close friends.

Happy Birthday Babe. I have been with you for almost have of those 50 years (22 1/2 to be exact) and we are so blessed to have you. Husband, Father, Son and Friend, you are an amazing man of integrity and your rich relationship with our Heavenly Father blesses us all.

What a day for Shelby

Happy Birthday Shelby. Let her eat cake!

Not only was this Shelby's first birthday but it was the first sit down dinner Jenn and Donald had in their new home. They made a nice dinner of Lasagne, salad and garlic bread sticks. It was all very yummy.

When we got home, there was a package from Great Grandma Mac. A fun cell phone and keys that make noise and music and a darling little shirt. Shelby liked them all instantly.

Shelby had another great day at the zoo but this time with Mom and Dad, "Aunt" Dani and "Uncle" Brandon. Dani even brought a cute guy...Zepplin, Rachel's son. It was a little on the warm side, but a beautiful day to celebrate a birthday.

Shelby's first Birthday Party

It's my Party...

Goofy Uncles Mykel and Daniel

What? It fits... (Notice that Shelby is more interested in the paper than the presents)

Shelby showing Grandma her dolly

I love my dolly

Ashley helping Shelby with the present from the Moore's

The Moore's - quite the Fivesome

Shelby's day with Nana and Papa

Shelby's birthday is Monday so we decided to start the weekend out with a day at the zoo with Nana and Papa. Shelby was really more interested in all of the children running around rather than the animals, but I think she enjoyed herself. I hope so anyway since her Mom and Dad and Nana are taking her back there on Monday.

Ashley is 3 years old

The Birthday Girl is Three! Eric and Kathy had a wonderful party that included lots of little kids, having a good time. Happy Birthday Ashley! Papa Holding Noah and Nana feeding Tristan.

A gift from Nana and Papa.

Blowing out the candles with just a few of her friends looking on.

October Celebrations

I love October. There are so many reasons to celebrate this month; Ashley, Shelby and Phil in that order (not age of course).

We are so blessed for the family in our lives.

The Golden Gate Bridge

It was a picture perfect day to visit the Golden Gate Bridge.

Just a little windy though.

The view from the bridge-there were 50+ parasailers in the bay. Click on the picture for a closer look.

Unfortunate sign of the times.