SHY BAILEY--NOT!

Saturday, December 26, 2009 I spent much of the day running around with Corey, Jayden and Bailey buying stuff they needed for tomorrow’s progressive dinner and whatnot. We also went in to Payless Shoe Source in Lehi/American Fork to buy Jayden a much needed new pair of brown winter boots. While we were in there I noticed that Sven Menssen, his wife Nicole, their daughter Cara and son Robert were in there also. I told Bailey that they were in our ward and with only a slight nudge from me, Bailey was all over Cara pretending to take her knitted brown hat off her head etc. Bailey has got to be the friendliest girl on the face of the planet.

MERRY CHRIST-MAS EVERYONE

Friday, December 25, 2009 Christmas day 2009 Today is the big day. For Judy and me, we didn’t start the family festivities—food and presents wise until 4:30 this afternoon. That is when everyone was scheduled to arrive—appetizers at 4:30—dinner at 5:30 and opening presents after that, dessert later. The kids of course did their Christmas’ last night and this morning with their other families which was fine. Grandma Bev; Judy’s mother has been with us since the 22nd and will stay through next Tuesday if I understand it correctly. She has been a lot of fun. Last night, Judy, Bev and I went to a ward Christmas program where various ward members performed, singing, piano playing etc. Of course the finale (and high-note) was Jim playing his flute with Judy accompanying him on her harp. Just kidding on the high-note, they were all wonderful! At 11:30 Judy and I were back over to the church to listen to Fred Blackburn give a forty-five minute organ recital. He is a very gifted musician. He finished it off with two carols on the chimes played along with the organ. I have no idea how he pulled that one off. The organ was playing without him sitting at it. Hmm! In addition to tonight’s family dinner, we will be having a progressive dinner on Sunday. Ah ha here it is off an e-mail: At Fred & Judy's – (Christmas Day) 4:00 - Doors Open 4:30 - Appetizers 5:30 - Dinner Served 6:30 - Open Presents 7:00 - Dessert Family Progressive Dinner - Sunday, December 27th 4:00 to 4:45 - Appetizers at Corey & Stacey's house 5:15 to 6:00 - Soup & Salad at Fred & Judy's house 6:30 to 7:30 - Main Course at Niki & Greg's house 8:00 to 9:00 - Dessert at Chris & Sierra's house On an unhappy note, Chris was bumped off his first flight and didn’t get in until fourish this afternoon. When he did, he told us that he has been fighting the flu for the last several days and was running to the bathroom on the plane every fifteen minutes. He decided to forgo the festivities and stay home in bed. Through it all Sierra missed the message that Chris missed the first flight and was waiting at hers and his house for him to pick her up and bring her out here. Somehow Niki (I think it was) found out and I drove into Salt Lake and got her so she was here in time for everything. Anyway Merry Christ-mas to you Merry Christ-mas to you Merry Christ-mas family friends and loved ones Merry Christ-mas to you As they say, let’s keep Christ in Christmas!

YOU GUESSED IT!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009 Today when I picked Jayden and Bailey up after school, Jayden and Issie walked up hand in hand. She then let go and rubbed the back of his head-then she took his hand again. I then drove Jayden and Bailey to their dad’s work so they could go straight to a Christmas party for Stacey’s side of the family. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009 The last couple of days Bailey has been sick; coughing and sniffling etc. Today was Stacey’s day to work so I spent the day with Bailey. She seemed to get better as the day went on. I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes back to school tomorrow. When I went to their school to pick Jayden up, I parked in a different place than I usually do so, according to Jayden’s instructions, I got out and waited by the flag pole for him. Pretty soon he and Issie came running up, laughing, pushing each other giggling and wrestling. They said their goodbyes and I took Jayden home. Corey left work a little early and was home not too long after I brought Jayden home.

CONTINUATION of the ENTRY BELOW

When we got to their house they turned on the Disney channel and watched the Disney movie, The Thirteenth Year. It is about a boy whose mermaid mother left him on a boat when he was a baby. He became the 2nd fastest swimmer on the junior high swim team. When he reached his thirteenth birthday he started morphing into a mer boy and won the state swim championship. He was only a mer boy when he was wet so he still looked normal much of the time. In the end, his mermaid mother came back for him to teach him the things mer boys need to know, but he announced to his adopted parents that he would be back in time for school next fall. Bailey turned to me as he was swimming out to sea to meet up with his mother, “I think I’m going to cry!” I told her I was too…and I meant it.

FROM THE MOUTHS of BABES!

Monday, December 14, 2009 When I picked the kids up after school, Bailey showed up first doing a half dance/half run and giggling. She broke away from the friend she was with, got in the car and announced in a tone of voice that suggested I shouldn’t tell Jayden "I'm telling you this"..."Jayden dreamed he and Issie were kissing.” A moment later Jayden and Issie came walking up side by side, said their goodbyes and Jayden got in the car. Issie gave me her usual big wave and ear to ear grin. When he got in the car Jayden said “OK, I dreamed that Issie and I were kissing and Nate (his friend) woke me up.” He also really woke up at this point. “When I woke up I yelled so loud that the devil and Father in Heaven could hear me!” (I’m not sure if I’m telling it word for word.) He didn’t say why he was yelling, if it were because Nate spoiled his dream or what. Ages ten and eleven!

JUST BABBLING

Thursday, December 10, 2009 Last night Jim, Corey and his family and Judy and I went to the new Rodizio Grill in American Fork. I am not a huge Rodizio fan but I enjoyed it more than usual this time. Maybe it was because I focused more on the salad bar than I usually do. Bailey mostly ate salad and related items. Jayden ate mostly black bean and rice. Corey mentioned that Stacey would like an electric (heated) throw (small blanket) to put over her when she is sitting on the sofa. Corey always has the heat turned down too low for the rest of the family; (and me when I’m there). Before going to dinner, he and I bought one for her at Wal-Mart in Saratoga Springs. We also got a pink gift bag and pink tissue paper and put it all together before leaving the store. We gave it to her at dinner. She seemed pleased.

WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER

Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:08 a.m. Corey called. I guess he is in his car driving to work. He just had to “share with you how crazy cold it is.” He said that it was thirty-one degrees in his garage when he got into his car and by the time he got to the stop sign behind Eagle Valley Elementary School, where Jayden and Bailey go to school, it was “negative” thirteen. He said that by the time he got to the Smith’s store in Saratoga Springs, approximately three mile from our house, it was one degree above zero. I left the house a little before nine and as I drove to the Smith's area the temperature on the gage in my car fluxuatied between positive seven and positive five. Several hours later it was only plus eleven in Provo.