January 2012? WHOA!! I think I blinked and missed 2011.

January 2012? WHOA!! I think I blinked and missed 2011.

December was a busy month for the Dailey’s. Jayden started basketball and Kiarra got more into volleyball, and Taryn had her 5th b-day party. I had been so busy that I didn’t start Christmas shopping until the week before leaving for Iowa. I don’t know what has got into me the last few years but I have put it off too long! It’s fortunate that I have every other Friday off because I was able to do most of it while the stores were not too crazy. Jeff went with me the next day and we finished it. We had decided early in the month to go to Iowa again for the holidays this year. Since it’s difficult to travel with kids and gifts, we celebrated Christmas a few days early at home and then took a couple “Santa” gifts with us for the kids to open Christmas morning. Since Jeff and I had to work the day we had our family Christmas, we decided we’d go out to eat instead of cooking/cleaning up. Taryn could hardly stand being at dinner she was so stinking excited to get home and open gifts. She’d been eyeing hers for a few days which was torture for her. Each of them had a gift that was either odd shaped or too big to wrap so we sent them upstairs when we got home so we could pull the last few things out of the closet. We made them close their eyes as we guided them to the tree. Kiarra’s response was the best. In front of her was a keyboard that she’s wanted for quite a while. She had tears she was so excited. Jayden couldn’t really see his exposed gift because the massive keyboard was in the way but when he finally did, he loved his CSI stuff. He’s been trying to get my DNA for a month now! Then there is Taryn… As I’ve mentioned before, she’s had an imaginary dog for several years now. We thought it would be fitting to buy her this cute white remote control dog she’d seen on TV. She had expressed that she wanted it but I had no idea how much she really did want it. I also didn’t know that it barked and moved its head (a little creepy). She set eyes on the puppy and fell in LOVE! She was so thankful and happy that she didn’t really care to open anything else. She had to immediately walk the dog through the house and show her where she’d be living and playing. It was adorable. They one by one opened all their gifts and stayed up late taking everything out of the packaging, putting in batteries, etc. The only bad thing about celebrating early to go out of town is that they have to leave all their brand new stuff behind. They were so excited to get to Iowa that Taryn was the only one that really cared about leaving her stuff, specifically her dog. We left on Friday, the 23rd and drove straight through. We made awesome time, 15 hours flat! Jeff and I crashed the minute we got there (6:30 am) so we could be ready for Christmas Eve at Aunt Loretta’s later that afternoon. The kids were highly disappointed that there wasn’t any snow. They’ve never been there for Christmas when there wasn’t snow so they didn’t know what to do with themselves. They just thought that it ALWAYS snows in Iowa at Christmas. We headed over to Russ and Loretta’s house and had a delicious meal and great time playing games and catching up with everyone. I really enjoyed my time with them. Getting to see Kellie 9 months preggers was the highlight. I can’t wait to meet this precious little one. Kellie is glowing and beautiful.

Christmas morning was quite boring actually. The kids didn’t even notice their “Santa” gifts so after being awake for a few hours I finally sent Taryn to Grandpa’s 1 ½ foot tree to see if there was anything there for her. I guess I love it that they don’t think Christmas is about gifts but I was still expecting them to be looking for them at the crack of dawn. They opened their gifts and we chilled and watched them play with their new games/stuff. I helped Mom get food together for later when her side of the family would be coming. It wasn’t long and there was a house full of people. Taryn had lots of cousins to play with and I got to catch up with my cousin’s wife who is expecting twins. It was so great to see her. She looks amazing, I can hardly believe she is carrying twins, and I can’t wait to see little Miss Kennedy as a big sister. Taryn loves Kennedy and wishes we lived closer so they could play every day.

Monday was another adventurous day. Tamia flew up from being with her Mom. We picked her up at the Omaha airport and went straight to Teige and Kathy’s house to celebrate Christmas with them, my nephews, Talan, my niece and the Gochenours. They always have a good feast for us so we enjoyed eating, drinking some delicious wine and chilling out. The best part of the night is when Makenzie opened her gift from Teige, Kathy, Logan and Morgan. It was a box, wrapped in a box, in another box, and another box… Each box was wrapped and then saran wrapped. It was so funny! Of course she didn’t think it was too funny but everyone else did. She had a great gift after all that work. Love you Kenz!!

Kiarra and Tamia ended up spending the night with a friend of theirs there in Logan. Taryn was sad she couldn’t stay with her “blonde friends” but was really happy to get to see them again. We saw them again the next night too. She loved seeing their house and their rooms. I think that she really thinks they are her best friends.

Tuesday I took Makenzie home and then went to see a friend from high school. Even though we only got to catch up for a few minutes, it was so great to see her again after all these years. We had talked here and there and I saw her when she was pregnant with her oldest but that was 10 years ago! I miss her and her awesome family. FB brought us back together and I hope to not lose touch again!

Wednesday we had our annual fun day planned with the Ulven/Hernandez families. Every time we go to Iowa we always spend a day in Blair at Ang and Chris’ house. Our kids all get along so well and play as if no time has passed since the last time we’d been there (1 year). I’d been waiting months to get my hands on sweet little Emma May and the time finally came! I had heard that she was going through a phase where she didn’t like anyone but her Mama but she liked me just fine…actually, I think she loved me. She cuddled right up to me and we coo’d and ooo’d and aaaa’d. Oh, I love her so much already! We learned a new card game while there so this is our new thing at home most nights.

Thursday we chilled, played games and packed. I made a visit to Bloomy’s Boutique in Soldier and bought a few shirts for the girls. Cute shop, if you are in the area, you should check it out. I even ran into more family while in there and got to see another little cutie patootie baby girl! Since this was our last evening, we had to go to AK in Ute. Teige and family, Talan, Loretta and family were all able to make it over for our last dinner. It was pretty good but not as good as normal. I was quite pissed, as were several others that they were out of prime rib!!! How does that happen!??!
We were on the road by 5 am Friday morning and got home safe, and quick. Saying good-bye is always tough but it was so good to be home.
January was here at a blink of an eye and here we are in the last full week of the month. The kids jumped right back into school and activities. Kiarra had her first official club volleyball tournament and it was awesome. They didn’t win every game but she hustled and played really well. Jayden had an unfortunate accident 2 days before his first official game. He was running through the house to jump on his Daddy’s back but hit his hand on the arm of couch. He broke his pinkie finger and within a few days had surgery where they put pins in place. He’s in a cast for 3 weeks so will miss several of his games. If all goes well, he will get to play in the last 2 – 3 games.
That’s what we’ve been up to the past month!