Valentine's Day Decorating

Bailey's Card Holder
Our decorated table

Bailey took this and wanted me to include it

Our table decorations have been up for about two weeks, after Christmas I went straight into Valentine's Day decor, but only on the table. Some of the candles were reused from Christmas, and made perfect Valentine's Day decorations. Kohl's and Home Goods are wonderful for inexpensive Valentine's decor. Today we went over to Sarah's house for a play date, and she bought the fun do-it-yourself card holders for the kids to make. We are also going to make Valentine's for her class. It's so fun to take the time to make them yourself. I sometimes miss teaching and at least get to experience some of it now that Bailey is in preschool. I always made homemade Valentine's for each child in my class, personalizing them just a bit. We are going to try and do the same for Bailey's classmates.

Small Changes

I love this photo, she has her sunglasses on top of her head, just like mommy!

This post is more to do with changes in Bailey, that I just witnessed today, than the photo. This morning, our housekeeper, whom we've had since being pregnant with Bailey, came as usual at 8:30 this morning. Bailey rarely talks to her, and if she does it is one word answers I have to pry out of her. Those who know Bailey, think she is not that shy, since she talks their ear off. But, Bailey is hard to get to talk to people she doesn't know, or even those she does and doesn't feel like talking to.

Today, however, there was some kind of change. This morning, after our housekeeper, Maria, came, Bailey quietly came over to me and asked if she should say hello to Maria. I said of course you should, it would make her feel so happy. So, Bailey, walks over to Maria, and says in a rather loud voice, "Good Morning, Maria! How are you today?" I think Maria just about dropped the Windex, but then the two of them had a fun conversation about her nails, outfit, etc.

Then, we went over to Sarah's house for a play date, and her neighbor Andrea was there. Bailey actually was talking to her and when I said go say good-bye to everyone, Bailey promptly went over to Andrea and said, "Good-bye Andrea!"

To those of you who are struggling or will struggle with shy children, hang in there. I used to be one of them, and have definitely grown out of it. And, so will Bailey. It was a huge step for her today and I hope it continues.

A Future Bowler?

Raif spent about an hour knocking down the pins. He won't throw the ball at them yet, but loves knocking them down!

Raif Wants Bailey Up!

Raif loves to go to Bailey's door in the morning to get her up. You can hear Bailey in the background beckoning her brother to come and get her. They are also adorable when I put Raif in Bailey's bed to get her up, I didn't get that video, yet.

A Fine Lady

My mom and I have been bowling together now for three years together in a league. She has been bowling in the league for about 25 years, with a beautiful, classy lady whom we just lost a few short weeks ago. She was 84 years old, but if you looked at her, talked with her, and observed her you never would have known it. She had a mild heart attack during the summer, and a few weeks ago did not wake from her sleep.

My memory of Almeta Cobbs goes back a long ways, but my fondest memory of she and her husband was at Colby and my wedding. We had a dance with all of the married couples. And shortest to longest the couples married the least amount of time had to leave the dance floor. Colby and I left first, and one-by-one everyone left. Alas, the D.J. had to ask Almeta and her husband Robert exactly how long they had been married, for they were the last couple on the dance floor. They proudly exclaimed, " 57 years!" Today, was the memorial service for Almeta, the day that she and Robert would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. I did not attend the service. Some people are cut-out for funerals, I am not. My mom says it will come easier to attend them with age...I'm just not there yet. This is my way of celebrating Almeta's life. We each have to deal with death in our own ways, this is mine. I will miss Almeta terribly. Classy, beautiful, giving. A truly fine lady!

Why Boys Are More Expensive Than Girls

Thankfully...Raif has not learned how to flush the toilet yet. Does anyone know a good plumber, I'm sure I'm going to need one soon :)

Our Skiing Getaway

Colby and his brother Guyton ready to go gown the hill
Gutyon and me

Colby and me on the slopes

Colby and his dad on our snow shoe walk

Charley and me

Colby and me

Guyton decided to give the snow shoes a run

Colby and his mom

Colby's parents' home in Sun Valley, Idaho

We took our snow shoe walk along the frozen, well almost all frozen, river that runs right by the house

Colby and I got to go skiing for 4 days in Sun Valley, Idaho two days after Christmas. We left the kids at home with my parents and joined Colby's family for a few days of fun skiing. It was such a treat to be able to wake up, get on the slopes, come back and take a nap, and then have a relaxing dinner. We missed the kids and wanted them to be up there with us for a longer stay.

Christmas Day

Santa's Gifts
Bailey on her new princess bike

Raif trying on his helment

A man and his dog

The pack-in-play that was supposed to be for Bailey's dolls

We had to take the new bikes for a stroll

Bailey leading the way

Headed over to Grandma's for more presents and our traditional egg breakfast

Lexy with some stylish socks, of which she purposefully mismatches

Jaymee with her socks or underware, I can't tell which they are

Bailey with her pricess scooter from Uncle Eli and Auntie Kelly

Christmas morning was once again so much fun. Bailey and Raif woke up and we walked down the stairs to magical surprises from Santa. I still remember my sister waking me up from my slumber to go and check out what Santa brought us. I was not one of those early risers who couldn't sleep all night. We had a fun morning. The evening was very nice, although I got a horrible cold and had to have about a two hour nap just to make it to dinner. We are so blessed to have family so close that we get to share the holidays with.

Boat Parade/Christmas Eve

Bailey and Reagan at Boat Parade
Keith and Raif on Boat Parade Night
That's the end of those pictures, I was too busy to snap photos!

Christmas Eve Morning...seriously, it's scary how much they look alike

Bailey got to open a gift

Bailey and her Daddy playing Hungry Hippo

Raif at his Grammy and Papa Charley's

Where is the Water?...Raif wants to know

We got to go visit the Ireland's on Christmas Eve night

Colby and Mom

Bailey was off socializing with her best buddy

Mom, Colby and Me

Bailey and Reagan

Christmas Eve was a fun filled day. We started by playing Hungry Hippo for hours, and ended with dinner with Colby's family and drinks with our Ireland family. It was a great evening filled with lots of fun times with family.