Bits and Pieces Part One

Boy, it sure has been a long time since I have posted a blog. Honestly I just never had time and life has been pretty busy. I do have a lot to say but instead of writing such a long novel about all that has happened I am going to do a picture novel with little descriptions about each picture. We have had fun with many of our family and friends so here goes:

We went to a BBQ where the world's best hamburgers are made by Eric! I could eat 5 burgers in one setting if I wanted to get fat! They are so yummy! In the above picture Larsen and I were pretending to be all natural in a picture, hahaha, not sure it looks natural though. It was good to visit with Matt's swim mates from college. We got to see Eric, Cody, Larsen and Andrew. There were others but I can't remember... We sure love our cool friends!

That night after the BBQ we went to a wedding reception and Brooklyn found a basketball to play with....Hmmm is she going to be a ball player like her mom? I love the feminine but sporty look!

Even later that night, we met with some friends, Nicole and William Gough, and played badminton and raced on roller racers. It was an eventful day! Our forearms were so tired and sore the next day! Its funny that something like that would make us sore, but obviously we don't work our forearm muscle as often as I thought!

On our way to Arizona for a funeral, Grandma Lena Bailey, we broke down about two hours outside Mesa where we were headed. Luckily Randy, Matt's dad who was already in Mesa, drove out to help us and get Dena's, Matt's mom, van fixed and started. We really appreciate him helping us even though he was going through a tough time with his mother's passing. The picture above shows Matt and his brother DJ working hard on getting the van fixed... Not really they were just horsing around!

Here is sweet Grandma Lena Bailey... This picture was taken a couple of months before when we had gone down to Arizona to visit with her and all the family. We had a good time and were grateful Brooklyn was able to meet her before her passing. I will never forget the story of how she pronounces the word wash, she says "warsh", a southern accent. How cute is that? She was a great wife to Papa, who never complained and always worked hard. One thing we didn't know about her was that while at open sea with her husband one day, she pulled out a map and charted the course home! That takes intelligence to do that! We love her and miss her but we know she is in a high and glorious place.

After the funeral and graveside service for Grandma Lena, there was lunch provided by the ward in the area for close family and friends. I couldn't help but sit behind all the pretty flowers that were sent in memory of Grandma Lena. Matt had fun taking pictures... I felt like a 

flower girl!

Brooklyn is such a cutie! I was trying to get her to make a big smile and she made such a cute smile! She really makes me happy as you can tell! I love you sweet Brooklyn.

We love Papa! We were all so worried about him because he missed his dear wife, and still misses her tremendously. Papa is a great man and full of energy! It's comforting to know we can be with our loved ones again after this life. I love the teachings of the Plan of Salvation and how families are eternal. Families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family and the Lord can show me how I can, the Lord can show me how I can! 

Also in Arizona lives Grannie! Grannie is Dena's mother. These are all of her grandkids, Kash, Brooklyn and Jaxson. This was the only picture I had of them together with Grannie and the kids were all so tired. Brooklyn may appear happy but she was just tired and hyper, I get that way when I am tired. 

Bailey Boys! DJ, Matt and Randy. Aren't they a handsome three? It's not often we see all three of them together so this is a sweet picture to have. They aren't as innocent as they look!

Bailey grandkids... Like how Brooklyn is trying to keep Kash upright... hahhaha so cute and Jaxson is sitting up straight trying to be all cute like he is! We sure love you three!

Matt had this cool idea to sleep in the tent out on our deck, the tent barely fit! We watched a movie and of course I fell asleep and couldn't begin to remember what movie we rented... It's a good thing we didn't set up out on the lawn because in the morning we woke to some water hitting the tent, the sprinklers came on! I dunno how the water could climb so high and hit the tent but it did! 

Brooklyn enjoying the tent in the morning... She was already asleep in her room when we decided to sleep out on the deck. The deck is next to her window so we were able to keep the window open and listen for her. She loves tents! She has her own smaller version we got from Ikea a while ago but I had to put it up cause it took up her whole room basically. We are going camping in a few weeks in Tabiona, Utah so maybe I will set it back up for her again.

Well, this was part one of my Bits and Pieces entry. Part Two still to come! Any maybe part Three!