R&M Cook Fam

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Early Morning Story

The kids getting a story and smoothie before Daddy leaves for work.

A few nights ago I was cleaning up the kitchen while Rusty was getting the kids ready for bed. It was so quiet for so long I wondered what was going on. When I went to look I found this lego tower. All four of them were so proud of themselves!

Kyleigh's FHE lesson

Kyleigh came up with our family home evening lesson all on her own. It was a combination lesson on missionaries and modesty. She drew the boy and girl on the board with what she considered immodest clothes then erased and redrew the figures with modest clothes. Then she talked about boys and girls going on missions. She did a great job. She will be a fabulous teacher. She was so cute focusing on Katelyn, talking on her level, and keeping her involved in the lesson. If you are wondering what the words are, think phonetic spelling.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Horseback Ride

On our trip to Yellowstone this past summer we planned to take Kyleigh horseback riding, but there was a mix up with the age requirements and she was a month short. So for her birthday we promised her we would take her on a horseback ride. My Mom really wanted to go with us so we waited until she was here, and we got to go with my Mom and Dad. We went with CJM stable in Poipu. It was a beautiful ride, with mountains and ocean views and a stream crossing. The trail went along the same place we have gone rock climbing in the past. Kyleigh was so excited to be on a horse. She told us later that her favorite part was when the horse started trotting a little to keep up with the horse in front of him. She got to wear her pink cowgirl boots that a friend gave her a long time ago. No jeans, though, it was just way to hot for that. Our guide was psycho. I mean that in the nicest way. I thought I would hear about wanting a horse after this, but they are stuck on wanting a dog so we are safe for awhile. Kyleigh did say she was ready to go again as soon as we were done.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Skydiving

About 9 years ago I graduated college. For my graduation present I told Russ I wanted to go skydiving. He would have taken me then but I was pregnant with Kyleigh. Then life happened. Then Katelyn happened. Life again. On our tenth anniversary trip to the big Island we wanted to go and found out it wasn't available over there. Not long after that trip, Ridge happened. After all that, we finally went skydiving. We scheduled it for the 14th of September when my parents were here, so they could watch the kids. It was SO MUCH FUN. It was a tandem skydive, so we had instructors strapped to our backs. The plane ride up was the scariest part. They had a super old looking plane. We both figured we were safer than the pilot with a parachute strapped to our backs. The space in the plane was tight and the equipment we had on was even tighter. It took about 20 minutes to get up to 10,000 feet. By the time we were ready to jump I was really looking forward to relief from the harness around my waist. I only had one tiny second thought when I watched Rusty jump out. I didn't really have much time to think about it, though, because I jumped just a few seconds after him. They had us put our feet on the platform, cross our arms, and the instructor launched us out of the plane. Your legs fly up and back and your arms go out. They told us not to fight the wind, but let your arms be pushed by it. The freefall lasted for about 20-30 seconds. They said we were going about 110-120 mph. The video shows more skin flapping than I knew we had. Once they pulled the parachute we got to steer it. We were over the ocean for most of the descent and we landed in the same field we left from. So, would I ever do it again? YES, I started thinking about it as soon as I landed. A friend told me you could get a good Kamaaina rate on Oahu. I will look into it the next time we go to Oahu.