If Matt knocks on your door...open it or else!

pictures of Matt's breaching demonstration for the SWAT School.  This was his twelfth explosive breach but the first for Mesa County.  It was a slant charge designed to cut the door locking mechanism away from the hinges.  It worked flawlessly and he  still has all his fingers.

The second picture shows the charge 

going through an orange tube

Then the breech

The door was solid wood

WE have snow on Pikes Peak!

This is the backside

It was so pretty coming 

down highway 24

Dad caught some fish!!

The fisherman at eleven mile.....

The Cooks are Heading West

Great News!! Nik and family have orders for Fort Carson. They will arrive in Colorado in January.

Really great view of Provo

We also went to Bridal Veil Falls its only about 15 minutes from Provo and we had never been there. It was really pretty and my brothers had a lot of fun climbing to the top of the waterfall.

Aaron and I went to where the 2002 winter olympics were held last weekend when my family was in town. We and tons of fun watching the aerial skiers practice into the training pool. The bobsled track is behind us.

Christmas Ideas

I want your input about Christmas this year!! We are all low on funds so I need some ideas for Christmas. Should we draw names, should we just buy for mom and dad:), the idea was made to send everyone a nice 5x7 picture of your family, homemade gifts, etc. Any and all ideas will be considered and voted on so please let your voice be heard.

Recipes

I did this in the crockpot and it is excellent...from Nicolle

Canyon Country Stew

Serves 6-8 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Pounds boneless , skinless chicken halves

1/2 cup frozen chopped onion

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (10 ounce) can of cream of chicken soup

1 (10 ounce) can of cream of mushroom soup

1 (4 ounce) can of chopped green chiles

2 tablespoons of ground cumin

#1 Cut the chicken into cubes.  Spray a large nonstick skillet with non stick cooking spray.  Suate chicken in skillet, stirring continually intil cooked through, about 6 minutes

#2 Add onion to chicken.  Cook, stirring continually, until tender, about 3 minutes.

#3 Combine broth, beans, tomatoes, soups, and green chiles in a large saucepot and mix well.  Stir in cumin.  Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.  Stir in chicken mixture.

#4 Cook stew, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately.sure and check out Nikki's blog at the bottom for more pictures and yummy recipes

Too Early for the Gym!

Sam and I have been hitting BYU-I's gym often now that we are back home. Unfortunately, Sam got this CA-RAZY idea from Matt, who got the idea from a personal trainer, that the morning is an ideal time to do cardio. Start the day out right by jump starting your metabolism I suppose. Well, in order for Sam to make it to work on time, we have to get up at 5:45 AM and are on the ellipticals by 6! We pretty much just roll out of bed and throw our clothes on and go. But it's actually pretty good once we're there, and it's starting to pay off. Yay gym!

New Jobs for Jake and Alyssa!

Jake and Alyssa started their new jobs yesterday! Alyssa is working for BYU's independent study (online classes) office as a History Tutor and Jake is working for BYU's chemical management department as a Chemical Inventory Assistant. Two jobs that are right up their alley. Jake even got his name and picture on BYU's website. Check it out at risk.byu.edu. Go to the Environmental tab, then Information, then Staff.