Merry Christmas

Our first day of Christmas celebration at the Bailey’s was a good one.  We had Kate’s favorite for breakfast - biscuits and gravy.  Then we packed sandwiches, snacks, snow clothes, and sleds in the 2 vehicles and  headed to the Big Horn mountains for sledding.  It was the perfect day.  It was sunny, not too cold and not windy.  We had to go pretty far up to get to snow.  We saw a big herd of elk on our way up and stopped at some scenic places for pictures.  

Our family - behind Sheridan

Bailey Family

Mountain View

It was a pretty good sized hill and there were several other families/groups there with the same idea.  I was really nervous the first go.  Walt and I went together.  I screamed/yelled/laughed the whole way down.  I have no control over that.  We got going pretty fast and these sleds were really difficult to steer.  We made it all the way down and didn’t crash - break anything - or run into anyone.  Success!!!   It was so fun.  It is a long way down.  It took a lot more energy and time to get back up the hill.  The two other groups there had a snowmobile or 4 wheeler to pull the sledders back up the hill.  We just got extra exercise.  The Bailey kids just seem to go half way down and tried controlling their speed.  There’s no fun in that.  We just went for it.  Drake and Kate went down about 6 times, maybe?  Walt and I went down twice together and a couple of times alone.  The first time I went alone, I really thought I would run over someone.  I could not steer it at all.  I was going down fine and very fast and then my sled took a left turn and I was headed right for another sledder.  I hollered for them to get out of the way.  They finally did and then I was headed for a 4 wheeler.  They were not understanding my lack of control, so I just leaned off the sled into the snow to stop.  Whew!!   I might be too old for this stuff!   It was still really fun. Walt was much better at it than I was.  We were brave, had fun, and no one got broken!!!   After a few down hills, we built a fire and sat in camping chairs and ate our sandwiches.  We even took off our coats a couple of times.  Mostly when we had just climbed the big hill.

Me and Kate - behind our little camp 

Me and Kate with hill behind us

Kate and Drake

Walt ready to sled.

Me and Kate with matching hats

President Bailey getting ready to light our fire

Chilling with our fire and lunch

Bailey daughter and Kate on top of Drake for a race

Kate on Drake.  They actually made it all the way down the hill that way

Group picture

Selfie

When it started to get closer to sunset, we headed out.  Drake, Kate, and the three oldest Bailey children went on home.  The Bailey parents, Benson (their youngest), and us went to the Bear Lodge.  The Baileys wanted to pick up a pie from there.  We bought one as well, since there were so many of us.  Our whole group was a total of 10.  I know for Abe and Anya, that is just a regular group.   I also saw some beautiful native American made earrings there, and got them for Christmas.  The plan for dinner was pizza from a local place.  Their specialty pizzas are amazing.  We got Chicken BBQ and Chicken Alfredo pizza.  Both were super yummy!!

Bear Lodge.  Where we got pies and earrings.  The moose horns near the ceiling are huge

We ended the day with a visit at one of their ward member’s house.  She is referred to as Granny K; though she doesn’t seem very Granny like to me - too young.  She loves, loves, loves Christmas.  She starts in September on decorating her house for Christmas.  She decorates every bit of it; even the bathrooms, laundry room and under the sinks.  Most of the rooms have their own theme of Christmas.  Some elves, snowmen, Santa, etc.  She is also into vintage things and especially vintage Coke.  It was interesting to me that she didn’t have a Nativity themed room.  I asked her about it.  She would like to start one.  This year, she just got rid of her gingerbread theme, so there might be hope.  Christmas can be so many things to different people.  My favorite, even before serving a mission, has been the birth of the Savior.  I know of so many people that collect nativities.  I have a good many myself and I always like to put those up first.  My second favorite decoration is the Christmas tree.  Like Lucille (our neighbor), my Christmas tree is full of memories.  Each ornament has a story.    We really enjoyed Granny K’s house and of course, she had treats for us as well.  Then she sent us home with a box full.   The whole time we were at the Bailey’s - there was no lack of food sitting around tempting us.  Unfortunately, I yielded to the temptation over and over again.

Walt and Kate chilling at Granny K's

Pres. Bailey reading us a nativity story at Granny K's

Some of the kitchen area at Granny K's

Stove top at Granny K's

Tuesday - Christmas Eve.  For breakfast there was steel cut oats with a most amazing buttermilk syrup and other fixings; like nuts, berries, coconut, bananas, etc.  We were spoiled with amazing food at every meal it seemed.  Buttermilk syrup is popular here.  I had never heard of it before.  It is amazing!!!  It is basically sugar, buttermilk, vanilla and butter cooked together.  It’s hard to resist.  The weather was very nice that day - sunny and in the mid 30’s - which means no coat.  We were able to FaceTime the Monn/Wilson grandchildren that day.  Once with Walt and I, and later with me, Drake and Kate.  It was funny; once they realized Kate and Drake were with us, Walt and I were old hat.  It’s all good.  We figured during the day on Christmas Eve would be the least hectic time to chat with them.  They were cleaning their rooms, and getting ready for their fancy Christmas Eve dinner.  We’ve been video talking with Emma on Marco Polo every day.  We love it!!  

The Bailey’s have their big dinner on Christmas Eve.  Every year, they invite some friends over to join them.  Usually someone who doesn’t have much company for the holidays.  A family, and a single dad came over that night.  There was so much food.  Lots of hors d’oeuvres - shrimp cocktail, cream cheese with pepper jelly, sliced cheese, olives, pickles, and crackers.  That was enough!  Then there was dinner - prime rib, twice baked potatoes, sweet potato casserole, rolls, 7 layer salad and strawberry jello pretzel salad, and pie.  Man were we full!!!   The best part was that there was so much food, we got to eat it again on Christmas day.

After dinner, we did some traditional Christmas Eve things.  For them, it was first  - the Jingle Bell game.  Put a bunch of jingle bells on a sheet.  Each person holds a piece of the sheet, the song “Jingle Bells” is played loudly and fast, and we all shake the sheet trying/not trying to keep the bells on.  Once they are all off, the sheet is laid down, restocked, and the craziness starts again.  It was so fun.  Walt took some good videos.   Then for Drake, it is reading the story of “The Christmas orange” and one of those Chocolate oranges is shared by all.  Benson passed it around for all to partake.  Another tradition for the Bailey’s is a Christmas video.  It is pictures of the Savior’s life - birth to death, to music.  I really loved it.  They have done this for the past 12 years.  It was one of my favorites.  Kate wanted me to read “Twas the night before Christmas.”  She said it brought back some nice childhood memories.  Later, she and Drake read the Christmas story from Luke 2.  After the kids were in bed, we helped get things ready for Santa.  

Cutting the prime rib

Getting the meal set up.  Benson loves to sit on the counter

This and next picture of Jingle Bell Game

Benson handing out chocolate orange pieces

Christmas morning started early.  We knew they would be starting at 6 am, and they gave us the option of sleeping in or getting up with them.  Surprisingly, Walt was up at 5:45 getting a shower.  So I figured we were getting up for the whole thing.  We got all situated and were ready for them to all come in.  The kids sleep in their parent’s room on Christmas Eve and then  President Bailey gets the tree lit and such before the kids come into the living room.  There is actually a count down.  It was great just sitting there waiting.  When they arranged the furniture the night before, the most comfy chairs were put together for Walt and I (the grandparents).  Santa was good to everyone.  We even had stuff in our stockings.  I had some new mascara, lotion, and candy.  Walt got some hot sauce and candy.  

Kate adding some of our presents under the Bailey's tree

Santa has come!!  The kayaks were from Pres Bailey's parents

We woke Kate and Drake up around 7 am.  I think Kate was more ready than Drake.  She gets excited like me about Christmas morning.  We received some very nice presents from everyone.  The Baileys were very excited about the gift for us of Yeti cups.  We each got one with the Wyoming cowboy emblem on one side, and the “Newcastle, WY” on the other.  What a thoughtful gift.  They see us with our “Sippy” cups all the time.  The girls (kate and I) got shirts from “Surf Wyoming” and they boys got hats from “King Ropes.”  That is a place in Sheridan that makes all the quality rope items for ranching and cowboys.  Evidently, there are several famous people who have been there and have those hats.   We gave games to each of the children, new kitchen towels to Sis Bailey, and two things of Slap Ya Mamma to President Bailey.  Walt is slowly converting the world to that wonderful spice - especially the extra hot version.  

Drake and Kate's filled stockings

Checking out what Santa put in stockings

Amanda trying out Benson's new car.  Perfect size for her

Our new Yeti cups

Walt's King Ropes hat.  It looks really good on him

The big meal on Christmas Day for the Bailey’s is breakfast.  They traditionally make a round pancakes called “Aebleskiver Pancakes.” Also a homemade Carmel sauce.  Too much good stuff!!  Another family from their ward came over for that yummy meal.   Walt, unforntutaely, got a bad migraine and had to lay down until it got better - which was a little after lunch.  The rest of the day was pretty low key.  Some people napped, others played games, enjoyed their new Christmas presents, and just enjoyed each other’s company.  We also got some snow that day.  It flurried nearly all day.  The only accumulation was on the hard surfaces.  The main roads were fine, but the side roads and driveways were slick.  I went out to get Walt some migraine medicine.  It was funny because Drake asked if I even knew how to drive in the snow.  Silly Drake - I live in Wyoming!!!   It was a very nice Christmas!!

Jenga tournament

Worn out from Christmas

Thursday was driving home day.  We originally were going to go to Billings and go to the temple with Kate and Drake.  We miss going with Kate.  But the additional 5 hours of driving became less and less appealing.  We opted to just drive straight back to Newcastle.  Kate and Drake would be driving to Minnesota on Friday.  It was a good call.  It gave us a little more time at the Baileys.  Walt and Drake went with President Bailey to do some shooting with his new rifle.  The girls watched the movie “Klaus.” Really cute movie.  We left about 3ish and got home by 6.  Kate and Drake did all the driving.  What a blessing.   We had Cheeseeeys from Wayback, unpacked the car, and just enjoyed relaxing and last minute visiting.  

Pres Bailey siting his new rifle.  

Walt trying out the new rifle

It was sad to see Kate and Drake leave the next day.  The time went by too fast.  We won’t see them again until Kate gets back from India in May.  She goes for 3 weeks with her Nursing program at the end of April.  After they left, we did a little cleaning up and then we made a very last minute decision.  We already had plans to go to Denver( Fort Collins) to exchange the Kitchenaid Walt surprised me with for Christmas.  The motor was bad, and Fort Collins is the closest Macy’s.  The original plan was to leave next week, and visit the temple there during that trip.  We were already in travel mode, so I suggested we leave that day, Friday and get it done.  So we did.  We re-packed, and left by 10:30 am.   The drive wasn’t bad at all.  It’s only 4 hours to Ft Collins.  Not any traffic until you into Colorado.  We took care of the exchange, did another return, and then headed for the temple.  We made it just in time for the 4 pm session, took a break for food (ham sandwiches we brought from home) and then did the 7 pm session.  It was a very good night.   We stayed at the Courtyard near the temple.  Oh - we did make a tiny stop at Costco and got 7 things.  Only 7.

Saturday, we woke up to 3-4 inches of snow.  We knew it was coming.  There were signs on the road on Friday about the impending storm that would bring lots of blowing snow.  That is a bigger deal than just snow - especially for driving.  We have first hand experience with that and got even more experience that afternoon.  We went to the temple that morning, and then figured we had better head home.  Driving in blowing snow at night is risky.  So I drove the first 3 hours with 3-4 very different scenarios.  There was snow blowing so bad you couldn’t see in front of you but not accumulation on the road.  There was blowing snow with spotty drifts of snow.  Sometimes, one side of the road was covered by the other wasn’t.  Then there was no blowing snow, but the road not plowed.  You never know what you’re going to get with bad weather in Wyoming.  It changes every couple of miles.  Once it was dark and Walt was driving, there was very little snow on the road and not much blowing snow either.  In fact, Newcastle only got a dusting of snow.  So our driving time was adventurous, as usual.  But we made it fun by playing lively Christmas songs one more day.  That takes the nerves out of every driving situation.  It really was an enjoyable journey.  The Lord really did watch over us well in our travels.  We also feel blessed in more ways than one when we go to the temple.  The Billings Montana temple will be closed for the month of January, so we will probably take another trip to Ft Collins with the Aylesworths and go to the temple.  Both our families love the temple. 

Herd of buffalo on the hill.  Near the Wyoming-Colorado line

Part of the drive home.  Town of Lusk

Sunday morning was tricky.  We have been staying up late and sleep in for nearly a week.  Walt had to get up at 6:15 for Bishopric meeting.  Yuck.  For the first time since we’ve been here, I dropped him off for his meeting and went back to sleep for an hour.  I didn’t have anyone to pickup.  He took his nap as soon as we got home from church.  We are out of practicing on getting up early.  Only one more week, and we have no choice in the matter - Seminary will be starting again.  That gives us one week, to get Christmas put away, rearranged, things sorted, packed up, thrown out and organized.  Then prepare for the next semester of Seminary, and go through the list of people we work with and pray about a goal for each of them that we can help with.  This whole process works so much better with Heavenly Father involved.  We did really good at it for a while, and then we were less diligent.  It’s a new year - a new time to re-commit ourselves to being spiritually prepared for the work we do, to be in tune with who and where the Lord needs us and what is the best thing we can help that person with.  He knows His children much, much better than we do.  We are only his instruments to accomplish his work.  But we need to do our part in being spiritually prepared and listen to the promptings.  It’s the kind of skill that takes CONSTANT work (at least for us).

So this week, we will be helping Richard Smith move into his new trailer in town.  We haven’t visited with Renee since we’ve been back, so probably tomorrow with her at the hospital.  She was able to come home for Christmas Eve and day, but did quite a bit of sleeping.  She is currently back at the hospital in Newcastle and the family is trying to move into the trailer by Friday.  The ward helps with any and everything and as much as they can.   Tomorrow we are helping move some stuff from his storage unit. 

We’re not sure what kind of week we will have.  We have some ideas, but then people call us at the last minuet often to help with something or another.  We’ll see how it all works out.  It keeps us all wondering.  

We really hope all you had a wonderful Christmas.  Sue - I wish I would have taken your shingles for you so you didn’t have to suffer and continue to suffer.  It’s a horrible thing.  But we keep praying that you will get better and find comfort..

It’s that time of year, when we all look at our lives and think what we can improve - it could be financial, spending less, what we spend our priorities on with our time, making our relationships more important, eating less, exercising more.  We are the same way.  This is the time of year for improvements and goals.  I think our most important goal is to prepare ourselves spiritually.  There have been many changes lately in our church - the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  President Nelson has talked about the next General Conference in April and it will be something like we’ve never seen before.  He said to prepare for it.  President Larson, our mission president said it will only be that way for us if we are spiritually prepared.  Being Spiritually prepared helps us accept and be ready to change when big changes happen.  For various reasons, there will be “Sweeping changes” in our mission coming up. Who know what kinds of changes are coming from within the main core of the church.  Who knows when Christ will come again?  We should be preparing ourselves spiritually for what lies ahead in our world.  Our spiritual strength, reliance and trust in God is going to be crucial in our survival and the survival of our families.  My biggest new goal -is to strength my spiritual preparedness and make some essential goals.  Getting  a smaller body is in there too, but the spiritual part needs to run the show.  I encourage all of you to think of what your future might have in store for you and decide what kind of preparedness do you need to make to get through the hard stuff. It’s inventory time and then make a plan, then put the plan into effect.  Time to step up our game.  What kind of winners to we want to be and on whose team?

Our District on Christmas Eve District Council.  We didn't go.

We really missed seeing all our loved ones this Christmas, but we felt the love of everyone all the way in Wyoming.  Thank you for that.  We love you all so much and hope you feel God and Jesus Christ’s love for you during Christmas.

Love,

Eder and Sister Vann