Dear Grandmama

(Peter's Mama had surgery to replace her knee at the beginning of March.)

Happy Birthday Mags

We can not believe that one year has already gone by. What a personality little Maggie Ruth already has. She's learned how to say "cow" and "cupcake" along with the usual "dada" & "mama". She roars like a lion and moves her lips like a fish. She has been trying to sing the ABC song with me (it is SOOOO cute!) and loves music more than anything else. She is not walking yet but can stand on her own and tried to take a step by herself today. She laughs when she hears you laughing and smiles all the time. She is such a joy and we can not imagine our lives without her!

Maggie enjoying her first Sprinkles Cupcake!

We are still in Arizona but are headed home on Saturday. It is great to have Dave here to celebrate with us!

Arizona

We thought escaping to the "warmth" of the southwest would be a pleasant experience. Apparently we were wrong. With a flu bug that hit us hard when we first arrived to colds and a nursing strike we sure are having a rough start to February!

Our little Valentine.

Perhaps we'll be able to update our blog with some fun photos soon...

THIS IS THE PLACE

Well, Brigham Young was right about one thing! "This is the right place"

When Peter and I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah 3 1/2 years ago (wow!) we drove through the mountains to get there. Upon seeing the lights in the valley and starting our descent down to our new city I had this overwhelming feeling of being at home. Peter and I had walkie talkies (as we were both driving our own vehicle) and I said to him "We're home Peter! We're home!" I boo hooed all the way down the mountain. It was the strangest feeling that I was going somewhere for only one year and yet it felt like this was the place! This was home. After 2 1/2 years away from SLC we are finally headed back "home". We could not be more excited!!!

Peter accepted an offer from "The Smart Clinic" in Sandy, Utah and we will be moving there this summer!!!!

Please come and visit. You have GOT to experience the mountains. It doesn't matter what season you visit during there is always something amazing going on...

Nanny's Walker

Nanny is so fascinating! I love learning from her.

I also love that she lets me use her walker...

Moving!

Yup! It's official. We are leaving wonderful Rochester. boo hoo.

More when the Christmas photos have been posted................

Christmas Day 2008

We had a great time celebrating Christmas Bailey style this year. We opened gifts in the morning and went to the large Watson gathering for lunch/dinner. It was a gorgeous day!!

"Hey, why does Grandpa look so much like me?"

Beautiful Bailey Style

Toothbrush was a hit! This is the barn that we had Christmas dinner in. It belongs to Mrs. Bailey's sister, Faith. A fantastic place for family gatherings.

Grandmama feeding Mags some southern Christmas treats.

Christmas Eve 2008

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Peter's wonderful Nanny where Maggie enjoyed playing with the possum as well as eating Nanny's bell and getting rides on her walker...

Safety what???

Oh, FIRST.

Right.

Well, I suppose if your curious 10 month old is in to pushing buttons (big time!) then these are not the correct outlet covers to use.

Christmas in the south

Yes.

That

is a possum.

Merry Christmas!

I write this as we head out the door to catch our plane to Gainesville, Georgia for Christmas!! We are excited about being with the Bailey family this year. They haven't seen Maggie Ruth since June and Peter has not been to his parents for Christmas in 10 years!!!

Both good reasons to head south this December.

(not to mention that it is much MUCH warmer than Rochester, Minnesota right now).

So if I HAD gotten those Christmas cards out this year they might have had the following pictures in them:

To be honest, Maggie smiles ALL the time. Once the camera is brought out she is much too intrigued by the big black box to think about putting on a show...

Look at those little piggy's.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all... safe travelling!

Ho Ho Ho

We waited to get the dreaded "Meet Santa" photo done until I thought everyone in town had already seen the man. Their wasn't a TON of people at the Rochester mall so we waited our turn in line to see Santa Claus on Saturday morning.

"Are you the guy we sing about?"
"Mommy!" Not sure why Maggie's pants were hiked up so high but all I was thinking/saying was "Don't scream Maggie; Don't cry Maggie; Smile Dolly! This is fun, right?!" I did talk to Santa a little who was glad that Maggie wasn't a screamer and that she actually tried smiling at my puppet, but was too freaked out. Why is Santa so strange to children?? This Claus was pretty casual with his Crocks and long underwear... What's up with that?

Boice-see

The little fam was flown to Boise, Idaho for 5 days as Dr. Bailey had an interview there. We were excited about it as we had never been to Boise before. Lo and behold we discovered that there ARE kind friendly people out there in the world - we had just forgotten. We were greeted with warm friendly hugs and smiles. They were so welcoming and we were quite impressed. No pretentious doctors or spouses there. Peter interviewed the first day (after flying in at 2 am), we had a dinner that night (which they all fawned over Maggie and one woman actually put her to sleep!) at Bonefish Resturant with about 6 of the physicians, their spouses and an administrator. The next evening we attended the whole practice's holiday party at one of the physician's homes (where Maggie was passed around and again - fawned over) and on Saturday evening we were invited to the founder of the practice's home (who had 2 dogs - a boxer and a doberman!!!!!!!!!!!) where we enjoyed VERY nice wine, steaks, interesting conversation and many laughs.

During Peter's interview I took Maggie swimming in the pool, to the Zoo, out for lunch and a little shopping downtown. We walked all over as the tempearture was only in the high 30s!!

Here is Mags at the Zoo:

There is a leopard back there somewhere.

Tigers!! Who actually came right up to the glass - but I didn't have my camera ready :(

and yes that is snow on the ground...

Maggie enjoyed the penquins and the zebras but I didn't get any pictures of them, unfortunately. It was a little awkward - and I better get used to it - stroller, baby, camera, commotion... Oh, but what she didn't like were the monkeys who came right up to the glass and put on a show for us. I thought it was great but it seemed to freak her out.

Peter joined us for a swim Friday morning. Maggie was a little unsure as there were 3 boys playing around in the big pool, but once she was comfortable she had a good time.

The pool was overly chlorinated so Maggie had a bath AS SOON as we got back to the room.

She definitely did not seem to mind.

We had some good family time too. Breakfasts at the hotel after which Maggie would crawl around by the fireplace while we finished our coffees, driving around to see where the best views were, trying to Christmas shop (too many people!!), eating dessert in the park while snow was falling and Maggie napped... just a much needed time alone for us.

Thanks Idaho PM&R!