st george

The Bailey family congregated in St. George for 4 days starting the day after Christmas. It was fun to have almost the whole family together. It isn't often, if ever, that we really spend quality time together, and it was nice to be in a relaxing place, enjoying family. There was lots of aunt and uncle time, sibling time, and cousin time. Plus, the place was big enough that we could have all the alone time that we wanted or needed. The kids came up from Kanab so we were able to celebrate a belated Christmas with them and haul all Santa's treasures down for them to enjoy. All in all, it was a really nice extended Christmas break.Shalise and Tay in the kitchen I don't think in the 4 days we were there that the pool table was ever not being used. Tay brought Coco with her and the kids LOVED having him around.. but so did Ryan and I! I think we forget how much we love that dang dog, and then we see him and we just can't get enough of his cuteness. Kate getting her Coco lovesand Keegen too. We just crack up and Alden and his obsession with Star Wars. It is the cutest thing to see his passion for anything and everything Star Wars. Here he is concentrating so hard, tongue out and all, making sure that gun is put together just right. Liam and Keegen intently watching Clone Wars.

Grandpa trying to find some peace and quiet in the morning newspaper.

christmas day

Christmas Day Couples....

ma and pa FoutzThe soon to be Kelly and Carmen Peterson The Bailey's

The Spud and Amanda Foutz's

and...

CHRISTMAS CHAOS:

little Caleb with his new scooter

little Caleb, Hyrum, Nicholas, and big Caleb

Emma telling me all about her Christmas day surprises

and little Will with his favorite toy of all: his SPATCH. (any kitchen utensil... they are all spatch's and he LOVES them!)

merry and bright

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

HO HO HO... 2009

a little neti

I have a sinus infection... It SUCKS! Especially because I have a job in which I am sitting inches from my client and I have no choice but to blow the snot monster out of my nose every five minutes while they sit there and enjoy. LOVELy... I heart that immensely. My husband thinks it's hot.... So do they. Anyway, one of my clients informed me of the Neti Pot. Apparently I am the only one that has not heard of it. BUT, just in case, here it is: I marched myself right on over to Walgreen's on Monday night after work and bought the store brand version of this little guy. By the time I arrived home with my purchase, I was so delirious and sick after 15 hours of work and 75 Kleenexes, I had Ryan read the directions to me and I tried it out. AND... IT WORKED wonders. I could breathe. I did it again this morning before work, and I hardly suffered all day. I still had the kleenex close by, but the pressure was gone. I am truly impressed. Moral?: if you have a sinus infection due to the lovely inversion, GET a Neti Pot! It is gross and amazing at the same time, but it all = feeling better, so who cares!!

celebrate carmen

We had a wedding shower for Carmen on Saturday. We just wanted to celebrate her upcoming wedding and show her some love and congratulations. Here she is with her mini winter bouquetMe and Chal, the two organizers and chefs

Carmen with her new "sisters" and niece.

Annie, Carmen, little Carman, and Amy

The sissies. Amanda, Carmie, Me Emma having some grandma time.

By the way, grandma made her amazing rolls for the occasion... big hit!

my madre and MijkenCarmen and her sister in law BridgetMindy and Wendy CraneMore of the Cranes: Carmen, Denice, Mom Crane and grand baby, Bridget

Thanks mom Foutz for letting us use your home and for all your help and support!

I love you tons. AND...

I have had several requests for the recipies of the two soups served. So, here you go:

Chal’s Amazing Tomato Basil Soup 1 ½ stick butter 2 yellow onions diced 1 ½ bottles white wine (aprox 6 cups) 9 cups canned tomatoes (any type) 6 cups heavy cream 9 Tbs chopped fresh basil salt, pepper, sugar Melt butter in large pan. Sautee onions till tender. Add white wine; simmer until it reduces by ½ to ¾. Add tomatoes and cream. Bring to simmer. Reduce by ½ or to preference. Blend with hand held blender. Add in basil, salt and pepper to taste, and a pinch of sugar. Keep at a simmer, never boiling. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and basil. Hannie’s Hearty Chicken Potato Soup

2 tsp. chicken soup base (bouillon granules)

3 cups chicken soup stock (can use canned chicken stock/broth)

2 cups chopped celery

2 cups chopped carrots

3/4 cups chopped onion

2 cans (10 oz. cans) cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup evaporated milk or 1/2 cup of whole milk

2 cups cooked diced chicken

5 cubed Idaho potatoes

Salt & Pepper

Heat chicken soup base and stock together. Add carrots, celery, onions, pototoes and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add cream of chicken soup and milk. Add chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. I sometimes add more chicken broth and evaporated milk to make it juicier. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts.

street people

Dead Head Santa...

Who else were you expecting to run into on the streets of SLC?!?

40 years

Heiko had a BIG birthday this year! Melissa got a huge group together this past weekend to celebrate, and that is what we did! We had a great time, and everything turned out wonderfully! the kick off toast, wishing Heiko happiness in a new decade! guest of honor and melissa Most of us that came.... but there ended being a much larger crowdKarsten and his fiancee Chrissy came all the way from Germany and Philly to celebrateSanta even came for a visit!

Sonia!

We made sure the birthday boy never sat down the whole night!

h.s. art

My sister in law Shalise is way talented. She is the art teacher at Layton H.S. and has had her students over that past few years create, paint, and fire these different tiles for the daycare at the high school. The project was just completed so they had an open house so that family and friends could come see the project complete. It is so cool. I am amazed at the creativity and talent of not only her, but her students as well.

THANKSGIVING '09We went to my parents for Thanksgiving this year. It was a small group, with just my oldest sister and her two boys, me and Ry, and then los padres. working hard on that turkeyNicholas, Andrew and I made blessing mix treat bags for our friends that we are thankful for. What else are men supposed to do on Thanksgiving?!?

Hope yours was as relaxing an occasion as ours was!

tay dance comp

We were able to see Tay for a few hours on Saturday as she preformed in several different categories of dance at their competition in Layton. She and her team had a long haul, coming from Kanab in the wintry weather and storms. We were a bit nervous about the bus trip, but they arrived up here safely, and at 2:50 am on Sunday morning she texted to say they had just pulled back into Kanab! Crazy weekend for her. They ended up placing 1st in all their dances except one, which they took 2nd. And overall, they took 1st in their division! Yeah!!

She is the one on the far middle right... balloons above her head.