2008 THANKSGIVING

Grand America

Over the years our extended families have gotten too big to get together under one roof for dinner. Our sweet little grandmother has passed away and she was usually the one to hold Thanksgiving Dinner in her home, since it was the only one large enough to accommodate a big group. So we have resorted to a new family tradition, Dinner at the Grand America Hotel. It is a special occasion and something my children look forward to all year long.
The Hotel was decorated for the Holiday season with Christmas trees in every corner, life size vignettes and Gingerbread Houses too big to eat. Dinner was a massive buffet with all the traditional Thanksgiving feast in addition to crab legs, prime rib and a Chocolate fountain with an endless assortment of goodies to dip. (Lukies favorite) They had a children's buffet with chicken strips, hot dogs, french toast and just about anything else the kids could possibly want. I loved the fact that after we were finished eating we didn't have to worry about cleaning up the kitchen or doing the dishes. Instead, we went to the movies! Mom and I skipped out a bit early and went to see Australia (Oh Hugh!) while the men watched football and let the kids play at home. Russell put a Turkey breast in the oven while we were at the show so we could all have a Turkey sandwich and a piece of pie when we got home.

Just let me reiterate that I absolutely, 100%,

L-O-V-E this tradition!This is the second year that Rolene, John and Jaime have celebrated Thanksgiving with us. We hope it continues for years to come.

Janine and Darcy
Luke dipped everything imaginable in the Chocolate fountain: Strawberries, pineapple, cheese, hot dogs, turkey, chicken strips, crab legs, sausages, grapes, cake, fingers, his tongue and I'm sure he would have tried his head if we weren't watching him properly.

Luke was completely drenched in chocolate.

(I'm talking literally from head to toe.)

A Magical Day

I know what you're thinking,

"Wow, Bell and Snow White, what the heck are they doing in town?"

The answer to your question is, they were celebrating a

Magical day together at Disney's Princess' on Ice. Bug and I invited Mia and her mother Jenn to join us for a fun girls day out. We went to lunch before the show and the two girls got such a kick out of all the attention they attracted in their Princess costumes. For some reason everyone could easily figure out who Mia was (Snow White) but they just couldn't quite figure out Bug's character (Belle, in case you don't know).

Mind you the majority of people who commented on the costumes were at Olive Garden in the middle of the afternoon, elderly and probably haven't seen a Disney movie since Fantasia was released. But hey, it was still fun to keep them guessing. The show was truly magical, done in trademark Disney style. Bug's favorite part was Belle dancing with her handsome Prince and the number from "It's a Small World." She sat on the edge of her seat with eyes as big as saucers never moving a muscle until intermission. It was entertaining for of all ages and I even found myself a little disappointed when it was over. They did a tremendous job at keeping the excitement level up and flowing from one story to the next. I was impressed to see a wide variety of characters from the older well known Pinocchio to the newer Mulan and Incredibles. My favorite part was being able to hear all the little girls voices over the top of the sound system singing as loud as they possibly could to all their favorite songs. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable these young girls were, singing about their future love and all their wishes coming true. It was strangely reminiscent of myself when I was young, down in my unfinished basement listening to Disney records, rollerskating and singing out loud to all my favorite songs.

Disney is timeless, I guess that's why we all love it so much.

It brings back nostalgic memories of the past and enables us to re create those moments for younger generations.
It was such a fun day with my Bug, well worth every penny!
Even for the ridiculously overpriced $12 snow cone.

Quality time with my boy

Today my mom took Bailey for the afternoon which allowed Lukie and I to spend some time together. It's not very often that we get good quality, mother son, one on one. I wish I could say that we used it doing something adventurous or creative. But, since he wasn't feeling 100% (gotta love this time of year) we ran a few quick errands then spent the rest of the day at home doing laundry, playing good guy bad guy (guess who I always get to be) and watching as many Batman shows that we could stomach. Periodically Luke would jump up to teach me a new "super hero game" or tell me a lengthy imaginative story then he would kindly pause and wait for me to teach him something new and exciting. I'm not very experienced in the art of boy play so after a few miserably failed attempts at swords the best I could come up with was........ dancing. He didn't seem to mind, we just giggled our heads off at each other acting like such silly goofballs. So I know it might be considered "rushing the season" a little but today I had such an urge to listen to Christmas music. While cleaning the house I busted out the holiday CD's and told Luke to get changed into something more appropriate so we could cut a serious rug. He was on it, and with in seconds he had shed his costume and walked out of the bathroom looking like this, with his hair gelled and sun glasses on. Amazing, I know it's unusual to see the boy with out Super hero garb on. It's a battle every day to convince him to put on "civilian clothing". So you can imagine my surprise when I asked him about his handsome getup, he proceeded to tell me that he no longer wants to go byLuke or Lukie, he would much rather be addressed as Lit'l Russ when he isn't in super hero attire. After all he was wearing Russell's signature back fleece jacket, shades, outdoor shoes and sporting one cool dude attitude. Hilarious! I got such a kick out him dressing up as his Dad to dance with me, what a little gentleman. I didn't have the heart to tell him that his daddy doesn't dance. (sorry Babe, you're good at a lot of things but Dancin' definitely not it.) Luke was an amazing partner, you should have seen him light the floor on fire with his breath taking footwork.

Finally when he could take it no more, Lit'l Russ retreated into the bat cave for a nap. It was such a laid back, ordinary day with out doing anything of major importance. However, I know that these are the days I will remember when my children are grown and gone. I love being home with my kids and I truly enjoyed the day with my very favorite boy.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is my kids favorite holiday and with good reason it's not every day that you get to dress up and walk around town begging all the neighbors for candy.Bailey was Tinkerbell and Luke was... Guess Who? None other than the freakin' awesome Superman and his side kick Scout the Superdog.
One of Superdogs Super Amazing

Magical abilities is to shoot powerful yellow "lasers" out of his eyeballs.

(not included with costume) What did Superman say to Dash the Incredible?
Mine are BIGGER than yours are!
Adam , Luke and Scout

We are lucky to live in a neighborhood with a lot of little kids so we met up with a group of friends and hit the town together in mass. It was such a beautiful night the weather was like a September evening. The kids loved being able to Trick-or-Treat with out their coats on because then they could show off their costumes.
Saydi, Bug, Riley, Kennedy

Holy moly, I've never seen so much candy! There were quite a few full size Candy bars that Russell and I had to confiscate for Adult inspection (consumption). It's going to take weeks to eat it all and I'm sure grateful that it only comes once a year, we were totally worn out. What a Happy Halloween, hope you all had the same.

Pumpkins

I'm a little bit behind on my blogging so today I am playing catch-up. Last month Heather and I took the kids to a great Pumpkin patch in West Jordan where you got to pick your very own pumpkin off the vine. Poor little Dylan wasn't feeling well and it sure shows in this picture. I just want to pick him up and give him a love. Russ helped Bug and Lukie scoop the guts out, yucky.
We made it a fun family night and ordered every ones favorite Pizza. Kyle, Dylan and Gram helped carve pumpkins After the carving was over and the Pumpkins were set out on the porch Gram got the kids into jammies and helped settle the boys in by reading them a couple of stories.

A little blurry but you get the picture
Cat by Bailey
Ghost by Dylan
Bat, cause it was the closest thing to a Superhero by Luke

My Grandma Faye

Donna Faye Bowen Day Rogers
Donna Faye Bowen Day Rogers 2/24/1922 ~ 10/27/2008 Our dear wife, mother, grandmother and friend was born Feb. 24, 1922 and died peacefully on Mon., October 27, 2008 following complications from a stroke. She was at home surrounded by her family. Faye was born on Feb. 24, 1922 to Edith Mary Stagg and Abner Womac Bowen. She was the youngest of nine children. She grew up in Midvale, Utah. She had a lovely singing voice and was invited often to perform in plays, church and special occasions. She graduated from Jordan High School in the spring of 1940. She enrolled in beauty school in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1940. Faye opened her first beauty shop on Main Street in Midvale in Dec. 1941. She married Harold Robert Day on August 17, 1943. He died on Jan. 15, 1954. She married Rex G. Rogers on February 1, 1958. Faye was a member of the L.D.S. Church. She served as Stake and Ward Drama Director and was Coordinator in the Junior Sunday School in the Draper 3rd Ward for many years. She taught the five year old class in Primary for many years. She had a beauty shop, "Faye's Style Shack" in her home in Draper for 50 years. She closed the shop in 2000 at the age of 78. They moved to a lovely new home on Arrow Creek Drive in Draper. She loved her association with the operators and patrons that flowed through the shop over the years. She enjoyed playing games and played monthly with a group of friends from her high school years and with a second group of good friends from Draper right up to her death. She loved going to the movies and went each week with her best friend Avis, whom she loved dearly. She liked to travel and had many nice trips over the years. She loved to attend activities and go to lunch with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was fun loving and spunky throughout her life. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband of 50 year Rex G Rogers and three daughters, Kathleen Klindt, Salt Lake City; Anne Pinarelli, St. George; and Cheryl (Doug) Perkins, Salt Lake City; and three sons, Gordon (Suzanne) Day, Sandy, Utah; Paul Robert (Carmen) Day, Anchorage, Alaska; and LaMont A. (Susan) Day, Draper, Utah. One daughter Kathy preceded her in death. She has 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grand-children and one great-great-granddaughter. The family wishes to thank those that helped us in caring for her these last months. A special thanks to Aundrea, Tim and Yolanda and to the staff of the Highland Care Center.

Luke is 3

I remember when I was pregnant with Luke, Russ and I went to get my ultrasound and the tech told us it was a boy. Russ had him check 3 times to make sure he wasn't mistaken. It was such a happy day for us because we wanted a boy so badly. Bailey had put an order in for a new teeny tiny little white fluffy puppy but she finally decided that she was satisfied with a baby brother. We all wondered what Luke's personality would be like, since Bailey is such a character, we worried that if he was timid he would end up in his big sisters shadow. He surprised us all and was born with all the personality and charisma that a 10 pounder could hold. Luke is so much like his daddy it just makes me laugh. They both run non-stop all day, everyday and it wears me out! We are working on harnessing Lukie's energies into Athletics and motorcycling and he seems to understand and enjoy them all. He loves to test himself to see how far he can push his little body and he is always making up games to see who can do this or that bigger, better or badder. Luke is boy through and through and yet he remains my little gentleman. He is kind and polite and he always makes sure to open doors for the girls and tell them that they look pretty, Gram Faye in particular. Luke is hilarious and he loves to entertain - not to mention he's a pretty great dancer. Here is my Birthday tribute to the Boy in honor of him turning 3 We were delighted to have boy in our family and he was such a easy baby. I think I was the only mother known to history to have brought home a newborn that slept through the night every night. I had insomnia something terrible and so I stayed up nights on end watching my sweet baby boy sleep.
Two buddies chillin'. Luke has always idolized his daddy.
My little Blue Eyes. We all wondered where he came from since Russ and I both have Brown eyes. Apparently Russ and I both carry a recessive gene that causes blue eyes and we think they're beautiful! If you ask Lukie where he got them he will tell you, "From the sky".

3 of Luke's favorite foods:

Broccoli, Lemonade, Candy

3 of Luke's favorite shows:

Spiderman, Batman, Scoobydoo

3 favorite places Luke has been:

Lagoon with Kaylie, Murray Pool with friends and Cousins, Bear Lake with the Taylor Family

3 of Luke's favorite Things:

Batman Costume, Spiderman Costume, 50 Motorcycle

3 Facts about Luke:

He wears his underpants backwards so he can see which superhero he has on

He is sensitive, kind and tender hearted

He tells the most imaginative stories you've ever heard

Luke's Buddies:

Dylan, AJ, Jager, Bug, Cole, Chance, Josh, Adam, Dad, Brandon,

Gram Faye, Gram Kathy, Rolene, John and Tyler

3 things Luke wants to be when he grows up:

Spiderman with big Muscles, His dad with big Muscles, Motorcycle Guy with big Muscles

3 Things Luke looks forward to about getting older:

"Getting Taller"

"Growing Big Muscles"

"Being a Superhero"

Bailey is 5

It's hard to believe that I am the mother of a 5 year old. The time has just flown by and I feel like it is getting away from me. It seems just like yesterday that Russell and I brought home this sweet little baby girl with more hair on her head and personality in her body than one person should be allowed. Bailey is such a gift! She has the amazing ability to read people and to connect with everyone and bring joy and happiness into all our lives. She is continually smiling or goofing around, she gets a pure kick out of life and is always searching for the next big adventure. I decided to put 5 of my favorite pictures of Bug throughout the years on this birthday blog, the only problem was looking through all the old pics I realized that they are all my favorite. I had such a hard time breaking it down to just 5. I have truly enjoyed every moment that I have had with my girl. Watching her grow and develop with each new stage has been a joy and a blessing.
Miss Personality
Always making us laugh. She is known for making Dress-ups out of anything, even a bucket.
She grew up so much the day she became a Big Sister. I was so proud of the way she took care of her baby brother. So Loving and protective.
Bailey Picked out her own Christmas outfit

which was supposed to be Red but she talked me into all pink.

I guess you could say it's her signature color.

The Morning of Bug's birthday she woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and had a revelation to tell me, she was no longer a toddler interested in silly little kid things, she was now a big 5 year old. In her own words, "I am practically a grown up". (Yes, she actually said this to me)
In honor of her 5th birthday here is a Tribute to Bailey in all 5's.

5 of Bailey's favorite Foods:
Crab, Pomegranates, Waffles, Lasagna, Tuna Fish (funny thing about her liking Tuna is that it was the only thing I craved while I was pregnant with her. Coincidence?)
5 of Bailey's Favorite Shows:
Enchanted, Stardust, The Little Mermaid, All of the Shirley Temple Movies, Sound of Music
5 favorite Places Bailey has been:
Arizona with Gram Faye and Kathy to see Gracie perform her Irish step Dance. South Dakota road trip, California with Reagan and Chiristine, St.George to visit Aunt Annie and Bear Lake with the Taylor family.
5 of Bailey's favorite things:
Polly Pocket dolls, Stuffed Cat, American Girl baby doll, my ipod, Dress up clothes
5 facts about Bug:
She is an amazing little artist with a fascinating imagination, She is a true Social Butterfly, She wakes up with a smile every day, She has a beautiful singing voice and likes to make up songs, She is kind to everyone and does a great job to make sure no one is left out, even if that means including her little brother.
Bailey's best Friends:
Brooklyn, Reagan, Kaylie, Mia, Saydi, Riley, Gram Kathy, Gram Faye, Annie, Rolene and Janine
5 things Bailey would like to be when she grows up: Artist, Scientist, Ballet Dancer, Singer or a Princess. (I say shoot for the moon and go for them all!)
5 things that Bailey looks forward to about getting older:
"loosing my teeth"
"getting my ears pierced"
"Kindergarten"
"Getting Married"
"Going to bed when ever I want"