The Coogan's 1st Post

We also made gingerbread houses this year, although I think more of the decorations ended up in Matthew's mouth than on any of the houses. Morgan was very patient with her little cousin interfering with her design ideas and tasting everything.
Matthew trying out his new snowshoes he got for Christmas. We got plenty of snow this year to try them out with...
Matthew has said for a while that he wants to be a rockstar when he grows up...here he is practicing with Morgan.

snow day

in honor of the inauguration, we got a good snow yesterday. it wouldn't count as much for those of you who live up north, but it was the best snow we've gotten since i've been living in north carolina.

















it made me miss ohio a little bit.
















but just a little bit.



suki had never seen snow before and thought it was the greatest thing ever and wanted to know why we hadn't gotten her some of this stuff before. she had a grand time bounding about in it with a puppy from down the street.































calypso got a turn too:

















and rachel created a new pet for the occasion:

Taos revisited

I was sifting through a box of old pictures this morning and found these.

2000 was such a long time ago.

now I just need to figure out how to send some pictures!!!

HOORAY!!

If this works, I have finally figured this new-fangled thing out & can contribute!! And, I did it all by myself!! I've really enjoyed reading about all the kids & love the pictures. Snakes??- That is where I put my foot down in this house (as recently as this year).. they can be pretty & fascinating, but not in my home. Sorry Amelia. Caleb's story has great potential . He certainly has a vivid imagination, and I love the descriptions. I didn't ever get to write a novel, but am actually frequently encouraged to write a "family story" because our family is so interesting & had so many interesting experiences & personalities.Anyone want to help? The gingerbread house looks great- any pictures of the completed house? As Carey said, the attempt here was fun, but most of the candy was eaten, not put on the house. I haven't had the courage to try one from scratch for years- maybe before too long.I love Suki- she looks like a really good dog & is pretty- Age? Best & lots of love to everyone!!

snake handler

Amelia and Seth recently went to a "reptile birthday party". Seth was intrigued, but Amelia was mesmerized by all of the different creatures the "reptile guy" brought with him. She wanted to be as hands on as he would let her be. The guy even let her "snake-sit" after the party, while he packed up his gear. Amelia loves all kinds of animals, even scaly ones. She tells me that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

Seth doesn't seem to be attracted to a career with animals, but he surely had no fears at all about holding snakes. He likes danger and talks about being a fireman. I can see a bright future for Seth as a "Carny", if the whole "fireman" thing doesn't pan out.They asked if they could get a pet snake. I don't want to encourage that sort of thing. Speakin' in tongues is one thing...snake handlin'...well, that's an entirely different subject.

Christmas in Delaware

I thank you as well for taking the time and having the insight to get this going... I too miss everyone and am yearning for a family reunion.... Hint, hint... out there :) I wish everyone a happy New Year!! Caleb has begun his first novel... the beginning of which will be at the bottom here. He is very bright but we have some behavioral issues to work through.... did someone say a chip off the old block! lol Imani has just begun reading and it is very exciting to sit with her while she reads. They are both taking piano lessons and at least Caleb really enjoys it... practice though... does not happen. I am enjoying teaching... we are getting to the dissection phase of clase which I and the students really enjoy... Untill next time... Take Care... Love Paris, Caleb and Imani

Caleb's Story...
shark mutants assault
maryland.

chapter 1
Tag youre it i said to Imani.We where playing tag the summer after terror it's called summer after terror because of the horror that we faced last year...fish monsters.thousaunds of fish monsters.My name is Caleb Crockett age 8 and I had to fight fish monsters with my Anoyying sister named Imani age 6.I have very light black skin,blond hair,brown eyes.I'm a boy.Imani has the same color skin as me,brown eyes,big ears,black hair,girl.For a third grader i,m super smart.Imani is in first grade and shes still trying to learn to read.
chapter 2
It all started on a boat with our 88 year old grandpa named Paris.He's a mad scientist.He was testing on mutating sea animals that's when it all went wrong.All of the sudden a storm came out of nowere and sunk the boat luckaly no one got hurt but the potions had already affected the fish turning them into monsters and thats when it all started.The war of monsters and people.
chapter 3
We where going to Wallmart when suddenly we stoped becuase right in front of us was a walking shark raging towards us!We all got out of the way and ran.We looked back only to see the shark had been electricuted by a wire.We then knew how to defend ourselves from the shark mutants.
chapter 4
Immediately we went to the police station and told them about the incident and they said they would need proof so we were heading back to Wallmart when we saw not one not two but three shark mutants!We dashed to the power plant and quickly ran inside followed by the three shark mutants.Now you see there were lots of wires in the power plant so five minutes after we entered we herd a loud boom!

This is my new dog, Suki. She is a Aussie/Collie mix. She's great company. She enjoyed being home with Mom and Dad for Christmas and also has a serious affinity for Sarah, Corey, the way NC smells, and squirrels.

- Rachel

Fatty New Year

Stella wishes everyone a Happy New Year and extra dessert for all.

Christmas 2008

Amelia and Seth: Christmas Morning

Seth wanted a "Ben-10 alien changing chamber" and Amelia just wanted "a foster dog that is going to have puppies". It was a nice day. My mother-in-law and brother-in-law drove over with Grandma Irene. Later Mom, Sam, Sarah, and Rachel (along with Suki the dog) came over. The kids played in their pajamas almost all day. The weather here was pretty warm on Christmas Day, so Mark didn't get to built a blazing fire. (Which meant I didn't have to worry about stray wrapping paper catching fire and burning down the house.) It was a very low key day..and just perfect.

the experiment

Recently Nancy emailed me picture of Miranda's new baby. I couldn't get it to open. I was so frustrated. (I wanted to see that baby, dang it!) It made me miss Grandma Sue even more. I always counted on her to catch me up on family news. To tell me what babies were on the way, who was going to a new school, or accepting a new job. Now I feel disconnected to the family that I love.
I am hoping that family members will be willing to post their news here. I want to see those babies...to hear about your new job or girlfriend, your travels, or even that you got a new job. Let's share our joys. And even our sadness.
I think Grandma would like us staying connected. I don't know if she would approve of a blog to do it. But right now everyone seems so busy. Maybe this is the best we can do for right now. It sure would beat a once a year Christmas letter (that I have yet to write!) Since Grandma Sue isn't telling me the family news can't we try it out here?