Merry Christmas from The Baileys

Dear Family and Friends,

2012 was…eventful. In order to avoid littering this summary with clichés, we will just let the events speak for themselves.

Allan continues to enjoy law as he enters his fifth year of civil litigation. In August he took an unplanned three-day getaway via ambulance to the hospital where he recuperated from an acute back injury. His mornings are now filled with running and physical therapy. He still carries on his civic duty by serving on boards for two different organizations. Going on his third year as Elders Quorum President, he’s still waiting to discover those magical words to motivate men to do their home teaching. His favorite moments are spent at home with his three mini-mes and his adoring wife. Always the challenge is balancing it all.

Buffy barely remembers the past twelve months due to sleep deprivation. January started off with a bang when she discovered a third VandaBailey was on its way. She whimpered through the next five months of sickness, thoroughly enjoyed July and August, and then waddled through September. As of December 8th, she is now getting a full night’s sleep. Realizing that she didn’t want to cram three children into the back of a Civic, she reluctantly became a minivan mom. Four months later, forgetting about her handy backup camera, she backed that minivan into a tree. See “sleep deprivation” above.

Jack, almost 7, is still the funniest kid we know. Seriously. Buffy has received more than one text message describing his classroom antics.  When his teacher asked the students to tell about their pets, Jack got up in front of the class, stated that he doesn’t have any traditional pets but then went on to explain how he has “made friends with some roly polies.” So far his greatest trial in life has been mastering Four Square (“Machiavelli at Recess,” concludes Allan). He now declares Harry Potter to be passé, and considers Lord of the Rings the ultimate in awesomeness. Jack, a voracious reader, also started piano this year, and has started recognizing the virtues of basketball.

Micah, 2.5, threatens to overtake Jack as the funniest kid we know.  Early on we described his personality as Romantic and he continues to feel things deeply. So deeply, in fact, it’s actually difficult to keep a straight face during his meltdowns. Micah loves to talk, read, scold Jack, play basketball, talk, play with trains, talk, and talk. Micah also speaks in third person. Parents blame Elmo.

Nathan Warren Bailey (or “Ethan” as Micah persists in calling him), 12 weeks, is loved and adored by all. After a vexing two weeks of bed rest and two premature visits to the hospital for Buffy, Nathan very quickly made his grand entrance on September 21^st into the arms of an extremely capable nurse (“This baby is coming! We need a Doctor NOW!!!”). He is named after Buffy’s paternal grandfather and so far has the same special spirit as his namesake.

Adding to our exciting and busy year, we closed on our first home mid-December. We feel very blessed to have more bedrooms, more yard, and plenty of storage (which we’re sure will feel like much less storage five years from now). We’re taking bets for how long it will take us to unpack.

If you’d like our new address, feel free to comment on the blog, send an e-mail, or contact either Allan or Buffy on Facebook.

We enjoy this Christmas season more and more each year as we watch our family grow and change. We can say with great sincerity that we have been tremendously blessed. We know that our faith in Jesus Christ, his example, and atoning sacrifice is what gives meaning to our days and brings joy to our hearts.

With much love,

Allan, Buffy, Jack, Micah, and Nathan Bailey